After a stormy three weeks that saw President #Donald Trump sign contested executive orders and little in the way of real government, the issues raised since the Inauguration must be addressed. In addition, staff members are in the spotlight in a way that distracts instead of helping the new Administration settle into the rhythm of administering rather than giving orders to staff, Republicans and those who oppose him.
Another Executive Order?
The first order of business this week for the new Administration will have to be deciding what direction to take in relation to the most controversial order signed so far.
The order setting in place a Moslem Ban has not only raised protests around the country, but has also seen two losing court battles by the Oval Office in which it was blocked by the Judiciary on constitutional grounds.
President Trump must now decide whether to withdraw the order, modify it, obey the court orders or challenge them in the Supreme Court. The divergent reports over the weekend seem to indicate a little bit of all these. There are reports of both a modified order and a new order, while the choice of challenging the Judge Robart’s restraining order in the Supreme Court is seen to be the most likely.
This issue is of prime importance not so much because of its obvious priority and high profile, but above all because it highlights the modus operandi of the new President who, like many of his most ardent followers, believes that electoral victory should be enough to enact his promises.
So far the checks and balances of the American system of government have shown this belief to be wrong, but this will probably be a recurring issue for at least the short term for the Oval Office.
Two shadows return
After a period of comparative quiet, the most controversial issue over the Administration’s head has returned. CNN has reported that the intelligence community has found confirmation of parts of the controversial report on Russian interference in the presidential election.
Combined with the storm raging around Security Advisor Michael Flynn’s contacts with the Russian Ambassador this issue will trouble President Trump for some time.
The Oval Office must take this issue seriously and not just label it as “fake news”, or criticize the intelligence community for doing its assigned duties. While the country awaits developments and the final report with definitive proof of its veracity or falsity President Trump and his staff must this week begin truly addressing the issue with the seriousness it deserves.
In addition, the news of a ballistic missile test by North Korea on the weekend coinciding with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to the United States emphasized that the new Administration must also direct its attention on international issues and not just domestic issues. North Korean Dictator Kim Jong-UN is not the only person wishing to take advantage of the President’s current domestic distractions.
Staff issues
Normally White House staff members are not headline makers and certainly not in the beginning of the Administration, but the performance of Press Secretary Sean Spicer and Senior Advisors Sallyanne Conway and now National Security Advisor Michael Flynn have drawn wide attention for the wrong reasons.
Reports of the President’s dissatisfaction only magnify the image of a White House in disarray, rather than concentrated on the tasks at hand.
This morning’s to do list for the White House is a long one that also includes other issues. But these few are enough to indicate that the Executive Branch must begin concentrating its attention not only on the high profile campaign promises, but also on how it conducts its business. Above all it must ensure that it operates within the limits set by Law and the Constitution.
If President Trump and his staff do not do so, then the country and the world as a whole will have another long week in front of it.
