The Providence Journal asked local leaders whether Donald Trump had been a better or worse president than they thought he would be, their views of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election, and their view of what effect Trump would have on the 2018 midterms.
President Donald Trump was sworn into office on Jan. 20, 2017. This month, The Journal asked people on both sides of the deep political divide, and a few others, where they stand a year into his presidency.
We asked each person whether Trump had been a better or worse president than they thought he would be, their views of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election, and their view of Trump's likely effect on the 2018 midterms.
Here are excerpts from their comments:
Progressive activist and state Rep. Aaron Regunberg
"The Trump administration has been everything we feared it would be. From condoning white supremacists and racism, to making hard-working families pay for handouts to the 1 percent and Wall Street, to threatening nuclear war, it's clear Donald Trump has little respect and understanding for the office he holds and the people he should be serving. Donald Trump is dangerous."
Former Rep. Joseph Trillo, independent candidate for governor, Trump's R.I. campaign co-chair
"In the last weeks we have been inundated by reports of markets at record highs, defying all of his naysayers: The lowest unemployment rate in 17 years; lowest claims in 43 years; lowest layoffs since 1990, the most new manufacturing jobs in 15 years…. GDP grew over 3 percent in his first year.... The Dow climbed a record 5,000 points. I believe that the combination of economic optimism under Trump's policies, contrasted with the progressive policies of the last administration, led to this dramatic result."
"I think that he made some early missteps. Some of his appointments and inexperience in government led to some political and legislative losses. I think the whole special investigation, which he allowed, has turned into a charade and is a waste of resources and time. I think many Americans understand this."
Democratic Attorney General Peter Kilmartin
"I thought President Trump would surround himself with competent advisers, and more importantly, at least listen to them. Clearly, he acts and reacts according to his own whim."
"His total disregard for rule of law and established regulatory procedure. It started with the travel ban at the beginning of his administration and continues to this day, especially with his efforts to roll back environmental protections. Politics is not, or at least should not be, a replacement for sound scientific findings.
"The only common thread I see in most of this administration's positions and actions is that, 'If it was supported or created by President Obama, we will tear it down.' Vengeance is no way to govern."
Gary Sasse, founder, Bryant University's Hassenfeld Institute for Public Leadership
Trump's accomplishments: "1) Tax Reform 2) Eliminating the Obamacare mandate and issuing regulations to give small firm relief from some ACA rules; 3) Reshaping the federal judiciary by appointing Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, and having the largest number of appointees to the federal appeals court confirmed in the first year of a presidency; 4) Rolling back costly and unnecessary business regulations; 5) Opening up the Arctic to drilling; 6) Giving the military the authority that enabled the taking back of territory from ISIS; 7) Strong economic growth and a record-breaking stock market."
On the downside: "1) A lack of decorum in discharging the responsibilities of the presidency as seen in tweeting personal attacks and making statements that confuse policy-making; 2) Design and implementation of the original travel ban; 3) Reaction to white supremacists in Charlottesville and support for Roy Moore in Alabama; 4) Failure to replace Obamacare.... His actions have significantly weakened the moral authority of the presidency both at home and abroad.... Successful presidents bring the nation together; unfortunately in too many instances President Trump's comments have served to divide Americans, not bring them together."
Resist Hate activist Justin Boyan
"When President Obama said on his way out that 'this office has a way of waking you up,' he could not have been more wrong: Trump has been as corrupt, dishonest, embarrassing, and megalomaniacal as always. The biggest surprise hasn't been Trump's unfitness, but the cowardice of the Republican Party to stand up to him.
"The only good thing I can think of is that he has awakened a lot of people, including me, to how corrupt and unpatriotic the Republican Party has become."
House Minority Leader Patricia Morgan, Republican candidate for governor
"I think that none of us truly knew what type of President Donald Trump would be. Although, as I do with all presidents, I want him to be successful. Are there tweets and statements that I wish were not said or framed differently? Of course, but when it comes to cutting red tape and rolling back anti-business regulations, I believe he has started his presidency as a pro-growth, pro-business president."
"Very few people thought the White House would be able to enact tax reform, but it did, and while the tax bill might not be popular, we are already seeing businesses, including Rhode Island's own CVS, announce bonuses and new hiring."
Mueller investigation: "It is my understanding that the deputy attorney general had the right and authority to order an investigation. I believe that it is in everyone's interest to allow it to play out."
Brown University Prof. Wendy Schiller
"Trump has woken us up to the fragility of the American democracy, especially the First Amendment and the ability of the press to act as a check on politicians. If you take away that legitimacy, it is almost always easier for politicians to be less truthful with their constituents about the impacts of the policies they put in place."
Mueller investigation: "I think you can draw a straight line from Watergate, to Iran-Contra, to Whitewater, to Benghazi, to Russia. Democrats tried to discredit Ken Starr in Whitewater, and Republicans are trying to discredit Mueller, each to protect their party's president. Obstruction of justice is always very hard to prove, no matter what side of the political aisle you stand on."
State GOP Chairman Brandon Bell
"President Trump has followed through on his campaign promises, which is rare in politics. He has reduced burdensome regulations, overhauled the tax code through tax reform, ISIS is in retreat and we have a new conservative justice on the Supreme Court. His policies are working for the middle class and we have a thriving economy except here in Rhode Island.
"If I had to critique the president I would say he is too defensive about the Russian investigation and maybe a little too flippant about North Korea on Twitter. The unnecessary drama distracts from his excellent policies."
Mueller investigation: "Almost a year of investigating Russian collusion and there is not a shred of evidence of collusion between the Russian government and President Trump. I know the investigation is upsetting to President Trump because of the baseless allegations made against him. However, he should fully cooperate with Mueller's team and get this behind him."
James Vincent, President of NAACP Providence Branch
"The only thing beneficial is that he has brought white supremacy out in the open so we can see how little racial progress we have actually made and how much more work we have yet to do with a relatively large segment of the American people. Donald Trump didn't create our nation's bigots and racists, but he consciously enables and inflames them each and every day for political gain."
Midterms: "I expect the Trump presidency will cause the Republicans to definitely lose the House and possibly lose the Senate. The combination of Trump's historically low approval ratings and the natural gain of seats by the 'out party' should create a perfect storm for the Democrats in the 2018 midterms. Democrats, however, should proceed with caution."
State Democratic Party Chairman Joseph McNamara
"He's wedged Americans against Americans, supported hate groups, attacked the media as 'fake,' created a tax plan that enriches the rich and indebts future generations with a trillion dollars of unsustainable debt, and he's reduced the dignity of the presidency by among other things communicating in 'tweets.'"
"Trump has (also) attempted to weaken the pillars of our democracy — moving us towards an authoritarian government, firing our nation's U.S. Attorneys, trying to strip our free media of their credibility, rewarding the richest 1 percent of the country on the backs of the low-and-middle class, and eliminating the environmental protections that will protect our planet for generations to come."
Mueller investigation: "This is an important and absolutely necessary investigation by a trusted and well-respected professional who is trusted and respected on both sides of the aisle. This is not a 'hoax' and it should be allowed to continue without interference by this president."
Midterms: "Roll Tide. I expect Democratic candidates to change the balance of power in Congress."
Georgia Hollister Isman, state director, R.I. Working Families
"The Trump presidency galvanized Rhode Islanders who believe that government should work for people, not just Trump cronies.... Rhode Islanders translated the resistance message into action at the state level. Last year's earned sick-days bill passed because of one of the largest grassroots efforts in the state to date — lots of those activists were newly activated through the resistance. Donald Trump has also inspired progressives to run for office, bucking not only conservative candidates but also the traditional Democratic Party structure. "
R.I. Republican National Committeeman Steven Frias
"President Trump is not particularly relevant when you are running for state or local office. When I ran for state representative last year, I got more questions from reporters about Donald Trump than from voters as I campaigned door to door."
"As for federal candidates, historically the party which controls the White House does usually lose seats in Congress. However, the popularity of a president is only one factor which affects midterm elections.... In this upcoming midterm election, the U.S. Senate seats which will be on the ballot are primarily in states in which President Trump did well. Also, the national economy appears to be growing and doing well."
Grafton "Cap" Willey IV, managing director, Providence office of CBIZ MHM
"I think that he has had a number of positive accomplishments despite what his opponents and the media report. I would say that for the most part he has made good appointments to his Cabinet despite the complaints from the Left. I would say that he has made sound judiciary appointments. You may or may not agree with their conservative positions but they are competent judges. He has made major accomplishments on regulatory reform, which was much needed. That has contributed to a better business climate, to better economic performance and new jobs growth.
"It has been an up-and-down ride with the Trump administration. It would be better if it were more focused. It would also be better if the loyal opposition were more reasonable and be willing to do the people's work rather than be against everything just because it was offered up by Trump."