Trump’s Early Report Card: Analysts Weigh In on First Weeks Back in Office
President Donald Trump is set to address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, marking a pivotal moment to solidify his agenda and showcase his progress after returning to the White House. Fox News Digital sought the insights of two seasoned political analysts, Rob Bluey, president and executive editor of the Daily Signal, and Julian Epstein, a longtime Democratic operative, attorney, and former chief counsel to the House Judiciary Committee, to gauge Trump’s standing with the American public on key issues. They offered grades ranging from A to F on several top priorities, providing a snapshot of the political landscape as Trump begins this new chapter.
Immigration: A Consensus on Strong Performance
Both Bluey and Epstein awarded President Trump an "A" for his handling of immigration thus far. Bluey emphasized the impact of key administration figures, noting that "Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and border czar Tom Homan are among the most visible members of the Trump administration." He credited their work for the "record-low number of illegal aliens" encountered by Customs and Border Protection at the southern border. Bluey attributed this success to a combination of "increased enforcement and the threat of deportation," arguing that Trump is delivering on his promise to end illegal immigration. He also stressed the need for additional resources from Congress to "finish the job and finally secure the border."
Epstein echoed this sentiment, stating that "promises made, promises kept, the public is strongly behind him on this." He went further, issuing a stark warning about the current administration’s border policies, saying that "Democracies don’t survive too long under the Biden open borders approach." This bipartisan agreement on immigration highlights its importance as a winning issue for the President.
Foreign Policy: Mixed Reviews and the Shadow of Ukraine
On foreign policy, the analysts offered more nuanced assessments, both assigning a "B" grade. Bluey highlighted Trump’s ambitious promise to swiftly end the war between Russia and Ukraine, acknowledging the difficulty of achieving this goal. He specifically pointed to "Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s unrealistic demands" as a significant obstacle. He also referenced the recent friction between the two leaders, noting, "After Friday’s blowup in the Oval Office, it’s unclear when peace talks will resume."
Bluey also addressed Trump’s efforts in the Middle East, expressing hope that he can "replicate the success of the Abraham Accords negotiated during his first term." He acknowledged Trump’s "ultimatum for Hamas to release hostages," but pointed out that "approximately 59" hostages remain in captivity. He concluded that "it’ll take more U.S. diplomacy to get a deal done" as the initial ceasefire phase ends.
Epstein similarly noted the negative impact of the recent public disagreement between Trump and Zelenskyy. "The Zelenskyy Presser meltdown didn’t make anyone look good on the global stage," he commented. "Rule #1: get your act together before you go public." He also raised concerns about the ongoing hostage situation in Gaza. However, he offered a contrasting perspective on Trump’s overall approach, asserting that "Trump is playing three-dimensional chess in each theater, where Biden was playing checkers and never made much meaningful progress."
Culture Wars: A Resounding Endorsement
In the realm of culture wars, specifically focusing on DEI initiatives and transgender issues, both analysts awarded President Trump high marks. Bluey gave an "A+," praising Trump’s use of "executive powers" to order "an end to DEI throughout the federal government." He also emphasized the removal of DEI jobs, arguing that Trump is "ensuring that taxpayers no longer subsidize this Marxist idea." Additionally, he highlighted the executive order "banning men from women’s sports" as an "iconic moment" and cited Trump’s confrontation with Maine’s governor as evidence of his commitment to enforcing this policy.
Epstein also awarded an "A," stating that "the American people never wanted the cultural revolution that the far left was trying to impose on race and gender." He predicted that the president would have "a super majority of public support on this." This near-unanimous agreement on the President’s cultural war policies reflects the deep divisions within the American populace on these issues.
DOGE: A Bold Plan to Cut Spending
The analysts had slightly different takes on the administration’s efforts to cut government spending, particularly highlighting the involvement of Elon Musk and the "DOGE" team. Bluey awarded an "A," focusing on the potential for significant savings. "Elon Musk and the DOGE team are on the hunt to save taxpayers $1 trillion, which would cut the budget deficit in half," he stated. He acknowledged the progress made in identifying savings, but also emphasized the scale of the challenge. "Fortunately, there’s finally someone in Washington with the guts to cut spending and bring accountability to federal agencies," he concluded.
Epstein offered a more cautious "B+," agreeing that "Trump, must, will have public support to rid the bureaucracy of all its flab, self dealing and cultural revolutionary ideology." However, he cautioned against overly hasty cuts, stating that "they’re acting like they are in a breathless race against father time on this, when in fact they have time to make sure they don’t cut off important things like cancer research."
Economy: Inflation Remains a Challenge
Both analysts gave President Trump a "B" grade for his handling of the economy so far, with a particular focus on the persistent issue of inflation. Bluey acknowledged that "inflation will be hard to tame," placing the blame on the previous administration’s spending policies. He also mentioned the impact of the bird flu outbreak on egg prices. He emphasized that "voters expect Trump to deliver on his promise to help with the cost of living" and highlighted efforts to "reduce regulatory burdens and provide tax relief" as important steps.
Epstein echoed the sentiment that "Biden made a lot of mistakes and did a lot of dumb things, probably the dumbest was back shelving inflation." He criticized the lack of visible progress in tackling inflation during Trump’s first month back in office, stating, "For all of the whirlwind, we’ve seen very little in the way of Trump tackling inflation in the first month. This has to change."
Looking Ahead
As President Trump prepares to address Congress, these initial grades offer a valuable perspective on his current standing with the American public. While he enjoys strong support on immigration and cultural issues, challenges remain in foreign policy and the economy, particularly in managing inflation and navigating the complexities of the war in Ukraine. The address to Congress represents a crucial opportunity for President Trump to build on his early successes, address remaining challenges, and articulate a clear vision for his administration in the months and years ahead.
