If the ambassador would’ve reported Trump to be of the “ highest caliber “ , instead of the truth , he still would’ve lost his job . His superiors would’ve gotten rid of him for ineptness and clumsiness . He’s batter off away from here . I wish I could get out of here .
Trump bully tactics work again. This Ambassador should not have given in and resigned; it simply emboldened Trump to keep doing this.
6
The upside of all this: we can look forward to some delightful acrobatic acts in the upcoming Boris clown-show, now that we have certainty that he possesses no spine.
7
He was very bright and honest what a shame that he resigned. My prayers are with him most Americans were probably happy that someone finally stood up to him.
5
“Wacky”, “a very stupid guy” and “a pompous fool”? Sounds as if a certain someone is guilty of projecting his own character traits onto someone else .... Not the first time he’s done so and likely not the last.
12
A point that I don't see discussed much is who did the leaking. Was it some inside job at the British Embassy, or was it done by some US hacker? It had to be someone who had it in personally for Ambassador Darroch, or someone who wanted to damage the US-UK special relationship. The first possibility hints at some squalid feud within the British foreign affairs establishment; the second smells of a disinformation ploy by the Russians perhaps?
4
Apparently Trump felt antagonistic towards Darroch from the off because the ambassador didn't speak with Trump's people before the election. Whether there is anything in that ...
Who leaked it ? And why ? THAT is not answered
6
So is the Boris Johnson group going to kowtow to Trump instead of supporting someone with the guts to speak the truth albeit intended to be private to his superiors. Willing to bet the release of private communications lays at the doorway of similar trumpets.
9
I find it truly astonishing how many people apparently don't realize an ambassador MUST, not should, not might, but MUST be acceptable to his host government. The US probably wouldn't persona non grata him although they could and there isn't a thing anyone could do to stop it. That's the choice of the host government PERIOD The sending government has NO say in whether or not the host government PNG's him. Rules of the game. At the same time even if the US doesn't PNG him no one in the US government would take his phone calls, answer his questions or have anything to do with him. And that would extend down the tree. People from the UK embassy would be lucky if anyone in government took phone calls much less did anything for them. If only because anyone who is a political appointee in the US government serves at the President's pleasure. And every career civil service knows he could find himself "Routinely" transferred to Thule Greenland or Ulan Bator should the his seniors be displeased. It's not supposed to happen but everyone in the world knows it does. It's one thing to have an opinion and communicate it to your home government. It is another for that insulting opinion to become public. Whether people agree with the opinion or not it was unacceptable for it to become public. And once it did? Well no politician takes public insult gracefully EVER. So once it did the UK ambassador had to go. There was no alternative if the UK wanted to get anything done in DC.
1
Congratulations to Kim Darroch for telling the truth about Trump. He should wear his resignation with pride.
14
Trump's reaction to the British ambassador's assessment of him simply confirms that assessment. And Trump is too obtuse to recognize that fact.
14
Boris Johnson is coming in and might as well do it now to save face....not everybody gets along....
And this is just one of the big headlines of the day...I guess now comes Nigel Farage, another BFF along with Boris, who actually had a nerve to praise Kim Darroch.
We also have mass surveillance out of control... what's next Gulag.
Trump resort to host golf tournament organized by Florida strip club.
DHS probing allegation of sex abuse at Arizona migrant detention center.
And now we should be ready to hear all lies from Acosta regarding his despicable secret deal with Epstein.
How is that for half a day.
7
Did the British Embassy hire Chelsea Manning?
1
Nothing the British ambassador said was incorrect and that's what should worry everyone. Even our allies think the president and this administration are a pack of imbiciles and they're right to think that way. No one should trust or rely on us with these idiots in power. Great job donald. Vote straight Democrat in 2020 to begin to fix what he has trashed.
16
Oddly enough, I just ran across this exact same situation. It happened around 1745 and involved the Czarina Elizabeth and the French Ambassador, Marquis de La Chétardie. The Marquis thought the Czarina frivolous and vain and said so in a letter. The letter was intercepted, decoded and forwarded to Elizabeth, probably by someone who wanted to weaken the French connection. Anyway, she gave the Marquis 24 hours to leave Petersburg and--he left. That's what has to happen in that situation. It doesn't matter if he was telling the truth about the Czarina or not.
1
Clumsy and inept is Brit politeness.
The real words should be corrupt and dictatorial.
7
An Andy Borowitz satire is most apt for this situation. Here is just the fearless, courageous truth telling we need!
"U.K. Unable to Find Replacement Ambassador Who Does Not Think Trump Is an Idiot."
For a new ambassador to be appointed, Borowitz reveals that Theresa May is using a job application with the 1st question --
‘Do you think Donald Trump is a moron?’ ” May said. “So far, none of the applicants has checked the ‘no’ box.”
“We will search high and low until we find someone in this country who doesn’t think Donald Trump is a nitwit. This is harder than Brexit.” she said."
The Boris Johnson factor will make this even harder.
8
Kim Darroch simply stated the truth. How refreshing someone finally stepped up to say what we already know.
14
trump and his puppets can't deal with "truth", along with honesty, morals, and dignity among a few attributes.
8
Amb. Darroch: You just said what we are all thinking (and saying). Best of luck and the real America salutes you.
9
He choose the wrong side during the ongoing tensions between the oligarchic globalists and those who support nation-state democracy. Public servants need to obey the election results, become more professional -- apolitical, or risk being forced out in this new political divide happening all over the free world.
1
Sounds like Trump has the power to make any foreign ambassadors resign. Now no one can criticize Trump? We have a dictatorship.
11
While I believe that freedom of speech is fundamental to a free country, demeaning the President by the representative of a crucial ally is unwise. Darroch certainly spoke honestly and with assertions which are easy to support, but he should not have communicated them through a mass media conveyance, because even encrypted, they can be read and reported publicly. It was unwise and he should resign.
However, Trump has no reputation to slander, he is a person with no self respect and no respect for other people. He is lazy and complaisant about what he says and does in his important job. It may be that he has created so much doubt about the seriousness and reliability of our country that it may take several respectable Presidents to regain it.
4
For me the Daily Mail, which published the leaked/illegally obtained reports is very close to being guilty of treason. The consequences of their publication could have been and may still be hugely damaging to the U.K., given the importance of the 'Special Relationship' with the U.S.A. It is really worrying that the atmosphere in the halls of power both in the U.K. and the U.S. has become so utterly poisonous, in the case of the former due to Brexit characterised by a particularly unpleasant, uncouth, bullying strain of demagogic populism on the part of its supporters and in the latter, well I am not an U.S. citizen so who am I to judge? I will let the readers of the NYT fill in any comments that out of a sense of delicacy I may have omitted. The one person to emerge with any credit from this disgraceful saga is Sir Kim Darroch, who was only doing his job, and has behaved throughout impeccably and with great dignity. He is now leaving of his own volition and is well shot of those rats at home, who so conspicuously failed to support him. Ah England - you wanted to 'take our sovereignty back' from Europe only now to take it, grovelling, to Mr Trump to place it in his safekeeping. How ashamed I feel.
9
A wise post. The Oakenshott woman is a particularly nasty piece of work as most fervent brexiters are. Her cosy links with Farage and Banks should be examined more closely. The intrigue and scheming in this Brexit circle of shady business, vain politicians and unscrupluous hacks, stinks. I believe Dacre with his board appointment still carries influence at that shabby title. Dacre, the beneficiary of EU funds on his Scottish Estate and the most vitriolic cheerleader for Brexit is a hypocrite. Along with a toxic Tory party we contend with the poisoned pen of the right wing press. Is it any wonder, we're in such a mess?
3
Epstein exploited young, poor (often immigrant) women, forcing them into sexual slavery. He had too much money and power; they were too poor and vulnerable to fight back under his implied threats.
Trump (to this day) exploits young (and sometimes older), poor (immigrant) women (and men) at his properties, forcing them into slavery. He has too much money and power; they are too poor and vulnerable to fight back against his implied and real threats.
This is a well-trod formula employed by rich, powerful, amoral men. Exploit the vulnerable to enhance your own "comforts".
5
Thank you Simon.
Darroch resigned because his ethics and values informed him there was reason to resign. He is a real diplomat not a Conservative or Liberal hack. Our Ambassador to Washington must walk on eggshells we are tied to America and even if the US Ambassador to Ottawa is as inept , ignorant and incompetent as the country she represents we are forced into restraint even as we are insulted by a political hack charged with telling us what her country wants us to do.
8
Is William Barr tossing around PRISM poetry?
4
The way Trump should have handled this was to pick up the phone and bluntly express his concerns to Theresa May. But venting on Twitter? Never. That makes us look petty and childish.
13
Time to dust off the cryptography machines.
3
It's genuinely comical how foreign politicians like Boris Johnson are openly desperate for Trump's approval, and yet try to claim they are somehow Trump-like in their willingness to stand up for their own countries. They really don't see the irony, do they?
12
@Eli Beckman
Boris is smart enough to appreciate how ignorant most of his voters are. He uses flowery language, so even the better educated are falling for him. I learned he's a descends from our worst enemy, King George's dad!! A unworthy German. That kind of cuts into his Churchill claim.
I've got Plantagenet warts, myself.
3
I'm hoping, possibly in vain, that Trump is slowly building this pile of manure that will eventually slide down and bury him. It just goes to show how weak our western democratic structures are when a guy like this can throw all the balls in the air, not care were they land, and goes unchallenged. And soon the UK will have our very own Trump, voted in by 140,000 right wing pensioners. Ugh.
14
He wasn't much of a diplomat to have done that. I'm sure while voicing support the PM was quietly asking him to leave.
2
Trade relations evidently will take precedence over any notions of anyone standing up for Sir Kim Darroch's impressive 30+ year diplomatic career. Experience, decades-long carefully-cultivated geopolitical relationships, intelligent, dedicated service--all down the drain.
Of course this wouldn't even be happening if Mr. Trump could possibly stop being addicted to his need for disruptive behaviors, or if he was able to control his incessant need to constantly blab out loud his every emotional blow-up on Twitter, regardless of the consequences. But, of course, he can't do any of these things because he's an emotionally sick person.
Further, after two-and-a-half years of this man, it now seems plausible that Mr. Trump has really been using this country's powerful position in the world as a staging ground for his personal need to get away with any cock-eyed whim he can think up, believing that, as president, nobody can stop him--now, even to the point of ruining the long career of a highly regarded British diplomat. Who, or what, is next I wonder?
What's really unbelievable is that there seems to be absolutely no concern whatsoever on the part of anyone within the Republican party to make any move or effort to stop this out-of-control president from doing all the damage he's done, not only affecting this nation but the world at large as well.
Yet another frightening and unprecedented episode in our nation's evident decline.
13
@Cate
It's as if the GOP knows it has cancer, and plans to blow up the country on their way out. Even if they cut out Trump, you still got a party with a major illness progressing.
10
Cate, what exactly impressed you about Kim Darroch's career? What accomplishments can you cite? I know he's well known in some circles for throwing a good party, but surely there is more to the man than that. What is it? I have yet to hear anything.
As to Donald Trump, as perhaps the best example of his accomplishments look at North Korea. Barack Obama told Donald Trump on his way out the door that he was most worried about North Korea. Now look at where things stand. The Korean Peninsula is more peaceful than it has been for 70 years.
Compare Donald Trump to Theresa May. Which one is more clumsy and inept?
1
Thanks for a hearty laugh re: N Korea being more peaceful now than at anytime in the last 70 years.
4
He's not the first to make such observations, and will not be the last.
Leaving aside the whole Trump-Tillerson debacle, and all the toxic bilge that seeps continually from the Trump administration, let's take a moment to recall what a U.S. ambassador told us last year:
My Year as a Trump Ambassador
Some disorder is normal at the start of an administration.
But it was extreme under Mr. Trump.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/20/opinion/sunday/nafta-mexico-trump-ambassador.html
"The back story of Mr. Trump’s campaign to dismantle Nafta is not just about his obsession with one agreement. It is also a window into a chaotic decision-making style that has undermined America’s diplomacy and national interests across the globe. I observed this disarray up close for more than a year as the ambassador to Mexico. It wasn’t pretty."
8
Where is Wikileaks when we need it? A mass leak of diplomatic communications right now might show that every ambassador currently serving in the United States shares Kim Darroch's sentiments.
4
@Adam
According to The Guardian, Trump was upset because he knows what Kim Darroch wrote is the prevailing view of his [Trump's] tenure in DC from his own party.
3
This is what upsets you - not the treatment of children at the border, not the treatment of children by Epstein and other powerful men. I am 66 and cannot fathom what is happening to my country.
6
With all due respect, Sir Nigel Kim Darroch is a senior British diplomat, who served as the British Ambassador to the United States from January 2016 until he resigned on 10 July 2019.
I believe the key phrase was he served as a senior British DIPLOMAT. Describing the Trump administration in written emails as being "clumsy and inept" is anything but diplomatic.
While I do not disagree with Sir Darroch's assessment of the Trump administration, I wholeheartedly yet sadly concur that he had no other choice than to resign, especially since he was not in receipt of any backing, support nor endorsement by the prime minister or Boris Johnson.
Boris Johnson siding with Trump reminded me of the occasions where Trump sided with Vladimir Putin rather than members of his own government. Talk about actions that are “wacky,” “very stupid” “pompous” and “foolish”.
4
Marge Keller, particularly when the words "clumsy and inept" apply more to Theresa May, having resigned after a historic rejection by the House of Commons, than to Donald Trump, now at the apex (admittedly still low) of popularity and by all substantive measures a success.
1
@Marge Keller
The duty of diplomats is not simply to say nice things about the country where they are posted, but to report truthfully to their own governments on the situation as they see it.
He didn't make these remarks at a state dinner, but in a private communication to his government. He did his job.
There can be no doubt that ambassadors from other countries have made and reported similar assessments.
11
@John Smithson
Hello Mr. Smithson,
Unfortunately, I believe the words, "clumsy and inept" apply to more politicians now than ever before.
The list of who this list does NOT pertain to would be far shorter than the list of who it DOES apply to.
Thanks very much for your insight and for sharing your thoughts. Very much appreciated.
3
This can’t be really happening! This has got to be from the Onion!, right!? The so-called “leader of the free world” running Great Britain and world diplomacy like a mouse in a maze! Incredible!
9
Whoever leaked Darroch's cables sought to disrupt the relationship between USA and U.K. Ask yourself: Who benefits? Also to be considered are the tidy sums Daily Mail pays for gossip and scandal.
8
It would be wonderful if ALL the ambassadors in Washington form their own "Me Too" association and in public, not shielded by any protocol, state that they also had sent the same message to their home countries. Then, just possibly, will tr realize what international pariahs he and his hopeless government are.
7
The assessment will stand as valid and nothing DJT says or does will make it less valid as he confirms his ineptitude and incompetence every moment of every day.
Ambassador Darroch was merely doing his job. The next ambassador will have to deal with the same mess in D.C. and will be sending back similar messages if he does his job properly.
6
@BJW
The next ambassador will be a sycophant.
3
@pealass
Too bad Jimmy Savile is dead...he'd fit right in with Putin and Trumps' plan to downgrade our nation.
I'm trying to imagine the person Trump could tolerate. To bad that "Rich and Famous" guy is gone.
7
Sir Darroch is obviously far more than competent, and far more competent than what is currently occupying the White House. I hope Sir Darroch is returned to the ambassadorship in January, 2021.
9
In this day and age ambassadors are largely an anachronism. They rarely do much, especially between allies.
Look at who Barack Obama made ambassador to Japan. Caroline Kennedy, a figurehead whose sole substantive act was to tweet that the US government was against the killing of dolphins for food. She was appointed because she is a Kennedy who helped Obama get elected. Period.
Kim Darroch did nothing in his post of note except for how he lost his post. It wasn't Kim Darroch's fault that his words were made public. But they were his words, and now that they are public, they did (as he said) make it impossible to do his job.
Kim Darroch's most important job was to stay in his host country's good graces. Whether his words are true or not is immaterial. They were undiplomatic, and an undiplomatic diplomat is no diplomat at all.
1
The words were private. Not meant for Donnie’s consumption. I can only hope our own diplomats are as frank internally with their assessments. Hint: they are.
2
And here I thought that Sir Kim was actually outlining Mr. Trumps better qualities in those communiques. Who knew!
8
I can't wait for history to judge which official is right in this "he claims I'm a doofus vs I'm no doofus" squabble between Darroch and Trump.
I know on whom I'm putting my money.
6
Wonderful news. Now he’s free to become Prime Minister.
2
Emily Thornberry added: “Just imagine Churchill allowing this humiliating, servile, sycophantic indulgence of the American president’s ego to go unchallenged.”
Actually, Churchill was quite servile to FDR when Winston was begging for help from the US in WWII.
Why are we allowing to bully others? He's guilty of verbally abusive behavior toward others, something no business would tolerate of an employee. Yet, trump's supporters and lackeys have become enablers.
5
Another victim of truth telling. “When you tell the truth, have a fast horse at the door.”
12
Alex Acosta, smirking and attempting to justify why the victims haven't recieved an apology from him for tilting justice away from those girls....
4
Mr. Trump enrages millions of Americans and citizens of the world daily. He should resign.
10
Darroch is one of the "deep state" civil servants, this affair lights up two problems:
The language he used was certainly non-diplomatic; there was no need for the inflammatory gossip he was sending. This was an unedifying long list, over a long time, not a one off thing.
How does the Foreign Office allow such wide distribution (up to 100 people were chuckling over those messages) for "secret" messages?
It is abundantly clear that no president would accept this sort of language, but our Prime Minister Theresa May, added gas to the fire by "fully supporting" Darroch, and implicitly his language.
Whilst the UK is desperate to shun continental Europe and the EU, I think this is one occasion where the EU needs to show solidarity with the UK, the soon to be 51st state of the USA, and recall their ambassadors for consultation and inform US ambassadors that they represent a rogue state when it comes to diplomatic relations. Just imagine if the Netherlands used the words used by President Trump about the US ambassador in The Hague, a man caught lying in Dutch TV in real time? I can already imagine the outrage, the apoplectic President, the GOP, Fox News (thé ministry of propaganda) screaming their heads of but the rest of the world just has to live with this? Your country is increasingly behaving as if Europe, the EU is an enemy, be careful what you wish for. All the more so, as I suspect that President Trumps friends in Russia, China, Saudi Arabia and North Korea will, at the very very best, turn out to be fair weather friends. I hope the Trump supporters, the GOP in the lead, will relish this moment as the likelihood of the world getting a lot more hostile to any thing American is growing even amongst your erstwhile allies.
2
The UK should cut diplomatic relations with us until trump is gone or at least apologizes.
6
Imho he didnt resign because of Trumps comments but because he has a leak in his team that compromise him and that he cannot control.
2
No reason to feel badly Ambassador Darroch, you are joining the more than 50 Trump appointees who have either been fired or resigned under fire since Mr. Trump took office.
You have to be very careful with these washed up reality TV stars who cannot separate their egos from the myth of their astounding good judgement when dramatically firing the unfortunate souls who work for them.
1
In this day and age, why do people still insist on putting damaging information such as describing the Trump administration as "clumsy and inept" in writing and in emails no less?
NOTHING is 100% private or confidential or secret any longer. Someone always seems to know a guy who knows a guy who can access information from a backdoor or a secret trap door when it comes to emails or other delicate intel. But often times, it is someone close to the person who has access to confidential intel which ultimately results in the private information being shared and exposed.
I don't fault Kim Darroch's opinion or assessment of the Trump administration. But I do find his judgement of putting those opinions in writing and in emails reckless and thoughtless. At his level, he should have known better and should have safeguarded his opinions. Once again, Trump looks and plays the role of the victim.
1
You remind me of Emily Latella
After the U.K. ambassador submitted his resignation there was this mid-day tweet from our own King Lear: "The British are leaving, the British are leaving." :-)
1
Terribly sorry the old boy didn’t keep a stiff upper lip. His assessment of the president was absolutely brilliant and to the point. While it’s a pity the cables were leaked, that’s life all over these days, not merely across the pond. His gaffe may have been an inability to live in today’s backstabbing tech world. With the advent of Wikileaks there was no way he was immune. Rather immature of him to off and quit. Unless the leakers have something on him.
While I haven't read all the hacked information, the statements I've seen seem to be fairly accurate observational assessments by the Ambassador at the time he was reporting back. Sounds like he was doing his job.
1
It is a personal choice by the ambassador but I wished he did not resign.
He is more truthful and has more backbone than the great majority of republicans in Congress now.
The DNC should lobby for him to become an American and run for Congress.
2
"And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God."
Tragic that Trump turned this into an international spat. However, I'm surprised that it took him so long to find the leverage he yearned and sought. It is an addiction for Trump, a perverse validation, a way to do business like a move or two on a chess board that feeds an inflated ego.
The carnage left behind a dysfunctional's lifestyle should give us all pause for thought. Darroch like all his other victims was a decent, hard working and loyal man. Many of Trump's victims are silent, bound by NDA's or fear. All endured brutal and callous treatment and loss of earnings. That is not what a good and healthy society is about.
One has to hope that soon Trump himself falls victim to the law of sowing and reaping and justice is seen in our lifetimes.
3
Darroch spoke the truth and it is something we all agree with. Trump insults people daily on Twitter. He is on a video saying he can molest women with impunity. And he is still President of the United States of America. Clearly, something is very wrong here.
7
I would seem that Mr. Trump's proclamation that the world is no longer laughing at the US is, as with most Trump proclamations, just another example of all things being opposite in the Trump worldview. No surprise -- as stated by the other European diplomat in this article. The Trump administration is a laughing stock on a global stage. They are an embarrassment to this country. Everyone sees it -- knows it -- expect Trump and his minions and the MAGA chanting followers who vote for him. Darroch's communications didn't say anything that hasn't been said out loud by more than half the people in this country. The 2020 election can't come soon enough.
4
The day a diplomat cannot give his/her honest assessment of a situation is the day of the loss of any truthful discourse . Trump's petty and vicious name calling is crass and classless and not befitting a head of state . Wonder who leaked the observations ; could it be those pesky gremlins in the Kremlin or even possibly Mr. about to be P. M. cut out of the same cloth ? Only the shadow knows .
4
Diplomatic cables from the US to the UK are very, very highly classified information.
Who leaked the cables ?
That is the missing part - and the most interesting one
Cui bono , NY Times, search for it.
3
“Just imagine Churchill allowing this humiliating, servile, sycophantic indulgence of the American president’s ego to go unchallenged.”
I think I am in love....
2
Actually Britain was so dependent on US in WWII that Churchill took just about anything FDR dished out from about 1942 on. The truth is Britain has been a US protectorate posing as a country for a very long time.
This speaks volumes. Boris Johnson has shown what he's about.
Selling out to Trump.
Sir Kim Darroch is a real contrast with Donal Trump. And Johnson for that matter.
4
This has all been building up….now the accumulated ‘mess’ has hit the fan. Inevitable.
2
Trump refuses to deal with the British ambassador ("ouch, he criticized me and my cronies in confidential messages to his government").
McConnell refuses to let the Senate consider a Supreme Court appointee by President Obama, because he wanted to wait for the next President.
The "Republican way," is refuse to adhere to institutional requirements and responsibilities, but do whatever, whenever it serves their narrow political interests, country and rule of law be damned.
These are the people running the USofA. Not surprising then that our policies tear babies from their parents' arms. Probably by guys/gals wearing USA flag pins.
4
The wrong person resigned.
8
Why ? This guy tells the truth? Where is the freedom of speech?
1
Is the Ambassador right in every comment he made? Yes! Are they diplomatically appropriate? No!
3
The man can't handle the truth. What a child. A mean, evil child with a severe mental illness who is a national security threat and yet no one will protect us from America's most terrible liability - the president.
I want somebody to stand up to him and cut him down to size. Any one of millions of us could do it, who are not afraid of him. Yet, so many are afraid. The home of the brave? No bravery from the elites who are frightened to death of this despicable bully.
3
Trump can't appreciate these words were never meant for him? He's demanding retribution? Putin must be so pleased it only takes our allies' honest appraisals to destroy the Atlantic Charter. I for one think the British bloke was spot on.
What's this look like? Meeting Ivanka to have her explain her father cannot do his job with honest brokers? I could have told them that. Is anyone as disturbed Maxwell's daughter was Epstein's madam as I am? Maxwell was as much a Murdoch as the next icehole. ExtortionistsRThey.
3
Andrew Borowitz is reporting on his satire piece that PM May is having difficulty in replacing the ambassador as the replacements also share the ambassador's beliefs.
Yes, I know it is satire. However, perhaps the reality dealing with Trump mirrors satire in this controversy?
2
@Dan
I say it's time to send in Mary Poppins.
5
Dan, would you do business with someone who is on the record calling you inept and clumsy, among many other things? I wouldn't.
It wasn't Kim Darroch's fault that his words were made public. But they were his words, and now that they are public, they do (as he said) make it impossible to do his job.
Whether the words are true or not is immaterial. They were undiplomatic, and an undiplomatic diplomat is no diplomat at all.
1
“Radiating insecurity, clumsy, and inept.” - Kim Darroch, former Britain ambassador to the United States of America.
For all we have witnessed and heard with our own eyes and ears concerning our current President, the former Britain ambassadors description of Donald J. Trump sounds about right and is spot on. Right-O!
16
@Woosa09 In the fable, didn’t it take a little kid in the crowd to point out that the emperor had no clothes on? I can’t remember what his punishment was...
Re “As one of his fellow European ambassadors put it, there was little in his cables that could not be found in their own.”, could the diplomatic corps in Washington please show some solidarity and release their own cables in which they describe their views of Trump?!
It is a great pity Ambassador Darroch has resigned. He should not have done so. The UK government should not have accepted his resignation. Both demonstrate cowering to a bully (perhaps two bullies, if we include Johnson, though I understood Johnson to impky last night he would keep Darroch in place until his scheduled retirement at year-end).
11
@LD
I bet he got a HUGE offer from a rational think tank who needs to get ahead of the gigantic black swan that is Donald Trump. How to dump all that risk?
1
Well, not surprising. Trump has said openly, loudly, often, and clearly that he is against a free press and doesn't think anyone should be allowed to publicly criticize him, mock him, or disagree with him.
Any surprises that he wants everyone praising him in private too? Anyone shocked that he would blow up a major diplomatic relationship with an ally to punish someone for not agreeing with his worldview in emails to their boss?
How long before we're in 1984 / North Korea / Stalin territory, and being policed for any faint, flickering, doubtful facial expression during the daily song of praise for the leader? What's the over-under on how soon we start seeing people sent to the camps for applauding the tank parade with insufficient enthusiasm?
That we are not there yet is down to the incompetence of Trump and his supporters, because that is certainly how they think and what they want.
Read Mr Darroch's leaked description of a Trump rally and the crowds. It's a genius bit of writing, and yeah, those people he describes are ideal totalitarian stooges. I would pray that the Trump fans get the government they want, were I not stuck on this darned boat with them.
10
This is good news for America. Shows it still has power to whip its vassals ("allies").
Question is: how long will this last? You can proceed indefinitely with both the carrot and the big stick; you can proceed for a long time with only the carrot; but you can't proceed for much time with only the big stick.
2
In this drama, there are only losers: Mr Darroch, the UK, the US, and Mr Trump in particular. Sad.
6
Why do we always ignore the win for Putin? Is there still an Atlantic Charter?
1
Makes me wonder how many in the Trump administration believe the same things as Darroch and may have expressed them to colleagues. I can imagine thousands of those emails are being deleted right now.
5
Some comments reflect poor reading comprehension as well as understanding what foreign offices do.
What he did was not name calling - it was doing his job, providing candid assessments to his government and keeping the U.S. government informed. That is what ambassadors do.
As the article states, his email was hacked and then the U.S. administration wouldn't deal with him, considered an unusual response by Trump but not surprising from this childish president who takes everything too personally.
He had the support of most in Britain, not seen as a fool, but did not have the support of Boris Johnson, the likely next prime minister who will surely make things very messy in the Brexit finale.
13
Former U.K. ambassador to the U.S. deserved to be fired.
Clearly, Kim Darroch, was not thorough and accurate when he wrote that the Trump administration is “clumsy and inept.”
Darroch completely overlooked “cruel and dishonest.”
10
Great Britain has become so insignificant that their ambassador no longer has to be dealt with.
You can thank Boris Johnson along with Trump and Putin for the sad destruction of what will be left if the 3 of them get their way on a hard Brexit.
2
The real issue here isn't Mr. Darroch at all. It's his job to report to his government accurately. The issue here is whoever leaked confidential information. It's these sorts of leaks that are so destabilizing, and seem to serve countries that wish to disrupt long-standing relationships, such as those between the US and England. Russia, perchance?
The leaker and the leak methodology need to be found, and the leak plugged. And the leaker jailed. These sorts of actions have ramifications far beyond the individuals involved. They create firestorms for entire nations. I think Bradley/Chelsea Manning should still be in jail. It's ridiculous that these issues aren't taken more seriously.
The Nazis found several volumes of confidential dispatches from Andre Francois-Poncet, the French Ambassador to Germany from 1930-1940, and jailed him for the duration of the war. He was lucky to live through it. Leaking confidential State documents isn't a joke and should be taken very seriously.
5
The BBC is saying that the last time the UK had diplomatic “difficulty” with the US was in 1856.
So who leaked those Darroch emails and why? The negative opinions on Trump agree with officials in many countries. That attests to what a low level US politics has sunk, that this is the world's opinion of our 'leader'. But Trump and dictators share mutual admiration. The entire world will be watching the 2020 election night with anxiety and hope.
The Independent, UK says the big question is "who leaked the ambassador’s communications and why? The memos are believed to have been distributed among as many as 100 senior politicians and civil servants in departments across Whitehall, making it difficult for the leak inquiry immediately to identify a source."
So now this, with the Brexit mess, and Boris Johnson's possible rise, will further enflame UK politics, as the summer heat wave goes on.
1
Some people could get the idea that the leaks were intentional and the resignation inevitable in order to get a more Donald friendly replacement.
4
ogn, the ambassador from the United Kingdom to the United States is not exactly an important post in the overall scheme of things. Prior to this kerfuffle, who even knew his name? Donald Trump certainly didn't.
1
The ambassador is correct in his assessment, unfortunately. And given the circumstances, resigning is the diplomatic thing for him to do.
The truly shocking thing is the likelihood of Boris Johnson becoming Prime Minister of Britain! It's not enough that the USA has Trump; now Britain has to have mini-me Trump?
10
Who cares what the President of the United States thinks.
Never in my life did I think I’d say that. But there it is. This is America now. It’s so sad.
24
And never did I think in a million years that I would think so badly of a president of the United States.
2
Wake up Boris! Stand by your man. Any promise made by trump is worthless. Trump already thinks you're a wannabe. Don't prove him right.
5
Now it’s time for trump to resign.
13
This is ridiculous. Trump ridicules and demeans world leaders everyday through his childish tweets. By this rationale Trump should have been forced to resign a week into his tenure.
10
Trump supporters should reread the fable of the Emperor's New Clothes. The Ambassador was just saying what Republicans are afraid to admit in public. Good for him. He had to leave because President Temper Tantrum would not deal with him anymore. He can't stand to hear the truth.
15
@S.L, yes, but it’s becoming apparent that Trump supporters don’t actually support Trump specifically. They support the idea of Trump. Initially the TV character from the Apprentice, and now he’s just whatever they want him to be.
Watch them interviewed. They’ll say he’s something, the interviewer will talk about something Trump did that contradicts their picture of Trump, the supporter will pause (synapses misfiring?), and then they repeat their picture of Trump completing omitting the contradiction.
He’s not a person to them, he’s a character. What he actually says and does seems to be irrelevant. What they believe he is is the only thing they accept.
He’s not their president, he’s their messiah. God help us all.
2
It's more and more apparent that Trump is trying to divide and destroy the UK political system with these unhinged attacks on Twitter... For a US president to attempt to effect the decisions of the UK sovereign govt. is absolutely awful , if it continues there will long lasting damage to democratic states everywhere...
7
More shame is added daily from this White House and its' chief clown. The ambassador is correct in his assessment, but worse is the lack of support from his own people. He said what the majority of intelligent people already know; trump is not a leader, he is a demi-god of his own making. (The whole notion of creating a brand of oneself is the epitome of self-indulgence and ego.)
4
Why does EVERYONE cave to him? What are we out here in the Miserysphere missing?
I really am disappointed in Britain.
19
@Earthling if the Ambassador is blackballed by the bully-insulter-in chief how could he do his work?
3
@Earthling if the Ambassador is blackballed by the bully-in-chief how could he continue to do his job?
1
How must Trump see this?
- I can do anything, say anything, be as dumb as a brick, but no one can touch me. If anyone says anything, even if it’s true, I just have to wave my Twitter finger and poof, they’re gone. And not just in the US, everywhere.
At least if the free world is to crumble under its own weight of neglect, greed, and narcissism, at least couldn’t we have the main protagonist as someone with at least a modicum of intelligence. To have democracy itself bludgeoned and left to die by someone who could be out-thought by a squirrel makes one’s skin crawl.
18
Throughout time there have always been people susceptible to bribery and sychophancy. It is for these reasons he gets away with it.
2
This shows how weak the British politicians have become. Boris Johnson and the likes of him advocate Brexit claiming that they would restore Britain’s pride. But they just threw their Ambassador under the bus to please DJT. They did the same when Trump interfered in their internal politics by taking sides before his visit. Johnson, farage, they are all good to be doormen, caddies or butlers at Mar a Lago or maybe shoe polishers.
12
It’s very painful to Mr. Trump but Ambassador Darroch said the true.
Mr. Trump must be impeached soon to save the democracy and the US image in the world.
13
Trump insults foreign leaders ,war heroes, sports figures as he sees fit yet when the UK correctly describes Trump and his admin Trump is outraged. Trump takes thin skinned to new level for someone the most powerful man in the world punching down on civilians shows Trump to be mean spirited bully not fit for the high office he holds.
13
Wow! we are going to stay out of another country's election? Will wonders never cease.
Has anyone from the State Department told our Dear Leader of this policy?
3
Darroch did not resign because of Trump, or because of the leak. He resigned because the next PM, Boris Johnson, would not support his own ambassador vis-a-vis a foreign country's president. And to think Boris Johnson campaigned for Brexit on the grounds that leaving the EU would be better for the sovereignty of the UK. He has just compromised that sovereignty in the worst way and he's not even at No. 10 yet.
18
If all it takes are a few random insults and name-calling for someone to resign, why is Trump still in power?
14
The topic of whom to blame for this mess has arisen several times, including in the Times. The UK powers that be, taking a break from tossing Britain to the wolves of Brexit, blame the leaker and not the ambassador.
This seems wrong to me. Shouldn't we be blaming Trump, who earned the well-deserved criticisms that cost this ambassador his job? Is anyone contending that the criticisms were inaccurate? I haven't heard any responsible entity calling their accuracy into question.
So let's check on the lesson here. An ambassador, in order to do his job, candidly (and accurately) assesses the President in order to enable his government bosses to try to deal with Trump in the best way possible. The candid and private transmissions are hacked (or whatever) and made public. And the ambassador loses his job.
What lesson does this send? And what does it portend? Candid criticism of our president is finished, even when uttered by those over whom he theoretically has no power. I know that candid criticism by Republicans has been squashed by McConnell and Trump's collection of sycophants, but the idea that Trump controls what ambassadors from other countries tell their bosses is appalling. And it won't stop with ambassadors.
13
The whole affair sends a threatening message to the global diplomatic community. Personally, I couldn't deal with Trump, let alone be in the same room as him. Darroch has been worth his weight in gold for enduring the monster.
The wrong person resigned.
The inevitable crash and burn of Donald Trump will be a beautiful thing to behold.
8
What else could he really do.
Trump is relentless and unforgiving.
1
Another striking and frankly repulsive action by Trump to act via Tweet as though that were really representative of our nation. How much more can we take? This is Great Britain and while I am not a royalist and frankly don't care for kings, queens, and the like, I hold the country as an ally. Language and some customs bind us together. Folly after folly from Trump. If indeed Trump felt Darroch went too far, there are other ways to get the message out. Twittering away is such a definition of a child's way.
5
Unfair it is, but as soon as Kim Darroch's comments became public, he did need to go. He really couldn't do his job with those undiplomatic comments on the record.
Yes, Donald Trump can be rude and churlish. But he does not hide his feelings. Those who do hide their feelings to put on a fake front always run the risk of getting exposed. They need to accept that.
Shame on those who put this on Donald Trump's head, or Boris Johnson's. It's not their fault. The leaker was the villain, but Kim Darroch wrote the words and cannot escape their consequence.
As a lawyer I always tell my clients to be careful what they put in writing. There is always a chance that they may hear their words read in court.
But in the real world you really can't avoid putting a lot of things in writing. I've been burned by my own words myself.
3
@John Smithson
You'll recall the big Wikileaks spill revealing U.S. diplomatic dispatches:
"The cables included frank and unflattering characterizations of world leaders by American diplomats.
"For example, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, was characterized in the cables as “risk averse and rarely creative,” and Mrs. Clinton’s counterpart in Germany, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, was dismissed as having little power. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy was described as “feckless” and “vain,” while President Nicolas Sarkozy of France was called thin-skinned."
https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/world/30reax.html
This didn't result in a rash of puerile tweets from those people, sabotaging relations among allies.
The leaker is of course at fault (and one cannot help but wonder whether there was some collusion). But don't make excuses for Trump. Trump's whining is a childish failing, not a political asset.
Chanzo, I also recall two ambassadors being booted because of Bradley Manning's criminal leaks and a lot of other issues.
Donald Trump is thin-skinned. He does not take criticism well. Few politicians do. Myself, I thought Emily Thornberry's words were much worse than Donald Trump's.
What bothers me is how this whole kerfuffle is being played. It doesn't matter much at all who the British ambassador to the United States is. His or her main job is to suck up to his host country and be diplomatic.
Kim Darroch failed at that and had to go. Time to move on. That everything turns into a chance to fling hate-filled screeds at Donald Trump is unfortunate when there are so many important issues that demand attention. Peace and prosperity, for example, instead of whose feelings were hurt by whom.
1
Wow. So this is what happens when one points out that the emperor has no clothes.
8
No one really needs Kim Darroch to inform them that President Trump is not a trained politician and that predicting his each next move is hard. There is also plentiful evidence from the last couple of years contradicting Darroch's obtuse characterization of the President as inept.
3
The unasked....and as yet to be answered....question is who outed Ambassador Kim Darroch....and why.
The article indicated that he was a seasoned and supportive British representative in Brussels. That suggests strongly that Boris Johnson could have had some role in his demise, especially after Johnson repeatedly refused to say he would keep him on as ambassador if he is chosen to lead the Conservatives.
4
Truly amazing: Trump can never be insulted altho he has carte blanche to insult anyone and everyone.
Trump horribly insulted the London mayor and yet the Royal Family met with Trump and Ivanka. But when the ambassador truthfully critiques Trump, he has to step down.
How did we get to this awful place???
10
"We have a rich man, untrained in diplomacy, unlearned in history and politics, who is a great publicity seeker and who apparently is ambitious..." Observation by Josiah Clement Wedgwood, 1st Baron Wedgwood, on the views of Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. The father of President John F. Kennedy resigned his post after publicly stating that Britain faced certain defeat at the hands of Nazi Germany in 1940.
Does any of that statement sound remotely familiar?
So which one leaked the email - Russia, Iran, Turkey, China or...?
2
Reminds me of the truth of the story all children know ( and some adults need to remember), in which the child says: : “mother, the emperor is wearing no clothes, tho he thinks he is richly costumed”
2
So typical of Trump. The ambassador spoke privately, but Trump needed to reply loudly, repeatedly in public. Everything with him is so self-centered, petty, exaggerated, attention-seeking, power-abusing. “Only I can insult people!” And tedious. And destructive.
8
Truth be told nearly the entire diplomatic corp in Washington would have to resign if this is the yardstick we're using. Frankly, Amb. Darroch's comments were quite restrained when you look at Trump's day to day behavior.
11
In this age of hacking of electronic digital communications, nothing can be presumed to be secure. This diplomat did not believe this and said things that could embarrass him. Sad.
But the man spoke the pure truth. Trump is the most inane human being to have led a great nation in modern times, and he really could not care less about the consequences of his behaviors.
4
Good that Trump got his state visit to the UK out of the way before this mess, because he certainly will not be welcome there after this.
He bring shame on us yet again !! Enough already.
4
Bravo, Ambassador Darrick. Anyone who disparages trump is a hero. It is too bad you must resign. trump should be going. You gave an accurate assessment of him. Why would anyone keep this no-nothing in office?
5
Darroch certainly didn't dazzle us with any surprises. Everyone already knows what he was talking about. The wannabe emperor has no clothes.
4
Apparently, Truth is punished while lying is rewarded ... interesting times.
8
Quitting for speaking the truth?
4
"Kim Darroch, U.K. Ambassador, Resigns After Leak of Trump Memos"
"In leaked cables, Darroch had called Trump “inept” and “insecure.” In turn, The president described the ambassador as “wacky,” a “very stupid guy” and a “pompous fool,” and called Prime Minister Theresa May “foolish” for ignoring his advice on Brexit."
Notice that Trump DID NOT refute the charges by the Ambassador of being "“inept” and “insecure.”". Obviously Trump doesn't have a reasonable basis to refute those two points. No, what Trump has done is fire a personal insult toward the Ambassador and Prime Minister Theresa May and Trump takes this approach in most all of the other public criticisms.
4
Ambassador Darroch's reputation and quiet dignity gives us hope that serving one's country is still an honored tradition; it's a pity the current administration in Washington has never been bound by honor.
The truth he spoke to makes his resignation a hollow victory, serving to highlight all that is distasteful and cringe-worthy in America today.
I feel I must apologize.
One wonders however if this will serve as a wake up call to the British. Re-reading their history books for the consequences of buying into nationalistic hype, and of ignoring the larger threat to themselves and the European Union should work.
They say the key to diplomacy is knowing one's allies and enemies, so Ambassador Darroch certainly did his job, there's is however that nagging old saying about leading a horse to water...
1
Umm...the wrong guy is resigning. It's such a double standard. 45 says worse and yet, here we are, two years down the road with this, still saying stupid mean things, denigrating all sorts of folks along the way and mucking everything up. 2020 can't come soon enough!
10
Trump can't stand the truth.
What a Deplorable !
13
He should have stayed! When the president is shameless, why not an ambassador?
2
Perfect, a professional, honest and skilled individual is undone by the babbling incompetent in the White House who absolutely no moral fiber.
7
Ah, I guess no one likes to hear the unvarnished truth.
5
The truth hurts in oh so many ways. For Kim Darroch and so many of us.
3
Once again what should have been private thoughts or closely-shared opinions have been made public, with predictable results.
Even when the opinions were well founded and widely held, the official embarrassment ended his term.
Time for more phone calls and one-on-one meetings and fewer emails and written chats.
1
In this moment anyone who puts these types of communications in writing on hard drive, in the cloud via a text message etc is clearly inept and idiotic. When will these people learn it will ALL be hacked every word, nothing is confidential anymore.
3
Mr. Darroch, your mistake was criticizing him in a private email instead of publicly on Twitter.
12
But he IS "clumsy and inept!"
13
@Febr2301
Airports during the revolutionary war? Fort McHenry during the revolutionary war? Totally inept!
5
He's welcome to come back as soon as we have tossed this egomaniac and his nightmare administration out of office. January 20, 2021.
12
The truth always enrages Trump.
7
The larger story, to me, is WHO leaked those messages—so far I have seen nothing on that.
14
And yet...Brexit!? What are the British thinking?
2
Now there's a real honest-to-goodness truthful representative of England; my hat off to you Ambassador for not only telling the world your opinion of the Lunatic In-Chief Trump, but also pointing out the reality of what America is becoming.
My latest hope is that somehow or other the sordid Epstein sexual exploitation of, and attacks on underage girls, will ensnare the equally horrible creature masquerading as our President.
Sooner or later he will be caught in one of the bear traps he unwittingly laid throughout his life.
11
The ex-ambassador is making perfect logical sense now. He should resign because He does not believe in this administration, whom He call inept and also our president, so what was He doing here in the first place. Go back to your country and try to be less inept and don;t voice your opinions like that, especially via email. You should be more DIPLOMATIC!
4
This was a private communication, and other diplomats are saying off the record that their private communications are very similar. Because the Trump administration is chaotic and they have to talk about it. Trump supporters are used to saying that up is down and black is white, but that doesn’t mean anyone else has to destroy their own minds.
The problem here is that Trump had one of his tantrums about the truth being spoken.
10
@Carlos An ambassadors job is not to 'believe' in an administration, it is to find ways to work with an administration however egregious, incompetent and dishonest it may be. And, to report their findings to their own government, warts and all.
2
The resignation of the British ambassador should lead to the resignation of all Civil Servants in the World.
The responsables of the leaks should be put to jail.
4
In Darroch, an skilled diplomat is doing his job excellently according to consensus of experienced diplomats within Great Britain and the United States.
And yes, reporting home concerning perceptions about a nation and its leadership is a the responsibility not only of ambassadors, but of others in foreign service positions.
But who gets his way again? Trump, the name-caller. Trump, the ignorant. Trump, the despot.
Trump and his malevolent fraternal twin, Boris Johnson, that is.
12
Democrats, please, PLEASE get it together and stop bickering. Many of us just can't take another four years of this. Circle the wagons behind the unifying commitment of beating Trump. That's absolutely the only thing the party should be doing right now. He's a dangerous, incompetent, impulsive degenerate who must - MUST - be removed from office in 2020.
9
This is primary season, it is the time for us to hash out our differences and choose the strongest candidate. If we don’t “bicker” now we’ll just end up with an unvetted candidate who will lose. So relax.
2
“Clumsy and Inept” was generous.
8
The wrong person resigned.
9
Mr. Darroch is a true American hero, speaking truth to his country and to our own. Imagine that we live in a country where calling out the emperor's no clothes results in the messenger being discarded?
Welcome to this new america (with a VERY small 'a') in djt world. Shameful, disgusting and abhorrent.
6
You liked Donald Trump. You are going to love the duet Trump Johnson ...
Very promising indeed.
2
Trump can dish it out but he can't take it. What Darroch said about Trump is pretty mild compared to what Trump says about most people. Plus Darroch is telling the truth. Trump just spouts off nonsense.
8
They're firing the wrong guy.
7
When future historians study Brexit, and Trump, and Johnson, I think they will be baffled about how foolish the public was to put any sort of trust in these bozos.
10
Ambassador Darroch is a much bigger man than trump. Trump cannot handle criticism, he can’t handle the truth, he can’t handle facts, and he can’t handle reality. Trump is a small man in a high position, he is not capable of properly filling that position in any way whatsoever. While trump is in power the entire world is at risk due to his incompetence and his narcissism.
259
Canewielder,
Everyone is a much bigger man than Trump.
Ambassador Darroch should not have resigned. His job was to assess the government of the country he's assigned to and give an honest report of the situation.
He's done nothing wrong. If anything, he was too kind in his assessment of the Stable Genius.
34
Canewielder, I find it rather ironic that Kim Darroch was reporting to Theresa May that someone else was clumsy and inept. Look at which government has collapsed and resigned after a historic failure in the House of Commons. Hint -- it wasn't Donald Trump.
2
@John Smithson
This is another classic case of, "What about so-and-so (usually it's Hillary Clinton's name)?"
What is taking place in Great Britain is a separate story and a completely different conversation. When I have said to a Trump supporter, "Nobody US President has ever lied to the public so regularly as does Trump", I inevitably get a reply of, "What about Hillary?" or "What about when Obama said you could keep your same healthcare plan?"
9
Why the cow-towing to trump? To Johnson? Has the trump virus skipped across the pond, so infecting Brits they've lost their minds as well and are now also subservient to a bag of wind with the intellectual depth of a coat of paint, and the moral integrity of a hyena?
Why anyone would tolerate either of them at a social gathering, let alone as their country's leader, is beyond me. My Dad would have already arranged to have what he jokingly would have referred to as a little prayer meeting, out behind the barn. He said sometimes the only way you could get a mule's attention was with a two by four, and that it worked equally well on jack-expletive's.
No, not suggesting violence but these two men are just the worst, in every measurable way. Both belong in jail.
3
Huge, huge mistake by Boris Johnson, prime minister in waiting, not to back Darroch.
The "special relationship" is master/servant.
Right now our country is in the grips of insanity and the UK fails to push back. Bad for them, us, and the world.
8
So he's going to take his marbles and go home? Why do all these people allow our president and I use the term loosely to affect their behavior? Find a backbone please!!!
4
Mr. Darroch's communiques were illegally hacked confidential emails, not rancid public tweets issued by a president.
Historically, diplomatic communiques were always fair game for stealing to gain information about enemies, and heads of state always wanted to know what their allies were saying to each other, but personal opinions were not blared all over the world and used to ruin ambassadors.
It's not enough that Donald Trump wants to control our opinions about him, now he's found a way to spread his paranoia to the U.K.
Be warned that the Thought Police are on the march and might be used against any of us.
146
dutchiris, Donald Trump had nothing to do with the leak of the confidential messages that say that the (now former) British ambassador thinks he is inept and incompetent. What president in his right mind would want to deal with a British ambassador who thought that?
1
@John Smithson
The only type of leader who would have a meltdown because of negative comments about his capabilities is a childish, vain, fool who puts his himself and his well-being way before country.
btw: For some perspective, there have been far worse assessments about Trump by Republicans, Trump appointees, Boris Johnson, Kim Jong un and more. Trump's twitter feed alone is one long self-inflicted negative assessment of himself.
16
@John Smithson One who didn't have paper thin skin and realized the importance of our allies. Clearly his public tweets were more despicable than the British Ambassador's private communications
7
So a comment of "clumsy and inept" is supposed to come from a diplomat? What about the new U.S. employment figures showing higher job rates for millions of minorities under Trump? Standing up to China to reduce its crazy-high trade deficit with the U.S.? Bringing back manufacturing jobs instead of saying losing them to Asia is "the new normal"? Or at least some diplomatic progress with North Korea? Nearly all U.S. troops pulled out of Syria after defeating ISIS? Standing up to Iran on its funding of terrorists and ballistic missiles?
All the above represent positives for the U.S., and failures by the Obama Administration. If that's "inept," I'll take it.
4
That an evidently capable and astute Ambassador has been made to resign is further evidence that Britain is set to plunge into a dreadful future. Meanwhile, Sir Kim should be chuffed that Trump calls him "wacky".
2
Of course what the ambassador said is completely true but as they say the job of an ambassador is to lie abroad for his country and if failure to lie and thereby being tactless is a mistake
1
For Mr Trump it must be particularly stinging to know that a career diplomat who was speaking candidly without any incentive to give anything but an objective view judged him so harshly.
Trump of course will trash him despite knowing nothing about him but it reminds us that we really do not have a stable President
3
If Boris Johson is so eager and willing to do Trump's bidding, then he's no better than a colonial governor. Except that with Johnson at PM, UK will be the colony this time.
3
From Franklin and Winston to Donald and Boris. Proof positive that even evolution has been turned on its head.
7
The “trump dynasty” and his gop enablers is the worst thing to happen to our country since 9/11
5
This was a targeted bit of occupational assassination. Hoping some intrepid journalist investigates to learn who was behind it, and why.
He should get a medal for stating the truth.
4
I find the news of the resignation wonderful news! When a prominent player on the world stage insults, demeans another leader on the world stage, there should be consequences.
So when Bone Spurs maligns people, he too should go.
On a more serious note, I have to wonder if this leak is the handy work of the Russians.
4
I, for one, am proud of this man. Finally, someone that tells the truth. He should be applauded, not chastised. Was it un-professional, yes. But, we have a person in the WH who is unprofessional every minute of every day.
4
Usually most U.S. citizens are not all that familiar with our allies' diplomats and ambassadors. In this case, I think we should think about a ticker-tape parade in downtown D.C. for Mr. Darroch.
7
I think its important to remember the time frame in which these comments were made -- early in 2017 when Trump was freshly president and there was still an idea that he might have been faking during the election and was smarter than he let on. The ambassador was simply candidly telling his government that that was not the case.
5
Our resident would-be-dictator-in-chief demonstrates once again his inability to cope with criticism, his inability to damp his temper, his propensity to rule by authority not just the U.S. but other nations as well, either his complete misunderstanding of the history of diplomacy and the role of diplomats or his contempt for them, and his unchecked, and likely uncheckable, absolute self absorption. He has undoubtedly never read Kipling’s “The Man Who Would Be King,” or at least watched the film. The outcome won’t be to his liking.
3
What's most important to Trump is that he won and put Darroch's career on hold or, better yet to Trump, destroyed Darroch's career.
Sad to say, this is what makes Trump tick.
3
I hope the leak-er is happy here. This is hardly news and now someone is out of a job due to voicing a not uncommon view of our president.
I guess the media places a higher value on profits then good judgement.
I'm disgusted that a "journalist" thought this was must report news.
Standards are continually sinking here...
2
Tough to see anyone losing their job for telling the truth.
5
@HKS -- Thanks for your spot-on comment about Corporate America.
1
Too bad he wasn't supported. His observations of Trump were spot on! He was just doing his job.
4
Much more revealing than just the food fight that Trump loves to engage in. The decline of U.S. and U.K. not as allies, but not providing what was once dignified global leadership. The question I have is whom will provide adult supervision when cracked-pot Boris Johnson becomes PM? On your bookshelf, next to Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, add The Rise and Fall of the West.
4
It would be unremarkable for any consumer of news and politics to reach the same conclusions as Ambassador Darroch.
3
"Mr. Darroch’s confidential emails had described the administration as “clumsy and inept.”" To resign for calling out this administration for what it really is, is absurd at best. I believe that the majority in this country - except perhaps Trump's biker base - think the same way. People should not resign for thinking freely.
5
The truth hurts. We have a fraud in the WH who has more liability and vulnerability to truth than could have been imagined two and a half years ago. We have learned.
"Enraged". Right. Seems to be his natural state.
4
Many Americans would agree with the UK ambassador's assessment that Trump is inept. We see it on a daily basis,along with whatever lie of the day works for him. We wish Trump resigned rather than the British guy!
3
Once again, an illustration of the observation that everything that Trump touches dies.
6
I applaud the ambassador and continue to abhor the double standard being used everyday where Trump is concerned. I wish Sir Kim Darroch the best and thank him for his honesty.
2
‘he failure of the likely next prime minister, Boris Johnson, to support the British envoy.’
The logic on this is mind boggling.
Boris Johnson has not been elected yet, he is not in charge, Theresa May is the one in charge.
How is this Mr Johnson’s failure if he is not even working there?
As an ambassador this pompous fool should have been finding ways to work with the local administration, instead he choose to end his career.
Looking forward to the next appointee.
Our special relationship will continue, despite Liberal and left leaning paper’s efforts to see it fail.
3
@AutumnLeaf
Sorry, Ducky. That's not how things work. The UK ambassador works for them not us. No doubt every single ambassador in DC has sent home the same candid assessments of the present administration: "deplorable."
AutumnLeaf wrote:
"As an ambassador this pompous fool should have been finding ways to work with the local administration, instead he choose to end his career."
2
@AutumnLeaf
"As an ambassador... finding ways to work with the local administration..."
That's an impossible task when you have been excluded, uninvited to meetings, i.e. the means for discussing ideas and ways to work with each other.
Or are you suggesting he should have gone on a gatecrashing spree.
Re: "pompous fool", when did you meet him?
1
This is just how it goes, one slight, one misstep and you are banished from Trump's orbit. It does not matter the position one holds, what country they represent, (unless you are a tyrant),
you will be frozen out, drummed out, or forced to resign to placate your president's fragile ego.
Little by little I am watching your democracy slip away all in the name of a booming economy, the economy your president uses to intimidate and threaten anyone who dare speaks truth to power. Every day my fear grows for you.
4
@Holly
"Every day my fear grows for you."
And every day we feel the same way.
The whole world is suffering under one person. One person who should never be president of the United States of America. One person who was/is not a successful business person. One person who is not curious. One person who does not tell the truth. One person who cheats. One person who is scared. One person who is uneducated and has no desire to learn. One person who sexually harassed and assaulted women. One person who does not care about the future. One person who does not care about me and most likely you. One person who has no desire to listen and improve. One person who only wants to win at the cost to everyone else.
5
"...As one of [Mr. Darroch's] fellow European ambassadors put it, there was little in his cables that could not be found in their own."
That says it all.
6
@ad rem
And from the lips of Republicans and Trump appointees.
Why is it always the "good" guys who do the "honorable" thing, when the people who should 'resign' are thugs like Donocchio and Boris. Johnson, the PM heir presumptive, wants to 'protect' the special relationship between the UK and the US? There is NO special relationship with Trump, who has already proven that he is willing to throw anyone under the bus whenever he's displeased. Theresa May, Kim Darroch. And eventually, Boris (or Jeremy Hunt). He's a paranoid egomaniac -- no room on the stage for anyone except himself. And maybe Ivanka. How sick is that?
3
Trump not only had a rant at Ambassador Darroch because of the leaked memorandum -which only stated what is on the front pages everyday) but also at the British Prime Minister calling her foolish etc because she defended the ambassador.
This is not normal.
146
@Anna The leaked memos simply say in writing what every European diplomat and head of state says and thinks. This is the heart of Trump's humiliation in this episode. Johnson is starting to look like the lapdog for Trump that Tony Blair was for Bill Clinton. Good luck, British cousins.
16
Anna, just to set the record straight, Donald Trump called Theresa May foolish because of how she handled Brexit. And I think he has a good point. Theresa May has had to resign her post because of the poor job she did with Brexit. Hard to call that anything but a failure.
1
@John Smithson
Dealing with Brexit was impossible. No matter who stepped up to do it.
PM May displayed classic British stiff upper-lip and worked hard to deliver.
You speak as if somebody else could have succeeded. Makes me think you were not paying attention.
10
I’m amazed Trump didn’t have him declared persona non grata. Since he didn’t, I suspect el Trumpo wasn’t that upset with what was a not inaccurate assessment that perhaps he would like to cultivate.
2
So wrong that Darroch should resign when he was doing his job by reporting back his assessment of Trump and his administration. And, it was a totally accurate and widely-shared assessment at that!
Wonder who leaked his comments to the press?
237
@Mary Reed Someone who benefits from a weakening of the US-UK relationship.
25
In the British tradition, Ambassador Darroch's assessment was conservative and reserved, to say the least. World leaders are well aware of trump's character or rather lack thereof. Pity the next ambassador who must deal with the abomination of trump and his administration.
32
Most of the comments I've read defend the ambassador. I certainly agree with his evaluation of all things Trump; however, it seems obvious to me that he is beyond compromised in working with or achieving any success for the UK with the sycophants who constitute the present administration.
He did the right and honorable thing by resigning - a rarity in our present neo-Orwellian world
5
Sir Nigel Kim Darroch's name should be added to the Honorable Mention section of the List of Great Americans. He exhibits the greatest of American virtues: insight, honesty, and courage. The painful irony is that this fine person loses his job while Trump continues to be President.
6
Whose interests were served by the leaks?
12
This move will encourage an already emboldened Trump to think he is the Ruler of the World. Each little win makes Trump more confident, and more dangerous to the established liberal order. And England may well pay a price for appeasing Trump. 20th century history teaches us this lesson.
10
Boris Johnson’s failure to support Ambassador Darroch should be a warning to any Conservatives who might be inclined to vote for Johnson as Prime Minister. Hopefully they will realize that It would not be in the best interest of the U.K. to have a Prime Minister who is a fan of Donald Trump.
11
Still don't understand why the Ambassador resigned for speaking the truth, and trump won't resign for lying to the world and the American people.
11
Insult politics are a matter of standard operating procedure, today, have been for a while now, and will be going forward.
And not only POTUS is to blame. Many other politicians on all sides and multiple regions/countries have taken up the tactic.
Sad...
trump's constant emotional turmoil is proof he's not fit for the office that he is currently bungling.
2
Government civil servants come and go but great nations are forever and always with the truth guiding its course in all seas and ports of call - Kim Darroch will indeed have safe harbor in all the world for his dignity courage - with honor to the crown and the history of the UK....
1
The ambassader was just doing his job in telling his government that the trump administration, among other adjectives is inept. Few question the the veracity of this. He is resigning because Britain damaged and distraught because of brexit is allowing itself to be humiliated even by the odious Trump. They believe that a small portion of "america first" might include some britain first because of the nebulous special relationship. Unfortunately the only first that matters is Trump first. Britain to all intents and purposes is leaderless and as we speak close to installing their own trump in number 10. The english speaking world seems to be losing it; Trump where Lincoln or FDR once stood and Johnson for Lloyd George. Sic transit gloria mundi.
2
I wish more people could say the same thing (the truth) about trump (admin). We all wonder why is everyone so polite about Trump? he is not !
3
The bigger story is WHO is responsible for the leaking of this material, which was clearly intended to hurt the British Government, provide Trump a chance to bully an ally, and chill diplomatic candor.
5
Darroch told the truth. Everyone except the most dedicated MAGA-head sycophants know it is the truth.
We have documented incessantly the incompetence and idiocy in Trump's White House that he has described. I am sorry that his confidential characterization of Trump and his administration with all the candor necessary for an ambassador charged with dealing with a foreign government has been leaked to hurt him.
The leak was designed to attack him from sources on the far-right--perhaps allied with Boris Johnson. I guarantee that American officials have said even worse about nations with which we deal on a regular basis.
This was unfortunate for a couple of reasons. First the personal damage to Darroch, but second the backlash from the Trump-toadies on the alt-Right who will try to deny the truth of his characterization. We will now see a spate of Brit-bashing that may only be alleviated with the election of someone Trump-like in the UK, such as Boris Johnson.
7
Unfortunately, both our countries political toxicity and lack of privacy won't support the British Civil Service, like our CIA, in being discreet the criminal ineptitude of of our current executive. I am glad that the truth is being told so others will be less afraid. I applaud Kim Darroch even while I am appalled that his reports were leaked. This seems to be a great example of Pluralist Ignorance, ie: we are still waiting for the child in "The Emperor's new Clothes" to break the spell. May the wait be over soon.
Could not agree with you more, Emily Thornberry, your country is a laughing stock. Every time I need a little cheering up about the Trump administration I read a bit about your country’s bizarre notion that Brexit is going to do anything other than turn you into a 3rd world economy and giggle to myself. This is just one more example of the depths to which your leadership as well as ours is willing to plummet to.
2
Really? The cable may have been true, but despite the wishes of the commentators, does any realistic person think that the Ambassador had a future in Washington after the cable was leaked? He did the right thing and resigned. It is hard to imagine any President happily dealing with the ambassador from one of our key allies who was on record disparaging the President's administration, so let's keep our hysterics reserved for something real.
8
I agree he had to resign. But if every ambassador of your key allies (shrinking list) had is or her cables re trump leaked there would be a flood of resignations.
3
In that case, Trump should resign for insulting our closest allies publicly, like Canada and Justin Trudeau, the UK and Teresa May, and the nation of Japan, etc. so they can have someone to deal with that they trust.
6
Losing his job for telling the truth!
Maybe we need whistleblower protection for ambassadors.
38
He really wasn’t blowing the whistle. He was just stating the obvious.
11
He didn’t lose his job. He made the choice to resign. He was not fired. Read the article.
4
@Viv
Scratching my head about this comment. Are we talking about the same thing? His emails got hacked—how does this make him the leaker?
17
Yet another sad day for Britain’s standing in the world. Deluded proponents of Brexit say Britain will stand tall, freed from the shackles of EU membership. But they forget it will force London to seek closer trade ties with Washington - does anyone really believe that a PM Boris Johnson kowtowing to America-first Trump will be better than EU membership?
35
John,
The Russian government interfered with the Brexit referendum as well as the American 2016 election.
Common denominator: Nigel Farage.
4
@John
Better for who? For Britain? Probably not. For the rest of the EU? Absolutely.
@John I thought Brits were smarter than that. Leaving the EU is a ridiculous idea. Boris Johnson is a ridiculous idea. I hope they wake up over there before they end up with something as bad as trump.
2
So imagine that the leaker is associated with Russian intelligence and the Kremlin...wouldn’t that make for a happy day on Red Square? Regardless, the value of hacked and widely published govt emails continues to be enormous for bad actors.
7
And for good actors...
Yesterday, in the so-called "debate" with his opponent to be the next British Prime Minister, Mr Johnson displayed yet again that he has the spine of an amoeba in refusing to support a senior British Civil Servant who was doing his job correctly.
The debate in question was for an election where less than 1% of the UK population will determine the outcome. The whole world is watching the destruction of democracy in UK and USA as these self obsessed clowns erode and dismantle everything. In America we are reading more and more about the vile activities of Jeffrey Epstein and his despicable pals which include the current president and a former one. In Britain it is barely mentioned in the press because of the involvement of one of the Royal Princes. Has there ever been a scandal and corruption as terrible as this? Not since the Roman Empire I fear....
22
This is the result of hiring rank amateurs to run the country: ineptitude and incompetence, characteristics that are intolerable in ANY employee, but which pervade this entire "administration."
That the U.S. has not collapsed yet into a soggy heap is a testament to this country's strength--but it can't hold on indefinitely.
38
I can think of no more obviously true and also generously diplomatic descriptions of the Trump administration than "clumsy and inept."
Trump should thank Mr. Darroch for the compliment.
25
Too bad thay the Ambassador has to resign for telling the truth. His observations are accurate.
The one who should resign is Trump. At best, he is a narcissistic, delusional , deranged conman buoyed up by a US Senate of do nothing synchophants.
Sad. This too shall end, hopefully with Trump and McConnell serving jail terms.
28
The price of truth.
23
If you hear a flushing sound, that's Great Britain's self respect and pride going down the loo.
22
I wish we could keep this guy and dump Trump.
31
“Wacky. A very stupid person. A pompous fool.” Trump saying that about another person reveals Trump’s utter lack of self reflection.
23
The emperor has no clothes.
15
I hear he's househunting in Georgetown, DC ... one of the few hosts in town who'll tell it like it is! :)
3
The Brit is on the beam with his estimation of the capability of our Trumpian government. Only Trump with his overwhelming desire to argue facts would turn himself into the goat instead of just keeping his mouth shut and ignoring the comment. Now we know the Englishman has a correct assessment of our governmental mess and so do many others.
12
Why? Why resign over Drumph? Trump is lazy. Trump is inept. He is. He is.
16
The ambassadors to the US from all the other foreign countries must have made similar reports to their home countries; if not, those who did not were not doing their jobs. Also, Mr. Darroch's assessments which have been made public reveal a huge amount of tact; he could have more accurately written that Trump is an ignorant, lying despot who has absolutely no understanding of the American Constitution and absolutely no respect for its laws, determined to manipulate our government and our foreign policy with only one aim -- to benefit himself personally. (And actually, I am being tactful myself since this is a family paper.)
19
Mr. Darroch told the truth and loses his job. Mr. Trump lies and keeps his job.
30
All facilitated by Isabel Oakeshott; a nastier piece of work is hard to find.
4
Trump knows that what the Ambassador wrote about Trump is true.
10
I get it that Americans are too busy rallying for children at the border - Can't we at least stage a "mini rally" and call this man back to finish the job he deserves to have?
6
What a shame that Amb. Darroch resigned over this. He only stated, in private, what the virtually everyone in the world is thinking and saying in private. Remember what Trump's own former Sec. of State said about him? I'd take Kim Darroch as President any day over the one we are saddled with right now.
17
The man who is truthful resigns whole the liar stays in office.
Up is down, down is up. 2+2=5.
21
Evidently truth is no defense.
11
A truly shameful day for the UK and an event that (yet again) reveals the cowardice of Boris Johnson.
19
The title of this article is all wrong, ie. "British Ambassador to U.S. Resigns After Leak Enrages Trump."
May I suggest a new title? "British Ambassador to U.S. Resigns Because Trump's Fragile Ego Can't Handle Any Criticism...(or the Truth)."
There, fixed it for you!
35
This reminds me of the joke JFK used to tell about the Russian who ran through the Kremlin yelling, "Khrushchev is a fool". He was sent to jail for 23 years --- 3 years for insulting the party secretary and 20 years for revealing a state secret.
22
Sorry, but surely I misread that ........ “run down, caught, and eviscerated”?!? I’d think long and hard before handing over your government to anyone who thinks evisceration is an appropriate punishment for a leak....
9
Our current president is the one who should resign. Everything Ambassador Darroch said was true.
19
Why is Boris Johnson the likely next PM? Hasn’t the UK had enough of the ridiculous Tories yet?
13
@Doug Lowenthal
Probably. But this isn't a general election.
4
Sad day for the UK that a man of honor and integrity is forced to resign due to his honesty in conducting his official duties, while Trump, the epitome of dishonesty and integrity, remains in office.
16
How could Kim Darroch get the president so wrong. We all know trump is a loving family man, deeply religious, always tells the truth, respects woman, is a brilliant organizer, would do anything for his country, loyal to one and all, plays by the rules, obeys all the laws, a deep reader and thinker. loves parades and so much more. Am eagerly awaiting Kim's book.
11
Hmmm, who “leaked” this information?
A guy with access to NSA intercepts?
Maybe who just doesn’t seem to like anyone in Parliament but loves the Royal Family, because his otherwise unmentioned mother did?
Lives at his own golf course in Florida, or a government mansion/office near his hotel in Washington DC?
No, he’d never do things to damage our relationship with our old closest ally, would he?
7
In summary....Everyone with a brain thinks Trump is a contemptible fool, unless they are being bribed with a trade or real estate “deal”. Then they only think it in private.
“The controversy surrounding Mr. Darroch’s assessments has struck some members of the diplomatic corps in Washington as a broader peril: As one of his fellow European ambassadors put it, there was little in his cables that could not be found in their own.
“Mr. Darroch’s descriptions of the administration as inept and chaotic, of reversed decisions and a mystifying policymaking process, differ little from myriad daily news reports and the findings of the slew of books about Mr. Trump’s tenure.“
18
Her Majesty's government is entitled to know that the Trump administration is "clumsy and inept", and that "we could be at the beginning of a downward spiral... that leads to disgrace and downfall."
Trump, however, is not entitled to airbrush the truth away, a la Joseph Stalin.
Astonishingly, the real question is: do American voters care?
11
The United States would have no diplomatic relations with any country if other countries ambassadors emails were released. Ambassadors from other countries are professionals with long experience, not rich hack friends of the Presidents. I'd bet every other countries ambassadors consider Trump as much more than clumsy and inept. More like foolish, a bully, short sighted, corrupt and ignorant. The truth hurts, especially when you're the inflicting pain until an ambassador punches you in the nose and you cry like a 5 year old.
15
In the perverse Trump universe one is punished for telling the truth and lauded for shading the truth or outright lying.The British Ambassador told a very benign truth that the administration was clumsy and inept-that was a mild statement compared to the real truth of unlawful and uncouth behavior.Trump is trying to sow as much chaos in Britain as he sows here- do not stand for it Great Britain!
11
I thought the ‘leaked’ communications were actually quite restrained, given the subject matter. I’m sure that in private conversation the Ambassador, and many other foreign diplomats and heads of state, have got much juicier words to say about our Embarrassment-in-Chief.
9
Got to admire his diplomatic tact and ability to convey the truth in the nicest possible way!
6
It has been clear for a while that Mr. Johnson is no better than Mr. Trump in terms of a moral backbone. Both are grandstanders and circle the people they admire which are the bullies of the world and those that wield the power.
14
Another case of email hacking that brings the truth to light. Sorry, but this Ambassador should have been more circumspect in his opinion.
2
An ambassador’s job is to assess the state of the government of the country he has been sent to ( in this case the United States) for the country he represents (UK). These were private and official emails. He was circumspect in his assessment and truthful. He did not write anything that hasn’t already been reported publicly by news reports.
3
@XLER MORE circumspect...? As has been pointed out the man was a veritable model of restraint. :-)
2
Love to see Trump family emails and texts for the last several years. Will they resign? The unelected ones included.
2
Sad, that everyone who has contact with the Trumpet falls into the abyss of insults from said Trumpet.
When is the Trumpet going to resign? God bless America!
4
Nothing enrages Trump more than the truth about his incompetency and corruption.
20
How inappropriate; to tell the TRUTH. What was he thinking?
7
Yes, this really has ignited a firestorm here - split along the bitter and hateful Brexit partisanship. It's a huge issue now.
Despite the best efforts of the Right to blame Darroch for his candour (in privileged 'Eyes Only' communications, note), most of the mud is sticking to Boris Johnson. The blowback has been enormous - to the extent of Johnson and his awful coterie beginning to row away from the epicentre - with the online Brexiter community now mounting absurd, nonsensical deflections - Putin's FSB breaking into British diplomatic ciphers to harvest compromising material being one.
I'm sorry to report that general anti-American sentiment here has ramped up a large number of notches. However, personally, I'm not entirely surprised. I do not believe that a senior representative of the British government and more particularly, the Prime Minister, has been so rudely, so contemptuously treated, since the days of the Third Reich. Even Brexit moderates are aghast.
This leaking of classified material is scandalous and amoral, deliberately designed to broaden division and constructed to undermine the goodwill that existed between the British and American public. It's alleged that it's being investigated at the highest possible criminal level with talk of prosecutions under espionage or treason laws. I live in hope..
14
What's significant for us is that, once again, Trump put himself before country. Rather than just move on, like every other US president (or mature adult), Trump's created an incident. (Why N Korea can call him a "dotard" on camera, but the UK can't in private cable is another matter.) The UK is on the edge of crisis, and rather than support our arguably closest ally, Trump kicks them while they're down.
Almost as craven is Boris Johnson (sadly, also NYC-born). He seemingly will do anything to become Prime Minister, even if it leads to the breakup of his country. (Almost 2/3 Tories want Brexit even if Scotland and N. Ireland leave the UK.)
15
Boris Johnson should take a page from The Winston Churchill play book. Never never never ever give up or give in. Sad for US that Trump administration is so inept on so many levels. Sad for UK that Boris Johnson seems to have so much in common with Trump. The world is watching. Keep calm and carry on!
3
Kim Darroch did what any person of honour would do when he could no longer perform his job. Kim Darroch spoke the truth and sometimes the truth is known but unspoken.
Britain's exit from the EU threatens the continuation of the United Kingdom. Everybody knows that the USA is incapable of leading.
In Canada we also know the USA is incapable of providing leadership but we are just as restricted in what we can say about the USA.
We know that the desire to keep your country together forbids you from even acknowledging that the only question that needs asking is whether America should continue on despite ever increasing polarization and dysfunctional governance.
In Canada despite knowing that Trump is a Kakistocrat's Kakistocrat the Democrats may pose a greater threat to our economic well being.
America has very real serious problems and our stirring the pot because Trump is such a flawed leader does not help.
Despite Saudi Arabia being America's number one ally drawing attention to that inconvenient truth benefits no one.
In synagogues across Canada we pray not only for the well being of our leaders but for the well being of American leaders and I know I am not alone in giving thanks for our Minister of Foreign Affairs and all her Ambassadors.
Montreal Moe can scream all yell all he wants but our Ambassador to Washington cannot even whisper we are at war with America's greatest ally the Saudis.
1
And the truth shall cost you your job.
Thank you, Mr. Darroch, for telling the truth about Donald Trump and his administration.
Trump's responses speak for how close to home your observations have come. You should wear them as a badge of honor.
Good luck in whatever you choose to do in the future.
6
What a shame that Britain may soon have their own bombastic version of Trump when the Tory party foolishly elects Boris Johnson as Prime Minister. They could have had a moderate, literate, highly skilled Rory Stewart but will choose instead Britain's destruction at the hands of Mr. Johnson. Incredibly sad to think that the new British government will make it impossible for their ambassadors to make an honest assessment of world leaders. Britain's leadership is daily becoming a shambles.
9
It's interesting how Boris Johnson backs Brexit as "returning sovereignty" to the UK, yet he is content to let the president of the United States bully his country and determine who its ambassador is.
8
The president of the United States routinely insults British politicians, but when a British ambassador has cables leaked the UK bows to the US.
This shows how weak a position the UK has been put by the Brexit.
7
Who benefits from this leak? Either the Russians or the Brexit wing in the UK or Russia or Russia or Russia.
5
Promised a trade deal. Give me a break! This guy, “our leader”, has broken more deals. That’s the art of his deal, to lie, cheat, evade, deny and stop at nothing to manipulate the market. This is insider trading, he manipulates the market for his benefit.
Another America ally burned.
6
Trump’s thin skin is pathetic & childish, no offense to children intended. Any ambassador needs to convey their beliefs & insights to their governments candidly, unfortunately, more & more this can only be done in person or on a secure audio or visual device & as a consequence much will be lost to future historians.
Politicians with thin skins should not get into office, especially when they are incapable of taking criticism, warranted or not.
4
In a case like this, you have to ask yourself as a left-leaning Democrat, what would have the Messiah done under similar circumstances?
Hmmm...
Obama would have asked, in a polite, quiet and diplomatic manner: Could you please get rid of the man and do it as quickly as possible. Many thanks for all your help with this matter. Look forward to having some Gentleman's Relish with you the next time I'm in London.
It's all about implementation and doing it with a smile.
Example: Under the Obama administration, total ICE deportations were above 385,000 each year in fiscal years 2009-2011, and hit a high of 409,849 in fiscal 2012. The numbers dropped to below 250,000 in fiscal years 2015 and 2016.
Under Trump, ICE deportations fell to 226,119 in fiscal 2017, then ticked up to over 250,000 in fiscal 2018 and hit a Trump administration high of 282,242 this fiscal year (as of June).
Lovey, Dovey to all & do it with a smile whenever possible.
1
Boris Johnson said far worse about trump[all of it true]after trump and his entire grifting family visited the UK this past June.For him not to support the ambassador now is pretty absurd.
5
Nearly all Republican congressman critical of Trump are no longer in office. Now he only has lackeys. Same with anyone else. Bow to Trump or be gone. “It’s good to be the king.“
7
Wasn't his fault. Moreover the entire planet knows he was correct in his assessment. Why should he suffer because he told the truth and someone else leaked it?
Hope he runs for higher office in GB. He'll win.
6
Ambassador's comments were words which are much more flattering to Trump than I would use if I were being candid.
6
I am perplexed. What did the British Ambassador said that was wrong.? He stated the obvious which has been stated by many. Mr Trump, the truth hurts but almost the whole world believes what Mr Darroch said.
6
Sadly, I have to agree with Sir Kim that the Trump Administration is inept and dysfunctional, and I would add corrupt and sleazy. Trump always wallowed in corruption and sleaze in his private life, so this comes as no surprise, however, that the United States has sunk so low is very surprising.
Boris Johnson is the likely person to have outed Sir Kim’s emails, according to British insider information, another buffoon and admirer of Trump. I don’t hold out much economic success for England if Johnson is elected PM; disruption on a grand scale will prevail in its stead.
4
And so the bully gets his way, again, and will keep on bullying.
4
Well done, Sir Kim.
It will be remembered that you only spoke the truth.
You were merely saying what many Americans have been saying since 2015 when Trump sailed down his escalator being cheered on by his paid actors that got a placard to wave, a free t-shirt and $50.
I hope that your dismissal package is more than that.
Give us a thought, Sir Kim, give us a thought......
4
I'd like to hear more from MP Thornberry. Her criticism of aspiring PM Johnson is enlightening. I wonder how many Britons share her opinion?
My understanding is that the ambassador’s resignation was prompted not by Trump’s temper tantrum, but by the fact that there was some sort of power struggle going on inside England’s foreign service, which resulted in the emails being leaked in the first place.
2
They need America if they leave the EU. They are going to be completely dependent on the US for leverage. Otherwise the EU can walk all over them and rightly so. They want all the benefits but none of the responsibilities or costs.
They don’t understand that Trump and republicans are an abusive partner in a relationship. They beat, gas light, lie, cheat and steal. The relationship is always about what benefits them and them alone.
The Ambassador was doing his duty by interpreting, analyzing, and relaying information to his superiors. Who ever leaked this, whether they are within the British Gov't or not, knew this would be the outcome. The leaker wanted this man out of the way. Mission accomplished.
11
In all fairness, he shouldn't have said it, but I imagine someone was bound to drop the ball at some point. Resignation was probably the best option.
For those interested, google "half life of a secret" The upshot is, the more people who know a secret, the shorter the time before someone divulges it.
@Andrew Of course he should have said it! It is the ambassador's job to "call it as he sees it" and let his higher ups know what they are dealing with.
Whoever leaked this information wanted him gone, and wants someone pliable in his place.
4
Diplomats always express their thoughts in private and confidential communications. The problem here is that they were leaked. And he was right in his comments.
5
He didn’t ‘say it’ these were diplomatic cables providing analysis of the country he was assigned to.
The cables were leaked so he probably had to go - doesn’t mean he wasn’t just doing his job. Also he told the truth. His own (former) Sec of State called Trump a moron.
2
My fantasy this morning is that every Embassy in Washington releases their diplomatic cables in support.
Let the Trump administration and its supporters know just what the rest of the worlds thinks. Laid out in black and white, no uncertain terms. Maybe then the so called base will understand the damage being done.
22
His resignation is a diplomatic courtesy but one that in no way erases, or alters, the truth of his statements.
Tellingly his resignation brings to attention that he was allowed to remain in his position signaling that no one in the Home Office challenged or condemned his observations.
The ambassador should be elevated to Prime Minister. England is in as much need of honest people with courage as the U.S. Better courage than regret.
Ironically, Trump’s outrage multiplies the effect of the ambassador’s comments. Had he ignored them, or joked about them, as a Barack Obama would have, he would at least not further added to the growing, low public opinion of him and his administration.
With all the the body of his incompetence and lying in public view, and now this and the Epstein case, Trump, like King Richard, may soon be crying out to exchange his kingdom for any means of escape.
18
Trump’s comments (tweets) proved the truth of the analyses in the cables.
7
Well I for one would agree with the departing Ambassador assessment it was spot on.
20
All I'm reading out of the UK is that those in the Government - except Boris Johnson - approve of Mr. Darroch voicing opinions about the Trump Administration but then go on to say "that whoever leaked the ambassador’s messages should be “run down, caught and eviscerated.”"
They cannot have it both ways. If they approved of the messages, they should not fear their publication.
Mr. Darroch has put Anglo-US relations in an uncomfortable position. His resignation will allow bridges to be rebuilt.
Allies forever!
4
Kim Darroch resigned from his position as Ambassador to the United States because he performed his job honestly, telling the truth about Trump's administration. It is "clumsy" and "inept." The citizens of this country have heard the same from administration insiders who had the strength of character to admit it. Books have been written about it. We see the chaos daily on television, read about it in the paper, witness the results of the ineptitude, especially now during the fiasco at the border with our neighbor to our south. We wince, we blush, and we wonder why this is the state of affairs.
Our president has said far worse about other countries, referring to them as "shitholes." We have heard him denounce, insult, and humiliate other world leaders, the most recent example being as he criticized Darroch for his frank, leaked critique of the sad situation in the USA. Thus embarrassed and angered, Trump expounded at length on the flaws of Prime Minister May—kicking the soon-to-be ex-PM while she's down. He heaps praise on tyrants and authoritarian leaders and belittles one of our closest allies . . . and in this way he has belittled our nation and his position as our leader ever since he took office. What a man!
He will not show his tax returns, although time and time again he said he would. He remains under investigation for collusion and more, and there is evidence of his having cheated to win the investigation. Trump is a pitiful example of a leader.
My apologies, UK.
26
@GeritheGreek
The job of an ambassador is not to be an "honest broker". His job is to smooth out relations between the two countries. If the ambassador has infuriated the host country, their job is finished.
4
@Pat
You simplify the job of diplomats and in doing so corrode the validity, as well as honesty, of the ambassador’s observations. Yes, ambassadors and consuls historically publicly work to achieve smooth relations between nations. But again historically they do far more than that out of public sight, to include ignoring spies working out of embassies, staff working to secret important individuals out of countries, and much more. England’s Home Office, like our State Department, expects honest, accurate, detailed reports on the nation’s in which their ambassadors reside, not “smoothed over” relationships.
7
@Pat
I would have reported to be cautious and that we may have the rise of a new fascist leader and nation in the world. That any relationship should be treaded with caution such that any relationship will be one sided and unlikely to be respected if it turns unfavorable to their agenda.
1
As alluded to in the NYTimes article, in 2012, the US ambassador to Mexico, Carlos Pascual, had to resign over a leaked diplomatic cable in which he complained about inefficiency and infighting among Mexican security forces in the campaign against drug cartels. At the time, Hillary Clinton said Carlos Pascual's decision to step down was "based upon his personal desire to ensure the strong relationship between our two countries and to avert issues" raised by the Mexican president, Felipe Calderón.
Boris Johnson is doing the same thing that Hillary Clinton did by prioritizing bilateral relations. I can't remember any hand wringing in the USA when Carlos Pascual resigned. But all normalcy and common sense seems to have abdicated both sides of the aisle when Donald Trump was elected.
2
For a diplomat he was not very diplomatic.
2
Kim Darroch did what Ambassadors are supposed to do. He kept his government informed about the US government and his observations of the Trump Administration.
5
“As one of his fellow European ambassadors put it, there was little in his cables that could not be found in their own.” Yep, that’s the first thing I thought when I heard about this. As we have seen, even people in his own administration think it.
9
Boris on Trump in the recent past:
“(He betrays) a quite stupefying ignorance that makes him, frankly, unfit to hold the office of president of the United States.”
And "I wouldn’t want to expose Londoners to any unnecessary risk of meeting Donald Trump.”
Those were public comments. Not hard to imagine the tastier things he says in private.
8
Perhaps this is for the better. Once Boris Johnson is elected Prime Minister, a more suitable person will be appointed to the position. Some one who is with the program. Cheers!
1
Of course, Mr Darroch resigned. He told his government that Trump is inept which is well known throughout the world. The unauthorized disclosure of his views did not endear him to Trump and so he left. Bojo has signaled his subservience to Trump--no surprises there. Trump has in his way acknowledged his vulnerability to name-calling with his usual lack of good form. Bojo's actions also signal there could not be a Battle of Britain with him at the helm--he is unable to withstand a grimace from Trump.
5
Having your honest private assessment of any politician out in the public would ruin the ability of any ambassador to do their job. Just like the case mentioned regard to the US and Mexico.
Boris Johnson has to get leverage with the EU and his only path is via Trump. Johnson's reserve shows that he does have the character to be the British PM>
1
@Pat What on earth makes you think Trump can provide any leverage for Boris there? The EU hates both of them, and with good reason.
2
I think Mr. Darroch will somehow land on his feet (Prime Minister, maybe?), even (especially) if he's not really a politician.
Poor Trump, savaged by the truth.
America needs to hear more voices like Kim Darroch.
2
The U.S. has never had a president so susceptible to criticism yet so willing to heap it on others. At 15-years-old, my nephew does better.
8
The constant din of Trump is a diplomatic nightmare, this or that while achieving more for the US non elite citizens than the last three presidents combined is ludicrous on it's face.
No one agrees with all of the Presidents tactics but Clinton Bush 43 and Obama are, in hindsight, self-serving economic and foreign policy Poltroons by comparison.
The real question, with the Trump administration anyway, is this: Are Kim Darruch's observations, as ham-fisted as they may possibly be, in accurate?
Answer: No.
Relevance: Darruch's comment's caption the mess Trump's boorishness visits upon the United States, and that has left the rest of the world looking at us warily, either to spot our weaknesses and vulnerabilities (think Russia, China, North Korea and Mid-east terror groups), or aghast, as a longtime ally stops acting like one (think most of Europe, where the last worldwide conflict found a main stage.
The most dismaying element of this affair is that a significant percentage of people in the US still support this international joke of a president.
8
No-one, except Trump, is disputing the accuracy of Kim Darroch's statements. There are two very important lessons to be learned in this case:
1. Instead of political hacks currently appointed by Trump to be ambassadors, the U.K. and other countries appoint intelligent, experienced and independent statesmen to these positions.
2. Whenever external events interfere with an official's ability to do their job, they resign. I admire this about the U.K. and other countries. It represents a serious and professional commitment to the responsibilities they have been given.
38
I hate to tell you, many people are wondering if Ambassador Darroch's return flight to the UK will originate from a Revolutionary War airport. SAD!
29
@Hugh Briss
How can the UK abassador use the bases when the US Continental Army under Washington have already captured them?
9
Hats off to Mr. Darroch, an honest chap in Trump's sea of rancor and deception, constant lying and resentment. His job as ambassador, once his true thoughts leaked, has become untenable. A question in my mind remains: does anybody think that Trump's mental obtuseness will ever open up enough to realize that he is the problem; let alone the infinitesimal chance he'll ever apologize for his blunders?
32
Apologize? I’d bet he has never apologized for ANYTHING in his entire sorry life.
3
Anyone who listened to Boris Johnson’s refusal to defend Sir Kim Darroch yesterday, while repeating what a great relationship he had with Donald Trump, came away with only one conclusion- if/when Boris Johnson becomes the new prime minister, his government will not hesitate to sacrifice even its most respected senior civil servants on the alter of Trump's ego. Boris Johnson is as contemptible as Trump.
808
@Susan. I think common sense rules in GB. Anyone who loves Trump can't win.
3
@Susan
Begs the question, why are the Brits poised to make Boris Prime Minister rather than learn from the US disaster called Donald Trump?
73
@Susan It would be great if Boris Johnson would lose and NOT get elected....Most Brits do not want to leave the EU....Leaving the EU is a really stupid move and Britain will be the loser if they go. Think about it people.
38
I saw Boris Johnson state when asked about Sir Darroch that the USA is of "fantastic importance", what he fails to comprehend is that "real friends" do not just capitulate.
23
Hey Americans,
This is what Brexiters call ‘taking back control’ when the UK leaves the EU. At the mercy of every madman with a potential trade deal.
32
Oh, the cost of telling the truth! At least now Durroch can deal with adults again.
28
It raises the question of whether it’s possible the US president doesn’t actually believe this is what people really think of him.
I agree it was probably the correct decision on his part (if it was, in fact, his own decision), but shame on the UK for such a weenie stance. Unfortunately all this will do is embolden Mr Trump to do it again when there’s another ambassador he doesn’t like, and that helps no one. Saying how great the ambassador is and then taking him out brings to mind only one word: lapdog. The “special relationship” is over, if it was ever really there these last 50 years.
13
Now, if the Homeland Insecurity OIG will just look at where those “leaks” came from ...
It impresses me that no skilled ambassador ever speaks like that on anything but a very secure circuit.
Something our bugs might break ...
But nobody else’s.
And the British would have clamped down with a D-notice if it was one of Theresa’s fools leaking.
Or could the leak have come from the same folks running Trump, Putin’s folks?
Snap elections might end up toppling the Brexit Tories, though, something Putin would NOT want to see happen.
Questions, questions, questions...
1
@Eatoin Shrdlu
Seems more likely the leaks came from the British end -- Darroch's enemies in the Foreign Office.
This is the article's last paragraph about Kim Darroch, UK Ambassador to the US: “Over the last few difficult days you have behaved as you have always behaved over a long and distinguished career, with dignity, professionalism and class."
trump has much to learn about dignity, professionalism, and class. trump has none of those characteristics. trump is a boor. trump is a bull in a china shop. trump is an embarrassment.
35
Kim Darroch should have noticed what happened to Rex Tillerson when he called Donald Trump a moron.
Instead of recalling that Kim Jong Un called Trump a dotard before the two fell in love.
If only Kim Darroch had labeled and slurred Trump with something from the works of William Shakespeare. Then Trump would have been flattered. Especially since he does not have any works of Shakespeare in his vast coloring book library.
26
Why should a man resign for speaking truth and warning his government in private? Don’t resign!!
17
Why does the ambassador have to resign for telling the truth? Why is everyone afraid of this man’s temper? But he can call anyone names regardless of truth and it’s ok? What a horrible example this president and all the adults who enable him are setting for our children.
775
@Elli
Trump's supporters want their children to grow up to be just like him. Trump is their hero, their ideal man.
27
@Elli Yes, why is everyone afraid of this man's temper? He calls names, goads, insults, and antagonizes our allies and fellow Americans (saving his words of praise only for dictators) constantly but then he gets all bent out of shape when some one describes his behavior accurately and rather mildly.
69
@Elli
I agree but Mr Trump has a massive Twitter Following. That scares way too many people..
I never understood why the folk who are subjected to Mr Trumps nicknames let that stuff affect them.
14
I am sure that several other ambassadors share the British ambassador Darroch's assessment, except their mails are not leaked (as yet). The only difference is that the countries that are benefiting immensely from Trump's traits that British ambassador described prefer to fawn on and praise Trump, and they do not want to cut the golden goose that keeps on laying golden eggs for them, e.g. Israel, Saudi Arabia and Russia. And now, with the courts rejecting the Emoluments Clause case by the state of Maryland and Washington DC, expect more lavish parties from the above three embassies at Trump's hotels and resorts.
8
Funny, Trump's enraged response to the mildly critical observations of the Ambassador, in contrast to a muted edging away from billionaire pervert Jeffrey Epstein.
16
So many differ for less infractions than trump...why is that he’s not being held accountable?
4
When the truth tellers are fired you know things are messed up. The British Government has a right to unfiltered advice from its ambassador. Maybe they should just tell them that Trump is the greatest president in history and that Brexit will be a great coup for the British and Americans. Case closed...
9
So an internal e-mail that was intended to be private was leaked and the Ambassador has to resign. Dear god how ridiculous.
What Darroch said in private was far milder than anything that has seeped out of the miasma of orange mayonnaise occupying the white house.
13
I saw the Rolling Stones in Boston on Sunday July 7. Mick Jagger said "Ah Boston. 4th of July weekend. If only the British had hung on to the airports".
The British Ambassador was being generous in his comments.
24
"I heard what you said about me, and I'm not gonna talk to you anymore, hmmmph.' Trump's diplomacy is at about 2nd grader level.
23
I'm with him.
3
Clumsy and inept? What an understatement.
25
In my opinion this is a political game. The right wing of American politics and the right wing of UK politics getting together to break institutions. Both countries are the poorer for it.
23
It is well known here that Nigel Farrage, a far right wing politician, is the preferred choice of Boris Johnson as US Ambassador and that Donald Trump also favours him. This all seems to be a very provident and timely leak, especially in the light of the Leadership Contest that is currently running in the UK. I note that some of the comments are two years old! One has to wonder if this leak was made as part of the Brexit debacle. Certainly a lot of prominent Brexiteers had links with Cambridge Analytica who were notorious in the field of reading digital data. Also Mr Johnson specifically did not support Kim Darroch in a TV debate last night. In contrast Jeremy Hunt has shown great statesmanship. It may well be that Mr Trump may have inadvertently changed tihe course of events by his immature tweets and raised the chances of Mr Hunt over Boris.
22
Mr. Darroch's resignation won't remove the reality that trump is “wacky,” a “very stupid guy,” and a “pompous fool.”
And surely we all see the dysfunction in the trump government with spokesperson Morgan Ortagus's statement:
“We’re going to stay out of that and we will, of course, let the White House speak for the President’s tweets.”
which means that there is no coordination between trump's recalcitrant rants on Twitter and the State Department. The State Department, like every department in the trump administration, has to cover itself and preserve its credibility in dealing with their boss trump.
It validates Mr. Darroch's assessment of trump.
11
@Charles - What State Department?
2
@Shelley B: Oh... right. The one in trump's alternative reality, I guess.
Sir Kim is there to give a frank assessment of the people he is working with. He was restrained and accurate. The fact that Boris Johnson, Trump’s repulsive doppelgänger, may be the next Prime Minister and did not stand up for Kim is a disgrace.
We should all be worried if Trump is this thin skinned. Apparently, that is why he hangs out with Putin and Salman and Kim Jong Un, despots who flatter and manipulate rather than challenge.
30
I believe the appropriate response to the leaked documents authored by Ambassador Darroch should have been "Opinion vary"... And just let it go.
I don't like bullies and bullying behavior...nor do I like destroying someone over what is supposed to be a private communication.
Sheesh...
11
The British ambassadors comments were private, albeit rude, and their leaking was a national embarrassment to the UK. However, they were not official nor public statements.
Donald Trump has responded publicly with vitriol, which is much worse. Far better to have said nothing, Darroch would have probably had to resign anyway. This way Trump has done nothing other than prove most of what Darroch said anyhow
Compare what Darroch said about Trump to what Kim Jong-Un, who murdered Otto Warmbier, has said about Trump? Response...." i fell in love"
Not so much a 'special relationship' with the UK as a 'shallow relationship'.
15
The world is turned upside down.
Trump, a compulsive liar who obstructed justice, should lose his job. All of these leakers should be prosecuted for stealing other people's mail.
Trump and the leakers are doing great. But the British Ambassador loses his job for telling the truth in a private memo.
37
It is patently obvious that all the other ambassadors to the US from other countries have pretty much reported the exact same information and facts back to their governments. Just because Mr Darroch's words became a "known known" does not mean there are not "known unknowns." I guess anybody but Mr Trump can connect the dots. I suppose his own staffers can connect the dots, but won't tell him.
306
@Jim I think it's more that he just refuses to acknowledge dots that aren't pre-connected for him by someone else, because only peasants connect dots themselves, and he's above that.
4
@Samuel In the prophetic words of The Simpsons, he 'was elected to lead, not elected to read.'
3
@Jim - it may have been one of Trumps that leaked the info.
1
I salute Ambassador Darroch for his honest assessment of Donald Trump. It is a shame that he lost his job over it. Our allies need to be constantly aware of the nature of America's President because you can be assured that America's enemies and adversaries are.
486
@Howard Herman and who precisely are the enemies and aversaries now? The news seems to be stuffed with photo ops featuring the President behaving as a sycophant to tyrants the world over.
8
@Howard Herman Vladimir very pleased. Constantly chuckling through his busy days.
4
@Howard Herman being saluted by a New York times reader might not be the best recommendation for being able to work with Trump. The important thing is not whether you're truthful but whether you can do your job and that requires a certain amount of tact.
1
The lesson to be drawn from this actually relates to Boris Johnson, who, in refusing to support a senior, apolitical civil servant, thereby politicised the role. Why did he do it? Well, he is very much Trump's man- on every respect (and although he is far brighter is also lazy.)
And, by the way, our man Boris, who was born on New York, is now universally hated across the UK, no more so than among his Tory colleagues. Not only was he sacked from two jobs for lying but he refuses to say how many children he has, which according to some, is anywhere between 5 and 7.
254
@G Rayns
Everything you say is true except for Johnson (I refuse to call him "Boris", because that implies a certain degree of affection) being "universally" hated. Unfortunately many people are fond of him, for some reason.
15
@G Rayns Sometimes I think the planet is under attack by aliens. How is it possible for the worst people to rise to positions of authority and power. Our reality is surreal.
48
If He is universally hated across the UK, why is he expected to win the election? There appears to be many who think like him.
12
Geez! The British Ambassador expresses the same observation of President Biff as every other World Leader. It is the Ambassadors duty to advise his country truthfully and concisely so decisions can be intelligently made as to how to handle another World leader. Would it serve the British people to have the Ambassador state anything differently than as he observed? The Ambassador is Not Mitch MC. All Ambassadors are expendable as the situation requires. Like Trumps cabinet.
7
Stand by Great Britain. If Boris Johnson becomes Prime Minister you can expect the same bile, narcissism and incompetence that we note in Donald Trump. It will take the United States decades to recover from the damage this bad actor and his cronies have caused.
18
Everything Ambassador Darroch said about Trump is true.
Trump openly insults the mayor of London and our closest allies while praising murderous dictators and countries that attack our elections.
Donald Trump should resign. He is incompetent and dangerous.
15
Ambassador Darroch did what his government expected and paid him to do - report on the government of the place where he was posted.
What he reported is plain to see, as we all have had the opportunity to observe for ourselves.
Now, he gets to enjoy a well-deserved retirement, after 40 years of service.
With any luck, the next ambassador will express, in somewhat unconventional English that trump will not fully understand, what a loser our wanna-be dictator really is, for example with a handshake, a smile and a pat on the shoulder:
"Sir, Her Majesty's Government find that you are most certainly a pillock of the very highest order, and that your administration demonstrates the most remarkable defalcation."
trump will not bother to "look up" the meaning of words he does not understand, because that requires opening a book.
10
This seems like a good moment to remind everyone that secrecy in governance has its uses. An ambassador needs to share his unvarnished assessments with his own government. Obviously that can create problems with the host country if leaked, so these reports should be kept secret for years. If WikiLeaks had released the embassy cables, however, a good number of people would be celebrating it as an act of full transparency.
5
Ho hum.
Where's the beef?
It's not that there is anything new here.
Nor have any state secrets been newly compromised.
No, it's the same old same old.
Another lawyer-politician cabal will clean up whatever spoils will be residually left on the butcher's block and gleefully move on to the next taxpayer red meat involuntary offering.
5
Isn't it ironic that the British publication that leaked the British Ambassador's comments "The Mail" about Donald Trump is owned by Rupert Murdock.
Oh yes, isn't he the guy that owns Fox News and the Wall Street Journal?
I guess I'm dealing in innuendos and conspiracy theories...
70
@Hal Skinner
Maybe not...
8
@Hal Skinner Actually, The Mail is not owned by Murdoch.
@Hal Skinner
Add to the owner, the fact that the journalist who wrote the original article for the Mail has been reported to be close to Nigel Farage's Brexit Party.
She most likely was "chosen" because her known affiliation rather than any nefarious reason. But I am sure people in the U.K. are going ot question why she published them.
3
Hopefully they will give him a Ticker Tape Parade in London. Or an immediate extraordinary Honour at Buckingham Palace, or whatever it is the British do with this sort of hero.
24
@Jim Robinson Well, I hope in a year or two he is given a peerage. That's how we normally do this kind of thing.... and then when your next president is chosen he can be brought back as the first ambassador.
3
I look forward to a time when the liars resign and those that speak the truth will retain their jobs. That time has not yet come.
66
It has never existed either.
1
The leak is unfortunate. He was just doing his job and will be removed for stating the obvious.
37
What is it with these folks who state the obvious about the current U.S. president, then self-punish themselves for doing so... or only speak truth when they're on the way out? Is it any wonder the U.S. president thinks he's omnipotent? It's called backbone people. Look into it.
14
So the British Ambassador is pushed out for doing his job--and commenting on Trump's deficiencies in a much gentler manner than our own media critics. Yet Secretary Acosta still retains his job, regardless of the fact that he put considerable effort into arranging for a proven sex offender to slip out of receiving the justice he deserves. Will we ever be free of the dystopian environment that the Trump administration has imposed not only our country, but on our allies as well? Every day feels like a new affront to reason and morality.
48
Who released the cables and why? Let me guess... our enemies that would like to see a divide between the U.S. and our strongest ally.
18
now with Ambassador Darroch gone the administration of 45 will not be clumsy, disorganized, nor incompetent. mission accomplished
21
"And [speaking the] truth will set you free." If only it would set Trump free as well.
6
Our intelligence agencies have the capability to monitor the communications of all foreign ambassadors in our country, don't they? Forgive me if I do not believe that the Trump administration is innocent and honest about this incident making public this ambassador's private communication to his government. In light of President Trump's past and continuing meddling in the domestic politics of Britain and the fact that they are in the midst of a change of leadership and great divisions, this "leak" seems more than coincidental. If every ambassador was forced to resign because he or she said something as mildly critical of President Trump as this in private, there would be no ambassadors in Washington and no diplomacy at all. His over-the-top reaction to the British ambassador's leaked analysis tells me it was a planned leak by some means.
84
Diplomacy is largely about personal relationships and mutual respect. Once the cables were leaked, of course he had to resign. His comments did not exactly provide much analysis and hardly seemed worthy of writing home about.
6
They seemed on point to me. Giving an analysis of the president's personality and agreeableness and how to approach dealing with this person is very appropriate. With a reasonable human being in office, I doubt he would've said stuff like that. The only issue is that his communications got intercepted, and the toddler-in-chief decided to throw a tantrum. Which fits with the analysis that he gave... So if Britian wants to remain on good terms with the toddler, they must try to appease the toddler, since spanking him would probably not have the desired effect.
20
@Mark
Quite the contrary. If Trump had even a scintilla of true leadership and diplomacy skills he could have leveraged this episode and emerged the bigger man (and not just in girth) by inviting the British Ambassador to the White House for lunch (even if Big Macs). Rather than engage in his now typical angry twitterstorms, he could have used this as a learning opportunity-- inquire why the Ambassador reached these decisions and perhaps even adjusted his behavior or his approaches, gotten some insight into how he is really perceived by others. He certainly has publicly called others far worse with his ad hominem attacks on others' intelligence, competence and appearance without apology--but the big bully can't take criticism. Hey, trump,that's the job and you blew this opportunity to show that you deserve the office you tenuously hold. Trump has no idea how to form or develop relationships of mutual respect-- his relationships are all bullying and bucks. Remember, he too is an ambassador of the U.S. to the rest of the world-- if anything, he should resign.
15
Especially since what he said was blindingly obvious.
" The way to deal with Trunp is to flatter him and keep it simple"
8
If an equivalent cable from the US ambassador in Russia about Putin had been leaked, it is likely that Putin would have made his displeasure known, and he might have frozen out the ambassador, as Trump has done. To withdraw the ambassador, or accept his resignation, would be conceding to Russia the right of handling US affairs.
This is only possible now because Johnson, who will be our next PM, is a populist pseudo-fascistoid in the mode of Trump, comptemptuous of liberal values and democratic rules. His constant lies during his referendum 2016 campaign, and his association with unsavoury backers, makes it explicit. As with communism, fascism, or any other authoritarian movement, right-wing populism subordinates everything to the priorities of the ruler. In Johnson's case, Trump's approval.
79
The fact that Trump got angry is evidence itself that Mr. Darroch's observations are spot-on.
241
@Alan C Gregory As if we needed more evidence...
10
@Alan C Gregory - I haven't seen anyone dispute that.
2
Wait a minute. Doesn’t this allow Trump to dictate how other countries conduct their business? This seems like a horrifying precedent. It’s bad enough he’s becoming a dictator here.
208
@Mark
The wanna-be dictator can try to dictate, but the other countries would have to knuckle under for his "dictation" to be effective.
They can just very quietly and calmly say "NO" and tell him to go pound sand.
2
@Joe From Boston
But in this case it looks like they did knuckle under, and allowed their ambassador to be rejected by DJT. If we allow him to reject those he doesn't like (diplomats, reporters, congresspeople, judges, etc.), we're well on our way toward dictatorship. We're Germany in the early 30s. One crisis and we could be over the edge.
1
The UK under Johnson will officially become Trump's lap dog and England at least may as well become a vassal State importing chlorinated chicken nobody wants to eat. A horrible fate awaits....
57
@pealass
It's all America's fault. You're infectious. You contrived a presidential election where both candidates were unsuitable, yet one of them had to get the job. Then apeing the USA, as we often do, we contrived a mid-term election of a new leader of the governing party by doing what you did. And it is very likely that we will do exactly the same in a year or two in a general election.
Long-standing friends we may be - but kindly stop leading us astray with jokers.
3
@John Bloomfield
They're infectious...
not "You're".
I'm Scottish and that's another problem on the way, obviously.
2
An ambassador from the UK
Triggered a diplomatic melee
Saying Trump was a fool
One fit for ridicule
Not to mention his naivete
8
Fact is, every foreign Ambassador to Washington is likely sending similar reports as Darroch back to their home countries. Anything different would amount to a gross disservice to their governments and their people.
303
On the playground, we used to say to ‘kids’ like Donald Trump, “You can dish it out, but you can’t take it.”
Inevitably, that kid would smart-mouth off to the wrong guy who would send him home crying for his momma.
Eventually, it always happened.
77
@itsmildeyes: You have it right. It's the best way to understand trump. You must have grown up near where I did. It's wisdom well worth having in these days of trump.
One friend told me that trump has never been taken down (protected by his father and his wealth through his attorneys. And evidently trump figured out how to get through military school). It's why Kim Darroch's statements are particularly descriptive of trump.
9
“run down, caught and eviscerated.”
Sort of like Mr. Khashoggi was?
35
So Trump can say that the ambassador is “wacky,” a “very stupid guy,” and a “pompous fool.” Nothing happens to him, but when he criticizes the Trump administration as inept, which it is, it is too much?!? What am I missing?
178
@KV Trump was speaking in front of a mirror.
5
Darroch resigned as a result of someone's leaking his private observations. There is an enormous difference between that and trump's publicly tweeting that the Ambassador of our closest ally is a stupid, pompous fool.
trump proves once again that he is exactly what he spouts. Beyond the lack of dignity and statesmanship that US citizens expect their President to have, trump also lacks the decency to resign. Time to end this disgrace, either by impeachment, removal, or a 2020 election loss.
233
@say what
It's so funny that this president thinks bullying the British Ambassador will somehow prevent every American from thinking what the Ambassador said is actually true. Oh well. I guess bullies actually feel good when they bully others. Maybe his wife can give him some pointers on how he can BEBEST. Why is Trump always so emotional? so nasty?
8
"As for Mr. Darroch, the president described him as “wacky,” a “very stupid guy,” and a “pompous fool.”
No Donald, you're describing yourself.
142
@Doremus Jessup
He often does that. Accuse others for his own flaws. Projection.
10
That'll teach Mr Darroch to dare say the king has no clothes.
54
If an ambassador cannot discreetly and appropriately report the truth as he sees it, international relations are done for.
Mr. Trump has just been rewarded (again) for his childish behavior, and Mr. Johnson and other British officials have betrayed Mr. Darroch.
Our future looks pretty grim.
773
@Harriet
It is the discrete part of you statement that did not occur. In today's world of hacks and leaks, discrete means from one person's mouth to another's ears, and carefully even then.
17
@Harriet
I agree. UK Ambassador Darroch should not have resigned. If Trump now knows what the ambassador thinks of him, all the better for us all. It's on Trump to prove that the ambassador's assessment is incorrect.
Our president has publicly given his unvarnished opinion on just about everyone. Given this standard, HE should resign.
86
@Harriet
The leak has Russia's fingerprints all over it. Putin is really gloating over the ongoing unravelling of the West, beyond his wildest dreams. Putin's candid memoir, if there will be such a thing, would be very interesting to read.
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This is the definition of “Shooting the messenger”
I could understand it had Kim Darroch called Donald a great leader and a defender of democracy.
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I agree with Mr. Darroch's assessment. The Trump administration has proved itself to be incompetent, chaotic, unreliable, secretive, disorganized, deceptive, and wholly unsuited to governing. It's Trump who ought to be resigning in disgrace.
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@Allison
In addition to all you enumerated, trump has had two years to create a competent administration, yet all he has is a never-ending line of short-term Acting everythings, each seemingly less-qualified than the last. Implosion looms.
23
@Allison True as that might be, an ambassador should have better sense than to leave a written record that might come to embarrass their home country.
@Allison
Allison, be careful, Donald may tweet on your negative thoughts on him and his cronies. Well you know, he can strip you off your USA citizenship; he can do anything; he is the King of USA with unquestionable support from Mitch and his cronies!
But don't worry, Canada will welcome you with open arms!
8
Punished for telling the truth.
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Such are the wages for speaking truth to power.
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Sir Kim Darroch put his country first by resigning when it was clear from Pres. Trump that he could not let the insults go.
The ambassador showed his class in doing so. Sadly the President has once again shown that his thin skin and irascibility is a liability for the US.
Sir Kim's reputation will not suffer from this episode in the long run as his views will be upheld by history.
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@ShaunG
I'm sorry, but your country lost an effective and popular ambassador due to a DISINGENUOUS hissy fit from our president. Trump knows very well that he's disliked in Europe, and particularly in the UK, the country that greeted him with the Baby Balloon. So what that Amb Darroch confirmed what we all think? The onus is on Trump to prove Darroch wrong, not on Darroch to resign.
10
@ShaunG
He is a very talented and experienced diplomat, resigning because of Trump's bullying which is preventing him from doing his job. Sound familiar?
10
@ShaunG He's not resigning because he is being bullied by Trump. He is resigning because he cannot do his job having been childishly uninvited to all meetings that are a part of his job.
Of course he could stay until the end of the year and just put his feet up, or visit the national parks before they are all sold off, but he clearly has more integrity than that.
7
The leak of Sir Kim Darroch's candid observations about the functioning of the White House was malicious, and one has to wonder "cui bono". What country's leaders are determined to sow discord among America's allies? Certainly the Russians have proven their skill in hacking secret documents. Is there a connection?
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@Elizabeth Bennett more likely to be a disgruntled official here in the UK. Sadly Brexit is tearing our country apart. It may also be worth asking how does Trump benefit. It is well known that he along with Johnson (the most likely next PM) want Nigel Farrage as ambassador. Watch out Washington!
8
Can't wait to see Trump explode when someone breaks the news to him that ANY future ambassador from the UK (as well as every other ambassador in Washington DC) will be sending the exact same messages back home.
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@Tim Nigel Farrage? Maybe he won't see the Trump Administration as it is.
3
In the diplomatic world, it was wrong for his communications to be leaked, but he is clearly an honorable man who was speaking the truth, as he would have been expected to. The irony is that the truthful man is moving on while the liar is still there to continue his mischief.
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But it's true after all, the Emperor really doesn't have any clothes!
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@Cazanoma The Emperor would point out that he really isn't naked. He's just a nudist.
2
Darroch told the truth about Trump. Everyone knows that. The wrong person is out of a job.
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No matter what your personal opinions may be, it is probably not a good idea to describe the administration you are an ambassador to as "clumsy and inept" in any documents. This is the sort of comment that is best made verbally, in a secure location.
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@mikecody... Referring to the Trump administration as "clumsy and inept" might well be quite mild as compared to what Darroch would have reported verbally in a secure location.
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@mikecody
Maybe true, but I can understand how a British diplomat would be completely overwhelmed by all the turmoil within the American government. America is not where they usually see overwhelming incompetence, corruption, and ineptitude.
49
@mikecody Easy for you to say now. But the ambassador is not the story. The story is the truth in what he said.
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Ambassador Darroch was doing his job. He did not leak those diplomatic cables; why should he take the fall? I’m sure Vladimir Putin and the pro-Brexit traitors are very happy with this turn of events.
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What the ambassador said was pretty mild and also. true. And it was not intended to be public He has the right to say such things in private. The problem is Trump, not the ambassador.
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