Editor’s Note: This opinion column was originally published in Chapman’s official student newspaper in January 2018. We at The Hesperian feel that even though this column only discusses President Trump’s successes from the first year of his presidency, it is worth reminding ourselves just how much the president did in such a short amount of time. And, if Trump is re-elected, 2021 may very well resemble the success of 2017.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: A DREAM (AND PROMISE) COME TRUE
By Ryan Marhoefer
It is ironic that a man can be universally condemned for doing what no other politician in recent memory has been able to do: deliver on his promises. Unlike any recent president, President Trump has worked relentlessly on making his vision of an emboldened America become a reality.
Trump prioritizes Americans over undocumented immigrants, much to the dismay of Democrats. However, in 2006 Democrats voted to add “two layers of reinforced fencing” along the southern border. The hypocrisy on illegal and disadvantageous immigration doesn’t end at the wall. In 2013 every Democrat Senator voted to end the illogical visa lottery program as well as “chain migration” (a phrase Democrats now say is racist).
Enforcing borders are the oldest and purest function of government. Where Trump’s predecessors failed, Trump excelled. Trump freed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to do their job by no longer limiting the immigration laws that can be enforced. In 2017, ICE arrested over 100,000 people trying to enter the U.S. illegally, 70% of them being previously convicted criminals. This heightened and necessary security in immigration has led to a 45-year low in illegal border crossings.
Trump’s major legislation victory is the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Slashing the corporate tax rate means that businesses are incentivized to return and reinvest in America, such as Apple, who announced their plan to invest $350 Billion into the United States, which is expected to create 20,000 jobs.
Trump’s tax bill did away with the unconstitutional and expensive Obamacare individual mandate. It also lowered taxes for nearly every American. And every time you see Americans getting jobs, raises, and bonuses, just remember one thing: not a single Democrat voted for it.
This economic freedom allows for global competitiveness once again. As Trump said, the “era of economic surrender is over.” This newfound confidence and opportunity is reflected in the stock market. Just look at how the DOW reacted the day after Trump’s election for proof. Americans’ 401k’s, retirements, pensions, and college savings accounts have been blessed by Trump’s presidency. The stock market has now gained nearly $7 trillion in market value since Trump was elected (the best performance since FDR). Trump also saw GDP growth over 3%.
During Trump’s presidency over 2 million jobs have been created. While 303,000 manufacturing jobs were lost during Obama’s presidency, 196,000 were added in Trump’s first year alone thanks to Trump reducing regulatory burdens. Food stamp recipients are down by over 2 million, unemployment is at a 17-year low, and black and Hispanic unemployment rates have fallen to the lowest levels ever.
Trump’s successes weren’t limited to America. South Korea’s president credited Trump for renewed talks between South and North Korea. In the Middle East, Trump’s foreign policy successes only grew. While Obama’s policy of “leading from behind” failed, Trump’s policy of giving the military much-needed freedom has been wildly successful. Obama inadvertently armed ISIS and watched them expand and slaughter unchallenged, whereas Trump led a coalition against ISIS. With Trump’s U.S.-led coalition, all ISIS strongholds have been freed (the former head of the CIA said this couldn’t be accomplished within 30 years).
If Trump continues to be right and successful, it would only further discredit the media, pollsters, professors, celebrities, politicians, and elitists who were absolutely wrong about the 2016 election and then wrong again about Trump’s presidential performance.
The pervasive, trendy, groupthink-driven hatred for our president is discouraging, but Trump supporters will still accept enlightened “never-Trumpers” with open arms. With Trump’s numerous successes, Americans can now sleep like a baby while hardcore Leftists will continue to cry like one.
Trump has the virtue of imperfection. Raw authenticity is extremely rare in politics today, and it takes a man as unpolished yet resolute as Trump to bring about the wonderful progress that every American has benefited from. While America is deeply divided, Trump is trying to unite Americans over the one thing that everyone loves: Winning.
As President Trump said, “We have gone forward with a clear vision and a righteous mission: to make America great again for all Americans… There has never been a better time to start living the American dream.”
Ryan Marhoefer ’20 is an alumni of Chapman University. He is the co-founder and advisor of The Hesperian.