“The first 100 days” has become a well-worn measure in American politics. Franklin D. Roosevelt originated the concept when he launched his Presidency in the depths of the Great Depression in 1933. He immediately called Congress into a 3-month emergency session to deal with the crisis, and proceeded to pass roughly 80 laws which formed the foundation of the New Deal.
By contrast, Trump inherited a US economy that was “the envy of the world,” then needlessly created a crisis by issuing 124 executive orders in his first 90 days, including the disastrous “reciprocal tariffs.” Notably, Trump has signed only 5 new bills into law during this period, fewer than any president in the last 70 years at this point in their presidency. No need to pass laws when Congress has ceded all authority and you can operate by fiat.
Mike Lawler released his own 100-day report card this past week, and it looks like this:
Is this really a report card you want to bring home to your parents? Firstly, Lawler wasn’t even among the 54 cosponsors of the Laken Riley Act. He simply voted for it. And many would argue that this is cynical anti-immigrant legislation which exploits a personal tragedy and does nothing to improve public safety. Hardly a New Deal.
So what else, Mike? A tough push through committee on Iranian sanctions and closing an export control loophole; appointment to a couple of committee posts; and running the numbers on a host of inconsequential bills that will never see the light of day.
Let’s highlight the more consequential activity, or inactivity, that didn’t make your 100-day scoreboard:
- Countless appearances on national media defending the chaotic Trump regime and your benefactor Elon.
- Zero in person town halls in your district.
- Indefensible House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing in February where you dissembled facts in order to facilitate Elon’s destruction of the US Agency for International Development. The human cost of this action has played out in the weeks since. Just a small sampling of the reporting:
- Voting to cede tariff authority to Trump, which led to the chaos of “Liberation Day.” Pick your economist to size the disaster. How about “a 90% chance of what can be called a Voluntary Trade Reset Recession.”
- Total abdication over the power of the purse, as Trump and DOGE slash funding across the board — health research, food safety, nuclear safety, IRS revenue collection, etc.
I could go on, but I’ve already tested the limits of your generous attention.
If Lawler and his dear leader can accomplish this much damage in 100 days, imagine the days to come. We’re definitely in for a new deal.
Photo credit: advocate.com – Activists stack coffins in front of State Department to protest PEPFAR cuts
Rule of Lawler 