On Nov. 7, 2016, Donald Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States. It was an upset victory, with most experts predicting a sizeable win for Hillary Clinton. This election marked the fifth time a candidate won the election after losing the popular vote.

On Nov. 9, Trump gave a victory speech that carried a much different tone than his previous rally speeches. He called for unity.

“To all Republicans and Democrats and independents across this nation, I say it is time for us to come together as one united people,” Trump said. “It’s time.”

After such an uplifting speech, one would expect a positive first year for Trump. However, this year has been anything but, as the nation becomes more and more divided by the day.

A huge issue Trump had the opportunity to prove his desire for unity and respect over was the tragedy that unfolded at a Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia on August 12, 2017. A group of white supremacists marched off of University of Virginia, and counter-protesters met them. A violent clash began, and the president’s remarks were anticipated directly after.

Hopes for a remark condemning the supremacists were dashed, as Trump’s response placed the blame on both sides of the conflict. The alt-right has continued to move and demonstrate throughout the United States, under a blanket of protection provided by Trump.

“Trump has awakened the long dormant racism of many Americans,” said Teen Democrat club president Sanjana Venkittu. “He represents the worst of politics, the kind of person who puts himself and power above his constituents.”

Conflict seems to be a prevalent theme in Trump’s presidency, as he is also in an aggressive feud with the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The threat of nuclear warfare is looming overhead, as they continue to test missiles which are becoming more successful. The outcome of the Cold-War-esque situation is currently unclear, but it will be tense for some time unless one of the leaders concedes.

On the homefront, President Trump’s divisive trend continues, as he makes a valiant effort to ensure the Supreme Court remains heavily conservative. Trump appointed Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court to replace Antonin Scalia, who died Feb. 13, 2016.

Gorsuch is a well-informed, experienced politician. He went to Harvard law school alongside prominent figures including President Barack Obama. It will be interesting to see what impact Gorsuch’s appointment will have on Trump’s presidency, as he is traditionally conservative, but might disagree with President Trump on certain issues.

“Trump’s biggest success is the Supreme Court justice pick of Gorsuch,” said Civics and Economics teacher Christian Borkowski. “He got to maintain the conservative majority in the Court.”

With this conservative majority in the country and the Supreme Court, travel bans are likely to increase in regularity. The original executive order stated that anyone entering the United States from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen would face a 90-day suspension of their visas. This order also reduced the number of immigrants allowed into the United States during 2017 from the 110,000 allowed by President Obama to 50,000.

All divisiveness and issues aside, Donald Trump is first and foremost a businessman. His focus has been on the economy, because that is where his strengths lie. So far, good progress is being made.

Trump has maintained the steady positive economic direction which Obama began. The unemployment rate is at 4.3%, a 16 year low. Thanks to fracking, the United States has also exported more oil than has been imported.

“The economy is very strong right now,” Borkowski said. “This is due to Trump’s deregulation of business and industry.”

Economically, these indicate progress and accomplishment, concerning foreign relations as well as money issues. Less dependance on the Middle East for oil could ease tensions there. The United States seems to be on a positive economic slope which President Trump is perpetuating.

Whether or not Trump has had a good first year is in the eye of the beholder. Many politicians do not agree with his positions and ideas, and are therefore working to blockade him. Some say Trump is doing a great job, considering the circumstances.

“I think he’s done extremely well despite the fact that 90% of the media, the entertainment industry, the Democrats, and establishment Republicans have been against him from the beginning,” said Young Republicans club president Jack Van Nest.

Despite one’s views, it is clear that Trump will not depart from the issues he originally ran behind. He is still fighting, making it obvious that these were not empty promises. As time progresses and more efforts are made, results will become more clear concerning whether the United States will unite or divide.