As we enter the 4th year of President Donald Trump’s term, division in the United States has never been starker. Since the election of 2016, America has seen more political polarization than ever before. The nation’s divided views are clearly seen on both sides of the political aisle and it is not expected that this divide will lessen anytime soon.
The president’s approval ratings have been steadily declining throughout his term, painting a picture of a divided nation. According to the Gallup poll, only 43 percent of Americans approve of the job Trump is doing as president while 55 percent disapprove of his performance.
Despite this, Trump has been successful in passing a number of significant legislative achievements, such as a massive tax cut, criminal justice reform, and the longest period of national job growth ever recorded. He has also reversed a number of Obama era policies, pulled out of several international agreements, and bolstered immigration restrictions.
Moving forward, there are still many challenges on the horizon in the coming year. As midterm elections loom, the president is bracing for a potential Republican revolt if he doesn’t pass major pieces of legislation, such as immigration and healthcare reform. Meanwhile, the Democrats will look to capitalize on the recent string of Democratic victories, hoping to translate these gains into substantial gains in the midterms.
Despite the apprehension surrounding the coming months, there is much optimism from the Republican party that their successes over the past three years will be in tow for the next four. The president has signaled his intent to push for more immigration legislation as well as for a wall along the US-Mexico border. He also hopes to negotiate a comprehensive trade deal with China in the coming months and will likely press for further tax cuts.
With all of this in mind, the 4th year of President Donald Trump’s term may be the most divisive one yet. On one hand, he appears set to continue pushing for policies favored by the Republican base, while, on the other hand, the Democratic party is aiming to make gains in the midterms. On the economic front, the nation may also continue to experience record job growth and booming economic growth.
Regardless of what the future holds, one thing is certain: the coming year is sure to be an absolutely critical one. Whether President Trump is able to continue pushing forward his agenda or the Democrats are able to begin to chip away at his influence remains to be seen. Still, just as it has been during his entire tenure, the 4th year of his presidency will shape the outcome of his time in the White House.
