Off and running

Off and running After spending Christmas with the First Family in Florida, President Donald J. Trump returned to Washington yesterday. In 2018, his Administration will look to build on a remarkable first calendar year in office. A few of the 2017 highlights: Kicking the American economy into high gear with $5.5 trillion in tax cuts, 1.7 million new jobs, and more than 60 record highs for the Dow Jones index Putting America first in trade by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and working to modernize NAFTA Making government more accountable, including by nominating 73 conservative federal judges Promoting peace through strength by rebuilding the U.S. military and repelling ISIS across Syria and Iraq "HAPPY NEW YEAR!," the President tweeted Sunday evening. "We are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and much faster than anyone thought possible!" Watch important moments for President Trump in 2017. Tax cuts: 'The numbers will speak' Before the Christmas holiday, President Trump signed the Tax Cuts Act into law, fulfilling a major campaign promise to the American people. "As you know, $3.2 trillion in tax cuts for American families, including the doubling of the standard deduction and the doubling of the child tax credit," the President said during the signing ceremony. "The typical family of four earning $75,000 will see an income tax cut of more than $2,000 . . . [And] because we're signing today, they're going to start to see that in February. The numbers will speak." Read more about the promise of middle-class tax cuts. January is National Mentoring Month This week marks the beginning of National Mentoring Month—an initiative started and endorsed by President George W. Bush in 2002 to promote youth mentoring. In a Presidential Message yesterday, President Trump reiterated the importance of this work to building a strong nation in the years to come. Specifically, he encouraged all Americans to reflect on how they might use their time and talents to change the life of a child, whether it be through teaching, religious guidance, community leadership, or even simple friendship. Read President Trump's message here. Photo of the Day President Donald J. Trump holds a video teleconference with members of the U.S. military | December 24, 2017 (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead) POTUS TODAY Today, President Trump will have lunch with Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. COMING UP Tomorrow, the President will have lunch with Vice President Pence, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and Secretary of Defense James Mattis.