White House: Why Americans lost faith in Washington

On January 3, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) took over as Speaker of the House for the second time in her career. In the four and a half months since, Americans have gotten another close look at what career politicians do best: anything but solve real problems.  

For more than two years, Congressional Democrats excused inaction by attacking President Donald J. Trump every day for a crime he did not commit. The Mueller Report—a 400-page document that cost American taxpayers at least $35 million—recommended no charges against the President. That should have ended the matter. 
 

Instead, Democrats have a new obstruction strategy: weaponize the subpoena powers of Congress to fish for political ammunition to use against the Trump Administration.

It’s a cynical ploy and a dangerous precedent, but cynical ploys make for good TV drama. So while President Trump asks Congressional Democrats to set politics aside and work with him on infrastructure, immigration, stronger trade deals, and more, Democrat leaders know they can keep the media focused on political theater, not policy.

Washington loves the distraction tactic because it works in the short-term. The mainstream media always plays along, and it denies any accomplishments or progress that could risk making an opponent look good. The price tag—broken trust—comes later.

Here is the real cost of Washington’s never-ending obstruction drama:

• Today, 4 percent of Americans say they have a great deal of trust in Congress.
   
• In 2016, Americans’ confidence in mass media hit its lowest level in history.
   
• Between 1958 and 2015, public trust in Washington plunged from 73 to 18 percent.
   

Congress now has a decision: perpetuate the cycle of broken promises, or put aside the stunts and work with President Trump on areas of bipartisan agreement. What Democrats choose to do next will shape Americans’ faith in Washington for a generation.

Watch: Democrat leaders face a choice, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders says

She had the honor of presenting the Purple Heart to a wounded warrior recently injured in combat. The service member’s family was on hand to witness the moment. “I want to thank the service members I met today,” Mrs. Trump said. “As each of them recovers, we are reminded of the cost of our country’s security.”

Americans are grateful for that sacrifice, she added. “The President and I will always stand with our men and women in uniform.”

In photos: First Lady Melania Trump visits Walter Reed Medical Center

“We’re taking swift action to remedy all of the injustice that’s been done over the years,” the President said today, and “will help keep our cherished farms thriving.”

See how President Trump is fighting harder for farmers than any president before.