Progress of Trump’s 28 Campaign Promises for the First 100 Days

President Trump’s first 50 days in office have now concluded, marking the halfway point for the promises he laid out for his first 100 days in office.  On October 26, 2016, then-candidate Trump laid out his plans at a speech in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  This was followed by the release of his “Contract with the American Voter” which can be found on his website (PDF).  In total, Trump has promised 18 seperate actions and 10 pieces of major legislation in conjunction with Congress.

Six Measures to Clean Up D.C.

One of Trump’s largest talking points has been his desire to “drain the swamp” of Washington D.C.  To combat this, Trump has promised congressional term limits, reducing the influence of lobbyists, and reducing the federal workforce.

1.  Propose a Constitutional Amendment to impose term limits on all members of Congress [INCOMPLETE]

To date, Trump and his administration have yet to release any plans to propose term limits on members of Congress.

2.  Hiring freeze on all federal employees (exempting military, public safety, and public health) [COMPLETE]

On Day 4, January 23, Trump signed a memorandum for heads of all departments and agencies ordering a hiring freeze (White House).

3.  For every new federal fegulation, two existing regulations must be eliminated [COMPLETE]

On Day 11, January 30, Trump signed Executive Order 13771 “Presidential Executive Order on Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs” (White House).  This EO states “for every one new regulation issued, at least two prior regulations be identified for elimination, and that the cost of planned regulations be prudently managed and controlled through a budgeting process.”

4.  5-year ban on White House and Congressional officials becoming lobbyists after leaving government service [COMPLETE]

On Day 9, January 28, Trump signed Executiive Order 13771 “Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Appointees” (White House).  All those who who seek employment by the U.S. federal government must abide by the code of ethics.

5.  Lifetime ban on White House officials lobbying on behalf of a foreign government [COMPLETE]

This campaign promise also completed via EO 13771 as described above.

6.  Complete ban on foreign lobbyists raising money for American elections [INCOMPLETE]

To date, Trump and his administration have not taken specific action against foreign lobbyists raising money for American elections.

Protecting the American Worker

1.  Announce intention to renegotiate or withdraw from NAFTA [INCOMPLETE]

To date, Trump and his administration have not announced any specific details regarding NAFTA.

2.  Announce withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific-Partnership (TPP) [COMPLETE]

On Day 4, January 23, Trump issued a memorandum withdrawing from TPP negotiations and agreements (White House).  Due to U.S. withdrawal, the TPP cannot be ratified.

3.  Direct the Secretary of Treasury to label China a currency manipulator [INCOMPLETE]

To date, Trump and his administration have not taken action to label China a currency manipulator.

4.  Direct Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative to identify all foreign trading abuses against American workers and direct them to end those abuses [IN PROGRESS]

While no specific action has been publically announced, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced in a statement regarding penalties for ZTE: “under President Trump’s leadership, we will be aggressively enforcing strong trade policies with the dual purpose of protecting American national security and protecting American workers.” (Department of Commerce)

The Senate has not yet approved Trump’s nominee for U.S. Trade Representative, Robert Lighthizer.

5.  Lift restrictions on production of American energy reserves [IN PROGRESS]

To date, Trump and his administration have not produced specific action regarding shale, oil, and natural gas.  Trump has signed one piece of legislation, disapproving the “stream protection rule” (Congress.gov)

6.  Lift Obama-Clinton roadblocks and allow vital energy infrastructure projects [COMPLETE]

On Day 5, January 24, Trump issues memoranda approving both Keystone XL (White House) and Dakota Access (White House) pipelines.

7. Cancel billions in payments to U.N. climate change programs, redirect the money to fix America’s water and environmental infrastructure [INCOMPLETE]

To date, Trump and his administration have not cancelled payments to the UN’s Green Climate Fund.

Restore Security and Constitutional Law

1.  Cancel every unconstitutional executive action, memorandum and order issued by President Obama [IN PROGRESS]

Trump is still in the process of removing and amending Obama-era policies.

2.  Begin process of selecting a replacement of Justice Scalia [COMPLETE]

On Day 12, January 31, Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to the United States Supreme Court (White House)

3.  Cancel all federal funding to Sanctuary Cities [IN PROGRESS]

Trump and his administration have released no specific plans to defund sanctuary cities; however, the conversation regarding them continues.  Chief of Staff Reince Priebus reiterated the idea that sanctuary cities should not receive federal funding on Day 7, January 26 (The Hill).  To date Miami, FL (Miami Herald); Travis County, TX (Texas Tribune); PA Senate (NBC10); and Phoenix, AZ (ABC 15) have all taken steps to remove their sanctuary city status.  Many of these cities specifically cited fears of losing federal funding as a contributing factor to their decision.

4.  Begin removing criminal illegal aliens and cancel visa to foreign countries that won’t take them back [COMPLETE]

On Day 21, February 9, Trump signed Executive Order 13776 “Presidential Executive Order on a Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety” (White House).  The Task Force focuses illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and violent crime.

5.  Suspend immigration from terror-prone regions where vetting cannot safely occur [COMPLETE]

On Day 8, January 27, Trump signed Executive Order 13769 “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States” (White House).  The EO was based off an Obama-era Homeland Security countries regarded as “countries of particular concern.”  The EO was challenged by the states of Washington and Minnesota, with the Ninth Circuit Court ruling against the Trump administration (USCourts.gov)

On Day 46, March 6, the Trump administration released a revised Executive Order 13780 (White House).  The state of Hawaii is looking to challenge the EO (Sky News)

Working with Congress to Introduce Legislation

1.  Middle Class Tax Relief and Simplification Act [INCOMPLETE]

On Day 38, February 26, Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin tells FOX’s Maria Bartiromo that tax reform is the number one priority of the department (Real Clear Politics).  The administration has expressed it would like Congress to complete tax reform by August; however, on March 9 (Day 50), Sen. Mitch McConnell said this is unlikely (The Hill)

2.  End The Offshoring Act [IN PROGRESS]

Introduced by Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) on Day 42, March 2 (Congress.gov)

3.  American Energy & Infrastructure Act [INCOMPLETE]

On Day 40, February 28, Trump asked Congress for a $1 trillion infrastructure bill.  This bill has yet to be produced.

4.  School Choice and Education Opportunity Act [IN PROGRESS]

Introduced by Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) on Day 5, January 24 (Congress.gov)

5.  Repeal and Replace Obamacare Act [IN PROGRESS]

On Day 5, January 24, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced the “Obamacare Replacement Act” (Congress.gov)

On Day 46, March 6, House GOP leadership released to the public Rep. David Roe’s (R-TN) “American Health Care Reform Act of 2017” (Congress.gov)

6.  Affordable Childcare and Eldercare Act [INCOMPLETE]

To date, no Trump-backed legislation has been introduced specific to affordable childcare and eldercare.  On Day 26, February 14, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) did reach out to Ivanka Trump to gather support for the “Federal Employees Paid Leave Act of 2017” (Congress.gov)

7.  End Illegal Immigration Act [IN PROGRESS]

To date, no specifc legislation to end illegal immigration has been introduced, although Trump did request Congress to produce a bill in his Address to Congress on February 28 (Day 40).  On Day 6, January 25, Trump signed EO 13767 “Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements” (White House), which calls for a physical southern border wall.

8.  Restoring Community Safety Act [IN PROGRESS]

Although a bill has not yet been introduced, Trump himself has signed three executive orders on Day 21, February 9.  EO 13773 “Presidential Executive Order on Enforcing Federal Law with Respect to Transnational Criminal Organizations and Preventing International Trafficking” (White House); EO 13774 “Preventing Violence Against Federal, State, Tribal, and Local Law Enforcement Officers” (White House); EO 13776 “Presidential Executive Order on a Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety” (White House)

9.  Restoring National Security Act [IN PROGRESS]

No specific legislation has been introduced, however on Day 45, March 5, OMB Director Mick Mulvaney says the administration is placing a $54 billion defense boost in the upcoming budget, with additional priorities being homeland security and law enforcement (Day 45).  This falls in line with Trump’s “Presidential Memorandum on Rebuilding the U.S. Armed Forces” (White House) released Day 8, January 27.

10. Clean Up Corruption in Washington Act [IN PROGRESS]

While no specific legislation has been introduced, on Day 9, January 28, Trump signed Executiive Order 13771 “Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Appointees” (White House).  All those who who seek employment by the U.S. federal government must abide by the code of ethics.

Evaluation

In total, Trump promised 18 presidential actions and 10 key pieces of legislation to the American voter within his first 100 days.  Of the 18 actions, 10 have been completed and four are in progress.  Trump’s administration needs to begin working on only four actions over the coming seven weeks to keep these promises.  For legislation, Trump has faced multiple roadblocks when attempting to work with Congress.  No legislation specific to Trump’s promises have been passed by Congress, although seven of the promises are in progress.  With the remaining days, passing legislation to keep campaign promises may become Trump’s greatest challenge.