When #Donald Trump was elected as President of the United States on November 8th those who voted for him expected changes to how the country was governed. Despite the skepticism of many others that his lack of experience within the system of government would be a disadvantage, these electors believed that his apparent business success would give him the skills to undertake the changes he promised, even though many, such as the repeal of Obamacare, made good headlines they were short on details. The first three and a half weeks of the Presidency seem to have proven the skeptics right.
First problems
In the first two weeks a flurry of executive orders seemed to take the first steps to repealing Obamacare, building the promised wall with Mexico and to put in place a Moslem ban from seven so-called “at risk” countries in the Middle East. The people who elected President Trump were overjoyed, but the realities of governing immediately made their presence felt.
Republican Senators and Congressmen have felt the sting of their electors who are worried about Obamacare being repealed without a suitable replacement, the Mexico wall is embroiled in the costs and the fact that Mexico refuses to pay for it as per Trump’s campaign promise and finally the Moslem ban has been blocked by the Judiciary because of constitutional and other issues caused by poor drafting, sure proof of the inexperience of the White House team.
Yet despite the importance of these issues another man has cast his shadow over the White House and it is struggling to carry out any work as it fights an ongoing war with the Press and also members of the intelligence community over an issue that should have been addressed even before Trump’s Inauguration.
Flynn and Russia
The resignation of #Michael Flynn, the National Security Advisor and head of the National Security Council, due to his contacts with the Russian Ambassador during the transition period after only 24 days in office has thrown all of Washington into turmoil.
The White House is now struggling to undertake any actions as staff try to downplay the scandal. While Democrats go on the charge, the Republicans appear hesitant to take action in regards to the potential security problems revealed by the constant stream of leaks that are fueling the fire now burning under the White House.
On Wednesday the Oval Office was once again blocked when Andrew Pudzer its controversial nomination for Labor Secretary withdrew his nomination after it became apparent that a number of Republican Senators would not vote his confirmation. These are all signs of a White House that is losing direction.
Tweets and promises
To make matters worse the President has decided that the blame for all these problems is with the Press and the Democrats. With wave after wave of angry tweets at all hours he expresses outrage at the revelations and his senior press staff, particularly Sean Spicer and Kellyanne Conway, have become the subject of public ridicule for their inability to stem the tide of questions the scandals have raised.
These problems have effectively meant that the White House has not yet begun to practically carry out the orders signed so publicly, let alone attempting to begin implementing other campaign promises. The result has been in unprecedented low popularity ratings for a President still in his first month in the Oval Office.
America’s citizens have the right to ask the new Administration when it will finally act to address the issues raised so publicly. Denial is not enough and storming at the press and blaming others does not resolve the issues, but highlights them even more. The answer can only come from one man.
Donald Trump must now begin to act as a true leader, not only for those who voted for him, but for the whole country.
Is he capable of doing so?
