The McNicholas Milestone

In his first 17 days in office, President Donald Trump has signed multiple executive orders, and has spent his days making phone calls, holding press conferences, meeting with leaders of ally countries, and continuing to be himself via his Twitter page.

In his inauguration speech, Trump said that his election has restored American democracy and the people have been put back in charge of their own government. “Today, we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another or from one party to another, but we are transferring power from Washington, D.C., and giving it back to you, the people,” he said.

Eleven days into Trump’s Presidency, it has not seemed as if the people are in charge.

Trump and his administration have drafted an executive order reducing American funding to the United Nations by at least 40% crushing international peacekeeping and refugee-aid. The order will terminate funding for any organization that is controlled or influenced by any state that sponsors terrorism or any systematic violation of human rights. The cuts could curtail work agencies who rely on billions of dollars in annual contributions for missions caring refugees according to The New York Times.

In addition, Trump has signed an executive order that severely restricts immigration from seven Muslim countries that suspends all refugee admission for 120 days, and bars all Syrian refugees indefinitely. The countries affected by the order include Libya, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. He has ordered the Department of Homeland Security to issue a weekly list of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants as well.

Former attorney general Sally Yates was fired by Trump for defaming him saying he “betrayed” his administration and is “weak on boarders and immigration.” He recently hired Dana J. Boente who will now serve as attorney general. The immigration order was denounced by Democrats, religious groups, and immigration policy experts, but praised by Republican leaders including house speaker Paul D. Ryan according to nytimes.com.

Along with Dana J. Boente, confirmed nominees Trump has hired according to Foxnew.com include: Ben Carson as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Elaine Chao as Secretary of Transportation, Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education, Nikki Haley as United Nations ambassador, John Kelly as Secretary of Homeland Security, and James Mattis as secretary of defense.

Trump’s most recent appointment is of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court came on Jan. 31.

Trump has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, German chancellor Angela Merkel, and French President François Hollande.

Trump is using Twitter as a source to communicate with the American people, but has not made the best choices in what to tweet. He recently defamed Georgia Representative John Lewis in a series of tweets on Jan. 17 tweeting, “John Lewis said about my inauguration, ‘It will be the first one that I’ve missed.’ WRONG (or lie)! He boycotted Bush 43 also because he…’ thought it would be hypocritical to attend Bush’s swearing-in….he doesn’t believe Bush is the true elected president.’ Sound familiar! WP.”