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Supporters celebrated promises kept
During his first week, Trump signed hundreds of executive actions that addressed issues big — including immigration and the economy — and small, such as renaming the Gulf of Mexico and releasing files related to President John F Kennedy’s assassination. You can catch up here.
Larry Kees, 47, a Republican who voted for Trump: “I was happy [with the executive orders]. There were so many of them. I couldn’t keep track. Obviously he’s not a regular politician — with most politicians, you’ll hear one thing and they’ll do another.”
Tony Flecklin, 69, a Republican who voted for Trump: “You can expect behaviour from him that’s going to be unlike what you normally run into. But in general, his policies in terms of border protection, economic sufficiency, oil and gas, I am wholeheartedly in favour of.”
Greg Bruno, a Republican: “This is why he was elected. Many of these orders involve issues that the American public wants to see done. Those are promises that were made in the campaign and he’s fulfilling them.”
Other Americans worried about his agenda
Voters who cast their ballots for Kamala Harris said they disliked many of Trump’s choices, particularly on climate, health and his decision to pardon supporters convicted of crimes related to the January 6 Capitol riot. Others questioned who might influence Trump’s future actions.
Carlyn Jorgensen, 40, an independent who voted for Harris: “I haven’t liked the fact that the front row was essentially CEOs — that you had Elon Musk and (Jeff) Bezos in the front row. That, to me, just felt like — are we heading towards an oligarchy at this point?”
Angela Ramos, an independent: “Most deeply concerning to me are the departure from the Paris Climate Accords and the World Health Organization, simply because our actions have really deep consequences, not just for us within the US, but for the entire world.”
David Lieck, 58, a Democrat who voted for Harris: “I felt like he’s essentially pandering to his base in the action he took with respect to the pardons and the commuting of the sentences of the January 6 rioters. I felt that was vindictive and sending the wrong message to the American people.”
Trump’s attitude and approach is different this time
Both supporters and critics said they felt President Trump was approaching his second term with more urgency than his first.
Greg Bruno, a Republican: “He came into his first presidency under attack . . . you put a person in a defensive crouch when you’re under attack like that. This presidency doesn’t have that element. So not only is he coming in not under attack, but he’s coming in as a highly experienced person in how to wield the power of the presidency.”
Shantonu Mazumdar, 58, a Democrat who voted for Harris: “I think he’s gotten a little bit harder, more hard line, it feels like. He’s, I think, emboldened a little bit by his constituents and the people who have supported him. I think he’s been given a little bit more . . . freedom to be further to the right than he was before.”
Richard Weil, an independent: “I think he’s more focused. I think he’s angrier, he’s more revengeful . . . but I think he’s turning into a bitter old man. I do think he has changed and I think he’s changed for the worse.”
Tony Flecklin, a Republican: “I’m happy that he’s following through with what his promises were. Sometimes his methods are a little draconian. That’s just the nature of Donald J Trump. He’s not going to be wimpy about the way he approaches things.”
bbc.com
Online Reporter
