Is Trump the Worst President in History?
by Richard Striner
Richard Striner, a professor of history at Washington College, is
the author of many books including Father
Abraham: Lincoln’s Relentless Struggle to End Slavery and Lincoln’s
Way: How Six Great Presidents Created American Power.
As the
chance of getting rid of Donald Trump — through impeachment or by voting him
out — continues to dominate the headlines, the historical challenge
is compelling. No president has been a greater threat to the
qualities that make the United States of America worthy (at its best) of our
allegiance.
The rise of
Trump and his movement was so freakish that historians will analyze its nature
for a long time. From his origins as a real estate hustler, this
exhibitionist sought attention as a TV vulgarian. Susceptible
television viewers found his coarse behavior amusing. Then he announced that he
was running for the presidency and it looked for a while like just another
cheap publicity stunt.
But
his name-calling tactics struck a chord with a certain group of
voters. Our American scene began to darken. Before
long, he was hurling such vicious abuse that it ushered in a politics of
rage. As his egomania developed into full megalomania, the “alt-right”
gravitated toward him.
The
“movement” had started.
More
and more, to the horror of everyone with power to see and understand, he showed
a proto-fascist mentality. So alarms began to spread: mental health
professionals warned that he exemplifies “malignant narcissism.”
Never
before in American history has the presidential office passed into the hands of
a seditionist. And the use of this term is
appropriate. With no conception of principles or limits — “I want”
is his political creed —he mocks the rule of law at every turn.
At a
police convention in 2017, he urged the officers in attendance to ignore their own
regulations and brutalize the people they arrest. He pardoned
ex-Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was convicted of criminal contempt of
court. He appointed Scott Pruitt to head the EPA so he could wreck
the agency and let polluters have the spree of their lives.
Trump
is fascinated by powerful dictators with little regard to human rights or
democracy. He compliments Vladimir Putin and hopes to invite that murderer
to stay in the White House. He likes Rodrigo Duterte of the
Philippines, a tyrant who subverts that nation’s democracy.
So,
Trump certainly has the personality of a fascist. But he is not
quite as dangerous as other authoritarians in history.
In the
first place, he lacks the fanatical vision that drove the great tyrants like
Hitler and Stalin to pursue their sick versions of utopia. He is
nothing but a grubby opportunist. He has no ideas, only
appetites. The themes that pass for ideas in the mind of
Donald Trump begin as prompts that are fed to him by others — Stephen Miller,
Sean Hannity, and (once upon a time) Steve Bannon. To be sure, he would fit
right in among the despots who tyrannize banana-republics. But that
sort of a political outcome in America is hard to envision at the moment.
Second, American
traditions — though our current crisis shows some very deep flaws in our
constitutional system — are strong enough to place a limit on the damage Trump
can do. If he ordered troops to occupy the Capitol, disperse the
members of Congress, and impose martial law, the chance that commanders or
troops would carry out such orders is nil.
Third,
Americans have faced challenges before. Many say he is our very worst
president — bar none. And how tempting it is to
agree. But a short while ago, people said the same thing about
George W. Bush, who of course looks exemplary now when compared to our
presidential incumbent.
The
“worst president.”
“Worst,”
of course, is a value judgment that is totally dependent on our standards for
determining “badness.” And any number of our presidents were very
bad indeed — or so it could be argued.
Take
Andrew Jackson, with his belligerence, his simple-mindedness, his racism as
reflected in the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Take all the
pro-slavery presidents before the Civil War who tried to make the enslavement
of American blacks perpetual: John Tyler, Franklin Pierce, James
Buchanan. Take James K. Polk and his squalid war of aggression against
Mexico. Take Andrew Johnson, who did everything he could to ruin the
lives of the newly-freed blacks after Lincoln’s murder.
The
list could go on indefinitely, depending on our individual standards for
identifying “badness.” Shall we continue? Consider
Ulysses S. Grant and Warren G. Harding, so clueless in regard to the
comparatively easy challenge of preventing corruption among their
associates. Or consider Grover Cleveland and Herbert Hoover, who
blinded themselves to the desperation of millions in economic
depressions. And Richard Nixon, the only president to date who has
resigned the office in disgrace.
Which
brings us to Trump.
However
incompetent or even malevolent some previous American presidents were, this one
is unique. The Trump presidency is a singular aberration, a defacement of norms
and ideals without precedent. However bad some other presidents were
all of them felt a certain basic obligation to maintain at least a semblance of
dignity and propriety in their actions.
Not
Trump.
Foul
beyond words, he lurches from one brutal whim to another, seeking gratification
in his never-ending quest to humiliate others. He spews insults in every
direction all day. He makes fun of the handicapped. He
discredits journalists in order to boost the credibility of crackpots and
psychopathic bigots. He accuses reporters of creating “fake news” so
he can generate fake news himself: spew a daily torrent of hallucinatory
lies to his gullible followers.
He
amuses himself — with the help of his money and the shyster lawyers that it
pays for — in getting away with a lifetime’s worth of compulsive frauds that
might very well lead to prosecutions (later) if the evidence has not been
destroyed and if the statute of limitations has not expired.
So
far, however, he is always too brazen to get what he deserves, too slippery for
anyone to foil.
Anyone
with half of ounce of decency can see this wretched man for what he
is. They know what’s going on, and yet there’s nothing they can do
to make it stop. And that adds to Trump’s dirty
satisfaction. Any chance to out-maneuver the decent — to infuriate them —
quickens his glee. It makes his victory all the more rotten, incites
him to keep on taunting his victims.
It’s
all a big joke to Donald Trump, and he can never, ever, get enough of
it.
The
question must be asked: when in our lifetimes — when in all the
years that our once-inspiring Republic has existed — have American institutions
been subjected to such treatment? How long can American morale and
cohesion survive this?
Nancy
Pelosi has said that in preference to seeing Trump impeached, she would like to
see him in jail. Current Justice Department policy — which forbids
the indictment of presidents — makes it possible for Trump to break our
nation’s laws with impunity. Impeachment is useless if the Senate’s
Republicans, united in their ruthlessness and denial, take the coward’s way
out.
So the
prospect of locking him up may have to wait. But the day of
reckoning for this fake — this imposter who will never have a glimmer of clue
as to how to measure up to his office — may come in due time. Then
the presidential fake who accuses his victims of fakery will live with some
things that are real: stone walls, iron bars, a nice prison haircut,
and the consequences of his actions.
by Richard Striner
Field of
Anonymous Trump Donors Getting Crowded
|
WASHINGTON
-- Last year, when a "senior administration official" wrote an
anonymous New York Times opinion piece -- "I Am Part of the Resistance
Inside the Trump Administration" -- the unknown author's essay prompted
praise and approbation.
Now, we
learn, it has spawned a book.
"The
dilemma -- which (Trump) does not fully grasp," Anonymous wrote in
September 2018, "is that many of the senior officials in his own
administration are working diligently from within to frustrate parts of his
agenda and his worst inclinations. I would know. I am one of them."
Critics
on the right called the author a coward for penning a piece under the cloak of
anonymity. Critics on the left pounced on the author's failure to openly
denounce Trump -- the only act that they would consider courageous.
Trump
branded the piece "TREASON" and urged then-Attorney General Jeff
Sessions to find the dirty rat.
Journalists
did not miss the irony in the author's identification as a "senior administration
official." The Trump White House was indignant, even though the press
office routinely conducts briefings after directing reporters to identify the
briefers as "senior administration officials." Then Team Trump
denounced the press for relying on unnamed sources.
I saw
the piece as confirmation that good people worked in the administration out of
a sense of public service -- and that some stayed because they felt a duty to
curb Trump's worst instincts. The book deal, alas, suggests the unknown civil servant has
a hunger for self-promotion, as well as a poor sense of timing.
For one
thing, the Mueller report tells voters everything they need to know about
Trump. To wit: There was no collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign. And
Trump frequently pushed those around him to do his dirty work, and they often
failed to do his bidding.
Former
campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, for example, chose not to tell Sessions to
"unrecuse" himself from the Russian probe, lest Trump fire him.
Instead, Lewandowski passed on the assignment to a White House aide, who also
chose not to act.
In
words that echoed the New York Times piece, special counsel Robert Mueller
wrote, "The president's efforts to influence the investigation were mostly
unsuccessful, but that is largely because the persons who surrounded the
president declined to carry out orders or accede to his requests."
Trump
voters don't care. They believe the Russian probe was a witch hunt. Who can
blame them? Mueller allowed the investigation to slog on long past any
reasonable suspicion that Moscow was pulling Trump's strings. Federal officials
throwing everything they've got at Trump isn't really a good look right now.
The field
of anonymous Trump accusers is getting crowded. In August, an identity-shielded
whistleblower came forward with a complaint that "the president of the
United States is using the power of his office to solicit interference from a
foreign country in the 2020 U.S. election." It was in reference to a July
25 phone call during which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
to look for political dirt that could be used in next year's presidential race.
The
unidentified whistleblower's lawyer said he represents another unidentified
whistleblower. Democrats argue these individuals must be shielded for their own
protection, but everyone knows they'll be feted as heroes when their identities
-- predictably -- are revealed.
Book
deals? You know it.
Perhaps
the anonymous New York Times author decided to cut a deal to beat the pack of
Ukraine scolds.
House
Democrats have even been holding impeachment hearings behind closed doors to
question known individuals. After releasing damning tidbits, they've yet to
release full testimony. In contrast, Trump made public a rough transcript of
the July 25 conversation.
If
there's something voters don't know that Anonymous thinks they need to, he or
she could pen another op-ed, not a bestseller -- or better yet, with an
election a year away, come forward and face the wrath of the right in the light
of day.
Of
course, Anonymous has an agent. Matt Latimer told CNN that the author of the
272-page "A Warning," published by Twelve, a division of Hachette,
"refused the chance at a seven-figure advance and intends to donate a
substantial amount of any royalties to the White House Correspondents
Association and other organizations that fight for a press that seeks the
truth."
As a
member of the association, I suppose I should be grateful and not at all
curious about how much of the proceeds will go to worthy causes. If only I knew
whom to thank.
Contact
Debra J. Saunders at dsaunders@reviewjournal.com or 202-662-7391. Follow
@DebraJSaunders on Twitter.
Over and out: Furious Donald Trump departs NATO after canceling a press conference and blasting 'two-faced' Justin Trudeau for mocking him at Queen's reception
- Donald Trump slammed Justin Trudeau as 'two-faced' at the 70th anniversary NATO summit in Hertfordshire
- The swipe comes after Canadian Prime Minister was caught mocking him on hot mic at Buckingham Palace
- Trudeau, Emmanuel Macron and Boris Johnson were caught gossiping about Trump at the Queen's residence
- Canadian leader, swigging from his drink, said: 'He [Macron] was late [to the Queen's reception for NATO leaders] because he takes a 40 minute press conference off the top' in apparent reference to Trump
- Trump did not look amused when asked about it during a joint press conference with Angela Merkel Wednesday
- He said Trudeau was angry because he confronted him about amount Canada pays to NATO in membership
- Trump later cancelled press conference scheduled for Wednesday and said he would return to Washington
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Donald Trump departed London on Wednesday after a dramatic two days at the NATO summit where he bickered with Emmanuel Macron, had to meet behind-closed-doors with host leader Boris Johnson, and was mocked by Justin Trudeau - resulting in the president calling him 'two-faced' and furiously canceling his final scheduled press conference.
Trump reacted in a snit of anger after Johnson, Macron and Trudeau were caught on a hot mic mocking him during a leaders' reception at Buckingham Palace Tuesday night hosted by the Queen.
'He's two-faced,' the president said of the Canadian prime minister. But he was then later was caught on another hot mic bragging about his put-down of Trudeau. 'That was funny when I said the guy's two-faced,' he was heard saying.
Trump then tweeted about an hour later that he would leave the summit without holding a scheduled press conference, bringing an acrimonious end to the gathering where the president made news for fighting with his fellow world leaders.
President Trump's helicopter Marine One lifts off from The Grove hotel in Hertfordshire, where the NATO summit took place
He and Macron bickering about ISIS fighters after the French president criticized NATO as 'brain dead.' And Trump had to meet with Boris Johnson behind-closed-doors over fears of the UK prime minister appearing too cozy with his American counterpart headed into next's weeks parliamentary election in Britain.
Johnson had pleaded with Trump ahead of the NATO meeting not to interfere in his country's election. The president said he would not do so - and then promptly discussed how much he liked Johnson's leadership.
But, on Wednesday, Trump was done.
'When today's meetings are over, I will be heading back to Washington. We won't be doing a press conference at the close of NATO because we did so many over the past two days,' the president tweeted.
The talk of the NATO conference, however, was a video from Tuesday night's reception attended by The Queen and Kate Middleton at Buckingham Palace.
Trump lashed out at Trudeau over the footage of his jocular discussion with Johnson and Macron, where the three leaders gossip about the president.
In the clip, Trudeau makes the most cutting comments, laughing about Trump's lengthy Q&A sessions with reporters and saying even the president's staff was shocked at some of his actions.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Trudeau wouldn't answer whether he apologized to the president for his remarks.
He said: 'Last night I made a reference to the fact that there was an unscheduled press conference before my meeting with President Trump and I was happy to take part of it. But it was certainly notable. I've had a number of a good conversations with the president over today and yesterday.'
A tense meeting between Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau was captured on camera at the NATO summit in Watford, Hertfordshire Wednesday after Trump was questioned by reporters about Trudeau's comments caught on a hot mic Tuesday
President Trump was asked about Justin Trudeau's comments at Buckingham Palace Tuesday evening during a one-on-one press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel
Trump appeared stone-faced as the leaders assembled to pose for a group photograph at the Grove Hotel in Watford
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is pictured grinning with PM Boris Johnson as a stone-faced Trump sits in front
In the video from the reception, which appears to be edited, Trudeau and the other leaders are seen chuckling about Trump while Princess Anne watches on.
It shows PM Boris Johnson ask: 'Is that why you were late?' as he stoops down and chuckles in disbelief, before Canadian leader Trudeau, swigging from his drink, shoots back: 'He was late because he takes a 40 minute press conference off the top.'
The video then cuts to a later clip, which is without context, and sees Macron pointing furiously before Danish Prime Minister Rutte exclaims 'fake news media' and Trudeau adds: 'You just watched his team's jaws drop to the floor.' He then motions as if his jaw is dropping.
At a press conference Wednesday, Trudeau explained his remark about Trump's team jaw dropping was at the president's announcement next June's G7 meeting, which will be hosted by the United States, will be held at Camp David.
'We were all surprised and I think pleased to learn that the next G7 will be at Camp David. I think that was an unscheduled announcement and I think everyone's team, everyone different leader has teams that every now and then have their jaw drop at unscheduled surprises like that video itself for example,' Trudeau said.
He said that came up because his fellow G7 leaders wanted to know the details about their next gathering.
'As we talk to G7 leaders there is an interest in where the next G7 meeting is going to be and I was pleased to share with them the story of how that came about, that we are going to be gathering, apparently, at Camp David,' Trudeau said.
Trump, during his Tuesday afternoon one-on-one meeting with Trudeau, said that next year's G7 meeting will be held at Camp David.
Originally Trump announced it would be held it at his Doral, Fla., golf course but he reversed that decision when even some Republicans criticized it as inappropriate.
'We'll do it at Camp David,' he said. 'It's nearby. It's close. We're going to give good access to the press. ... It will be at camp David which is a place that people like.'
Trudeau repeated at his press conference Wednesday that he has a strong relationship with Trump.
'The relationship we have with United States is very strong and I have a very good relationship with President Trump and his team,' he said.
But the president did not look amused when reporters asked him about the hot mic video during his meeting with German chancellor Angela Merkel.
'Honestly with Trudeau, he's a nice guy,' the president said after a long pause.
He then explained his theory on why Trudeau said what he did, arguing the prime minister mocked him because he gave Trudeau grief during their sit down on Tuesday about Canada not paying enough in fees to be a member of the NATO alliance.
The president wants all member countries to pay 2 per cent of their GDP as their NATO dues.
'I find him to be a very nice guy but you know the truth is that I called him out on the fact that he's not paying 2 per cent and I guess he's not very happy about it,' Trump said.
'He's not paying 2 per cent, and he should be paying 2 per cent. It's Canada. They have money. And they should be paying 2 per cent.
'So I called him out on that, and I'm sure he wasn't happy about that, but that's the way it is. Look, I'm representing the U.S. And he should be paying more than he's paying. And he understands it. So I can imagine he's not that happy. But that's the way it is,' he added.
The pair exchanged words at a photos session for NATO leaders on Wednesday morning but it is unclear what was discussed. Trudeau wouldn't say when asked about it by Canadian reporters later in the day.
At their Tuesday meeting, Trump noted Canada is 'slightly delinquent' in its NATO payments but added: 'But they'll be okay. I have confidence.'
Trudeau is pictured smiling at Trump, while the US President keeps a very straight face at the NATO summit Wednesday
The two leaders are seen side-by-side after Trudeau was caught making comments about Trump's lengthy press conferences
The pair share what appears to be a tense exchange at today's NATO summit in Watford, Hertfordshire ahead of Trump's premature departure
Trump and Trudeau make small talk during the NATO leaders plenary session in Hertfordshire on Wednesday morning
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would not say at a press conference if he's apologized to Trump for his remarks
Justin Trudeau, center, Emmanuel Macron, second right, and Boris Johnson, right, have all been caught on a hot mic at the Buckingham Palace NATO reception appearing to gossip about Donald Trump and an apparent impromptu lengthy press conference
In a clip being widely shared online the three world leaders seem to be discussing why the French President was late during the London summit. Princess Anne also appears to be in the discussion, left, but it is unclear if or how she responds
'Some are way below 1 per cent and that's unacceptable. And then if something happens we're supposed to protect them and it's not really fair and it never has been fair and they're paying up,' he added.
After his comments, the two leaders engaged in a back-and-forth on how much Canada pays NATO.
'Well, we'll put them on a payment plan, right?,' Trump said of America's neighbor to the north. 'I'm sure the prime minister would love that. What are you at? What is your number?'
But Trudeau defended Canada's payments.
He said that 'the number we talked about is 70 per cent increase over these past years including and for the coming years, I think including significant investments in our fighter jets, significant investments in our naval fleets. We are increasing significantly our defense spending from previous governments that cut it.'
Trump looks serious as he is approached by Justin Trudeau at the summit today, while his Canadian and UK counterparts look more light-hearted
Trump pours over his notes as UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and PM Boris Johnson chuckle behind him
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, right, leans over to explain something to Trump at the round table meeting
Trump keeps his eyes on his documents as NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg talks to NATO leaders
Trump is pictured amid NATO officials before cancelled his last press conference and left the NATO summit in Watford
But Trump wanted a hard number for what Canada pays and asked for it: 'Where are you now in terms of your number?'
Trudeau said Canada was at 1.4 per cent and 'continuing to move forward.'
Trump nodded and pointed out 'they're getting there. They know it's important to do that. And their economy is doing well. They'll get there quickly I think.'
The president has pushed for NATO member nations to pay 2 per cent.
Trump, in his last meeting at the NATO summit, reiterated he was canceling his press conference.
'This will be actually my last meeting,' he said during a sit down with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte late Wednesday afternoon. 'There's no reason to have press conferences because we've had about eight of them so I can't image you'd have any more questions.'
The president then proceeded to take several questions from reporters, using the opportunity to blast the impeachment hearing playing across televisions screens in America.
'Frankly it's a bad thing for the country,' he said.
NATO leaders assembled for a group photo before Trump announced he would be cancelling any further engagements and flying home
Boris Johnson and Donald Trump shook hands as they appeared on stage together at the NATO summit today
After Johnson sought to play down his relationship with Trump amid the UK General Election campaign, the pair were seen greeting each other on stage
Trump walks the other way as NATO Secretary-General Jean Stoltenberg and Boris Johnson gesture for him to turn around on stage at the NATO summit
The US leader met with Turkish President Erdogan at today's NATO summit in Watford, which he left after a row over Trudeau's comments at Buckingham Palace
Donald Trump gestures furiously during a working lunch at the NATO summit at the Grove Hotel in Watford today
President Donald Trump, pictured smiling at a press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday, asked him about Canada's payments to NATO
The 'naughty schoolboys' caught mocking Donald Trump: Emmanuel Macron orchestrated the banter at Buckingham Palace while Boris Johnson tried to duck out, says MailOnline body language expert
By Lara Keay for MailOnline
Boris Johnson, Justin Trudeau and Emmanuel Macron behaved like 'naughty school boys' as they appeared to gossip about Donald Trump at Buckingham Palace yesterday, a body language expert claims.
The three leaders were caught mocking the US President and his earlier lengthy, impromptu press conferences on a hot mic at the Queen's NATO reception last night.
A video clip shows Boris asking Macron why was late to the event before the Canadian and French leaders chime in.
But the Prime Minister's 'self-diminishing rituals' as he bends his knees and shrinks down suggest he is happy to duck out and let the others take over, body language expert Judi James tells MailOnline.
Trudeau scans everyone's faces as he leads the joke and exclaims: 'He was late because he takes a 40 minute press conference off the top'.
But after he gestures at Macron, the French President takes over 'leaning forward conspiratorially' and 'waggling one finger' as he enjoys giving his view as part of the gossiping, says James.
Ducking out: Boris Johnson's 'self-diminishing rituals' as he bends his knees and shrinks down suggest he is happy to duck out and let the other leaders take over, body language expert Judi James tells MailOnline
Telling jokes: Trudeau scans everyone's faces as he leads the joke and exclaims: 'He was late because he takes a 40 minute press conference off the top'
Trudeau swigs from his drink and gestures towards the French President as if he is passing the baton' to Macron to give his take on the situation
In the clip, the three world leaders seem to be discussing why the French President was late during the London summit, held to mark the alliance's 70th anniversary.
None of the men mention Trump by name but Trudeau seems to be referring to the US president's talks with the media throughout Tuesday.
The video shows Mr Johnson asking: 'Is that why you were late?', before Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, swigging from his drink, shoots back: 'He was late because he takes a 40 minute press conference off the top.'
On Boris, James tells MailOnline: 'Although Boris appears to orchestrate the humour in the group, bending his knees as he speaks to suggest he's making the rest of the circle laugh, he soon appears happy to duck out and allow Trudeau and Macron to take over.'
She explains how Trudeau leads the group in giving his views on Trump's timekeeping and makes eye contact with the whole group to ensure he dominates before 'passing the baton' to Macron.
He appears to have a 'rather naughty sense of humour' in the way he leads the conversation, she adds.
The expert says: 'Trudeau is the most active here in terms of conducting the comedy, performing a one steepled brow gesture to show humour and scanning all the faces in the group as he speaks like a man telling a joke and wanting to check everyone is laughing.
'He even appears to spread the gossip by inviting Macron to join in, nudging him with one hand as though nudging his memory.
'Trudeau then rubs his nose as Macron joins in and takes over, using this announcement gesture to signal Macron can pick up the baton.'
Macron's words are inaudible as he is turned away from the camera, but he soon starts gesturing with enthusiasm.
Orchestrating the comedy: French President Mavron takes over the conversation, 'leaning forward conspiratorially' and 'waggling one finger' as he enjoys giving his view as part of the gossiping
James says: 'Macron's gossip style looks pretty pronounced here as he leans forward conspiratorially and waggling one finger as well as looking round furtively in what looks like a bid to check the subject of their conversation is not within earshot.
'While he and Trudeau appear to be in full flow and when even Princess Anne looks keen to join in, Boris's signals suggest he's enjoying the stories but that he might be more cautious about being the one telling them.'
Commenting again on Mr Johnson's unusual caution, she adds: 'Boris actually looks like the man being cautious here although he might have been the catalyst to some of the fun.
'His knee-bending and self-diminishing rituals suggest he might be placing a slightly amusing comment but its the others that then run off with it while Boris begins to scan the room rather than pitching in too hard.'
None of the men mentioned Trump by name but Trudeau seems to be referring to the US president's talks with the media throughout Tuesday.
He spoke at length to reporters in the afternoon after an awkward press conference with Emmanuel Macron, following on from an earlier and equally lengthy chat after a sit-down with NATO president Jens Stoltenberg in the morning.
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