President Donald Trump made a populist inaugural address that was remarkable for its fire and bleakness. The 45th American President promised a better future to the commoners. He stated that the transfer of power is from Washington D.C to the people and not from a party to another or an administration to another.
Trump described the United States as a declining nation with words that did not depict the actual condition of the country.
He stated that the nation is crime-ridden and declared to bring the “American carnage” to an end. Whereas, the nation’s violent crime rate in 1991 is more than twice the figure reported in 2015. This comparison shows a significant decrease in crime rate.
He pledged to “bring back our borders” and accused past presidents of “refusing to defend our” border. Since 2001, the United States budget for Border Patrol has tripled while the population of the patrol agents at the border has doubled.
Trump promised to “bring back our jobs.” Though manufacturing jobs have decreased over the years, the new president inherited an economy that provided jobs for more than six years. Also, the nation’s unemployment rate has reduced drastically.
Trump stated that he would “get our people off welfare and back to work” The welfare rolls decreased remarkably during President Obama’s regime. It has been on the decline since 1996 when President Clinton signed legislation establishing work conditions and time limits.
During his campaign trail, Trump often portrays the United States as a nation with increased crime rate. He pointed out that crimes, drugs, and gangs have led to the death of many citizens and deprived the country of unrealized potentials. Trump focuses on just one year increase to cite rising violent crime in the country instead of the long-term trend.
According to a report by the FBI, the rise in violent crimes increased between 2014 and 2015. The figure in 2015 alone is lower than the data obtained nine years earlier. There is a decrease in the rate of violent crimes in the nation. There has been a reduction in the rate since 1991.
Trump accused other nationalities of destroying jobs meant for U.S citizens. He did not explain how the immigrants destroyed the jobs or name their countries. He blamed the trade deals with China and North America. However, the new president inherited an economy with improved employment rate.
He said that he would get the poor people off welfare and back to work. The number of welfare decreased under Obama, but there was an increase in the population affected by poverty. Also, the number of families and individuals on welfare rolls dropped from 2008 to 2016.
Trump made immigration a major issue during his campaign. In his inaugural address, he blamed past presidents for not defending the U.S border. However, the facts available did not concur with his claims.
