President Donald Trump's move to recognize the divided city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital may have triggered a worldwide chorus of critics but the president had his ears closely tuned to his supporters at home. For Trump, the proclamation was an important way to make good on a pledge to his political base, which includes evangelical Christians and pro-Israel Republicans eager for such a move.

Those were words to savor for a president who's been frustrated to see a number of key campaign pledges stalled or slowed, sometimes by a bitterly divided Congress, some by larger national or international concerns.

On Jerusalem, Trump had pledged during the 2016 campaign to recognize Israel's claim to the city and to move the U.S. Embassy there from Tel Aviv.

Steve Bannon, the president's former chief strategist, repeatedly counseled the president to take the step as a means of holding to his campaign promise and energizing evangelical voters.

Trump insisted he was not trying to derail a peace agreement between Israel and Palestinians.

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