Side issues -- some of them created by the president himself -- have obscured the accomplishments of the Donald Trump administration during his first year in office.
The economy is the most obvious one. From anemic growth in the previous administration, it is now growing at around 3 percent, which economists say is ideal. The stock market continues to set records, fattening retirement portfolios.
Unemployment is at its lowest level since 2000. It is also at a 17-year low for African-Americans, and it has dropped for all other major racial and ethnic groups. The black community is unlikely to give the president much credit because of its addiction to the Democratic Party, even though that party has taken their votes for granted and done little for them.
The good economic news may be penetrating the largely negative media coverage. The Wall Street Journal reports: "Although President
During the campaign, candidate Trump promised to increase the number of manufacturing jobs. Critics said he couldn't do it because those jobs were gone forever. A
On his visits to
The "caliphate" in
Illegal immigration has declined substantially even before a wall is constructed.
The president is fulfilling other promises. He is populating the federal courts with judges who are subject to the constraints of the
Unnecessary regulations on businesses imposed by the previous administration are being rolled back, which is helping to fuel the economic boom.
There is much more, but these accomplishments are being obscured by some of the president's own actions and rhetoric. He continues to bring up the 2016 election and remains critical of
Next year the administration plans to tackle welfare reform and finalize a plan on immigration that includes a decision on what to do about the "dreamers," children of illegal immigrants who were brought to America at a young age, and chain migration.
Another priority in the new year should be the liberation of poor and minority children from failing public schools. Trump promised to do this during his campaign. Secretary of Education
The president is starting to get credit on the economy. He will earn more if he exercises self-discipline, controls the content of his tweets and adopts an optimistic message while toning down -- way down -- the anger and the criticism of others.
The
It's a great opportunity for the president and the
Cal Thomas, America's most-syndicated columnist, is the author of 10 books.