Controversies, scandal follows first month of Trump presidency

World Today

The first month of 45th U.S. President Donald Trump is one full of controversies. In its first month, the administration faced several challenges and scandals.

CGTN’s Sean Callebs reports.

After a phone call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping over a week ago, Trump agreed to honor the “One China” policy, contrasting with earlier suggestions that the policy might be negotiable.

“The “One-China” policy is the political foundation for the China-U.S. relationship. Adhering to the “One-China” policy and abiding by the principles of the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques are the U.S. government’s obligations and China’s consistent stance,” China Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lu Kang said.

But by Feb. 13, National Security Adviser Michael Flynn turned in his resignation from the position over allegations that he did not fully disclose his conversations with Russian ambassador to the White House regarding U.S.-imposed sanctions on Russia.

Another major controversy came from Trump’s executive order to temporarily ban people of seven Middle-Eastern from entering into the United States. He argued that the ban is needed to keep terrorists from infiltration the United States. Protests erupted in airports nationwide following the decision. The ban has been put on hold by U.S. courts but not before angering some U.S. allies.

Despite his boastful words that the administration is running like a “fine-tuned machine,” he has split with key Republican figures like John McCain. He will need their backing in Congress, if he’s going to overhaul the U.S. tax system or find an alternative to the Affordable Care Act.

Last but not least, Trump has upheld his vow to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. Officials say a recent study shows that it will cost more than $21 billion to construct.