There are so many TrumpStories ™ that to go through them all would almost become word salad. I won’t say that that’s the point of them all -- because I don’t think it is, I think it’s Trump being Trump – but it pretty much has the same effect. Firing DOJ officials; firing up to 1,000 FBI agents; forcing the Treasury Department employee who protects the federal payment system to resign; allowing private citizen Elon Musk access to that highly-protected federal payment system; imposing tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China – and more and more, and this is just over the weekend and leaves out so many other actions that put the United States at risk on so many levels (starting with cabinet nominations for running the FBI, Health and Human Services and as the Director of National Intelligence, all woefully unqualified, all with agendas contrary to the security and health of the United States. And more and more. And Trump has only been in office for two weeks. Those will – I have to assume from all the commentary over the weekend – all be pushed back by Democrats in Congress and lawsuits for many of the illegal actions who have far more skill and authority for such things than me writing an article here. But one thing worth noting that has only just started to be addressed is a ramification of all that Trump and his enabling MAGOPS are doing, but still is flowing far under the wire. What Trump and them all are creating is the impact on our allies of all their actions – putting tariffs are our two biggest ally trading partners, Canada and Mexico. Threatening retaliation at best and war at worst against our allies Greenland, Panama and Canada. Breaking treaties with our allies Canada and Mexico. Forcing our major ally the European Union to suggest they are prepared to send assistance to Denmark if we try to forcibly take action against them. These are all our allies. And when Trump and his MAGOP acolytes in Congress push this agenda against them, regardless of the end result, the message this sends to our other allies, especially those of a more “flexible” nature is profound. China is likely our most formidable adversary. And for a great many years, they have been trying to get a political and financial foothold throughout the word, but especially in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. What message does one think it says to smaller countries in these regions when they see Trump threatening their neighbors who are our allies, when they see Trump breaking treaties, when they see Trump starting trade wars and imposing tariffs on our allies?? And not just against their neighbors, but against Canada, for goodness sake! Against Demark, against Mexico! This opens the door for China to come in and offer financial assistance, offer political support. And all they need do to help make their case is say, not what they can provide, but – look at the United States is doing to their closest friends. Look at what the U.S. is doing to small, defenseless allies, trying to overturn treaties. All the while asking, how much can you trust the United States? How safe do you feel with the U.S. supporting your interests? [UPDATE: After posting this article comes the story that the doors to the USAID offices have been locked. That's the department that deals with foreign aid. As Senator Andy Kim reported, "I talked to the security guard just in there. He said he has been given specific orders to prevent employees of USAID from entering the building today. I just find that to be absolutely ridiculous. This is no way to govern." Imagine the message this sends to our small allies looking for American support -- as China hovers right behind, with an open checkbook.] And suddenly (and to be clear, “suddenly” has already begun), Trump has created a break in the protective wall of allies. Even if the U.S. can shore up those defenses – and they certainly can – it’s the expenditure of time and effort with allies that should be spent importantly elsewhere, with the knowledge of our allies and security always on rock-solid safe ground, rather than always having to look over our shoulder to see what our closest allies and at-risk allies are doing. But then, as always, this is not about Trump. We know who he is. This is about the elected members of his party who enable him. Without whom this would not be possible. Your reminder that not only is the mid-term election in only 21 months, but early voting in the mid-term primaries starts in just over one year.
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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