This week’s White House Report Card finds President Trump cheering the explosion of jobs and a Wall Street turnaround while grappling with the continued partial government shutdown.
Add in his controversial comments about Afghanistan and Syria, the Democratic takeover in the House and a Democratic member’s personal attack on Trump, and it was another mixed week.
John Zogby
Grade C
The monthly jobs report has come out, and 312,000 new jobs created is well beyond expectations. Manufacturing jobs are at a record level, and there is growth in a number of sectors across the economy. Wall Street had a terrible week because of fears of a slowdown, government stasis and the trade war with China — but then, the Dow gained 747 points on Friday. Sheer confusion.
Presidents are supposed to show leadership, not dig in and shut the government down. At this point, there appears to be no solution to the shutdown crisis and the accession of Nancy Pelosi to speaker of the House again only means that the president and the Democrats will use each other as foils.
Here is video of freshman Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan who, when speaking about President Trump, told her supporters “we’re gonna go in and impeach the motherf–ker.” pic.twitter.com/wO9AMKsBdN
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) January 4, 2019
Trump does not get a failing grade because of the economy, and I am giving him an extra letter grade because of the comments of new Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. First, on a personal note, I know Rashida, like her very much, and respect her for what she has accomplished and for her passion. But this is not the way to start (nor continue) a career as a legislator. Maybe her constituents like to hear her sentiments, but members of Congress are supposed to consider the national interests, too. Her comments help no one.
Second, I recall several years ago that a reporter for the Daily Caller shouted down former President Barack Obama on the White House lawn. He too was rude and unbecoming of his profession. Back then, I bumped Obama up one letter grade because one smartass did not understand that he was the president of the United States. As they learn in the military, it is the stripes, not the man. To my friend, Rashida, knock it off.
Jed Babbin
Grade D-
Facing the new Democrat-dominated House, President Trump was standing fast on the government shutdown over the border wall. He then made what should have been a good week for him into a train wreck by remarks at a Cabinet meeting Wednesday that put him on record in support of the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pushed legislation that provided zero funding for the president’s signature border wall. The Democrats insist that they’re for border security but can’t reconcile that with their support for, among other things, sanctuary cities. Pelosi flailed a bit, saying — wishing? — that Trump could be indicted by the Justice Department despite its guidelines that say a sitting president shouldn’t be indicted. Investigations galore — and possibly impeachment — are at the top of the liberal’s to-do list.
The Twitter wars of the week were incited by newly-elected Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, who wrote a scathingly critical op-ed about Trump in the Washington Post and by former Afghanistan commander, retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who spoke out against Trump. Those battles — which weren’t a big deal — could have been the lowlights of the week, but Trump went on to make matters a lot worse.
The Democrats could solve the Shutdown problem in a very short period of time. All they have to do is approve REAL Border Security (including a Wall), something which everyone, other than drug dealers, human traffickers and criminals, want very badly! This would be so easy to do!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2019
Trump backed off his immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria, apparently at the urging of Sen. Lindsey Graham. Instead of coming home immediately, the withdrawal will be in stages, over a few months. In essence, we’re giving the enemy a timetable for withdrawal just like former president Obama did.
At the first cabinet meeting of the new year Trump said, “the reason Russia was in Afghanistan was because terrorists were going into Russia.” He added: “They were right to be there. The problem is, it was a tough fight.” It is hard to imagine how those events could be described more incorrectly. The December 1979 invasion by tens of thousands of Soviet troops was intended to institutionalize Afghanistan as a part of the Soviet empire, to support a tottering Soviet puppet government. The invasion ultimately failed with the help of the CIA and U.S. arms. The Soviets withdrew in defeat 10 years later. Trump’s statement was revisionist history at its worst, in tone and content that could only please Russian President Vladimir Putin.
At that meeting, Trump also said that Iran’s leaders could do whatever they want to do in Syria. That fact is apparent though Trump made it sound as if he agreed. Apparently still seething about the evident truths in the resignation letter from Defense Secretary James Mattis, Trump said that Mattis was “essentially fired” because Mattis, who intended to resign at the end of February, was tossed out on Jan. 1.
John Zogby is the founder of the Zogby Poll and senior partner at John Zogby Strategies. His latest book is We are Many, We are One: Neo-Tribes and Tribal Analytics in 21st Century America. Follow him on Twitter @TheJohnZogby
Jed Babbin is an Examiner contributor and former deputy undersecretary of defense in administration of former President George H.W. Bush. Follow him on Twitter @jedbabbin
