Although President Trump’s 16-minute inaugural address was the shortest since 1977, it nevertheless provided insight into the 45th president’s immediate priorities and his vision for the country.
Trump used his historic speech, which he delivered from the U.S. Capitol’s west lawn in a drizzly rain on Friday, to touch on issues from the nation’s drug crisis to the plight of single mothers in inner cities. Trump discussed the shortcomings of the education system, the decline of manufacturing and the failure to enforce many of the country’s immigration laws.
But he omitted several policy areas that are expected to loom large over his early decisions at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
And while policy blueprints are typically the topics of State of the Union speeches, not inaugural addresses, Trump omitted topics from his Inaugural address that he emphasized during the campaign.
Healthcare reform
The final weeks of Trump’s transition were dominated by discussions of how he and congressional Republicans would collaborate on an alternative system for Obamacare.
Trump has indicated that his party is close to a consensus on an Obamacare replacement.
However, Trump did not mention problems with the legislation, or healthcare in general, during his speech, although he spoke to a variety of other challenges facing the country.
Veterans
Trump focused much campaign energy on veterans and the problems they had encountered at the Department of Veterans Affairs under President Obama.
While Trump did laud the military during his inaugural address, he didn’t reach out to veterans specifically.
Regulations
Trump has railed against the Obama administration’s heavy reliance on federal regulations to shape policy without consulting Congress.
The president has indicated he wants to repeal two regulations for every new one his administration pursues. He has frequently blamed regulations, particularly environmental regulations, for shackling small businesses and holding back economic growth.
But Trump didn’t reference the regulatory burden in his inaugural address.
Debt
Fiscal conservatives have long expressed concern about whether Trump’s ambitious proposals will ramp up government spending and increase the national debt.
Obama has weathered fierce criticism after he presided over a dramatic increase in the national debt.
Trump didn’t talk about out-of-control government spending or Republican tax reform plans aimed at spurring economic growth. Trump’s is reportedly considering major cuts to domestic spending outside of entitlements.
