When we picture a president going abroad and representing our country, we hope that an unwavering dedication to the United States will feature most prominent. On Monday, when President Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the opposite was true.
Though a fair number of supporters have labeled the behavior at the Helsinki press conference as part of the president’s brilliant strategy, the truth is that damage was done. By completely ignoring U.S. intelligence showing that Russia sought to and did interfere in the 2016 election, Trump made the interaction all about him. Sacrificing a nation-first approach in favor of self-interest does not a good president make.
There is nothing strategic about a foreign policy that places America on the same page of blame as an enemy and its murderous thug of a leader.
Trump’s behavior helps to shine the spotlight on the tribalism that currently infects our nation. As expected, one side declared that the press conference was a near-apocalyptic event that would serve as a marker for when the presidency and our national security began to degrade even further. Still others, who remain loyal to the president at all times, viewed the event in a much less serious light. They were just words and our deal-maker president always knows what he’s doing.
The reactions from these competing sides isn’t surprising. However, the gross inconsistency of both was once again laid bare.
When President Barack Obama ascended the world’s stage, spoke of us in an almost embarrassing light, and took a soft approach on our enemies, this first group showered praise upon him. He was seen as a true leader with a global outlook. American exceptionalism wasn’t the approach. Instead, we were just one of many on the playing field and needed to humbly recognize our status. This came from a man who won the Nobel Peace Prize at the very beginning of his presidency for doing nothing of consequence. Throughout his two terms, his supporters fawned over his international self control. He was an example.
During that time, the second group, those who now view Trump in a positive light, took offense. When abroad, Obama clearly held some shame for his home country. He was sharply criticized for his foreign policy and routinely, the argument was, “he needs to be stronger.” Giving in as he did, whether in word or deed, was a hallmark of his international action. If ever a Republican were to take back the White House, things would be different. Our leader would be unapologetic, strong, and resolved. Our brave representative would never cower.
On Monday, Trump behaved in a manner that on the surface should have drawn praise from the Left and condemnation from the Right. Of course, politics changes everything. Instead of viewing what’s before us and determining right or wrong from substance, too many of us filter reality through our political preferences and adjust accordingly. There is no steadfastness.
A sober outlook would take issue with both our current president’s faltering before adversaries and our previous president’s penchant for doing the same. Trump’s capitulation before ruthless enemies like North Korea leader Kim Jong Un and Putin, and defensiveness toward allies like Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and British Prime Minister Theresa May, is a serious problem. Obama’s mistakes neither magnify nor diminish his successor’s faults.
Furthermore, we absolutely should look at each aspect of our leader’s words and actions individually. Frustration at Trump’s abysmal, anti-American behavior in Helsinki doesn’t change the fact that his nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court should be defended against ongoing and spurious attacks. That he needs to be bolder in his face-to-face interactions with foreign threats doesn’t disqualify him from his duties at home. Measured criticism is not carpet bombing and a broad brushstroke across any presidency will never work.
There will be much more fallout from the summit in Finland over the coming weeks and months. Trump’s words on the subject will continue to matter and may greatly impact the midterm elections. If so, he has only himself to blame.
Submitting to our enemies should never be applauded. That is an incontrovertible truth no matter who takes the stage.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a senior contributor at RedState.com.
