MILFORD, PA — When Barack Obama was elected in 2008, it was the first time an African American president entered the Oval Office. A hope and dream for millions of Americans throughout the nation became reality.

“It was inspiring to have the first African American president,” said Rich Klein, a resident of Smallwood. “It was a sign that America was moving forward past its turbulent times.”

When President Donald Trump was elected, he too was the first of his kind in various aspects. Trump, for instance, is the first billionaire president and the first to have no experience in government, the military, or politics prior to being elected.

A president’s first 100 days in office are viewed as a measurement of presidential progress and a gauge that determines the direction that the president is attempting to bring the nation. Obama’s first 100 days in office included the passing of the largest economic stimulus bills in history, which was a response to the plummeting economy. Obama also ordered the closing of Guantanamo Bay military detention facility, which is still open today.

In his first week, Trump has signed an executive order that bans entry into the U.S. for citizens of seven countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Citizens of these countries, which are predominately Muslim, will be unable to enter the U.S. for 90 days, according to Trump’s immigration ban. Syrian refugees are banned indefinitely while other refugees must wait at least 120 days to gain access into U.S. borders.

Trump’s order seems to many to be a condemnation of Muslims and other religious and racial groups. Trump has stated that his order is not meant to marginalize any of these groups, but rather to protect and strengthen the integrity of this country.

Although it remains to be seen what other executive decisions Trump will make during his first 100 days, he has not been hesitant to make decisions even if they cause immense upheaval.

“We’re going back to a dark time in our history,” said Klein. “He’s doing things that are un-American.”

Some of those things include building a wall along the Mexican border to increase national security and repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, which according to the Department of Health and Human Services saw a record 6.4 million Americans enroll for 2017 coverage.

In response to Trump’s polarizing presence a growing resistance movement has formed against his presidency. Millions of people participated in The Woman’s March on Washington, DC and sister marches this month, which included widespread protesting of Trump’s denigration of women’s rights.

The transition of presidential power from Obama to Trump affected locals as well.

Kenneth Corley, a native of South Fallsburg, said that Obama’s tenure as president proved to be a catalyst to lessen the racial divide that exists in the country.

“Minority Americans were moving forward with white Americans, who were changing their ideas and their thinking and aligning their thoughts, goals and passions with ours in order to get to a point where there was a black president for eight years,” said Corley.

Corley is optimistic about Trump’s reign and hopes that he creates more job opportunities for Americans moving forward.

“I’m not going to allow myself to release negative energy because I don’t agree with his views on politics,” said Corley.

Some people are afraid of what’s to come next.

“With Obama leaving and Trump coming in, it’s kind of scary,” said Barbara Bhan, a resident of Monticello.

Bhan fears that Obama will not receive credit for what he achieved in his eight years in office.

“I was upset because I don’t feel that he will ever receive credit for his accomplishments,” said Bhan.