100 Days

A lot has been made of the importance of an American president’s first 100 days. That period has long been considered a crucial measure of their intentions and abilities – and a distillation, in many ways, of what’s to follow.

The idea dates back to President Roosevelt – who, taking office during the Great Depression in 1933, immediately launched a series of bills to reignite a flagging economy. Reagan made sweeping revisions to budget and tax policy in his first 100 days; Obama used the time to pass a $787 billion economic stimulus package and to expand children's health insurance coverage.

At almost 100 days into the Trump presidency, Sally Warhaft chats with Don Watson – author of the Quarterly Essay 'Enemy Within: American politics in the time of Trump', and the acclaimed American Journeys. They assess the state of the States under Trump so far. How has the Trump administration framed its 100 days? What have been its key policies and accomplishments thus far … and how has America and the world responded?

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