Read Time: 4 min 26 sec | Reading Level: 6th Grade

POLITICS

100 Days at Pennsylvania Ave

The 100-day mark has long been viewed as a symbolic milestone for the new residents of the White House. Like a trailer to a movie, it’s seen as a preview of what’s to come.

And Tuesday, the trailer wrapped for President Trump’s administration. 

How’s he doing? Depends on who you ask. Check out these charts for helpful visuals, but here’s the TL;DR: 90% of Republicans approve while just 4% of Democrats give a thumbs up. That’s the largest split along political party lines, ever. Overall, this adds up to an approval rating of ~44%, lower than other modern presidents.

Both sides agree that Trump hit the ground running in his second Oval Office stretch. Here’s what he’s reshaped so far:

• The Government Workforce: At least 130,000 federal employees have been fired or laid off

• The Economy: New tariffs are sparking international negotiations and trade wars, and the stock market is down around 8%

• Immigration: There’s been a sharp drop in border crossings (see chart) and a big deportation effort

• Private Institutions: The White House is pushing colleges, law firms, and other groups that get money from the government to play by its rules

Generally, supporters say Trump’s early actions are helping “return America to her former greatness.” Critics say the president is testing the Constitution in a reckless way. 

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CHOOSE HUMILITY
Being peaceable, gentle, and open to reason in a divisive time is a sign of God’s wisdom in us. Believing you’re right is not an excuse to be harsh or impatient.

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.”
James 3:17 (CSB) (read full passage)

What do I want to make sure my kids know in light of this story?
It’s right for citizens to evaluate our democratic leaders and keep them accountable. But don’t forget to evaluate your own progress or growth.

How do we know how we’re doing? The world tells us that progress is measured by how happy we’re feeling, how much money we have, and who we’ve impressed. But Jesus summarizes God’s measuring stick simply: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31 CSB). Doing this is what most matters to God. And unlike a presidential administration, there’s only One we need to please.

What response to this story do I want to model for my children?
Americans are more divided along political lines than they have been for a long time.

Christians, remember that your primary identity is as an ambassador for Christ—not a political warrior. That means we…

• Keep an eternal perspective, pointing others to hope in God

• Humbly ask questions to understand others, then speak the truth to one another in love

• Champion kingdom values like praying for enemies and welcoming people who are different than us

• Get involved practically by praying and giving our time and money to bless our communities

Believers are reconcilers (2 Corinthians 5:14-21). Model peacemaking—with God and others—for your kids.

• Discuss: What would a trailer of your last 100 days look like? What’s missing that you wish was there? Set a couple goals for your next 100 days.

• Memorize Matthew 22:37–39, “He said to him, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself’” (CSB).

• Pray that your family would grow and make progress in areas that matter to God: “And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11 CSB).

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