Speaking on tax reform Wednesday, President Donald Trump expressed optimism that the House and Senate will finish reconciling their tax bills in the next few days, allowing him to sign his first major legislative achievement before Christmas Day. | Evan Vucci/AP Photo Trump says he'll 'never let bad things happen' to U.S. economy

President Donald Trump pledged Wednesday to “never let bad things happen” to America’s economy.

“I’m here today to tell you that we will never let bad things happen with respect to the economy of our country,” the president said in a tax-reform speech delivered from the White House.


Presidents have limited control over the U.S. economy. Trump says he's cut regulations, and he has named a new chairman to take over the Federal Reserve, among other economic appointments. He is also pushing tax legislation that he says will stimulate growth.

Still, the New York Times reported in January that a president’s economic record is largely dependent on luck, noting that no White House exerts control over the demographic and technological influences that shape the economy.

Trump nevertheless expressed optimism that the House and Senate will finish reconciling their tax bills in the next few days, allowing him to sign his first major legislative achievement before Christmas Day.

“If Congress sends me a bill before Christmas, the IRS — this is just out; this is breaking news — has just confirmed that Americans will see lower taxes and bigger paychecks beginning in February, just two short months from now,” he said.

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He also slammed the current tax code as “burdensome, complex and profoundly unfair,” blaming it for the loss of jobs that have gone overseas.

“And you see it. Even before we do this,” he said, referring to passage of a tax bill, “they’re starting to come back. Our country’s starting to do really well again. And as a country, we’re being respected again. We’re being respected again.”

