Easier tweeted than done
WASHINGTON – A promise tweeted isn’t always a promise kept.
Campaigning for president in 2015 and 2016, President Trump exuded optimism in his ability to “drain the swamp,” bring back American jobs and repeal Obamacare.
Using his preferred online social network — and his trademark short, exclamatory sentences — he pledged quick action if elected.
In the year since he upended the political establishment in his victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton, some of Trump’s campaign promises have been more elusive than others.
Here are some of Trump’s tweeted campaign promises:
PROMISE: ‘I will fix the VA quickly’
TWEET: “One of the reasons I am no fan of John McCain is that our Vets are being treated so badly by him and the politicians. I will fix VA quickly.” (July 18, 2015)
ACTION: The Department of Veterans Affairs continues to face complaints about long wait times, shoddy care and bad doctors. Trump ordered a number of accountability measures, and VA Secretary David Shulkin has taken a data-driven approach to fix management problems.
STATUS: In progress.
PROMISE: ‘Approve the Keystone XL pipeline’
TWEET: “If I am elected President I will immediately approve the Keystone XL pipeline. No impact on environment & lots of jobs for U.S. (Aug. 18, 2015)
ACTION: In his first week in office, Trump signed presidential memoranda moving the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines forward, and he formally approved the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline March 24. The Environmental Protection Agency said the facilitated oil drilling would lead to dirtier fuels and the pipeline would make only a small contribution to climate change.
STATUS: Promise kept.
PROMISE: End Common Core standards
TWEET: “I will end common core. It’s a disaster. #MakeAmericaGreatAgain #Trump2016” (Jan. 26, 2016)
ACTION: Trump signed an executive order April 26 to enforce laws restricting federal support for Common Core. But because Common Core is a state-level initiative, he has little power to end it himself.
STATUS: Promise partially kept.
PROMISE: Stop drug trafficking
TWEET: “The New Hampshire drug epidemic must stop. If elected POTUS- I will create borders & the drugs will stop pouring in.” (Feb. 6, 2016)
ACTION: Trump has taken steps to begin building a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border and increase enforcement along the borders. But judging by the overdose death toll, the imports of heroin and its more potent cousin, fentanyl, continue unabated.
STATUS: In progress.
PROMISE: Release tax
returns
TWEET: “In interview I told @AP that my taxes are under routine audit and I would release my tax returns when audit is complete, not after election!” (May 11, 2016)
ACTION: More than a year later, Trump has not released any of his tax returns, before or after the election — even for years no longer under audit.
STATUS: Promise unfulfilled.
PROMISE: Fight for LGBT rights
TWEET: “Thank you to the LGBT community! I will fight for you while Hillary brings in more people that will threaten your freedoms and beliefs.” (June 14, 2016)
ACTION: Trump signed an executive order protecting religious freedom that gay rights groups called a “license to discriminate.” He has begun to reinstate a ban on transgender people serving in the military. And his administration has rescinded Obama administration guidance that required schools to allow transgender students to use restrooms and locker rooms of their choice.
STATUS: Promise unfulfilled.
PROMISE: Reduce urban crime
TWEET: “Inner-city crime is reaching record levels. African-Americans will vote for Trump because they know I will stop the slaughter going on!” (Aug. 29, 2016)
ACTION: Urban crime was actually near a historic low when Trump made it an issue during the campaign, though later data confirmed it was increasing.
STATUS: In progress.
PROMISE: ‘Mexico will pay for the wall’
TWEET: “Mexico will pay for the wall!” (Sept. 1, 2016)
ACTION: Trump insisted that Mexico will pay for a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border, but Mexico maintains that will not happen “under any circumstances.” In a leaked transcript of a phone call between Trump and Mexican President Enrique Peña-Nieto, Trump urged Pena-Nieto to say “we will work it out” and suggested the cost would “come out in the wash.”
STATUS: Promise unfulfilled.
PROMISE: Investigate Hillary Clinton
TWEET: “If I win-I am going to instruct my AG to get a special prosecutor to look into your situation bc there’s never been anything like your lies.” (Oct. 10, 2016)
ACTION: Trump repeatedly promised to investigate campaign rival Hillary Clinton for wrongdoing. Despite frequent complaints that prosecutors failed to investigate Clinton’s alleged ties to Russia, his attorney general has not appointed a special prosecutor. The House intelligence committee has started an inquiry into a uranium deal that occurred while she was secretary of State
STATUS: Promise unfulfilled