Trump Administration Record

[Note – Cost-reduction priorities in each category reflect efforts to reduce the National Debt, which is 111% of the GDP as of 9/2020, and to stimulate job creation and the economy]

What were the Public Perceptions vs The reality ? Any Difference ?

America's Great Divide: Megyn Kelly Interview | PBS FRONTLINE – Trump – Video -

1,004,565 views•Dec 13, 2019

What was the record on Illegal Immigration vs Previous Administrations ?

Background on the Illegal Immigration issue can be found here.

What is the administration record on Social issues, Crime, the Military, Economic Concerns, etc., ?

Appointing Pro Life Judges

To date, [2020] 220 of President Trump’s judicial nominees have been confirmed, including three Supreme Court justices, fifty-three U.S. Courts of Appeals judges, 162 District Court judges and two judges on the U.S. Court of International Trade.

Stopped Tax Dollars from Funding Overseas Abortions

Reinstated the Mexico City Policy, but expanded it to the new Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance program. This new policy ensures that our tax dollars are protected from funding the abortion industry overseas across ALL global health spending, not just family planning dollars. The Bush-era Mexico City Policy protected roughly $500 million in spending – the new Trump policy protects over $8.8 billion overseas aid from funding abortion.

Requires Insurance Companies Disclose if Plans Cover Abortion

The Trump Administration Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) issued a rule requiring that insurers specify in each plan Summary of Benefits whether the plan covers abortion. The administration also requested input on how to better enforce the limited abortion provisions contained in Obamacare. Until Obamacare is overturned and replaced with a system that does not subsidize abortion coverage, insurers must make abortion coverage clear to persons shopping for a plan.

Repeal Obama HHS Mandate

Provide permanent, enforceable relief from the previous HHS mandate for both religious objectors, such as Little Sisters of the Poor, and moral objectors, such as Susan B. Anthony List regarding contraceptive coverage in insurance plans for employees. The new rule also exempts private employers and educational institutions that have sincerely held religious beliefs or moral objections against providing contraceptives or abortifacient drugs.

Defunded Pro-Abortion UNFPA

The UNFPA has long been complicit in China’s oppressive population control activities, including birth limitation policies and forced abortions. President Trump’s State Department cut U.S. Taxpayer funding to the UNFPA.

New Office for Conscience Protection at HHS

In January 2018 announced the creation of the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division within the Office for Civil Rights within the Department of Health & Human Services. This new office works to protect health care professionals who do not want to participate in abortion.

HHS Cancels Huge Contract for Taxpayer-Funded Experimentation with Body Parts of Aborted Babies

In June, 2019, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced they would not renew a major contract with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) to fund research using the body parts of aborted babies.

Clarifies Abortion Is Not a Civil Right, Rolls Back Obama/Biden-era Definition

In June 2020, Trump administration finalized a new rule to clarify that the federal definition of sex discrimination under Obamacare (ACA) does not include abortion. Proposed last year, the new rule brings ACA regulations into compliance with longstanding conscience protection laws.

Presidential Executive Order on Enforcing Statutory Prohibitions on Federal Control of Education - April 26, 2017

Trump administration executive order, "It shall be the policy of the executive branch to protect and preserve State and local control over the curriculum, program of instruction, administration, and personnel of educational institutions, schools, and school systems," the order states. It goes on to cite the Every Student Succeeds Act—the main federal law governing K-12 schools—and other statutes.

Trump announced an executive order establishing a commission to “promote patriotic education,” which will be called the “1776 Commission,” in contrast with the 1619 Project.

A Critical Look at the 1619 Project | Glenn Loury & John McWhorter. Prof. Glenn Loury (Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, Brown University) and Prof. John McWhorter (Columbia University, Lexicon Valley, The Atlantic).

There won't be education from Washington, D.C. There'll be education locally," he said adding praise for parents and local school boards. "Education has to be at a local level. We cannot have the bureaucrats in Washington telling you how to manage your child's education,". Those remarks were consistent with the common view among conservatives and Republican politicians that the federal government shouldn't play a big role in K-12 education.

[ The Principle of Subsidiarity. #187 – “The principle of subsidiarity is opposed to certain forms of centralization, bureaucratization, and welfare assistance and to the unjustified and excessive presence of the State in public mechanisms. “By intervening directly and depriving society of its responsibility, the Social Assistance State leads to a loss of human energies and an inordinate increase of public agencies, which are dominated more by bureaucratic ways of thinking than by concern for serving their clients, and which are accompanied by an enormous increase in spending”. An absent or insufficient recognition of private initiative — in economic matters also — and the failure to recognize its public function, contribute to the undermining of the principle of subsidiarity, as monopolies do as well.”]

- COMPENDIUM OF THE SOCIAL DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH

Born-Alive Infants Protection Act

On September 25, 2020, President Trump signed an executive order to ensure that newborns, no matter the circumstance of their birth, receive the care they deserve and to increase funding for neonatal research. The order will require that if a child is born alive during an abortion, they must be given the same level of medical care as would be afforded any other child born alive at the same age.

"Executive Order Minimizing the Economic Burden of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act"

Signed: Jan. 20, 2017

To minimize the "economic burden" of Obamacare, the order instructs the secretary of health and human services and other agency heads to "waive, defer, grant exemptions from, or delay the implementation" of any part of the law that places a fiscal burden on the government, businesses or individuals.

Also in the order are directions to give states more control over implementing health care laws.

"Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Appointees"

Signed: Jan. 28, 2017

This order stops all executive branch officials from lobbying for five years after they leave office and places a lifetime ban on lobbying a foreign government.

The order enacts a number of other lobbying restrictions, including banning appointees from accepting gifts from registered lobbyists and banning appointees who were lobbyists from participating in any issues they petitioned for within the last two years.

"Core Principles for Regulating the United States Financial System"

Signed: Feb. 3, 2017

The order lays the administration's "Core Principles" regarding the U.S. financial system, which includes:

Making regulation "efficient, effective and appropriately tailored"

Preventing government bailouts

Ensuring that U.S. firms are competitive with foreign companies

The order directs the treasury secretary to review financial regulations and report back to the president 120 days later with a determination of whether current policies promote the "Core Principles."

"Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda"

Signed: Feb. 24, 2017

Under this order, each agency must designate an official as its Regulatory Reform Officer (RRO), who will be responsible for reviewing current regulations and making recommendations to the agency head on how to modify them. The RRO must hone in on certain regulations, such as those that are outdated or are perceived to curtail job creation.

The order reiterate's Trump's plan to cut down on regulations and comes nearly a month after the president signed an executive order requiring agencies to slash two regulations for every one proposed.

"White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities"

Signed Feb. 28, 2017

The order transfers the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (WHHBCU) from the Department of Education to the Executive Office of the President. Since its creation under President Ronald Reagan, the initiative had been under the purview of the Education Department.

Proclamation on National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week, 2020

Pres. Trump – 9/11/20

An increase of more than 13 percent in Federal funding for HBCUs under my Administration. Signed into law the FUTURE Act, which reauthorized more than $85 million in funding for HBCUs, securing permanent funding for our Nation’s historically black institutions and helping ensure their financial security for future generations.

Also continued to prioritize HBCUs during the coronavirus pandemic, and we remain committed to helping them safely reopen for in-person classes. As part of this effort, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, provided $930 million in higher education emergency relief funds for HBCUs.

Politifact -

Trump has been meeting with leaders of historically Black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, since the beginning of his campaign. In 2017 he enacted an order that moved an HBCU initiative from the Department of Education to the White House.

His administration's largest contribution to HBCU funding was the signing of the FUTURE Act in 2019. After debating and compromising, Congress passed the act ensuring that the original STEM funding for HBCUs from President George W. Bush's 2007 College Cost Reduction and Access Act would continue to be awarded. This act ensures HBCUs receive an annual $255 million in STEM funding for the next 10 years.

Harry L. Williams, president of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, told PolitiFact that before the act passed, HBCUs and advocacy groups would have to "annually ask Congress to renew these dollars." He said that for Trump, "this is a positive outcome that his administration will be able to say that he supported," though he added that the act was made possible by bipartisan support in Congress.

The Trump administration has also made progress on Trump's promise to ensure funding for trade and vocational education. In 2018 Trump signed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which reauthorizes a $1.2 billion program from 2006. The program will now extend to 2024 and increase its funding by 11% over those six years.

*PolitiFact is a nonpartisan fact-checking website to sort out the truth in American politics. PolitiFact was created by the Tampa Bay Times, a Florida newspaper, in 2007. In 2018, PolitiFact was acquired by the Poynter Institute, a nonprofit school for journalists.

Make no cuts to Social Security

Trump proposed cuts, but Congress didn’t bite | July 15, 2020

Increase veterans' health care

More money and more options for veterans | July 15, 2020

Save the Carrier plant in Indiana

Fewer jobs, but plant remains open | July 15, 2020

Raise tariffs on goods imported into the U.S.

Trump sticks by promise to raise import tariffs | July 15, 2020

Place lifetime ban on White House officials lobbying for foreign government

Trump’s lifetime ban on White House officials lobbying for foreign governments still in effect | July 15, 2020

Use U.S. steel for infrastructure projects

Trump issues executive order on steel, and imports drop | July 15, 2020

Defund Planned Parenthood

Trump rule change prods Planned Parenthood to forgo federal funds | July 15, 2020

Ensure funding for historic black colleges

Under Trump HBCUs and vocational education are ensured future funding | July 15, 2020

Reverse Barack Obama's Cuba policy

Trump has largely kept promise to reverse Obama’s Cuba policy | July 15, 2020

[ The recently reopened U.S. Embassy in Havana sits nearly empty and most U.S. personnel were withdrawn last year after two dozen diplomats and other employees reported unexplained medical problems that left some with hearing loss or mild brain damage.]

Renegotiate NAFTA

Trump comes through on pledge to rewrite NAFTA | July 15, 2020

[ The loss of jobs is just the most visible tip of NAFTA's impact on the U.S. economy. NAFTA has also contributed to rising income inequality, suppressed real wages for production workers, weakened workers' collective bargaining powers and ability to organize unions, and reduced fringe benefits].

Take no salary

Recent salary donations go to the Health Department | July 15, 2020

Ask countries we protect to pay more for joint defense

Trump furthers NATO's spending trend | January 7, 2019

[ Allies will contribute more to allied running costs to reduce the United States’ share of NATO funding. Under the proposal being negotiated for the 2021 budget, the U.S. contribution to the alliance’s annual budget would fall to around 16% from 22%. Germany’s would rise to the same level as the United States and others’ contributions would also rise.]

Only seven NATO countries currently meet or exceed the NATO target of spending 2% of national output on defense - the United States, Britain, Greece, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

Won't say 'Happy Holidays'

Donald Trump’s 2018 official card says "Merry Christmas" | December 4, 2018

Limit legal immigration

Donald Trump sets refugee admission limit at 30,000 for fiscal year 2019 | October 5, 2018

Create private White House veterans hotline

Trump administration launched its ‘White House’ veterans hotline, based in West Virginia | August 9, 2018

Suspend immigration from terror-prone places

U.S. Supreme Court upholds Donald Trump’s travel ban | June 26, 2018

Move U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem

Trump moves embassy to Jerusalem | May 14, 2018

Keep Guantanamo Bay Detention Center open

Trump signs order keeping Guantanamo prison open | January 31, 2018

[During Obama’s 2008 run for the White House, he promised to shut down the prison for suspected foreign terrorists opened by President George W. Bush at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

On his second full day in the White House, President Obama issued an executive order to close Guantanamo within a year. Eight years later, that has not happened.]

Create a 10-percent repatriation tax

The new repatriation tax rate isn't 10 percent, but it's close | December 20, 2017

[Investment banks and think tanks have estimated that American corporations held $1.5 trillion to $2.5 trillion in offshore cash at the time the law was enacted. Corporations have brought back more than $1 trillion of overseas profits to the U.S. since Congress overhauled the international tax system and prodded companies to repatriate offshore funds,

Before the overhaul, companies were incentivized to keep profits overseas because they owed a 35% tax when bringing it back and could defer payment by keeping funds offshore.]

Cancel the Paris climate agreement

Trump says U.S. pulling out of Paris climate agreement | June 1, 2017

[ Withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement because of the unfair economic burden imposed on American workers, businesses, and taxpayers by U.S. pledges made under the Agreement. The United States has reduced all types of emissions, even as we grow our economy and ensure our citizens’ access to affordable energy. Our results speak for themselves: U.S. emissions of criteria air pollutants that impact human health and the environment declined by 74% between 1970 and 2018. U.S. net greenhouse gas emissions dropped 13% from 2005-2017, even as our economy grew over 19 percent.]

Reverse Barack Obama's 2016 gun executive order

Trump signs resolution to reverse Obama's executive order on gun control | April 19, 2017

Nominate someone from his list of justices to replace Antonin Scalia

Trump nominates Neil Gorsuch to fill empty Supreme Court seat left by Scalia | January 31, 2017

Slash federal regulations

Trump signs executive order directing that for every new regulation, two be repealed | January 31, 201

Dramatically scale back the EPA

Trump rolls back EPA rules, but the agency is far from gone | July 17, 2020

Allow free access to the drug market

More progress for some types of drugs, less for others | July 15, 2020

Declare China a currency manipulator

After declaring China a currency manipulator, Trump administration reverses itself | July 15, 2020

Expand mental health programs

Trump’s mixed record on mental-health services | July 15, 2020

[Transitioning service members and veterans can now receive up to a year of mental health care from the Veterans Affairs Department after discharge from the service, according to an executive order.]

Call for an international conference to defeat ISIS

Trump’s counterterrorism efforts include continued global coalition meetings | July 15, 2020

Save the coal industry

Trump policies have slowed coal’s decline, but strong comeback not evident | July 15, 2020

Rebuild the U.S. Navy toward the goal of 350 ships

Ships added, but goal remains a long way off | July 15, 2020

[$2.2 trillion invested in the services since he took office in 2017. "We have purchased the finest planes, missiles, rockets, ships, and every other form of military equipment — all made in the United States of America," he said.

Efforts were made to get allies to increase their defense spending, raising contributions from the other NATO members by more than $400 billion, and the number of allies meeting their minimum obligations has more than doubled ]

Hire American workers first

Trump promised immigration controls to prioritize American workers. He fulfilled his pledge, in part | July 15, 2020

Cancel visas to foreign countries that won't take undocumented immigrants back

Donald Trump imposed visa sanctions on some recalcitrant nations, but not all | July 15, 2020

Remove criminal undocumented immigrants

Donald Trump moves on promise to deport immigrants with criminal records | July 15, 2020

Provide the U.S. Air Force with 1,200 fighter aircraft

More fighter jets, but many unready for combat | July 15, 2020

[ Includes F-35 Lightning II fighters powered by Pratt & Whitney’s F135 propulsion system built to power all three variants. Pratt will be paid $2.02 Billion to build 135 engines. 67% of the work will be done at Pratt’s East Hartford and Middletown plants.]

Enact a temporary ban on new regulations

Trump essentially held the line on regulations | July 15, 2020

Develop a plan to defeat ISIS in 30 days

Experts say Trump deserves some credit for ISIS decline, but it’s not completely defeated | July 15, 2020

Achieve energy independence

U.S. nears ‘energy independence’ Trump promised during 2016 campaign | July 15, 2020

Cancel global warming payments to the United Nations

UN climate spending is less than under Obama, but still significant | July 15, 2020

Make no cuts to Medicare

Democrats say latest Trump budget cuts Medicare, but it’s not that simple | March 20, 2019

Terminate Barack Obama's immigration executive orders 'immediately'

DACA remains, but Trump administration eliminated DAPA | January 11, 2019

Eliminate the marriage penalty

Marriage penalty mostly eliminated, but not entirely | December 21, 2017

Cut taxes for everyone

All income groups get cuts early on | December 21, 2017

Lower the business tax rate

Corporate rate drops to 21 percent, but not all the way to 15 percent | December 20, 2017

Eliminate the estate tax

Final bill raises threshold for estate tax rather than eliminating it | December 20, 2017