Charles Lipson

Donald Trump is a president in a hurry

Donald Trump has wasted no time in his opening hours in office (Getty)

“The First Hundred Days” was the iconic phrase for Franklin Roosevelt’s rapid-fire acts as the new president. Donald Trump intends to top that with “The First Hundred Hours.” Three months is far too slow for the new president. He made that clear by signing some 200 executive orders on his first day back in office.

The media has focused on the substance of those orders, and understandably so. But their substantive content, on the border, birthright citizenship, DEI (Diversity, equity, and inclusion) and more, is only half the story. The other half is the swift, decisive process. Trump had those orders prepared during the weeks between his election in early November and his inauguration in late January. He means to act and to act fast.

The next Democratic president can reverse all his orders, a point Trump demonstrated when he did just that to Biden’s orders

Trump’s readiness to make specific policy decisions serves several purposes.

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