- As I mentioned above, Trump initially showed signs that he could assemble a uniquely competent administration, including many political outsiders. Unfortunately, his narcissism and petulance got in the way.
- For all his big talk and tariffs, Trump did not deliver a focused strategy capable of seriously denting China’s expanding influence or economic manipulations.
- There did not appear to be any cohesive strategy to or success in bringing jobs back to America.
- Trump failed to deliver necessary reforms to Medicare, though the blame is shared with the entire GOP.
- I had hoped that his desire to be seen as a masterful dealmaker and political outsider would have led him to strike bipartisan deals, even if it meant working around party leadership. Unfortunately, his recalcitrance ensured that no such “grand compromises” ever emerged.
- Speaking of compromises, I had expected him to at least pursue his proposal for expanding mental health access through grants to states in exchange for adopting a national right to carry.
- While Trump was certainly much better than Biden on border issues, I was expecting a much more aggressive crackdown on illegal immigration and reform of the asylum system.
- I had hoped that, at least when the GOP had a governing trifecta, Trump would have pursued a balanced budget and attempted to reduce the deficit. Instead, he did the opposite.
- Perhaps it was my own naivety, but I genuinely believe that Trump would try to be a President for all Americans, and that he might even be able to unite this country like Reagan.
I was going to rebut each one of "disappointed assertions" individually with the actual facts, but what's the point? Your mind is obviously made up, and no amount of facts or evidence I produce is going to change it...
Suffice to say, I obviously disagree with most of these claims... Once again, either you are confused or in denial of the reality of Trump's accomplishments on these points. Any shortcomings or failure to deliver on his biggest agenda items were exclusively due to the overwhelming opposition and/or the lack of legislative support from both sides of the isle. Sadly, too many meaningful accomplishments that Trump got done was through executive order, and not legislation... Trump's underestimation of the level of opposition from both sides of the isle surely must be one of his biggest regrets looking back...
As far as Trump's cabinet, they were collectively an all-star line-up compared to the clown show of DEI appointments in this current Administration. Both Barr and Pompeo proved themselves as very competent performers capable of functioning independently and without intimidation from Trump... Haley, Carson, Perry, Zenke, DeVos, Haspel, Ratcliff, to name a few were all competent solid, conservative performers on Trump's Administration.
Your disappointment in regard to the pursuit of a balanced budget was never one of Trump's campaign promises. He ran on the admission that he would have to spend some money domestically especially in regard to restoring military readiness...
I'm sure it's no surprise that your recollection of Trump's border record is different than mine... Trump's policies made a significant impact on controlling the mess at the border with multiple EO's including the remain in Mexico policy, allowing ICE to deport, and ending catch & release... Unfortunately, Trump had no legislative support on this as well... If you recall accurately, early on he proposed immigration reform legislation that even included a deal for the dreamers, (which I personally vehemently disliked), that was rejected by both sides.
Lastly, Trump never ran as, or claimed he would be a unifier... He ran on the promise to make America great again by once again impowering the forgotten, hard-working men and women who felt disenfranchised by their government for the previous 8 years. He vowed to restore the belief success could be achieved through hard work and personal merit, rather than by equity, diversity and identity politics... That's the absolutely LAST thing the liberals in this country wanted... He never ran to appease them. He ran to fight them and the radical, nonsensical, destructive ideologies that they have been trying to institute...