This Will Not Pass Summary

In the political landscape of the United States, a tempestuous period was brewing. The events leading up to and during the Trump administration were filled with drama, conflict, and far-reaching consequences. This book, "This Will Not Pass" by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns, delves deep into the inner workings of the Trump White House and the political battles that raged during his tenure. It offers a comprehensive view of how the political system was strained and how the nation was divided.The book begins by setting the stage, highlighting the unique and often chaotic nature of the Trump presidency. Trump, with his unorthodox style and controversial statements, disrupted the traditional political norms. His rise to power was not just a political event but a cultural and social phenomenon that had a profound impact on the country. The authors show how his election was a shock to the political establishment, and how it set in motion a series of events that would test the resilience of American democracy.

Donald Trump's entry into politics was like a thunderbolt. He was a real-estate mogul and a reality-TV star, not a career politician. His brash personality, use of social media, and ability to connect with a large segment of the population who felt left behind by the political and economic status quo were the keys to his success.Trump's campaign was marked by promises to "Make America Great Again." He tapped into the frustrations of working-class Americans, especially in the Rust Belt. His message of economic nationalism, border security, and opposition to free-trade agreements resonated with many. However, his style also alienated a significant part of the population, including the political elite, the media, and the liberal-leaning voters.Once in office, Trump's management style was characterized by chaos. There were constant staff turnover, internal power struggles, and a lack of a clear and consistent policy direction. His relationship with the media was extremely adversarial. He labeled the mainstream media as "fake news," which further polarized the nation.

When Trump took office, he faced a divided government. The Republicans controlled both the House and the Senate, but there were deep ideological divisions within the party. Trump's early policy initiatives were focused on immigration, healthcare, and trade.On immigration, Trump made building a wall on the U.S. - Mexico border a top priority. This policy was met with strong opposition from Democrats and some Republicans. The administration also implemented a travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries, which led to legal challenges and protests across the country.In healthcare, Trump promised to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. However, the efforts to do so faced significant setbacks within the Republican Party. The infighting among Republicans over the details of the replacement plan ultimately led to the failure of the repeal-and-replace efforts.On trade, Trump took a protectionist stance. He renegotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was replaced by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). His trade policies also included imposing tariffs on Chinese goods, which led to a trade war between the two countries.

One of the most significant events during the Trump presidency was the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Special Counsel Robert Mueller was appointed to lead the investigation.The investigation focused on whether the Trump campaign had colluded with Russia to influence the election. Over the course of two years, Mueller's team conducted a thorough investigation, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and issuing subpoenas.The investigation uncovered a complex web of contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian agents. However, the report did not establish a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia. The report also detailed multiple instances of obstruction of justice by Trump, but the Department of Justice decided not to prosecute him.The Russia investigation had a profound impact on the Trump administration. It created a cloud of suspicion over the presidency and led to intense political battles between the Democrats and the Republicans. The Democrats used the investigation as a tool to attack Trump, while the Republicans defended him, arguing that it was a witch-hunt.

The first impeachment of Donald Trump was a major political event. It was based on allegations that Trump had pressured the Ukrainian government to investigate his political rival, Joe Biden.In a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump asked for a "favor" in the form of an investigation into Biden and his son, Hunter Biden. The Democrats in the House of Representatives launched an impeachment inquiry, arguing that Trump's actions were an abuse of power and a violation of the Constitution.The House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump on two articles: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. However, in the Senate trial, the Republicans held the majority, and Trump was acquitted. The impeachment process further divided the nation and deepened the political polarization.