Presidential leadership in the first year

The first year in office presents a unique window of opportunity for a new president to advance his agenda and pass signature legislation. President Obama’s first year for instance saw the passage of the economic stimulus, Dodd-Frank, and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, along with new ethics guidelines designed to curtail the influence of lobbyists. The Bush 43 Administration passed signature tax cuts and No Child Left Behind.

However, the first 365 days in office also pose distinct challenges: the president will be tested for the first time on the world stage and in a polarized Congress. How will the new Trump administration traverse its critical first year, and what insights can history provide for the future?

On December 12, Governance Studies at Brookings and the University of Virginia’s Miller Center convened a special half-day conference to consider the many challenges facing the new administration and make recommendations for the next president in his first year. Scholars and practitioners examined the lessons of history and offered contemporary analysis in order to inspire and guide the Trump administration’s early decisions.