How these young Republicans rate Donald Trump's 1st 100 days
President Donald Trump marks his first 100 days in office this Saturday. So how did he do? Two young Republicans weigh in on their new president's leadership style and his promise to "make America great again."
Anna Maria Tremonti spoke to Adi Sathi, former vice chair of the Republican Party in Michigan, and Chris Godbey, national political director for the Young Republican National Federation.
How would you rate President Trump's first 100 days?
Adi Sathi: In modern times, I don't think that we have seen a president on either side of the aisle running a platform and actually 100 per cent stand on that platform in the 100-day time that they put forth. And I would give them an A, A-plus on how much he's really pursuing his platform. It's a testament to the fact that he's not a politician. And that's what he campaigned on.
Chris Godbey: Absolutely. Campaign promises are a campaign being met by this administration which is something that you rarely see from politicians.
What do you think his biggest accomplishment has been so far?
CG: I think that probably the biggest accomplishment is the Supreme Court justice being placed. I think that has made for a long-term vision of Conservative values and making sure that we have a strict opinion of what the Constitution is.
What has been the biggest letdown for you?
AS: The way that the media continues to portray what the president is doing in a completely negative light is still inappropriate. I think that there's a lot to be heard from both sides.
That's been the biggest disappointment for me because it's still a struggle to find a real avenue for information.
CG: That's a great point about the media. But I think that the other thing that I've really struggled with is the fact that he's had such opposition to getting his cabinet filled.
Donald Trump came in saying he wanted to drain the swamp. He's appointed all sorts of billionaires to cabinet. Aren't they part of the swamp?
CG: Absolutely not.
[So who's the swamp?]
The swamp is the industry that exists in Washington D.C., that feeds off the decisions that government makes. The swamp is the issue that Americans see outside of the D.C. bubble — seeing Washington — which is a place where bills come to die, people come to get corrupt and things don't happen.
The reality is D.C. actually gets a lot of things done.
So I think that the motto of "drain the swamp" is a euphemism.
It's just like "make America great again". They were both strong points to really drive home the message that his vision for the future of this country is one that puts America first and makes sure that we're not being dictated to by Washington interests.
When there's another election, what do you think your best-selling point for President Trump will be for another four years?
CG: I think that the economic situation in this country. The market is going to be booming. I think that that by itself is something that's going to really drive a lot of people to support him. I think that you're going to see a return to a sense of pride in the United States, something that has been tarnished, so to speak, in the foreign affairs of the world.
I think that people are going to see the United States as a global leader again under this president.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. For more, you can listen to our full interview above.
The Current's Washington special was produced by Howard Goldenthal, Willow Smith and Kathleen Goldhar.