Trump's Use of Executive Orders – With His Own Party Controlling Congress – Reveals His Lack of Presidential Skill

Article II, section 1 of the United States Constitution says, "The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America." That includes the use of executive orders.President Donald Trump recently signed his 50th executive order since taking office in January, and that puts him on pace to nearly double the number of executive orders signed by President Barack Obama.It's important to recognize that for eight years, Republicans howled when Obama threatened to act if Congress did not, signaling he would attempt to advance his agenda through the use of executive orders. Republicans pointed to Obama's sharp criticism of President George W. Bush for his use of executive orders.The cry of "Hypocrisy!" is a well-worn political tool but the reality is, Presidents Obama and Bush signed fewer executive orders in two terms (276 and 291) than Presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan did (364 and 381) in theirs.Now it is Trump's turn, and he too is waving away all of the criticism he leveled at Obama for using his executive authority. But Trump hasn't just embraced the use of executive orders; he has accelerated the use beyond anything Obama or Bush did before him.According to the non-profit, non-partisan American Presidency Project, Trump is on pace to average 67 executive orders during his presidency. That's nearly double the pace of Obama (35) and GWB (36) in their terms.But what's especially astounding is the fact that Trump has to resort to the use of executive orders despite the benefit of a Congress controlled by his own party. It provides an insight into the lack of Trump's ability to build a consensus among members of Congress, even within the GOP.During the 2016 campaign, Trump billed himself as a master negotiator and deal maker who would bring his business acumen to the White House. He said he would utilize those abilities to renegotiate trade deals, repeal and replace Obamacare, cut taxes and more. He remarked during an early 2016 GOP debate, "With Congress, you have to get everybody in a room and hammer out a deal. But you have to walk out with the deal you want."  Continue reading...

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