Congressional Republicans are warning President Trump that a first 100 days that unfolds like his administration’s chaotic first 10 days could undermine their agenda and spark a voter revolt.
The White House’s lack of communication and coordination with allies in Congress — and even agencies charged with carrying out Trump’s executive orders — has left Republicans frustrated and concerned.
They stand ready to support Trump, even on some of his more politically charged actions, but can’t do so effectively if the administration acts secretively and without input.
A House Republican consistently supportive of Trump described the new administration as a “garage band,” reflecting his colleagues’ anxiety that voters could interpret an ongoing state of chaos as incompetence.
With Republicans controlling all levels of government, they would most likely feel the brunt of that public dissatisfaction, as past presidents, and congressional majorities, have learned in midterm elections past.
Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 3 ranking Republican in the Senate, urged the White House to avoid distractions and destructive behavior.
“Stay focused,” Thune said, during a brief interview with the Washington Examiner. “We want to stay focused.”
“We have a specific agenda which we have laid out and which we think the American people are asking us to get busy with,” Thune continued. “If the administration can successfully work with us on those things, I think we’ll make headway. And, I think we’ll find that if we get results the American people will reward that.”
The Trump presidency got off to an active start with a flurry of executive orders. That wasn’t the problem; many of them involved fulfilling campaign promises that have substantial Republican support. At issue was the execution.
On some, particularly the order temporarily halting immigration and refugee settlement from seven majority-Muslim countries, there was confusion after the White House acted without consulting Congress or the relevant executive branch departments.
That led to international confusion and public disapproval from administration officials. It also forced the administration to backtrack on certain provisions of the order, titled: “Protection Of The Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States.”
Many Republicans wanted to support an order on which they agree with Trump on the underlying substance. But they were either unable to do so, or found themselves backtracking, because the administration never filled them in on the details.
Protests erupted in airports across the country, flooding television screens and national news coverage. Republicans on Capitol Hill said that Trump missed an opportunity to score a decisive win on an issue that initial polling has revealed is backed by a plurality of American voters.
“The rollout was a disaster. If this is still happening in three months, that’s a problem,” a congressional Republican said, on condition of anonymity in order to speak candidly. “I don’t expect it to, they’re still getting their sea legs.”
In a Reuters poll conducted Monday and Tuesday, 48 percent of Americans approved of Trump’s executive order; 41 percent disapproved. The online survey, which showed respondents holding mixed thoughts on other aspects of the order, had an error margin of 3 percentage points.
Congressional Republicans expect the Trump White House to up its game as it gains experience and fills out its team. The smooth rollout of his nominee to serve on the Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch, is what they had in mind from a former CEO with decades of business management under his belt.
But given the president’s unconventional approach to politics, they’re bracing themselves for periodic turbulence. Past administrations have suffered under this sort of leadership.
Former Presidents Barack Obama (2010); George W. Bush (2006) and Bill Clinton (1994) all weathered rebukes in midterm elections that brought the opposition party to power at a point in which their parties held majorities in the House and Senate.
Rejection of their policy agendas was partly the culprit. But voters’ dissatisfaction with these presidents’ leadership style and a sense that the government was being mismanaged also were to blame.
Republicans know the bottom line is they must deliver legislation that makes Americans’ lives better.
“I think we’re well positioned to get big things done, we just better be right that they’ll actually improve things for the American people,” Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., said. “If they don’t, it’ll be the night of the long knives in 2018.”
