On Trump at 33 1/3

Believe it or not, we’ve actually lived through a third of Trump’s term!  It’s time to take stock of what we now know and what we don’t:

What We Know

1.  As promised, he’s run the government like his business.  As a result, his administration has been corrupt, inept, and chaotic.  No change is likely on this front.
2.  His authoritarian impulses have been on display on Twitter on a daily basis.  However, he has not taken any concrete action to turn them into law.
3.  His only major legislative success is a regressive tax cut which is driving up the deficit and exacerbating inequality.
4.  He failed to repeal Obamacare, although that is mostly attributable to differences in the GOP factions in Congress.  He is consequently nibbling around the edges in an effort to sabotage the health care system.
5.  He is making the CLs and PBPs happy with deregulation, although that is likely to bite him in the butt at some point.
6.  There will be no infrastructure bill.
7.  He has done a lot of damage to our relationships with our principal allies.
8.  He has launched a trade war, with an uncertain result.
9.  His attempts to reduce the cost of welfare programs have been thwarted.
10.  He has gone full Sunni in the Middle East.
11.  He has, to put in mildly, changed the tone of our diplomacy regarding North Korea.
12.  Notwithstanding the opinions of Roseanne Barr, he has completely thrown in his lot with the evangelicals on social issues, and has been rewarded for it with their unquestioning loyalty.

What We Don’t Know

1. Will the trade wars result in quick settlements, or escalation?
2.  Are we heading for a shooting war in either Korea or the Middle East?
3.  How will he react to opposition if there is a war?
4.  What does Mueller have, and what does it mean for the midterms?
5.  What will the long-term effects on our alliances be?