Thank you to all of the brave, hardworking journalists who have been so committed to discovering the truth. I shudder to think what might have been if reporters had not relentlessly pursued answers. I am so thankful for reputable news organizations. We owe you a debt of gratitude (and we should all be paying for subscriptions in return for democracy - the best deal in history).
13
You have lost your mind sir. If you no longer believe in our democratic institutions and the rule of law then I suggest you relocate to a country where coups are an accepted solution to a government you do not like.
2
Trump's prediction was correct. I'm so tired of winning. He must be completely exhausted...
4
Trump is going to drain the swamp? Really? He isn't going to drain anything. He has pretensions of being the biggest croc in the bayou.
3
These are dangerous times for the whole world, which has the stupidity of American voters - or the 63 million of them who supposedly voted for Trump - to thank for dragging us all to Death's door.
"I have defined the hundred per cent American as ninety-nine per cent an idiot.” George Bernard Shaw
"I have defined the hundred per cent American as ninety-nine per cent an idiot.” George Bernard Shaw
2
So what keeps Trump from starting a nuclear war? Are there any safeguards?
3
You think these folks are grown-ups? H. R. McMaster, Jim Mattis, Dina Powell, John Kelly, Rex Tillerson — seems to me they are playing roles in a woeful dsyfunctional family; pretending dad isn't a raving drunk.
11
Beware a false flag terror attack which the Trumpistas could use to declare martial law. Prepare for it by being ready to denounce it and to take to the streets.
Trump, Pence, Bannon, Trump's family, just about everybody in Trump's cabinet, Ryan, the "Freedom" caucus — they are all fascists at heart — and their little authoritarian clique is threatened. Be warned.
Trump, Pence, Bannon, Trump's family, just about everybody in Trump's cabinet, Ryan, the "Freedom" caucus — they are all fascists at heart — and their little authoritarian clique is threatened. Be warned.
8
Trump derangement syndrome {TDS} continues unabated at the Lady. Any reasonable person with prosecutorial or law enforcement experience, regardless of political persuasion, will tell you Comey should have been fired right after he laid out a convincing case for prosecuting HRC, but that, never-the-less, a criminal referral was not forthcoming. As a former prosecutor, I can say that once the non-referral decision was made, there was no reason to drag the suspect through the mud--regardless of how much she deserved it. Comey's comments/explanation was nearly as deplorable as the non-refarral decision itself, and warranted his ouster. Indeed, Chuckie Schumer and the rest of the leftist cabal were screaming for his head--and they were right to do so. Now they're outraged that Comey has been shown the door. Apparently, TDS has finally progressed to stage 3. One last thing to remember, lefties: SC Mueller's mandate will likely permit him to examine the DNC's refusal to allow the FBI access to their PCs/hard drives after they were hacked. Might this reveal that the true hacker/leakers--or even one of several--was actually a DNC staffer who, if I recall correctly, was murdered shortly after the leaks were first published, and/or a "non governmental" player {as the criminal, yet always accurate Julian Asange has maintained}? Be careful what you ask for leftists, you--and HRC-- just might get it----right in the face.
1
Of course there was no collusion between Trump and the Kremlin in Russia's interfering with the US elections. Putin hated Obama and hates Hillary. She campaigned on enforcing a no fly zone above Syria, which is another way of saying, we are going to shoot down Russian jets, which are the only non-American planes flying over Syria. She would have continued the sanctions that Obama was supporting against Russia which are squeezing the Russian economy and its currency. Russia didn't want Hillary to be US President all by themselves, and for good reason from their perspective. There is no evidence of collusion between Trump and Putin. It is a witch hunt at this point plain and simple, based on nothing.
That said, a couple other points. The stock market's big fall on Wednesday was NOT because "America will be incapacitated", but rather because President Trump's policies will either be delayed or derailed entirely, those being infrastructure bill, tax reform and Dodd Frank partial repeal.
As for this paper's and WP's coverage of Trump, it is completely one-sided, biased, non-objective muckraking. It's all sensationalized, "anonymous sources", Anti Trump all the time. It's an embarrassment and insult to the memory of true journalism.
That said, a couple other points. The stock market's big fall on Wednesday was NOT because "America will be incapacitated", but rather because President Trump's policies will either be delayed or derailed entirely, those being infrastructure bill, tax reform and Dodd Frank partial repeal.
As for this paper's and WP's coverage of Trump, it is completely one-sided, biased, non-objective muckraking. It's all sensationalized, "anonymous sources", Anti Trump all the time. It's an embarrassment and insult to the memory of true journalism.
5
Trump deserves some credit. Look what he's accomplished with a vocabulary of 300 words.
9
On April 3, 2017, the WP reported front page, above the fold, "Breaking News", that the "United Arab Emirates arranged a secret meeting in January between Blackwater founder Erik Prince and a Russian close to President Vladimir Putin as part of an apparent effort to establish a back-channel line of communication between Moscow and President-elect Donald Trump, according to U.S., European and Arab officials." Has it occurred to any of you that arranging secret meetings to create a back-channel communication line between Trump and Putin in January 2017 doesn't make any sense at all if Trump had been colluding with Putin during the elections of 2016 in a conspiracy against Hillary?
I have some bad news for you Anti-Trumpers, Russia didn't want Hillary to be US President all by themselves, and for good reason from their perspective. There is no evidence of collusion between Trump and Putin, and Mueller will find nothing.
I have some bad news for you Anti-Trumpers, Russia didn't want Hillary to be US President all by themselves, and for good reason from their perspective. There is no evidence of collusion between Trump and Putin, and Mueller will find nothing.
3
Trump’s capacity issues and limitations have been manifestly on exhibit since the first days and weeks of his campaign. One must carefully examine why GOP leaders and decision makers endorsed his candidacy when it was evident to the most casual observer that his capacity was in no way commensurate with the gravity of the decisions that a president must make. Based on recent public statements and comments by GOP leaders, it is now further apparent that those surrounding Trump were not only unable to detect these limitations even at the outset of his presidency, but that they continue to seek no guidance in dealing with the inevitable consequences surrounding a president with diminished capacity.
The ongoing failure of senior GOP leaders to recognize and address their president’s incapacities with respect to specific decisions and areas of decision is a direct testament to the capacity continuum within the Republican party itself. But in a time when Donald Trump is the president of the United States, what does "capacity" in American politics even mean?
The ongoing failure of senior GOP leaders to recognize and address their president’s incapacities with respect to specific decisions and areas of decision is a direct testament to the capacity continuum within the Republican party itself. But in a time when Donald Trump is the president of the United States, what does "capacity" in American politics even mean?
6
After the election I expected that Trump would tire of the job long before 4 years and resign to move on to more important money-making schemes. Just quit. Have better things to do. That's a choice he could make in 2017. Wouldn't that be nice?
I know, I know. Then we would have to deal with Pence. Maybe we could get back to reality and actual points of progress. We might not like that route, but it could make us less vulnerable on the planet.
I know, I know. Then we would have to deal with Pence. Maybe we could get back to reality and actual points of progress. We might not like that route, but it could make us less vulnerable on the planet.
2
VP Pence is slowly being revealed as another dishonest co-conspirator in the massive Trump-Flynn cover up operation and not the innocent he would have us all believe he is.
18
Before he was POTUS, I considered Trump to be an idiot/savant.
I still think he's an idiot/savant, just not with the savant part.
I still think he's an idiot/savant, just not with the savant part.
13
I am laughing. Thank you Hey Joe. We have to have a sense of humor or we will crack up!
2
In all of this, I'm most disappointed with McMaster. His non-denial denial was off-putting, especially from someone on Team Trump I really did respect.
11
When did that McCarthy/Ryan tape go public? I think we all would have remembered that.
Then again, catching most anyone from the GOP in a lie has long since ceased to be news. Business as usual is more like it.
Then again, catching most anyone from the GOP in a lie has long since ceased to be news. Business as usual is more like it.
13
Oh please. More damage has been done to our country from Obama's inept leadership than President Trump could ever do. And if he did reach for the nuclear button and blasted North Korea's Capital,vaporizing the Pillsbury Doughboy is that a bad thing?
4
Ok, granted, killing Kim wouldn't be a bad thing. But what about the innocent North Koreans who would die with him because they can't escape the prison that is their country? And what about the South Korean, Japanese and Chinese people that would get from fallout if we nuked NK? And they, predictably, retaliated by firing at Seoul and Japan?
There's a reason nuclear weapons have only been used twice. Because sane people saw that they were too horrible to ever to use again. They work better as a deterrent.
There's a reason nuclear weapons have only been used twice. Because sane people saw that they were too horrible to ever to use again. They work better as a deterrent.
18
The facts don't support your assertions about Obama's presidency. First off, President Obama pulled our economy from the brink of disaster without the help of most of the Republican party. His list of accomplishments far exceed anything that President Trump could possibly attain, even if he were competent and sane, which he isn't. Also if DJT were to "reach for the nuclear button" thousands of captive citizens in North Korea would be killed. That would be an immoral thing.
22
Recently the California State Assembly passed a bill introduced by Rob Bonta (d) to repeal a law that disqualifies communist party members from state employment. Bonta pulled his bill after being reminded by Vietnamese and veteran constituents of what communism is. Nice job pushing democrats under the bus. My point is no matter how bad democrats dislike Trump they continue to make more opportunity for the next Republican candidates practically every week.
2
I really wish Trump would just resign. He said he misses the life he had before getting elected.
The reasons don't matter. This is all just too much. The nation is bordering on a collective nervous breakdown.
Do it Donald, please. We'll all be happier, and that includes you.
The reasons don't matter. This is all just too much. The nation is bordering on a collective nervous breakdown.
Do it Donald, please. We'll all be happier, and that includes you.
18
He would be MUCH happier! Tell him again how happy he would be! You can go home to trump tower, donald! You can sit in those pretty-beautiful-great-huge-oh-so-stupendous, gold-lacquered, Baroque/Louis XVI chairs, watch FOX NEWS, eat Cheetos, and wait for your hair color to develop! No more aggravation, no more need for lies, (although at home, you can lie if you want...as long as the rest of us are not subjected to it) no more having to deal with ANYTHING THAT UPSETS, BOTHERS, INSULTS, OR STRESSES you. You can watch TV AND TWEET ALL DAY, AND ALL NIGHT...and you won't have to take time out for pretending to govern, or those pesky meeting in the Oval Office. You can take a bubble bath in the middle of the day. ANYTHING.
8
We too miss the life we had before he was elected.
6
We are living in dangerous times because, in part, a very large segment of our citizenry believe that "expertise" is "elite" and - therefore - snooty and unnecessary.
The GOP and the White House both are all too happy to placate these Americans by removing scientists from science panels, removing career diplomats from diplomatic jobs, silencing professionals of all stripes from interfering from their twisted portrayal of reality according to their ideology.
If we all live through this, I sincerely hope that some of these people come to their senses and realize you want doctors who are trained, you need scientists who actually have done science, career diplomats are invaluable sources of knowledge and wisdom, lifelong intelligence professionals know more than a crybaby president, and generals actually do have more to offer in military advice than purveyors of right-wing propaganda rags.
Expertise is not elite; it is necessary in a complex society in a complex world...just look what's happening in a White House devoid of expertise!
The GOP and the White House both are all too happy to placate these Americans by removing scientists from science panels, removing career diplomats from diplomatic jobs, silencing professionals of all stripes from interfering from their twisted portrayal of reality according to their ideology.
If we all live through this, I sincerely hope that some of these people come to their senses and realize you want doctors who are trained, you need scientists who actually have done science, career diplomats are invaluable sources of knowledge and wisdom, lifelong intelligence professionals know more than a crybaby president, and generals actually do have more to offer in military advice than purveyors of right-wing propaganda rags.
Expertise is not elite; it is necessary in a complex society in a complex world...just look what's happening in a White House devoid of expertise!
31
Agreed, but it isn't just the Right, but the Bernie supporting types.
1
If Obamacare isn't repealed, there will be no doctors.
1
Ryan swore those present to secrecy. “No leaks,” Ryan said. “This is how we know we’re a real family here.”
How infuriating. Glad it has leaked. They better be scared of what else will leak too.
How infuriating. Glad it has leaked. They better be scared of what else will leak too.
21
Not a real family. More like a Mafia crime family that will protect its head from law enforcement. Trump has quite a few financial ties with Russian mobster money launderers it turns out.
15
I think we can imagine that Trump is erratic and self-destructive enough to cause himself more trouble. Mounting pressure from the electorate may spur Republicans to stand against him, whether or not we have hard information from Mueller. Also, Congress may continue their investigations and augment what Mueller collects. Whether or not Trump is impeached (do we really want Pence who has lied and betrayed his supposed morality?), this will be another do-nothing Congress re legislation. The divide is too great. I treasure Nicholas Kristof for his stellar work.
6
Best line: "This was unconstitutional. And wise." A madman isn't operating by the rules so let's not have us being constitutionally correct see us being dead right.
6
When I read the quote by Paul Ryan my skin crawled. A government employee (that is what Mr. Ryan is) having people take an oath to secrecy about a suspicious of treason by the Presidential candidate to show they are a real family! What are they a gang of thugs? Over throw the government who cares we kept our oath and that is the important thing -correct Mr. Ryan?
25
Another fine and informative essay, Nick. We don't know what Mr. Mueller will find, but most of us think that there is an evidential basis to remove Trump from the presidency.
But, suppose there were no incriminating results from the Mueller investigation. We are left with the most incredibly sleazy president in the history of the nation, and the group of his surly followers. We are forced to accept abject sleaze in the presidency.
I can respect all of the presidents whom we've had in my lifetime, except Trump, and of course Nixon, but Nixon gave us the clean air act, raised and extended my GI Bill and awkwardly got us out of Vietnam. Trump has bloviated over how great he is and how the press is creating fake news about him. And he's lied about so many things, no one knows what is true anymore. It's his way of snowing his poorly educated followers, but it doesn't work for 60% of us.
So Trump is somehow opaquely tied to Russia, which is totally bizarre. Mr. Mueller has to explain all of that to us. We wish him well. There's not much riding on his office, other than to restore confidence in our democracy.
But, suppose there were no incriminating results from the Mueller investigation. We are left with the most incredibly sleazy president in the history of the nation, and the group of his surly followers. We are forced to accept abject sleaze in the presidency.
I can respect all of the presidents whom we've had in my lifetime, except Trump, and of course Nixon, but Nixon gave us the clean air act, raised and extended my GI Bill and awkwardly got us out of Vietnam. Trump has bloviated over how great he is and how the press is creating fake news about him. And he's lied about so many things, no one knows what is true anymore. It's his way of snowing his poorly educated followers, but it doesn't work for 60% of us.
So Trump is somehow opaquely tied to Russia, which is totally bizarre. Mr. Mueller has to explain all of that to us. We wish him well. There's not much riding on his office, other than to restore confidence in our democracy.
22
Trump is as sane as you or I. But he is a dreadful political chief executive. Incompetence is not a sufficient legal reason for removal from office.
3
Actually, Robert, incompetence is a reason for impeachment. But it is necessary for the President's party to recognize it and decide that the well being of the nation is more important than their own re-election. THAT may be unlikely given what we know now of the sleaze factor of the House of Representative Republicans.
5
Lol, maybe you but not me or most Americans!
trump does not APPEAR to be sane.
I believe that 35 or so mental health professionals all signed a document to the effect that from their observances of trump's behaviors and words, he is mentally ill. Now, most mental health practitioners will not say that about someone whom they have not examined, but in this case, they had been subjected to countless videos of his behaviors, as well as descriptions of his behaviors by numerous concerned persons, and the extent of trump's narcissism, delusions, cruelty, mood swings, and derangement was in full view. Even as non mental health care professionals, we can recognize "crazy" behaviors. Sure we do; and we tend to avoid those people who act in those strange, scary, and dangerous ways.
Also, incompetence IS a sufficient legal reason for removal from office! You want someone INCOMPETENT in charge of the nuclear codes?????!!!!! (Or in charge of our democracy? Our lives? Our families' health and safety?) When someone is incompetent they can be removed from any position of authority or responsibility for two reasons: They can cause harm to themselves and they can cause harm to others. You can go to court and have anyone who is judged legally incompetent to be removed from positions of power, authority, and/or responsibility.
I believe that 35 or so mental health professionals all signed a document to the effect that from their observances of trump's behaviors and words, he is mentally ill. Now, most mental health practitioners will not say that about someone whom they have not examined, but in this case, they had been subjected to countless videos of his behaviors, as well as descriptions of his behaviors by numerous concerned persons, and the extent of trump's narcissism, delusions, cruelty, mood swings, and derangement was in full view. Even as non mental health care professionals, we can recognize "crazy" behaviors. Sure we do; and we tend to avoid those people who act in those strange, scary, and dangerous ways.
Also, incompetence IS a sufficient legal reason for removal from office! You want someone INCOMPETENT in charge of the nuclear codes?????!!!!! (Or in charge of our democracy? Our lives? Our families' health and safety?) When someone is incompetent they can be removed from any position of authority or responsibility for two reasons: They can cause harm to themselves and they can cause harm to others. You can go to court and have anyone who is judged legally incompetent to be removed from positions of power, authority, and/or responsibility.
3
Most people I encounter everyday, and know personally, are suffering deeply in this system. There is a lack of hope, a lack of stability, and a lack of unifying purpose due to the many disparate value systems that now permeate our socially liberal (but economically conservative) country. All of this honor culture gamesmanship, no matter who feels validated, helps no one. I am tired of this game that plays out every four years where nothing changes and more money just gets filtered to billionaires. The people in Washington DC are clearly out of touch with a majority of us and do not understand we no longer have time for their games, backroom deals, and treating us like their slaves. Please, for the love of a functional American and international economy, everyone in DC start trying to serve us in a serious, concerned way. Stop treating this as a game that serves only your own ego and legacy. I don't care about anything except your ability to do (or not do) things that improve the lives of the majority of people in this country, and hopefully, as a consequence, the world.
10
TRUMP Must be convinced that he is medically incapable of performing his official duties and that he must cut and run by invoking the 25th Amendment. When he has had business failures he's cut and run. So he must be made to feel that the presidency he has profoundly dishonored is but another business failure. Not that that would be an easy solution, with Pence, Ryan and Sessions all in line to be investigated and found guilty of illegal acts, some of which may involve the Russians. Is there any way that Hillary can assume the presidency that she earned with the popular vote. It's devastating to think that with some 70+ votes the electoral college could overturn the will of nearly 3 million votes more who voted for Hillary than for Trump.
7
HiIllary runs for a house seat in 2018. Shes elected and in a wave democrats take back the house and senate. Hillary is named speaker. Congress impeaches trump and pence and Hillary becomes President by succession.
Not gonna happen, but fun to contemplate.
Not gonna happen, but fun to contemplate.
4
I've read a couple of hundred comments, so far, and while some are reasonable, most, being kind, are simply nuts.
There are no grounds for impeachment; neither side wants that result. The plan is to weaken the Republican party sufficiently enough so the foaming at mouth neoliberal elites regain some measure of control in the midterms, as this will give them a better shot come 2020, at the prize, the Presidency.
The likelihood of success in 2018 diminishes as every day passes, and the Trumpster pushes more of his agenda into the limelight, one such item today being official notice, starting the 90 day clock, that NAFTA will be renegotiated, seriously affecting major national and international corporate interests.
Trump and his cabinet have extraordinary corporate interest alliances, and are closely working together to effect the kind of change which will further enrich these already obscenely wealthy elites.
In my opinion, the entire investigation will conclude two years hence, just before the midterms, with no adverse findings whatsoever, ensuring control of Congress stays in Republican hands, and Trump goes on to secure a second term in 2020.
And the blame, once again, will rest squarely on the shoulders of the rabid mad dog utterly incomprehensible Democrats.
There are no grounds for impeachment; neither side wants that result. The plan is to weaken the Republican party sufficiently enough so the foaming at mouth neoliberal elites regain some measure of control in the midterms, as this will give them a better shot come 2020, at the prize, the Presidency.
The likelihood of success in 2018 diminishes as every day passes, and the Trumpster pushes more of his agenda into the limelight, one such item today being official notice, starting the 90 day clock, that NAFTA will be renegotiated, seriously affecting major national and international corporate interests.
Trump and his cabinet have extraordinary corporate interest alliances, and are closely working together to effect the kind of change which will further enrich these already obscenely wealthy elites.
In my opinion, the entire investigation will conclude two years hence, just before the midterms, with no adverse findings whatsoever, ensuring control of Congress stays in Republican hands, and Trump goes on to secure a second term in 2020.
And the blame, once again, will rest squarely on the shoulders of the rabid mad dog utterly incomprehensible Democrats.
In Australia we had a prime minister who did embarrassing things, like giving a prince a knighthood, thus plummeting his government's standing with the public to an historic low. The problem was solved quickly by his own party, and we acquired a new, more stable, prime minister. In case political situations become completely unmanageable we have our governor general, an apolitical figurehead, who nevertheless has the power to prorogue parliament and order an election to settle the matter. Our system seems to produce more stable governance, than America's so called checks and balances, I think, despite our frequent changes of prime minister over recent years. What has been checking or balancing Donald Trump? I think check and balance only works if you have a sane grown up in White House.
Put money on this - Trump's resignation is coming soon. How soon? As soon as Democrats decide whether to go after Trump or bigger game, the Republican Party. Trump is easy prey - both sides know that at this point.
10
I hope you're right. I don't care what the reason is. The nation needs Trump to go back to his other life. The irony is that everyone would be happier, even Trump.
Pence won't be much better, but anything is better than this nightmare.
Pence won't be much better, but anything is better than this nightmare.
5
The worst part of this column for me was Paul Ryan swearing the group to secrecy after Mr. McCarthy said he believed Putin was paying Trump. The phrase "Swear to God" indicates that the remark was not a joke.
To hear this and swear a group to secrecy strikes me as practically treasonous. It is certainly not the act of loyal Americans. Loyal Republicans, certainly, but not loyal Americans.
To hear this and swear a group to secrecy strikes me as practically treasonous. It is certainly not the act of loyal Americans. Loyal Republicans, certainly, but not loyal Americans.
21
It's my guess Trump will resign to resume his former life which he appears to yearn for; he says he gave it up to "Make American Great Again" with great sacrifice. Or he'll go for health reasons--even as he sees himself as the 'Bionic Man.' His gait descending the stairs of Air Force One looks like that of an old man which, at 70, he is, especially since he disdains exercising; he holds on to the left railing favoring that (left) leg. I noticed at the Inaugural Ball that his right leg lagged. So maybe deep vein thrombosis, which Nixon suffered from, will drive him from office. Or a nervous breakdown when he realizes, finally, his gig is up as the 'Greatest President Who Ever Lived.'
9
There is no good end here. Mueller appears to be the second coming; however, while there may be a period of peace on earth, Trump is off the chain and dangerous. Regrettably, the odds are that there will be no peace for a long time and during that time Trump could drop a few bombs. First, the nuclear bombs could fall on north Korea or wherever or whenever Trump’s manhood may be questioned, much like his Tweets but lethal. Second, the real bombs could be his take-over of the ‘witch hunt’. Quoted from the LA Times, “Without the protection of the independent counsel law, however, Trump can order Rosenstein to fire Mueller, and fire Rosenstein if he refuses.” This is real and, based on the pressure, probable.
5
Mr Kristof is too generous regarding whom he considers to be grown-ups. NSA McMaster looked like a neutered tool with his absurd non-denial denial of the President's intel leak to the Russian Foreign Minister. SecState Tillerson has essentially counseled career diplomats to lie back and think of England as the State Dept budget is gutted at a time when diplomacy could not be more important and necessary. And Homeland Security Secretary Kelly is overseeing a round-up of undocumented immigrants without any apparent regard for prioritizing criminals, regardless of the Administration's public rhetoric. There seems to be no indication that any of them have stood up to the President on Big Stuff that really matters. They appear as complicit enablers in the President's follies and mistakes.
12
This is a great move! Congress can get back to work and Trump can truthfully say "I can't comment on an ongoing investigation."
Then when it turns out there's no "there" there - and if there was, two plus years of trying to find evidence of collusion between Trump and Russia hasn't found anything - Democrats will have to scramble to find another scandal.
Then when it turns out there's no "there" there - and if there was, two plus years of trying to find evidence of collusion between Trump and Russia hasn't found anything - Democrats will have to scramble to find another scandal.
2
There is a large segment whose daily job is looking for the next scandal.
1
Like rats scurrying from a sinking ship. The knives are out and it is every man or woman (Cathy McMorris-Rodgers!) for himself/herself.
I encourage everyone to read the transcript fo the Ryan/Rodgers/McCarthy cabal acknowledging Russian involvement in the election including a silly claim by Ryan that the GOP leadership was standing in the way and Rodgers immediately dismissing Ryna's absurd suggestion that the GOP was doing anything such thing.
THe borader point here is that in this age of the omni-present cellphone, many of these sensitive conversations have been recorded for posterity and will be leaked when it benefits the recording's holder.
It has never been a better time to be a reporter or Prosecuting Attorney.
Imagine the TV campaign ad with McCarthy's voice announcing Russian payments to Trump and Rohrbacher - AND THEN showing McCarthy embracing Trump! What a disgrace - the shameless pursuit of power and party above the obvious interest and security of the American people. Wow!
And this isn't just your garden variety GOP fringe hack like Steve King or Luis Gohmert. No, this is the leadership of the House GOP. The corruption runs from top to bottom.
Truly a party that will do anything to get those tax cuts for the wealthiest 1% of Americans. It is bizarre and embarrassing that these people were not just elected - they were selected as the best members of their caucus.
Hopefully Mueller will sit down with Ryan and McCarthy to get their thoughts on Russia.
I encourage everyone to read the transcript fo the Ryan/Rodgers/McCarthy cabal acknowledging Russian involvement in the election including a silly claim by Ryan that the GOP leadership was standing in the way and Rodgers immediately dismissing Ryna's absurd suggestion that the GOP was doing anything such thing.
THe borader point here is that in this age of the omni-present cellphone, many of these sensitive conversations have been recorded for posterity and will be leaked when it benefits the recording's holder.
It has never been a better time to be a reporter or Prosecuting Attorney.
Imagine the TV campaign ad with McCarthy's voice announcing Russian payments to Trump and Rohrbacher - AND THEN showing McCarthy embracing Trump! What a disgrace - the shameless pursuit of power and party above the obvious interest and security of the American people. Wow!
And this isn't just your garden variety GOP fringe hack like Steve King or Luis Gohmert. No, this is the leadership of the House GOP. The corruption runs from top to bottom.
Truly a party that will do anything to get those tax cuts for the wealthiest 1% of Americans. It is bizarre and embarrassing that these people were not just elected - they were selected as the best members of their caucus.
Hopefully Mueller will sit down with Ryan and McCarthy to get their thoughts on Russia.
5
I'd just as soon have Trump as president as Pence. Trump is inept and will be unable to carry out his program. Pence by contrast is very ept, indeed, and a dyed-in-the-wool reactionary -- far more dangerous than Trump, in my opinion. The only thing I worry about is that nuclear football -- the one so casually kicked around Mar-a-Lago. I pray the military knows not to obey Trump's launch orders -- or at least to get confirmation from Tillerson & McMaster.
11
Given the words whispered by DHS chief, Kelly, into Trump's ear at Coast Guard commencement ceremony, when Trump was presented with a sword ("You should use that on the press"), I think Kelly should be taken off Kristoff's list of grown-ups.
9
If I remember correctly Donna Brazile and the Clinton camp were blaming the DNC leaks on Russia in the media long before any type of investigation had even begun. I found it amazing that they already knew who was the "guilty party" for revealing their dirty little secrets before any of it even appeared in the media . Any investigation should begin with the source. Democrats are only hurting themselves playing these political games as I for one are totally over it. When it is finally announced that their is no crime - The DNC should be made to repay the cost of the taxpayer dollars squandered in the swamp of political illusion.
4
Projection any?
1
To those of you screaming for justice, please remember that O.J. Simpson is also still deeply involved in looking for Nicole Simpson's and Ron Goldman's killer. When the big money talks behind the scenes, this is just a play for future negotiations on Congressional spending bills down the line. The odds of impeachment are zero.
1
The irony of the media assault, i.e., liberal SuperPac, on the Trump administration is Mr. Trump may be the most level headed, emotionally stable president since Calvin Coolidge. The desperate media gyrations to portray Trump as unstable has become laughable. But then, that's what their alternate reality tells them. Very embarrassing to be American..
4
Nick, all the Trump campaign would have to do, to launder money into it, is run the funds through a few, dummy, off-shore corporations (or just real estate investment trusts) and funnel the funds into PACs. This is easy. No one tracks the funds. Having worked for a fairly large company that would park money in the Caymans or use Cayman accounts to run money, below the line so to speak, between subsidiaries, I know how this works. These Republicans know it all. We can only hope that the Special Counsel casts a broad net. The dark money guys, the Kochs et al.? They use 100's of small PACs to launder money into campaigns. You know what Trump is afraid of? That if he doesn't play ball, the Russians will poison him or shoot him or ...Who knows? Blackmail, Blackmail, Blackmail. Trump will not resign; he lives in the safest place in the world!
4
So who is he going to bomb .... his buddy (who the NY Times thinks he is too traitor-like close to) president Putin? Kristof and the editors need to at least be some what logically consistent when making up their attempting to terrify the public fictional narratives. Does he love or hate Russia? Which is it? Or is the worry that he'll wipe North Korea off the map? Which arguably is going to have to be done any way regardless of which of our major party self-imagined Gods is in the White House. Both parties have been idiots for kissing up to China, giving this one party dictatorship literally trillions for decades, in the hope that we could buy the friendship of this culture/society that hates us because we are of a different race and because they're humiliated by their own social and cultural failures. The naïve, the stupidity, pure incompetence inherent in all our leaders belief that China would control the mad man in charge of North Korea instead of cynically using him to injure and threaten us is the "dangerous times" Americans ought to be protesting in the streets about. And oh yeah! What about all that soothing talk about American "checks and balances" solving all problems of a few poor US leaders that are is popular for the major media to chant when democrats are in the White House? H'mm a now that a republican is in the White House have those infinitely superior aspects of our political system, that the democrats comprise at least half of, mysteriously disappeared?
4
This crisis of leadership is demonstrating the resilience of our democracy. Despite all the political partisanship, some are still doing their jobs as they should. We should all be proud of our civil servants who, despite all pressure and criticism, and consistently being underpaid and maligned by our politicians, manage to do the right thing in times of crisis. I'm proud of people like James Schlesinger, Sally Yates, James Comey, and Rod Rosenstein. Public servants are our relatives, neighbors, and friends. Let's give them the respect they deserve.
8
If, contrary to much if not the majority opinion, Mr Triump is not even remotely guilty in any legal sense of any crime he will end up with more popularity than ever and our nation will bend to his will and, like Mr Reagan, idolized throughout however long that eternity lasts.
This may prove to be the "perfect storm" of a political whitewashing as well as a permanent "get out of Jail free card"
This may prove to be the "perfect storm" of a political whitewashing as well as a permanent "get out of Jail free card"
3
There is no possibility that lying Trump is not guilty of any crime, so no worries about that. He's also making huge mistakes all the time and destroying our international reputation; he will never be as idolized as the senile Reagan.
6
Firing Comey Trump released his own MOAB
"mother of all blunders"
"mother of all blunders"
7
A bit of a reality check is in order.
Mr. Trump can only be removed from office if he is impeached by the House AND at least 67 senators vote to convict him. To put it mildly, this is highly unlikely given the political geography.
If an Impeachment/conviction fails to remove Trump from office, it is unlikely to be attempted again unless there is a major political realignment.
Mr. Trump, for all his deficiencies and failings, must surely realize this. Given that, he may decide to do what he always has; flaunt convention by ignoring it, and challenge someone to stop him. When no one can, he will be emboldened.
If Trump knows, that, at the end of the day, he can't be removed from office, he may be less defensive, and perhaps less desperate or dangerous. He will certainly use this to fire up his base. I can just imagine him claiming it is all because liberals, the fake news media, and Democrats are upset at losing the 2016 election - something his liberal-hating base will eat up.
Mr. Trump can only be removed from office if he is impeached by the House AND at least 67 senators vote to convict him. To put it mildly, this is highly unlikely given the political geography.
If an Impeachment/conviction fails to remove Trump from office, it is unlikely to be attempted again unless there is a major political realignment.
Mr. Trump, for all his deficiencies and failings, must surely realize this. Given that, he may decide to do what he always has; flaunt convention by ignoring it, and challenge someone to stop him. When no one can, he will be emboldened.
If Trump knows, that, at the end of the day, he can't be removed from office, he may be less defensive, and perhaps less desperate or dangerous. He will certainly use this to fire up his base. I can just imagine him claiming it is all because liberals, the fake news media, and Democrats are upset at losing the 2016 election - something his liberal-hating base will eat up.
7
A technical correction, as below, increasing entropy indicates increasing randomness/decreasing energy level. I think in this case energy/pressure (like in a pressure vessel) is actually increasing, though it is actually quite chaotic. Like a pot of water on increasing boil. We all know that it will boil over, or explode, that will be like entropy increasing.
2
Yes, dangerous times due to the democrats and the media folks like you whom are lying, exagerating and putting your objectives above the country to get revenge. The good news is that you will fail and people hate you more than ever. Trump will not only succeed (has been incredibly successful so far) but will be reelcted. You guys all talk in circles and are going to pay the price.
7
When Trump finally bleeds out from his stigmata, we can all heave a sigh of relief.
9
I wonder what percentage of Americans feel comfortable with trump making a unilateral decision to launch a nuclear bomb.
Nuclear arms professionals have said our nuclear war risk is at it's highest level since the height of the cold war - that is downright scary.
Nuclear arms professionals have said our nuclear war risk is at it's highest level since the height of the cold war - that is downright scary.
5
At this point we have two separate issues regarding Trump/Russia. First, did Trump and his staff collude with foreign actors to undermine the electoral process? And second, did Trump obstruct justice by pressuring the FBI Director to pledge loyalty and drop an active investigation, then firing him when he declined to do either?
The first will take a long time and lots of resources to investigate. The outcome is likely to be suggestive but inconclusive. The second seems stark and clear-cut.
As with Nixon and Clinton, the initial act which sparked the scandal probably won't be what gets Trump into the impeachment zone. It will be what came afterward - in this case a thuggish, hamfisted, utterly clueless attempt to get rid of a troublemaker.
The first will take a long time and lots of resources to investigate. The outcome is likely to be suggestive but inconclusive. The second seems stark and clear-cut.
As with Nixon and Clinton, the initial act which sparked the scandal probably won't be what gets Trump into the impeachment zone. It will be what came afterward - in this case a thuggish, hamfisted, utterly clueless attempt to get rid of a troublemaker.
9
Well the troublemaker is still alive, so far anyway.
most of Putin's leakers end up not so much. Is this a good country or what!
most of Putin's leakers end up not so much. Is this a good country or what!
3
I want to thank the journalists, the leakers and the brave men and women who are giving their best to save our institutions from what I am calling "moronic fascism". I am hoping that my 96 year old father, who fought under horrendous circumstances in WWII to save our republic, and my daughter in law, with a pre-existing condition (leukemia), live long enough to see this nightmare come to an end. Thank you, thank you, thank you....
19
You think Bill and Hillary, John Podesta, and Loretta Lynch are pleased to see Mueller heading a counter-intelligence investigation into the 2016 elections? The whole Russian hack fantasy was Podesta's creation so he didn't look like a doofus for falling for a phishing scam and blowing it for Hillary. You think Bill and Hillary lifting up the corners for Meuller to peek at the Clinnton Foundation. As Chief Counseler these investigations often go off on embarassing tangents.
3
"I’ve been very critical of media coverage of the presidential campaign,"
If you really want to get nauseous, Nick, you should look back at your own columns trying to normalize and excuse our so-called president and urging tolerance for his bloodthirsty, fact-averse followers.
If you really want to get nauseous, Nick, you should look back at your own columns trying to normalize and excuse our so-called president and urging tolerance for his bloodthirsty, fact-averse followers.
8
Can Mueller subpoena Trump's TAXES for the past 25 years?
7
The IRS already has Trump's tax returns..
3
Sadly we are seeing a historic event here, the political coup d'etat of a sitting president by the opposition party.
5
Only because his own enfeebled party haven't got the guts to do right by the country.
10
Funny. The Republicans control both chambers. Take an anti-delusion pill and spend a couple of days reviewing the Trump presidency. Then decide whether you think there's enough to warrant an independent investigation. If you conclude "no," you should consider whether or not you're a patriot or traitor.
13
The headline is wrong.
It has to be adjusted to communicate the most important issue Mr. Kristof was writing about. So headline should have read as follows:
"Dangerous Times for the World."
This is quite a different prospect. European origin might help to get that.
It has to be adjusted to communicate the most important issue Mr. Kristof was writing about. So headline should have read as follows:
"Dangerous Times for the World."
This is quite a different prospect. European origin might help to get that.
2
Trump Tweet---- “ This is the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history! “
Here’s some traits of Paranoid Personality Disorder---
“Suspicion, and generalized mistrust of others…people are spying on them. …. difficult to get along with because of their own hostility and aggressiveness. ….This normally elicits aggressive behavior from the opposing person, (like the nation!) which again reinforces the paranoia of the patient.
(expect worse ahead)
Grandiose ideas of their own importance lead to rigid, combative behavior. Fights, legal battles, and other disputes are common. (as we have seen)
Results in the formation of tightly knit groups of like-minded people. They are also called fanatics; sometimes, they band together to form cults. (er, parties).
Patients who suffer a psychotic break can be very dangerous to family, friends, and themselves. (the president of the US needs supervision.)
The severity of symptoms will differ. A few patients experience a complete break from reality with psychotic episodes that may last from minutes to hours.”
The current US president is acting all this out on our media daily, and this can be taught as a clinical example in schools of psychiatry. The photos of his agressive, suspicious face all over the NYT and TV are frightening.
Donald Trump has 'dangerous mental illness', say psychiatry experts at Yale conference, April 21.
10
i would not be counting on the 25th amendment to save the nation from a trump melt down. he has filled the cabinet with weak minded Sycophants for the express purpose of ensuring a majority will not vote to remove him
6
You wrote: "a majority of Americans want this cloud over our presidency investigated and removed." I'm not sure that's a correct assessment. Americans want the truth, they want justice, and they want to avoid the ruination of our democracy and plunging our country into a dictatorship. They want the truth, and the truth may not remove the "cloud over our presidency" -- instead it may reveal more clouds, more details, more evidence, and more reasons to remove Trump, Pence, Ryan, et al, from office.
5
Definition of witch hunt
1: a searching out for evidence that the twice duly elected president of the United States was born in Kenya
2: a deployment of goons to the state of Hawaii to prove the twice duly elected sitting president of the United States was not born in the US, and subsequent claim that "people won't believe what they've found ... just you wait, just you wait"
witch–hunter noun
witch–hunting noun or adjective
1: a searching out for evidence that the twice duly elected president of the United States was born in Kenya
2: a deployment of goons to the state of Hawaii to prove the twice duly elected sitting president of the United States was not born in the US, and subsequent claim that "people won't believe what they've found ... just you wait, just you wait"
witch–hunter noun
witch–hunting noun or adjective
28
Rex Tillerson is NOT one of the grown-ups, he's just an empty suit standing around waiting for his trillion-dollar deal with Russia to go through and give him a big payday.
16
You can drop Rex Tillerson from the category of "adults." He's already a Trumpian stooge for paralyzing the State Dept and admitting he didn't want the job.
13
Mr Kristoff, you speak for me in this piece today.
While Trump tumbles, he risks taking us all down with him. And where is our Congress? Standing by, wringing their hands, but doing nothing. The lack of courage, integrity and honor --especially as demonstrated by Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell--especially and disgusts me.
While Trump tumbles, he risks taking us all down with him. And where is our Congress? Standing by, wringing their hands, but doing nothing. The lack of courage, integrity and honor --especially as demonstrated by Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell--especially and disgusts me.
7
At least they place-hold to keep anyone else from demonstrating what competent government feels like.
Why is the only crime Trump could be considered to have committed as it pertains to Russia is one in which there is a quid pro quo?
The Trump Presidency increasingly poses a grave threat to Republican dreams and Republican election prospects. Yet it would be a colossal blunder for Democrats to help Republicans unshackle themselves from a sinking Trump. Better to force Republicans to take the lead on impeachment.
That doesn’t mean that Democrats should oppose the impeachment of Trump. Rather the opposite. Democratic Representatives should actively cooperate in passing articles of impeachment in the House, where their votes will certainly be needed. But Democrats should use their leverage to insist that the articles of impeachment be based on the broadest possible grounds, following a full investigation of Trumps various offenses. A hasty impeachment on narrow grounds would serve only partisan Republican interests.
Once Trump is impeached, the case moves to the Senate, where a two-thirds vote is needed for conviction and Democratic votes will be required. Democrats should avoid a collective rush to judgment. They should again use their leverage to insist on a thorough investigation of the charges.
And what of the vote in the Senate when it finally occurs? Democrats should abstain! Why should they help Republicans to cut loose from Trump.
Won't the country suffer if Trump is acquitted. Certainly there are risks. But the risks are far greater if Trump is convicted and Mike Pence becomes President. Imagine Pence and a jubilant Republican Congress uniting in harmony. Now there’s a nightmare to consider.
That doesn’t mean that Democrats should oppose the impeachment of Trump. Rather the opposite. Democratic Representatives should actively cooperate in passing articles of impeachment in the House, where their votes will certainly be needed. But Democrats should use their leverage to insist that the articles of impeachment be based on the broadest possible grounds, following a full investigation of Trumps various offenses. A hasty impeachment on narrow grounds would serve only partisan Republican interests.
Once Trump is impeached, the case moves to the Senate, where a two-thirds vote is needed for conviction and Democratic votes will be required. Democrats should avoid a collective rush to judgment. They should again use their leverage to insist on a thorough investigation of the charges.
And what of the vote in the Senate when it finally occurs? Democrats should abstain! Why should they help Republicans to cut loose from Trump.
Won't the country suffer if Trump is acquitted. Certainly there are risks. But the risks are far greater if Trump is convicted and Mike Pence becomes President. Imagine Pence and a jubilant Republican Congress uniting in harmony. Now there’s a nightmare to consider.
4
There doesn't to be any proof of anything for a US president to be impeached and removed. The process is 100% political. All it takes is a simple majority vote in Congress to impeach and a two thirds majority vote in the Senate to convict.
Bill Clinton was impeached for pulling their chain about the meanings of "is" and "sexual relations", but they didn't get the 2/3 vote in the Senate to convict him for it.
Bill Clinton was impeached for pulling their chain about the meanings of "is" and "sexual relations", but they didn't get the 2/3 vote in the Senate to convict him for it.
3
"Entropy" is the name of a measurement. To "tumble toward entropy" is like "skipping toward temperature" or "hopping toward calorie".
Entropy measures disorder. Trump may be increasing entropy above any previously seen in our government. Increasing heat generally increases entropy so Trump may indeed be sweating.
I knew I took thermo 50 years ago for a reason.
Entropy measures disorder. Trump may be increasing entropy above any previously seen in our government. Increasing heat generally increases entropy so Trump may indeed be sweating.
I knew I took thermo 50 years ago for a reason.
1
Paul Ryan, "This is how we know we're a real family here." OMERTA.
10
I agree that Trump's stability is in question, but I doubt it's as a result of being found out that he is in effect Putin's salaried employee. I do not think Trump is a traitor, but I do not know the man. I do know that he appears erratic, and wholly unprepared for the Presidency.
I agree with Kristof that he has surrounded himself with several good people, who mean to do their best for the country. Perhaps Trump also means to do his best as well, he just doesn't know how to go about the job properly.
As some 92% of our Press voted for HRC, Trump cannot expect any pardons , but should expect to be pummelled--this should not bother nor deter him. But Trump has some personality disorders, a need to be the Best", to be "Admired". His personality issues will ultimately lead to his demise if he cannot straighten them out.
P.S. His cabinet will not impeach him, but Congress might if he continues on the present tack.
I agree with Kristof that he has surrounded himself with several good people, who mean to do their best for the country. Perhaps Trump also means to do his best as well, he just doesn't know how to go about the job properly.
As some 92% of our Press voted for HRC, Trump cannot expect any pardons , but should expect to be pummelled--this should not bother nor deter him. But Trump has some personality disorders, a need to be the Best", to be "Admired". His personality issues will ultimately lead to his demise if he cannot straighten them out.
P.S. His cabinet will not impeach him, but Congress might if he continues on the present tack.
1
Anyone who calls out another man's birthright citizenship and loyalty deserves sympathy from no one. Not one bit.
John
John
2
Let's hope someone besides the Napoleon Bonaparte in our Oval Office is making decisions for the country. This is a true disaster with Trump in there and a MIA Congress.
4
The MIA Congress is what worries and dusgusts me most.
7
The one thing we probably don't have to worry about is that he might start a nuclear war. New York being a prime target that would mean the destruction of his beloved golden, gleaming tower.
2
One of the worst downsides of Trump is not only the obvious damage he does to the nation, but that he makes mediocre Democrats look much better than they are.
The Dems wear halos by comparison. But we still need representation for our taxation from both parties. How are the media pundits dealing with this?
The Dems need billions to beat the Gop. Where will they get it? From the usual billionaire donors who keep policy within the limits they set for their advantage in taxes and regulations.
As the country pulls back from the abyss of Trump, Dems are still dependent to run for office on elite special interests. This keeps them within a certain range of policy. While we’re asserting the ‘Rule of Law’ to protect against the Trump coup, it’s past time to reassert rule of law to protect us from big money priorities dominating our politics and elections.
The Dems wear halos by comparison. But we still need representation for our taxation from both parties. How are the media pundits dealing with this?
The Dems need billions to beat the Gop. Where will they get it? From the usual billionaire donors who keep policy within the limits they set for their advantage in taxes and regulations.
As the country pulls back from the abyss of Trump, Dems are still dependent to run for office on elite special interests. This keeps them within a certain range of policy. While we’re asserting the ‘Rule of Law’ to protect against the Trump coup, it’s past time to reassert rule of law to protect us from big money priorities dominating our politics and elections.
Whether these are dangerous times for the president is a complete irrelevancy. This is not about him, it's about our country. Let's keep our focus - and that means taking it off Trump, his lies, his rants, his tweets, his pathetic self-pity etc.
3
Yesterday, I was behind a car with 2 bumper stickers: one read "Trump: 2016:; the other, "Hillary: Prison." But hey, with "patriots" like Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell protecting us Americans, what's there to worry about?
6
Paul Ryan's "No leaks. This is how we know we're a real family here." coupled with his earlier statement to Rich Lowry of their "dreaming" of altering and capping Medicaid "since your and I were drinking at a keg" are evidence that the development of his emotional intelligence remains arrested at the frat boy mentality stage. I guess he and Trump have more in common than I thought.
4
"The Trump presidency may now be disintegrating, tumbling toward entropy."
This administration has been nothing but entropy from day 1.
This administration has been nothing but entropy from day 1.
1
This is not about Obama or the Republicans. This is about a narcissistic man who has shown a lack of competence to govern at any level let alone hold the office of the presidency. I see your post avoided defending Trump but attacked Obama and the Democrats. Well done, it's exactly what Trump would do attacking others while not acknowledging his part in this chaotic administration.
3
Mr. Kristof, you live in the middle of a bullseye. Dr. Strangelove is one of your neighbors. You should consider sending out dispatches from the west coast of Vancouver Island, BC. But please, leave Paul Ryan in DC.
1
My gratitude for the work of the journalists at the Times and Post and all legitimate news outlets is enormous. Without their tireless investigations into the corruption attached to the Trump team we would be witnessing a degredation of our country and it's reputation eben greater than what we are currently experiencing. Thank God for freedom of the press.
4
If this evolving investigation opens Trump Industry's books and gets a list of owners in Trump Tower it will have all the evidence needed to prove that Trump has been laundering illegal monies for the Russians and thugs of every stripe.
His son even bragged about how many Russians bought into Trump Tower and Trump Industries. I'm stocking up on popcorn. Nothing Hollywood could write or produce can capture my attention like Donald Trump being spit-roasted by open televised investigations. Thank you NYTimes for your coverage.
His son even bragged about how many Russians bought into Trump Tower and Trump Industries. I'm stocking up on popcorn. Nothing Hollywood could write or produce can capture my attention like Donald Trump being spit-roasted by open televised investigations. Thank you NYTimes for your coverage.
7
Donald J. Trump is not only incompetent to serve as president but worse his character flaws make him unfit for any public office.
While the FBI and other concurrent investigation may not be able to show a quid pro quo in Russia's meddling in our election and the Trump campaign, I think we will find that Trump and some of his closest aides had some shady if not criminal business dealings in their past.
Trump's refusal to disclose his tax returns is because he knows that they would provide a trail to investigators regarding his business dealings. I think we will in time find out that Trump in fact was 'dirty' and operated very much on the edges of the legal and illegal.
It is always interesting to hear and read Trump's vociferous outrage when the media or anyone questions his statements or actions. He is outraged by the 'leaks' to the media. We should all be grateful to the many who have aided the media in exposing and reporting on the lies and shady dealings of Trump and his cohorts.
Hopefully in the future there will be real vetting of anyone running for the highest office in the land as that office has nearly limitless powers and should never be entrusted to anyone like Donald Trump.
While the FBI and other concurrent investigation may not be able to show a quid pro quo in Russia's meddling in our election and the Trump campaign, I think we will find that Trump and some of his closest aides had some shady if not criminal business dealings in their past.
Trump's refusal to disclose his tax returns is because he knows that they would provide a trail to investigators regarding his business dealings. I think we will in time find out that Trump in fact was 'dirty' and operated very much on the edges of the legal and illegal.
It is always interesting to hear and read Trump's vociferous outrage when the media or anyone questions his statements or actions. He is outraged by the 'leaks' to the media. We should all be grateful to the many who have aided the media in exposing and reporting on the lies and shady dealings of Trump and his cohorts.
Hopefully in the future there will be real vetting of anyone running for the highest office in the land as that office has nearly limitless powers and should never be entrusted to anyone like Donald Trump.
7
"wonder if it will end up more gray"
The Russians are masters at disguising the actions they take to advance their interests without leaving evidence of direct action. That's how they got away with what they did in Ukraine.
My guess is that we will get nothing more than hints and allegations, what Mr. Kristof calls "more gray." This serves their interests quite well by weakening our government, leaving it unable to act when they pull their next stunt. If that is what happens, we lost this round to the Russians.
The Russians are masters at disguising the actions they take to advance their interests without leaving evidence of direct action. That's how they got away with what they did in Ukraine.
My guess is that we will get nothing more than hints and allegations, what Mr. Kristof calls "more gray." This serves their interests quite well by weakening our government, leaving it unable to act when they pull their next stunt. If that is what happens, we lost this round to the Russians.
1
Tillerson may be over the age of consent, but he also is the owner of a "Friend of the Soviet People" medal, the most prestigious medal that Russia can give to a foreigner. I trust him about as far as I can throw him. I am 5'3" and weigh 130. I also "throw like a girl".
7
It’s a close call on which is more newsworthy: Kevin McCarthy’s sarcasm, or Hillary Clinton’s laugh. But what I really miss are the comparisons of Trump’s hair to Bernie Sanders’ hair.
1
I object to calling Tillerson a grownup. Have you seen him in meetings when journalists are insulted? He laughs and ignores it. While he is mature compared to Trump, he has no business being in the role he is.
6
Speaking of Trump and his understanding of "witch hunts"........ do you suppose he has never bothered to learn from the late Senator Joe McCarthy and what he endured? Trump probably does not even know about him......unfortunately.
3
Trump's lame effort to cover up this filthy, dangerous scandal will prove as futile as are his overly long ties and large jackets in hiding his girth.
2
The danger to the US is from a blood thirsty press who has refused to accept the results of the last presidential election....this is nothing but a witch hunt. The media is not the 4th pillar of our government...................they are supposed to tell the facts, not make facts up to push their own leftist agenda
3
Wrong. I am a leftist and there is no mainstream newspaper carrying our agenda or views. You need to read Mother Jones for that. Plus, this is an editorial which means it is an opinion. If you don't agree, that is your prerogative, but the columnist is writing his views, which I doubt anyone is forcing you to read.
8
Who made up the "fact" that's Obama wasn't born in the United States? Who made up the "fact" that Ted Cruz's father helped assassinate JFK? Who made up the "fact" that there were more people at Trump's inauguration than there were at anyone else's? Who made up the "fact" that the sun came out for Trump's inaugural address? Who made up the "fact" that Trump has been more maligned than Abraham Lincoln? Who made up the "fact" that the only reason Trump won't release his tax returns is because he was under audit? And who made up the "fact" that Manafort, Flynn, et al were not in bed with the Russians? There's a pattern here that Trump's supporters ignore at their own and at our country's peril.
15
Barb:
I heard that Trump invented the expression "witch hunt."
Why does he say such things? Because he knows that his base will think whatever he instructs them to think, no matter how absurd.
I heard that Trump invented the expression "witch hunt."
Why does he say such things? Because he knows that his base will think whatever he instructs them to think, no matter how absurd.
9
This seems unduly alarmist in its conclusions. Trump is an arrogant, narcissistic, incompetent, but we're a long ways away from the 25th Amendment. In a democracy, people get the government they deserve: A substantial minority of voters pushed Trump across the Electoral College finish line. Now we all live with the consequences of Lowest Common Denominator thinking.
6
With chaos running amok in the West Wing, there has been more drama in the White House in the first 100 days, than there is in most Presidential terms. Trump only has himself to blame.
1
A possible scenario is that the Cabinet and VP will reveal that Trump has entered the beginning stages of Alzheimer's Disease and must be removed from office. Whether it's the disease or his psychological pathology (as a sociopath), he must be removed before he does unknowable harm to the American people.
4
What better evidence of the kind of man President Trump is, than the fact the First Lady won't live with him in the White House?
11
When an ignorant, vulgar megalomaniac like Trump can be put in the White House by a minority of deliberately dis-informed voters, and kept there by a political party that has nothing but contempt for the American people, we can only conclude that calling the United States a Democracy is a sham, at best.
Massive voter turnout in 2018 to throw these Republican traitors out of office across the land is the only hope left for the United States.
Massive voter turnout in 2018 to throw these Republican traitors out of office across the land is the only hope left for the United States.
13
In the '50s and '60s, when nuclear weapons were still a new and shocking reality in the world, the American public was keenly aware of and deeply concerned about any possibility that they could be used. A presidential candidate who was perceived as a loose cannon, such as Barry Goldwater in '64, could never be elected.
But today the electorate has become complacent about nuclear weapons. Perhaps less than half of those under the age of 40 even know what the Cuban Missile Crisis was. A country that doesn't understand the seriousness of putting the continued existence of the human race into the hands of an emotionally unstable leader is a country that could vote for a Donald Trump.
We need educators to redesign their curricula accordingly and for the media to take responsibility for this as well. Better to have a public that is worried about nuclear holocaust than to have one that is unaware of what's at stake in EVERY presidential election.
But today the electorate has become complacent about nuclear weapons. Perhaps less than half of those under the age of 40 even know what the Cuban Missile Crisis was. A country that doesn't understand the seriousness of putting the continued existence of the human race into the hands of an emotionally unstable leader is a country that could vote for a Donald Trump.
We need educators to redesign their curricula accordingly and for the media to take responsibility for this as well. Better to have a public that is worried about nuclear holocaust than to have one that is unaware of what's at stake in EVERY presidential election.
6
Trump has been a disaster. I don't remember a presidency whose first 6 months that has been more chaotic than this one. He's clearly not capable of governing, if you think otherwise then you are part of that group where he said he could shoot someone on 5th Ave. and not lose a voter.
3
The Constitution is either a document you can see in the National Archives or the basis of our government. Does the oath to uphold the Constitution "so help me God" mean anything or is it just babel? Is Trump president or is he just TRUMP!? I have my opinions and will be letting my elected reps know what they are.
The best part here is Krugman's aside that praises the Trump media coverage. All wonderful, diligent and disciplined. Kudos, as well, to the White House leakers. Trump points fingers at the intelligence community. Wrong. He should look into every White House staff office. Apparently, the leaks start there. But disloyalty to Trump? That would be too ugly to fathom, I suppose.
1
There is one reason, but a "bigly" one, that Trump will not even remotely launch a nuclear war. His cares about one and only one thing: how he can make more money for himself and his family through his brand and his hotels. A nuclear war started by him will ruin all that. He is exactly like what Senator Elizabeth Warren said he is: a thin skin money grabber. Therein lies our salvation from a Trump nuclear war.
I'm not nearly as concerned about Trump starting a nuclear was as I am about him beginning a series of miscalculated responses to the actions of other nations. One needs a very cool head in the heat of a crisis. John F. Kennedy comes to mind.
The governance of our country is in crisis. I think this will worsen as time goes by. We have to accept that there really is no President. Meanwhile, where is Pence? Perhaps Pence has his own cover-up problems, as so many who have been with Trump will have. Where is the cabinet - they should be close by to the non-President
Anyone in the highest offices of the government, today, who know they are clean, should stay close to the White House, and informed. Republicans in the Congress ought to take a moment out of self-interest to worry about the country, as well. It is really time for teamwork.
Anyone in the highest offices of the government, today, who know they are clean, should stay close to the White House, and informed. Republicans in the Congress ought to take a moment out of self-interest to worry about the country, as well. It is really time for teamwork.
If Trump is ousted, how will the press (and all of us) readjust to to the blandness of a life in which we don't get up every morning wondering what reality-show malfunctions will be forthcoming that day from the White House?
I'd like to second the motion raised by Mr. Kristol, that the war between the
NY Times and the Washington Post is the "best kind of newspaper war".
Long live investigative journalism as a pillar of our democracy!
NY Times and the Washington Post is the "best kind of newspaper war".
Long live investigative journalism as a pillar of our democracy!
5
All of this drama has fully exposed paul ryan for what he really is.
When confronted with his statements he denies it all but when he finds out it was recorded he says it was a joke.
This is the GOP speaker of the house caught on tape, lying about what was said.
The only death spiral in this country is the GOP.
When confronted with his statements he denies it all but when he finds out it was recorded he says it was a joke.
This is the GOP speaker of the house caught on tape, lying about what was said.
The only death spiral in this country is the GOP.
6
The McCarthy / Ryan tapes are the big news. That the GOP had info months ago about the Russian influence and chose to do nothing is treasonous.
2
Here it is not Trump or his cabinet that is paranoid, it is NY Times pundits. Some of them say Trump is madman, lunatic and child, and more. According to Nicholas, Trump may use nuclear bomb to save his presidency. Why these people became this much crazies? Trump derangement syndrome.
18 Ebola cases as of this morning and not one word from the White House. What's going on?
Trump hasn't visited any of the disaster sites.
He is too busy being a disaster himself.
Although I am sure he would have ragged on Obama had he
acted anything like the man he sees in the mirror.
He is too busy being a disaster himself.
Although I am sure he would have ragged on Obama had he
acted anything like the man he sees in the mirror.
4
Sorry Mr. Kristof President Trump has 3 years, 8 months,and 3 days get used to it and let the government work. People like you kept telling the world how the Republicans were obstructionists during the last administration,and here we all thought you were better than that, guess not? But let us not forget the last administration who's protection was at the forefront of most of the media.Obama’s Iran nuke deal, Obama knew about Hillary’s private email server, Obama IRS targets conservatives, Obama’s DOJ spies on AP reporters, Obamacare & Obama’s false promises, Illegal-alien amnesty by executive order, Benghazi-gate, Operation Fast & Furious, 5 Taliban leaders for Bergdahl, Extortion 17, ‘Recess ‘ appointments – when Senate was in session, Appointment of ‘czars’ without Senate approval, Suing Arizona for enforcing federal law, Illegally conducting war against Libya, NSA: Spying on Americans, Executive orders, Solyndra and the lost $535 million, Egypt, Cap & Trade: When in doubt, bypass Congress, Obama’s U.S. citizen ‘hit list’. But I get it,this was all done under a Democratic administration so it was just fine?
5
How about you hold Trump to the same standard you help Obama?
2
You simply haven't been paying attention, have you?
7
Please Stop! This is very serious. President Trump presents as a danger to us all. Just stop.
9
It is troubling to say the least that it has come to us worrying about whether the chief executive will in a fit of pique end of the world as we know it.
Ryan doesn't come off as much better. We need remedial action there too.
Ryan doesn't come off as much better. We need remedial action there too.
The Trumpian debacle was completely predictable. Now we must ask: Who is more incompetent, Trump or the Republcian leadership that put him in place?
5
Trump and ilk are dangerous and need to be removed from office as swiftly as is possible. Pence, Ryan, McCarthy and ilk also need to be investigated and brought to justice. America is in crisis and if we ignore these traitors it will only get worse. Mueller is going to need a large staff to clean this up.
5
"...but the rigorous coverage of Trump since he took office has made me proud to be a journalist."
The operative words here are "since he took office." Reminds me of the saying "closing the stable door after the horse has bolted."
The operative words here are "since he took office." Reminds me of the saying "closing the stable door after the horse has bolted."
2
"When The Post asked Ryan and McCarthy about the statements, their offices flatly denied them. Informed that The Post had a recording, they backtracked and suggested it was a joke."
So they LIED then when the got caught lying, they said it was a joke. Gentlemen, the country isn't laughing.
So they LIED then when the got caught lying, they said it was a joke. Gentlemen, the country isn't laughing.
13
No, they meant that *when they denied it*, it was a joke. Spicey must be very proud.
As you say, Mr. Kristoff. Kudos to the NY Times and Washington Post for their extraordinary reporting in the face of Presidential derision.
5
This is very timely and important appeal to the members of the administration. Thank you, Mr. Kristof.
An animal cornered is at its most dangerous. We will do well to make sure he is contained. He might try a nuclear reset.
The GOP has no interest in containment.
Beware and be afraid.
The GOP has no interest in containment.
Beware and be afraid.
4
I've always said if Puntin wasn't bank rolling Trump (Trump always used other peoples money before spending his own) then it was he knew about Russian involvement and that they had DNC stolen e-mails and he bragged to Flynn which is why he had asked Comey to let it go. This thing just keeps unraveling
If you look at the GOP leadership - McConnell, Ryan, Hannity, Limbaugh - they are all man-boys with little maturity or gravitas among them. They all seem like bratty children who cry when things don't go their way, compromise be damned. They all seem reflective of this version of the GOP since they have decimated their moderate base.
3
"We don’t know how Trump will respond in the coming months, and let’s all hope for smooth sailing."
Mr. Kristof, I think it's time for you to read the articles that have been written by Tony Schwartz, who spent months with Trump as the ghostwriter of "The Art of the Deal." Just yesterday in The Washington Post, he wrote this:
"Trump can devolve into survival mode on a moment’s notice. . . . In neurochemical terms, when he feels threatened or thwarted, Trump moves into a fight-or-flight state. His amygdala is triggered, his hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activates, and his prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain that makes us capable of rationality and reflection — shuts down. He reacts rather than reflects, and damn the consequences. This is what makes his access to the nuclear codes so dangerous and frightening.
"Over the past week, in the face of criticism from nearly every quarter, Trump’s distrust has almost palpably mushroomed. No importuning by his advisers stands a chance of constraining him when he is this deeply triggered. The more he feels at the mercy of forces he cannot control — and he is surely feeling that now — the more resentful, desperate and impulsive he becomes."
So there you have it. We know EXACTLY how Trump will respond. And he's already doing precisely this with respect to the appointment of Mueller as Special Counsel.
Mr. Kristof, I think it's time for you to read the articles that have been written by Tony Schwartz, who spent months with Trump as the ghostwriter of "The Art of the Deal." Just yesterday in The Washington Post, he wrote this:
"Trump can devolve into survival mode on a moment’s notice. . . . In neurochemical terms, when he feels threatened or thwarted, Trump moves into a fight-or-flight state. His amygdala is triggered, his hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activates, and his prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain that makes us capable of rationality and reflection — shuts down. He reacts rather than reflects, and damn the consequences. This is what makes his access to the nuclear codes so dangerous and frightening.
"Over the past week, in the face of criticism from nearly every quarter, Trump’s distrust has almost palpably mushroomed. No importuning by his advisers stands a chance of constraining him when he is this deeply triggered. The more he feels at the mercy of forces he cannot control — and he is surely feeling that now — the more resentful, desperate and impulsive he becomes."
So there you have it. We know EXACTLY how Trump will respond. And he's already doing precisely this with respect to the appointment of Mueller as Special Counsel.
1
Paul Ryan, former college fraternity member, asking his brothers to swear secrecy. What a tool.
8
The NYT is becoming more and more like the "Enquirer" everyday. I know Trump has to leave, and I know the Times is on a campaign to force him out, but throwing out the boogie man of an insane President nuking everyone? Really?? Are you now going to claim that he is controlled by Martians as well?
Do try to maintain some decorum & respectability, if you keep this up you will pass Fox News on your way to the bottom.
Do try to maintain some decorum & respectability, if you keep this up you will pass Fox News on your way to the bottom.
1
"Decorum and respectability" went out the window last November 8.
And if the NYTimes and the rest of the press are going down, there's an orange-haired elevator operator pulling that lever.
And if the NYTimes and the rest of the press are going down, there's an orange-haired elevator operator pulling that lever.
2
I think it's entirely possible that an embattled and cornered Trump, faced with a sudden dramatic escalation from North Korea during one of his early-morning Twitter meltdowns, could impulsively order a nuclear strike. I'd bet money that the national security establishment has already put into place protocols to deal with exactly this situation.
1
I am more concerned about the NYT than I am about Trump. In their zeal to hound Trump out of office, they are abandoning their principles.
Or, perhaps, are you of the 'extremism in defense of liberty is no vice' persuasion?
Or, perhaps, are you of the 'extremism in defense of liberty is no vice' persuasion?
I see that the word "nuclear" was removed from the headlines that originally ran for this piece last night. Why?
While we are at it:
Since The Donald was a developer in New York from the 1960's onward in New York and a Casino owner in New Jersey we might want to check to see if he is all Mobbed Up or has "Family Connections" to put it more politely. Most of us out in flyover country understand that given the businesses he was in he had to have some direct or indirect contact with organized crime or their front businesses. If he is in hock to Mobsters of whatever stripe it is a security concern of the highest order given the position he currently holds.
As to your concern regarding the Military:
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines are not obligated to honor any illegal order or one that would commit a war crime- they are considered unlawful orders. Should The Donald melt down and issue some crazy order involving our WMDs without a clear and present danger to the United States a General or Admiral would be obligated to ignore it.
Our nation is a signatory of the Geneva Convention & the Hague Conventions regarding warfare and as signed and Senate Ratified treaties they are the Law without ambiguity. To violate them is to violate not only International, but US Law. Additionally, executing an unlawful order is no defense before a Military Tribunal or Cvil Court. I was just following orders is no get out of jail card.
Every member of the Uniformed Services is trained and refreshed in the Laws of Warfare- high ranking Officers even more so. No sane Officer would accept such commands.
Since The Donald was a developer in New York from the 1960's onward in New York and a Casino owner in New Jersey we might want to check to see if he is all Mobbed Up or has "Family Connections" to put it more politely. Most of us out in flyover country understand that given the businesses he was in he had to have some direct or indirect contact with organized crime or their front businesses. If he is in hock to Mobsters of whatever stripe it is a security concern of the highest order given the position he currently holds.
As to your concern regarding the Military:
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines are not obligated to honor any illegal order or one that would commit a war crime- they are considered unlawful orders. Should The Donald melt down and issue some crazy order involving our WMDs without a clear and present danger to the United States a General or Admiral would be obligated to ignore it.
Our nation is a signatory of the Geneva Convention & the Hague Conventions regarding warfare and as signed and Senate Ratified treaties they are the Law without ambiguity. To violate them is to violate not only International, but US Law. Additionally, executing an unlawful order is no defense before a Military Tribunal or Cvil Court. I was just following orders is no get out of jail card.
Every member of the Uniformed Services is trained and refreshed in the Laws of Warfare- high ranking Officers even more so. No sane Officer would accept such commands.
1
Nicholas Kristoff's article is naive. Trump's cabinet is a collection of misfits and incompetents. Integrity and patriotism are hardly their strong suit. Consider for instance the ignorance and unfitness of De Vos, Carson, and Perry; the thorough mendacity of Pence; that Pruitt is a corporate shill; Kelly and Mattis connive at and applaud blatantly unconstitutional immigration bans; McMaster covers for Trump when he blabs highly classified intelligence to Russian officials; Mnuchin claims with a straight face that China stopped manipulating its currency the day Trump was elected. Trump will indeed be tempted as he grows more desperate to distract attention, perhaps as a "war president" as George W. Bush called himself. The cabinet is a broken reed on which to lean.
2
"...the rigorous coverage of Trump since he took office has made me proud to be a journalist."
You guys really don't get it. You are so sure that any individual not vetted by the usual establishment gatekeepers (i.e., elite colleges, foundations, think tanks, corporations) to play the game of politics need not be given any respect. Ever since the mere possibility of a non-establishment candidate taking the presidency emerged, the tone in this newspaper has been one of panic and hysteria. If there is any good at all that comes out of such episodes, it is that hysteria leads people to be far less measured in what they have to say and thus cats come spilling out of bags. (George Bush, for example, provided us with a post-graduate education in the frailties of the American system.) When the suspicion of many Americans that Hillary Clinton could never be elected president became a reality, the hysteria soared to a fever pitch. Do a "find" on the word impeachment in the American press, and you will find that the movement to impeach Trump predates his actual ascent to office. Forget about democratic elections or the electoral college; forget about the reputed 62 million voters who chose Donald Trump.
The press would not give Trump a honeymoon period, a chance to "learn the ropes." What it would do instead is hang on his every word and decision and then jump out of the woods fangs bared.
You guys really don't get it. You are so sure that any individual not vetted by the usual establishment gatekeepers (i.e., elite colleges, foundations, think tanks, corporations) to play the game of politics need not be given any respect. Ever since the mere possibility of a non-establishment candidate taking the presidency emerged, the tone in this newspaper has been one of panic and hysteria. If there is any good at all that comes out of such episodes, it is that hysteria leads people to be far less measured in what they have to say and thus cats come spilling out of bags. (George Bush, for example, provided us with a post-graduate education in the frailties of the American system.) When the suspicion of many Americans that Hillary Clinton could never be elected president became a reality, the hysteria soared to a fever pitch. Do a "find" on the word impeachment in the American press, and you will find that the movement to impeach Trump predates his actual ascent to office. Forget about democratic elections or the electoral college; forget about the reputed 62 million voters who chose Donald Trump.
The press would not give Trump a honeymoon period, a chance to "learn the ropes." What it would do instead is hang on his every word and decision and then jump out of the woods fangs bared.
5
"Yet there are dangers ahead. One is that America will be incapacitated and paralyzed by Mueller’s investigation and the suspicions — this partly explains the stock market’s big fall on Wednesday..."
Wall Street is just worried their precious tax cut and financial dereg will be delayed. We need both like new holes in the head.
Wall Street is just worried their precious tax cut and financial dereg will be delayed. We need both like new holes in the head.
In 2016 James Comey obviously proved himself the most incompetent, dangerous, and important FBI Director of all time. He, and his American secret police colleagues in the FBI--not the Russians--determined the fraudulent, coup-like election of Trump, with all that it does and will mean for American history. His administration and decision-making last year are, for any thoughtful and fair citizen, the classic definition of extraordinary failure in government and in the American republic. He is to American intelligence what Benedict Arnold was to the American military--a proven enemy of the union and a disaster. Except Comey’s horrible decisions prevailed! So how on earth can anyone serious think that total, sickening flop still ought to be charge of the FBI? But also: how can anyone feel anything but skepticism of Comey 's friend, the dedicated secret-policeman Muellar “investigating” things. It’s not the Russians we need to worry so much about as our own intelligence services, FBI, CIA, NSA, etc., who’s dedication to their own secret power rather than the our nation and the truth has so shattered the USA in the 21st century (see for example the near treasonous acts of Comey and also of the CIA in supporting lying Cheney’s order to say Iraq had weapons of mass destruction).
2
The grown-ups are MIA. McMaster has prostrated himself to defend Trump. Trump babbles incoherently about his economic plan to "The Economist" while Mnuchin & Cohn bite their tongue. Yes, they all professed absolute loyalty to Trump and as Putin said "Trump is acting in accordance with his competence". Yes, that is the problem.
5
"Ryan swore those present to secrecy" So very frat boy.
7
When your house is on fire, the smoke will kill you before you ever see the flames.
6
The American people deserve better than Trump. They deserve better than Ryan and McConnell. They deserve a government that puts the people before any political party. The thought that Ryan, McCarthy and others in the GOP would ignore the possibility of Trump being beholden in any way to Putin and/or Russia in order to have a free hand to push their political agenda is too troubling. My hope is that it really was a joke. If it wasn't, then we have a very serious problem.
19
What a silly idea. If two thirds of both houses of Congress are willing to vote to remove their president, that is sufficient to directly remove from office....no need for the Cabinet members to be involved.
1
"What if an unstable president reaches for the nuclear buttons?" Really?? -- Are you just starting to worry about that now??? Just for the record, that was one of the loudest clarion calls during the presidential camapign last year.
And the Americans who didn't vote for Trump, saw the looming Apocalyse if he, and his unstable temperament, were ever allowed to be anywhere near the Nuclear Codes.
We tried to warn the others, but to no avail. They had already swallowed the bait, and weren't having it.
Of course, as New Yorkers we already had the advantage of having a front-row seat with "The Donald", so we knew what to expect.
It's only now that the rest of the country is slowly finding out.
Good luck with that.
And the Americans who didn't vote for Trump, saw the looming Apocalyse if he, and his unstable temperament, were ever allowed to be anywhere near the Nuclear Codes.
We tried to warn the others, but to no avail. They had already swallowed the bait, and weren't having it.
Of course, as New Yorkers we already had the advantage of having a front-row seat with "The Donald", so we knew what to expect.
It's only now that the rest of the country is slowly finding out.
Good luck with that.
5
I kept suggesting, since well before the election, that if *45 became 45, that the military better find a 'few very good men'. For football duty. Men or women with the courage to run in the opposite direction, if *45 is reaching for that case of codes. Which should have a self destruct on it, so if anyone else tries to remove it from it's keeper, the whole bag blows up. Maybe it does. We the People don't need to know everything.
The people who pull that duty must be the bravest we have. They must stand up to a person they have been trained to believe is the only rightful heir to those codes. They have also been trained to not give it to him, if he just wants to 'play' with them. It's very hard to be that brave, when everyone around you has abrogated their oaths of allegiance to this Country. From *45 down. Including congress.
I salute you. Those who have taken this duty. Willingly.
The people who pull that duty must be the bravest we have. They must stand up to a person they have been trained to believe is the only rightful heir to those codes. They have also been trained to not give it to him, if he just wants to 'play' with them. It's very hard to be that brave, when everyone around you has abrogated their oaths of allegiance to this Country. From *45 down. Including congress.
I salute you. Those who have taken this duty. Willingly.
1
I see Trump launching a desperation attack on North Korea in en attempt to raise his poll numbers and save his presidency by hoping that voters unite by flag waving.. He'll use the cyber attack and the North Korean nuclear program as the bases for the attack. Given that Trump has stated that he doesn't understand why we don't use nuclear weapons, I could see him using nuclear weapons on North Korea.
3
Kevin McCarthy can put his foot into his mouth faster than all but the most acrobatic politicians. Rather than analyzing his "joke," we should look at the public record -- the latest addition includes Trump's Canadian project that got money from Russian rich guys.
Everyone in Congress sounds like a lawyer when what we need is a cop.
Everyone in Congress sounds like a lawyer when what we need is a cop.
9
The probes are heating up and with Mueller as special prosecutor things will get even hotter. My guess Mueller keep the pressure on Flynn until he's begging to give up Trump or at least key figures in the Trump campaign and once he gets immunity it's over for Trump. That day can't come soon enough as Trump reinforces almost daily his ineptitude at be POTUS.
1
The Joint Chiefs need to make a secret pact to stop Trump from launching a nuclear weapon. Then, let him continue in office to make clear to all voters, and especially those who voted for him with great hope, neither he nor any Republican in office has any intention of doing what is good for them. Trump is the Great Revealer of the Republican mission: Make the rich richer and destroy the government that protects and benefits the little guys. Everything they have done so far and will do is about that.
3
I'm inclined to agree that trump and Russia revelations will be gray rather than black and white, in the sense that contacts between him and Putin will be arm's length rather than direct. But there will be a ton of deep shades of gray, reflecting shady financial transactions involving the Russian oligarchs, mafia or whatever else you want to call them, who are either Putin's buddies or hostages to his blackmail. And we can probably include trump among the latter.
2
I don't think much of this is a surprise to anyone-- on the left, right, or in the middle-- except in the incredible details of it all. Trump's fascinating, and nauseatingly corrupt, flaws provide entertainment and astonishment, and they will prove tragic to him in the end (hopefully not to the rest of us). And just like with Watergate, some unlikely heroes (an FBI chief? White House insiders leaking info?) are already present, and more are emerging.
2
"We don’t, of course, know what Mueller will find." I suppose that it is necessary for some sort of self protection to make statements like this. My sense is that if by this time one does not have a very, very good idea of what will be found, he/she simply has not been paying attention.
We already know, "beyond any doubt" that nothing that Trump either says or causes others to say can be considered to be true, or accurate, or even relative to the topic.. We have also seen over and over again the accusing of others of his worst faults,"crooked Hillary, fake news, liars, cheats and so on and on. If Donald accuses someone of something, we can be sure it is something that Donald has done.
Exactly what the specific concrete things that Mueller will find will be is not important. That, what they are will be actionable evidence of criminal behavour and intent is beyond a doubt.
Not guilty until proven so is a great thing for a democracy and certainly Trump deserves that protection.
"Many smart people I speak to wonder if it will end up more gray." This sentence and what follows is what we have to be concerned with. It is already an effort to whitewash Trump and blame his underlings for Trumps Crimes. How typical of many "smart people" to lay the crimes on to the "lesser" humans and excuse the real criminality of the select few.
We already know, "beyond any doubt" that nothing that Trump either says or causes others to say can be considered to be true, or accurate, or even relative to the topic.. We have also seen over and over again the accusing of others of his worst faults,"crooked Hillary, fake news, liars, cheats and so on and on. If Donald accuses someone of something, we can be sure it is something that Donald has done.
Exactly what the specific concrete things that Mueller will find will be is not important. That, what they are will be actionable evidence of criminal behavour and intent is beyond a doubt.
Not guilty until proven so is a great thing for a democracy and certainly Trump deserves that protection.
"Many smart people I speak to wonder if it will end up more gray." This sentence and what follows is what we have to be concerned with. It is already an effort to whitewash Trump and blame his underlings for Trumps Crimes. How typical of many "smart people" to lay the crimes on to the "lesser" humans and excuse the real criminality of the select few.
3
It is 53 years since anarchist, libertarian and gun aficionado Karl Hess wrote Goldwater's 1964 acceptance speech. Then as now the truth was masked in Newspeak. It is the sanctity of the ballot not the power of the bullet that was the guardian of American Democracy.
These are dangerous times because the bullet seems so much more American than ballots.
The second amendment was about defending America from the British and other colonial powers it was never about defending us from a government answerable to the ballot box.
These are dangerous times because the bullet seems so much more American than ballots.
The second amendment was about defending America from the British and other colonial powers it was never about defending us from a government answerable to the ballot box.
1
Moe, from you comment (pronoun 'us' not 'you') that you are an exPat? A runaway from this country? As long ago, maybe, as the late 60's - early 70's?
Yes the ballot box is important. But, our Founding Fathers thought that someday it might not be enough. So, they gave us an Obligation, in the Declaration of Independence. To REVOLT in just such a situation as we have now. Then the means in the Constitution, the 2nd Amendment. Not the first part, they never thought of a world where everyone needed either a gun or a guard. It's the second part. Where they gave us the RIGHT to form a non governmental militia to clean house. It doesn't need just cleaning but fumigating. If this new investigator doesn't do his job, if congress keeps on not only not doing it's job, but, working to actually destroy us, if *45 continues stripping this country of it's valuables so he can get richer, then WE THE PEOPLE, MUST ACT. Forming the Citizens' Army, to go arrest those in the regime, & in congress. We don't want to. But, '18 is too late, as by then who's to say there still will be elections. I guess you Moe, better stay in Canada. True Americans have proven time after time that they are brave enough to stand up for themselves.
Yes the ballot box is important. But, our Founding Fathers thought that someday it might not be enough. So, they gave us an Obligation, in the Declaration of Independence. To REVOLT in just such a situation as we have now. Then the means in the Constitution, the 2nd Amendment. Not the first part, they never thought of a world where everyone needed either a gun or a guard. It's the second part. Where they gave us the RIGHT to form a non governmental militia to clean house. It doesn't need just cleaning but fumigating. If this new investigator doesn't do his job, if congress keeps on not only not doing it's job, but, working to actually destroy us, if *45 continues stripping this country of it's valuables so he can get richer, then WE THE PEOPLE, MUST ACT. Forming the Citizens' Army, to go arrest those in the regime, & in congress. We don't want to. But, '18 is too late, as by then who's to say there still will be elections. I guess you Moe, better stay in Canada. True Americans have proven time after time that they are brave enough to stand up for themselves.
1
Wolfie,
I am not a expat I am a Quebecer whose father loved the American constitution more than the conservative Quebec society I grew up in. I lived in the USA with my American wife and talked much the way I talk now.
There was only one dictionary in the late 18th century. It was Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language. It was the dictionary the founders used to write the founding documents. Militia has only ONE meaning and arms has only ONE meaning.
Militias are government forces and arms are weapons of war. That is the truth any other interpretation is political or fanciful.
You can get yourself a copy of Johnson's dictionary or you can look it up on line. The second amendment as being interpreted by the NRA and GOP is a bald faced lie. It is so pernicious a lie that it may lead to the destruction of what was I believe the greatest country that ever was.
I am happy to be back in Canada as I don't know if I could live with the pain.
I am not a expat I am a Quebecer whose father loved the American constitution more than the conservative Quebec society I grew up in. I lived in the USA with my American wife and talked much the way I talk now.
There was only one dictionary in the late 18th century. It was Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language. It was the dictionary the founders used to write the founding documents. Militia has only ONE meaning and arms has only ONE meaning.
Militias are government forces and arms are weapons of war. That is the truth any other interpretation is political or fanciful.
You can get yourself a copy of Johnson's dictionary or you can look it up on line. The second amendment as being interpreted by the NRA and GOP is a bald faced lie. It is so pernicious a lie that it may lead to the destruction of what was I believe the greatest country that ever was.
I am happy to be back in Canada as I don't know if I could live with the pain.
1
Trump's future will be determined both politically and legally and he has clearly violated many bright lines in both domains.
But for a concerned citizen, his greatest offenses have been the way his actions and utterances have caused an escalating sense of global anxiety and sheer exhaustion from relentless and needless drama, all whipped up by the Drama Queen-in-chief.
But for a concerned citizen, his greatest offenses have been the way his actions and utterances have caused an escalating sense of global anxiety and sheer exhaustion from relentless and needless drama, all whipped up by the Drama Queen-in-chief.
3
Is the situation that dangerous? But with 38% strong supporter he may get involved in an unthinkable episode. Two groups we need to be afraid of: white nationalists with guns and the military with nuclear codes. Before that happens let us educate them why and how we could be more rationale to save the great nation. We are lucky we are not vulnerable to be attacked by Canada or Mexico. We will get into self destruction of hate being paranoid of fear, race, religion and ethnic diversity.
1
But Brad, there is widespread concern that this "elected leader" may have been elected through the interference in our electoral process by a hostile power. This is the concern. The American people are entitled to know the truth of the matter, and having an independent, highly respected person conducting and in-depth investigation is our best hope. And if this turns out to be true, it was only because of these journalists whom you deride, apparently because they're digging up unpleasant facts about the person so dubiously elected, whom it appears you support.
2
H.R. McMaster had great reputation serving the country. But last week he ruined his reputation. The way he defended his boss Trump giving one of the top secret to our number one enemy country Russia, he should be ashamed of himself. Other day General Mattis also misguided us about naval force going towards North Korea. Ryan is the worst speaker in our history with no record of accomplishment. He is greedy for power and money . He is a hyper partisan politician , always puts the interest himself and his party above the interest of his country. McConnell is no better than Ryan. We are passing through a very dangerous time for us and our nation.
4
Ryan's "this doesn't leave this room" response to McCarthy's remark is the tip-off that McCarthy wasn't joking - or at least that Ryan found the premise plausible enough to suspect he wasn't joking.
6
Given the contents of the tape recording of McCarthy and Ryan, it is definitely time to Repeal and Replace Paul Ryan.
10
Let's be clear here: Mueller was respected by both parties in Washington, until yesterday. Starting today the Republicans will do everything they can to demonize and undermine him.
7
It is a dangerous time for the world because America's Republican controlled government is lacking respect for the rule of law, is failing to be guided by cold hard facts and does not know how to discern justified belief from opinion.
6
It is hard to envision a trump any more crazy than he already is. This guy has been off the rails for years.
6
Back in January I predicted in a handful of comments to NY Times editorials that Mr. Trump would not last two years. I simply watched the man, noted his ticks, read his tweets and saw that he was going to come crashing into a new reality (Washington DC) where his previous 7 decades of life had not equipped him to fully deal with. In his past he was able to dance around conflict, use his money and shady tactics to find success (at least in his own mind). DC was the big leagues. He was a little league star.
My expected that he would come down with a medical ailment and resign. Within a month or two of sunny golfing, he would recover and go on to become one of the richest men in the world after having mined the treasure trove of insider information available to both him and his family while he was president. That was my prediction.
Now given his behavior in the 100 days since those initial thoughts, I now believe he will have to seriously negotiate a departure from the presidency. Pence will use his substantial connections to facilitate this but some deal will have to be made with the Democrats; after all they really smell blood about now. We are still months from this event but it is coming.
Next up the ultra rightist Mr. Pence, President Pence. A dangerous man in his own rights but at least the nuclear football will have been deflated a little. I guess we wait and see. The crystal ball seems a little cloudier this morning...
My expected that he would come down with a medical ailment and resign. Within a month or two of sunny golfing, he would recover and go on to become one of the richest men in the world after having mined the treasure trove of insider information available to both him and his family while he was president. That was my prediction.
Now given his behavior in the 100 days since those initial thoughts, I now believe he will have to seriously negotiate a departure from the presidency. Pence will use his substantial connections to facilitate this but some deal will have to be made with the Democrats; after all they really smell blood about now. We are still months from this event but it is coming.
Next up the ultra rightist Mr. Pence, President Pence. A dangerous man in his own rights but at least the nuclear football will have been deflated a little. I guess we wait and see. The crystal ball seems a little cloudier this morning...
4
Putin and his administration must be rolling on the ground at the mess that they have created for the US in retaliation to Clinton's sanction of Russia.
They had never in their wildest dreams could have done so much damage
without firing a single shot. At the very least, they must be very amused by this whole episode.
They had never in their wildest dreams could have done so much damage
without firing a single shot. At the very least, they must be very amused by this whole episode.
come on! the Republicans ARE funny. even their President is a joke.
5
As with Watergate, Russiagate is likely to be all about a blatant and persistent pattern of the "obstruction of justice." From ignoring repeated warnings about then National Security adviser, Michael Flynn, to engineering the Devin Nunes attempt to derail the House Intelligence Committee investigation, to pressuring former FBI Director, James Comey, first to swear his loyalty and then to end the Flynn investigation, there is a very strong case for the abuse of power to impede all attempts to investigate ties between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives. When you add the trail of fired professionals from Preet Bahrara, Sally Yates, and finally James Comey, himself, you have an even stronger reason to suspect obstruction. Now with the appointment of a special counsel we will finally get the answer to this question and perhaps even see some tax returns.
5
As a a slowly aging citizen of 61, I have a perspective that I obviously wouldn't have had even 20 years ago. Every generation has its times of crisis. My parent's generation faced the Great Depression and WW2 along with McCarthyism and the dawn of the nuclear age. Mine has had our share as well. Now those in their teens, 20's, 30's, 40's are facing one of their's (and it's definitely mine as well). My thoughts are to keep the pressure on, as Kristof suggests, and remain engaged and connected. Use social media to inform and connect both with your group and with your elected officials. We don't want a whitewash like we had with the Warren Commission and Iran-Contra and even the 911 Commission. We need the bottom line truth and those who are culpable to be prosecuted, convicted and sent to prison. We won't be satisfied with patsies or a Scooter Libby. Anything done in Trump's name by any of his associates was done with his approval. Connect the dots and if Pence, Ryan, et al are involved they need to he held accountable. (So) "that the nation, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." A. Lincoln ---Aloha
6
Or Libya? Or the gun running?
There has been a lot of talk about impeachment or removal under the 25th Amendment. I'll admit that this sounds a really satisfying revenge fantasy. But, if either of these are used, I fear the aftermath almost more than the current chaos. The biggest problem with a scenario where Trump is removed from office is the continued concentration of power in the hands of an untrustworthy GOP. I have no doubt that the removal of Trump would lead to the continuation of everything that a majority of this country finds abhorrent about him and the Republican agenda, including the on-going disassembly of our democratic institutions. The only solution to this is taking power away from them in the mid-term elections, and hopefully beyond. As Tom Friedman said yesterday, there is no other alternative - "it's either chicken or fish."
4
Yes, the Trump involvement with Russia will prove to be a gray area. Yes, Trump had many financial connections with Russians. Yes, they were quite likely part of money-laundering schemes. Yes, maybe Trump or some of his agents knew that, but proving they knew will be nearly impossible. And quite probably a few words were dropped for Russia to use their fake news promulgation skills to muddy the election. But there will be no paper trail.
So Trump will come out of this as mud-splattered but unindictable. He still will be non compos mentis, unable to focus, unable to organize, unable to plan, a tool of the Mercers, Koch bros and other radical billionaire ideologues intent upon disassembly of America.
So Trump will come out of this as mud-splattered but unindictable. He still will be non compos mentis, unable to focus, unable to organize, unable to plan, a tool of the Mercers, Koch bros and other radical billionaire ideologues intent upon disassembly of America.
4
"The rigorous coverage of Trump since he took office has made me proud to be a journalist." Let's not get ahead of ourselves. If it is the case, like many (including me) believe, that journalistic laxness was a significant factor in Trump's election, then the profession has a lot more work to do before it can start to look at itself in the mirror and feel good.
4
The journalistic community should have covered Trump and his constant lying and corruption much more thoroughly before the election.
3
I don't know to which media you refer, but obviously you were not reading The New York Times or the Washington Post. Both organs argued from the day the Fake President announced his candidacy that there would be grave consequences if he gained office.
1
This is an appalling thought to have, but it might be best in the long run if it was found to be true beyond a shadow of a doubt that our electoral process was infiltrated and polluted by Russian agencies, with the cooperation of the current occupant of the White House and his staff. Appalling, yes, but consider it from this perspective: this would be the worst attack ever perpetrated upon our republic in its entire history, worse even than Pearl Harbor or 9/11. Dreadful as those attacks were, with their instant loss of life, they struck at the surface of our republic. Corruption of our electoral process strikes at the roots, at our very heart. Considered from this perspective, perhaps the American people could rally together, realize our razor thin escape from destruction. Trump supporters could admit to themselves that they had been duped without guilt, because they had been deceived by experts. Maybe we could start to see each other as fellow Americans once again. It would be an excruciatingly painful process, but perhaps it's like at infection that can only be healed by cauterization. We need our faith and in both our government and each other renewed.
6
These are indeed dangerous times but the most dangerous times were immediately after the revolution and the real possibility of a return of British rule.
It might be of real value to contemplate what was done and the unintended consequence 226 years later. In 1791 the second amendment was ratified that allowed for the formation of American Armed Forces.
How apt that the deliberate misinterpretation of the very same amendment has allowed the same antidemocratic forces to threaten American democracy with the possibility of the bloodiest civil war the world has ever known.
The failure to heed the possibility of unintended consequences is the greatest danger the world faces. Donald Trump was elected for four years and for too many people this is an unmitigated disaster. My fear is the cure may be worse than the disease. Four years is not a long time and looking at why this happened and how to stop it happening again may be the best use of the next four years. In four years the USA will still be the richest most powerful nation on Earth, maybe not as rich and powerful as it is today but there will still be more than enough for everybody. Now is not the time for panic.
It might be of real value to contemplate what was done and the unintended consequence 226 years later. In 1791 the second amendment was ratified that allowed for the formation of American Armed Forces.
How apt that the deliberate misinterpretation of the very same amendment has allowed the same antidemocratic forces to threaten American democracy with the possibility of the bloodiest civil war the world has ever known.
The failure to heed the possibility of unintended consequences is the greatest danger the world faces. Donald Trump was elected for four years and for too many people this is an unmitigated disaster. My fear is the cure may be worse than the disease. Four years is not a long time and looking at why this happened and how to stop it happening again may be the best use of the next four years. In four years the USA will still be the richest most powerful nation on Earth, maybe not as rich and powerful as it is today but there will still be more than enough for everybody. Now is not the time for panic.
2
It's more feasible to reform the Electoral College so the result of its vote conforms with the national popular vote. That would be easily done, if a sufficient number of states that together hold 270 Electoral votes pass state laws requiring 100% of their Electoral votes to be cast for the winner of the popular vote. Much easier than amending the US Constitution.
2
On Inauguration Day, the betting odds were 50-50 that Trump would not last beyond July. But, as with Nixon, the unjust aspect of this is that if Trump falls then Pence will become president -- even though I believe it will likely be proved that collusion between Trump himself and the Russians was rampant. Anyone who thinks Russian interference did not influence the outcome of this election is hiding their head in the sand. The fake news stories about Clinton generated by the Kremlin were impactful, especially that fake documentary claiming to show how the Clinton family enriched themselves from the highly rated Clinton Foundation.
5
Beth!
If you don't think the Clinton's had a pay for play scheme going- - ask yourself this. How much is Bill getting now for his speeches? How's the Clinton foundation doing? How are those donations coming along.
If you don't think the Clinton's had a pay for play scheme going- - ask yourself this. How much is Bill getting now for his speeches? How's the Clinton foundation doing? How are those donations coming along.
2
As Obama said during the campaign, Trump is unqualified and uniquely unsuited to serve as President. Every day that goes by proves the truth of that assessment.
12
One thing we know Mueller will find: Trump was aware that Flynn was being paid by both Turkey and Russia, and was complicit in the hiring of Flynn, putting our security in the hands of a foreign agent.
6
With all this back and forth chatter for so many weeks now everyone involved now has opportunity to clean up their act, shred documents, etc. Nothing to see here folks!
2
"This is how we know we're a real family here" -- Sounds like a line from The Godfather.
11
I wish they could see themselves as public servants instead. Wouldn't that be wonderful for the average citizen of this country?
5
When something damning that a Republican said comes out, the Republicans give the excuse that it was a joke. They are not funny. No one is laughing.
10
"...but I hope the grown-ups — H. R. McMaster, Jim Mattis, Dina Powell, John Kelly, Rex Tillerson — grit their teeth and stick it out."
Oh please, enough about the grown-ups. Mattis hasn't disgraced himself yet--unless you count standing by while trump signed the Muslim ban--but the others are thoroughly incompetent, even if they are "grown up".
Oh please, enough about the grown-ups. Mattis hasn't disgraced himself yet--unless you count standing by while trump signed the Muslim ban--but the others are thoroughly incompetent, even if they are "grown up".
1
@Alice Wren: Hunch that you might fairly be criticized as part of the liberal , mainly white constituency who have not recovered from the defeat of HRC on 8 November, and who can't abide by the reality of someone like The Donald who is results oriented, who is finally using his God given "bon sens du cheval" to put the country back on the right track, after 8 years under Obama who thought he was too good for the rest of us, who condescended to all those 62 million electors who put Trump in office. You characterize Trump presidency as a "mess?" Why is it a mess? As "insanity," why is it insanity? Fear you are watching too much television, which majority of Americans gets its news from,and could use "lecons particulieres" in logical analysis, and on being fair minded and specific in your criticism. Unfortunately, EB does not hold its commenters to a high standard. Best advice does however,come from one EB member who advises commenters to be informative and avoid name calling. When you print comments calling TRUMP supporters as "imbeciles, ignoramuses, lowest of the low," that is not what I would call respect for high standards of journalism for which Times newspaper was once known .
2
"This is how we know we are a real family here" says Paul Ryan in response to McCarthy saying Russia pays Trump. And "swearing those present to secrecy". Whaaaat?
Which family- the Corleone Family? The Manson Family? the Duggar Family?
If you did not know what Ryan was made of before this you do now. Wow.
Which family- the Corleone Family? The Manson Family? the Duggar Family?
If you did not know what Ryan was made of before this you do now. Wow.
5
# 45 will fight like a rabid injured animal, and will take anyone down with him.
Someone must indeed pull a Schlesinger and take the nuclear football away from him.
This mentally disturbed man-child in the White House will do everything to deflect from his self destructive behaviour and that of democracy as we know it.
Someone must indeed pull a Schlesinger and take the nuclear football away from him.
This mentally disturbed man-child in the White House will do everything to deflect from his self destructive behaviour and that of democracy as we know it.
It's clear that we're being ruled by a Republican Mafia of "made men" and they've taken to "the mattresses."
The Republicans threw this blithering old fool in our laps so that they could reap the spoils of our nation.
5
The McCarthy, Ryan "tapes" don't surprise me one bit. They BELIEVED Trump was crooked and yet allowed him to grasp the party's nomination- they are more callow and cowardly than I ever imagined. The GOP is essentially the freaking mafia these days, if this is how they talked about Trump I shudder to hear the recordings about whatever they said about Barack Obama for 8 years.
3
There's not one redeeming quality to this narcissistic ninny. He should have never been there in the first place. But barring that he must depart.
1
Kristof. You are such a fear monger! haha. I'm chuckling as I read your column. No, I chortled, it is so funny. Haha. Quick, get yourself a bunker! stock up on water and staples. And
"If Trump thought he was removing a thorn by firing Comey, he now faces a grove of thistles." You really think Trump doesn't know what he is doing? You don't come across as intelligent when you make such a statement.
"If Trump thought he was removing a thorn by firing Comey, he now faces a grove of thistles." You really think Trump doesn't know what he is doing? You don't come across as intelligent when you make such a statement.
1
I'm worried as I have not been since the Cuban missile crisis. I well remember walking home, after having had duck and cover training at school, and then the terror of hearing the air raid sirens wail the rapid rise and fall of the "take cover attack imminent" signal as flights of jets roared overhead, wondering if it was the END.
Now we have a mentally unstable man in control of our nuclear arsenal.
The world is profoundly unstable with the Russians poised to invade the Baltic States. On the other side of the world a fanatical dictator dedicated to conquering the South to reunite his country is believably threatening nuclear holocaust in Korea. China visibly wringing hands, must contemplate the presence on their border of an uncontrollable semi-ally with rapidly growing power, able to devastate them now and destroy them in a few years, if they try to replace him.
The Middle East is unstable with Syria engulfed in war. Muslim fanatics multiply hydra headed; their war bands metastasize and spread. Even as they are attacked in one place they grow in several others.They edge ever closer to learning how to make weapons of mass destruction that they certainly will use when they obtain them.
We need wise leadership. We don't have it.
Now we have a mentally unstable man in control of our nuclear arsenal.
The world is profoundly unstable with the Russians poised to invade the Baltic States. On the other side of the world a fanatical dictator dedicated to conquering the South to reunite his country is believably threatening nuclear holocaust in Korea. China visibly wringing hands, must contemplate the presence on their border of an uncontrollable semi-ally with rapidly growing power, able to devastate them now and destroy them in a few years, if they try to replace him.
The Middle East is unstable with Syria engulfed in war. Muslim fanatics multiply hydra headed; their war bands metastasize and spread. Even as they are attacked in one place they grow in several others.They edge ever closer to learning how to make weapons of mass destruction that they certainly will use when they obtain them.
We need wise leadership. We don't have it.
We will keep up the grassroots pressure on all of our elected officials, and make every effort to block the destructive legislation that Republicans will try to enact. trump, the groper-in-chief, is only PART of the problem in Washington. Keep demonstrating, keep calling, keep speaking out! RESIST the plutocratic Republican party, not just idiot trump.
3
Trump is a menace to the country and the world. He doesn't know what he's doing, cares even less, and now probably feels threatened from all sides. He's in way over his head, despite the help of Jared and Ivanka, but is unlikely to do the honorable thing and resign. Hitler stayed until the bitter end, allowing his country to be destroyed before committing suicide with a few of his inner circle. Trump's mental illness is probably comparable.
The investigations should go on, but Trump should be removed as soon as possible. The 25th amendment provides a mechanism for this and the process could be completed in a manner of days. Otherwise we have to trust his judgment, cross our fingers, and pray those around him will prevent the worst.
I'd rather not hold my breath and trust that congressional Republicans won't miscalculate as they cut taxes and deregulate until the last minute.
The investigations should go on, but Trump should be removed as soon as possible. The 25th amendment provides a mechanism for this and the process could be completed in a manner of days. Otherwise we have to trust his judgment, cross our fingers, and pray those around him will prevent the worst.
I'd rather not hold my breath and trust that congressional Republicans won't miscalculate as they cut taxes and deregulate until the last minute.
3
As far as obstruction of justice ... if that charge is ever brought against the President ... Comey himself would be charged for failing to report the tampering of justice by an elected official... and with the left's Russian tantrum ... expect
Putin to be in Washington at some point for several days during this water churning witch hunt..
Putin to be in Washington at some point for several days during this water churning witch hunt..
The best way to get Trump out of office is to organize boycotts of all Trump properties and products. When he sees that his business "empire" is suffering due to his role as president, he will certainly resign. E.g. don't golf at any Trump property.
If, as I suspect, the root of his tie to Russia is bankruptcy-level debt, he'll resign before the investigators get too close in the hopes of avoiding losing everything.
Trump's will do whatever it takes to protect his fragile ego and his (appearance of having a lot of ) money. Want him out of the Oval Office? Threaten those things. It could save us all.
If, as I suspect, the root of his tie to Russia is bankruptcy-level debt, he'll resign before the investigators get too close in the hopes of avoiding losing everything.
Trump's will do whatever it takes to protect his fragile ego and his (appearance of having a lot of ) money. Want him out of the Oval Office? Threaten those things. It could save us all.
3
So, all the rich libs who publically spurn wealth?
The reactions of Ryan and McCarthy when challenged on their denial about McCarthy remarks certainly reinforces the idea of a secret government that exists within the GOP, which lies and breaks the law with impunity. Is every member of the GOP an accessory to this treason? It's sure looking like it.
4
McMasters is supposedly one of the adults. But his disgraceful non-denial denial of Trump's disclosure to the Russians of highly classified information ("I was there. It didn't happen.") hardly supports that he is and not just another Trump enabler. It took only one day for Trump to throw McMasters under the bus.
Re Paul Ryan laughing about the Russians paying for Trump: Can you imagine what would happen if there was a tape of Nancy Pelosi laughing about something like that?
Are we just out of outrage, that this tape is mentioned in passing? It's OK to joke about our democracy being sold down the river to Putin? Ha ha, so hilarious now?
Are we just out of outrage, that this tape is mentioned in passing? It's OK to joke about our democracy being sold down the river to Putin? Ha ha, so hilarious now?
105
No, I cannot imagine Nancy Pelosi laughing about such a travesty.
We are too busy laughing at her and this is a great example of why:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L5_4OIj-sCE
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L5_4OIj-sCE
The sky is falling, except it's not. Hoping Mueller wraps this up pronto. Follow the evidence. Not the columnists.
1
One doomsday scenario not outlined by Kristof is what happens if Trump is impeached, or worse, removed from office by his cabinet. This event would not go down well with many Americans. Those who voted for him, and are still in his ranks of supporters, will be very angry. Violence in the streets is to be expected. This is not to say that investigations must go forward. We must learn the truth about what has happened and is happening, right now. But, as much as I dislike Trump, clear evidence of wrongdoing must be found. Tweeting and acting like a jerk are not impeachable offenses. Lying and deceit are, but they are often open to interpretation.
It was only a matter of time until Trump provoked Republicans into doing what they should have done much earlier, appoint a special counsel to investigate his connection, if any, to Russia. Trump's fawning embrace of Russia has been a worry for a long time. Now we have evidence that he knew that Flynn was under investigation when Trump appointed him as National Security Advisor. Could there have been a more foolish decision?
If anyone has any doubt that Trump is unstable and unfit for office, I pray this will convince them, especially as the special counsel examines the evidence. When it walks and talks like a duck...
If anyone has any doubt that Trump is unstable and unfit for office, I pray this will convince them, especially as the special counsel examines the evidence. When it walks and talks like a duck...
1
How Nick can refer to anyone in Benedict's cabal as a grownup is shocking, if you judge adulthood by behavior. Nick's praise for the media is well placed. Representative McCarthy is correct and is easily understood if one appreciates Benedict's inept business practices that resulted in his inability to secure funds from legitimate sources, and turned him to Russian lucre. More than public pressure caused the response to Benedict. Their own corrupt/ criminal behavior, being so blatant, could not be ignored.
"Nixon’s defense secretary, James Schlesinger, secretly instructed the military not to carry out any White House order to use nuclear weapons unless confirmed by him or Henry Kissinger. ... Schlesinger also prepared secret plans to deploy troops in Washington in the event of problems with the presidential succession."
I sure hope Schlesinger left his playbook where an experienced, responsible adult can find it. Trump's behavior is far less stable than Nixon's, and he doesn't drink at all.
I sure hope Schlesinger left his playbook where an experienced, responsible adult can find it. Trump's behavior is far less stable than Nixon's, and he doesn't drink at all.
2
My only concern is that Muehler will only report that in his view crimes have or have not been committed. It might still remain an open question what actually happened with respect to the Russian interference. Lacking an independent commission, and the House committee being in a shambles, I hope that the Senate Committee on Intelligence persists in getting to the bottom of what are the facts.
1
As Mr. Kristof points out the results of Mueller's investigation may be gray. This is why my hope is that it is wide-ranging. We hear about incidents daily indicating that Trump and his inner circle have treasonous and illegal relationships that go far beyond Putin, or Russia, or the election. The Republicans in power have shown a cynical tendency to demand more facts as they continue to collude with the administration to remove our liberties to vote, to receive quality healthcare and education, and to protect our natural heritage. They must not be allowed to issue Trump a pass based on a too-narrow investigation with a small bit of uncertainty associated with the findings. Even if the results are a bit gray, they are likely to be pervasive, and should be cause for action.
2
Cell phone numbers and secret plans. Wow. Getting a bit ahead of ourselves in this piece. So far there's smoke. No fire.
Whom the Gods will destroy, they first make Trump.
This morning, Trump became King Lear, raging across the White House rugs against a Special Counsel whom most Republicans, including the leadership, admire. The task now, which falls to conservatives (Rupert, are you listening?) is to persuade Trump's hard core supporters that a Special Counsel, especially one so fair minded as Mueller, is the honest way to preserve the honor and sanity of the United States.
Incidentally, the Times has reported that Jared Kushner counseled Trump to resist (meaning, go berserk and fire the Deputy AG and Mueller?). How does that comport with the carefully cultivated image of an adult in the room?
The notion that Jared Kushner is the adult
This morning, Trump became King Lear, raging across the White House rugs against a Special Counsel whom most Republicans, including the leadership, admire. The task now, which falls to conservatives (Rupert, are you listening?) is to persuade Trump's hard core supporters that a Special Counsel, especially one so fair minded as Mueller, is the honest way to preserve the honor and sanity of the United States.
Incidentally, the Times has reported that Jared Kushner counseled Trump to resist (meaning, go berserk and fire the Deputy AG and Mueller?). How does that comport with the carefully cultivated image of an adult in the room?
The notion that Jared Kushner is the adult
1
Mr. Kristof, I am afraid if you are looking to the cabinet to rescue the country you will be disappointed. I have never seen such an ill prepared and ill experienced group to support the executive branch.
And the leaders in congress are not much better. Ryan, McConnell and the so called freedom caucus are more interested in tax cuts and privatizing they will keep their heads in the sand until the dirt around them blows away their blindness.
The gop - ideology before country.
And the leaders in congress are not much better. Ryan, McConnell and the so called freedom caucus are more interested in tax cuts and privatizing they will keep their heads in the sand until the dirt around them blows away their blindness.
The gop - ideology before country.
6
As a Bernie Sanders supporter, having stayed loyal throughout the campaign, I blame Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Debbie Schwartzman, and all the Democratic loyalists, for pushing a fatally flawed candidate, Hillary Clinton, and for engaging in criminal actions to destroy any possibility of a Sanders Presidency.
It's as simple as that; Trump was elected because the Democratic Party, paved the pathway, set the stage, and who knows, perhaps the game is much bigger than party loyalty, what if elites, both sides, are working together to help birth this authoritarianism that is being foisted on us; Russian collusion indeed !! More likely it's corporate collusion on an international scale, making the final grab for worldwide control of the wealth of the planet.
We, the very stupid people, are willfully blind as well.
It's as simple as that; Trump was elected because the Democratic Party, paved the pathway, set the stage, and who knows, perhaps the game is much bigger than party loyalty, what if elites, both sides, are working together to help birth this authoritarianism that is being foisted on us; Russian collusion indeed !! More likely it's corporate collusion on an international scale, making the final grab for worldwide control of the wealth of the planet.
We, the very stupid people, are willfully blind as well.
2
Your response illustrates the truth of the last sentence in your statement
3
A very intellectually honest piece . I am very worried the unstable child in a tantrum will not be checkmated and the World will end. Worst case, but it could happen given the Child's prattles and need to always be on top.
As for his changing, quite the contrary. He will be 71 years old in June, too old for anything except constant supervision. But, what reasoned person is there; who will take his nuclear key away?
As for his changing, quite the contrary. He will be 71 years old in June, too old for anything except constant supervision. But, what reasoned person is there; who will take his nuclear key away?
"the rigorous coverage of Trump since he took office has made me proud to be a journalist"
Too bad this type of coverage did not happen a year ago! Where was the press then?
Too bad this type of coverage did not happen a year ago! Where was the press then?
Much talk this week about what act or succession of acts might constitute an justification to impeach. How about unfit for office due to severe personality disorders as categorically outlined by David brooks a couple days ago?
2
“No leaks,” Ryan said. “This is how we know we’re a real family here.” -- That's Mafia talk, not the kind of thing a public servant should say. The GOP really only cares about money, power and party.
10
Safe to say a president can't really run the USA like it was a privately held company, hiring & firing at will, behaving like Boss Hogg as if law, protocol, & propriety don't matter...
2
The only way that Trump can avert public attention about the Russian Connection, & the Comey obstruction of Justice is a good old war, it has helped our economy, why not a besieged President. There is a perfect enemy in waiting in North Korea.There would be great risk in attacking the fat crazy kid, for one thing it would put our 30,000 troops in mortal danger, & the population of South Korea could experience devastation comparable to Hiroshima.But it would be worth it to get Trump, Russian Gate, off the front pages.After that, we could send our armies into Syria to defeat ISIS & into Afghanistan to defeat the Talaban, however, trump must be careful not to get into a fight with the Russians in Syria. This could take 4 years to complete, & enable Trump to consider himself a War Hero, as he retires from Politics.
2
The appointment of Mueller takes the monkey off the backs of the Republican-controlled House and Senate. That's good for them and the country, because they lack the spine to put their country ahead of their political party.
1
Originally, the electors were supposed to act as a a buffer to prevent popularly elected demagogues from taking office not a rubber stamp for States rights. Get rid of the electoral college!
4
"No leaks...we know we're a real family here" Republican family values.
1
Your readership is an infintisimal portion of the nation's population; yet you and they believe yours is the only way the republic can survive.
I'm old enough to remember JFK, Dr. Feelgood, the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis. Trump is not nearly so unhinged as a doped-up Kennedy was. We shall survive.
I'm old enough to remember JFK, Dr. Feelgood, the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis. Trump is not nearly so unhinged as a doped-up Kennedy was. We shall survive.
Well, Sue, "infinitesimal" is a very small number, indeed. I, too, remember Kennedy and even "doped up," (which, to clarify for others, was because he suffered severe pain from back problems,) he was infinitely more qualified to lead and represent this country than what we've got now.
Yes, we will survive because we have three branches of government, one of which is an independent judiciary. The judiciary will allow us to stay the course. They've read the Constitution. It's not a mystery to them. Trump's main problem is that he thought being a dictator was how it worked here. That what he says is all that matters. Not so. If he knew that, I doubt he would have bothered.
Yes, we will survive because we have three branches of government, one of which is an independent judiciary. The judiciary will allow us to stay the course. They've read the Constitution. It's not a mystery to them. Trump's main problem is that he thought being a dictator was how it worked here. That what he says is all that matters. Not so. If he knew that, I doubt he would have bothered.
3
Dear Sue. I too am old enough to remember JFK. Under his leadership, and due to his adept handling of the Cuban missile crisis, the US averted WWIII. The person in the White House today is more likely to lead us into such a confrontation than to avoid one.
2
There is an error in Mr. Kristof's column. When he writes: "...it truly does matter that a majority of Americans want this cloud over our presidency investigated and removed..." It should read "...it truly does matter that a majority of Americans want this President removed.”
Then there's the problem of the order of succession.
Then there's the problem of the order of succession.
2
As any good Godfather would do Trump has probably covered his tracks concerning his dealings with Russia during the campaign and set up his underlings to take the fall. it is how he ran his businesses and now tries to run the government. Perhaps I am giving Trump the man child too much credit, but on a certain level he has cunning and an instinct for the jugular.
Or perhaps Trump will have one too many scoops of ice cream and over done steak and turn the presidency over to Mike Pence, a relief for Republicans, but an equal danger to the country.
Or perhaps Trump will have one too many scoops of ice cream and over done steak and turn the presidency over to Mike Pence, a relief for Republicans, but an equal danger to the country.
The revelation of the Ryan tape is astounding. If it's true that the statement that Trump was/is on Putin's payroll was not made in jest, that explains a whole heck of a lot about why Paul Ryan and other Republicans have defended Trump to this point. Incredible.
80
It is shameful how Paul Ryan intentionally lies when he thinks there is no concrete evidence to contradict his lies. Let's hope that Ryan's district in Wisconsin will find a credible and significant Democratic opponent to run against him in 2018!
3
Mr. Kristof writes: "the rigorous coverage of Trump since he took office has made me proud to be a journalist." This is the kind of partisan self-congratulatory self-righteousness that turns off so many of your readers. The media's job is to report news, not lead a partisan crusade to get an elected leader removed from office. And it is hard to imagine members of other professions spending as much tine patting themselves and their colleagues on the back.
9
You mean like Trump himself is always doing, every time he opens his mouth?
3
If documentation of Trump's ever more pronounced ineptitude for the position he holds does not qualify as "news", then I don't know what does.
This is exactly what the press is supposed to do. I wish they would have done a better job of it last summer. The feelings of Trump and his supporters cannot be spared in exchange for uninformed citizens. Tune in to FOX, Breitbart or InfoWars if sycophantic reporting feels more comfortable.
I would also be careful labeling anyone as "self-righteous" when the man in the Oval office is the embodiment of the term.
This is exactly what the press is supposed to do. I wish they would have done a better job of it last summer. The feelings of Trump and his supporters cannot be spared in exchange for uninformed citizens. Tune in to FOX, Breitbart or InfoWars if sycophantic reporting feels more comfortable.
I would also be careful labeling anyone as "self-righteous" when the man in the Oval office is the embodiment of the term.
2
Harumpf! The nerve! Better the press should just reproduce a Trump lie and someone else's true statement as if these are of equal value? Thanks to the GOP and their leader, we are beyond that.
How, Mr. Kristof, can Sessions continue functioning as the day-to-day, decision-making Attorney General, excluding authority over the Russian Affair? Reuters reported today that there were at least 18 contacts between the Trump campaign and the Russians in the last seven months of the presidential race. We do know how Sessions was not truthful regarding any contacts he may have had as a campaign insider with the Russians during his Senate confirmation hearing. Reuters also reported that Michael Flynn and Russian Ambassador Kislyak, in those contacts, discussed establishing a surreptitious "back channel" for communicating that would bypass our national security agencies' awareness.
Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein, et al, must immediately request that Sessions suspend himself from any and all Justice Department activities pending the conclusion of the Mueller-led investigation. At a minimum, the appearances here are just awful, and will undermine the crucial perception of integrity and independence in the Justice Department.
Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein, et al, must immediately request that Sessions suspend himself from any and all Justice Department activities pending the conclusion of the Mueller-led investigation. At a minimum, the appearances here are just awful, and will undermine the crucial perception of integrity and independence in the Justice Department.
The pressure from the public very soon must include the 30% or 35% of the country being called Trump's "base." There is no other way to look at the past few day's events to investigate this White House as good for our nation.
Family is code for accepting any behavior, putting up barricades.
Family stands for unconditional love and acceptance.
Congress is not elected to be a dysfunctional family.
Family stands for unconditional love and acceptance.
Congress is not elected to be a dysfunctional family.
6
Thank you for this, Mr. K.; it is bleak, but right on. I really do have fear for us all, especially now that all the ‘good ole boys’ are coming out from under their rocks and vocalizing their own personal, weak, petty, covert concerns as “jokes.” It’s typical of their innate very expert use of 'alternate’ sides of the mouth, and always has been. Evil of an extreme magnitude exists behind those million dollar campaign smiles, and when they are in consort, as in our congress, the pit of vipers hiss in dulcet tones their baseness.
1
With the abundance of evidence thus far and the results of Mueller investigation forthcoming, the 2016 election should be NULLIFIED. A new election should occur with a smooth transition of power of which we have proven we are capable.
I predict our Constitution will be more appreciated than ever, our Congress will be more respectful than ever and our wonderful country will be stronger than ever!
I predict our Constitution will be more appreciated than ever, our Congress will be more respectful than ever and our wonderful country will be stronger than ever!
3
You bring up some interesting points. There are two that interest me. First, I assume Mueller's investigation will bring nothing forward out of that grey area you posit. However, I do not see that a quid pro quo is necessary. What would be necessary? Appearance! You can thank the Russians for this. They now appear to the American people as, what Bush would have call, the "evil doers". They lurk in the dark, at the edges of our politic looking like some sort of virus, trying to get into the out layers of our American cell. While dramatic, I think most Americans at this stage, would agree. Second, one of the reasons I do not worry about the nuclear football is that I am sure, that this nut is not going to get access to the nuclear trigger without the approval of some extremely high military or political official. I am fairly sure this was arranged for very early in his tenure when he showed the first signs of instability.
1
Job One for Mueller: subpoena Trump's tax returns.
7
This is the vital first step.
Yes, these are dangerous times. If you do not realize that the current administration is not going to improve and run our country with dedication to us and respect for our Constitution and institutions you are either hypnotized, simple minded or a connected billionaire or politician who will be benefited by these corrupt kleptocrats. We have experienced shock and awe weekly and daily with the actions of 45 and his cronies. They are here to take more and more from us. This is not a movie but it sure feels like one. We really are in danger of losing our freedom. This administration is tearing down our school systems, health care systems, environment, actively limiting access to voting, food and drug safety monitoring is being diminished. They do not have plans to replace these with new improved systems. They want them to fail. The promise of jobs is a lie. They want the poor and middle class to become weaker so that the wealthiest become wealthier and maintain the power in this country. The shock and awe will not diminish. I believe that we have many patriots who love this country and our Constitution. They will see us through this but it will take a long time to succeed and repair all the damage that is being done by those who are currrently in the highest offices in our land. Be prepared for more craziness, but it will repair with time and a commitment to support democracy and our Constitution.
2
An excellent summation. Should be put in front of those in the country's middle still stubbornly supporting DJT/
Many who voted for Trump bought into the argument that running government is like running a business. Consequently, we needed a businessman for a president. Why so many voters embraced this argument, in light of so much evidence of ineptitude, graft, malfeasance and corruption is puzzling to say the least.
Here is a brief list of businesses that fall into such a category. Volkswagon, Country Wide, Wells Fargo, Fox News Media, Bank of America, BP, and some of Trump's own businesses, like the Taj Mahal.
This is not to say that business persons are unable, ill suited, or lack the skills to be a successful president. Rather, it's to say that it's no guarantee. A better indicator of the likelihood of success is a one's character and the manner in which they conduct themselves in private and public. On these measures there is, and was, ample evidence that the man who sits in the White House is unworthy of that privilege.
Here is a brief list of businesses that fall into such a category. Volkswagon, Country Wide, Wells Fargo, Fox News Media, Bank of America, BP, and some of Trump's own businesses, like the Taj Mahal.
This is not to say that business persons are unable, ill suited, or lack the skills to be a successful president. Rather, it's to say that it's no guarantee. A better indicator of the likelihood of success is a one's character and the manner in which they conduct themselves in private and public. On these measures there is, and was, ample evidence that the man who sits in the White House is unworthy of that privilege.
6
May 18, 2017
I am not sure about entropy when in fact all Mr. Trump has given his professional demeanor is Chaos. However it is a credit to all Americans to hear the guy out and learn from what he as American can contribute to the great good domestically and internationally - and yes any true melt down on his capacity will be met with - what we are experience - more of the same vigilance to monitor and engage in the best options for our pursuit of happiness and most essential his duty to respect the mature conversations that make the working of Democracy for its transparent liberty - even when in the nature of highly problematic engagements we accept arcane linguistics that defines the strengths for institutional moderation understandably and truthfully.
jja Manhattan, N. Y.
I am not sure about entropy when in fact all Mr. Trump has given his professional demeanor is Chaos. However it is a credit to all Americans to hear the guy out and learn from what he as American can contribute to the great good domestically and internationally - and yes any true melt down on his capacity will be met with - what we are experience - more of the same vigilance to monitor and engage in the best options for our pursuit of happiness and most essential his duty to respect the mature conversations that make the working of Democracy for its transparent liberty - even when in the nature of highly problematic engagements we accept arcane linguistics that defines the strengths for institutional moderation understandably and truthfully.
jja Manhattan, N. Y.
1
Excellent piece. The less we hear from Mattis, the better. He needs to quietly do what Schlesinger did, without attracting attention from the Big Man, who can merrily assume he has Mad Dog's unending loyalty and favor. Then when the excrement looks like it's approaching the fan, Mattis can implement his fail safe procedures until Pres. Pence is sworn in. Not a great scenario, but one that can get the US thru a coming rough patch, that need not get worse.
Don't put much on Tillerson, though his long-term interests are in the stability of oil and gas markets, with Russia, and nuking anything anywhere (including a demonstration attack against N. Korea) badly damages that strategic goal.
Don't put much on Tillerson, though his long-term interests are in the stability of oil and gas markets, with Russia, and nuking anything anywhere (including a demonstration attack against N. Korea) badly damages that strategic goal.
1
I equate what is going on in Washington as a direct parallel to what went on in New Jersey and predict a similar outcome.
All ( what is the number now ~ 8, 9,10 ? ) of the investigations will most likely come up with the same outcome that befell Chris Christie.
All of the circumstantial evidence will become overwhelming that poll numbers will hover in the 70¨s and 80's of a belief of guilt of the principal. However, all of it will be walled off by the colluders all around that principal. There might or might not be deals of immunity granted, and there might and might not be offenders going to jail.
The only question is whether republicans will go after the President for clear violations of the emoluments clause ...
... before they get their judges, tax cuts and the like.
All ( what is the number now ~ 8, 9,10 ? ) of the investigations will most likely come up with the same outcome that befell Chris Christie.
All of the circumstantial evidence will become overwhelming that poll numbers will hover in the 70¨s and 80's of a belief of guilt of the principal. However, all of it will be walled off by the colluders all around that principal. There might or might not be deals of immunity granted, and there might and might not be offenders going to jail.
The only question is whether republicans will go after the President for clear violations of the emoluments clause ...
... before they get their judges, tax cuts and the like.
3
Trump is not the problem, he is a symptom of the problem, the problem is the Republican controlled Congress. It has been the problem for the last 6 years and it will continue to be the problem as long as they have the power of legislation. Trump would not be President without them, for many reasons, primarily, extraordinary incompetence. Somehow, they have been able to cripple government and blame the government they control for their sabotage and lack of care, quite a magic trick, and Trump is the rabbit they pulled out of the hat.
7
Yes government doesn't work when they're in charge, and then they can complain that government doesn't work. That allows them to gut the government and prove to everyone how government doesn't work.
2
Even if the investigation does not find a direct evidence of a quid pro quo between Trump and Moscow, the connection between his aides and Russia will show that his aides manipulated the campaign on his behalf. That alone, will put into question, and vitiate, his election, not to mention that Trump himself will be unmasked as a weak puppet of his gang, and his ‘negotiation skills’ are nothing but a chimera of an alternative world.
Should, most likely, the saga end in impeachment or early resignation, it will be the greatest defeat in a long string of business failures already exposed by the author of ‘his’ book on deals. Sad ending for an incompetent and loud-mouth bully who voiced successes where there were only screwups. The country will recover from this nightmare, as we recovered from Watergate. I hope those who voted for this snake oil vendor think twice before going to the booth.
Should, most likely, the saga end in impeachment or early resignation, it will be the greatest defeat in a long string of business failures already exposed by the author of ‘his’ book on deals. Sad ending for an incompetent and loud-mouth bully who voiced successes where there were only screwups. The country will recover from this nightmare, as we recovered from Watergate. I hope those who voted for this snake oil vendor think twice before going to the booth.
4
Trump is cunning in his use of some diversion to attempt to focus the heat elsewhere. It often involves President Obama. This time I am afraid that the diversion will involve some sort of disastrous military action.
4
Mr. Kristof, it is the manner in which our POTUS is behaving, makes us worried.
The continued use of his twitter is getting out of control. Because, when he tweets, there is no one by his side, to stop him. And, more dangerous in not knowing what he is tweeting.
There should be a way to keep the nuclear codes away from the President's reach.
It is the choice of words in the twitter messages that gets everyone concerned. They are reckless, with no regard for consequences. And, when we see this coming from, other than our POTUS is very disappointing.
Mr. Trump is not happy and in disagreement to the recent appointment of a Special Counsel. And, he expresses this using his own media of communication, the Twitter.
If Mr. Trump's conscience is clear, why is he getting all upset. Hoping that he nor his campaign team members have no involvement with the Russians, then, he should, as our POTUS, support and encourage the ongoing investigation. This is the ideal situation.
Mr. Trump continues to disrespect the intelligence community. Constantly attacking the Press, and criticizing the Judges. He would wish these institutions do not exist. The problem is that Mr. Trump does not like to be opposed or criticized.
Mr. Trump sees support from Congress. However, this is very likely to change. Because, members in both Houses are beginning to disagree with the President's approach to things.
We welcome the appointment of the Special Counsel, we have all to wait and see, what is next.
The continued use of his twitter is getting out of control. Because, when he tweets, there is no one by his side, to stop him. And, more dangerous in not knowing what he is tweeting.
There should be a way to keep the nuclear codes away from the President's reach.
It is the choice of words in the twitter messages that gets everyone concerned. They are reckless, with no regard for consequences. And, when we see this coming from, other than our POTUS is very disappointing.
Mr. Trump is not happy and in disagreement to the recent appointment of a Special Counsel. And, he expresses this using his own media of communication, the Twitter.
If Mr. Trump's conscience is clear, why is he getting all upset. Hoping that he nor his campaign team members have no involvement with the Russians, then, he should, as our POTUS, support and encourage the ongoing investigation. This is the ideal situation.
Mr. Trump continues to disrespect the intelligence community. Constantly attacking the Press, and criticizing the Judges. He would wish these institutions do not exist. The problem is that Mr. Trump does not like to be opposed or criticized.
Mr. Trump sees support from Congress. However, this is very likely to change. Because, members in both Houses are beginning to disagree with the President's approach to things.
We welcome the appointment of the Special Counsel, we have all to wait and see, what is next.
5
While boning up on Watergate on Wikipedia, I read something depressing: From the day of the Watergate break-in to the day Nixon actually resigned was two years and two months – June 1972 to August 1974.
Impeachment-worthy proof of a Russia connection to Trump himself may not come for years, if ever, as Mr. Kristof said. Can Mueller put his initial focus on the obstruction-of-justice charge, which is also impeachable, and which should be fairly quick to investigate and come to conclusion on?
Impeachment-worthy proof of a Russia connection to Trump himself may not come for years, if ever, as Mr. Kristof said. Can Mueller put his initial focus on the obstruction-of-justice charge, which is also impeachable, and which should be fairly quick to investigate and come to conclusion on?
2
Even more depressing when you take into account that Congressional behavior was often bi-partisan during that time.
2
A key question to be addressed by the Special Counsel is whether Trump and his gang have obstructed justice, a criminal offense. So while the question of collusion may 'end up more gray', as Mr. Kristof suggests, the evidence for obstruction may be quite compelling. Obstruction changes are what brought Nixon and Clinton down, so one can only hope that the 'high crime' of obstruction justice will lead to Trump being kicked out of a place he is not competent to be in.
6
Obstruction by Clinton? For not admitting to a sexual relationship with a young intern? Isn't that what any gentleman would do in that circumstance? What brought down Clinton was the hatred of the Republican Party of any Democrat who dare to be president of the United States.
2
Seriously hope that you are not putting Clinton's lies about an extra-marital affair in the same basket with the high crimes of Nixon and the malfeasance and pure nuttiness of trump. We the People enjoyed great times with Bill, and were it not for the limit of two terms, he would have won a third in a heart beat. Oh if only...
2
McMaster, Tillerson and Sessions are in no way the adults in the room. Especially after McMaster's dismal attempt at explaining how the intel was provided to the Russians in the Oval Office where they didn't belong to begin with. He's a disgrace to the uniform he once wore. Tillerson is a wet noodle who always seems to be like a deer in the headlights. Sessions lied to congress and is a racist.
You consider these guys to be adults? They're Trump stooges.
You consider these guys to be adults? They're Trump stooges.
17
So far the boy king has not ordered too many thousands of foreigners killed, so I hope he's happy just profitably destroying Americans' lives and the world's environment. Anyone who gives him classified information should be fired on the spot. Keep him happy for his 8-year term.
2
Making America Exhausted Again.
15
Ryan saying. “This is how we know we’re a real family here." simply reminds me of Michael Corleone's family.
Mister Kristof's assesmemt that, "The White House has never needed more adult supervision." is all too true.
Mister Kristof's assesmemt that, "The White House has never needed more adult supervision." is all too true.
10
I hope NYT is investigating Ryan's motivations for what your piece reported that he said!
“No leaks,” Ryan said. “This is how we know we’re a real family here.”
Why am I reminded of mafiosi swearing omertá? Or is it just plain, garden variety congressional gangsterism?
Why am I reminded of mafiosi swearing omertá? Or is it just plain, garden variety congressional gangsterism?
Its becoming more obvious daily that Trump is probably just as compromised by the Russians as Flynn was. Why would any newly elected prez hire Flynn despite all the warnings? He probably had to.
Think about this: Our current POTUS might seriously be a Russian stooge - blackmailed for who knows what and for how much?
This is an extremely dangerous time for the world, and I truly hope the wounded animal won't be able to bite us as he plays out what is sure to be a brief tenure as POTUS.
Think about this: Our current POTUS might seriously be a Russian stooge - blackmailed for who knows what and for how much?
This is an extremely dangerous time for the world, and I truly hope the wounded animal won't be able to bite us as he plays out what is sure to be a brief tenure as POTUS.
13
I am willing to bet that money laundering is the root of Trump's ties to Russia. Any takers?
2
The only crisis I see is attempted sedition.
1
Clap trap. You have no credentials for assessing Trump's mental health. All you are doing is feeding (and profiting) from the leftist furor over Trump's election.
Despite the wishes of every progressive that somehow someway Trump be thwarted, there is no evidence that Trump colluded with Russia in the hacking of DNC/Podesta. In fact, if you recall through the thick fog of liberal delusion, the DNC was hacked long before Trump became the front runner.
We also know in a town consumed by innuendo and leaks, if there were any evidence of Trump's colluding with Russia that would be out there. The FBI has investigated this for 8 months or more and not one shred of evidence has been produced. James Clapper, despite his lack of credibility, has said there is no evidence of collusion.
So prattle on. The progs don't care how much damage they do to the presidency as long as they can keep re-litigating the election.
Trump on Putin's payroll? H-Cow. No evidence for that. Sounds like locker room joking around if anything -- or the musings of an anti-Trump Republican.
And how do you fit these two thoughts in your head -- Trump works for Putin but then, he is likely to start a nuclear war. Ridiculous.
Despite the wishes of every progressive that somehow someway Trump be thwarted, there is no evidence that Trump colluded with Russia in the hacking of DNC/Podesta. In fact, if you recall through the thick fog of liberal delusion, the DNC was hacked long before Trump became the front runner.
We also know in a town consumed by innuendo and leaks, if there were any evidence of Trump's colluding with Russia that would be out there. The FBI has investigated this for 8 months or more and not one shred of evidence has been produced. James Clapper, despite his lack of credibility, has said there is no evidence of collusion.
So prattle on. The progs don't care how much damage they do to the presidency as long as they can keep re-litigating the election.
Trump on Putin's payroll? H-Cow. No evidence for that. Sounds like locker room joking around if anything -- or the musings of an anti-Trump Republican.
And how do you fit these two thoughts in your head -- Trump works for Putin but then, he is likely to start a nuclear war. Ridiculous.
12
And you know that "not one shred of evidence" has been uncovered how? The evidence has not been made public, so unless you are, somehow, in the loop of FBI investigation, I suggest that you sit back and wait.
2
No one needs a doctor's opinion to come to the conclusion that Trump is emotionally unstable, that his actions are not signs of maturity.
As a psychiatrist recently noted, you don't need to be a doctor to know that the person sitting next to you with a hacking cough is sick.
As a psychiatrist recently noted, you don't need to be a doctor to know that the person sitting next to you with a hacking cough is sick.
2
Wait and see. And when and if we are proven right, will you be enough of a man to admit it?
Juristic savants from the lofty Alan Dershowitz down to the Justice O' th' Peace of Dogpatch, Kentucky, have opined weightily that the President of the US cannot be found guilty of a breach of US Code Title 18, Part I, Chap. 18 "Obstruction of Justice" by reason of Unitary Executive Theory. Whether or not that be so, it is moot.
The House of Representatives can frame a Bill of Impeachment charging whatever it finds to be "high crimes or misdemeanors", which are not specifically defined in the US Constitution. Thus it is the case that a "high misdemeanor" is whatever the House says it is.
Absent a Constitutional definition, and being chary of the House's collective wisdom, we can turn to Blackstone's Commentaries, in which it is held that the definition of a "high misdemeanor" includes "maladministration of high office".
This fits the current inhabitant of the White House to a tee.
The House of Representatives can frame a Bill of Impeachment charging whatever it finds to be "high crimes or misdemeanors", which are not specifically defined in the US Constitution. Thus it is the case that a "high misdemeanor" is whatever the House says it is.
Absent a Constitutional definition, and being chary of the House's collective wisdom, we can turn to Blackstone's Commentaries, in which it is held that the definition of a "high misdemeanor" includes "maladministration of high office".
This fits the current inhabitant of the White House to a tee.
11
Sound reasoning; the problem is, sound reasoning has yet to occur within the Republican party, and will not occur anytime soon, especially since they control both houses of Congress.
This is all a charade, designed to waste time, with no definitive finding of collusion, or grounds for impeachment.
Trump is there for the remainder of his first term, and like it or not, statistically, he is likely to be voted in for a second term.
So clear the decks, batten down the hatches, and be ready to weather the long dangerous storm, fast approaching.
This is all a charade, designed to waste time, with no definitive finding of collusion, or grounds for impeachment.
Trump is there for the remainder of his first term, and like it or not, statistically, he is likely to be voted in for a second term.
So clear the decks, batten down the hatches, and be ready to weather the long dangerous storm, fast approaching.
3
This is an attempt to overthrow the results of a democratic election, pure and simple.
The problem is not the President talking to the Russians, it is the threat posed to the rich and well connected by any attempt to stop the destruction of the working middle class in this country. Great fortunes will be destroyed if companies can't import illegal labor to replace Americans or export factories. The agenda that the public voted for in November is to be blocked by any means, foul or fair. The same goes for the undeclared wars that have cost the lives of American soldiers to no benefit to the country. Who benefits from these things? Just follow the money!
The problem is not the President talking to the Russians, it is the threat posed to the rich and well connected by any attempt to stop the destruction of the working middle class in this country. Great fortunes will be destroyed if companies can't import illegal labor to replace Americans or export factories. The agenda that the public voted for in November is to be blocked by any means, foul or fair. The same goes for the undeclared wars that have cost the lives of American soldiers to no benefit to the country. Who benefits from these things? Just follow the money!
3
I'm sure if Hillary Clinton had won, by the narrowest of margins (80K votes total) in three key electoral college states, and then was found to have multiple contacts between her campaign and Russia who hacked our election, and with an assist by the director of the FBI -- well, I'm sure you would of course still think that any investigation of that was an attempt to overthrow a "democratic" election. And I have a great degree to sell you from Trump University.
You know what the "destruction" of the working middle class looks like? Getting rid of their access to health insurance/healthcare, rolling back environmental protections, eliminating overtime rules, cancelling student loan debt relief, not raising the minimum wage, and planning to raise the retirement age, eliminating SNAP benefits and block-granting Medicaid. All to pay for massive tax cuts for the rich. A government by billionaires, of billionaires, and for billionaires.
You know what the "destruction" of the working middle class looks like? Getting rid of their access to health insurance/healthcare, rolling back environmental protections, eliminating overtime rules, cancelling student loan debt relief, not raising the minimum wage, and planning to raise the retirement age, eliminating SNAP benefits and block-granting Medicaid. All to pay for massive tax cuts for the rich. A government by billionaires, of billionaires, and for billionaires.
3
Being nitpicky here: "tumbling toward entropy" doesn't really make any sense. Entropy is a property which can range from low ("little uncertainty / little disorder") to high ( "high uncertainty / high disorder").
4
"And thanks to all those citizens who have subscribed to news outlets in recent months, recognizing that subscriptions are the price for a democracy.)"
This is a portion of the problem of why there is a gap of information and understanding for many of our citizens. Some families can't afford $14.99 monthly. While that may be nothing to some people it is a struggle for some who either find themselves in the negative or need that last $15 for a bus fair or gas money.
The news outlets that are free are not as detailed as the NYT or WAPO, unless another free news source quotes you like Breitbart did the other day...there is an entire American audience that will never read you. Also, at this time, it will be harder because they have heard FAKE NEWS for the past year and a half, so they won't invest their already tight budgets to news. The big picture is this entire election and campaign cycle was strategic physiological warfare against the poor and vulnerable. Until you all think of ways to offer quality journalism on a sliding scale based on income, we will always have two Americas, unless conservative news outlets can learn balance. Nothing to celebrate Mr. Kristof.
Great article by the way.
This is a portion of the problem of why there is a gap of information and understanding for many of our citizens. Some families can't afford $14.99 monthly. While that may be nothing to some people it is a struggle for some who either find themselves in the negative or need that last $15 for a bus fair or gas money.
The news outlets that are free are not as detailed as the NYT or WAPO, unless another free news source quotes you like Breitbart did the other day...there is an entire American audience that will never read you. Also, at this time, it will be harder because they have heard FAKE NEWS for the past year and a half, so they won't invest their already tight budgets to news. The big picture is this entire election and campaign cycle was strategic physiological warfare against the poor and vulnerable. Until you all think of ways to offer quality journalism on a sliding scale based on income, we will always have two Americas, unless conservative news outlets can learn balance. Nothing to celebrate Mr. Kristof.
Great article by the way.
10
Trump appears to already be unstable. Just listen to him. Observe him. I hope Mueller gets to the bottom of this and makes the findings public. If he doesn't make the findings public what good would the findings be? Start with Trumps' tax returns and found out what banks and/or countries he is beholden to from borrowing money and making'deals' to pay back. 6 bankruptcies. Unless it was under the table borrowing with quid pro quo?
3
Less angst, please. Less angst.
The situation is already bad enough without it.
The situation is already bad enough without it.
2
These are dangerous times indeed, especially because the lunatic cult leader in the WH is rapidly entering that zone where he has nothing more to lose (think: Jim Jones, David Goresh). There has only been a little reporting on Trump's cult followers, but they are in the millions, and they are equally dangerous. We need to have much more media attention on them, their evolving "narrative," and their potential threat to public security (remember the Una Bomber). Trump may be a "failed" president, but he has sewn an enduring legacy that could very well lead to organized violence and Civil War2.
BTW, a memo to NYT op ed columnists: please stop maligning children by using this misleading and exculpating metaphor of Trump=child-->need for "adult supervision." The assumption that children are naturally evil is a deep-seated patriarchal attitude: i.e., children are not to be trusted and should be subjected to the stern "law" of the father. This is the primitive basis of right wing morality. With her progressive philosophy that "it takes a village," Hillary Clinton has for years been trying to mitigate its destructive effects on the body politic. As we all know, the American people chose the dark father anyway. So when otherwise enlightened journalists like you talk about Trump requiring "adult supervision,"or being a baby in a high chair, you are reproducing the malignant ideology that got him elected.
BTW, a memo to NYT op ed columnists: please stop maligning children by using this misleading and exculpating metaphor of Trump=child-->need for "adult supervision." The assumption that children are naturally evil is a deep-seated patriarchal attitude: i.e., children are not to be trusted and should be subjected to the stern "law" of the father. This is the primitive basis of right wing morality. With her progressive philosophy that "it takes a village," Hillary Clinton has for years been trying to mitigate its destructive effects on the body politic. As we all know, the American people chose the dark father anyway. So when otherwise enlightened journalists like you talk about Trump requiring "adult supervision,"or being a baby in a high chair, you are reproducing the malignant ideology that got him elected.
7
Excellent points Charles, that I hadn't thought of before! Thank you for the philosophical insight.
BTW, I've always believed that Republicans and other authoritarians think people are intrinsically weak/evil because they themselves are. They feel the need to be controlled, usually by a supreme being, or risk chaos. They don't seem to understand that many of us feel intrinsically good, and are quite willing to derive our own moral principles from basic fundamentals infused with large doses of kindness and empathy. I think this difference is the big divide in humanity.
BTW, I've always believed that Republicans and other authoritarians think people are intrinsically weak/evil because they themselves are. They feel the need to be controlled, usually by a supreme being, or risk chaos. They don't seem to understand that many of us feel intrinsically good, and are quite willing to derive our own moral principles from basic fundamentals infused with large doses of kindness and empathy. I think this difference is the big divide in humanity.
4
Excellent points, Charles, and excellent additional input, GMA.
"Kindness and Empathy", and the incredible absence of both, in increasing numbers of humans, is a major part of the problem with society today.
This "win regardless the cost", is savaging the planet, and all life on it; I see no solution.
"Kindness and Empathy", and the incredible absence of both, in increasing numbers of humans, is a major part of the problem with society today.
This "win regardless the cost", is savaging the planet, and all life on it; I see no solution.
1
I concur Charles. If we assume children are inherently evil, then me must also assume that adults are too. (After all, both children and adults are human beings.) However, personal observation shows us this is not true. Both children and adults are capable of admirable and nobel behavior. Sadly, the opposite is also true.
Classical thinkers who pondered the question of human nature argued that we are all born hedonistic. In order to become well adjusted, morally upright adults, we must learn self control. That is, we must learn to control our hedonistic impulses and tendencies. Trumps behavior demonstrates that he hasn't learned self control. In this regard, he remains more childlike than adult.
Classical thinkers who pondered the question of human nature argued that we are all born hedonistic. In order to become well adjusted, morally upright adults, we must learn self control. That is, we must learn to control our hedonistic impulses and tendencies. Trumps behavior demonstrates that he hasn't learned self control. In this regard, he remains more childlike than adult.
1
It is not just Trump , don't you people understand that the Republican party has lost its collective mind? That the circle of GOP leaders are right out of the Twilight Zone? Or maybe an extended version of a Punch and Judy puppet show. Have you no perspective, no knowledge of history, these people are extremely dangerous.
They don't care how many people are ground into hamburger by their mindless ideology.
They don't care how many people are ground into hamburger by their mindless ideology.
10
I've believed for some years now the Republicans' motto should be, "Power, baby, power at all costs!" There's something almost Leninist in certain factions of the GOP in their vehemence and ideological extremism. We all know how far Lenin took things...
You mean Dangerous Times for the Nation with Trump.
2
Trump just said that the appointment of William Mueller is the ". . . single greatest witch hunt of a politician in american history." Sorry Donald, since you didn't know who difficult it would be, and you didn't know how difficult it would be to address the health care issue, and you didn't know difficult it would be to deal with the problems that North Korea presents, you surely have no idea don't know what a "witch hunt" is.
What you are now experiencing Mr. Trump are the wheels of justice beginning to turn. And before they stop turning, you, your family members, sycophants and other lawbreakers are about to pay the price for your ill-advised, avaricious, and unlawful conduct.
The United States Constitution and its statutes will finally, and deservedly, put an end to the stain and disgrace that you have inflicted on this country and its founding fathers. Indeed, you, by your own conduct (not because of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton) deserve all of the punishment that is meted to you. May it be instructive to you at long last.
What you are now experiencing Mr. Trump are the wheels of justice beginning to turn. And before they stop turning, you, your family members, sycophants and other lawbreakers are about to pay the price for your ill-advised, avaricious, and unlawful conduct.
The United States Constitution and its statutes will finally, and deservedly, put an end to the stain and disgrace that you have inflicted on this country and its founding fathers. Indeed, you, by your own conduct (not because of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton) deserve all of the punishment that is meted to you. May it be instructive to you at long last.
13
I saw Peter King (R) interviewed on CNN this morning. He's another typical Republican that says "I seen know evidence of wrongdoing by this administration." Chris Cuomo cornered him and shut him down when he said "that's because the investigations are still ongoing."
5
Trump in or out of office now is a problem. Thanks American voters for the gift that keeps on giving.
Most voters stayed home or voted for Hillary. We still have Trump in or out.
We have a dead politics that is something that appears on TV and not out in the world much.
Our politics has become a sick game for rich people and little else. Trumps problems only add to this. For or against Trump we are in this up to our eye balls. We can ignore this all but not safely.
Most voters stayed home or voted for Hillary. We still have Trump in or out.
We have a dead politics that is something that appears on TV and not out in the world much.
Our politics has become a sick game for rich people and little else. Trumps problems only add to this. For or against Trump we are in this up to our eye balls. We can ignore this all but not safely.
2
Is this already a great country, or what?
3
"House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy declared last June that he believed that Putin finances Trump. Talking with House Speaker Paul Ryan and other leaders, McCarthy said, 'I think Putin pays' Trump. When people laughed, McCarthy quickly added, 'Swear to God!'
"Ryan swore those present to secrecy. 'No leaks,' Ryan said. 'This is how we know we’re a real family here.'”
Tony Soprano could not have said it better.
"Ryan swore those present to secrecy. 'No leaks,' Ryan said. 'This is how we know we’re a real family here.'”
Tony Soprano could not have said it better.
7
It is interesting the Trump's twitter went silent after Mueller was appointed.
What happened? Why did he not wake up at 4:00 this morning? He may have needed prescription sleeping pills last night. Unless one of the aids in the White House staged a coup and locked the twitter in a safe, hopefully the same safe he put the nuclear codes.
Is this constitutional? Of course not! But is it wise?
What happened? Why did he not wake up at 4:00 this morning? He may have needed prescription sleeping pills last night. Unless one of the aids in the White House staged a coup and locked the twitter in a safe, hopefully the same safe he put the nuclear codes.
Is this constitutional? Of course not! But is it wise?
Ryan swore those present to secrecy. “No leaks,” Ryan said. “This is how we know we’re a real family here.”
Only dysfunctional families do things like this when the information is unpalatable to the public. Pleasant secrets, like how your father loves to lick chocolate icing from the bowl are one thing. But if the secret is something that is hurting a family member it should not stay a secret. if the GOP has any suspicions that Trump is being funded by the Russians they should be acting on it and doing so in a way that restores public confidence in their ability to serve all Americans.
Over the last 30 or more years the GOP has evolved into a party that serves only those who agree with them or donate to them. When Obama was in office they treated him with complete disrespect, tried to say he wasn't born here, and called every action he took an overreach or illegitimate, or an abuse of executive power. Trump has created far more problems in less than 6 months than Obama created in 8 years yet they stand behind Trump to the detriment of the country. I question their loyalty and patriotism now more than ever. I also question their courage but not their cowardice or power hunger: it's perfectly obvious that they don't care how they get their agenda through or stay in office or what Trump is doing. Being a Republican means never having to say you're sorry.
Only dysfunctional families do things like this when the information is unpalatable to the public. Pleasant secrets, like how your father loves to lick chocolate icing from the bowl are one thing. But if the secret is something that is hurting a family member it should not stay a secret. if the GOP has any suspicions that Trump is being funded by the Russians they should be acting on it and doing so in a way that restores public confidence in their ability to serve all Americans.
Over the last 30 or more years the GOP has evolved into a party that serves only those who agree with them or donate to them. When Obama was in office they treated him with complete disrespect, tried to say he wasn't born here, and called every action he took an overreach or illegitimate, or an abuse of executive power. Trump has created far more problems in less than 6 months than Obama created in 8 years yet they stand behind Trump to the detriment of the country. I question their loyalty and patriotism now more than ever. I also question their courage but not their cowardice or power hunger: it's perfectly obvious that they don't care how they get their agenda through or stay in office or what Trump is doing. Being a Republican means never having to say you're sorry.
8
Dangerous times, indeed. And Trump's upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia and Israel adds to the danger. News reports indicate that Trump doesn't want to go. Doesn't want to go? Does this lunatic have any understanding at all what the job requirements of the President of the United States are? Hopefully Melania, in her position as First Lady, will be able to keep her husband together and his feet on the ground instead of his foot in his mouth, at least until they return to the White House. Imagine the irony if the credibility and safety of the United States becomes dependent on the skills of a politically inexperienced immigrant.
55
Dina, really, Melania? She is first lady in name only. For starters, she is certainly no lady, she is a grifter just like he is. She barely speaks to him, let alone can keep him grounded. We have had a string of terrific first ladies-- from at least Lady Bird on, with perhaps Pat Nixon being a cowed exception to that rule. Let us not be lulled into thinking that loyalty to country and any sort of insight or wisdom come with being the trophy wife of a man such as trump, even if he is the so-called president.
1
When Obama was asked about his first post-election meeting with Trump, which was supposed to focus on what Trump needed to know before taking office, he shook his head and muttered something about maybe describing it someday over a beer. Obama was clearly shaken by Trump's absolute lack of knowledge regarding the job of POTUS.
The one thing we did learn about that meeting was that Trump was honestly shocked to learn how much work was involved. "But you were always golfing!" he said to Obama. God help us.
The one thing we did learn about that meeting was that Trump was honestly shocked to learn how much work was involved. "But you were always golfing!" he said to Obama. God help us.
I highly doubt that Melania has any influence on Trump at all, otherwise she'd be by his side since the inauguration. She is his window dressing, period. He's made it abundantly clear what his views on women are. No, instead, we have the Stepford daughter and Trump Whisperer, Ivanka. Speaking of which, where has she been lately? Haven't seen her face on TV defending her dad lately.
Yes, the Trump regime, abetted by a compliant GOP Congress, is extremely dangerous. Living in Trump's America of frightening and exhausting. Unfortunately, the Founders couldn't have foreseen that such a toxic, unqualified person could win the White House. The Electoral College was devised as a means to prevent an unwise outcome, not as a rubber stamp. As awful a situation as this is, I believe Trump will elude legal efforts to remove him from office, and the prospect of a President Pence is equally frightening. We're in for almost four years of this, and making ourselves heard is our only realistic strategy.
4
We have a nephew deployed in the Pacific, we believe in the vicinity of the Korean peninsula, although you never know exactly where.
Our young men and women deserve better than to have this juvenile clown making decisions that affect their well=being and their lives.
Our young men and women deserve better than to have this juvenile clown making decisions that affect their well=being and their lives.
204
Many thanks to your nephew for helping to defend this country. May he be safe. You are right--he deserves better than a draft-dodging juvenile clown at the helm.
Perhaps that is their penance for defending a country with so many clowns who vote and so many others who don't.
2
The world's young men and women deserve better than the American military industrial complex and it's commander in chief.
Trump is not on the payroll of Vladimir. There was some financing when a cash flow problem happened is what we will find out. The minions will be the fall guys. The US press goes overboard. The repubs legislatively devastate the nation with free Enterprize and Freedum and no taxes and no health care and no education, all privatized at 4 times the cost and call it creative destruction at the Harvard business school. The fact that this column reads like trip to kindergarten in the most powerful country on this planet is horrendous.
Think about this column! Who are you people!
Think about this column! Who are you people!
2
If Mr. Trump is impeached and convicted, I find it bizarre that Mr. Pence, his successor, will have to bring his wife with, when he meets the Secretary of Transportation, Ms. Chao.
6
As our president goes abroad, are we certain he has a secured cell phone and is not using any kind of personal server or can take actions that present similar vulnerabilities for which Hillary Clinton was so soundly pummeled? We expect tweets, of course. Now from abroad. Are they secure from hackers? Can cabinet members be assured that they can indeed reach the president, if needed? Wouldn't it be prudent to do a gut check here?
3
Anyone who values their integrity should probably resign from the White House yesterday. There's a problem though. The Trump administration can't even fill the vacancies it already has. Their departure would only create more empty cubicles in the office. Trump has a staffing problem. No respectable talent will take a job in his administration right now. The man is sailing with a skeleton crew for the foreseeable future.
13
Let's not forget who enabled him; Paul Ryan and Mitch.
GOP and other Trump enables need t be hold accountable even after he is gone.
They believe in GOP family above all else.
We believe in American family above all else.
We have to take our country back and save the world.
GOP and other Trump enables need t be hold accountable even after he is gone.
They believe in GOP family above all else.
We believe in American family above all else.
We have to take our country back and save the world.
13
After seeing the erratic behavior of President Trump and reading this opinion piece, I am convinced that the GOP controlled Congress must step up do what is right by this Nation and not for political party.
Trump has enormous power at his disposal that could determine,literally, the lives of millions and I do not, for one iota, believe that he will not use that power to ensure that he remains as POTUS.
I fear, greatly, that if a terrorist attack does take place on US soil again, Trump will suspend the US Constitution and impose martial law. Not for the protection of the American people, but for his own benefit and power.
Mr. Trump is dangerous. His actions, his statements, his minions and his own belief that he and he alone (a.k.a. "The Messiah") is the answer to solve not just this Nation's problems and challenges, but the world's.
All I can plead is..."God, please help us!"
Trump has enormous power at his disposal that could determine,literally, the lives of millions and I do not, for one iota, believe that he will not use that power to ensure that he remains as POTUS.
I fear, greatly, that if a terrorist attack does take place on US soil again, Trump will suspend the US Constitution and impose martial law. Not for the protection of the American people, but for his own benefit and power.
Mr. Trump is dangerous. His actions, his statements, his minions and his own belief that he and he alone (a.k.a. "The Messiah") is the answer to solve not just this Nation's problems and challenges, but the world's.
All I can plead is..."God, please help us!"
8
The problem we face is that everyone in the line of succession is up to their eyeballs in this until we get to Orrin Hatch, and frankly, and I can't believe I'm saying this, we could do worse. The other problem we face, of course, is a still-feckless Democratic Party that has learned nothing from 2016 and thinks it can win in 2018 and beyond on a message of "We're awful, but they're crazy" and "Trump Bad. Vote For Us."
5
Mueller will not find collusion, but will find a lot of shady dealings that look more like the Marx brothers in action rather than a mission impossible script. Having said that, we now know that Trump is not up to the job and will make a mess, a real mess, of domestic and foreign policy along with a weekly drama of the month. As a nation we are stuck, not enough to impeach, but enough to fire if he was not president.
3
And "we know" this how?
Here's a contrast: Bernie Sanders is the most popular politician in America, yet we are striving to live with a totally corrupt president who not only lives in a fantasy world, but could blow up the earth.
In every one-on-one poll, Bernie Sanders beat Trump. The media's deliberate non-coverage of Bernie helped sink his ship and deny Americans, whether they liked him or not, a person of integrity who is highly intelligent, who's been standing up to corporate and political powers for 40 years, who shoots from the hip, and who could improved the vast majority of Americans' lives.
The media did the same thing with Howard Dean and his so-called scream. He was just talking above the noise, but it was the media's way to sink him.
In every one-on-one poll, Bernie Sanders beat Trump. The media's deliberate non-coverage of Bernie helped sink his ship and deny Americans, whether they liked him or not, a person of integrity who is highly intelligent, who's been standing up to corporate and political powers for 40 years, who shoots from the hip, and who could improved the vast majority of Americans' lives.
The media did the same thing with Howard Dean and his so-called scream. He was just talking above the noise, but it was the media's way to sink him.
8
How did the polls work out in November? The DNC railroaded Bernie because they knew the same people in the same states that in the end failed to turn out for Hillary would certainly not show up for Bernie.
1
W.R., it might be all for the best. Bernie is able to perform the best and get most done, WITHOUT the media's help. As an "Independent" he is very independent.
2
get ready for a year of inquiries, investigations and NO action in congress to address health, taxes, infrastructure
voters for trump might learn a lesson from this....voting out of anger and frustration is NO long term solution
and as for hillary...too bad she could not inspire or even articulate why she was the one...
voters for trump might learn a lesson from this....voting out of anger and frustration is NO long term solution
and as for hillary...too bad she could not inspire or even articulate why she was the one...
The republicans lie-noting new- and run like the Mafia-also,I guess, nothing new. Let us hope Mueller does all that is expected of him and then we can have some truth, which likely will be very messy and uncomfortable for Trump and many republicans when all said and done. This is not Seven Days in May by the military(at least not yet) but the equivalent by the republicans in congress.
1
Mr. Trump has brought these troubles on himself and his show of self-pity at his Coast Guard talk yesterday was a childish display of weakness. Even in his campaign he was off to a bad start, using name-calling, insults and labeling to intimidate opponents. This could not have won him anything but false friends. Now he is embroiled in a major scandal that will be hard to cover up and that was brought on, NOT by the free press, but by his own suspicious behavior, lies and absolute ineptitude as president. Little love or respect will be wasted on this
worst of all presidents, nor should it be.
worst of all presidents, nor should it be.
6
I feel relief on one hand, but realize this is only the beginning. What I find particularly disheartening is that what's unfolding was entirely predictable during the campaign - a chaotic, incompetent, dissembling presidency. Some Trump supporters stated they wanted to "blow the whole thing up". They might just get their wish. I hope there are some adults in government willing to step up to the plate and do what's best for the country, and yes Republicans, I'm taking about you. We don't know where any of this is going, but I have no doubt in my mind that DT is mentally incompetent.
5
Paul Ryan sounds more like a conspirator than a legislator. Actually, if it walks like a duck ...
6
Terrible first sentence. Entropy isn't something you, or a situation can tumble towards.
3
It isn't time for semantics right now. Can't you see that?
1
In fact the word entropy is appropriate. Aside from the meaning related to physics, entropy has an additional meaning:
entropy
en•tro•py
noun
lack of order or predictability; gradual decline into disorder.
"a marketplace where entropy reigns supreme"
synonyms: deterioration, degeneration, crumbling, decline, degradation,
decomposition, breaking down, collapse
entropy
en•tro•py
noun
lack of order or predictability; gradual decline into disorder.
"a marketplace where entropy reigns supreme"
synonyms: deterioration, degeneration, crumbling, decline, degradation,
decomposition, breaking down, collapse
1
Let me guess. Mueller investigates, discovers Russian payoffs in the highest levels of government, turns the information over to Congress, they laugh saying, "Gotcha! What a great joke we played!" and we keep Trump or get Paul Ryan or Mike Pence as President.
I am looking for an upside...
I am looking for an upside...
4
If the leaders-that-be simply act like responsible adults who possess objectivity, we'll be fine. I.e., if Congressional members (like Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell and friends) behave knowing that leadership is a trust, rather than a prize, then all can be well.
Ha ha, I forgot how funny I was!
Ha ha, I forgot how funny I was!
2
The death of Roger Ailes this morning should give the GOP leadership pause. Here is a man who helped build a media empire and got obscenely wealthy to boot, who thought he would be remembered as a media mogul and a force behind the GOP and President Trump. Instead, his obituary was chock-a-block full of the evidence of his rotten life and career -- the lies, his bizarre campaigns against anything good and decent in this country, the sexual harassment lawsuits -- all of it. Even the university he graduated from erased his name from its hallways and returned his ill-gotten donations.
Paul Ryan and his ilk will be remembered badly, too, if they continue to be the shameless lackeys of what Ailes wrought, working to dismantle all that is good and decent in our country in service to a handful of billionaire puppet masters dangling dollars over their heads. I hope they read Ailes' obituaries today and think about what theirs will say, and about how what will be written about them will shame their children and grandchildren if they continue on their terrible course.
Paul Ryan and his ilk will be remembered badly, too, if they continue to be the shameless lackeys of what Ailes wrought, working to dismantle all that is good and decent in our country in service to a handful of billionaire puppet masters dangling dollars over their heads. I hope they read Ailes' obituaries today and think about what theirs will say, and about how what will be written about them will shame their children and grandchildren if they continue on their terrible course.
7
The most interesting part of this commentary is the strong suggestion that Republicans apparently are leaking info. How else would journalists be getting details of a meeting between top Republican officials?
4
The dems, power structure and the media got just what they wanted. Keep trump tied up in a legal mess. Of course nothing gets done in the country.
Another 4 years of nothing. I can't wait for the next dem president, that should be amusing.
Another 4 years of nothing. I can't wait for the next dem president, that should be amusing.
1
Wow! A crisis in the making. Question: is there any way that crooked lying Trump can be obligated to release his 'tax returns' (all of them)? This, not only to confirm he is a crook, but to see how dependent he was/is on Putin's Russia, and to add one more nail to Trump's political coffin. Not that anybody should feel happy if devious Pence succeeds him. As deplorable it is that we, the people, elected such a fraudster, it would be a crime to continue to prop him up, in the name of loyalty...while Trump and his team's incompetence breeds a foul-smelling swampy corruption.
2
"Another danger is the risk of an erratic, embattled, paranoid leader at home"
Most of us, don't believe this is any different than he has been all along (which is consistent with Narcissistic Personality Disorder), which is why we haven't been able to sleep nights. As to one "who feels that he may be going down the tubes", that has always been on the table, from the time he announced his candidacy. After all, he repeatedly said, that the media was out to get him and wanted him to fail, and he is still saying it. Please cabinet members, we need you to consider our country over personal loyalty, and if you can't do that, remember your grandchildren and their hope for a future that is as bright as the promise of America has always been. Praying for them (grandchildren), Americans, and the world! Republicans - you got a whole lot of 'splaining' to do AND you better make laws where this can never happen again!
Most of us, don't believe this is any different than he has been all along (which is consistent with Narcissistic Personality Disorder), which is why we haven't been able to sleep nights. As to one "who feels that he may be going down the tubes", that has always been on the table, from the time he announced his candidacy. After all, he repeatedly said, that the media was out to get him and wanted him to fail, and he is still saying it. Please cabinet members, we need you to consider our country over personal loyalty, and if you can't do that, remember your grandchildren and their hope for a future that is as bright as the promise of America has always been. Praying for them (grandchildren), Americans, and the world! Republicans - you got a whole lot of 'splaining' to do AND you better make laws where this can never happen again!
3
Bravo to the NYTimes and the Washington Post, keep up the good work. If you don't subscribe to those, papers, please do that's how first class investigative reporting happens.
Please let's see those tax returns including the attached schedules.
Please let's see those tax returns including the attached schedules.
5
I fear that it is entirely possible that Mueller could be one of "them", not one of "us".
There will be no smooth sailing---not with this president. As one reader aptly put it this week, Trump is driving a bus that is out of control. My only worry is that in the so-called "battle" between the Times and Post, that every little detail will be blown out of proportion---let's hope not. The problem is that Trump's supporters dine on a toxic daily diet of Fox News and worse, so that any real in-depth reporting and journalistic integrity will be twisted by Murdoch-controlled news outlets or similar (worse) entities who will re-tool the news to stoke the "poor Trump is victim" narrative.
With Roger Ailes passing, the media has a slight chance of getting its honor and reputation back...
5
Of course McCarthy knows that Putin pays Trump. Russia is the model for the GOP. Are Russian oligarchs any different from the Koch brothers or Sheldon Adelson who fund the GOP? The GOP is all about kleptocracy for the super rich and everyone knows it.
1
Thank you Mr Kristoff. Your warning should be heeded and is not, as some would appear to be telling you, hysterical media hype.
I am making my own plea to H. R. McMaster, Jim Mattis, Dina Powell, John Kelly, and Rex Tillerson.
Before you do anything else go online and read the article "Disgust and Contempt in the White House" by Susan B. Miller in the Association of Psychoanalysis of Culture and Society posted 27/06/16.
Here is a short extract:
"Every subject has injuriousness within it and is tempted to express that in relation to others with whom it has contact and on whom it is likely to be dependent. When we share a space, whether physical or psychical, we are likely to do harm. Recognition of this tendency to violence, this temptation to destroy everything, leads to recognition of the responsibility one has to struggle against the temptation and to acknowledge what one has done when the struggle fails.
At a March 11, 2016 news conference, Mr. Trump said, “I don’t like to over-analyze myself, but I try to be who I am.” It’s okay not to over-analyze oneself; the problem is that Mr. Trump under-analyzes himself and doesn’t seem to do the normal work of questioning his destructive emotional responses."
It has never been more important for anyone, anywhere to understand their boss!
I am making my own plea to H. R. McMaster, Jim Mattis, Dina Powell, John Kelly, and Rex Tillerson.
Before you do anything else go online and read the article "Disgust and Contempt in the White House" by Susan B. Miller in the Association of Psychoanalysis of Culture and Society posted 27/06/16.
Here is a short extract:
"Every subject has injuriousness within it and is tempted to express that in relation to others with whom it has contact and on whom it is likely to be dependent. When we share a space, whether physical or psychical, we are likely to do harm. Recognition of this tendency to violence, this temptation to destroy everything, leads to recognition of the responsibility one has to struggle against the temptation and to acknowledge what one has done when the struggle fails.
At a March 11, 2016 news conference, Mr. Trump said, “I don’t like to over-analyze myself, but I try to be who I am.” It’s okay not to over-analyze oneself; the problem is that Mr. Trump under-analyzes himself and doesn’t seem to do the normal work of questioning his destructive emotional responses."
It has never been more important for anyone, anywhere to understand their boss!
1
It is obvious, the dearth of military experience in the legislature. Paul Ryan ordering secrecy among the Republican members of the house regarding Kevin McCarthy's announcement regarding Putin financially backing Trump. Was it a joke? Really? Sorry, but I'm not, in the current vernacular, ROFL. Among the first things regarding one's duties and responsibilities as a member of the armed services is this: It is a court martial offense to obey an unlawful order. Can you who have never donned a uniform even conceive of the burden that places on the lower enlisted ranks, not to mention the young officers? It is on you to disobey a direct order that is unlawful, even as war rages around you.
Paul Ryan is the highest ranking officer in the House and he demands omerta regarding McCarthy's pronouncement!?! If it really was a joke, does McCarthy think he's got a future on the open mike circuit? If McCarthy had any shred of evidence of a Trump/Putin collaboration, Ryan's first order should have been to have it turned over to the appropriate "non-political" investigative agencies. Instead, he orders "family" silence. Are they all married to each other? The law allows only a spouse to refuse to testify against his or her mate.
Nick, Trump hasn't plunged into "a grove of thistles." Annoying, aggressive plants, but their "thorns" are little more than a nuisance. No, Trump has dived into a honey locust thicket. Not the sweet situation the name might lead one to think.
Paul Ryan is the highest ranking officer in the House and he demands omerta regarding McCarthy's pronouncement!?! If it really was a joke, does McCarthy think he's got a future on the open mike circuit? If McCarthy had any shred of evidence of a Trump/Putin collaboration, Ryan's first order should have been to have it turned over to the appropriate "non-political" investigative agencies. Instead, he orders "family" silence. Are they all married to each other? The law allows only a spouse to refuse to testify against his or her mate.
Nick, Trump hasn't plunged into "a grove of thistles." Annoying, aggressive plants, but their "thorns" are little more than a nuisance. No, Trump has dived into a honey locust thicket. Not the sweet situation the name might lead one to think.
Your 'grownups' are already failing us. That is not a fail-safe plan. Now Trump has ruined McMaster's reputation. Everyone said, "Oh, Mattis and McMaster will be the grownups in the room". After McMaster lied again and again for Trump, he's now gone. I can't trust him ever again. Mattis? He has been wise to stay as far away from the bus as he can, but he'll probably be next.
Trump taints people. He poisons the atmosphere around him, where ever he is he ruins people. He's a destroyer. There is nothing creative or positive about him. It's all about greed and ego and it's all about him. Now we hear he is even turning on the family hero, Jared Kushner, as being 'incompetent'. HE's the incompetent one, Trump! He's the King of Incompetence and yet he projects all his failings on others.
He's mentally unfit for this job. Pence is already tainted. Ryan is tainted. We need a new election instead of midterms in 2018.
To save us.
Trump taints people. He poisons the atmosphere around him, where ever he is he ruins people. He's a destroyer. There is nothing creative or positive about him. It's all about greed and ego and it's all about him. Now we hear he is even turning on the family hero, Jared Kushner, as being 'incompetent'. HE's the incompetent one, Trump! He's the King of Incompetence and yet he projects all his failings on others.
He's mentally unfit for this job. Pence is already tainted. Ryan is tainted. We need a new election instead of midterms in 2018.
To save us.
3
Special counsel excellent appointment especially now. Follow the money and it will quite possibly reveal money laundering by Trump Corp to satisfy moolah-thirsty Putin and company. Money talks and leaves a trail.
It is doubtful but certainly not impossible that Trump was directly involved with the Russians and committed impeachable offenses. However it seems clear that some former and current associates did engage in criminal activity. As is often it becomes not a matter of what the original offenses were but the responses to them. Trump's responses have not just been extremely foolish and reckless, some may have been criminal. The more we learn about Flynn and what the Trump administration knew about him before appointing him and then after appointing him and keeping him on alone is beyond belief. Then the Comey firing and the release of secret intelligence and Trump's responses to criticism about these things is not just mind boggling but as this opinion points out dangerous for the implications. Paul Ryan and his 'family' are traitors and should be booted out of office as they apparently have forgotten that they were elected to represent the people of their districts and defend the Constitution, not subvert it. The 'family' probably has a book club where they drool over the writings of a bad romance novelist pseudo-philosopher. Oh that's right, she was Russian.
The mere fact that there is going to be an independent investigation might put all the "children" on their best behavior. The odor of bad acting by public officials permeates the air and regardless of the results will influence the 2018 election. I'm eager to watch this unfold.
I wonder how is the Vice president being treated in present, as far as being actively introduced and informed Vis-a-vie Global affairs. Looks as if Mr Trump is getting readied to go home. Biggest fear is that, just in case, Our America is Stunned, with new Administration and no wings to immediately fly high. This is most crucial, in parallel to every-day governing by the current Trump Administration. I really hope this Administration will heal and lead us well but, Just in case...
Excellent column, and also comments. Just this to add-
First, trump has, as was to be expected, lashed out in the wake of Mueller's appointment, telling me he's scared. That is good.
Secondly, while I agree that the professional rivalry between NYT and WaPo is serving the nation well, it is of paramount importance that all reporting be thoroughly grounded in provable fact, because, as we've seen, the GOP will make immense hay with anything the least bit shaky. And, just as was in evidence during the campaign, a large part of the electorate is all too vulnerable. Editorial and journalistic care are now at a premium.
Finally, the fact that the president, any president, is empowered to single-handedly order a nuclear strike of any size is frightening, and unacceptable. That such power is in the hands of one such as trump is outrageous, and must be immediately addressed.
First, trump has, as was to be expected, lashed out in the wake of Mueller's appointment, telling me he's scared. That is good.
Secondly, while I agree that the professional rivalry between NYT and WaPo is serving the nation well, it is of paramount importance that all reporting be thoroughly grounded in provable fact, because, as we've seen, the GOP will make immense hay with anything the least bit shaky. And, just as was in evidence during the campaign, a large part of the electorate is all too vulnerable. Editorial and journalistic care are now at a premium.
Finally, the fact that the president, any president, is empowered to single-handedly order a nuclear strike of any size is frightening, and unacceptable. That such power is in the hands of one such as trump is outrageous, and must be immediately addressed.
1
I feel sorry for the Coast Guard Academy class of 2017 for having had this incompetent, vindictive child-man of a grifter inflicted upon them at their graduation.
Trumpo should stick to the fauxversity circuit, because only brainwashed student bodies like the one at Liberty (!!!) University will treat him like he's the Second Coming.
Lyin' Donnie's churlish reaction to the appointment of Mueller as independent counsel comes as no surprise. A shrewder man would have feigned indifference and pledged to continue doing the important work the American people elected him to do. However, shrewd is many levels above Trump's dim reptilian cognitive abilities.
I bet Melania thanks her lucky stars that she opted to stay in her gilded flat in Manhattan rather than join her madman of a husband in his Oval Office bunker.
Trumpo should stick to the fauxversity circuit, because only brainwashed student bodies like the one at Liberty (!!!) University will treat him like he's the Second Coming.
Lyin' Donnie's churlish reaction to the appointment of Mueller as independent counsel comes as no surprise. A shrewder man would have feigned indifference and pledged to continue doing the important work the American people elected him to do. However, shrewd is many levels above Trump's dim reptilian cognitive abilities.
I bet Melania thanks her lucky stars that she opted to stay in her gilded flat in Manhattan rather than join her madman of a husband in his Oval Office bunker.
Well said sir, but I disagree with your list of adults. McMaster's disgraceful attempt at legalese spin control to protect the undeserving president from a firestorm of criticism over his leaking of classified info to an enemy takes him off the honor roll; Kelly's saber joke only reveals his true inner disdain for the press freedoms that are now our greatest protection against authoritarianism. It's not funny and eggs on the ill-tempered child president. And the McCarthy / Ryan debacle is not a joke, is not at all humorous and wasn't meant to be, and is yet another indicator of the true attitudes and priorities of this corrupt Republican agenda: politics over country, overlooking potential acts of treason to achieve political gain, and above all the obsession with lying and secrecy, the basest enemies of the democratic principle. This nation, our culture and our economy would flourish if we could rid ourselves of the corrupt vanguard of Republican political leadership and every one of these anti-American thugs.
Government is very serious business. As a physician I learned long ago: don't make jokes. When one does there is almost a guarantee that the recipient will not misperceive the meaning and intent. Just tell the truth and save the jokes for later.
Government is very serious business. As a physician I learned long ago: don't make jokes. When one does there is almost a guarantee that the recipient will not misperceive the meaning and intent. Just tell the truth and save the jokes for later.
2
To date, what is so impressive about the so-called grownups who were supposed to protect us from Trump's worst impulses? How are they moving the country forward in any way? What have they done to tame the wild toddler in the Oval Office? They are not even terribly good at damage control. He won't study or learn or eat his vegetables, with or without them. The power of the grown-ups is another feel-good myth that will be debunked soon enough. Meanwhile, the toddler needs a (very long) time out.
1
The question is whether we can survive the next 18 months. The mid-term elections hold the possibility of a Democratic majority in the House and Senate. If so, stability here may be restored. And if the Democrats are really successful they may be able to impeach Trump, with the possibility that Pence will fall too, and maybe Ryan, for being knowing participants in selling the election to Russia. But at least Democratic control of Congress would hopefully restrain the destruction of our country. If the elections again fall to the Republicans, have your golden visa in hand.
1
Many decades ago, when I initially registered to vote, I signed on as an independent. That was when "Independent" wasn't cool, but, in short, the choice reflected reservations with respect to the major parties of those times. In recent decades similar reservations persist, but the rightward drift of the Republican Party, now culminating in the abomination of a Trump administration and a compliant, morally and intellectually challenged Republican Congress that uses Trump to pursue largely regressive stale programs (no, this isn't 1950), means that, as a practical matter, the Democratic Party, whatever its defects, has become the only acceptable remaining party.
This is an unfortunate dilemma, but at least Trump has exposed the Republican Party for what it currently is, and, in so doing, suggests the necessity of a return to responsible political adulthood. No, gentlemen, government is not evil, Medicare is not socialism, and "freedom" is not achieved simply by free markets and tax reduction.
This is an unfortunate dilemma, but at least Trump has exposed the Republican Party for what it currently is, and, in so doing, suggests the necessity of a return to responsible political adulthood. No, gentlemen, government is not evil, Medicare is not socialism, and "freedom" is not achieved simply by free markets and tax reduction.
11
Consider for a moment the larger implications and impacts of the Trump presidency in the context of likely Russian (read Putin’s) intentions to diminish US influence and to erode the credibility of American Democracy (or whatever semblance of that that actually remains).
The point here is simply that Putin must be gleeful about the intense disability that has materialized around the Trump phenomena of grave and sustained dysfunction. Certainly Russian meddling had some impact on the current wounded state of American political affairs which were ripe for exacerbation.
The more blame and in some considerable sense credit that Russian gets for this muddled political state the better from the standpoint of the Kremlin and those in the Russian orbit.
It is not untoward to assert that from the Moscow point of view the prevailing Trump political fiasco both at home and abroad is a monumental windfall whatever the mix of Russian direct manipulation verses organic American origins.
The point here is simply that Putin must be gleeful about the intense disability that has materialized around the Trump phenomena of grave and sustained dysfunction. Certainly Russian meddling had some impact on the current wounded state of American political affairs which were ripe for exacerbation.
The more blame and in some considerable sense credit that Russian gets for this muddled political state the better from the standpoint of the Kremlin and those in the Russian orbit.
It is not untoward to assert that from the Moscow point of view the prevailing Trump political fiasco both at home and abroad is a monumental windfall whatever the mix of Russian direct manipulation verses organic American origins.
3
What Trump and the Republican "Family" do not understand, and what gives me hope, is that our government, at the bureaucratic level, is filled with good people with integrity. Governments can be bad - dictatorships, for example. But our Democracy is made up of so many well intentioned people and they will not stand to see it unravel. Leaks in this context will save Democracy from the Republicans.
4
"Fearing what might go wrong, Nixon’s defense secretary, James Schlesinger, secretly instructed the military not to carry out any White House order to use nuclear weapons unless confirmed by him or Henry Kissinger.
This was unconstitutional. And wise."
Writing about this is constitutional and unwise.
This was unconstitutional. And wise."
Writing about this is constitutional and unwise.
2
Thanks Mr Kristof. I and many other like me have appreciated the unbiased coverage by the NYT and WP and likewise over the years. However I can't help but think that deluge of the news coverage including even the NYT overall last one year did help put Mr Trump on pedestals he most likely never would have been if the24:7 lived coverage was not done even for its entertainment value. Even now his travels from helicopter to Airforce 1 is broadcast live!! I am amazed at this degree of coverage while so many issues like health and premiums and chaos around states or world need help. That's only will help those to come to the senses for betterment of the country and world
3
Nik, they were obsessed with Trump, especially Andrew Rosenthal. And with all things Hillary, to them she was the ultimate savior.
2
Nicholas Kristof says he's "been very critical of media coverage of the presidential campaign."
But Kristoff hasn't said a word about the manner in which The Times intentionally ignored Bernie Sanders throughout the campaign, and Kristoff has never taken The Times to task for virtually shutting out any voice supportive of Sanders from the opinion pages.
The Times still hasn't admitted that it distorted its coverage of Bernie Sanders, and Kristoff probably never will. Until they do, readers' anger at both remains entirely justified.
But Kristoff hasn't said a word about the manner in which The Times intentionally ignored Bernie Sanders throughout the campaign, and Kristoff has never taken The Times to task for virtually shutting out any voice supportive of Sanders from the opinion pages.
The Times still hasn't admitted that it distorted its coverage of Bernie Sanders, and Kristoff probably never will. Until they do, readers' anger at both remains entirely justified.
9
Indeed. Bernie "black out". Which is all good cuz that's how Bernie operates best, without the media trailing him, he quietly goes about spreading his word, as he has past 3 decades.
Nick gave us the "Hillary interview", with a candidate who also ran, twice. And lost each time.
Nick gave us the "Hillary interview", with a candidate who also ran, twice. And lost each time.
Not to worry. Bernie does not need noise from the media. He is untouched.
So many of us fear who will succeed him but this statement goes so deep I do not know of any republican who isn't dirty:
In addition, The Washington Post reported Wednesday on a remarkable recording in which House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy declared last June that he believed that Putin finances Trump. Talking with House Speaker Paul Ryan and other leaders, McCarthy said, “I think Putin pays” Trump. When people laughed, McCarthy quickly added, “Swear to God!”
In addition, The Washington Post reported Wednesday on a remarkable recording in which House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy declared last June that he believed that Putin finances Trump. Talking with House Speaker Paul Ryan and other leaders, McCarthy said, “I think Putin pays” Trump. When people laughed, McCarthy quickly added, “Swear to God!”
Another risk is that that Mueller's investigation may be long, and he is under no obligation to share his findings with the public. That may free up Trump to do real legislative damage to the country. The public must be diligent on all fronts and not let down pressure on protecting against the dismantling of reproductive rights, voter suppression laws, draconian drug penalty laws which target people of color, obliteration of the EPA, immigration crackdown, funneling money to the rich .....the list is seemingly endless.
Also, there is the risk that we become distracted from the fundamental reasons that Trump was elected. Attention to the economic conditions in rural America MUST be front and center. There is a danger in focusing only on stopping Trump. We must also be pushing for solutions to the problems that created the conditions for his popularity.
It's not time to get complacent and hope that White House grown ups and the press will bail us out.
Also, there is the risk that we become distracted from the fundamental reasons that Trump was elected. Attention to the economic conditions in rural America MUST be front and center. There is a danger in focusing only on stopping Trump. We must also be pushing for solutions to the problems that created the conditions for his popularity.
It's not time to get complacent and hope that White House grown ups and the press will bail us out.
5
I read about the last days of Nixon and my thought bubble is that Trump has done all this sober.
6
In this era of fake news, I commend Kristof's Op-Ed's factual and in depth reporting of the hiring of a special prosecutor on May 17, 2017.
Signed, Susan McDonough, a member of Make News Worthy, a group of citizens living North of Boston who are extremely appreciative of good journalism.
Signed, Susan McDonough, a member of Make News Worthy, a group of citizens living North of Boston who are extremely appreciative of good journalism.
1
The narrative about Trump and his presidency gets more alarming every day. One wonders what will happen when Trump takes off for Saudi Arabia, Israel, Italy and Brussels tomorrow. It's clear Trump will not be able to stay on task. Are his aides ready to intervene if needed?
6
My wonder is that any clear observer could easily predict the likely hood of a Trump presidency imploding. The Republican powers that be must have felt that if Trump could hold it together just long enough to make it into the Presidency then that would be ok because the person they really wanted as President was Pence
2
Why would invocation of the 25th amendment be unlikely? The GOP has never liked Trump. The Koch brothers and GOP establishment would much rather have Mike Pence in the oval office than Trump. Then the only thing protecting Trump would be the Democrats who would then be challenged to explain by what logic they support a nutcase like Trump continuing as president for any other reason than defeating the GOP in the next election, which would hardly be perceived as putting the nation first. Invocation of the 25th would save the stumbling GOP. It may already be in the works.
2
Yes, this man will thoroughly prod and poke and extract whatever information is to be had.
In the meantime we live under President Trump whose judgment remains abysmal. He abandoned whatever decent promises he made to supporters, to hold the GOP.
Investigation of the Russia connection may have no impact on the next 6 months, or year or more, of this Presidency. I sincerely hope that the FBI investigation doesn't become an excuse for avoiding some action to remove Trump from office or convince him to resign.
In the meantime we live under President Trump whose judgment remains abysmal. He abandoned whatever decent promises he made to supporters, to hold the GOP.
Investigation of the Russia connection may have no impact on the next 6 months, or year or more, of this Presidency. I sincerely hope that the FBI investigation doesn't become an excuse for avoiding some action to remove Trump from office or convince him to resign.
3
This unraveling comes at us with astonishing speed as the nation copes with the results of electing a business man to the highest political position in the world. And business man he is. Firing Comey without considering the political consequences in an attempt to sweep away an unpleasant reality - that would have worked in one of his corporations. Business as usual. Threatening Comey as though he would need references for a new job. Perceiving himself to be the victim because his company, ah country, isn't taking orders very well. Miserable because dealing with the press is a tad different from issuing press releases about grand and glorious new enterprises. Causing an uproar by schmoozing it up with potential business , oops, political, partners, hoping to entice them with secret tidbits. And now the news that his employees, the Republicans, have been making fun of him behind his back. This should be, but won't be, a wake-up call for Mr. Trump. Very doubtful that this old dog can learn new tricks.
This should be, and better be, a wake-up call for American voters. Be very careful what you wish for. Unlike the president, inform yourself with more than headlines and tabloid news.
This should be, and better be, a wake-up call for American voters. Be very careful what you wish for. Unlike the president, inform yourself with more than headlines and tabloid news.
20
WE, the People, can fix this mess. WE have methods called elections. There is one coming up pretty soon in 2018. The real resistance can be expressed by all of us remembering how a Republican Congress fought any attempt to hold Trump accountable. November, 2018, we can hold Ryan and the "Freedom Caucus" accountable. In November 2020 we can hold President Trump or Pence accountable.
Do not forget, do not become complacent. It does not matter if Mueller's investigation reveals either guilt or innocence. We may never be able to drain the swamp, but we can make that particular ecological niche unsuitable for habitation by some of its seedier denizens.
Do not forget, do not become complacent. It does not matter if Mueller's investigation reveals either guilt or innocence. We may never be able to drain the swamp, but we can make that particular ecological niche unsuitable for habitation by some of its seedier denizens.
18
"..he faces a grove of thistles.". Indeed, however, he will blame others for his wading into that grove, on twitter, of course.
Trump, by all appearances either in his "stellar" business dealings has never taken responsibility for his actions and it appears he still won't.
It matters not how many adults are in the room. He will do what he usually does-perform in his erratic, and childish ways and attempt to deflect and deceive in his feeble attempts at "governing".
This is a broken presidency and many of us, both domestically and world wide see this. Given that, which leader of our allied countries will look to him for thoughtful and sound leadership?
What actions will he possibly take to show the country and the world he is the "president" that may be extremely harmful to all?
And to think he called the Obama administration a failure. I offer, if it was a failure, it took 8 years in comparison to just over 100 days for Trump to show us a real failure in a presidential administration.
Trump, by all appearances either in his "stellar" business dealings has never taken responsibility for his actions and it appears he still won't.
It matters not how many adults are in the room. He will do what he usually does-perform in his erratic, and childish ways and attempt to deflect and deceive in his feeble attempts at "governing".
This is a broken presidency and many of us, both domestically and world wide see this. Given that, which leader of our allied countries will look to him for thoughtful and sound leadership?
What actions will he possibly take to show the country and the world he is the "president" that may be extremely harmful to all?
And to think he called the Obama administration a failure. I offer, if it was a failure, it took 8 years in comparison to just over 100 days for Trump to show us a real failure in a presidential administration.
5
Unfortunately the problem doesn't end with Trump, and it will not end with his presidency. The problem is that there is a significant portion of Americans who support this man and all that he stands for.
Even if Trump is caught red handed, remember, this wouldn't be the first time. He was caught with the hot mic incident and then still elected. Even if it comes out that there is a recording of proof of treason, this won't change many people's minds. His supporters would stop overtly praising him, but covertly they would still support him. A even if they stop supporting him, they will support people like him, who stand for the same things symbolically.
And this is the real problem.
Even if Trump is caught red handed, remember, this wouldn't be the first time. He was caught with the hot mic incident and then still elected. Even if it comes out that there is a recording of proof of treason, this won't change many people's minds. His supporters would stop overtly praising him, but covertly they would still support him. A even if they stop supporting him, they will support people like him, who stand for the same things symbolically.
And this is the real problem.
18
Dead on. There is about 30% of voters who are his hard-core supporters. They either think there is nothing wrong with all that has happened, or want to continue to believe in their delusions despite all the evidence to the contrary.
Very good piece. This investigation must follow the money. trump is very clear when he says HE has no investments in Russia. I think that is likely to be true. But that is not the issue which is does Russia have investments, in the form of loans, in the trump organization. Those loans have been very likely laundered through third party banks. There was a time trump had great difficulty in getting any US capital because of his various bankruptcies. We must end up with a clear picture of the financial transactions between Russia, third party banks and the trump organization.
This is going to take time and we are all exhausted. We need to commit to being in this for the long haul and be willing to stay engaged.
This is going to take time and we are all exhausted. We need to commit to being in this for the long haul and be willing to stay engaged.
11
Kelly is a grown up? Joking at the Coast Guard commencement that the ceremonial sword given to Trump should be used on the media?? And this man is the director of Homeland Security?? There are no grownups with Trump and that is the problem!!
18
Mr. Kristoff is in error and again caught up in media hubris and an imaginary firestorm. Public opinion is shaping no event. Events are recurring in an endless vacuum of anger and rage all due to a loss of political and financial power. L’ homme il est ne’ libre, et partout il est dan les fers. Be wary of the chains grabbed voluntarily for self-aggrandizement. Comey, Mueller, Tweedle Dum, Tweedle Dee; it matters not when the intent is destruction, not truth.
6
Agreed, he gives far too much credit as to the shallow intellect of the masses.
"An aside: Thank God for the battle unfolding between The Washington Post and The New York Times. This is the best kind of newspaper war, keeping America straight."
Please consider the probability, Mr. Kristof, that this "war" would not have been necessary had the press been doing its job in the first place.
Please consider the probability, Mr. Kristof, that this "war" would not have been necessary had the press been doing its job in the first place.
12
May I take this opportunity to thank all those voters who "thought" putting this fool in office would be a good idea. I set the word "thought" off because in fact little was devoted to that act.
“Dangerous Times for Trump and the Nation”
The title should read ‘Dangerous Times for The Nation, American People and The World’. The President knows as well as the country that he is in trouble. His demeanor and facial expressions say it all. He keeps lying and replaces the lie with another lie and hopes that will sway congress and his supporters. Soon he will have his back against the wall and just like a wild animal will react. No telling what this incompetent of President will do. There must be measures in place.
The so called “grown-ups” mentioned in the article will have to do more than “grit their teeth and stick it out”. They need to seriously think about the security of the country, its people, the world and put their self interest to the side. There must be someone in the staff having some sense of humanity left in them and find the courage to act. Whoever it is or whoever they are must come forward at all costs if they know or suspect anything to put an end to this chaotic dysfunction.
As far as the POTUS is concerned; I would give him a supply of children’s coloring books and crayons to occupy his time until this mess is over.
The title should read ‘Dangerous Times for The Nation, American People and The World’. The President knows as well as the country that he is in trouble. His demeanor and facial expressions say it all. He keeps lying and replaces the lie with another lie and hopes that will sway congress and his supporters. Soon he will have his back against the wall and just like a wild animal will react. No telling what this incompetent of President will do. There must be measures in place.
The so called “grown-ups” mentioned in the article will have to do more than “grit their teeth and stick it out”. They need to seriously think about the security of the country, its people, the world and put their self interest to the side. There must be someone in the staff having some sense of humanity left in them and find the courage to act. Whoever it is or whoever they are must come forward at all costs if they know or suspect anything to put an end to this chaotic dysfunction.
As far as the POTUS is concerned; I would give him a supply of children’s coloring books and crayons to occupy his time until this mess is over.
6
As disgusting a display of egotism, narcissism, authoritarianism this nation witnessed prior to, during the campaign and now in his presidency, donald will exploded with all these negative personality characteristics if Mueller is not able to confirm proof positive collusion with Russia. If we thought life with donald is terrible now it will become unbearable later.
4
"Thank God for the battle unfolding between The Washington Post and The New York Times." Too little, too late. The damage has been done, all in the quest for Trump generated clicks and eyeballs. Wait, isn't his just more of the same?
Hmm, wondering which task has priority for Jared Krushner --negotiate peace among the Trump Administration or peace in Middle East ?
2
H. R. McMaster, Jim Mattis, Dina Powell, John Kelly, Rex Tillerson
What in the world makes these people adults? Wage criminal wars, pacify populations, destroy the environment? Or whatever other lousy things they have devoted their adult lives to doing.
What in the world makes these people adults? Wage criminal wars, pacify populations, destroy the environment? Or whatever other lousy things they have devoted their adult lives to doing.
13
Dear robert
I doubt you have served one day in service for this country. Easy for you to disparage these men who put their lives on the line. And by the way I served
4 years in the Air Force.
I doubt you have served one day in service for this country. Easy for you to disparage these men who put their lives on the line. And by the way I served
4 years in the Air Force.
I'm sorry but this offers nothing.
2
Is there someone watching the watcher??
Read the quotes by ryan and the other toads and it is clear the repubs are a criminal mafia with no interest in what is right, legal or in the best interests of the people, they care only about retaining power and enriching themselves and their wealthy masters.
They are all corrupt, starting with the most corrupt and unfit of all at the helm. The Times, Post and others need to relentlessly keep up the pressure on all of these criminals.
They are all corrupt, starting with the most corrupt and unfit of all at the helm. The Times, Post and others need to relentlessly keep up the pressure on all of these criminals.
16
Why not a new network show with the NYT and the Washington Post providing an MSNBC roundtable style discussion of the day's or week's events. No talking over each other, though.
4
Used to be the press were our guardians. Protecting the public from lies and untruths. The lead up to the Iraq war proved to us gullible public that the press is not our guardians. That they are as influenced and gullible as the rest of us. They put words in our heads where we had clarity and vision. Thank goodness we got rid of cable TV in 2009. No more talking heads.
2
Cue the entrance of the "humble" Pence the Enabler.
4
It appears to be in Trump's DNA that he must be the greatest at whatever. He already used the Coast Guard commencement to proclaim himself the victim of the greatest witch hunt ever.
I doubt he will ever go away "to save face". Rather, he will dump as much fuel on the fire as possible in order to be the biggest, best, greatest (in his mind) victim of those he sees as trying to bring him down. This will get uglier.
I doubt he will ever go away "to save face". Rather, he will dump as much fuel on the fire as possible in order to be the biggest, best, greatest (in his mind) victim of those he sees as trying to bring him down. This will get uglier.
7
The quid pro quo that I think should be investigated is a deal to reimburse Trump for the personal money he invested in his campaign. There are many ways this could be done that will be difficult to uncover.
3
Our democracy has been severely wounded. Most Americans want healthcare, gun control, jobs, solid and affordable education, women to have sensible access to abortion and environmental protections, but the GOP will not provide any of that standard western democracy fare. Nope, too busy with tax cuts and abolishing regulations (unless its abortion: gotta regulate those lady parts to the max).
Instead of what we want and need, we have the Jerry Springer show and an Administration who seems to be intent on tearing down the entire building behind the Springer curtain. Gerrymandering, Electoral College, Citizens United and Fox News have all coalesced and the majority is out of power. Very few people want what Ryan, Trump, Bannon, Pence or Sessions are selling, but that is all we have now for the foreseeable future.
Instead of what we want and need, we have the Jerry Springer show and an Administration who seems to be intent on tearing down the entire building behind the Springer curtain. Gerrymandering, Electoral College, Citizens United and Fox News have all coalesced and the majority is out of power. Very few people want what Ryan, Trump, Bannon, Pence or Sessions are selling, but that is all we have now for the foreseeable future.
13
Trump is showing the same kind of irrational, erratic behavior of the beleaguered Nixon - without drinking.
Many thought that Trump would grow into the job. But he has neither the desire or the discipline to grow.
Hard to predict if Trump will be found guilty of colluding or money laundering. But he is clearly a fish out of water, flopping around on the dock. He did not understand the job he was undertaking. He and his staff need to figure out some way of salvaging his dignity and the dignity of the US.
Many thought that Trump would grow into the job. But he has neither the desire or the discipline to grow.
Hard to predict if Trump will be found guilty of colluding or money laundering. But he is clearly a fish out of water, flopping around on the dock. He did not understand the job he was undertaking. He and his staff need to figure out some way of salvaging his dignity and the dignity of the US.
6
By now, Donald Trump and associates have realized that winning a presidential election --with promises, promises -- was the easiest part of the whole gig.
Governing a highly advanced nation, with a complex power structure is another ball game, well above Trump's IQ and his overrated real estate business abilities.
In fact, Trump is becoming a godsend gift to a demoralized democratic party. He is making such a mess of governance that two outcomes can be reasonably expected.
First, the GOP could lose the majority in Congress. Second, a better democratic candidate has a good chance to win the next presidential election.
In sum, Donald Trump is a sort of a political Trojan horse to the GOP and the conservative right wing movement in America. Is up to the democratic party to take advantage of such rare gift presented in American politics.
Governing a highly advanced nation, with a complex power structure is another ball game, well above Trump's IQ and his overrated real estate business abilities.
In fact, Trump is becoming a godsend gift to a demoralized democratic party. He is making such a mess of governance that two outcomes can be reasonably expected.
First, the GOP could lose the majority in Congress. Second, a better democratic candidate has a good chance to win the next presidential election.
In sum, Donald Trump is a sort of a political Trojan horse to the GOP and the conservative right wing movement in America. Is up to the democratic party to take advantage of such rare gift presented in American politics.
11
people need to relax a bit. As long as trump continues to bask in the adulation his supporters are willing to give him nothing else matters. He has a long history of being surrounded by controversy and has become desensitized to consequences for his actions except to realize that notoriety is also the publicity he craves. And his limited knowledge of the workings of government will turn out to be our saving grace because, by the time he becomes aware it's all over for him, others will have taken a page from the James Schlesinger playbook.
2
I think Comey and the FBI have the most to explain. Why was email evidence suddenly ready to be dumped into the domain as a topic, in the eve of the presidential election? Not once, but twice.
Can murderous timing be obstruction of justice or, at the very least, interference with an election?
I think so.
How can the president's mild statement that he hopes Comey will drop an issue, possibly be obstruction of justice? It can't. If Meuller doesn't wrap within 90 days, his integrity will be questioned.
Can murderous timing be obstruction of justice or, at the very least, interference with an election?
I think so.
How can the president's mild statement that he hopes Comey will drop an issue, possibly be obstruction of justice? It can't. If Meuller doesn't wrap within 90 days, his integrity will be questioned.
2
em, if we knew all the answers, there would be nothing to hide, lol. Our government does most of the stuff in secrecy, revealing only what it wants, to the public.
1
I don't think that is how you use "entropy" in a sentence. It's like saying that something is tumbling toward temperature. I think you mean to say, "tumbling toward chaos." Or, "Entropy has risen." Or, "The entropic state has gone up."
Economists have been misusing this word for a while now. They love stat-mech and thermoD lingo. It makes them feel like real scientists, when they are actually modern day astrologers. [I poke fun.] Some of my best friends practice the dark art.
Oh yes. TRUMP and cronies. I hope Mad Dog has prepared a nuclear buffer like Schlesinger's. TRUMP doesn't need liquor to behave irrationally. He just needs a little push from FoxNews or Rush. Or Jared, for that matter. This Jared character is the one to watch. He's pure creepy. C-Minus Ivy Frat Boy Real Estate Scion. He makes W. seem like a genuine man of the people.
Economists have been misusing this word for a while now. They love stat-mech and thermoD lingo. It makes them feel like real scientists, when they are actually modern day astrologers. [I poke fun.] Some of my best friends practice the dark art.
Oh yes. TRUMP and cronies. I hope Mad Dog has prepared a nuclear buffer like Schlesinger's. TRUMP doesn't need liquor to behave irrationally. He just needs a little push from FoxNews or Rush. Or Jared, for that matter. This Jared character is the one to watch. He's pure creepy. C-Minus Ivy Frat Boy Real Estate Scion. He makes W. seem like a genuine man of the people.
6
Mueller's work officially will be to figure out illegal interaction between the Russians and Trump. Most likely that will be minor but other things will surface showing Trump as corrupt, insane, and dangerous. That is the real objective. Comey will play a major role here.
How is the FBI gonna find the foreign bank accounts where the Russian payola to Trump has been deposited? Maybe it's in bitcoins or the Kishners were in Europe to secure/hide the money.
3
The free press is indeed saving the Nation. Thank you for your service. Perhaps pressure should be brought to reveal carefully and act thoughtfully about Mr. Trump's obvious incompetence and perhaps his mental instability. These are much more difficult issues to address but they seem at the heart of our troubles. Indeed all of the Presidents problems are of his own doing, and very few of his self-inflicted wounds seem the result of any rational process.
5
RE: Pence over Trump. Yes, a nightmare. But we have lived through many conservative Presidents. He's not a loose cannon. I do not believe he would threaten world security the way Trump does. And he knows how government works, and to some extent, I think, would be restrained by his knowledge of checks and balances, which Trump lacks. If Trump goes, its a Pyrrhic victory. But perhaps at last he will discover that his actions have consequences, something that most of us have learned at our mother's knee. I shudder to think of all the plays, operas, and books that are going to be ground out about this President. But the sad thing is: Trump is the obvious conclusion to the direction the country has been going, towards consumerism, glitz, and being famous for nothing. We got our very own reality show. Too bad it's a tragedy. But they all are, in their way.
8
@concerned mother: I have a tenant who is a young German woman and we speak of politics. She said the latest word from Germany is that there are small town elections being held now and because of Trumpworld in America the right wingers are being pushed out and more moderates being elected. The Germans do not want to find another mentally ill leader at their helm. They're taking what is happening to us very seriously and are pushing back.
It was the best news in a long time. If Trump can serve as a 'don't do this to your country' then maybe something good is coming out of this hell he is putting us through.
It was the best news in a long time. If Trump can serve as a 'don't do this to your country' then maybe something good is coming out of this hell he is putting us through.
2
Why is the Democratic Party not stepping up to the plate right now to say, hey, there is a better way, a progressive way? They should be discouraging attacks on Trump voters, who really were (they said so) feeling so desperate, they thought, hey, might as well vote for a lunatic over a Wall Street lackey. Sure, there were racists and wack-a-doodles and billionaires in the bunch, but that's not most of them. The majority of voters DID vote for the Democratic candidate, rather than see Trump elected president.
You Trump voter haters need to knock it off with the snarky insults. Division is Trump's game. Don't play it. Instead, listen to the desperation of your fellow citizens and then convince the Democratic Party to listen and respond with a clear, progressive message and non-tainted candidate to lead the way out of this. Convince the Party to line up behind a voice of reason and hope who's not a Wall Street lackey -- say, Joe Kennedy III? Don't let the Party leadership (and the pro-Wall Street New York Times editorial board) bury him like they did another good man.
You Trump voter haters need to knock it off with the snarky insults. Division is Trump's game. Don't play it. Instead, listen to the desperation of your fellow citizens and then convince the Democratic Party to listen and respond with a clear, progressive message and non-tainted candidate to lead the way out of this. Convince the Party to line up behind a voice of reason and hope who's not a Wall Street lackey -- say, Joe Kennedy III? Don't let the Party leadership (and the pro-Wall Street New York Times editorial board) bury him like they did another good man.
2
People make their own dangers and so do nations. There is no real danger or crisis but that the chattering class is acting like it and eventually its having its effect. Though Trump is a highly unusual president, he doesn't seem to have done anything worse than many presidents. People commenting on this site are not going to remember how angry Rs were at leaks of classified info by Obama's admin., most don't want to acknowledge the disastrous foreign policy following his Nobel Prize (in other words, his whole 8 years) though some do, the health care crisis he thought he fixed which seems do be dissolving (Ds seem not to notice), the direct lies stemming from the ACA, the Iran deal and so forth. B/c he was on "their side." Trump doesn't have a side. Ds are in full throated hysteria over him and half of the Rs don't like him much. So, this is what we get. My fantasy - Kasich and Webb being nominated in 2020. What a joke, right? B/c we don't deserve decent, intelligent, experienced, relative moderates without a lot of scandals - we deserve Clinton and Trump. And we got one.
McMaster just proved himself to be a mouthpiece for Trump ala his comments defending Trump and then having Trump tweet just the opposite comments McMaster made. Obviously there are really no adults in this administration. Thinking that the Cabinet is going to coalesce around the 25th Amendment is magical thinking. And certainly 2/3 of the Congress is not going to happen. Not when they have so many things to undo, like the ACA, the Environmental rules and regulations, the tax code, etcetera.
They want these distractions so McConnell and Ryan can get their terrible agenda through. And Ryan and McCarthy are a fine example of caring for themselves, not the country. Recall them all (I wish)
They want these distractions so McConnell and Ryan can get their terrible agenda through. And Ryan and McCarthy are a fine example of caring for themselves, not the country. Recall them all (I wish)
2
I said months ago that investigative journalism would save us from this mess of an administration. I stand by my statement. Thank goodness for a free press!
7
I want it said loudly and often, removing a President through a mechanism defined in the Constitution requiring the consent of two thirds of our ELECTED Congress is totally and demonstrably "democratic". We voted for Congress to represent our best interests and they should do so.
I hope for the good of this country this goes smoothly and evidence is made clear to the public. When Trump thought he was going the lose the election, he incited violence and even went as far as saying, "Maybe my 2nd amendment people could do something about it."
I have no doubt he is guilty of first collusion with a foreign adversary and followed by obstruction. Some good Republicans need to step forward and keep this civil, because he might take this country's soul down with him.
I have no doubt he is guilty of first collusion with a foreign adversary and followed by obstruction. Some good Republicans need to step forward and keep this civil, because he might take this country's soul down with him.
5
It would seem to me the only real way out of this is for the Democrats to regain the Senate and the House with the hope that they are capable of, rather than gloating and feeling superior and enlightened on regaining some power, they take a lesson from this Greek tragedy of hubris, arrogance and stupidity and buckle down with an attitude more aligned with There but for the grace of God go I. But we are talking about politicians and Washington--in the context of a very battered "democracy."
After Trump`s graduation talk, Kelly`s comment to use the "sword on the press"
is a disgusting example of adult supervision. I am left wondering why would these so called grownups work for this narcissistic 3 year old anyway. The only hope is for all of us to take a more active role in ousting these Republican adolescents who are running the government. 2018 cannot come fast enough!
is a disgusting example of adult supervision. I am left wondering why would these so called grownups work for this narcissistic 3 year old anyway. The only hope is for all of us to take a more active role in ousting these Republican adolescents who are running the government. 2018 cannot come fast enough!
1
Paul Ryan should know by now that a 'real family' does not poison the neighbors well.
4
So called president trump and his endless in your face bloviating sententious bombast makes me physically sick... quite literally.
If this country is luckier than it deserves trump could just resign, whining all the way to one of his many estates.
2
Although you don't say so explicitly, I think you foresee the possibility of the cornered-rat syndrome coming into play. Or is it the rattlesnake that strikes if you poke him? In any case, interesting, times, in the worst sense of the term. (By the way, is reiterating a new term for tweeting?)
1
Frightening, Nick, your statement that the Trump Presidency" may be tumbling toward entropy". "May be" is conditional, not positive. We cling to the hope that this investigation by former FBI Director Robert Mueller will remove the cloud over the Trump Presidency. Mike Flynn and Paul Manafort and House Majority Leader, Kevin McCarthy, are bad guys. Not to mention Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell, who is in the La Brea Tar Pit for asking for "a little less drama" at the White House. The less said about President Trump's chosen malign "chief strategists" and advisers, and nepots, all whispering in his ear, the better.
We the people are risking a mentally-disturbed President in the Oval Office, and Trump's other "white houses"in New Jersey and Palm Beach, Florida.
As you say, Nick "there are dangers ahead". Odysseus faced dangers on his odyssey - Scylla and Charybdis. And among the dangers ahead is what may happen on the magic carpet Air Force One week-long trip for the President and First Lady in Saudi Arabia, Israel, Rome, Brussels and Sicily. A staggeringly exhausting and overly ambitious itinerary. The photo accompanying your column today (by Drago, NYT) shows a sad and defeated man, so unusual to see Trump in that dejected posture!
Trump's cabinet can remove the president from office by a majority vote under the 25th Amendment. We cannot imagine such a vote ever taking place. But life is full of surprises.
We the people are risking a mentally-disturbed President in the Oval Office, and Trump's other "white houses"in New Jersey and Palm Beach, Florida.
As you say, Nick "there are dangers ahead". Odysseus faced dangers on his odyssey - Scylla and Charybdis. And among the dangers ahead is what may happen on the magic carpet Air Force One week-long trip for the President and First Lady in Saudi Arabia, Israel, Rome, Brussels and Sicily. A staggeringly exhausting and overly ambitious itinerary. The photo accompanying your column today (by Drago, NYT) shows a sad and defeated man, so unusual to see Trump in that dejected posture!
Trump's cabinet can remove the president from office by a majority vote under the 25th Amendment. We cannot imagine such a vote ever taking place. But life is full of surprises.
1
Let's hope that there has been some secret tacit agreement within some rational group to neutralize trump should he reach for the trigger.
2
Haven't heard much about Trump's dossier lately. Now that Comey has been fired, is he free to reveal its contents in full to the nation? Inquiring minds want to know.
One, the only one bright spot is that Trump doesn't drink....
1
Call your elected representatives and tell them to support the special counsel
and any investigations into Trump. Call them TODAY!
and any investigations into Trump. Call them TODAY!
2
American voters--with some help from outside influence--have put us where we are today. Being uninformed and easily persuaded to vote for an unfit candidate for President put us in this mess. 2018 is a time that voters can rectify some of this chaos by electing new members to the Congress--more Democrats who then will have the power to oppose many of these dangerous policies the GOP hopes to pass before that happens. Hopefully those who didn't vote in the 2016 election, those who voted 3rd party or for Trump, will cast their ballots differently in 2018 and give us a chance to fight back.
5
"We don’t know how Trump will respond in the coming months." A safe bet is that unlike Nixon, who hunkered down and dissolved into nocturnal drunkenness toward the end, Trump will become more vitriolic, aggressive, irrational and disorganized. He will blame everyone and everything for his ineptness and will initially attempt to ride out the storm but in the end may well resign to save face - in that way can continue to fault and blame the media, the liberal left and the Washington insiders for his incredibly tumultuous, unproductive and destructive brief reign.
4
Baloney.
This article, and those accompanying it on this editorial page, are just nonsense.
There is no crisis. There is no threat to our democratic institutions. There is no crisis in the White House.
Ignoring all the vitrioloic hyperbole, which all amounts to: Waaah Hillary lost. Waah, what we can see is that there have only been three circumstances where the media has found something that was worthy of constant attention: The Comey firing, the Flynn telephone notes, and the meeting with the Russian foreign minister.
The Comey firing was legal and Comey's political loyalties have been questions by both sides of the aisle. The phone notes are not interesting, largely because as Director, Comey was required by federal statute to immediately and formally report any obstruction of justice to the Justice Department (to the acting AG in this case) and he did not do so. The only reasonable conclusion is that he was not in possession of sufficient facts (including those required to demonstrate criminal intent) to warrant an indictment. All persons in the room with the foreign minister have stated that the Washington Post story is a lie.
Trump is an outsider, elected by voters who want the elitist globalist-collectivist politicians thrown out and the republic returned to the citizenry. The system resists. But the citizenry will prevail.
3
The informed citizenry will prevail, despite the best efforts of the alt right news world that you apparently favor.
7
You got that right---the citizenry will prevail.
2
Yes. The citizenry will prevail - but, it won't be the citizenry that shares your absurd view of the last 118 days. It will be the educated citizenry who saves the democracy, so that you can continue to spout your Alex Jones-inspired "analysis" without fear.
And seriously, you need a better "base line" to your position: 'we won, you lost' undercuts any worthy consideration of your position.
Every voting citizen, on either side of the fence, has had their preferred candidate lose a race at one time or another. Our liberal democracy (look it up, before you explode) depends on the free, fair and regular electoral cycle to attempt to express our political views and effect change. We don't - on either side - willingly grind our government to a halt and subsume it in a vortex of chaos to prove a point. (Although, it did seem like the congressional majority warmed to, if not adopted, these strategies from 2008-16).
Instead, the citizenry clamors for a functional executive that works within the bounds and spirit of the law.
This is the citizenry who will prevail. You're welcome to join us.
And seriously, you need a better "base line" to your position: 'we won, you lost' undercuts any worthy consideration of your position.
Every voting citizen, on either side of the fence, has had their preferred candidate lose a race at one time or another. Our liberal democracy (look it up, before you explode) depends on the free, fair and regular electoral cycle to attempt to express our political views and effect change. We don't - on either side - willingly grind our government to a halt and subsume it in a vortex of chaos to prove a point. (Although, it did seem like the congressional majority warmed to, if not adopted, these strategies from 2008-16).
Instead, the citizenry clamors for a functional executive that works within the bounds and spirit of the law.
This is the citizenry who will prevail. You're welcome to join us.
4
Even if McCarthy and Ryan were joking, jokes often reveal inner thoughts or shades of truth.
8
So we know what the Ryan boys really think, they behind the scenes they sound more brutal in their assessment than we "liberal elites." Of course it was a joke. Of course, humor is a way to release tension arising from our real and often hidden fears. Which means it is their perception of the truth.
I somehow never learned that Schlesinger had made that admonition to the military. who wold do that now? Mattis? Maybe.
Today there was a piece by John Yoo, comparing this mess to the Iran Contra Affair. The parallel is interesting, but worrisome. Remember it went on for years, and the President regained the adulation of a large part of the American public. On the other hand, it evolved in part from Reagan's noninvolvement, whereas Trump's MO is over-involvement.
I somehow never learned that Schlesinger had made that admonition to the military. who wold do that now? Mattis? Maybe.
Today there was a piece by John Yoo, comparing this mess to the Iran Contra Affair. The parallel is interesting, but worrisome. Remember it went on for years, and the President regained the adulation of a large part of the American public. On the other hand, it evolved in part from Reagan's noninvolvement, whereas Trump's MO is over-involvement.
5
When did Rex Tillerson become a grown up?
7
By comparison?
1
When Trump was elected, the stock market initially faltered and then took off like a bat out of hell. Now that Trump is particularly vulnerable, the market is faltering again. The market is clearly optimistic when Trump appears to be leading the way, and it gets spooked when he is most vulnerable. I don't know what Wall Street thinks it knows about Trump. It seems to me that the motr power he can exercise, the more reason there is to sell..
1
Wow! That bad, huh?
1
As candidate and now as president, Donald Trump tries to undermine our country's foundations, including the critical core of journalism, through his daily attacks. As courts challenged him, he demeaned judges and circuit courts.
Compared our intelligence agencies to Nazi Germany. Put a stress on our NATO ties by criticizing close allies worldwide--- while demanding they pay America for services. Wouldn't even shake Angela Merkel's hand. Won't admit Russia sought to influence our elections.
Now his recent act of firing James Comey was a self-serving attempt to weaken the FBI as it was investigating his campaign's Russian ties.
As former national intelligence director James Clapper just said, U.S. institutions are “under assault” from Trump....Russia must see the firing of Comey as “another victory on the scoreboard for them.”
As to House Republicans + Kevin McCarthy's remark about Trump being paid by Russia found on audio, we learn Trump's party endorsed him while believing he could be tied to Russia. Ryan stopped McCarthy from going further with that comment saying "No leaks....this is how we know we're a real family here." It sounds strangely conspiratorial.
These certainly are dangerous times.
Compared our intelligence agencies to Nazi Germany. Put a stress on our NATO ties by criticizing close allies worldwide--- while demanding they pay America for services. Wouldn't even shake Angela Merkel's hand. Won't admit Russia sought to influence our elections.
Now his recent act of firing James Comey was a self-serving attempt to weaken the FBI as it was investigating his campaign's Russian ties.
As former national intelligence director James Clapper just said, U.S. institutions are “under assault” from Trump....Russia must see the firing of Comey as “another victory on the scoreboard for them.”
As to House Republicans + Kevin McCarthy's remark about Trump being paid by Russia found on audio, we learn Trump's party endorsed him while believing he could be tied to Russia. Ryan stopped McCarthy from going further with that comment saying "No leaks....this is how we know we're a real family here." It sounds strangely conspiratorial.
These certainly are dangerous times.
8
Ryan sounds like the Mafia to me.
Classic fascist response to internal political problems: create a foreign policy issue. And just in time and very predictably, here comes "liberal" (read Post-FDR fascist) mouthpiece Kristof beating the drums for us to be ready to go to war when Russia does something nasty. Note to Bill: we are so busy digging in in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria....that raising concerns about the Baltic doesn't ring any alarms.
"We don’t, of course, know what Mueller will find..."
No, we don't, but we can certainly make an educated guess.
No, we don't, but we can certainly make an educated guess.
6
Nixon never threatened to use nuclear weapons in Vietnam, or China.
Trump on the other hand on record has said the following:
MATTHEWS: Where would we drop — where would we drop a nuclear weapon in the Middle East?
TRUMP: Let me explain. Let me explain. Somebody hits us within ISIS — you wouldn`t fight back with a nuke?
MATTHEWS: OK. The trouble is, when you said that, the whole world heard it. David Cameron in Britain heard it. The Japanese, where we bombed them in 45, heard it. They`re hearing a guy running for president of the United States talking of maybe using nuclear weapons. Nobody wants to hear that about an American president.
TRUMP: Then why are we making them? Why do we make them?
[MSNBC, March 30, 2016]
HEWITT: Of the three legs of the triad, though, do you have a priority? I want to go to Senator Rubio after that and ask him.
TRUMP: I think — I think, for me, nuclear is just the power, the devastation is very important to me.
[CNN, 12/15/15]
If Trump thought firing Comey was a good way to get rid of the Russian investigating of his former aids, is it plausible that he may think firing a mushroom cloud will be a good way to divert attention, if any of the allegations that Donald played footsie with Vladimir pan out?
Trump on the other hand on record has said the following:
MATTHEWS: Where would we drop — where would we drop a nuclear weapon in the Middle East?
TRUMP: Let me explain. Let me explain. Somebody hits us within ISIS — you wouldn`t fight back with a nuke?
MATTHEWS: OK. The trouble is, when you said that, the whole world heard it. David Cameron in Britain heard it. The Japanese, where we bombed them in 45, heard it. They`re hearing a guy running for president of the United States talking of maybe using nuclear weapons. Nobody wants to hear that about an American president.
TRUMP: Then why are we making them? Why do we make them?
[MSNBC, March 30, 2016]
HEWITT: Of the three legs of the triad, though, do you have a priority? I want to go to Senator Rubio after that and ask him.
TRUMP: I think — I think, for me, nuclear is just the power, the devastation is very important to me.
[CNN, 12/15/15]
If Trump thought firing Comey was a good way to get rid of the Russian investigating of his former aids, is it plausible that he may think firing a mushroom cloud will be a good way to divert attention, if any of the allegations that Donald played footsie with Vladimir pan out?
7
Fortunately Trump doesn't drink. Yet!
3
What a sad state of affairs it is when GOP members of Congress feel they can joke about a president being bribed by the Kremlin.
If there's a punch line in Mr. McCarthy's comments, I don't see it.
If there's a punch line in Mr. McCarthy's comments, I don't see it.
8
Its never been Trump I was woried about re; Russia, but those around him. But he would seek to protect them, which involves him...he might not know the details, like a proper "Don", but he knows something went down.
And I feel it might come really close to home...in the Trump households. Even Mr. Ivanka could be involved...
On anoher note, maybe the Don needs to start drinking...maybe take a trip to Colorado and indulge at a wacky weed cafe. Chill him out!
And I feel it might come really close to home...in the Trump households. Even Mr. Ivanka could be involved...
On anoher note, maybe the Don needs to start drinking...maybe take a trip to Colorado and indulge at a wacky weed cafe. Chill him out!
Trump hates leaders, but loved Wikileakes.
1
Despite my bilief that Trump is an utterly inept and unqualified commander in chief, Im also well aware that the presidents ability to push the utton is far from a one man decision. Dont get your underwear tied up in a knot!
A happy ending would be a subpoena to Trump tax records in order to determine if they reflect a Russian connection and, independently of it, discover an Al Capone issue which will prevail as a criminal case. Not a crazy thought since Trump thinks he is above the law.
Will Mueller be in the obligation to act? Could it be "let go"?
Will Mueller be in the obligation to act? Could it be "let go"?
4
That sort of stuff will not be in a tax return. It will take a UBS type leak to know where Trump is stashing his Russian bribes.
"The White House has never needed more adult supervision."
Actually the country is in such need as too many adults have been missing from both parties who got us into this mess. The Democrats for their profound incompetence, doubling down on an agenda that produced loss after loss, and the GOP for enabling a person like Trump to win their primary. The media for pandering to the Trump hysteria but offering few suggestions on a way out for both parties, as it has resulted in a significant increase in their subscriptions. All of the people thinking that they are doing something for the 'resistance' by posting SNL skits on their phones, as opposed to getting their parties back on track.
Record debt is bread, and the rest is a circus.
Actually the country is in such need as too many adults have been missing from both parties who got us into this mess. The Democrats for their profound incompetence, doubling down on an agenda that produced loss after loss, and the GOP for enabling a person like Trump to win their primary. The media for pandering to the Trump hysteria but offering few suggestions on a way out for both parties, as it has resulted in a significant increase in their subscriptions. All of the people thinking that they are doing something for the 'resistance' by posting SNL skits on their phones, as opposed to getting their parties back on track.
Record debt is bread, and the rest is a circus.
2
It can not be soon enough to repeal and replace Trump, Pence, and Ryan, and all others, like Nunes, Chaffatz, Sessions who seem to be party to this conspiracy to hijack the American Republic, with the aid of a foreign hostile government, no less.
However, seeing how absolutely corrupt this administration is from top to bottom, we will never find peace with the GOP appointing another crooked Republican as President. Unless ALL of Congress can agree to a moderate replacement of the entire executive branch, Trump's administration, cabinet choices, and Department heads, we will not even begin the process of healing and restoring the Republic.
In the meanwhile, I hope all of Congress can agree, that while Trump is still the sitting President, and steps can be taken to remove him, that he is extremely dangerous not only to America, but the world, and needs to have his power removed to launch nuclear bombs or military strikes of any kind. It appears his use of our troops and military equipment is a just a child's game to him, and war is no game.
I hope we survive these times, and the adults left remaining in Congress, will work to do what is absolutely crucial to the survival of America.
However, seeing how absolutely corrupt this administration is from top to bottom, we will never find peace with the GOP appointing another crooked Republican as President. Unless ALL of Congress can agree to a moderate replacement of the entire executive branch, Trump's administration, cabinet choices, and Department heads, we will not even begin the process of healing and restoring the Republic.
In the meanwhile, I hope all of Congress can agree, that while Trump is still the sitting President, and steps can be taken to remove him, that he is extremely dangerous not only to America, but the world, and needs to have his power removed to launch nuclear bombs or military strikes of any kind. It appears his use of our troops and military equipment is a just a child's game to him, and war is no game.
I hope we survive these times, and the adults left remaining in Congress, will work to do what is absolutely crucial to the survival of America.
3
It may be hyperbole, but I'm not sure. It is a reasonable fear given what we know about Trump. He is more unstable than Nixon who understood the workings of government, was paranoid, but cared about the country enough to resign rather than act out a drama. Trump has been unpredictable throughout his campaign, transition, and short presidency. He rehearses his lines in public before millions. "No one has been treated so unfairly." It is not good when the commander-in-chief views himself as a victim of press scrutiny.
His communication is full of invective and projection of his flaws onto those close to him. His communication with foreign leaders is very suspect, even without questions of classified information. I haven't seen evidence of humility. He was president of a private company with no Board of Directors, no one to account to. Everyone around him told him how great he was or was dismissed. He is now surrounded by a press which is not cowering and faces a special counsel which will not flinch. Even if there is no collusion per se, there is something which Trump is hiding, even if it is only his own fear of inadequacy for the job. Trump supporters see none of these issues, but neither did Nixon supporters see problems with Nixon until there was incontrovertible proof. I hope Kristof's fears are hyperbole, but a cornered Trump appears to me to be more dangerous than a cornered Nixon.
His communication is full of invective and projection of his flaws onto those close to him. His communication with foreign leaders is very suspect, even without questions of classified information. I haven't seen evidence of humility. He was president of a private company with no Board of Directors, no one to account to. Everyone around him told him how great he was or was dismissed. He is now surrounded by a press which is not cowering and faces a special counsel which will not flinch. Even if there is no collusion per se, there is something which Trump is hiding, even if it is only his own fear of inadequacy for the job. Trump supporters see none of these issues, but neither did Nixon supporters see problems with Nixon until there was incontrovertible proof. I hope Kristof's fears are hyperbole, but a cornered Trump appears to me to be more dangerous than a cornered Nixon.
5
There are several drums I have come to beat regularly, since the appearance of Trump and his subsequent debasement of the Oval Office.
First and last is his character, which I have summed up as prideful, envious, indulgent of wrath and rage, driven by lust and greed, intellectually if not physically slothful. A trip to Mar-A-Largo, or the brass festooned Trump Tower says more about gluttony than I could ever articulate. I have framed Mr. Trump's character flaws not so much to make a religious point, but have repeatedly asked we see them as signs of psychological decline, or a pathology. A road map.
His character drives everything. It is why he views his most valuable asset as his very own brand.
Next, Trump thinks he's a mobster. I wonder how many times he has watched "Goodfella's" or "The Godfather". Is he a Game of Thrones fan?
He yearns to parlay with Putin. He wants to build a wall, send Eric there.
Because of Trump's insular mob-like mentality, he has doubtlessly drawn his children into this mess. I've often looked at the stage, as the whole Trump family gathers around him and get Madoff children flashbacks. I see hostages. And this raises the stakes for Donald, considerably. It amps up his tendencies, as previously listed.
Trump is searching for an exit strategy. But, he is very much the bully, blinded by his rage, searching for a way out.
Mental health professionals, how would you deal with such a patient in a clinical environment? What if they had nukes?
First and last is his character, which I have summed up as prideful, envious, indulgent of wrath and rage, driven by lust and greed, intellectually if not physically slothful. A trip to Mar-A-Largo, or the brass festooned Trump Tower says more about gluttony than I could ever articulate. I have framed Mr. Trump's character flaws not so much to make a religious point, but have repeatedly asked we see them as signs of psychological decline, or a pathology. A road map.
His character drives everything. It is why he views his most valuable asset as his very own brand.
Next, Trump thinks he's a mobster. I wonder how many times he has watched "Goodfella's" or "The Godfather". Is he a Game of Thrones fan?
He yearns to parlay with Putin. He wants to build a wall, send Eric there.
Because of Trump's insular mob-like mentality, he has doubtlessly drawn his children into this mess. I've often looked at the stage, as the whole Trump family gathers around him and get Madoff children flashbacks. I see hostages. And this raises the stakes for Donald, considerably. It amps up his tendencies, as previously listed.
Trump is searching for an exit strategy. But, he is very much the bully, blinded by his rage, searching for a way out.
Mental health professionals, how would you deal with such a patient in a clinical environment? What if they had nukes?
6
I, too, applaud the press. Cheers to all the reporters out there who have been working tirelessly to uncover the truth-- hooray! How about a national, "Thank a Journalist" day?
3
Many of us are not geniuses, and yet we could see this Presidential crisis coming a thousand miles away shortly after Trump announced his candidacy and began shooting his mouth off. Now, we have to worry that we won't become embroiled in some international incident or national crisis that will have us searching for competent leaders to handle them.
Oh, and with the Putin remark story, we have confirmed that we can't trust anything coming from Ryan or McCarthy. But I guess that shouldn't be news to us either.
Oh, and with the Putin remark story, we have confirmed that we can't trust anything coming from Ryan or McCarthy. But I guess that shouldn't be news to us either.
8
The "carnage" mentioned in his inaugural address began with this administration. To quote Churchill, the appointment of Robert Mueller, instigated in no small part by the Times and the Washington Post, marks the end of the beginning.
Many fear a potential Nixonian response, should the investigations reach the beginning of the end. Hopefully, those surrounding him will protect us and the world as Mr. Schlesinger did. The danger today is far more existential following the Watergate years.
Many fear a potential Nixonian response, should the investigations reach the beginning of the end. Hopefully, those surrounding him will protect us and the world as Mr. Schlesinger did. The danger today is far more existential following the Watergate years.
Russian meddling in Ukraine is not a threat to the national security of the United States. The Baltic states are members of NATO, and it's unlikely Russia will risk a European war by invading Estonia. On the other hand, Trump might try to revive his flagging presidency by attacking North Korea without the support of South Korea and Japan, perhaps without even telling them before he strikes. That could lead to all sorts of problems.
The odds of the author's nightmare scenario playing out are pretty slim. But why not alarm people and make a pitch for more subscribers at the same time? Seems like an inappropriate juxtaposition, but then standards are falling everywhere.
The odds of the author's nightmare scenario playing out are pretty slim. But why not alarm people and make a pitch for more subscribers at the same time? Seems like an inappropriate juxtaposition, but then standards are falling everywhere.
This borders on the absurd and is only meant to distract our attention from the real investigations that need to take place now that time has turned a corner on our world. A genuine president would call the bluff of the real perpetrators meddling with our lives. He would raise the taxes on those that have created the more probable nuclear treat to this world, which are the waste depositories, because we are in a race against time here, and there is precious little of it left. And yes I am one of those unknowns, who however find themselves on the upward turn of that big wheel, reaching for the relevance in our tomorrow.
2
None of these characters are about ideology. It's all about money, isn't it? It was always about the money.
4
Dear Mr. Kristof,
What if the special prosecutor doesn't come up with "gray areas" but completely absolves this Administration from wrong doing?
Just because Trump's incompetent, ego driven and nasty doesn't mean that he should be driven out of office and to overlay the public's (And my own) complete disgust with this craven creature with the promise of an independent prosecutor finding out anything criminal is not a guarantee that Trump will be taken down.
Voting the minions that serve the GOP out, as in next year's elections, is the only real course open to any voters who are finally disgusted with the entire bunch of self serving pettifoggers.
Trump may be the high point of the GOP's attempt at total control but this crowd is controlling the whole thing until January, 2019 and it has already taken control of SCOTUS. Be careful what you wish for as I see Mr. Pence as an even bigger threat than the current buffoon at the top.
By the way, I understand, through the Internet of course, that aides have put one of those big, red "Staples" buttons on Trump's desk, just in case.
What if the special prosecutor doesn't come up with "gray areas" but completely absolves this Administration from wrong doing?
Just because Trump's incompetent, ego driven and nasty doesn't mean that he should be driven out of office and to overlay the public's (And my own) complete disgust with this craven creature with the promise of an independent prosecutor finding out anything criminal is not a guarantee that Trump will be taken down.
Voting the minions that serve the GOP out, as in next year's elections, is the only real course open to any voters who are finally disgusted with the entire bunch of self serving pettifoggers.
Trump may be the high point of the GOP's attempt at total control but this crowd is controlling the whole thing until January, 2019 and it has already taken control of SCOTUS. Be careful what you wish for as I see Mr. Pence as an even bigger threat than the current buffoon at the top.
By the way, I understand, through the Internet of course, that aides have put one of those big, red "Staples" buttons on Trump's desk, just in case.
1
If they absolve Trump that's fine. Knowing is the most important goal. That and persuading the knuckleheads who voted for Trump that Trump's promises to them are lies. But it will take Congressional laws that eviserate the middle class for that to happen.
As a Canadian, the current political situation in the US leaves me baffled and bemused. Leaving aside the gob smacking nature of this last week's Trump news, I'd like to comment on the Ryan/McCarthy comedy tape.
I'm a public school teacher. If I was caught 'joking' with my colleagues about taking bribes from any of my students or their parents in exchange for grade enhancement, I'd be dismissed immediately. My union would be unable to help me. Why? Conduct unbecoming a profession.
So what gives with the upper echelon of the American government?
I'm a public school teacher. If I was caught 'joking' with my colleagues about taking bribes from any of my students or their parents in exchange for grade enhancement, I'd be dismissed immediately. My union would be unable to help me. Why? Conduct unbecoming a profession.
So what gives with the upper echelon of the American government?
4
Nick, it is absolutely necessary for our National Security purposes that Trump's cabinet including VP bolt against Trump tomorrow when he leaves on his foreign trip.
Mike Pence who'll stay behind in Washington should present himself as the Replacement president with the backing by most of Trump's cabinet members.
I'll bet my money that Trump who has a fear of going abroad will cancel his trip thinking something like his removal from the Presidency as it's written in the 25th Amendment which states that "if until a president transmits to the president pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker on contrary that he's unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President."
It's also written there that " within 4 days president tempore like Mr. Pence has to transmit to the Congress that the President Trump is unable to discharge his powers and duties of his office".
This is how a lot of us read the 25th Amendment XXV which was replaced because of ambiguous wording of Article II,Section 1,Clause 6 of the Constitution.
We the concerned citizens of this country know that it is a doable act on the part of the Congress to allow vice president Pence to assume powers and duties of the office as Acting president and allow our troops to maintain law and order in times of this succession just like what Nixon's defense secretary,James Schlesinger did in 1974 so that Nixon didn't blow up the world.
Mike Pence who'll stay behind in Washington should present himself as the Replacement president with the backing by most of Trump's cabinet members.
I'll bet my money that Trump who has a fear of going abroad will cancel his trip thinking something like his removal from the Presidency as it's written in the 25th Amendment which states that "if until a president transmits to the president pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker on contrary that he's unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President."
It's also written there that " within 4 days president tempore like Mr. Pence has to transmit to the Congress that the President Trump is unable to discharge his powers and duties of his office".
This is how a lot of us read the 25th Amendment XXV which was replaced because of ambiguous wording of Article II,Section 1,Clause 6 of the Constitution.
We the concerned citizens of this country know that it is a doable act on the part of the Congress to allow vice president Pence to assume powers and duties of the office as Acting president and allow our troops to maintain law and order in times of this succession just like what Nixon's defense secretary,James Schlesinger did in 1974 so that Nixon didn't blow up the world.
The real danger is Democrats continuing to ignore the issues that brought Trump to the White House in the first place.
63 million people did not vote for Trump. They voted against Hillary, against Obama's governing and for, not just change. but radical disruption and that has not changed.
The danger is of destabilization in America is not about Trump but about the 63 million voters who still want his agenda enacted and where does that anger and passion go without an outlet.
63 million people did not vote for Trump. They voted against Hillary, against Obama's governing and for, not just change. but radical disruption and that has not changed.
The danger is of destabilization in America is not about Trump but about the 63 million voters who still want his agenda enacted and where does that anger and passion go without an outlet.
1
I felt great about this unti a guest on Rachel Maddowi indicated that Trump can fire the special counsel.
What I have learned about this presidency is that the checks and balances have severe limitations which Trump is of course testing. Emoluments, conflicts of interest, firing 10-year term FBI directors without Congress, divulging classified intelligence - whatever. And now? Fire the special counsel that is investigating the possible law breaking of you and your cronies. And as for public pressure? Over at Fox and Friends the lead topic this morning is Democratic obstruction.
What I have learned about this presidency is that the checks and balances have severe limitations which Trump is of course testing. Emoluments, conflicts of interest, firing 10-year term FBI directors without Congress, divulging classified intelligence - whatever. And now? Fire the special counsel that is investigating the possible law breaking of you and your cronies. And as for public pressure? Over at Fox and Friends the lead topic this morning is Democratic obstruction.
1
Well, the Republicans wrote the textbook on obstruction with McConnell's "this presidency must fail" marching orders to his troops eight years ago. I hope they have a 'compare and contrast' segment to evaluate the relative efficacy of the obstruction methods. That would be fair reporting from the "fair and balanced" news network.
I hope that sober minded people are taking copious notes on the presidential loopholes that need to plugged going forward in our Republic. We rarely had to legislate checks and balances on presidential behavior in the past because our presidents are generally normal and therefore understand and behave within our democratic norms.
After watching the Comey debacle I would very much favor Congressional signoff before a president can fire an FBI Director. I don't think much can be done about them shooting their mouths off about stuff our allies shared with us in confidence. Sadly, we're all supposed to get out of blabbermouth mode by the time we're adults. I'm afraid we can't legislate acting like an adult.
I hope that sober minded people are taking copious notes on the presidential loopholes that need to plugged going forward in our Republic. We rarely had to legislate checks and balances on presidential behavior in the past because our presidents are generally normal and therefore understand and behave within our democratic norms.
After watching the Comey debacle I would very much favor Congressional signoff before a president can fire an FBI Director. I don't think much can be done about them shooting their mouths off about stuff our allies shared with us in confidence. Sadly, we're all supposed to get out of blabbermouth mode by the time we're adults. I'm afraid we can't legislate acting like an adult.
2
If collusion can be proven, Pence, as part of the campaign, must go, too.
From another article in this paper:
"[Trump] quickly summoned his top advisers, most of whom recommended that he adopt a conciliatory stance [about the Mueller appointment]. But his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who had pushed Mr. Trump to fire Mr. Comey, urged the president to counterattack, according to two senior administration officials."
Don't count on Jared (or Ivanka) to be the moderating influence in the dangerous times ahead.
"[Trump] quickly summoned his top advisers, most of whom recommended that he adopt a conciliatory stance [about the Mueller appointment]. But his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who had pushed Mr. Trump to fire Mr. Comey, urged the president to counterattack, according to two senior administration officials."
Don't count on Jared (or Ivanka) to be the moderating influence in the dangerous times ahead.
2
How is it that my friends and I were talking about these same threats last fall before the election - especially money from Russia to finance Trump, yet no one else could follow the smell? It was standing in front of us wearing purple balloons. Thank God journalists are finally doing their jobs. This could have been avoided. I know Fox news won't mention any of this and they control a great deal of media around the world. Now that's power
1
Trump is old enough to resign for health reasons. And to spend more time with his family.
Kevin McCarthy is the only honest Republican! I really appreciated his help to understand the reason for the relentless Benghazi investigation. And now, his gut response to the Trump-Putin alliance. Way to go, Kevin. Thank you!
1
"Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”
-- Thomas Jefferson
-- Thomas Jefferson
The press is doing a good job of holding Washington accountable. However,the opinion here is biased by power privilege . Your opinion that Trump will start a war during one of his meltdowns comes from the distorted power priviledge. You fail to see the counter perspective. That is there are other powers that are ready and equipped to take advantage of our state of leadership chaos. If a Pearl Harbour were to happen under Trump, does anyone expect solid clearheaded thinking from our commander in chief?
The most likely Trump and family 'collusion' with Putin is money laundering on an international scale. Trump and his family are complicit. Don Jr has indicated that funds are available from Russia. This would be the easiest and most profitable way for Trump to continue building his empire without having to rely on banks to fund his lavish lifestyle.
Firing Comey was in part prompted by Jared's desire to stop any FBI investigation into the corruption related to the Kushner family and their reliance on Jared to help with the VISA escapade.
Hopefully the Mueller investigation can include this real possibility as part of his pursuit of truth.
Firing Comey was in part prompted by Jared's desire to stop any FBI investigation into the corruption related to the Kushner family and their reliance on Jared to help with the VISA escapade.
Hopefully the Mueller investigation can include this real possibility as part of his pursuit of truth.
Frat house. That's what it reminds me of, and my tax dollars pay these frat boys' salaries. Ryan and McCarthy--don't they have work to do?
As for your list of adults in the room, what about Secretary of Homeland Security Kelly’s ‘humorous’ suggestion: “use that on the press, sir” as a cadet at the Coast Guard Academy graduation presented a ceremonial saber to Trump. You’re hoping guys like him will save us? Yeah, I know, just a little harmless humor, but seriously?
I’d appreciate a little gravitas from those dopes running Washington now. I doubt I’m going to see any, ever. They all seem to think what's happening to this country is a big joke. Maybe it is.
As for your list of adults in the room, what about Secretary of Homeland Security Kelly’s ‘humorous’ suggestion: “use that on the press, sir” as a cadet at the Coast Guard Academy graduation presented a ceremonial saber to Trump. You’re hoping guys like him will save us? Yeah, I know, just a little harmless humor, but seriously?
I’d appreciate a little gravitas from those dopes running Washington now. I doubt I’m going to see any, ever. They all seem to think what's happening to this country is a big joke. Maybe it is.
A succession plan for the Presidency. Trump resigns. Pence becomes President. Under 25th Amendment to the Constitution, Pence nominates Hillary Clinton to become next Vice President. Both House of Representatives and Senate confirm Hillary Clinton as Vice President. Pence resigns as President. Hillary Clinton, the winner of the 2016 Presidential election by 3 million votes, becomes the 47th President of the United States.
Justice delayed is justice denied. Justice has finally been rendered.
Justice delayed is justice denied. Justice has finally been rendered.
1
And yet the Pro-Trump blogs are still full of anti-Obama tripe and rah-rah Trump!. The echo-chamber is appealing, and I work fairly hard to read stuff I don't think I'll agree with ( hint, liberals as well as conservatives need to do this so don't be smug) so I think I have a fairly good idea how both sides view the issues here. President Obama was a naked emporer but he looks positively fantastic compared to the current guy. Jimmy Carter finally has lost the "worst President" crown and he lived long enough to see it. I'm not sure thats a good thing since he is basically a nice guy who did a world of good as an ex-president. I do not look forward to what is likely to come regarding President Trump. It will be another cut to divide the nation. We will survive if we remember we really have more in common that we have differences but I fear the talking heads on Fox and MSNBC as well a the blogs will work hard to paint themselves as victims or the other team as horrid somethings, and their followers will drink the kool-aid.
1
"And thanks to all those citizens who have subscribed to news outlets in recent months, recognizing that subscriptions are the price for a democracy.)"
This is a portion of the problem of why there is a gap of information and understanding for many of our citizens. Some families can't afford $14.99 monthly. While that may be nothing to some people it is a struggle for some who either find themselves in the negative or need that last $15 for a bus fair or gas money.
The news outlets that are free are not as detailed as the NYT or WAPO, unless another free news source quotes you like Breitbart did the other day...there is an entire American audience that will never read you. Also, at this time, it will be harder because they have heard FAKE NEWS for the past year and a half, so they won't invest their already tight budgets to news. The big picture is this entire election and campaign cycle was strategic physiological warfare against the poor and vulnerable. Until you all think of ways to offer quality journalism on a sliding scale based on income, we will always have two Americas. Nothing to celebrate Mr. Kristof.
Ohh nice article by the way.
This is a portion of the problem of why there is a gap of information and understanding for many of our citizens. Some families can't afford $14.99 monthly. While that may be nothing to some people it is a struggle for some who either find themselves in the negative or need that last $15 for a bus fair or gas money.
The news outlets that are free are not as detailed as the NYT or WAPO, unless another free news source quotes you like Breitbart did the other day...there is an entire American audience that will never read you. Also, at this time, it will be harder because they have heard FAKE NEWS for the past year and a half, so they won't invest their already tight budgets to news. The big picture is this entire election and campaign cycle was strategic physiological warfare against the poor and vulnerable. Until you all think of ways to offer quality journalism on a sliding scale based on income, we will always have two Americas. Nothing to celebrate Mr. Kristof.
Ohh nice article by the way.
Interesting idea. Maybe it's worth exploring. It might help help preserve our system of government.
When he recovers from the 'trauma' of traveling abroad the xenophobe will be Twitter-spraying Mueller because, as the Geico ad says, 'that's what you do'. He knows and we know that being the 'tell-it-like-it-is' shtick is what got him elected. I read enough articles which noted that his supporters knew he was not going to do half the stuff he said. It was the 'black heart' they voted for. It is this base that represents the the cliff outcropping that he will use to hang on to what remains of his reputation.
One can only hope that the binder of launch codes has been replaced by Trump's lunch for the day.
2
Does ev believe that Trump is somehow separate from the Republican Party, an outlier who somehow hijacked the Party? What balderdash. Donald Trump represents the heart and soul of the modern Republican Party. That is why he was able to triumph over 17 other candidates, win the Party's nomination, and use the GOP as a platform from which to win enough electoral votes to become President.
Has Mr. Douthat failed to notice that as Trump's lies, incompetence, and demonstrated unfitness for office have multiplied since his inauguration, the likes of Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Orrin Hatch, and Nikki Haley have become even more effusive in praising him? The Ryan who tried to keep his distance from Trump during the presidential campaign, now stands proudly beside him in the Rose Garden as the two, surrounded by other smiling Congressional Republicans, gather to celebrate passage of the Republican tax cut disguised as a health care plan. Nikki Haley, also lukewarm toward Trump as a GOP primary candidate, now proudly serves as his U.N. Ambassador and defends his firing of Comey.
Expecting the intellectually and morally bankrupt Republican leaders to abandon Trump is like expecting charm from a hyena
Has Mr. Douthat failed to notice that as Trump's lies, incompetence, and demonstrated unfitness for office have multiplied since his inauguration, the likes of Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Orrin Hatch, and Nikki Haley have become even more effusive in praising him? The Ryan who tried to keep his distance from Trump during the presidential campaign, now stands proudly beside him in the Rose Garden as the two, surrounded by other smiling Congressional Republicans, gather to celebrate passage of the Republican tax cut disguised as a health care plan. Nikki Haley, also lukewarm toward Trump as a GOP primary candidate, now proudly serves as his U.N. Ambassador and defends his firing of Comey.
Expecting the intellectually and morally bankrupt Republican leaders to abandon Trump is like expecting charm from a hyena
Someone needs to work with his family to figure out a way for him to resign and still save face.
1
As in Rome and various despotisms, we await the military takeover to restore order to the embattled republic. Are you sure deploying the military is such a great idea?
What a spectacle at just how fast the so-called “successful businessman” in the oval office is proving unfit for the job, and how spineless and feckless a group of cowards McConnell, Ryan and the rest of the GOP are in coming to terms with this reality. It’s a shameful national embarrassment.
2
There is very good evidence that trump is a psychopath as well as a narcissist and Machiavellian. The psychopathic profile is very troubling for someone in his position. The symptoms include delusions of grandiosity (best ever, biggest ever, only I can fix it), lack of attention span or inability to focus, superficial charm, promiscuity, lack of or very superficial empathy as well as a lack of a morale compass, struggling to determine right from wrong from an ethical standpoint. The inability to determine right from wrong (the lack of a moral compass), along with a lack of empathy (the inability to understand how his actions would negatively impact others) puts us all at grave risk. His actions will become more erratic and dangerous and he will be unable to realize that they are so or to comprehend their impact on others. His caviler attitude on others acquiring nuclear weapons is one result. We need to be very careful at this juncture and the military needs to be reminded that they swore allegiance to the constitution not to the president.
2
President Ryan? Is/was that his end game?
if Trump were impeached and resigned, or just resigned, we'd have Pence. But their do surety that Pence won't be caught up, and may even have more direct ties to Flynn that Trump did. If Pence were prevented from assuming the Presidency then who would we have? Ryan. Of course.
I wonder if Ryan's calls for secrecy and family loyalty will make Trump's request for personal loyalty seem quaint?
if Trump were impeached and resigned, or just resigned, we'd have Pence. But their do surety that Pence won't be caught up, and may even have more direct ties to Flynn that Trump did. If Pence were prevented from assuming the Presidency then who would we have? Ryan. Of course.
I wonder if Ryan's calls for secrecy and family loyalty will make Trump's request for personal loyalty seem quaint?
2
Allow me to fix my broken English:
if Trump were impeached and resigned, or just resigned, we'd have Pence. But there is no surety that Pence won't be caught up, and may even have more direct ties to Flynn than Trump did. If Pence were prevented from assuming the Presidency then who would we have? Ryan. Of course.
Apologies
if Trump were impeached and resigned, or just resigned, we'd have Pence. But there is no surety that Pence won't be caught up, and may even have more direct ties to Flynn than Trump did. If Pence were prevented from assuming the Presidency then who would we have? Ryan. Of course.
Apologies
2
And we must enforce the McConnell Rule in the Senate:
Since Trump is in the last year of his presidency, he shouldn't get to appoint any more judges.
Since Trump is in the last year of his presidency, he shouldn't get to appoint any more judges.
4
We have a mentally unstable Narcissist in the Oval Office. Countless mental health professionals have gone against their own association's rules to tell us that he is dangerous because Trump suffers from an acute mental health disorder. Ignoring the facts, Congress sits on its hands for sake of political leverage.
What happens if Trump is embarrassed by a foreign power such as Syria, North Korea or Iran? People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder cannot tolerate embarrassment and will do just about anything to save face. Will Trump take his thumbs off of Twitter and put them on the nuclear button?
Congress needs to come to terms with how dangerous he is to our people, our country and the world and impeach him before it's too late.
What happens if Trump is embarrassed by a foreign power such as Syria, North Korea or Iran? People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder cannot tolerate embarrassment and will do just about anything to save face. Will Trump take his thumbs off of Twitter and put them on the nuclear button?
Congress needs to come to terms with how dangerous he is to our people, our country and the world and impeach him before it's too late.
2
I gave up at "entropy." It is not a state but a condition that, absent countervailing energy, drives systems towards maximum disorder.
Many millions of still-restless voters, vilified by the left, continue to support their man Trump. This investigation is necessary, but Trump lacks the self-control and humility to let it proceed without a very public fight in the manner he knows best: by exploiting the worst, paranoid fears of his supporters for the purpose of further dividing the nation. He is empowered by an environment of hate. So he will do his dirtiest, and be assured it will strengthen the support he receives from his base. All of which makes me think that I'd prefer he bumbled through his term, protected from causing real harm by an army of his more qualified aids. If he can be managed like an incompetent CEO of an established company - it happens - we just might survive this sorry episode. But mostly, Trump's supporters need to witness that their guy was a bad, bad idea, and for that to work, he needs to serve out his term. Otherwise, his fall will be blamed on the MSM, liberals, Obama, etc., and the conditions that got us to this place will happen all over again.
American President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin's ultimate trump card is the information that he has on his top aide Donald John Trump's emotional stability, mental and physical health, Trump's personal, family and corporate income tax returns and Trump's personal, family and corporate business holdings and deals.
America and Russia have 93+% of the world's nuclear weapons. And no one questions Putin's emotional stability or mental health or competent rational focus on his interests and values. As long as Putin is in charge there is nothing to worry about an accidental nuclear exchange.
America and Russia have 93+% of the world's nuclear weapons. And no one questions Putin's emotional stability or mental health or competent rational focus on his interests and values. As long as Putin is in charge there is nothing to worry about an accidental nuclear exchange.
2
"I think Putin gets personal pleasure from exploiting the vulnerable position Trump has found himself in." (Valeriy Solovey, a professor at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.)
kruschev's ghost, too, must be in shoe-pounding glee.
and so, the collusion continues, the same political and media arrogance and ignorance that gave us this presidency persists, clueless.
the trump effort may be wanting, huugely, but the infantile taunting of the person (which mr kristof regards as "rigorous coverage") is unseemly and more collusive with russia than anything that comes from the trump white house.
a sign of awareness comes from: "Yet there are dangers ahead. One is that America will be incapacitated and paralyzed by Mueller’s investigation and the suspicions..." it says here that considerable damage has already been done by "the suspicions"...mueller's investigation will un-incapacitate, if you will, when it's done.
there are no doubt shadings in the trump-russia case just as there are in the clinton-russia connections and even in obama's go-along-to-get-along disconnect from the russian rehab of its old ways, passed over by the "rigorous coverage" that has mr kristof so proud.
the urgency, the appeal to our fears, just in case we are not swayed by "rigorous coverage," such as: "the risk of an erratic, embattled, paranoid leader at home who feels that he may be going down the tubes anyway..." is standard, far from rigorous in its language, and shameful.
kruschev's ghost, too, must be in shoe-pounding glee.
and so, the collusion continues, the same political and media arrogance and ignorance that gave us this presidency persists, clueless.
the trump effort may be wanting, huugely, but the infantile taunting of the person (which mr kristof regards as "rigorous coverage") is unseemly and more collusive with russia than anything that comes from the trump white house.
a sign of awareness comes from: "Yet there are dangers ahead. One is that America will be incapacitated and paralyzed by Mueller’s investigation and the suspicions..." it says here that considerable damage has already been done by "the suspicions"...mueller's investigation will un-incapacitate, if you will, when it's done.
there are no doubt shadings in the trump-russia case just as there are in the clinton-russia connections and even in obama's go-along-to-get-along disconnect from the russian rehab of its old ways, passed over by the "rigorous coverage" that has mr kristof so proud.
the urgency, the appeal to our fears, just in case we are not swayed by "rigorous coverage," such as: "the risk of an erratic, embattled, paranoid leader at home who feels that he may be going down the tubes anyway..." is standard, far from rigorous in its language, and shameful.
Why do journalists keep including Tillerson as one of the adults in the room? If you watch him on TV, his interactions with reporters and people other than male diplomats, he acts like a sycophant. Bowing to male diplomats and upper-level political appointees and acting disdainful towards everyone else. He worked for one employer for his entire career and was good at making deals with people who wanted to make deals with him. That's very limited experience for a Secy of State.
6
...add to that, that Tillerson flat out refuses to hold any press conference with any foreign ministers at all. Just yesterday, he snubbed Germany's Sigmar Gabriel for the second time in three months, after he went to Washington, same with the Algerian foreign minister who vistited also yesterday. Several countries have been complaining already that there is nobody in the State department to confer and communicate with, it is only Tillerson, followed by a huge void of several hundred unfilled posts! We are in dire straits with this nitwit gang of fools.....
1
No surprise that Nicholas Kristof, he of the $50,000 speaking fee, looks to the so-called "grown=ups" -- men and women willing to lie and cheat for Trump, in return for power and material rewards, but with good manners -- to save the nation.
Maybe that's the problem. This country -- and indeed, this very op-ed page -- is full of people. including self-described liberals, only too eager to lie and cheat for the boss. And public revulsion against this deceit, which is so costly for ordinary people, elected Trump, who no one believed. But he denounced all the other liars, which was something, for a change.
Kristof apparently didn't hear.
Maybe that's the problem. This country -- and indeed, this very op-ed page -- is full of people. including self-described liberals, only too eager to lie and cheat for the boss. And public revulsion against this deceit, which is so costly for ordinary people, elected Trump, who no one believed. But he denounced all the other liars, which was something, for a change.
Kristof apparently didn't hear.
While I'm sure many of us are breathing a sigh of relief over this development, we're still in perilous times. Nobody knows what the insane Trump will do to make things worse. And meanwhile, the Alt R "news" bins are churning and churning to protect Trump. Very perplexing to have the country so intractably divided and also very perilous in itself. It's hard to see how we endure a complete term for Trump under any circumstances. Many of us feel there is no wisdom and no learning curve that will bear fruit with this particular person.
2
This is actually good for Trump. The MSLM (MainStream Lynch Mob) will now have to concentrate on other less compelling news and Trump will be able to press his agenda, which is moving along nicely, thank you very much.
It's a sign of existential danger that the MSLM is seriously talking about impeachment or removal under the 25th amendment with no compelling evidence that either is necessary. It's shows that TIP (Trump-Induced Psychosis) is ruling the day among the left-wing elites, whose authoritarianism is becoming more pronounced daily. Trump won 30 states in the last election. Overturning a free and fair election is the kind of thing that happens in banana republics. But I suppose that's the point, no?
The MSLM better take stock of the situation if it doesn't want to lead the country into a period of intense civil violence. It better start re-reading the history of the Civil War to refresh it's memory as to what that can be like. All these fantasies about being a 21st century Resistance may sound rhetorically exciting, but when actual blood starts flowing it's an entirely different matter.
It's a sign of existential danger that the MSLM is seriously talking about impeachment or removal under the 25th amendment with no compelling evidence that either is necessary. It's shows that TIP (Trump-Induced Psychosis) is ruling the day among the left-wing elites, whose authoritarianism is becoming more pronounced daily. Trump won 30 states in the last election. Overturning a free and fair election is the kind of thing that happens in banana republics. But I suppose that's the point, no?
The MSLM better take stock of the situation if it doesn't want to lead the country into a period of intense civil violence. It better start re-reading the history of the Civil War to refresh it's memory as to what that can be like. All these fantasies about being a 21st century Resistance may sound rhetorically exciting, but when actual blood starts flowing it's an entirely different matter.
The Civil War did not end well for the rebellious states.
3
I'm glad to hear you're satisfied with how the President's agenda is moving along.
I repeat: Trump won thirty states-- give or take a couple of partial victories. Clinton won twenty. Also remember that a lot of those in the military come from Trump states, a very high percentage in fact. And that if Trump is not CiC, then Pence will be. You might also want to consider that those of us in conservative states take our 2nd amendment rights seriously. Which brings to mind an old line by P. J. O'Rourke, who warned liberals and the Clintons to be careful gathering their enemies lists because we conservatives exercise our constitutional rights "and all you liberals have is [well-known columnist and commentator] Carl Rowan, who had a full-grown belligerent teenager in his backyard and couldn't even manage a kill shot." A little dated, but still funny.
We've all seen this scenario presented by Hollywood. But what is seldom discussed is the very real danger that President Eisenhower warned us about; a military industrial complex so powerful and influential that it can supersede the civilian authority of the president and congress.
Eisenhower was talking about the power of big capital and since his caution in 1959 that power has multiplied ten fold. Wars that achieved nothing and never should have been fought have poured trillions of dollars into the coffers of the arms industry. Even now we are faced with a huge deficit largely due to the 4 Trillion dollars spent on Iraq and Afghanistan.
The only way to reduce the risk that they, not an errant president will push the nuclear option is to remove those weapons from the world's arsenal.
There have been numerous international proposals for nuclear disarmament, but the US is always the stanchest opponent. The Soviet Union declared a 'no first use' policy, but we have not. China has limited its nuclear weapons to basically a defensive retaliatory force. We on the other hand are even now building a new generation of smaller, more powerful tactical nuclear weapons, some of which are designed to be deployed in space.
There have been 47 nuclear weapons accidents where we came close to having an actual detonation. The danger of these devices doesn't lie in an unstable president, it lies with us and our irrational belief that nuclear weapons make us safer.
Eisenhower was talking about the power of big capital and since his caution in 1959 that power has multiplied ten fold. Wars that achieved nothing and never should have been fought have poured trillions of dollars into the coffers of the arms industry. Even now we are faced with a huge deficit largely due to the 4 Trillion dollars spent on Iraq and Afghanistan.
The only way to reduce the risk that they, not an errant president will push the nuclear option is to remove those weapons from the world's arsenal.
There have been numerous international proposals for nuclear disarmament, but the US is always the stanchest opponent. The Soviet Union declared a 'no first use' policy, but we have not. China has limited its nuclear weapons to basically a defensive retaliatory force. We on the other hand are even now building a new generation of smaller, more powerful tactical nuclear weapons, some of which are designed to be deployed in space.
There have been 47 nuclear weapons accidents where we came close to having an actual detonation. The danger of these devices doesn't lie in an unstable president, it lies with us and our irrational belief that nuclear weapons make us safer.
3
We've moved on to the ascendancy of billionaire brats now.
Despite reservations, several commented on in this section, the appointment of Mueller as special counsel proves that the system works. There is a huge difference between the governments of Germany (which modern Germany modeled itself after the United States) and Italy in the early part of the 20th Century and the United States, in America those with a strong moral conviction is protected by the rule of law which allows those individuals to make a stand. Wrongs were being committed, but the first line of Judges put a stop to it and they never broke. Thank you to all, especially those Judges and Press, who bent in the storm but did not break. America is not perfect, but it is pretty good at doing what is right. Now America is truly on the road of being Great Again.
3
Been having same thoughts recently.
Yesterday I sent a text to a friend: The morning Comey goes to the Hill to testify, Trump will bomb North Korea as a distraction. My friend wasn't sure if I was joking. Truth be told, neither was I.
238
I've heard others say the same thing :-(
The scary/disheartening/insane (take your pick) thing is, the event you have hypothesised here is entirely feasible.
I hope they realise what they have done...
I hope they realise what they have done...
I have heard (NPR?) that Comey will only testify publicly. That was the reason he turned down the offer earlier this week - or was it last week? - or last year? This has my head spinning to such a degree is it hard to know what day it is. I am sure Trump has been in the WH for at least eight or ten years.
" but no proof of a quid pro quo involving Trump himself." No problem!! That will be enough for 2018!!!!
1
The New York Times and Washington Post are in a competitive war? But both those newspapers are basically fighting on the same side. They're allies.
It might be a good idea to stage a big party for reporters from the Times and the Post, somewhere between Manhattan and D.C. Maybe Newport, RI? Pat yourselves on the back for the important work journalists have carried out recently, and please raise a glass to all those busy, anonymous leakers in the White House.
It might be a good idea to stage a big party for reporters from the Times and the Post, somewhere between Manhattan and D.C. Maybe Newport, RI? Pat yourselves on the back for the important work journalists have carried out recently, and please raise a glass to all those busy, anonymous leakers in the White House.
3
Dangerous times for Trump and the nation... With nukes in the mix, what about the rest of the world? A crazy North Korean dictator can, at worst, wreak havoc in one place before annihilation. Even if Trump were to step down, Mike Pence would invoke God's name before pushing the red button.
2
Trump was already unstable, and I'm not sure about the adult supervision. Many around him have been enabling him while they pursue their own ideological or profitable agendas.
I suspect a lengthy stay at Mar a-Lago or another resort while the investigation is underway would keep him out of trouble and limit the damage. But instead he is going to some of the most sensitive places in the world where riots and attacks can break out if he insults Islam or people as is his wont.
A medical and psychological checkup is urgently needed to determine exactly how stable this man is. He is head of a superpower, and just last week did incalculable harm. He is a clear and present danger to the country.
I suspect a lengthy stay at Mar a-Lago or another resort while the investigation is underway would keep him out of trouble and limit the damage. But instead he is going to some of the most sensitive places in the world where riots and attacks can break out if he insults Islam or people as is his wont.
A medical and psychological checkup is urgently needed to determine exactly how stable this man is. He is head of a superpower, and just last week did incalculable harm. He is a clear and present danger to the country.
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The Trump enablers in Congress and Senate are every bit as demented and dreary as their champion.
Mar-a-Lago and his other "presidential" retreats all have leaky internet connections and could be readily hacked. Comforting thought, isn't it? But who needs secure connections when the so-called president, himself, will tell anything to anyone? No doubt the properties will all have updated servers at our collective expense. I say just forbid him from going there.
I have a feeling that I am not part of the same family. For that alone I am thankful.
3
The fun part about a special counsel is they usually wind up far from the place they start out.
Which means the HRC server is a likely landing spot.
Which means the HRC server is a likely landing spot.
1
Mr. Kristof's account of the 25th Amendment is a bit misleading, though he does use the same language as that used by a lot of other reporters. The point is that if Pence and a majority of the "principal officers of the executive departments" say that Trump is incapacitated, he is OUT the second their letter is transmitted to Congress. Trump could then protest, but he remains out of power UNTIL Congress votes on the matter, which must happen within approximately three weeks. It is true that for Trump to stay gone, both chambers must vote 2-1 to remove him. But until at least one chamber has voted and failed to oust Trump, he remains out. So in case of a potential abuse of the nuclear codes, Trump can be deactivated quickly and would probably stay deactivated for days. And if abuse of the codes were the issue, I think you could find a 2-1 vote in both chambers in favor of President Pence.
A final point: nuclear war would only destroy the planet if Trump attacked Russia, which given Trump, would be . . . odd. Bombing North Korea would touch off a war on the peninsula and possibly kill millions of Koreans. It wouldn't destroy the planet.
A final point: nuclear war would only destroy the planet if Trump attacked Russia, which given Trump, would be . . . odd. Bombing North Korea would touch off a war on the peninsula and possibly kill millions of Koreans. It wouldn't destroy the planet.
1
Trump knows he has done countless horrible things, he just doesn't know which one will finally trip him up and send him to jail. Now that Mueller is on the job, with a blank check, wide-ranging subpoena power, and an FBI that wants Trump's hide on their door, and the press is closing in, he will cop a plea, run back to Mara Lago with his tail between his legs, and bellow about how the deep state drove him out. Not the deep state, Donald, just millions of decent people who have had enough.
6
It was evident to reasonable people this man was unhinged and emotionally damaged during his campaign. His actions since being elected have simply confirmed it. No ridiculous thesis here but rather a scary possibility.
4
You may want to remove Kelly from that list after his comment caught on an open mic at the grad ceremony about the press.
3
The London Times has an extraordinary article today alleging that NATO officials have been briefed to keep speeches to no longer than 4 minutes because that's Trump's maximum attention span: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/world/donald-trump-has-four-minute-at...
Apparently it's also a good idea to keep mentioning his name because that helps keeps him focused. God help us.
Apparently it's also a good idea to keep mentioning his name because that helps keeps him focused. God help us.
8
How to deal with Trump. 4 minutes of focus is all we can expect. Even then, will he understand anything presented?
People keep comparing Trump to a child, but he's more like the subject of Gary Larson's "What the The Dog Hears" cartoon.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sluggerotoole/153603564
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sluggerotoole/153603564
2
As a Canadian, I find myself once again bemused by the American political situation. Leaving aside the gob smacking nature of Trump news over the last week, I'll simply comment on the Ryan/McCarthy comedy tape.
I'm a public school teacher. If I was caught on tape 'joking' with my colleagues about taking bribes from students or their parents for enhanced grades, I'd be dismissed immediately. Why? Conduct unbecoming a professional.
So what gives with the top echelon of the American government?
I'm a public school teacher. If I was caught on tape 'joking' with my colleagues about taking bribes from students or their parents for enhanced grades, I'd be dismissed immediately. Why? Conduct unbecoming a professional.
So what gives with the top echelon of the American government?
13
America and the world are in dangerous times indeed. The conservative U.S. electorate that prefers to dwell in an alternate reality, just as president Trump does, has placed us there. Yous see, they have "alternative facts".
4
We need to be very patient these days. We must be alert and informed. I feel we are heading towards rocky and disturbing times in our country. Hang on the ride is going to be wild. At least we have a veteran from the FBI with integrity and experience on board. Its ain't gonna be pretty rocky folks.
6
The national relief is palpable; Acting Attorney General Rod Rosenstein grew a stronger spine. He may have a chance to redeem himself, and, our democracy. If he can do this, maybe a few other Republicans can muster up an ounce of courage against crazy and inept. If they do not think this Presidency has gone south, all of their future judgements will not only be questioned, but their overwhelming fuels of power will stop igniting. I also believe, at the same time, that the Republican party's noxious fumes for ignoring Russian truths are spreading darkly, no matter how much the Koch Brothers pay.
3
I actually think Trump does not care about being President as much as he cares about being Trump. He will turn the whole investigation and impeachment process into why the swamp is still toxic and walk, in his mind, to bigger and better things.
140
Let's save the American citizens a little money in investigation costs, and get our collective hands on those tax returns. Those returns will undoubtedly speak volumes, and fast track the investigation toward its conclusion. That's why trump is refusing to release them, and at the same time telling us all that "Nobody is interested in seeing my tax returns!"
I beg to differ.
I beg to differ.
3
Nicholas,
If Trump reaches for the Nuke button, which, frankly, is unlikely and I am surprised to see such pure speculation in the NY Times (however, the NY Post would not surprise me in that regard).....
well, if he does reach for it, you guys will probably be clamoring for war well before that happens.
Like Iraq.
Good luck in Nuclear Winter
If Trump reaches for the Nuke button, which, frankly, is unlikely and I am surprised to see such pure speculation in the NY Times (however, the NY Post would not surprise me in that regard).....
well, if he does reach for it, you guys will probably be clamoring for war well before that happens.
Like Iraq.
Good luck in Nuclear Winter
2
Few Times readers realize the paper has supported every Neo-con war to come down the pike.
The man needs to be encouraged to take long vacations while we are waiting for this thing to get resolved and somebody should get him a dog. He could also use some pills. Ivanka and Dr. Bornstein, what are you waiting for?
4
I believe the way trump acts now will foretell the outcome of the investigation. He knows what the outcome will be now. If I was as innocent as he says he is I would feel relieved, not scared or flustered. I believe someplace someone has something on him, time will tell!
1
It is Congratulation Time for Congressional Republicans! Just think: it used to take them four years to perfect the finger-pointing, the back-stabbing, the name calling, the list keeping and those other underhanded political skills they have. Now they do it all in 100 days. Just look at how many people they have managed to get fired - even the Director of the FBI. Although he IS still "telling tales out of school", I am sure the Republicans will soon silence him. And until today, they have managed to avoid special prosecutors, investigations, special committees and all those troublesome things. Talk about improvement! The GOP used to spend four years, doing what they now get done in 100 days. Way To Go, GOP !
2
A caller on CSPAN's Washington Journal on Wednesday morning stated something to the effect of-what America needs is another 911 so that everyone can appreciate that we have a strong commander in chief-I couldn't believe it and had to rewind and realize that yes, he had actually said that. This is the level of insanity he has conjured up in some of his supporters, and will continue to do so. Another female caller threatened that there will be another civil war. These people are nuts and I don't expect that they will calm down when he gets removed from office.
I don't think he'll end life on earth with an atom bomb, but I am worried about what diversions he is currently cooking up. And also the disaster that his upcoming trip is certain to be.
I don't think he'll end life on earth with an atom bomb, but I am worried about what diversions he is currently cooking up. And also the disaster that his upcoming trip is certain to be.
221
Unfortunately, his removal from office will bring us Pence and worse civil unrest from his 'deplorables'
I don't have the confidence that you do about the unlikelihood of nuclear deployment. Throughout the campaign and election, and now since January 21st, I've been reminded daily of Stephen King's, "The Dead Zone," wherein the top contender for the Oval Office is fatally unstable, and the psychic who foresees global doom at the contender's hands manages to maneuver the contender out of the race by exposing his instability. Unfortunately, the constant exposure of Trump's instability has thus far accomplished nothing. My only hope now is that truth turns out NOT to be as dire as fiction.
The Evangelicals love him. Their ministers have spoon fed them garbage from early childhood telling them it's good food and Trump is doing likewise. If you believe the universe is 6000 years old, you'll believe what Trump is saying; contrary to the evidence but it doesn't require thinking.
Mr Kristof,
You only warn against the paranoia of a president/leader of your country.And what then about the paranoia of you(r newspaper),suggesting a relation between the troubles of the President and Russia using them as a chance to make troubles in the Baltic and Ukraine.Is that how you use the problems of your own country to denigrate Russia?
You only warn against the paranoia of a president/leader of your country.And what then about the paranoia of you(r newspaper),suggesting a relation between the troubles of the President and Russia using them as a chance to make troubles in the Baltic and Ukraine.Is that how you use the problems of your own country to denigrate Russia?
2
Never forget: the Times is always, always pro-Israel, no matter what. Russia supports Iran, which in turn supports Hezbollah and Al-Assad in Syria. Syria, of course, is Israel's biggest enemy. Thus Mr. Kristof attacks Russia for backing Israel's enemies, at least if he wants to keep his job at the Times.
Wise Republicans along with Trump's better staff must have planned and hopeful execute a control strategy. Mr. Kristof's concerns are too obvious for all concerned. As Mr. Brooks described yesterday, Trump is a child. Therefore he needs a regent. Trump can play golf, tweet nonsense, and maybe self-destruct. The plan has to sideline him. Ensure that someone's always around to monitor, to intervene, to put things straight.
Trump resisted this before. But as the last week's events turned the tables outside the WH, they've probably turned them within. McMaster went out and took heat for Trump, which wasn't in his job duties. McMaster didn't do that for free. Then Justice appoints Mueller, whom Trump must be terrified of. They didn't do this because Trump wanted it.
Big boys flexed their muscles. Maybe they read Trump his orders. His assets are properties that could lose value easily. But McMaster, Mattis, and Tillerson are in a delicate spot. Trump has alienated, threatened, and antagonized the FBI and CIA. One doesn't need to believe in their Hollywood powers, to understand the breadth of their influence. The Musketeers have to hold them at bay, while keeping Trump under control.
Unfortunately, Republicans can still do a lot of domestic damage.
Trump resisted this before. But as the last week's events turned the tables outside the WH, they've probably turned them within. McMaster went out and took heat for Trump, which wasn't in his job duties. McMaster didn't do that for free. Then Justice appoints Mueller, whom Trump must be terrified of. They didn't do this because Trump wanted it.
Big boys flexed their muscles. Maybe they read Trump his orders. His assets are properties that could lose value easily. But McMaster, Mattis, and Tillerson are in a delicate spot. Trump has alienated, threatened, and antagonized the FBI and CIA. One doesn't need to believe in their Hollywood powers, to understand the breadth of their influence. The Musketeers have to hold them at bay, while keeping Trump under control.
Unfortunately, Republicans can still do a lot of domestic damage.
87
Why am I not ecstatic? The President whom I find revolting in so many ways is in a downward, no, make that plummeting spiral and is most likely headed toward an unceremonial exit for the highest office of our republc. Why am I not happy?
I think because we don't have the time to deal with petty egotism enforced by scary constitutional power, unchecked, that has left our country, at such a critical time, adrift and rudderless. We will surive and be, more likely, better for it. However, that does not make up for the time lost. Many have been hurt by this shortlived administration's callousness, its disregard for basic human rights, but we shall move forward. It is a necessity of life.
I think because we don't have the time to deal with petty egotism enforced by scary constitutional power, unchecked, that has left our country, at such a critical time, adrift and rudderless. We will surive and be, more likely, better for it. However, that does not make up for the time lost. Many have been hurt by this shortlived administration's callousness, its disregard for basic human rights, but we shall move forward. It is a necessity of life.
3
I've come up with a saying that seems to be appropriate to this situation: Truth is Stranger Than Fiction.
1
This special counsel investigation, by the very nature of its design and process, can take years. So our nation and the world are stuck with this childish egomaniac at least until it is over.
And, remember, it is an investigation to determine whether criminal activity has taken place--not whether he is unethical, or a wannabe dictator, or temperamentally or intellectually incapable of doing the job.
So the evidence may find all of those things to be true, but take years to do so and still not result in any action because no evidence is found that a crime was committed.
The GOP needs to put on its big boy pants and do its duty. This dangerous man must be impeached. Because of his temperament and seeming delusions of grandeur, he can do a lot of damage while we wait for this investigation to unfold.
As Mr. Kristof writes, Nixon had at least some experienced men of character around him to protect the nation and the presidency. Who does Trump have? Bannon, Miller, Ivanka and Kushner? Pray for us.
And, remember, it is an investigation to determine whether criminal activity has taken place--not whether he is unethical, or a wannabe dictator, or temperamentally or intellectually incapable of doing the job.
So the evidence may find all of those things to be true, but take years to do so and still not result in any action because no evidence is found that a crime was committed.
The GOP needs to put on its big boy pants and do its duty. This dangerous man must be impeached. Because of his temperament and seeming delusions of grandeur, he can do a lot of damage while we wait for this investigation to unfold.
As Mr. Kristof writes, Nixon had at least some experienced men of character around him to protect the nation and the presidency. Who does Trump have? Bannon, Miller, Ivanka and Kushner? Pray for us.
184
Jack, the way Trump is going, we may not need to wait for these particular investigations to be done before he gets kicked out. The only worry is, can the nation's checks and balances prevent him from really screwing the country before he's done one way or another? All it might take is one MOAB in the wrong place at the wrong time.
My guess is that this great nation will bump along for the next 4 years caroming from crisis to crisis. Calls for impeachment will be in the air, as will hopes that the cabinet or congress or someone will do something. Trump supporters will feel increasingly under siege as will their hero. On the right conspiracy theories and the belief that their savior is suffering a great cost trying to slay the beast will be the main themes.
We may be rescued in less than 4 years if the child in the WH decides that this isn't fun any more or becomes so convinced that he is being abused that he quits. If not, he will not run again, will blame others (liberals, the media etc) for all of his problems (DT has never really taken responsibility for any problem in his life) and decide not to run again.
Meanwhile, our nation's greatness will, like that of Rome or Britain become a part of history. The question is whether we, unlike they, will be able to rise again.
We may be rescued in less than 4 years if the child in the WH decides that this isn't fun any more or becomes so convinced that he is being abused that he quits. If not, he will not run again, will blame others (liberals, the media etc) for all of his problems (DT has never really taken responsibility for any problem in his life) and decide not to run again.
Meanwhile, our nation's greatness will, like that of Rome or Britain become a part of history. The question is whether we, unlike they, will be able to rise again.
3
I hope Congress will ask Mr. Trump to release his tax returns (at least the last 15 years). That might bring some clarity to his ties or not to Russia and other countries.
I said it after the election, this President is going to run this country to the ground. The failure of his casinos in New Jersey was a very loud sign of how he operates.
Let's just hope that he is not mentally ill and erratic (well, he already seems too erratic for my taste) and don't end up having a nuclear war.
I said it after the election, this President is going to run this country to the ground. The failure of his casinos in New Jersey was a very loud sign of how he operates.
Let's just hope that he is not mentally ill and erratic (well, he already seems too erratic for my taste) and don't end up having a nuclear war.
1
"(As an aside: Thank God for the battle unfolding between the Washington Post and the New York Times...)"
ABSOLUTELY. With the Republican-run Congress just a "rubber stamp", and the Democrats emasculated by their minority status, our free press and the media have indeed stepped in admirably to become the de facto "opposition party" so far in the Trump autocracy. Our country and, in fact, the whole world should be thankful for that!
ABSOLUTELY. With the Republican-run Congress just a "rubber stamp", and the Democrats emasculated by their minority status, our free press and the media have indeed stepped in admirably to become the de facto "opposition party" so far in the Trump autocracy. Our country and, in fact, the whole world should be thankful for that!
1
I've gone to 'Trump overload' and just ignoring all the news about him as it is too overwhelming.
You all need to back off Trump or he'll have a nervous breakdown.
You all need to back off Trump or he'll have a nervous breakdown.
There is more to this, much more, than ridding us of an incompetent, unstable president. This is about the Republican Party.
The ascendancy of Donald Trump is a direct result of decades of Republican divisiveness, misinformation, gerrymandering, voter intimidation, and appealing to the worst instincts of a large demographic. Whatever happens to Mr. Trump, the 2018 election is shaping up to be a watershed moment in American history, where the Republican Party as it has been since Reagan, goes the way of the Whigs.
When he has been safely removed from the White House and is ensconced in Mar-a-Lago or in his Russian dacha on the Black Sea, we can all thank Donald J. Trump for speeding up the inevitable process.
The ascendancy of Donald Trump is a direct result of decades of Republican divisiveness, misinformation, gerrymandering, voter intimidation, and appealing to the worst instincts of a large demographic. Whatever happens to Mr. Trump, the 2018 election is shaping up to be a watershed moment in American history, where the Republican Party as it has been since Reagan, goes the way of the Whigs.
When he has been safely removed from the White House and is ensconced in Mar-a-Lago or in his Russian dacha on the Black Sea, we can all thank Donald J. Trump for speeding up the inevitable process.
2
I hope that the Editorial staff of the National Enquirer is level headed enough to not demand that Trump push the button.
Ryan swore those present to secrecy. "No leaks," Ryan said. "This is how we know we're a real family."
And in this "family" (party) it's the "toddler" member who's calling the shots, as his big brothers McConnell, Ryan, and Sessions look on indulgently. In the meantime the Russians continue to "pay" Trump, or did McCarthy mean "play" or both? Whatever.
And in this "family" (party) it's the "toddler" member who's calling the shots, as his big brothers McConnell, Ryan, and Sessions look on indulgently. In the meantime the Russians continue to "pay" Trump, or did McCarthy mean "play" or both? Whatever.
1
Nicholas Kristof might've succeeded in being more delusional than Donald Trump.
1
While this may still be a pipe dream for the G.O.P. at this point, what I dread the most is the idea of President Pence. He might even do more damage on the domestic policy front. How did we get here?
I absolutely believe this administration will end either in impeachment or nuclear war. If he sees impeachment impending, Trump will push the button.
1
As we focus (correctly) on how awful Trump is, let's not lose sight of the reasons that millions voted for him. Let's put equal energy into addressing the real concerns and frustrations of those people - and giving them a better candidate who can do something meaningful about them.
1
The great innovation of the US Constitution was its rationale for legitimacy. It relies on the delegation of a designated and restricted set of powers to a permanent public corporation to be exercised for the common benefit as the basis to secure consent of the governed. It rejected the divine right rationale of monarchy.
The US has made a profound error to let religion creep into its government.
The US has made a profound error to let religion creep into its government.
2
The incapacity of the Trump administration, is like the incapacity of the Clinton administration over an inconsequential sex act bad for matrimony to be sure but less serious a crime than speeding. There is continual arguing about next to nothing of consequence paralyzing an administration who by all accounts wants to destroy advances in health care, gut the environment, and add more tax breaks to the top 1%. Anything this administration plans is likely to be a big or small disaster. The best we may hope for is that they can accomplish absolutely nothing. The net effect: the public is disgusted and votes the party out and the donors become disgusted. These unfolding scandals are far better than the Syrian bombing by Tomahawks and leads to disunity and maximum entropy in an administration poised to do no good.
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I wonder if the donors would walk away. This administration has been in the making for many years. It is the dream of the corporate masters of the universe to have control of all three branches of the American government. They are not going to let go any time soon.
Cut to the chase. Trump and the repubocon hypocrites are lying traitors. Do to them what Washington did to Benedict Arnold.
Democracies the world over are sustained by citizens who place country over self and by a vigorous Fourth Estate.
2
I feel the administration might just crumble very quickly now. If one or two senior cabinet staff or aides resign, Trump could very well fail to fill the positions now and be incapable of form a functioning white house ..... bleehhh, ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
... sorry, just realised I implied they had a functioning white house now.
... sorry, just realised I implied they had a functioning white house now.
1
Talk about Shadenfreude! Rod Rosenstein began the appointment process of a Special Counsel the day after he was scapegoated by Trump for his inconsequential role in firing Comey—when he (Rod) was reported to be "furious" at the way the White House was throwing him under the bus. So he did the manly thing: "Oh, so you think you can get away with trashing my hard-earned reputation for integrity? I'll sic Mueller on you as totally protected Special Counsel, and let's see all of you squirm! So right now Trump is compulsively warming up his Twitter finger for the morning's pyrograms, and we'll all get a taste of how warped he is, or how well his minders have now anaesthetized him.
2
H. R. McMaster, Jim Mattis, Dina Powell, John Kelly, Rex Tillerson - should stick with their jobs. Their reputations should survive if they help to keep the nation on a straight keel. (though, McMaster is dallying dangerously close though.)
Reibus, Munchin, Carson might just about save some elements of their reputations if the resigned shortly,
Conway, Spicer ... nah, you're reputations are in the dustbin of history.
Sessions ???
Reibus, Munchin, Carson might just about save some elements of their reputations if the resigned shortly,
Conway, Spicer ... nah, you're reputations are in the dustbin of history.
Sessions ???
2
"Another danger is the risk of an erratic, embattled, paranoid leader at home who feels that he may be going down the tubes anyway."
Exactly. What are the checks on a president’s perfidious use of our country’s nuclear capability?
The Trump presidency, imploding daily in awful ways, now seems to be on the path toward the end game. Volatility and unpredictability are this president’s hallmarks and so he can be expected to respond like a cornered animal as the truth about his misdeeds emerges. We've seen him use military force on a whim and without intelligent rationale. So what would happen if, once cornered, his “gut” told him to order some sort of operation involving nuclear weapons, as a way to change the game?
Would it come down to whether someone in the chain of command would disobey his order? Or is there a concrete process that actually puts some space between the president and the “nuclear button”?
This isn’t a question simply to be dismissed on the grounds that such an outcome is unlikely. The executive branch disaster is happening before our eyes; we know Trump's behavior pattern; and the regrettable fact is that he is the current holder of the powers of the U.S. Presidency.
Exactly. What are the checks on a president’s perfidious use of our country’s nuclear capability?
The Trump presidency, imploding daily in awful ways, now seems to be on the path toward the end game. Volatility and unpredictability are this president’s hallmarks and so he can be expected to respond like a cornered animal as the truth about his misdeeds emerges. We've seen him use military force on a whim and without intelligent rationale. So what would happen if, once cornered, his “gut” told him to order some sort of operation involving nuclear weapons, as a way to change the game?
Would it come down to whether someone in the chain of command would disobey his order? Or is there a concrete process that actually puts some space between the president and the “nuclear button”?
This isn’t a question simply to be dismissed on the grounds that such an outcome is unlikely. The executive branch disaster is happening before our eyes; we know Trump's behavior pattern; and the regrettable fact is that he is the current holder of the powers of the U.S. Presidency.
The integrity of Republican House leadership has never been evident. Now you bring proof of their craven behavior. How low can they go? (Although for our country's sake I hope they do not compete for that prize.)
2
I have a bumper sticker that says "The wheels have come off." It's faded. Every day he appears and acts more deranged. Secretary of Labor Acosta is probably a keeper.
1
“There’s . . . there’s two people I think Putin pays: Rohrabacher and Trump,” McCarthy said, drawing some laughter. “Swear to God,” McCarthy added.
First, it never happened; then, it was inaccurate; finally, it was a joke.
Let's say it was a joke: it works because of its plausibility.
First, it never happened; then, it was inaccurate; finally, it was a joke.
Let's say it was a joke: it works because of its plausibility.
2
And how about 62 million mostly armed Americans who voted for Trump on the basis that "He tells it like it is" in other words, people with very low threshold of knowledge, reason and sensibility. No matter how serious the case about Trump's Russian Affair or his divulgence of Secret Information to Russians might turn out to be, those 62 million Americans whose positions and worldview have been hardened by the right wing propaganda apparatus such as Fox News, Alex Jones, Breitbart, Rush Limbaugh, etc will not sit quietly. Armed Civil Conflict is certainly in the cards.
2
If you could put forth actual evidence of a Russian connection, as opposed to innuendo, allegation and hearsay, your intellectual inferiors might ignore your condescension long enough to take your claims seriously.
More shameless fear-mongering, but you're late to the game, Kristof.
According to the psychological-ops people in the establishment media, the world has ended many times over:
‘We are told, over and over, that President Trump will destroy the world. How do people know this?’ Jan. 28, The Guardian
"The end of the world as we know it: The Donald Trump White House is set to destroy decades of U.S. foreign policy" Feb 4, Salon
”Donald Trump’s Presidency Could Literally Mean the End of Their World” Nov. 10, 2016 The Nation
“Jennifer Lawrence: A Trump Presidency Would Be the 'End of the World'” Nov. 13, 2016 Rolling Stone
“German weekly Der Spiegel blasts Trump as the 'end of the world'” Nov. 11, 2016 The Week
“Welcome to the Madhouse: Scientist says Trump could destroy the world” Feb. 10 news.com.au
Trevor Noah calls Trump win “the end of the world” Nov. 9, 2016 CBS NEWS
“This Fool Is Really Going to Destroy the Earth, Huh?” Jan. 24 GQ
“THE LITERAL STINK OF THE TRUMP APOCALYPSE” Jan. 25, New Yorker (satire)
“Donald Trump could be about to trigger the apocalypse, elite Doomsday Clock scientists conclude” January 26, The Independent
"LGBT Politicians Will Save Us From the Trump Apocalypse" March 2, The Advocate
“Meyer: Don’t fret, yet, on Trump apocalypse” Feb. 21, Boston Herald
"When the nuclear apocalypse happens, point to Donald Trump putting nukes in South Korea as a key moment" April 10, Salon
According to the psychological-ops people in the establishment media, the world has ended many times over:
‘We are told, over and over, that President Trump will destroy the world. How do people know this?’ Jan. 28, The Guardian
"The end of the world as we know it: The Donald Trump White House is set to destroy decades of U.S. foreign policy" Feb 4, Salon
”Donald Trump’s Presidency Could Literally Mean the End of Their World” Nov. 10, 2016 The Nation
“Jennifer Lawrence: A Trump Presidency Would Be the 'End of the World'” Nov. 13, 2016 Rolling Stone
“German weekly Der Spiegel blasts Trump as the 'end of the world'” Nov. 11, 2016 The Week
“Welcome to the Madhouse: Scientist says Trump could destroy the world” Feb. 10 news.com.au
Trevor Noah calls Trump win “the end of the world” Nov. 9, 2016 CBS NEWS
“This Fool Is Really Going to Destroy the Earth, Huh?” Jan. 24 GQ
“THE LITERAL STINK OF THE TRUMP APOCALYPSE” Jan. 25, New Yorker (satire)
“Donald Trump could be about to trigger the apocalypse, elite Doomsday Clock scientists conclude” January 26, The Independent
"LGBT Politicians Will Save Us From the Trump Apocalypse" March 2, The Advocate
“Meyer: Don’t fret, yet, on Trump apocalypse” Feb. 21, Boston Herald
"When the nuclear apocalypse happens, point to Donald Trump putting nukes in South Korea as a key moment" April 10, Salon
Reference, "shameless fear-mongering";
Apparently you didn't (don't) listen to POTUS Trump's campaign (speeches)?
How did you know when to applaud?
Or you believe he is indeed shameful?
Apparently you didn't (don't) listen to POTUS Trump's campaign (speeches)?
How did you know when to applaud?
Or you believe he is indeed shameful?
Nope, I didn't.
You making preparations for nuclear war? I'm not.
Still waiting for the Times exposé of the DNC for stealing Bernie Sander's nomination. Unlike the impending apocalypse, that was real.
You making preparations for nuclear war? I'm not.
Still waiting for the Times exposé of the DNC for stealing Bernie Sander's nomination. Unlike the impending apocalypse, that was real.
Well if you'd listen; you'd know POTUS is getting what he gave. And apparently he's getting it back in Spades, Vegas style.
And I haven't heard Bernie complaining; so why are you?
And I haven't heard Bernie complaining; so why are you?
So Rosenstein is Trumps Frankenstein.
The man who raises the monster - and shows the town the real villain - that they come after with pitch forks and torches.
The view of Trump, hair alift, by the light of the light of the torches, running to his helicopter - amuses.
The man who raises the monster - and shows the town the real villain - that they come after with pitch forks and torches.
The view of Trump, hair alift, by the light of the light of the torches, running to his helicopter - amuses.
1
One could assume you are talking about Benjamin Netanyahu and the so-called Sampson Option? Israel otherwise reportedly has over 200 active nuclear warheads; multiple delivery platforms, and refuses to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It may also possess US protocol. Dangerous times indeed.
1
Israel does not have to play by the same rules, Matt.
That's why they get to have a big wall (several, in fact) without being called "racists" by the Times.
That's why they get to have a race-based immigration policy without being accused of hating "diversity."
That's why they get more foreign aid than any other country, despite having a per capita GDP on a par with European nations.
That's why they get to have a big wall (several, in fact) without being called "racists" by the Times.
That's why they get to have a race-based immigration policy without being accused of hating "diversity."
That's why they get more foreign aid than any other country, despite having a per capita GDP on a par with European nations.
1
Trump is strangely able to compartmentalize. While he does fume and rage at times, he has the ability to quickly shift gears if need be, so I don't think he'll be stewing for the duration of Mueller's investigation. There will be no leaks for Trump to react to on a daily basis, so he and the Republicans will use this period of relative quiet to pound this country into the ground.
3
There has not been a day since November, and never more so than in the past two weeks, that I have not awakened thinking that surely today would be the day the adults would step up and take control of the situation. But the "grown-ups" you cite here, Mr. Kristof, are certainly not those I had in mind. McMaster, who squandered all his years of credibility in just one appearance this week? Kelly, who uttered his juvenile remark at the Coast Guard graduation? And, even though you didn't name him, Pence? Trump on the campaign trail painted a very clear picture of Trump in the Oval Office; Pence's lack of judgment in signing on with this out-of-control megalomaniac demonstrates his inability to effectively govern this country as well.
358
Pence signed on anticipating catastrophe. He's a cold,cruel, self-interested ideologue, who would love nothing more than to make America a theocracy.
1
Pence has three differences with Trump:
He is less likely to start a nuclear war.
He doesn't own a hotel.
His relatives aren't working in the White House.
He is less likely to start a nuclear war.
He doesn't own a hotel.
His relatives aren't working in the White House.
1
Clearly a man like Pence who is afraid of his inability to control his own actions if left alone with a woman who is not his wife suffers from a lack of judgment in his own estimation. The simple explanation for his actions would be that he is just doing his paymasters' bidding. His and the other "adults" actions become much more explicable if we consider that we are probably living in an oligarchy, not in a democratic republic.
While Trump could technically "go nuclear," there's a higher probability that he will focus internally, behave as a Mafia don, and attempt to order real "hits."
At this point, got to feel most sorry for McMaster, Mattis, Kelly, Tillerson, and the Secret Service agents assigned to Trump. Each must ask themselves daily, "What was I thinking about when I took this job?"
The key to deciphering Trump's state of mind is to watch his interactions with his wife, Melania. If he continues to stay distant, he probably feels that he's untouchable. If he becomes closer, he's likely feeling insecure. If she's called to Washington unexpectedly one day, it's fair to say that Trump is done.
At this point, got to feel most sorry for McMaster, Mattis, Kelly, Tillerson, and the Secret Service agents assigned to Trump. Each must ask themselves daily, "What was I thinking about when I took this job?"
The key to deciphering Trump's state of mind is to watch his interactions with his wife, Melania. If he continues to stay distant, he probably feels that he's untouchable. If he becomes closer, he's likely feeling insecure. If she's called to Washington unexpectedly one day, it's fair to say that Trump is done.
2
I forget where I read this, but this was a problem with Nixon too.
Nixon could get exceptionally paranoid and unstable when he would go on lonesome drinking binges. This was so worrisome that his Secretary of Defense, along with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, promulgated a top-secret order. It stated that if Nixon gave directives to launch nuclear weapons, that the lower-downs stop in their tracks and loop in the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Join Chiefs immediately.
I bet, with this massive chaos swirling around Trump, Secretary of Defense James Mattis and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Joseph Dunford have promulgated a similar top-secret memo.
I rest easy knowing that there are hidden safeguards to stop an unstable president from randomly starting a nuclear war because he's having an emotional breakdown.
Nixon could get exceptionally paranoid and unstable when he would go on lonesome drinking binges. This was so worrisome that his Secretary of Defense, along with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, promulgated a top-secret order. It stated that if Nixon gave directives to launch nuclear weapons, that the lower-downs stop in their tracks and loop in the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Join Chiefs immediately.
I bet, with this massive chaos swirling around Trump, Secretary of Defense James Mattis and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Joseph Dunford have promulgated a similar top-secret memo.
I rest easy knowing that there are hidden safeguards to stop an unstable president from randomly starting a nuclear war because he's having an emotional breakdown.
Trump picked his cabinet to be too stupid to notice how erratic and deranged he is. The Republican congress is equally obtuse. The all genuflect to their intellectual idol Trump.
3
Oh my god. The Republicans are almost ready to say :We were wrong?
Sorry. I don't believe it. 80% of them still support him. 80%
If you took 100 Republicans and stood them in a row, 80 of them would say they think Trump is doing a great job. 80.
There are that many Republican idiots.
How do we fight that? Does he really have to commit murder on 5th Avenue? Isn't treason enough?
Sorry. I don't believe it. 80% of them still support him. 80%
If you took 100 Republicans and stood them in a row, 80 of them would say they think Trump is doing a great job. 80.
There are that many Republican idiots.
How do we fight that? Does he really have to commit murder on 5th Avenue? Isn't treason enough?
8
I would posit that the Schlesinger Kissinger paradigm is already in place in some form. Donald Trump's erratic temperment has no business near the nuclear codes. Arrangements have surely been made.
2
These are definitely dangerous times for our nation and we don't know how Trump is going to act when he feels cornered. It may be unconstitutional, but the Secretary of Defense has the obligation to take appropriate measures, if necessary, to prevent a nuclear holocaust by a deranged man.
Let's pray to God that this nightmare will be over soon.
Let's pray to God that this nightmare will be over soon.
2
We don't know whether Schlessinger's order would have been obeyed.
2
Isn't every member of the Trump administration forever reputationally ruined? To be any part of this daibolical scenario is one thing from which I do not seeing anyone ever professionally recovering. No one from the Trump circus is going to put this affiliation on their resume. Spicer and Conway will not be working in any legitimate PR firm--ever. Perhaps the only thing the cabinet members and other staff can do to save their reputations is to resign and then be very forthcoming about why they departed. When you withdraw from a conspiracy you have to announce your departure to the other conspirators and attempt to thwart that which you put in motion. I don't think any of them have that fortitude; if they did, they would have never joined this dog and pony show. I would enjoy buying Melania's tell-all book at some point; I bet the story will be fascinating in its ugliness.
2
With all the risks involved, including Trump's temptation of pressing the nuclear button in panic, still wouldn't it be more appropriate to allow the due process of law take full course until the impeachment stage than short-circuiting the process by resorting to the 25th amendment solution?
2
This editorial was unnecessary.
There's enough drama happening in reality without the paper larding it on.
There's enough drama happening in reality without the paper larding it on.
2
The media IS drama. Never forget.
Fear that he might start a war with North Korea is bad enough, made worse by the prospect of nuclear weapons, theirs and ours. But there's another gambit he might play. There hasn't been a major foreign terrorist attack in the US for a long time now, and never one using a laptop computer bomb, the threat he was supposedly discussing with the Russian ambassador and foreign minister when he spilled Israel's shared intel. He probably thought he would be praised instead of damned for alerting Russians to the laptop plot and gaining their cooperation in thwarting that or similar threats, thereby keeping his promise to fight terrorism and keep Americans safe. If so, he must feel very hurt by the negative response. I have no plans to fly on any international flights for a long while.
3
Trump's behavior during campaign--and his birther lunacy before he was candidate--was a big red flag that he is mentally unfit for the job. Yet, that didn't sufficiently alarm those who joined his staff and cabinet. I can only hope that one or two accepted positions to protect us from Trump's wrath and the potential danger of his emotional instability, and that the White House physician stands on ready with a tranquilizer dart.
2
Good presentation of our potential for a catastrophic situation. Our surreal WH is not just comedy material for late night TV. It wa unnerving today to hear Trump complain in a speech to Coast Guard graduates how unfairly he's been treated. Almost like a wounded animal.
1
Paul Ryan, if you are reading this, I find nothing humorous about Kevin McCarthy's statement about Putin funding DT. Further, my disgust for your dishonesty, incompetence, and inaction has grown to a boiling point. My wish is that you be flushed to the same annals of history that DT is certainly destined for. To be raised on social services and to end up with the positions you now fight for, you sir, are a fraud and the most despicable of the lot.
8
The Republicans are twice blessed or I should say cursed for Mitch McConnell is just as fraudulent.
McMaster a grownup? A grownup shill, perhaps. He covered the tracks, as Spicey looked on forlornly. Only to be thrown under the bus the next day by his leader. They all need to go. Now.
5
Nicholas, regarding your aside: Agreed, journalism has finally recovered it's sense of mission and importance in the defense of Western democracy. Also agreed, the public stepping up by funding real, accountable journalism through payment of subscriptions is heartening. However, as a Canadian who spent many years living in, and caring about America and it's success as a nation, I do have to say this to my American friends: It has been easy, as a hegemon, to have a relaxed or even absent awareness of other nations and how they relate to and perceive your own. Those other nations do not have that luxury. In Canada, the old joke is that when one sleeps next to an elephant, one should sleep lightly - anything the elephant does, even in it's sleep, can harm you. When the results of the election became clear, and the faux cry of "false news" rang out, I promptly subscribed not only to the NYT, but also The Guardian, The Globe and Mail, The Tyee, and several other credible news organizations (even my tiny local paper), for precisely the reasons you suggest. I encourage all Americans to not only subscribe to their local and national news outlets, but also to international outlets. British? German? Israeli? Brazilian? I really don't care, just get some perspective. See your nation, which influences the world, through the eyes and journalism of other nations. See yourself through eyes that do not have the reflexive self-indulgence of hegemony. It is the most anti-Trumpian thing to do.
631
Good advice from a good neighbor. I currently subscribe to 3 papers. Do it!
2
Might I also add another international outlet of news for subscription, The Economist, also as credible and time proven as they come.
3
I too have subscriptions to The Guardian and several other credible news sources. I have donated $ for subscriptions for others for the NYT. . We MUST preserve factual reporting (daily/hourly) in order to combat the true "false news" bleated constantly by Trump.
2
So Paul Ryan is ok with Trump working for Russia as long as it is kept secret.
13
"An aside: Thank God for the battle unfolding between The Washington Post and The New York Times."
You are right here, too. I decided to subscribe to both. I don't want to miss a thing.
We are fortunate to have two great news sources to choose from now. Others, too, I am sure, but the NYT and the WP are just great forums for freedom.
Thank you to bothe newspapers and to jurnalists working for them. You make it easier to stomach an ab
You are right here, too. I decided to subscribe to both. I don't want to miss a thing.
We are fortunate to have two great news sources to choose from now. Others, too, I am sure, but the NYT and the WP are just great forums for freedom.
Thank you to bothe newspapers and to jurnalists working for them. You make it easier to stomach an ab
3
I lived through and participated in most of the protest for change movements of the 60's and 70's, the civil rights marches & bus rides,the murders of the Kennedy's and Dr King, Medgar Evers & Malcolm X, the Vietnam War protests, Kent State, Watergate, Stonewall and the Feminist Movement. These were dark times for our country and many of us were in danger from our own countrymen. Despite this, I never feared that our country would not ultimately do the right and just thing. I was never afraid for our future. I was never (really) afraid that any of our presidents (even Nixon) could conspire with a foreign enemy to "buy" the presidency. I never thought that so many of my "fellow Americans" could be so stupid as to elect a lowlife lounge lizard like Trump.
The majority of voters in NC supported Trump - in my very diverse county 83% of us voted for Hillary - our question was Who are the 17% that did not?
I just returned from NYC where I celebrated my twin grandchildren's second birthday - for the first time I am worried about what their future will hold. The appointment of Mueller is an important and needed step in the most critical battle we are faced with today - saving our country & the world's longest democracy. But we MUST keep up the pressure on Congress and we must continue to make our voices heard.
The majority of voters in NC supported Trump - in my very diverse county 83% of us voted for Hillary - our question was Who are the 17% that did not?
I just returned from NYC where I celebrated my twin grandchildren's second birthday - for the first time I am worried about what their future will hold. The appointment of Mueller is an important and needed step in the most critical battle we are faced with today - saving our country & the world's longest democracy. But we MUST keep up the pressure on Congress and we must continue to make our voices heard.
6
Trump is stuck in his father's view of winning at all costs. Trump is his father.
3
And his mother never taught him no respect decency humility and humanity.
1
At least we know Trump won't be drinking heavily, like Nixon, because he does not drink alcohol (his brother having died alcoholic). This is the one positive thing about The Donald.
4
Trump would be much less worrisome if he were blotto, Anne. Give him a drink!
1
Of course all of these Trump-Russia issues are of huge importance and must be scrupulously investigated. But meanwhile it is possible that a vast conspiracy involving the President has not occurred not least because that would significantly exceed the current Presidential organisational capacity and mental attention span. One thing about the current Russia-mania which worries me is (though I believe Russian governmental culture to be genuinely sinister) that it distracts attention from the real cause of the present dilemma. It is caused by the millions votes for Trump, a carnival barker and not very heavily concealed con-man. This is a peasant rebellion against an utterly corrupt ruling class and an utterly unsustainable economic-social-political system.
3
As this goes on, we must hope we survive until the mid-term elections. Trump has already used to no effect the biggest conventional bomb available so who will keep him from taking that next step? That step taken will end any illusions we still hold about our country.
And are there those in the Democratic Party who can focus even now on what must be done to take back the Senate or more in 2018? On what can be done?
To add fuel to Kristof's fire read David Remnick over at
http://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/is-the-comey-memo-the-beginn...
"...Trump will survive until he loses the Republican Party." And if not?
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
And are there those in the Democratic Party who can focus even now on what must be done to take back the Senate or more in 2018? On what can be done?
To add fuel to Kristof's fire read David Remnick over at
http://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/is-the-comey-memo-the-beginn...
"...Trump will survive until he loses the Republican Party." And if not?
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
2