Trump uses his pen and his phone well

On January 14, 2014, Barack Obama described the powers of the president:

"One of the things that I will be emphasizing in this meeting is the fact that we are not just going to be waiting for legislation in order to make sure that we are providing Americans the kind of help that they need. I've got a pen, and I've got a phone."

By that standard, President Trump has done all he can in his first 100 days in office.

First, President Trump appointed Neil Gorsuch to the United States Supreme Court of Appeals, assuring a conservative majority for at least another decade -- or likely longer when Justices Ginsburg or Breyer leave.

Second, President Trump appointed a Team of Competents to his Cabinet. From placing General James Mattis as head of the Defense Department to the appointment of billionaire Wilbur Ross as head of Commerce, President Trump has relied on experts to run the agencies of government.

His refusal to appoint a career politician or airy academic as Secretary of State proved wise as former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson has proved to be a fresh negotiator and advocate of American foreign policy, as well as an able administer of this agency.

So effective were his appointments that Democrats dragged out the approval of these members in the Senate, which Republicans should remember should Americans ever again foolishly elect a Democratic president.

Third, President Trump issued 32 executive orders reversing the maladministration of his predecessor, even introducing science to the regulation of environmental protection, a novelty in that sector of governance.

Fourth, President Trump worked with Congress to repeal almost a dozen ill-thought bureaucratic regulations under the Congressional Review Act -- a law that previously had been used only once before.

Fifth, President Trump used the big stick approach to adjust the attitudes of dictators. He took out the air base in Syria used by Assad to launch a chemical weapons attack. Then President Trump dropped a couple of GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bombs to wipe out a couple of Islamic State bases in Afghanistan. That got their attention.

Sixth, President Trump nixed the Trans Pacific Partnership, and forced Canada and Mexico to re-negotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement. His meeting with Chairman Xi of China resulted in Chinese concessions, not American ones.

Far from failing, President Trump has excelled in his use of the actual powers of the presidency.

Congress -- not presidents -- pass laws and budgets.

But presidents have a phone and a pen. Donald Trump is very adept in their use.




The original, "Trump the Press" chronicled and mocked how the media missed Trump's nomination.

It is available on Kindle, and in paperback.

Then came "Trump the Establishment," covering the election, which again the media missed.

It is available on Kindle, and in paperback.

Autographed copies of both books are available by writing me at DonSurber@GMail.com

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