It’s clear. Even Republicans are agreeing Trump committed diplomatic malpractice on multiple fronts. One, he never reviewed any of the briefing books provided prior to the meeting; two, he didn’t bring note takers into the meeting; three, he didn’t bring subject matter experts into the meeting; four he didn’t come out of the meeting with any notes. No one, not even the Director of National Intelligence, I’ll repeat for emphasis – THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE, knows what was discussed. His supporters will argue, “He’s Potus, he doesn’t need to answer to anyone”. Wrong, he answers to me, to you, to every American citizen. And, we want to know what the hell went on in there.
If Trump had one iota of intelligence, diplomatic savvy, or concern about American interests he would have covered, at minimum, the following topics.
Meddling in the 2018 Elections -Trump’s refusal to defend the intelligence community, retaliate other than sanctions, warn, no – threaten that it better never happen again is bordering on giving aid and comfort to the enemy.
NATO – Trump’s interview with his propaganda machine at Fox News, including Tucker Carlson, made NATO a weaker institution. European leaders are experiencing difficulties in getting their defense budgets increased as European citizens simply revote against anything “Trump”. This gives aid and comfort to the enemy.
Baltic States – when President Kennedy presented a less than aggressive approach to Khrushchev, the Russian leader built the Berlin Wall. Trump’s practical cow towing to Putin emboldens Putin to increase his aggression in the Baltic Region. This is giving aid and comfort to the enemy.
Syria / The Middle East in General – well, no one really knows what Trump agreed to other than to allow the Russians to enjoy further influence in the region. This is giving aid and comfort to the enemy.
“Incredible Offer” – to allow Russians to interrogate American citizens, essentially turning them over to Putin in exchange for sending American investigators to Russia to interview the Russian hackers. The citizens Putin wants to interrogate (torture, and then make disappear) are, amongst others, Bill Browder, one of the backers of legislation that sanctions Russia and American ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul who has always been a touch critic of the Putin regime. Trump thinks that is an “incredible offer”. Indeed, incredible that an American President would even consider turning over American citizens to Putin. If this isn’t giving aid and comfort to the enemy, I don’t know what is.
No one knows what went on in that room. Maybe we’ll know shortly when Congress gets the balls to subpoena the American interpreter. But, there are some guesses. Putin reminded Trump of all the things he has on Trump. Then he gave him a list of talking points. Now, Putin isn’t dumb enough to think what ever Trump says goes, but he directed Trump to at least throw it out there. Maybe Trump’s uneducated base will try to support Putin’s wishes.
Kevin Driscoll 