US administration beset by crisis
Division, dysfunction and big resignations plague White House
WASHINGTON // Less than a month into his tenure, Donald Trump’s White House is beset by crisis.
Divisions, dysfunction and high-profile exits have left the administration nearly paralysed and allies wondering where they will go from here. The rapid and bold policy moves that marked Mr Trump’s first days in office have slowed to a crawl.
In fact, it has been six days since Mr Trump has announced a major policy directive or legislative plan.
This week, controversy forced out his senior national security aide and his choice for labour secretary. Fast food executive Andy Puzder withdrew his nomination for the labour post on Wednesday as the administration was dealing with the fallout from the forced resignation of Michael Flynn. Republicans have started to voice their frustration and open anxiety that the Trump administration would derail their plans.
Officials around the president have begun trying to change tactics to contain the damage. The White House announced on Wednesday that Mr Trump would hold a campaign- style rally in Florida today, the first of his term.
Mr Flynn’s departure thrust the president’s relationship with Moscow into the limelight again.
Legal woes have also derailed Mr Trump’s early efforts.
The chaos comes a week after the administration’s travel ban was struck down by a federal court, an issue they have yet to address. The administration vowed that it would appeal against the ban and either revise its original executive order or write a new one. But confusion even on that issue ensued.
After first saying they would not approach the supreme court, administration officials squabbled over news reports on the issue. Despite Mr Trump’s vow to have a plan in place by Tuesday, one did not emerge.
Essentially, the only thing Mr Trump has done so far was legislation on Tuesday that rolled back a financial regulation.
Key legislative items, such as a wide-ranging plan to rebuild roads and bridges and an overhaul of the tax law, remain un- addressed. “He’s a one- man band for all practical purposes,” said Bill Daley, a former White House chief of staff under Barack Obama. “Everything revolves around the premise that he is the beginning, middle and end of everything. That is a tough model to work under. His campaign was run the same way.” Mr Trump’s new administration has also been plagued by ethical issues.
In one incident, White House counsellor Kellyanne Conway encouraged people to shop from the fashion line of Mr Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, an endorsement that came right after the president disparaged Nordstrom for dropping it. “When you are in the White House, crisis is routine,” said Ari Fleischer, president George W Bush’s first press secretary.
“But when they all come right on top of each other, particularly at the start of an administration, it starts to feel like they don’t know how to run the place.”
‘ In the White House, crisis is routine, but when they all come on top of each other, it starts to feel like they don’t know how to run the place Ari Fleischer Former press secretary