Trump is a real master. He thanks Russia for expelling us diplomats. Of course . All those people expelled were obama and Clinton associates which are far from Patriots just like the fake news media here. All these were progressives or white collar parasites like Obama and. Clinton.
but really what do all these 755 people do? plus their families--Moscow is not cheap--all of us (taxpayers) are paying for their very expensive apartments, parties as well as private school tuition for their kids to study at the Anglo-American School (about $30K/year) in Moscow...I wonder how effective these 755 people are and what is their contribution?
2
Horrors! Making America great again? Not only making us the terror of the world, but also the laughingstock.
DT continues to point to his illegal relationship with Russia. Special Counsel Mueller cannot work fast enough.
We need another Rally to Restore Sanity ASAP.
DT continues to point to his illegal relationship with Russia. Special Counsel Mueller cannot work fast enough.
We need another Rally to Restore Sanity ASAP.
4
I guess you can't criticize your boss. Clearly Putin has something over on Trump. It makes no sense for him to say it is a good way of letting people go even if it may be in jest. Good people who have served the United States can be let go because of this stupidity.
4
enough already.
every time this idiotic excuse for a human being, let alone a president, opens his mouth words fall out.
and the excuses that his followers, his party, some media offer the excuse of
- he is new at this......
- anybody would have done this......
- he was joking....
- maybe he means....
the u.s.a. has never been top flavour of the month anywhere in the world; butts of snide comments and, more often, comedic turns of the seeming inexhaustible supply of things the citizens do not know about their own country; and the world is somewhere out there, subservient to the u.s.a. the greatest nation on earth, leaders of the free world. yadda yadda yadda.
no consequences - this pathetic excuse for "the most important/powerful man in the world - fed by the inability of anybody in politics, business, almosst any type of endeavour, does not have to face the consequences of his words and actions. why? are you all so afraid of being exposed as weak and ineffectual? the only group of people who have been willing to point out the idiocy, and challenge him are the media. and comedians. that's it. he attacks randomly, and without consequence. when are the senators of the republican party, and the rest of the u.s.a. going to grow a pair of globes to oust this man from a position he does not deserve? your ruler's ignorance and mental instability is threatening to expose us to nuclear destruction. are you all that stupid? remove this ignorant bully before he destroys us.
every time this idiotic excuse for a human being, let alone a president, opens his mouth words fall out.
and the excuses that his followers, his party, some media offer the excuse of
- he is new at this......
- anybody would have done this......
- he was joking....
- maybe he means....
the u.s.a. has never been top flavour of the month anywhere in the world; butts of snide comments and, more often, comedic turns of the seeming inexhaustible supply of things the citizens do not know about their own country; and the world is somewhere out there, subservient to the u.s.a. the greatest nation on earth, leaders of the free world. yadda yadda yadda.
no consequences - this pathetic excuse for "the most important/powerful man in the world - fed by the inability of anybody in politics, business, almosst any type of endeavour, does not have to face the consequences of his words and actions. why? are you all so afraid of being exposed as weak and ineffectual? the only group of people who have been willing to point out the idiocy, and challenge him are the media. and comedians. that's it. he attacks randomly, and without consequence. when are the senators of the republican party, and the rest of the u.s.a. going to grow a pair of globes to oust this man from a position he does not deserve? your ruler's ignorance and mental instability is threatening to expose us to nuclear destruction. are you all that stupid? remove this ignorant bully before he destroys us.
5
Well, I suppose that is one way of looking at it.
Another way is you just lost 1510 eyes and ears (755 people) from being up close to what Russians are actually thinking and not the diatribe that comes over state t.v.
Another way is you just lost 1510 eyes and ears (755 people) from being up close to what Russians are actually thinking and not the diatribe that comes over state t.v.
7
When I first heard this statement, I was not happy. Then I realized that this is the Trump Queens-style shrug. In other words, this is his way of saying, whatever. That will not hurt us. In fact, thanks a lot. He would rather display this attitude than make Putin think we care and that Putin is hurting us.
I am worried that I might be starting to understand Trump-speak.
I am worried that I might be starting to understand Trump-speak.
4
Today? Damage control. Sarah H stated he was being sardonic. Hooey. 'The President was only joking' ploy has had to be trotted out numerous times.
5
If the presidrdent uses the "just joking" excuse too many times, doesn't that make him a joker?
5
It makes him a JOKE--period.
3
Unlike what the author states Trump does understand what those diplomats do over seas. He just wanted to spin it for his base and the reason he took 10 days to respond. Trump would rather remove our embassy from Russia so we can't intelligence gather from his buddy Putin. This is beyond strange and unusual behavior for a sitting POTUS to act so very demure toward a country under sanctions for openly meddling with our elections.
7
yes, i agree. there is no need for any embassy in russia.
putin gets his news directly from trump.
smart.
putin gets his news directly from trump.
smart.
3
Isn't it nice to see our president showing so much appreciation for his diplomatic corp? Who wouldn't want to work for this guy!
5
Wait- Putin can now fire our embassy staff? Surely many are civil servants who will be reassigned. How exactly does this cut our payroll or save us a lot of money?
7
It does not save money on US staff. It will for Russians who Putin has put out of work, alas.
4
Trump is Putin's lap dog.
9
This is a repost because it was put in as a Reply, but was intended for the main thread, not just for Richard. :)
Some here are discussing the 'cuts' from the perspective of whether or not these positions are a waste of money, whether they are useful in the services they do or do not perform, how much money will be saved, etc.
These may be valid points, I do not know. But if concern around these financial/functional issues ARE viable, here's the way our government should act: the positions should reviewed, functions evaluated, studies done, discussions enacted, and new guidelines proposed and then voted upon - by the US departments and individuals responsible for doing so.
But that's not what happened, did it?
What happened was a hostile foreign government DEMANDED that we delete these functions and positions, and the President of the United States said "THANK YOU".
"THANK YOU" !!!
Please stop with the budget/financial/wasted money comments! You are responding to trump's response. And his response is, on SO MANY levels, an unbelievably unpresidential one.
Some here are discussing the 'cuts' from the perspective of whether or not these positions are a waste of money, whether they are useful in the services they do or do not perform, how much money will be saved, etc.
These may be valid points, I do not know. But if concern around these financial/functional issues ARE viable, here's the way our government should act: the positions should reviewed, functions evaluated, studies done, discussions enacted, and new guidelines proposed and then voted upon - by the US departments and individuals responsible for doing so.
But that's not what happened, did it?
What happened was a hostile foreign government DEMANDED that we delete these functions and positions, and the President of the United States said "THANK YOU".
"THANK YOU" !!!
Please stop with the budget/financial/wasted money comments! You are responding to trump's response. And his response is, on SO MANY levels, an unbelievably unpresidential one.
9
There's a relevant article in the current issue of The Atlantic:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/how-america-lost-it...
We lived in the former Soviet Union for several years and found Russians to be warm and generous people, but you're mighty gullible if you think Putin is our friend. Gullibility is not limited to the Liar-in-Chief's base. A perverted cult of the individual has long been fostered in our society: believe what you like, do your own thing. When a charlatan can successfully fake sincerity, convince everybody already primed to believe that their own unfounded opinions and dearly held convictions are every bit as good as facts, and make them believe that he not only shares those opinions and beliefs but has the power to impose them on others--he owns them. There's a truthy kernel in every alternative fact and unsubstantiated notion: Look! Obama's going into a mosque! He must be a secret Muslim. Never mind that he was on a tour of the Grand Mosque with a bunch of other American officials. Hey! Jimmy Carter saw a flying saucer! Never mind that Carter merely described an unexplained light; he didn't say he'd seen a flying saucer. Some are unable to accept that life is grey--not black or white--that there are no simple solutions to complex problems, and that it's actually possible to see a thing we don't readily understand and simply say we don't know yet. But if your suppositions are as good as actual facts, hey...
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/how-america-lost-it...
We lived in the former Soviet Union for several years and found Russians to be warm and generous people, but you're mighty gullible if you think Putin is our friend. Gullibility is not limited to the Liar-in-Chief's base. A perverted cult of the individual has long been fostered in our society: believe what you like, do your own thing. When a charlatan can successfully fake sincerity, convince everybody already primed to believe that their own unfounded opinions and dearly held convictions are every bit as good as facts, and make them believe that he not only shares those opinions and beliefs but has the power to impose them on others--he owns them. There's a truthy kernel in every alternative fact and unsubstantiated notion: Look! Obama's going into a mosque! He must be a secret Muslim. Never mind that he was on a tour of the Grand Mosque with a bunch of other American officials. Hey! Jimmy Carter saw a flying saucer! Never mind that Carter merely described an unexplained light; he didn't say he'd seen a flying saucer. Some are unable to accept that life is grey--not black or white--that there are no simple solutions to complex problems, and that it's actually possible to see a thing we don't readily understand and simply say we don't know yet. But if your suppositions are as good as actual facts, hey...
5
I would like to apologize to Natalya and Alexei, and all the other wonderful Russian employees with whom it was a privilege to work when I was at the embassy in Moscow.
8
I never dreamed I will live to see a POTUS showers praise on a America's adversary. Trump's sympathy, cozing up to and drooling over Putin is just disturbing. Sounds like a shame and betrayal of all our values and all we stand for. What a tragedy of epic proportion sounds like a sitting American President is a covert Russian operative. Hope Putin does not have anything on Trump?
6
Are you kidding? Have you seen any other Russian officials chatting up with Herr Drumphf , in the WH, reporters and photographers.banned and Russian cameras welcomed?
Social visit, you think ?
Read a reliable paper, take a look at one of the bios -_- Tony Schwartz ghosted "Art of the Deal " in 1987, and regretted it later...July 20, 2016 article in New Yorker, by Jane Mayer.
Read Jimmy Carter's piece today, here.
Social visit, you think ?
Read a reliable paper, take a look at one of the bios -_- Tony Schwartz ghosted "Art of the Deal " in 1987, and regretted it later...July 20, 2016 article in New Yorker, by Jane Mayer.
Read Jimmy Carter's piece today, here.
4
I thought New York Times readers were smarter than many of the comments here indicate. And I know Peter Baker is smarter than the article here indicates.
The president was joking, albeit with a straight face, when he made those comments. He was (I believe) making the point that these tat-for-tit sanctions are meaningless -- a joke. That we should focus on the real issues, instead of wasting our time with these sanctions and special counsels and congressional committees.
Face it, people. Donald Trump has no ties with Russia or Vladimir Putin. At least, beyond what we already know -- his Miss Universe pageant was hosted there, he has sold lots of property to rich Russians, and so on.
Donald Trump made that clear during the campaign. When asked about his ties with Russia, he said he had none. To prove it, he said, "Russia, if you're listening, release Hillary Clinton's erased emails." And of course, Russia did not do what he asked, proving his point.
And of course, the press knew he was mocking them then, and reported it that way. Or did they?
The president was joking, albeit with a straight face, when he made those comments. He was (I believe) making the point that these tat-for-tit sanctions are meaningless -- a joke. That we should focus on the real issues, instead of wasting our time with these sanctions and special counsels and congressional committees.
Face it, people. Donald Trump has no ties with Russia or Vladimir Putin. At least, beyond what we already know -- his Miss Universe pageant was hosted there, he has sold lots of property to rich Russians, and so on.
Donald Trump made that clear during the campaign. When asked about his ties with Russia, he said he had none. To prove it, he said, "Russia, if you're listening, release Hillary Clinton's erased emails." And of course, Russia did not do what he asked, proving his point.
And of course, the press knew he was mocking them then, and reported it that way. Or did they?
4
Just to recap, you believe Trump has no ties to Russia because: 1) he said so, and 2) the Russians did not release Hilary's 30,000 deleted emails when he asked them to. If he's so innocent, why doesn't he release his tax returns?
7
For someone who says he has no ties to Russia, and wants any investigations of alleged ties to stop, Trump certainly goes out of his way to appear friendly and subservient to Putin. He casually shares state secrets with Russia's foreign minister. He takes it for granted that Russia did not attempt to subvert our election through cyber attacks because Putin said so, siding with Russia's story and going against the determination of his own intelligence gathering agencies. He cozies up to Putin in a public meeting in front of world leaders and the press and now thanks the Russians for diminishing US capability in Russia after petulantly declaring that he was forced into into signing a Congressional bill into law to extend sanctions against Russia for their cyber attacks.
Regardless of what he says his actions are those of a man who really, really wants to keep Putin happy. He was presumably elected by people who view themselves as salt of the earth, my word is my bond, honest, real Americans. Why would his supporters be perfectly okay with him lying (sorry, joking) every day and obsequiousness towards Putin and Russia?
Regardless of what he says his actions are those of a man who really, really wants to keep Putin happy. He was presumably elected by people who view themselves as salt of the earth, my word is my bond, honest, real Americans. Why would his supporters be perfectly okay with him lying (sorry, joking) every day and obsequiousness towards Putin and Russia?
4
Supporters of Donald Trump have to stop rationalizing every stupid thing he says by calling it a joke. He has made his Oval Office position into a joke. Most of us are not laughing because the joke is on all of us.
Please do not demean yourselves by refusing to admit that Donnie sold you a a leaky boat and we are floundering without life jackets or life rafts in shark infested water.
Trump bragged that he "knows more than the generals", but we need admirals now.
Please do not demean yourselves by refusing to admit that Donnie sold you a a leaky boat and we are floundering without life jackets or life rafts in shark infested water.
Trump bragged that he "knows more than the generals", but we need admirals now.
11
This arrogant insulting man was not joking. He will continue to invite ridicule and dishonor onto himself. Any person who has such a disrespect for the history of this country will not help it PROGRESS.
It is clear enough by now that con-man Trump's total lack of moral character will destroy the Republican party as it is currently represented. It will be a good thing that all Americans will soon recognize that whatever failures we have as a COUNTRY, must now be remedied.
Good character matters in a leader, since it transfers into the spirit of people who intend to do good -- in the "public" interest. This man's selfishness is not a virtue as those on the far-right believe. It's not about "self-interest."
We the People are not interested in the privatization of our country solely for corporate interests, we are interested in the "public good."
It is clear enough by now that con-man Trump's total lack of moral character will destroy the Republican party as it is currently represented. It will be a good thing that all Americans will soon recognize that whatever failures we have as a COUNTRY, must now be remedied.
Good character matters in a leader, since it transfers into the spirit of people who intend to do good -- in the "public" interest. This man's selfishness is not a virtue as those on the far-right believe. It's not about "self-interest."
We the People are not interested in the privatization of our country solely for corporate interests, we are interested in the "public good."
13
from where I am, I don't see the fuss. I don't see how any North American country could possibly look at the Russian Federation and see an iota of anything more prone to kleptocracy, more blood thirsty or prone to killing than what is viewed in the mirror. I applaud all efforts on the part of Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin to shut down the war machine and all the frenetic macho posturing it takes to keep up the pretense of 'confronting an axis of evil'. Think about it: if we dismantle all of our nuclear powered weaponry, maybe we would have enough money to spend on nuclear powered cars!
1
Did you just say nuclear powered cars?
1
What Trump should have said: “It is unfortunate that Russia feels compelled to engage in tit-for-tat actions against our wonderful and dedicated State Department staff in Moscow in response to our serious response to Russian meddling in our democratic processes.”
Instead, Trump had to resort to some off-the-cuff attempt at humor to diffuse the question and it shows a complete lack of preparation by him and his staff. It also shows are serious disregard for the work of our foreign service officers.Trump simply could not challenge Putin publically on Russian meddling in the election, which is why Russian assets were seized and spies expelled.
Even worse, I can't believe McMaster sat next to him and listened to the exchange without socking Trump in the face. They are all shameless.
Instead, Trump had to resort to some off-the-cuff attempt at humor to diffuse the question and it shows a complete lack of preparation by him and his staff. It also shows are serious disregard for the work of our foreign service officers.Trump simply could not challenge Putin publically on Russian meddling in the election, which is why Russian assets were seized and spies expelled.
Even worse, I can't believe McMaster sat next to him and listened to the exchange without socking Trump in the face. They are all shameless.
11
This is how he values our State Department personnel -- thanking Putin for firing them before he was going to...
9
It also means that THE American BOSS has been so incompetent ( 'weak'? Is that the word?) that it takes a foreign advisory to come in to help him to cut the staff or execute his agenda? Who's the BOSS now?
3
Amazing, a man who chooses to defend a Russian dictator's actions, and to mock the American State department instead.
13
Trump is in bed with Putin in some way, probably financially, we will find out when those tax returns are subpoenaed.
Trump has publicly bashed every one from Meryl Streep and Arnold Schwarzenneger, to John McCain as not being a war hero, to multiple members of his own part and staff, yet he has never once said a single bad thing about Putin, who is a murderous dictator who has murdered 12 of his opposition and critics since taking office, interfered in multiple countries elections, and seized entire nations in annexation.
That is VERY concerning and is a giant red flag, and that is the entire reason the FBI is very interested in figuring out why.
Trump has publicly bashed every one from Meryl Streep and Arnold Schwarzenneger, to John McCain as not being a war hero, to multiple members of his own part and staff, yet he has never once said a single bad thing about Putin, who is a murderous dictator who has murdered 12 of his opposition and critics since taking office, interfered in multiple countries elections, and seized entire nations in annexation.
That is VERY concerning and is a giant red flag, and that is the entire reason the FBI is very interested in figuring out why.
21
Trump is in bed with Putin in some way, probably financially, we will find out when those tax returns are subpoenaed.
Trump has publicly bashed every one from Meryl Streep and Arnold Schwarzenneger, to John McCain as not being a war hero, to multiple members of his own part and staff, yet he has never once said a single bad thing about Putin, who is a former spy, and former head of the KGB, a dictator who has murdered 12 of his opposition and critics since taking office, interfered in multiple countries elections, and seized entire nations in annexation. Not to mention helped terrorist dictators like Assad and supports Iran.
That is VERY concerning and is a giant red flag, and that is the entire reason the FBI is very interested in figuring out why Trump refuses to say anything bad about this very bad person.
Trump has publicly bashed every one from Meryl Streep and Arnold Schwarzenneger, to John McCain as not being a war hero, to multiple members of his own part and staff, yet he has never once said a single bad thing about Putin, who is a former spy, and former head of the KGB, a dictator who has murdered 12 of his opposition and critics since taking office, interfered in multiple countries elections, and seized entire nations in annexation. Not to mention helped terrorist dictators like Assad and supports Iran.
That is VERY concerning and is a giant red flag, and that is the entire reason the FBI is very interested in figuring out why Trump refuses to say anything bad about this very bad person.
4
Dear Mr. Trump,
Please resign. We will all compliment you on your exit.
/s/The World
Please resign. We will all compliment you on your exit.
/s/The World
20
Trump thanks Putin for expelling our diplomats from Russia. Says it'll save us a lot of money.
What's that supposed to mean? If Trump wanted to save some money, he couldn't recall our diplomats himself? He had to have Putin do it for him?
Trump: the incredible, blithering idiot. His inability to think before he speaks (or tweets) is on display for the entire world to see.
He's in way over his head.
What's that supposed to mean? If Trump wanted to save some money, he couldn't recall our diplomats himself? He had to have Putin do it for him?
Trump: the incredible, blithering idiot. His inability to think before he speaks (or tweets) is on display for the entire world to see.
He's in way over his head.
22
this is a great time not to have another umbrella man ! remember .
neville chamberlain.
neville chamberlain.
4
Trump -'we'll save a lot of money....' regarding Putin's employee cut at the US Embassy. Hard to believe. Besides his usual primary school choice of words, his ongoing love affair with Putin, did anyone think about the huge cost of his weekend jaunts to Florida? Especially since he's the lowest of the low ever to sit in the Oval Office and his travel costs have already exceeded what former Presidents spent over their entire term of their office. Come on folks - hit the streets and demand his removal from office ASAP.
18
I've seen several articles about the fact that a good portion of Republicans being Putin fans, including this from Morning Consult: "In a May 18-22 poll, 36 percent of GOP voters said they consider Russia friendly to the United States, and 13 percent said it was an ally. That 49 percent total is up 11 points from a survey in late March, when 28 percent of Republicans saw Russia as friendly to the United States and 10 percent of them viewed the country as an ally."
3
The GOP has become a fifth column for Russian style dictatorship.
8
Trump should change his name to Benedict Arnold.
10
Putin to Trump: "We're expelling your diplomats.
Trump to Putin: "THANK YOU SIR, MAY I HAVE ANOTHER?!"
Once again, Trump's acting like a good little employee -- of Putin.
Trump to Putin: "THANK YOU SIR, MAY I HAVE ANOTHER?!"
Once again, Trump's acting like a good little employee -- of Putin.
12
Please don't use the excuse that this was Trump's brilliant strategy by thanking Putin for dismissing the state department employees in Russia. Trump has no strategic thoughts -none, nada,zip, zero. The only strategic thinking Trump has that everyone agrees upon - What does this get Trump? There is no other thought in Trump's mind when he opens his mouth occasional crowded out by - Did Obama do this? This is a highly unqualified man surrounded by highly unqualified individuals who understand the only rule is to say "Yes Sir". What the real strategy for the American public should be is to pray Putin doesn't turn on Trump so he can join Edward Snowden in Russia when this is over.
16
Many commenters here seem to believe that 755 American diplomats are being expelled from Russia. Not so.
Russia's requirement is that the US reduces its personnel by 755. There are two ways the US can do this: 1. send foreign service personnel home and 2. terminate the employment of Russian employees. The reality will likely be a combination of 1 and 2, but other reports on this story suggest that the vast majority of the cuts will be to Russian employees.
Russia's requirement is that the US reduces its personnel by 755. There are two ways the US can do this: 1. send foreign service personnel home and 2. terminate the employment of Russian employees. The reality will likely be a combination of 1 and 2, but other reports on this story suggest that the vast majority of the cuts will be to Russian employees.
8
Perhaps all accurate but you seem to be missing the point regarding this president's thank you "bow" to a leader hostile in a number of ways to the interests and security of the US and your side of the pond.
5
When an opponent makes a crushing move, if you want the opponent to think it was a killing blow, when in fact it was not, you make much of it. That way, the opponent may consider that one move sufficient. If the opponent makes a particularly effective move that has in fact hurt your side, you dismiss it as unimportant.
If an opponent tells you to remove most of your diplomatic personnel from their country based on an action you didn't want in the first place, you say something to save face.
If an opponent tells you to remove most of your diplomatic personnel from their country based on an action you didn't want in the first place, you say something to save face.
2
Yeah if your in High School, not talking to a Superpower.
8
I remember When DeGaulle expelled the US military from France. The Pentagon leaders warned that he was dealing a serious blow to NATO, but of course, national defense was not at all threatened.
Do you normally stretch before engaging in these kinds of contortions?
1
So, if DT thinks we can save money by reducing OUR staffing in foreign countries, why didn't Trump just order them to come home on his own? Why did he allow Putin to do it? This is totally mind boggling to me. Also, why didn't Trump just reverse the US properties that Russian diplomats were previously using, back to Russia and say hey, now that I am here, y'all come back?
I am not a Trump fan. But, because he is our president, I believe we have to allow him to do his job as best he sees fit, under the confines of the constitution. But, he doesn't actually do anything. The things he wants to do are so far out of his constitutional authority, he is just wasting everyone's time. The things he can act upon, like bringing home US diplomats/staff working abroad, or negotiating with Russia to give them back their property in the US, he doesn't even think about doing.
Everyday, I understand DT less and less. And, this is after I pray every day to ask for peace and understanding. So far, these prayers have gone unanswered.
I am not a Trump fan. But, because he is our president, I believe we have to allow him to do his job as best he sees fit, under the confines of the constitution. But, he doesn't actually do anything. The things he wants to do are so far out of his constitutional authority, he is just wasting everyone's time. The things he can act upon, like bringing home US diplomats/staff working abroad, or negotiating with Russia to give them back their property in the US, he doesn't even think about doing.
Everyday, I understand DT less and less. And, this is after I pray every day to ask for peace and understanding. So far, these prayers have gone unanswered.
3
This glib reaction to a turning point in our relationship with Russia was ill-conceived and foolish
Treating such an action on Russia's part by trivializing it is classic Trump - dismissive, snarky and a poor substitute for a presidential reaction to a disproportionate response to a punitive measure for Russia (pretty much proven) misbehavior.
Yet another tactical error amongst all of the other misreads
Treating such an action on Russia's part by trivializing it is classic Trump - dismissive, snarky and a poor substitute for a presidential reaction to a disproportionate response to a punitive measure for Russia (pretty much proven) misbehavior.
Yet another tactical error amongst all of the other misreads
10
I'm not a fan of Trump by any means, but it should be obvious this was a taunt, not sincere gratitude. That still does not make it effective foreign policy.
4
I also posted this on the Reader thread on Peter Baker's main story of trump doubling down. But a lot of 25th Amendment talk is in this thread too, so ...
Someone HAS done what we are all clamoring for: Stepping Up to get trump removed from office - via Section 4 of the 25th Amendment! Jamie Raskin filed the legislation in May, but gave the story to the press right after trump fired Comey.
"Oversight Commission on Presidential Capacity Act’ (H.R. 1987) filed by Maryland's House member Jamie Raskin.
Before I paste in the info and the links, my question to the Times is Why hasn't the Times reported on this? Did I miss it?
Can Peter Baker or Charlie Savage please look into this and update the status of HR 1987 in the Times?
I'm going to do further research, and then call my House Rep and Senate Reps to do what I can to support this already existing legislative proposal to have trump removed from office.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/is-trump-unfit-to-serve...
https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/raskin-introduces-bill-est...
Someone HAS done what we are all clamoring for: Stepping Up to get trump removed from office - via Section 4 of the 25th Amendment! Jamie Raskin filed the legislation in May, but gave the story to the press right after trump fired Comey.
"Oversight Commission on Presidential Capacity Act’ (H.R. 1987) filed by Maryland's House member Jamie Raskin.
Before I paste in the info and the links, my question to the Times is Why hasn't the Times reported on this? Did I miss it?
Can Peter Baker or Charlie Savage please look into this and update the status of HR 1987 in the Times?
I'm going to do further research, and then call my House Rep and Senate Reps to do what I can to support this already existing legislative proposal to have trump removed from office.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/is-trump-unfit-to-serve...
https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/raskin-introduces-bill-est...
12
Correction: HR1987 was introduced in April, not May as I state above. Here's the link to the proposed legislation:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1987
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1987
3
Much as I am not a fan of President Trump's style, I don't yet understand why Putin's decision to enforce a reduction in American Embassy staff should seem outrageous. The U.S. has just imposed sanctions against Russia. Isn't it only natural that Putin should retaliate somehow?
And "thanks for saving us money" just seems like an I-don't-care taunt -- appropriately muted since Trump clearly likes Putin. With so many other of Trump's moves to be outraged about, this seems pretty minor.
And "thanks for saving us money" just seems like an I-don't-care taunt -- appropriately muted since Trump clearly likes Putin. With so many other of Trump's moves to be outraged about, this seems pretty minor.
2
The last paragraph of this article really sums up Trump's entire Presidency so far...."really, really stupid." This must be one of the most idiotic things the man has ever said publicly to the press. Even if he was just being satirical as has been suggested below, even a mediocre leader with the slightest degree of an internal dialogue and a modicum of political skill could tell you that praising a foreign government whose just tossed your diplomats out of their country would make you sound "really, really stupid."
In the words of Tywin Lannister about Trump's doppelganger King Joffrey, "Madness, madness and stupidity!"
In the words of Tywin Lannister about Trump's doppelganger King Joffrey, "Madness, madness and stupidity!"
6
There is a Polish proverb about spineless people "pretent it's raining, when someone spits in your face".
7
When I first commented that the Russian cut is what Trump would be happy about because he has always complained of big government, I meant it to be sarcastical. Not knowing that he really meant it that way in this context too.
His preposterous comments, about Putin's dismissal of American diplomats, are convincing evidence that he is not just an imbecile; he's an imbecile in Putin's pocket. Of all the damage Trump has wrought, his destruction of our State Department is most alarming. He is doing Bannon's bidding, if no one else's.
5
DJT is Putin's employee. If you keep that in mind everything he does will come into focus.
2
The Trumpster is heartless. People will be losing their jobs. Hopefully, he'll lose his soon too!!!! But then Pence will be President. What a disaster.
7
Much ‘tho it pains me, I am afraid that this is one issue on which I agree with our nincompoop-in-chief.
What do these hundreds & hundreds of people do? A very good question. Many of them have nothing to do with the State Department but are housed in the Embassy by their US agencies. Of course everyone knows about the CIA agents, ever so fecklessly "hidden" in the Embassies. But there are also Military attaches, Agricultural attaches, Energy Department attaches, Commerce Dept. attaches and the list goes on and on. What they supposedly do is "gather information"; 'tho I doubt that their Goggle searches are any more clever or penetrating than mine, sitting as I am in New York City. But wow do they cost!
And finally are Ambassadors themselves even relevant any longer?
Let's remember that the role of Ambassador Plenipotentiary was born during the Middle Ages when communication between world capitals took months or in some cases even years. Therefore a ruler would designate someone to be his Ambassador to act on his behalf in dealings with another ruler in a distant court. An ambassador had real power! In today's world with instant and constant communication, where no place on earth is more than 24 hours from Washington, this role has become totally obsolete. Their main role seems to be to attend national day ceremonies of other empty suit Ambassadors & entertain visiting members of Congress!
What do these hundreds & hundreds of people do? A very good question. Many of them have nothing to do with the State Department but are housed in the Embassy by their US agencies. Of course everyone knows about the CIA agents, ever so fecklessly "hidden" in the Embassies. But there are also Military attaches, Agricultural attaches, Energy Department attaches, Commerce Dept. attaches and the list goes on and on. What they supposedly do is "gather information"; 'tho I doubt that their Goggle searches are any more clever or penetrating than mine, sitting as I am in New York City. But wow do they cost!
And finally are Ambassadors themselves even relevant any longer?
Let's remember that the role of Ambassador Plenipotentiary was born during the Middle Ages when communication between world capitals took months or in some cases even years. Therefore a ruler would designate someone to be his Ambassador to act on his behalf in dealings with another ruler in a distant court. An ambassador had real power! In today's world with instant and constant communication, where no place on earth is more than 24 hours from Washington, this role has become totally obsolete. Their main role seems to be to attend national day ceremonies of other empty suit Ambassadors & entertain visiting members of Congress!
5
Some here are discussing the 'cuts' from the perspective of whether or not these positions are a waste of money, whether they are useful in the services they do or do not perform, how much money will be saved, etc.
These may be valid points, I do not know. But if concern around these financial/functional issues ARE viable, here's the way our government should act: the positions should reviewed, functions evaluated, studies done, discussions enacted, and new guidelines proposed and then voted upon - by the US departments and individuals responsible for doing so.
But that's not what happened, did it?
What happened was a hostile foreign government DEMANDED that we delete these functions and positions, and the President of the United States said "THANK YOU".
"THANK YOU" !!!
Please stop with the budget/financial/wasted money comments! You are responding to trump's response. And his response is, on SO MANY levels, an unbelievably unpresidential one.
These may be valid points, I do not know. But if concern around these financial/functional issues ARE viable, here's the way our government should act: the positions should reviewed, functions evaluated, studies done, discussions enacted, and new guidelines proposed and then voted upon - by the US departments and individuals responsible for doing so.
But that's not what happened, did it?
What happened was a hostile foreign government DEMANDED that we delete these functions and positions, and the President of the United States said "THANK YOU".
"THANK YOU" !!!
Please stop with the budget/financial/wasted money comments! You are responding to trump's response. And his response is, on SO MANY levels, an unbelievably unpresidential one.
4
So all of a sudden Trump wants to save money. Maybe he should cut down his golf weekends at taxpayer expense.
9
Presidential humor requires a lot of talent. One attribute of this special talent is learning how to laugh at your own jokes. I watched the clip several times, he's no Rodney Dangerfield and talking about cutting payroll right before his golf game also seemed insensitive.
Surely he was only jesting. But this is your old beat, so I defer to your judgement on his behavior as seen by the rest of the world.
Surely he was only jesting. But this is your old beat, so I defer to your judgement on his behavior as seen by the rest of the world.
2
When I first saw the video of this smirking fool thanking Russia for allowing a State Dept payroll reduction, I thought that certain services in the White House should be cut immediately.
Let this jerk clean his own dishes, take out his own garbage, clean his own toilet and take a mandatory trip to a soup kitchen for the poor.
No wonder 65% of the American people think so little of this selfish pinhead of a man.
Let this jerk clean his own dishes, take out his own garbage, clean his own toilet and take a mandatory trip to a soup kitchen for the poor.
No wonder 65% of the American people think so little of this selfish pinhead of a man.
10
ok if US expels Russian diplomats, hurt feelings if American delegates are expeled. No wonder we get a narcissistic leader!
Classic trump supporter deflection by looking for hypocrisy where there is none. Tell me, do you think it's ok for the President of the United States to thank an adversary for an action that CLEARLY hurts the United States?
1
American institutions overseas are notorious for living high on the hog --
thick payrolls with lavish housing and other bennies --
the government, the military, banks, corporations, a plethora of NGOs, etc.
thick payrolls with lavish housing and other bennies --
the government, the military, banks, corporations, a plethora of NGOs, etc.
Actually, Trump is very surprisingly consistent on this point. Cutting diplomats is the name of the game with Trump.
Trump’s left little doubt on the direction we are headed. With no government experience, he and Tillerson have submitted plans to eliminate 2,300 jobs and cut 30% from State’s budget, and have left a skeleton-crew in place at State where crucial positions remain unfilled and where acting assistant secretaries have little access to Tillerson’s office and have no mandate or influence on U.S. policy. So the cut to our diplomatic corps in Russia is not a game changer - Putin is only doing what Trump and Tillerson have set their sights on doing since day one.
Of course, without diplomats in place, our relations with other countries will go down the tubes.... But under Trump - Diplomacy, shiplomacy. Full steam ahead and damn the torpedoes!!
Secretary of Defense James Mattis said it correctly at a National Security Advisory Council meeting in 2013: "If you don't fund the State Department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition ultimately."
Trump’s left little doubt on the direction we are headed. With no government experience, he and Tillerson have submitted plans to eliminate 2,300 jobs and cut 30% from State’s budget, and have left a skeleton-crew in place at State where crucial positions remain unfilled and where acting assistant secretaries have little access to Tillerson’s office and have no mandate or influence on U.S. policy. So the cut to our diplomatic corps in Russia is not a game changer - Putin is only doing what Trump and Tillerson have set their sights on doing since day one.
Of course, without diplomats in place, our relations with other countries will go down the tubes.... But under Trump - Diplomacy, shiplomacy. Full steam ahead and damn the torpedoes!!
Secretary of Defense James Mattis said it correctly at a National Security Advisory Council meeting in 2013: "If you don't fund the State Department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition ultimately."
5
Astonished and sad. Mr. T indeed represents parts of American voters who are ignorant and aggressive. Has American democracy degenerated to let them choose "themselves", not their and the country's leader? My answer to this is "Yes!"
Can you, Americans, recover?
Can you, Americans, recover?
2
"Can you, Americans, recover?" You had better hope so...And while you're at it, remember that the clear majority of Americans did not vote this person into the White House -- the outdated Electoral College did.
3
I'm no fan of Trump, but I believe the Times is making too much of his statement. In this case Trump is clearly kidding and he's down playing what Putin believes is significant act. If the US's position that' it's no big deal it takes away what Putin was trying to do. I also understand a good deal of the staff were Russian citizens, so he's hurting his own people. This is the first thing that Trump has said that I agree with.
2
Sorry but how do those of you agreeing that Trump is right to cut embassy staff come to that conclusion? What functions are being cut? What is the impact of those cuts on services to Americans abroad? to American businesses trading with Russian? to national security? to diplomacy? It seems to me that some of these highlighted comments show the lunacy of he said/she said balance promoted by the media coupled with simplistic business practices of cutting cost to the bone regardless of the consequences to prop up short term share price. These are vacuous positions unless someone can show some robust analysis supporting them.
5
When is enough thanking Putin enough for Congress GOP? Trump is acting like a cornered animal. Illiterate, primal animal. They need to wake up about him, fast.
4
But I "thought" he was all about CREATING jobs...
6
He's only for creating jobs at Trump Corp., et al, with the requirement that they increase profits.
3
These are the ravings of a mad man! This is a a grown adult who wants glorified pictures of top secret intelligence because he can't comprehend paragraphs and has no attention span longer than 2 minutes. Totally mentally unstable.
9
I agree with comments that say indict this president and his cronies for treason.
Get rid of them and hold an emergency election.
Pence concerns me...... he looks as if he has been hypnotised.
He stares at trump in adoration. Very creepy stuff.
Get rid of them and hold an emergency election.
Pence concerns me...... he looks as if he has been hypnotised.
He stares at trump in adoration. Very creepy stuff.
11
That or Pence is just glazing over it all, with glassy eyes, waiting for 4 or 8 years to be over, so he can run for office.
There are so many horrible problems about his response for the US, it's (not shockingly) insane: naive, antagonistic, self-defeating, damaging, dangerous, clownish, embarrassing, narcissistic, self-concerned, irresponsible, ignorant, demoralizing, cruel, Bannon-esque Destructive, flippant, grossly inappropriate...no wonder his base support him!
8
Wasn't the big idea to create more jobs for Americans? As DJT understands it, he just commended and approved of the opposite.
Does he understand anything at all about how Government works? Nope.
Does he understand anything at all about how Government works? Nope.
3
It's utterly terrifying to have a president who not only doesn't understand the Constitution and its purpose, but doesn't even understand the basic functions of government, that a foreign entity doesn't have the power to "fire" US government officials. Trump actually thinks a foreign leader can remove workers from the US government payroll. Maybe it's because he's in such debt to Putin that Putin has threatened to remove Trump's funding if he doesn't cow-tow to him.
"I'm like a really smart guy" -DJT
If only.
"I'm like a really smart guy" -DJT
If only.
8
He's a poor excuse for a Chief Executive Officer of the most powerful (or used to be) nation on earth
He'll threaten global nuclear war with a madman in Korea, but he's not capable of playing a good game of chess with a determined and clever foe with it's own agenda to increase it's influence
He'll threaten global nuclear war with a madman in Korea, but he's not capable of playing a good game of chess with a determined and clever foe with it's own agenda to increase it's influence
3
Trump's father used to pick up nails from construction sites. I have no idea what he did with them, sell them as scrap metal? Trump has that mentality. He cheats others. He doesn't fill vacancies in the government, thinking he is saving money for his wall. He sees too many government functions in purely financial terms. He is penny-wise and cheap and pound foolish in the end. So, thanking his capo in this way is perfect for him. He has no interest in not being "nice" to Putin, even if Putin is not "nice" to him. Putin has leverage over Trump.
He is out of his depth in the shallows and this is all he can do? Oh, right, he can bully McConnell in his spare time, 'cause god knows, he doesn't need HIS help.
He is out of his depth in the shallows and this is all he can do? Oh, right, he can bully McConnell in his spare time, 'cause god knows, he doesn't need HIS help.
5
This was, of course, a back-handed "compliment", not an a actual outpouring of gratitude.
2
"suggests he doesn’t understand what embassies do in the pursuit of American national interests.”
He's threatening to annihilate North Korea from a golf course in Jersey, while cheering the decimation of our peacekeeping/diplomatic presence in Russia.
This is not just lack of understanding. He has no interests in our country besides what he can milk from it financially. To protect the USA, and the world, from his lunacy, move his month-long vacation to Guam. Then we'll see his diplomacy and protective instincts come out, in force.
He's threatening to annihilate North Korea from a golf course in Jersey, while cheering the decimation of our peacekeeping/diplomatic presence in Russia.
This is not just lack of understanding. He has no interests in our country besides what he can milk from it financially. To protect the USA, and the world, from his lunacy, move his month-long vacation to Guam. Then we'll see his diplomacy and protective instincts come out, in force.
10
So the liar in chief is glad that 755 are out of work? That tells you what you need to know about the president. He does not care about people that actually work for a living.
6
Lemons -- lemonade -- at over 1200 employees -- the Russian "diplomatic"corps
no doubt was fat with dead wood
no doubt was fat with dead wood
1
That is very possible. However, for Trump to so easily back-hand Americans who are serving us in a foreign nation who are working for the benefit and interests of the entire USA, is sick and deranged. Trump should and must stand up for ALL Americans and all of their jobs. He must stop picking and choosing which Americans he deems worthy of the President's service. Why doesn't he get that? And to me, this is why he will never in the end be considered a good president - to reiterate, it's because he has condemned either verbally, physically, politically, or by law or policy, so many of the citizens who he is also tasked with serving and protecting.
4
None dare call it treason? At what point does Trump's praise for the Kremlin dictator who orchestrated the sabotage of our election processes, at what point does Trump and his family's tangled and dark business connections with Putin-connected oligarchs, at what point does the effects of Russian kompromat on Trump's behavior and foolish utterings, at what point does all this cause some one to raise the issue which is staring us in the face?
Trump's ignorance, as deep as it is, no longer is explanation enough.
Trump's ignorance, as deep as it is, no longer is explanation enough.
10
You do understand that these are mostly local hires. They shovel snow, keep the oilers running, clean the toilets, make the hamburgers in the cafeteria and the like. Some of them are clerical and help the embassy answer letters in Russian from Russian citizens or help the embassy clear shipments through Russian customs. Some of them drive trucks from the warehouse to the Embassy. And they are not just in Moscow. They are the primary staff in our consulates across this huge nation that spans 10 time zones --- all the way to our consulate in Vladivostok on the Pacific Ocean,
4
No one here listens to him anymore so it's no wonder he continually praises Putin. He needs someone to listen to him. Trump has hit rock bottom with this story. Congress, your president is unfit to be our president. He has lost his mind.
2
Just imagine how the US could trim its payroll if Trump were not president. . . .If he really wanted to help the budget, he would resign.
8
IMPEACHMENT.
5
You guys aren't serious are you? He said this as a joke. The fact reporters cannot see that is beyond me.
2
Why would he even joke about US Diplomats being kicked out of a country that we spend decades after the cold war with whom we are trying to rebuild our relations? Why would he belittle US Citizens, (of which say 40-50% of them still were), who were providing a service to US Citizens? These people were serving America, be it through visas, foreign business relations, information gathering, etc etc.? And yet, he just belittled and backhanded their contribution to the country by saying that what they did is essentially worthless, because if we don't have them, we will save the US money?
No, you can not defend or justify this "joke" once you realize the negative effect it has on ANY U.S. citizen and the negative effect that this statement and the entire situation has on foreign US relations.
In fact, you are wrong, because the article did state "Mr. Trump said it with a somewhat light tone". So do not say that the article didn't pay respect to the fact that Trump wasn't 100% sincere in what he said, because the article DID acknowledge that.
How can you use evidence that isn't there to make your argument?
All the evidence, points to the fact that DT obviously doesn't care about US Citizens who were serving OUR nation in a diplomatic effort to keep foreign relation ties with Russia, and to improve our relationship with them?
Seriously, since Trump seems to want to be friendly with Russia, one way to do that is to PROMOTE foreign relations with the use of U.S. Diplomats in Russia.
No, you can not defend or justify this "joke" once you realize the negative effect it has on ANY U.S. citizen and the negative effect that this statement and the entire situation has on foreign US relations.
In fact, you are wrong, because the article did state "Mr. Trump said it with a somewhat light tone". So do not say that the article didn't pay respect to the fact that Trump wasn't 100% sincere in what he said, because the article DID acknowledge that.
How can you use evidence that isn't there to make your argument?
All the evidence, points to the fact that DT obviously doesn't care about US Citizens who were serving OUR nation in a diplomatic effort to keep foreign relation ties with Russia, and to improve our relationship with them?
Seriously, since Trump seems to want to be friendly with Russia, one way to do that is to PROMOTE foreign relations with the use of U.S. Diplomats in Russia.
5
Doesn't mean it was a good joke. I think you are a tad bit too uptight. "It was not clear if he was joking. Yeah it was pretty clear he was joking. Sometimes jokes aren't funny. You are the reason why politics is so pathetic in this country and why Trump got elected. He makes a joke (a bad one) and you hyperventilate and go nuts. And article get written like this and people read it and distrust the news and that's how Trump gets into power. People like you are responsible for the rise of Trump.
We'd save a ton of money, not to mention the country, if trump would resign. Just protecting him while he's on his constant vacations and playing golf could save the country a fortune.
trump should understand, he's fired.
Keep the Russia investigation going, NY Times. Let's see those tax returns.
trump should understand, he's fired.
Keep the Russia investigation going, NY Times. Let's see those tax returns.
7
I have not expected it from the President. Can US send all its military persons to home and save billions of $ ?
Can US abandon NASA to save $
May be I am wrong and President is correct
Can US abandon NASA to save $
May be I am wrong and President is correct
What a fool, one more time. Saving payroll dollars at the expense of national security? I am sure his supporters are thinking how fools of him to make fun at Putin's expense, but what can you expect from the poorly educated?
3
Whoa .... i gotta hand it to Trump... his weird behaviour defies any logical definition...
The man manages to push the boundaries for the word "treason" into the unknown every and any time.
The man manages to push the boundaries for the word "treason" into the unknown every and any time.
2
What is next? Trump thanking Kim Jong-un for "cutting" military staff in South Korea and Guam?
4
Is there no end to the depths of lunacy and offensiveness emanating from this vile man?
2
Gotta' love this guy or what? Give him lemons and he makes lemonade. Or is it Kool Aid?
In any case, it's quintessential Donald, America's CEO, ladling out down Trumpian wisdom. All is not well in the Republic.
In any case, it's quintessential Donald, America's CEO, ladling out down Trumpian wisdom. All is not well in the Republic.
1
Trump's payroll decreased because Putin lays off staff in Russia - sounds like the White House Human Resources Department was outsourced to Moscow.
3
Us tax payers will still have to pay for housing etc of these diplomatic staffers I'm assuming.. This "president" is looking more like Mussolini every hour..
4
Here he goes again, praising that sadistic degenerate Putin.
What is it going to take for Trump to realize that it was exactly this type of stupid "strategy" on his part that got put him in trouble with that Russian sociopath to begin with?
What is it going to take for Trump to realize that it was exactly this type of stupid "strategy" on his part that got put him in trouble with that Russian sociopath to begin with?
4
With each statement, it becomes more and more clear that the U.S. is now being led by a Russian lackey. If this was Hillary Clinton, Republicans would be storming the White House to drag her out long before now. Where are the Democrats screaming about patriotism and treason? Enough!
www.newyorkgritty.net
www.newyorkgritty.net
4
I didn't realize that "save a lot of money" was included in the Presidential Oath of Office. How could I have missed something so obvious?
4
Even if Trump were being sarcastic, which given his past behaviour towards Vladimir Putin is all but doubtful, a comment still steeped in praise toward the Russian leader is worrisome.
Is this a joke?
Or, part of some plan mastered by Steve Bannon to accelerate the demise of the United States?
Trump has already silenced and decimated the U.S. State Department -- so how can it be a matter of cutting payroll?
Americans. What have you done by putting this man in the White House?
If North Korea doesn't end it all for you, your president will.
Is this a joke?
Or, part of some plan mastered by Steve Bannon to accelerate the demise of the United States?
Trump has already silenced and decimated the U.S. State Department -- so how can it be a matter of cutting payroll?
Americans. What have you done by putting this man in the White House?
If North Korea doesn't end it all for you, your president will.
4
I am no fan of the POTUS, but in a prior article, it was stated that the bulk of the employees to be cut, were local Russian workers, e.g., maintenance people, administrative staff, and not career diplomats. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/30/world/europe/russia-sanctions-us-dipl...
1
"Thank you sir, for saving me money.
May I have another?"
"Thank you sir, for saving me money.
May I have another?"
"Thank you sir, for saving me money.
May I have another?"
May I have another?"
"Thank you sir, for saving me money.
May I have another?"
"Thank you sir, for saving me money.
May I have another?"
Trump doesn't know these diplomatic service corps personnel will continue to collect their federal paychecks. His ignorance threatens everyone. And his subservience to Putin should alarm every thinking American.
2
I'm struck by the lengths that Republican voters go to defend Trump. Yet his softness on Russia must start to baffle them at some point. How is his behavior defensible -- on any level?
Trump levels blistering attacks on members of the U.S government, members of the press, and even members of his own party, yet kisses Putin's ring when Russia attacks U.S. national interests.
I pray that my fellow citizens who supported Trump in the hope that he would supercharge the U.S. economy will start to understand that -- far from defending their interests -- he is working hard to undermine our national sovereignty in collaboration with a foreign dictator. It is reprehensible.
Trump levels blistering attacks on members of the U.S government, members of the press, and even members of his own party, yet kisses Putin's ring when Russia attacks U.S. national interests.
I pray that my fellow citizens who supported Trump in the hope that he would supercharge the U.S. economy will start to understand that -- far from defending their interests -- he is working hard to undermine our national sovereignty in collaboration with a foreign dictator. It is reprehensible.
4
Not only is Trump's utterance sort of dumb, his math is fuzzy. Both sides take a hit in this case. If American citizens return, they will be put to work and require the same support. No savings there. On the Russian side their people are out of a job being paid for by the US. Someone or someones will have to do that in Russia. This is not "cold war" tactics, but the antics of misbehaving children. As Shakespeare said, "Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." It leaves both countries less well off while solving nothing.
1
Vote Democratic in 2018 so the House Judiciary Committee can initiate impeachment hearings against this traitor president!
3
A traitor to our nation. A buffoon who is likely deeply in debt to Russian interests. A man-child who serves only his interests and those of his family. A scary joke to the rest of the world. This is your president.
2
Here's the question I'm asking: Do the Korean missiles have the range and accuracy for a surgical-strike on Trump himself?
2
Boys, get a room. And stay there. Please. “Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.”
― Edmund Burke
― Edmund Burke
2
In light of their reaction to a tan suit, and Dijon mustard, it's fair to say that the GOP would've burned-down Washington D.C. in a fit of white hot fury if Obama had done such a thing.
In the Trump Era? It's just another Thursday.
In the Trump Era? It's just another Thursday.
4
One of his flacks will undoubtedly declare that he was joking. If you use that excuse too many time, it will be fair to label trump a "joker."
1
in this situation, President Trump turned lemons into lemonade.
let's hope he can do the same with North Korea.
let's hope he can do the same with North Korea.
3
Now if Putin can give us the dirt on #45, we can get him expelled and save lots more money.
2
And yet the GOP led Congress refuses to begin Impeachment proceedings.
3
Can you believe this is the same GOP that diabolically and publicly went after people for being barely affiliated with Russia or their ideas!?????
Where's their McCarthyism now???
And they don't say a peep, A PEEP, about the traitor in chief who bends over backwards to accommodate Russia... the same country they went on actual witch hunts about!! See Donald your party used to do Russia witch hunts but not anymore.
Where's their McCarthyism now???
And they don't say a peep, A PEEP, about the traitor in chief who bends over backwards to accommodate Russia... the same country they went on actual witch hunts about!! See Donald your party used to do Russia witch hunts but not anymore.
2
I'm sure you think reverse psychology is new (you will likely claim you invented it), but thanking Putin for his response simply accentuates your lack of experience and your childish tendencies. Come back when you can be an adult, we've given up expecting to have a leader.
2
So Trump continues to stand by his man.
Take note of a correct criticism and valid analysis of Trump's self-centered action:
"Cutting our staff by 755 people will do tremendous damage to our diplomatic mission in Russia,” said Michael A. McFaul, who was ambassador to Russia under President Barack Obama.
“That our president does not appreciate this obvious fact suggests he doesn’t understand what embassies do in the pursuit of American national interests.”
Once again Trump's ignorance and lack of common sense is monumental.
Give him a dunce cap and sit him in a corner.
Take note of a correct criticism and valid analysis of Trump's self-centered action:
"Cutting our staff by 755 people will do tremendous damage to our diplomatic mission in Russia,” said Michael A. McFaul, who was ambassador to Russia under President Barack Obama.
“That our president does not appreciate this obvious fact suggests he doesn’t understand what embassies do in the pursuit of American national interests.”
Once again Trump's ignorance and lack of common sense is monumental.
Give him a dunce cap and sit him in a corner.
4
He's compromised and needs to be removed.
2
To all state department and other government employees: we're working in it. Please hang in there. We known you work hard at your jobs in the best interest of our country. We appreciate all that you do for your nation.
3
said Michael A. McFaul, who was ambassador to Russia under President Barack Obama. “That our president does not appreciate this obvious fact suggests he doesn’t understand what embassies do in the pursuit of American national interests.” Sums it up well--only NOT my president.
3
Trump is a Russian stooge. He needs to be removed from office as quickly as possible.
3
The president of the United States should be in prison or a mental institution under heavy medication.
5
“I want to thank him because we’re trying to cut down on payroll, and as far as I’m concerned, I’m very thankful that he let go of a large number of people, because now we have a smaller payroll,” Mr. Trump told reporters at his golf club in Bedminster, N.J. “There’s no real reason for them to go back. So I greatly appreciate the fact that we’ve been able to cut our payroll of the United States. We’ll save a lot of money.”
What??? We must remove this disaster of a President from office. Period. End of discussion.
What??? We must remove this disaster of a President from office. Period. End of discussion.
2
Inasmuch as most of the employees Putin has told to leave our Moscow Embassy are. as the article points out, Russians and, willingly or not, provide reports to the Russian FSB spy agency, Trump should have commended Putin for saving the Russian government money. Maybe people who work for or get dragooned into serving the FSB get new jobs spying on someone else but my guess is these Russians are expendable.
So far as our own diplomats are concerned, to be declared persona non grata is a risk that goes with the territory (as I told foreigners (my wife and I kept out toothbrushes packed). Unless a crime is involved. getting the boot is often a badge of honor, whether the President, who seems to hate the Foreign Service, knows it or not.
What is most strange is the President's apparent belief that government personnel, of whatever agency. who get the boot automatically lose their jobs. Not so, unless they are guilty of wrongdoing abroad, the expelled official gets transferred to a new job, in Washington or abroad.
That being the case. getting booted doesn't save the USG money; -rather it levies additional costs in unexpected airplane tickets and U.S. monies spent to ship household effects to the new place of work.
So far as our own diplomats are concerned, to be declared persona non grata is a risk that goes with the territory (as I told foreigners (my wife and I kept out toothbrushes packed). Unless a crime is involved. getting the boot is often a badge of honor, whether the President, who seems to hate the Foreign Service, knows it or not.
What is most strange is the President's apparent belief that government personnel, of whatever agency. who get the boot automatically lose their jobs. Not so, unless they are guilty of wrongdoing abroad, the expelled official gets transferred to a new job, in Washington or abroad.
That being the case. getting booted doesn't save the USG money; -rather it levies additional costs in unexpected airplane tickets and U.S. monies spent to ship household effects to the new place of work.
5
This viewpoint that he thanks Putin for helping to trim our payroll may allow the United States to step back, without losing face, from a cycle of retaliations.
1
" The llkes of which....."
He has said this a hundred times.
It's hyperbole over and over.
His mental stagnation is just overwhelming and dangerous.
Everything he says about Putin especially today is appeasement to a foreign adversary.
No American president has ever said such things.
If Obama had said this - the Republicans would be pursuing articles of impeachment the very next day.
He is not a stable person nor capable of carrying out the duties of his office.
Nothing be said at all by his Republican enablers is mind-blowing.
This just makes dictators around the world feel more emboldened by his weakness and coddling with Putin.
He has said this a hundred times.
It's hyperbole over and over.
His mental stagnation is just overwhelming and dangerous.
Everything he says about Putin especially today is appeasement to a foreign adversary.
No American president has ever said such things.
If Obama had said this - the Republicans would be pursuing articles of impeachment the very next day.
He is not a stable person nor capable of carrying out the duties of his office.
Nothing be said at all by his Republican enablers is mind-blowing.
This just makes dictators around the world feel more emboldened by his weakness and coddling with Putin.
1
Faux-president Trump's comments about our relations with Russia as well as with North Korea smell of Alt- president Bannon to me. " Fire and fury" sound like death and destruction and that is Bannon's avowed platform for our current way of life. He won't succeed (I hope) but he is scaring the heck out of me in the meantime.
2
The excellent Senator Fulbright used to turn away criticism with a smooth and good humored "Ah may be a Communist, but ah am you-ah Communist," and people loved it.
Trump is a beneficiary of a well-crafted bad-boy image that people love, and it needs to be turned around. We all need to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest, "Yes, he's a bad boy, but he's not our bad boy. He lies to us, not for us. He cheats us, for himself."
Trump is a beneficiary of a well-crafted bad-boy image that people love, and it needs to be turned around. We all need to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest, "Yes, he's a bad boy, but he's not our bad boy. He lies to us, not for us. He cheats us, for himself."
Trump is a traitor and must be removed from office.
1
I think he expected everyone to laugh. Nobody laughed.
Nobody's laughing, Mr. Deplorable Illegitimate President.
We could save a lot of money if he'd resign. HIs trips to Mar-A-Lago and NJ cost us enormously. Instead he's decided to gut the State Department. To save money.
Please, can we not get rid of this monster?
Nobody's laughing, Mr. Deplorable Illegitimate President.
We could save a lot of money if he'd resign. HIs trips to Mar-A-Lago and NJ cost us enormously. Instead he's decided to gut the State Department. To save money.
Please, can we not get rid of this monster?
36
Trump hasn't made any State Dept. cuts and they're as likelly as the wall. Obaama cost us way more in trip money than Trump. In his first 6 months, he took 7 foreign trips. Trump has taken two.
1
Clearly a cover up of immense proportions is being perpetrated by trump himself and his henchmen. It's obvious that Putin won trump the election and expects pay back. It's also obvious that trump isn't forthcoming on what he knows and when he knew it. Most troubling are trump’s henchmen running interference with the FBI to thwart its investigation. And the recent ‘private’ telephone calls between trump and Putin are ominous as well. Treasonous malfeasance now looms as a real possibility, no question.
17
The most irresponsible statement made by any government leader in a very long time. Until tomorrow.
35
I thought it was terrific.
2
This was seriously jaw dropping... 700 Americans, serving their country, were just betrayed by their President ... publicly...
The insanity is that there will be people justifying this comment somehow....
The insanity is that there will be people justifying this comment somehow....
18
What is it that Putin and the FSB have on Trump? It must be very, very serious, something that would destroy him politically, financially, and subject him to criminal prosecution against which there is no defense. Some day, perhaps before long, it will all come out, and then we will see him resign the Presidency for a non-prosecution agreement. And it won't be a minute too soon.
16
Raise your hand if you are tired of winning!
12
If we don't ever build an aircraft carrier named after Trump, we'll save even more money. Thank you Mr Trump for saving us that expense.
5
Putin wipes Trump's nose in the dirt and Trump's response is to say that it "actually smells like roses". Astonishing.
This may play well in the Oval Office but the rest of the world greets this response with a chorus of snickers.
This may play well in the Oval Office but the rest of the world greets this response with a chorus of snickers.
15
How large is the Russian diplomatic staff in the US and if larger, why have we not demanded it be reduced to match cuts in our Russian staffing? If the Russian Ambassador is the Black Hole of Evil, why has he not been declared persona non grata? There are lots of other information that could have been included in this article to make it useful, rather than fluff filler.
1
Mr. Putin apparently owns Donald Trump. There is no significant evidence to the contrary, and a mountain of evidence in support. The money will ultimately lead to the sordid, pathetic truth.
10
The grapes are probably sour anyway.
2
When are Americans going to wake up to the traitor the Electoral College elevated to the presidency? Trump lets Putin play human resource director for U.S. embassy personnel, and we're supposed to praise Putin like Trump! No thanks.
11
He's such a sensitive man; so concerned about the families and feelings of the 775 well-educated and well-trained career diplomats who are losing their jobs. Job loss wasn't supposed to be one of his priorities.
8
Our diplomats who were stationed in Russia lost their positions there - NOT their jobs, nor their status in our Diplomatic Corps. They will be placed elsewhere. Russians who worked in the Embassy lost jobs.
2
Thank you for writing a more accurate explanation. I had the thought the State Department MAY reassign the diplomats, however DJT's brain, Bannon is intent on "destroying the administrative state."
On a recent trip abroad, I spoke to an Embassy official who is an old personal friend. He said that, with Trump as president and with the number of unfilled vacancies in the State Dept., no one in the Embassy knows what they are supposed to be doing. They read his twittering, but it doesn't help them so they remain professionally paralyzed. As a result, they are disengaging from virtually ALL of the cooperative arrangements they have been working on FOR DECADES. In the most practical terms, this means Trump is destroying THE BEDROCK of American diplomacy, yet without the slightest interest in what it means or what the impact of his actions are. This human-based network can be re-built of course, but the cost will be devastatingly high and much of and the loss of influence will be permanent. What have we done to ourselves?
18
Trump loves throwing people under the bus. Nothing bad ever happens in Trump World. Everything is for the best. Another Victory for The Donald and his greatly admired friend The Putin. Thank you Dr. Pangloss. And we collectively sighed relief when the President went on Vacation. It seems he can do lethal damage anywhere he goes. B
7
I don't agree that Trump's response to Putin was clever. Trump was playing the businessman president for his supporters.
2
It is quite apparent that the embassy was grossly overstaffed. Did they really need all those people over there. Lots of money that could be used for other things. Maybe Trump, he businessman, is right.
1
Good idea! Let's let Putin decide how many troops and tanks and aircraft carriers the U.S. military should have, too.
2
I suppose the US gets to decide which positions in the embassy and consulates to eliminate? It is unclear if the 755 employees that must go are all american diplomat civil servants , in which case the cost savings will be minimal....
Such as more money for Secret Service for the Trump family properties and business forays.
How much more evidence is it going to take to convince the rest of the country that Trump has no idea how the government works and no idea what he is doing. At minimum, the nuclear codes must require more than just Trump to initiate a launch.
7
How much does that matter to his base, which also has no idea how government works?
Oh yes. When other diplomats are under physical attack in Cuba, say to dedicated foreign service staff, Thanks, Russia, we're glad to be rid of of them. With remarks like that, it's time to open Benghazi-type hearings on how well this president and his team are protecting our diplomats and military personnel. We've had two Navy "accidents" in the Pacific since he's been in office with men lost at sea and now we learn our foreign service people are under attack in two places. Surely he, Mattis and Tillerson are to blame. These things don't happen unless it's someone's fault, do they? We need congressional hearings. We need them now.
7
His "unconventional" responses keep us distracted from Special Prosecutor Mueller's investigation.
7
The Mueller investigation as well as the FBI investigation need no media attention at this point to be effective. Investigators are still gathering evidence. They're not talking to anyone through official channels. If indictments are issued to people in Trump's inner circle, or to Trump himself, no amount of tweets will distract from that.
1
It's amazing to read so many armchair diplomats discuss what little our diplomats are doing there. Reading about the number of spies we have, for example, is ludicrous. Since when do we publish the number of intelligence officials working anywhere, much less Russia? And how would we know just what our diplomats are accomplishing or averting? We need more facts to have an intelligence discussion.
5
Whether it was a flippant comment or not it shows once again how blithe his thinking is in regards to people's lives or the important work done by our State Department personel.
Can't think of another person I have more contempt for than him.
Can't think of another person I have more contempt for than him.
10
We could save even more money if we fired Trump!
11
Does Putin's expulsion of 775 embassy personnel automatically mean that these people are no longer working for the State Department and that they have been fired? If so, this implies hat Putin is doing the hiring and firing of State Department employees for Trump. Is this Trump's admission that despite the sanctions he is handing over USA governance to Putin? If Putin tells Trump to fire everyone in the White House and close the Pentagon, will Trump jump to it?
6
We paint a picture of Trump as all negative. Many refuse to acknowledge any signs of competence. Mr. Trump took questions from the press yesterday. He indicated his familiarity with what one reporter had written. He answered a series of foreign policy questions competently. There were no gaffes. He exhibited a sense of humor regarding Russia's response to sanctions. He was like a real President, communicating with the press. No doubt there are issues to dispute. Nobody said you were going to agree with him. But to the extent you think he is utterly incompetent, this press conference suggests otherwise. You can believe in the myth of Trump the fool. But if you think for yourself, you'll get a more accurate picture of the man and you will better understand what it will take to get rid of him.
1
Sometime in the future, the tapes, audio or validated testimony will prove Putin has the "perverted sex tapes" of Trump et al during the Miss Universe contest several years ago.
How is it that Trump cannot or will not criticize the Russians, specifically, Putin for so many antagonistic actions to include the shoot down of the airliner, the invasion of Crimea and a number of other actions.
How is it that Trump cannot or will not criticize the Russians, specifically, Putin for so many antagonistic actions to include the shoot down of the airliner, the invasion of Crimea and a number of other actions.
1
The blithe way in which Trump dismissed the loss of income to the households of 755 American citizens reveals his lack of concern for anyone or anything that does not directly affect him. "We'll save a lot of money," Trump said flippantly.
Of course, this lack of empathy pales in comparison to the cavalier way Trump is playing with the lives of millions as he verbally jousts with fellow narcissist Kim Jung Un over nuclear weapons.
Of course, this lack of empathy pales in comparison to the cavalier way Trump is playing with the lives of millions as he verbally jousts with fellow narcissist Kim Jung Un over nuclear weapons.
2
We're done as a functional polity, economy, and culture. Our public institutions, at least at the federal level, have been coup'd, & are being dismantled chaotically, with impunity, and utter disregard for human casualty & suffering.
Every day my hope diminishes that there can be an end that does not involve mass deprivation, the suffering caused by authoritarianism, & the untimely, unnecessary death of millions.
These people are monsters. The gravest threat is the enemy within. The longer we wait to act, the more entrenched & entitled these monsters become. The cost of normalizing, the cost of complacency is the ever-increasing expectation of compliance to a regime intent upon destroying us, stealing everything we've ever earned, depriving our children of a future, and dying as fodder for these monsters who hold us in contempt.
Trump and his ilk are utter monsters who have called for everything from street-level vigilantism to nuclear war. This is not an elected government it is an-installed-by-corruption regime. If it is allowed to stand, the electoral process will never again be legitimate.
Our only hope is a brief moment of truce, a minute of authentic bipartisanship, between Rs and Ds to acknowledge the corruption that installed this travesty, and remove it by any and all means possible - prosecution of the Mueller findings, evoking the 25th amendment, whatever it takes... We are running out of time and scenarios to do this without unimaginable pain for millions.
Every day my hope diminishes that there can be an end that does not involve mass deprivation, the suffering caused by authoritarianism, & the untimely, unnecessary death of millions.
These people are monsters. The gravest threat is the enemy within. The longer we wait to act, the more entrenched & entitled these monsters become. The cost of normalizing, the cost of complacency is the ever-increasing expectation of compliance to a regime intent upon destroying us, stealing everything we've ever earned, depriving our children of a future, and dying as fodder for these monsters who hold us in contempt.
Trump and his ilk are utter monsters who have called for everything from street-level vigilantism to nuclear war. This is not an elected government it is an-installed-by-corruption regime. If it is allowed to stand, the electoral process will never again be legitimate.
Our only hope is a brief moment of truce, a minute of authentic bipartisanship, between Rs and Ds to acknowledge the corruption that installed this travesty, and remove it by any and all means possible - prosecution of the Mueller findings, evoking the 25th amendment, whatever it takes... We are running out of time and scenarios to do this without unimaginable pain for millions.
11
It was a joke, I suppose. But it is bordering on contempt of not only diplomats but all government employees. Withut public outrage, are they so despised by American people?
2
Donald Trump is Walter White on a world stage, Breaking Bad again and again, over and over, in an endless and ever widening gyre of chaos.
1
Maybe we will have less Federal employees a positive for the deficit. Let's get rid of some more phony baloney federal jobs. The governor in Blazing Saddles talked about protecting them. Ha Ha
2
Was the U.S. not to think they would reciprocate ? SO we save money. SInce the democrats started their Russian collusion nonsense non stop, they have ruined any past relationship. And unlike Obama, we have a president who wants to straighten out finances and our debt. WE do not need anyone in Russia. ANd if we do, the democrats should have thought about that. But they are always awful with foreign policy.
1
Written like someone who hasn't a clue what diplomacy is about, what our State Department (the Diplomatic branch of our government) is all about, nor what our diplomats are responsible for learning, achieving, transmitting, connecting, confirming, calming, negotiating. Whatever money might be saved (by the reduction of Russian employees at the Embassy) will probably be considerably less than the money lost in business because of this rift - to say nothing of important information connections severed.
2
Benedict Arnold strikes again. 25th Amendment, Section 4 this russian traitor out of here before he does even more damage.
3
Can the slow wheels of justice catch up with the mad cap chaos generated by this man? Connecting the Trump, Russian dots isn't possible anymore as there's so many of them the whole page has gone black.
2
The shallowness and ignorance of the President are just breath taking. He doesn't even realize that he has been insulted by Putin.
The career Foreign Service workers must be absolutely shocked and depressed. The President has no clue what they do nor does he appreciate their efforts on behalf of our country.
The career Foreign Service workers must be absolutely shocked and depressed. The President has no clue what they do nor does he appreciate their efforts on behalf of our country.
55
The man is detached from reality. Look at his eyes in this video, empty like his mind. He's not here!
1
It all sounds operatic but is Trump all there or is he actually an enemy of the US? Do his enablers Kelly, Tillerson, Mattis, McMaster and Pence think Putin did the US a favor? Tillerson's silence beggars belief.
22
Trump's comments demonstrate both amazing ignorance about diplomatic payrolls, and amazing support for one of our top adversaries.
Is there anything that Trump will NOT criticize Putin for? What would he say if Putin decided to release some damaging and/or embarrassing"kompromat" on Trump? Would he say nothing, or even worse, praise Putin for his transparency?
Trump's first reaction is to criticize or blame everybody he encounters if he thinks he can get away with it--John McCain, the Kahn gold star parents, political opponents, journalists, now Mitch McConnell, and virtually every country and nationality in the world.
But never Putin or Russia. It's more than odd--it's chilling for what the investigation might uncover.
Is there anything that Trump will NOT criticize Putin for? What would he say if Putin decided to release some damaging and/or embarrassing"kompromat" on Trump? Would he say nothing, or even worse, praise Putin for his transparency?
Trump's first reaction is to criticize or blame everybody he encounters if he thinks he can get away with it--John McCain, the Kahn gold star parents, political opponents, journalists, now Mitch McConnell, and virtually every country and nationality in the world.
But never Putin or Russia. It's more than odd--it's chilling for what the investigation might uncover.
21
Will no law rid us of this fool before we all go down in flames, literally or figuratively?
1
"But Mr. Trump expressed no concern about the embassy cuts, suggesting there would be no effort to try to reverse or mitigate the Russian decision."
It costs $ 120,000,000 to protect Trump and his family via the various departments (e.g. secret service, etc). Yet he praises Putin, and simply writes off the cuts of people working in Russia for the US Embassy, as "saving money". Then there was the LGBTQ ban from the armed forces, which he says would have cost the government about $ 10,000,000 to help integrate this group into the armed forces.
When it comes to being president, this boy-man is way over his head,and has no understanding as to what it means to be president!
It costs $ 120,000,000 to protect Trump and his family via the various departments (e.g. secret service, etc). Yet he praises Putin, and simply writes off the cuts of people working in Russia for the US Embassy, as "saving money". Then there was the LGBTQ ban from the armed forces, which he says would have cost the government about $ 10,000,000 to help integrate this group into the armed forces.
When it comes to being president, this boy-man is way over his head,and has no understanding as to what it means to be president!
48
Not understanding the job is one thing; not even trying to learn is quite another. He is the very worse of idiots and it makes him very dangerous.
2
My goodness, look everyone, Vladimir Putin just dissed Donald Trump again so the latter cannot possibly be beholden to Putin. This is more Kremlin Summer Theatre intended to créate ambivalence about the Mueller investigation. Trump's response to Putin is that he treats it as a light matter, that he understands Putin's game here. He is saying "no biggie". Do you think President Trump really cares whether employees of the Library of Congress or the Department of Agriculture are displaced from Russia? And given his attitude toward American intelligence operations he could care less about headaches there. He can always get foreign policy direction from Fox News.
It was not that Trump was being deferent to Putin, he was simply telling him not to worry that the reductions do not trouble the President. He is subservient to Putin and the Russian oligarchy, probably because of money laundering and other financial relations. But we will see some carefully-choreographed dance steps calculated to demonstrate distance, even disagreement, but driven by the deeper game. And Trump is certainly aware that Putin and any gángster relations can turn to more aggresive responses. Not that he worries about threats to him personally but his family members are vulnerable and his business interests are exposed. What happens when there are outbreaks of food poisoning at the Old Post Office in Washington, D.C., mysterious die-offs of the greens in Bedminister, or the fabled tax returns are published?
It was not that Trump was being deferent to Putin, he was simply telling him not to worry that the reductions do not trouble the President. He is subservient to Putin and the Russian oligarchy, probably because of money laundering and other financial relations. But we will see some carefully-choreographed dance steps calculated to demonstrate distance, even disagreement, but driven by the deeper game. And Trump is certainly aware that Putin and any gángster relations can turn to more aggresive responses. Not that he worries about threats to him personally but his family members are vulnerable and his business interests are exposed. What happens when there are outbreaks of food poisoning at the Old Post Office in Washington, D.C., mysterious die-offs of the greens in Bedminister, or the fabled tax returns are published?
25
It would be nice if Trump would start acting and being a President, which he continuously reminds us of almost daily that he is, and not the village idiot.
His continuous postures and subservience to Putin make him appear to be either a Russian dupe, our Manchurian President, or subject to Kompromat from his previous Russian relations. He has no problem demonstrating his dislike of other world leaders, who are both our allies, and our adversaries, except for Putin and Russia.
As President Trump needs to demonstrate to us, either that he is representing the United States and all of us, or that he is representing our adversary, Putin and Russia.
The latter could be reasonably interpreted as treason, and a violation of his Constitutional oath he took last January 20th to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Trumps continuous actions and continuous statements surely questions his underlying motives.
His continuous postures and subservience to Putin make him appear to be either a Russian dupe, our Manchurian President, or subject to Kompromat from his previous Russian relations. He has no problem demonstrating his dislike of other world leaders, who are both our allies, and our adversaries, except for Putin and Russia.
As President Trump needs to demonstrate to us, either that he is representing the United States and all of us, or that he is representing our adversary, Putin and Russia.
The latter could be reasonably interpreted as treason, and a violation of his Constitutional oath he took last January 20th to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Trumps continuous actions and continuous statements surely questions his underlying motives.
50
The president is a traitor, all for the love of Russian money and the fear of Russian extortion. We've elected a traitor.
146
The man's gargantuan ignorance is unlimited.
93
On the other hand I think he's great.
Good job Mssrs. President! The kumbayah "let's get in touch with our feelings" crowd that constitutes a fair part of the Foreign Circus (service) couldn't lead a group of Marines in Silent prayer.
Viva Trump! Viva Putin! Viva Duerte!
Viva Trump! Viva Putin! Viva Duerte!
5
Really? Or are you being sarcastic?
1
@beldarcone: Watching Rex Tillerson's big, broad Texas smile shining down on Duterte recently during a photo op made me sick to my stomach. Reminded me of the photo op of Don Rumsfeld and Saddam Hussein, shaking hands, smiling at each other. History repeats itself with America loving the murderers of their own people. And now we're handing this murderer weaponry to fight 'terror'. Duterte's a terror!!!!
This can't be taken literally _or_ seriously. What's left??
7
If he quits, entire world will be saved from disasters galore!
23
Trump literally admitted that he takes staffing orders from the autocratic leader of Russia
56
Weak, sycophantic responses like Trump makes to Putin are what embolden Putin, and Kim Jong Un, and other adversaries to be more aggressive.
26
Hey, doesn't anyone understand Trump's sense of humor yet?
8
I agree with you kind of criticizing by using sense of humor
Perhaps not a laughing matter?
So, now there are more unemployed underTrump?
19
No, that's what's really special about Trump's response. He seems not to understand they are still State Department employees. They were ordered by Putin to evacuate what was their duty station. But they're still our diplomats.
1
isn't this about the number of jobs he "saved" at Carrier in Indiana? so much for a Twitiot as president
Our very first certifiably moronic President, aided an abetted by 63 million voters who abdicated their collective intelligence on election day.
I never imagined stupidity could exist on such a large scale. Wear it with pride, Trump voters; you've earned the stripes of your ignorance.
And of what use was the Electoral College? As our last resort of protection, it failed miserably by allowing this unqualified fool to take office.
Abolish it!
I never imagined stupidity could exist on such a large scale. Wear it with pride, Trump voters; you've earned the stripes of your ignorance.
And of what use was the Electoral College? As our last resort of protection, it failed miserably by allowing this unqualified fool to take office.
Abolish it!
73
Abolish the Electoral College and abolish computers in any area having to do with voting. Paper registration rolls under lock and key and paper ballots hand counted. It's the only way to save our democracy and have citizens know FOR SURE that their vote was counted correctly.
My daughter was not allowed to vote in the presidential election in 2016 in Palm Beach County. She registered. She was denied. She doesn't know why, they just said they had no record of her registration. Happened to several of her friends, too. Thanks, Mr. Putin for taking her vote away.
We've got to have a system that cannot be hacked. Or we've lost our democracy.
My daughter was not allowed to vote in the presidential election in 2016 in Palm Beach County. She registered. She was denied. She doesn't know why, they just said they had no record of her registration. Happened to several of her friends, too. Thanks, Mr. Putin for taking her vote away.
We've got to have a system that cannot be hacked. Or we've lost our democracy.
2
Trump gives Putin a snippy retort? Has the bloom gone off the rose already?
1
They have Kompromat on him. Best not to criticize bosses.
19
We will also save money by Trump paying the taxes he owes or at least proving he has by disclosing his tax returns.
24
At what point will the Speakers of the House and Senate disavow any loyalty to this man? Years ago Henry Kissinger wrote a paper arguing that
A Third World War was possible if the United States or the then Soviet Union made an error in judgement with a misplaced tactical move requiring a military from the other. Well here we are---Henry Kissinger was and is a very smart man.
A Third World War was possible if the United States or the then Soviet Union made an error in judgement with a misplaced tactical move requiring a military from the other. Well here we are---Henry Kissinger was and is a very smart man.
11
They can never disavow him. They rely too heavily on his base.
1
This pathetic joke of a president makes a pathetic joke. Again.
If a country expelled half its Russian diplomats, Putin wouldn't be responding with a lame wisecrack.
Whose side is Trump on, anyway?
If a country expelled half its Russian diplomats, Putin wouldn't be responding with a lame wisecrack.
Whose side is Trump on, anyway?
25
He's on Trump's side. That's the only side that matters to Trump. He's the most selfish, narcissistic, pathological liar that most of us have ever encountered. He's not fit for the presidency and when are the Repubs going to do their duty and evict him from the White House?
2
I've thought Trump is a Russian agent ever since, at the GOP convention, he weirdly focused on an obscure plank in the GOP platform that advocated sending offensive weapons to Ukraine to help in the fight against the Russian invasion of that country. Trump had the advocacy for offensive weapons removed from this plank -- his sole response to the entire GOP platform. This was an issue of zero importance to American voters but of great importance to Putin -- so to my mind it has always been Exhibit A in the case against Trump as a Russian agent. But, along with the rest of the America, I've puzzled over why. Now, watching the direction the Mueller investigation is taking, it's becoming clear. Trump is a money launderer -- which is to say: a felon. After Trump's serial bankruptcies in the 1990's, he was cut off from conventional sources of financing and turned increasingly to money from Russian oligarchs. It seems likely that at least some of this Russian "investment" in Trump properties was fake and that Trump allowed his properties to be used as conduits to launder Russian money which derived from illicit activities. This is almost certainly why he has refused to release his tax returns. When Trump is exposed as a criminal -- a money launderer for Russian gangsters -- will it be enough for impeachment? That this question must even be asked says everything about the morally bankrupt state of the GOP and the decrepit state of our politics.
74
When will the majority of Republicans finally realize this president is destroying the office? I cannot believe what I'm seeing from them...have you no shame?
38
I propose a trade to Russia:
For Russia, you get Trump and all his supporters. Everything. Trump has this thing for all things Russian, so it shouldn't be hard. You already have half his money anyway. And for his supporters, put them to work in the coal mines they love so much.
For the US, don't send us anything. Just take him and his supporters/sycophants. But we'll get a functioning country again with politicians and citizens who actually love and respect the institutions of this country.
That's it.
Deal?
For Russia, you get Trump and all his supporters. Everything. Trump has this thing for all things Russian, so it shouldn't be hard. You already have half his money anyway. And for his supporters, put them to work in the coal mines they love so much.
For the US, don't send us anything. Just take him and his supporters/sycophants. But we'll get a functioning country again with politicians and citizens who actually love and respect the institutions of this country.
That's it.
Deal?
44
Although the NY Times hates Trump, and I , myself, am not a current fan, the President's comment on the diplomatic expulsions was sarcastic, and for once, rather clever. Furthermore, it was appropriate, since nothing practical can be negotiated to reverse the expulsions, which respond to Congressional sanctions of Russia which the President cannot undo. No reasonable person, including journalists, could construe President Trump's comments as an actual offer of "gratitude" for the expulsions.
2
I too believe he was trying to be sarcastic, but the first rule of sarcasm is to make it obvious that you are being sarcastic. Trump didn't.
1
Curious to know if your reaction would had been the same if President Obama had acted this way. Just be honest.
1
I sincerely doubt Trump's comments were sarcasm. And, I
totally disagree that they were clever. The man doesn't have
the intelligence to be clever about anything. Nor does he care if our citizens lose their jobs. He's not at all worried about that. His showing his gratitude to Putin is an automatic response to anything that man does.
totally disagree that they were clever. The man doesn't have
the intelligence to be clever about anything. Nor does he care if our citizens lose their jobs. He's not at all worried about that. His showing his gratitude to Putin is an automatic response to anything that man does.
Apparently, it is Trump's goal to minimize America's diplomatic ties to the rest of the world as much as possible.
89
Trump most certainly is a puppet of Putin, and whatever Putin has on him must REALLY be something.
38
Whatever Putin has on Trump must be financial..........big time.
1
Trump, the"jobs ,jobs,jobs"president doesn't understand that if the embassy staff are sent home, it will be the US who'd have to fire them , not his buddy Putin.
Of course, the Trump administration can re train them for a new line of work, like cole mining for example.
Of course, the Trump administration can re train them for a new line of work, like cole mining for example.
16
We could save a lot more money by not paying 100s of millions of dollars for Trump's frequent trips to his properties (with much of that money going directly into Trump's pockets). One trip to Florida or NJ costs us more that a years salary for all those fired Russian.
25
That kind of graft should be illegal.
5
It is not being reported that the majority of the 755 staff being cut from the US Embassy and consulates in Russia are local employees, not American Foreign Service officers. This does not, however, excuse Trump's nonsense about Putin.
6
The Russian nationals working at the US embassy in Russia were replaced with Americans a couple of years ago.
3
No, they weren't. Well over half of the employees in Russia, as in virtually all overseas diplomatic missions, are local staffers, not Americans.
1
It's been reported EVERYWHERE flake. you must not get around much.
1
Thanking Putin for "cutting US diplomatic staff" to "save money"?
This attempted cover for Putin is an insult to diplomacy, and to the human mind generally.
This attempted cover for Putin is an insult to diplomacy, and to the human mind generally.
11
We'll, let's just hope he doesn't view thermonuclear war as just another way to "cut down the payroll."
17
This is an absolute terrible time to be a writer of parody or satire. How can The Onion compete with the daily utterances of Donald Trump?
13
There must not have been enough opportunities to say bad things about Trump today so the writer had to seize upon this. He was being sarcastic, for heaven's sake. That's obvious. He was in no way praising Putin. And was in no way saying that diplomats are not necessary. If Obama had said something like this, the media would have declared him a comedic genius and he probably would have won the Nobel Prize in Literature. Put made an ineffectual response to sanctions and Trump made and ineffectual response to Putin's ineffectual response. This was trivial.
3
Even if he isn't being serious, it was in poor taste and inappropriate. A lot of people in other countries will take what he says as truth and act on that.
It was just so inane. If he's going to use sarcasm, he needs to use it intelligently.
Trump is resolute. And Putin is laughing.
4
It is clear that this president will never change and the sooner we put an end to this travesty, the safer and saner our republic will be. Trump must resign to preserve our nation. It's unbelievable to hear that a US President would thank Putin for removing our diplomats. Every day the situation deteriorates. I'm no fan of Pence but we can no longer have a wild card like Trump in the White House.
10
Trump has such odd responses to all things Russia. He is not helping himself by this. It just seems so suspicious - what does Russia have on him and/or his family? Keep following the money.
6
It's in the LAUNDRY.
1
This is truly a first for me. I find myself agreeing with something that Donald Trump has said. Believe me, the idea is frightening. There is no reason for the US to have a larger embassy staff in Russia than Russia has in the US. The reduction will save money. Yes, most people at the embassy are CIA agents, but really, how effective has the CIA been in Russia? Not very.
Some people might worry that Americans in Russia will not be able to get needed diplomatic services. I have been in US embassies and consulates in many countries. The services they provide to US citizens is abysmal. I can take more than a week to get an appointment and they will not let you through the gate without an appointment. I was told that the long wait is the result of a new policy that allots fifteen minutes for each appointment, although transactions rarely take that long. Staffers are sitting on their hands with nothing to do. These assignments are a boondoggle. When I finally got a form notarized, I was charged $50... to get a form notarized! Cut embassy staff? Yes please, and lets spend that money on healthcare. And again, it just kills me to say that Trump is right about anything. I'm sure it was an accident.
Some people might worry that Americans in Russia will not be able to get needed diplomatic services. I have been in US embassies and consulates in many countries. The services they provide to US citizens is abysmal. I can take more than a week to get an appointment and they will not let you through the gate without an appointment. I was told that the long wait is the result of a new policy that allots fifteen minutes for each appointment, although transactions rarely take that long. Staffers are sitting on their hands with nothing to do. These assignments are a boondoggle. When I finally got a form notarized, I was charged $50... to get a form notarized! Cut embassy staff? Yes please, and lets spend that money on healthcare. And again, it just kills me to say that Trump is right about anything. I'm sure it was an accident.
17
Representative Kathleen Rice, Democrat of New York, chastised Mr. Trump for his comments. “This is insulting to US diplomats,” she wrote on Twitter. “Also, really, really stupid. Diplomats don’t get fired for getting kicked out of a hostile foreign country.”
Do you understand that these diplomats will leave Russia but they won't be fired? There will be no money saved to spend on healthcare or anything else.
Isn't it interesting that Putin waited for Trump to reverse Obama's sanctions and didn't act to respond to them until Congress tied Donald's hands to stop him from doing that?
Why did Putin have such faith that Donald would try to do as Putin wanted him to do?
Do you understand that these diplomats will leave Russia but they won't be fired? There will be no money saved to spend on healthcare or anything else.
Isn't it interesting that Putin waited for Trump to reverse Obama's sanctions and didn't act to respond to them until Congress tied Donald's hands to stop him from doing that?
Why did Putin have such faith that Donald would try to do as Putin wanted him to do?
2
Nothing Trump ever says is right - or even the truth. Apparently you and he know nothing about how our government and specifically civil service works. No one is fired, nor will anyone lose their job. Not sure how that saves money, but it certainly puts our national security interests at risk. The cost of Trump being a weak, submissive puppet to Putin will most definitely cost us dearly, however.
2
A week? It takes over a month to get an appointment at the French consulate in New York to renew a passport.
Trump still has to pay the Feds, and pay transport costs.
1
For months now, we have been hearing endless moaning from the Democrats, about how Trump was working with the Russians. But considering the immense number of Russian nationals who were working in our embassy, it seems like the previous administration must have been working with them all along.
1
Russian nationals working at the US embassy in Russia were replaced with Americans a couple of years ago by Obama.
2
Andy Kaufman.....time to remove the Trump mask and reveal yourself.
This has been one of your greatest performance art pieces, Andy, but its getting out of hand.
This has been one of your greatest performance art pieces, Andy, but its getting out of hand.
6
Wouldn't the people be sent to jobs elsewhere and not fired by the diplomatic service?
4
This is nothing less than a staggering betrayal of our nation.
To continue suggesting Trump has not been compromised by Putin is beyond the stratospheric heights of willful naiveté. One day soon, we will see exactly why he's doing this. Bet on it.
To continue suggesting Trump has not been compromised by Putin is beyond the stratospheric heights of willful naiveté. One day soon, we will see exactly why he's doing this. Bet on it.
7
This, actually, is the standard Republican mindset, preceding Trump: cut staff, cut personnel, cut services. No mater how necessary they may be, let's drown the government in the bathtub, so that wealthy people can get a tax cut. (Don't cut the Pentagon, of course).
4
Most of what Trump says makes no sense to me. But his comment about cutting the payroll was clearly tongue in cheek. The reporter is wrong to take it seriously. He, too, may be confused by Trump. But it's his job to know whether Trump is being serious or not, and he missed the boat here. As a result he has made something of a mountain out of a mole hill.
1
no, we know trump isn't serious when he uses air quotes. as in "wiretapped", you know.
If Trump's campaign-Russia collusion is proven by Muller, at least 50% of American electorate will thank Putin for making it possible to cut Trump from our payroll.
116
Glad to know that Putin is in charge of personnel decisions in the U.S. executive branch.
(He's not, of course, but Trump seems to think he is.)
(He's not, of course, but Trump seems to think he is.)
9
So these embassy employees have officially been fired now? By Putin, no less?
4
As we say in law, Trump's remarks reveal a consciousness of guilt! I was deeply saddened to see Trump ignore the treatment of American patriots as he whimpers before Russia.
As I maintain, our olden days NSA cyber abilities are nothing compared to the greatest Cyber criminal nation of the world, Russia. They hacked, at the very least, the computerized tallying of votes.
If Trump did not collude with Russia, and Russia helped him win these elections---they must have some HORRIFIC Intel on him.
Russia continues to hack our country and elections, unchecked as Trump swivels before his Massa Putin.
This is one of the saddest days in our history. A sitting president picks a foreign hostile nation over Americans. This is very sad, no matter your political leaning. We have been terribly weakened in the eyes of the world.
Terrible!
As I maintain, our olden days NSA cyber abilities are nothing compared to the greatest Cyber criminal nation of the world, Russia. They hacked, at the very least, the computerized tallying of votes.
If Trump did not collude with Russia, and Russia helped him win these elections---they must have some HORRIFIC Intel on him.
Russia continues to hack our country and elections, unchecked as Trump swivels before his Massa Putin.
This is one of the saddest days in our history. A sitting president picks a foreign hostile nation over Americans. This is very sad, no matter your political leaning. We have been terribly weakened in the eyes of the world.
Terrible!
6
I am probably in a minority of those who believe that President Trump's response was brilliant. By it, he turned a major diplomatic comeuppance into a non-event. America's deeds in response to Russia's will be interesting to observe, given President Trump's words. Definitely an asymmetric response by President Trump.
7
I understand where you're coming from, but it doesn't work that way. Putin is not a child. This is a significant setback for America in several crucial areas. His comment was meant to make him not seem weak to his base. Unfortunately, many will fall for it. Sigh.
1
A wonderful message Trump has just sent to State Department workers all over the world. Your work is a waste of our money!
1
If course you know that the Russians have targeted primarily those folks they either know or think are spies, right?
The main role of the US Embassy in Russia, all 1,100 of them, is to promote trade and investment, which is pretty much off the table, since Congress voted 530-5 to expand sanctions on trade and investment and prevent Trump from unwinding them.
The rest of the Embassy activity involves approving visas and spying, so 450 staffers should cover it, especially if most of the highly paid senior staff comes home.
For once, Trump is right.
The rest of the Embassy activity involves approving visas and spying, so 450 staffers should cover it, especially if most of the highly paid senior staff comes home.
For once, Trump is right.
15
No, he's not. It isn't as if those employees will no longer be working for the US government. No, they'll just be transferred to other posts in the world (or back to DC). No savings at all.
3
I guess you mean Putin is right. There was nothing proactive about this.
5
No one actually cares about the employees jobs or the money that may or may not be saved. Trump's just saying "We don't care" to Putin.
To paraphrase the movie Network (1976) - Go to your windows. Open them and stick your head out and yell – 'I'm as mad as hell and I'm not gonna take Trump anymore! You're Fired Donald!"
At what point does it become plainly clear that Trump is not the president of the United States, he is the president AGAINST the United States and FOR Russia.
Proof of this - Trump, as the boss, didn't even get the least bit miffed at Putin for firing Trump's 755 employees. Trump thinks of himself as "the boss," and loves firing people personally. For him to cede that power to Putin without a hint of complaint or envy says a lot.
At what point does it become plainly clear that Trump is not the president of the United States, he is the president AGAINST the United States and FOR Russia.
Proof of this - Trump, as the boss, didn't even get the least bit miffed at Putin for firing Trump's 755 employees. Trump thinks of himself as "the boss," and loves firing people personally. For him to cede that power to Putin without a hint of complaint or envy says a lot.
50
Till now, Russia aped us. Now it is the other way round.
We have now our own Gorbachev, the transformational figure who wrecked the Soviet System from within.
Nothing American as we know it - the Executive, the Judiciary, the Legislature, the Military, the Media will remain the same once Mr. Trump has done his thing over the 4-8 years.
We have now our own Gorbachev, the transformational figure who wrecked the Soviet System from within.
Nothing American as we know it - the Executive, the Judiciary, the Legislature, the Military, the Media will remain the same once Mr. Trump has done his thing over the 4-8 years.
14
I think I get your point but you use the wrong vocabulary. Trump is scarcely transformational; rather he is destructive.
5
Trump: "We don't need no stinkin' diplomats! Diplomats are for weak sissy countries! What a waste of money that we should be spending on our new, greatest-ever-in-the-history-of-mankind wall that I'm building!"
9
Spot On! I voted for Clinton but what is a President to do when Congress wants to perform the President's role and tie his hands. Great comment by PDT.
5
what you call Congressional tying Trump's hands represents the system of checks and balances that was set up to ensure that an autocratic power hungry dictator would not succeed in abusing power. thank God for the Judiciary and legislative branches for doing their duty to put some controls on this lunatic.
11
Is there anyone left who can't guess the contents of those compromising videos? One thing they surely don't contain is Donald dominating Vlad.
20
Talk about payroll reduction - please remove this president. Country can't afford all his golfing vacations and weekends away.
29
And the massive amount of security for him
and his families.
and his families.
3
You have got to be kidding me NYT. President Trumps comments were totally tongue in cheek! Are you really that clueless? Are commentors on this page really that clueless?
Actually I don't think you're that clueless. The left's dripping hatred of Trump does not permit the left to see anything logically when it comes to Trump and the deplorables.
Keep it up. The lefts intolerance and hatred will ensure Republican victories in 2018 and 2020.
Actually I don't think you're that clueless. The left's dripping hatred of Trump does not permit the left to see anything logically when it comes to Trump and the deplorables.
Keep it up. The lefts intolerance and hatred will ensure Republican victories in 2018 and 2020.
6
Trump intellectual limitations prevent him from being able to engage in sarcasm or irony. he is concrete in his thinking and unable to involve himself in abstractions, paradox, or any other forms of speech that are anything but elementary and simplistic
3
Do you realize how insulting it is to the host country nationals who loyally work for U.S. Embassies across the world including in Russia? They have helped Americans in distress and built our working relationships among many other things. This was an insult to them and their American diplomat supervisors. A kick in the pants on the way out the door for years of faithful good work. Think about it, dude - don't just react.
3
Wow Trump's such a funny guy - really hilarious to casually joke (from a golfing vacation) about the dismissal of patriotic Americans who serve our country abroad and the intelligence agents who risk their lives to defend American interests. How foolish of us to miss the humor!!! Glad i'm in on the joke now....
5
Will our country ever get out of this rabbit hole.
14
Considering half of republicans polled state that Trump won the popular vote and that the 2020 election should be postponed due to "voting irregularities", probably not. At least in the foreseeable future.
1
Putin's poodle.
24
Poodles are very smart, maybe his Chiuaua.
Impeach Trump the traitor! Not Presidential. Not American. Disgraceful appeasement.
47
Are these career diplomat jobs really contingent on the host country? Do they really get pink slips and laid off? Does the State Dept recruiting strategy take into consideration the effect on hiring that a tit for tat diplomatic spat has on prospects of longevity.
"We'd like to hire you for your skills, knowledge and experience, but your job security depends on the whims and actions of leaders of foreign countries we may or may not be on good terms with.".
"We'd like to hire you for your skills, knowledge and experience, but your job security depends on the whims and actions of leaders of foreign countries we may or may not be on good terms with.".
4
Career diplomats are not hired to work in a particular country but typically transfer from place to place. Most of the people who will be cut from staff will be Russians employed locally instead of American diplomats. And of course our spies on staff will stay.
There will be some career diplomats who will need to leave Russia for postings elsewhere. But that is not unusual. We forced 35 Russians to leave right during the Christmas holidays. How cruel was that?
There will be some career diplomats who will need to leave Russia for postings elsewhere. But that is not unusual. We forced 35 Russians to leave right during the Christmas holidays. How cruel was that?
2
No, no, and no.
1
Prostitutes and those that procure them have a similar relationship.
12
Putin did not dare do it with Obama, but s knowing Trump is a wimp got the result he expected, zippo. What is Putin's next move, invading the Baltics? Gee, that would save the US money also since there would be no need for American military there.
34
The Manchurian Candidate and Liar in Chief continues his beholden ways to Russia. How strange. How sad for America. Impeach or remove. Soon.
35
The president is clearly impaired; what is it going to take to have him removed from office?
43
Is Trump incompetent, insane, senile or a traitor? Maybe all of the above.
64
he is intellectually limited, and suffers from a a myriad of personality disorders among other mental health problems. Borderline and narcissistic personality disorders are only scratching the surface. he should be removed from office based on many things but including and especially his suffering from actual mental illness.
1
incompetent implies lack of skills in a certain field, I think Trump's incompetency spans many areas, so he probably is more on the stupid spectrum as demonstrated over and over again.
1
Mr. Trump - While you are at it just tell the Russians to take back Alaska to avoid the expense of those citizens on Medicare. Oh and don't forget the bonus of getting rid of Lisa Murkowski so she won't be able to vote against the Obamacare repeal.
25
It is high time congress excise this malignancy from the White House; our survival depends on it.
35
No fire and fury here
15
Maybe Trump is not that stupid or macho after all, as some think. Maybe Trump is being nice to Putin because he wants Putin to take Syria and other American ME quagmire off of US foreign policy headache. He might also need PutIn to help handle NK and other Asian issues.
Is he trying to cleanse the Deep State, like he may later cleanse the deep South using McConnell and Sessions as mops?
Is he trying to cleanse the Deep State, like he may later cleanse the deep South using McConnell and Sessions as mops?
2
One more example of failing to carry out the duties of POTUS in a faithful manner. His comments display ignorance of Federal employment policies, are insulting to the men and women who operate overseas on our behalf under stressful and express fealty to Vladmir Putin. The rest of this tragic narrative will be driven on the discovery of what knowledge or evidence Putin has to induce submission in another alpha.
16
Somehow I know that this expulsion is going to end up costing us more than if they hadn't. Just my natural cynicism in bureaucracy, Trump or otherwise, I guess.
A President of the United States saying to America on national television that Putin "let our (Embassy) people go" and then thanking Putin for it is a page-one, six-column banner headline. What are you people thinking - a below-the-fold story? Dreadful.
18
What does Putin have on Trump???
Trump's stance on all things Russia is just bizarre, considering he's, you know, President of the United States.
Trump's stance on all things Russia is just bizarre, considering he's, you know, President of the United States.
34
Note to Bob Mueller:
Please hurry.
Please hurry.
22
It's getting pretty silly when the press reports comments like this straight up instead of as the mocking that they are.
I still read about how Donald Trump supposedly asked the Russians to hack Hillary Clinton's emails. As was clear from the context, he was mocking the suggestion that he had any ties to Russia. But of course that does not make a good story for a reporter.
It's odd how the press is treating Donald Trump. They can't just disagree with his policies (which would be perfectly understandable). They have to paint him as a dangerous lunatic completely unsuited for office. You would think by now they could see that is far from the case.
I hope soon this ridiculous Red scare will subside and we treat Russia rationally. But articles like this show my hope is likely vain.
I still read about how Donald Trump supposedly asked the Russians to hack Hillary Clinton's emails. As was clear from the context, he was mocking the suggestion that he had any ties to Russia. But of course that does not make a good story for a reporter.
It's odd how the press is treating Donald Trump. They can't just disagree with his policies (which would be perfectly understandable). They have to paint him as a dangerous lunatic completely unsuited for office. You would think by now they could see that is far from the case.
I hope soon this ridiculous Red scare will subside and we treat Russia rationally. But articles like this show my hope is likely vain.
4
He is a "dangerous lunatic completely unsuited for office," and I'm not an American in agreeing to this. I have a feeling that you and a few others have caught on, however, since you see the joke and humor in Trump that government and governing is also a joking and humorous business and that Trump is very good at heading this up. You see, once a TV reality star always a reality star, only this time, off TV.
1
bought and paid for
6
The staff is cut by 800, how many people work for the US embassy in Russia? Reforming foreign service by cutting expenses on excess personnel is rational. However thanking Russia for helping with that is really dumb.
2
Most of the forced staff reductions are Russian citizens. Our staff is so large over there since Russians want visas to work, invest and visit the USA. No such interest the other way around except for the energy industry.
1
The Russian citizens buy into a lot of Trump's
properties. No questions asked, just cash.
properties. No questions asked, just cash.
1
Neither Putin or Trump can summarily dismiss State Department employees!
2
How many people seriously question Mr. Trump's understanding of what an embassy is or what is accomplished there? I know I do.
11
This just proves the collusion. Trump hates State Department and diplomacy. He keeps them desperately understaffed. He was probably disgusted with the number o Russians on US embassy staff in Russia. But it would be too awkward for him to fire them, so he asked his pal Putin to do it as the retaliation for new sanctions. And Putin found something that hurts more Trump's political opponents here than Trump.
1
Trump to Putin: "Thank you Sir, may you cut some others?"
Who else can Putin fire on behalf of Trump? Mueller? I think Trump must truly be scared of Putin. If he wasn't, he would treat him the way he does everyone else, including Mueller, very badly.
Intelligence? Who needs it! Trump gets all he needs to know from the top guy in the Kremlin.
If we fired Trump, imagine the billions of dollars we would save - not to mention the Billions of Lives that would be saved too.
Intelligence? Who needs it! Trump gets all he needs to know from the top guy in the Kremlin.
If we fired Trump, imagine the billions of dollars we would save - not to mention the Billions of Lives that would be saved too.
3
He is just readying us for not raising the debt ceiling. You see this will be another way to get rid of gov't employees. He has a long history of not paying his employees for their work, and what a better way of loosing federal employees by not paying them. So he will be saying, "Thank you congress for not raising the debt ceiling, we needed to cut a lot of government jobs to save money, and you did it!' His huge cuts in everything except the military industrial complex will go into play, without anyone signing off. WOW talk about efficient.
5
The GOP still does not have enough, truly?
8
The U.S. continues its downward spiral in the eyes of the world as the president increasingly says and does strange things. Who is going to rein in this ego driven president? God help us all.
6
I guess a bellicose, school yard taunting and use of some bizarre reverse psychology interpersonal style works in some unknown universe but definitely not ours. Sadly, the President continues his narcissistic ways, and doesn't understand the meaning of representing 'we the people'.
6
With the debt ceiling looming and large invoices coming from Trump properties rented by the government, maybe we should close all our embassies and fire all the diplomatic staff. It would save a lot of money and anyway Tillerson isn't talking to those people.
2
Perhaps congress will step in if Trump gives Alaska back to Russia to punish the senator who voted vs his anti Obama campaign. It is getting obvious that Trump is compromised by Putin and obsessed by erasing his much more popular and effective presidency. How long before his incompetence and erratic behavior starts to tear down the GOP and they walk away from his chaotic presidency. Hopefully before Trump does serious damage to the country and the world he will either resign or be impeached even the 25th amendment could be a viable option.
4
“Another major function of any embassy is to collect local information and intelligence to inform policy makers back home, which will likely be hindered as a result.”
Maybe collecting local information required posting lots of diplomats abroad 50 years ago, but I’m not sure it’s the case today. Previously we pouched foreign newspapers to Washington, but they still needed a week to arrive. Diplomats at the embassy read them and cabled back what was important. Now a State employee in Washington can read the news almost immediately via the internet. Phone calls are far cheaper today and easy to make. Someone in Washington can easily gather info over the phone.
Many of our Moscow diplomats received a year’s language training before arriving at the embassy, but that’s hardly enough to help them in a professional conversation with the locals. Hard to believe that they’ll do well collecting local information with such minimal language skills. (I’m not sure that State’s language school’s competency evaluations are unbiased.)
All in all, I think a open discussion of State Dept staffing levels might be beneficial. It’s odd, to say the least, that a discussion of embassy staffing levels results from a US-Russia spat.
Maybe collecting local information required posting lots of diplomats abroad 50 years ago, but I’m not sure it’s the case today. Previously we pouched foreign newspapers to Washington, but they still needed a week to arrive. Diplomats at the embassy read them and cabled back what was important. Now a State employee in Washington can read the news almost immediately via the internet. Phone calls are far cheaper today and easy to make. Someone in Washington can easily gather info over the phone.
Many of our Moscow diplomats received a year’s language training before arriving at the embassy, but that’s hardly enough to help them in a professional conversation with the locals. Hard to believe that they’ll do well collecting local information with such minimal language skills. (I’m not sure that State’s language school’s competency evaluations are unbiased.)
All in all, I think a open discussion of State Dept staffing levels might be beneficial. It’s odd, to say the least, that a discussion of embassy staffing levels results from a US-Russia spat.
I honestly believe I would be a better President than Trump.
18
you probably would be. I have no idea who you are.
Hey people, chill out. This is a bold strategic move on Trump's part. He is a master negotiator, strategic thinker, is well informed with the best people advising him. I am sure every thing will turn out tremendous, most beautiful result of good negotiations the world has ever seen.
3
Oh Vlad, please do it some more. I'll do anything for you. It feels so good when you punish me like that.
4
Thank you, DHart, for the best comment ever. I hope it goes viral and gets more recommendations than any comment has ever received before.
Trump does not care one whit that 755 hard-working Americans have lost their jobs. If I ever have the misfortune to meet Trump, there are only two words that I will say to him: “You’re fired.”
Trump does not care one whit that 755 hard-working Americans have lost their jobs. If I ever have the misfortune to meet Trump, there are only two words that I will say to him: “You’re fired.”
18
Ummm, I think most of those 755 hard working people are actually Russian nationals that work in the embassy.
1
How about the Russians kicked out by Obama? No tears for them?
I think you're missing the point, Waldo. Yes, diplomatic staff get expelled all the time, it's one of the way nations show displeasure with each other; that can be rough on the staffers and their families, but it's part of the job. What's bizarre and infuriating is that Trump 1. shows no understanding at all how diplomacy works, 2. kowtows to Putin, and 3. can't even bring himself to say something nice to the people who work for us and for him; actually he insulted them for their troubles. Great management skills, eh?
Draining the swamp has begun!
1
Sounds like to our narcissistic boy president, the affairs of the United States is subservient to his own nefarious personal affairs, for the cover up of which, he would concede almost anything to the Russians!
The stench of Russian blackmail is growing with every appeasing words thrown by the president to appease the latest Russian transgression!
The stench of Russian blackmail is growing with every appeasing words thrown by the president to appease the latest Russian transgression!
33
Never ever criticizes putin
19
Suddenly Trump is Mr. Thrifty.
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/17/trumps-florida-trips-cost-taxpayer-money...
https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2017/02/22/trumps-family-trip...
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/17/trumps-florida-trips-cost-taxpayer-money...
https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2017/02/22/trumps-family-trip...
18
We'll save more money if he stops golfing alomost every weekend
47
What say yeh all you Trump supporters?
Has this man N-O-W !!! proven to you he hates America and is a traitor whose only concern is meeting his next month's debt payment?
To all you who have "lived" the diplomatic & intelligence community as a lifelong career and those just beginning, you are true patriots!
We who are true Americans thank you for representing our country with dignity and protecting us from our enemies.
God Bless America and the people who protect and represent us.
#ImpeachTrump
#PIMPotus
#TrumpRusssia
Has this man N-O-W !!! proven to you he hates America and is a traitor whose only concern is meeting his next month's debt payment?
To all you who have "lived" the diplomatic & intelligence community as a lifelong career and those just beginning, you are true patriots!
We who are true Americans thank you for representing our country with dignity and protecting us from our enemies.
God Bless America and the people who protect and represent us.
#ImpeachTrump
#PIMPotus
#TrumpRusssia
25
Psychiatrists - where are you? Please give us help saving ourselves from this madman!
25
@JP
How dare you call President Trump a joke! He is a serious man! He has serious thoughts! He has serious problems! A little respect there, okay?
How dare you call President Trump a joke! He is a serious man! He has serious thoughts! He has serious problems! A little respect there, okay?
6
You are right there - he has SERIOUS problems !
2
Yeah, he has serious problems alright...
2
He sure does have serious problems, many of which are of his own making. Other problems are due to a juvenile need to verbally trash talk others, create enemies where none exist and tear down the very people he selected to manage the government on our behalf. Throw in ignorance, inarticulateness, inability to deal with complexity and lack of management skills necessary to succeed in large organizations, we have a man who has demonstrated an inability to meet the requirements of the job. Unfortunately, his problems are now a problem for the American people, big league.
Government employees dissed by ignorant president should be the title of this article. Didn't think he could get much stupider.... but I was wrong.
37
“That our president does not appreciate this obvious fact suggests he doesn’t understand what embassies do."
Gee, ya think?
Gee, ya think?
24
May I say this? I have to. Trump is an idiot. And a bully. And weak. And terminally corrupt. He apes the pop culture version of the MAFIA - like his fellow mobster Putin - by only defending his family. Everything else, such as loyalty to the United State of America, is optional. And he is owned by Putin and the Russians based on corrupt financial deals he learned how to do - unfortunately - in the good ol' USA and the City of New York. God help us, but I feel like this is the summer of 2001 weeks before September 11. Bush was President and now seems like Eisenhower compared to Trump. I fear something terrible will happen in the fall - a real crisis.
51
Speaking as someone with 40 years experience working in the US government, mostly on Soviet or Russian affairs, and as someone who was stationed in the Soviet Union in 1986 during the last major staff reduction ordered by the host country, I can say with complete confidence that President Trump has no idea what he is talking about, and no useful knowledge on the issue of diplomatic staff in Russia, or reciprocity in general. Of course, it may turn out that Trump will resort to his usual "only joking" excuse when the magnitude of his ignorance on this issue is exposed, but more likely than not, he will employ his favorite strategy, which is to say something even more outrageous to divert us from his previous peculiar statements. If Trump were truly well-informed, he would know that the vast majority of employees the Russians want to eject from the US diplomatic installations are themselves Russians, and that the US citizens who come home as a result of any staff reduction will not be fired, but simply be assigned to new positions in the US or overseas. The reduction in payroll costs will be miniscule, compared to the damage done to our ability to conduct relations with Russia and achieve our overall objectives. If he were truly well-informed, and serious about doing his job as President, he would be adopting a much different position, which I have outlined briefly in several forums. Here it is: https://www.facebook.com/james.schumaker/posts/10208817750593760
71
Unfortunately a lot of people will not get it. Almost half of Americans now don't care about facts.
5
We need a commission, or some kind legal entity, that can impeach Trump for being unfit to hold office. The Congress and Senate can't, or won't, do it. He's just not up to the job, doesn't try to learn anything, and is an insult to the professionals who work in our government. Trump is under Putin's control.
42
Here, just as during the campaign when Trump said "Russia, if you are listening..." the gist of the matter is, that it must be viewed and understood in context, not out of it.
7
Nice! No concern for the hard working people losing their jobs. This guy is some piece of work. Please impeach him asap
16
Love Trump. He is hilarious. Look, the deed is done and there is nothing we can do about it. The typical politician whines about it and looks like a loser. Trump thanks Putin and looks like a winner.
Truth be told, there is enough government waste. We could probably trim every agency by 30%, as we are actively doing with the State department. Trump is probably actually being sincere in his thanks. Most of those dismissed are Russian contractors anyway.
Truth be told, there is enough government waste. We could probably trim every agency by 30%, as we are actively doing with the State department. Trump is probably actually being sincere in his thanks. Most of those dismissed are Russian contractors anyway.
1
#45 doesn't understand the issue. Our budget won't change much, but diplomacy takes a huge hit. Sad.
3
Wrong--most of those dismissed will come back to the US and have jobs in the state department. There will be very little "savings". There could be huge savings if this "so called" president were removed from office--he is robbing the country blind, using the presidency for self-enrichment, using the treasury to fund himself and his grifter family, giving huge tax breaks to his 1% cronies and
is for sure being blackmailed by Putin--hence NEVER criticizing him ever. BTW now the US has no leverage in Russia whatsoever--I think the US government should kick out the same amount of diplomats--another 715 to even the score.
is for sure being blackmailed by Putin--hence NEVER criticizing him ever. BTW now the US has no leverage in Russia whatsoever--I think the US government should kick out the same amount of diplomats--another 715 to even the score.
1
ASSUMING ALL RELOCATED STAFF ARE CAREER CIVIL SERVANTS THE ONLY 'SAVINGS' WOULD BE THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSESOF THEIR OVERSEAS POSTING. EVEN DT'S ATTEMPT AT FACETIOUS HUMOR SHOWS HIS COMPLETE IGNORANCE OF HOW FED GOV'T WORKS. (ALL CAPS SO AGED EYES CAN SEE WHAT INWRITE.)
21
Trump is a genius. Think of the money we will save by cutting our ALL security measures that "protect" the USA. Just $billions if we just disband all our military. No weak liberal would ever think of that!
11
Don Don. "Little Boot". You're done. Salvage what's left of any shed of decency you may have aspired to, and FIRE yourself.
20
Vlad I just can't quit you.
23
You cannot run this country as a reality tv show. People, what have we/you done?? It is so difficult for me to believe that most of America wants this asshol to run this country. Every day, there is another "event" by trump that makes me want to puke. I miss Bush, Obama, all the rest. I have never been embarrassed about who my president was. Until now.
30
A better headline for this article would have been 'Trump to Putin: Thank You Sir, May I have Another?'
19
Penny wise and dollar stupid. GOP, just what will it take for you to understand how unpresidential Trump is. Just what will it take?
17
If this is not proof that Mr. Trump is Mr. Putin's Puppet and in collusion with the Russians, what is?
Mr. Trump is now part of Vladimir Putin's goal of "Make Russia Great Again".
What will it take for Trump supporters to realize that Mr. Trump only has his own, narcissistic self interest in mind and not the American people?
Will it take a Russian invasion of Alaska with a Trump tweet of "Good riddance of that melting wasteland" to jar Trump supporters to Mr. Trump's total surrender to Russia?
Mr. Putin must have quite a lot of damning evidence on Mr. Trump to get such absolute compliance from Mr. Trump.
Mr. Trump is now part of Vladimir Putin's goal of "Make Russia Great Again".
What will it take for Trump supporters to realize that Mr. Trump only has his own, narcissistic self interest in mind and not the American people?
Will it take a Russian invasion of Alaska with a Trump tweet of "Good riddance of that melting wasteland" to jar Trump supporters to Mr. Trump's total surrender to Russia?
Mr. Putin must have quite a lot of damning evidence on Mr. Trump to get such absolute compliance from Mr. Trump.
16
Huh? Is he a Russian agent/ Manchuria Candidate? We need to see Trumps tax returns more than ever!
16
So just what is on that secret tape?
11
It appears the remark was a"tongue and cheek" response, revealing that he is not surprised nor shaken by the move. The headline is misleading and the story's content does not add credence to the heading. To discern that the President actually thank Putin is disingenuous at best and reveals the NYT anti-Trump biases!
How do you tell the difference when Trump is just joking and when he's serious? Was "fire and fury" just a "tongue in cheek" remark?
15
That is the response of the abuser - "I wasn't serious. I was kidding. I was joking. Can't you take a joke?" thereby placing the blame on those who are affected by the abuser's actions and words.
23
Stop making excuses. When it comes to foreign relations, tongue in cheek is not the way to go.
4
This is great news. Maybe it will help pay for his weekend visits to his golf clubs.
2
Mr. Trump's behavior is typical of a person with ADHD-oppositional/defiant disorder.
Signed "an md in Canada"
Signed "an md in Canada"
10
Thank you for posting, this needs to be front page news. We can't have this in the highest office!
1
Reading the comments here, Trump knows how to get under their skin. He must answer in Russian at his next press conference, just to push their buttons.
1
Whose skin are you referring to? Americans who are upset about an ignorant President who is subservient to a foreign master? For someone who is concerned about the destruction of American institutions that operate for all of our benefit, and an appreciation of our history as a global leader, yes, Trump's words and behavior are aggravating.
2
He finally gets around to making a statement...no concern for your diplomats, no concern about having a US presence in Russia to try and keep an eye on what they're up to, no concern for US citizens served by your diplomats...Nope! He comes up with a statement totally disrespectful of your foreign service members, praise for Putin and a lie that it'll save money...a typical Trump triple play. Every time he says he "loves" America....you're a fool to believe him.
9
Trump loves Putin and hates Obama. Says a lot about his character (or lack thereof).
13
My-oh-my, what an utterly stupid response. Sounds like Trump is making a very lame to be humorous, or at least that is what he and his handlers will say. Clearly, he has foot-in-mouth disease as well as the widely recognized mouth-before-mind syndrome.
4
I like Trump's style, he sure knows how to push a liberal's button.
Maybe, he should start answering the press questions in Russian .. just to keep pushing those buttons.
God, I love our President.
Maybe, he should start answering the press questions in Russian .. just to keep pushing those buttons.
God, I love our President.
The bar is getting lower in terms of what we expect from a President.
2
Texas...nuff said
You love the loser because he makes liberals mad? What's wrong with you? And I mean that with all due respect. Didn't he promise to MAGA? Is that what makes America great? Making liberals mad? What is wrong with conservatives? I don't want to make you mad. I want you to prosper. I want you to have health care. I want to raise your minimum wage. I want you to live in a safer, saner, more peaceful world. I want to protect the environment for you and your children. I don't hate you. Why do you hate me and want to make me mad? Why do you love a president who loves the Russian dictator who kills journalists and gay people? I pity you. Do you learn such behavior in church?
“It’s about time that somebody stuck up for the people of this country and for the people of other countries,” Trump said re North Korea, as he outsourced Foreign Service personnel management to Putin. Hi Don, my name is Earth. Have we met?
3
Trump is nothing more than a glib fool.
8
But surely Donald will offer all those Russian workers who lose their jobs employment at Mar-A-Lago, won't he? Good help is so hard to find these days.
#MAGGOT: Make America Great - Get Out, Trump
#MAGGOT: Make America Great - Get Out, Trump
13
Have we had enough yet?
5
It's August.
Even with the Trump circus in town this is a non-story typical of the summer break lull.
There is no news to report, so our newspapers are filling their pages with this guff instead.
Even with the Trump circus in town this is a non-story typical of the summer break lull.
There is no news to report, so our newspapers are filling their pages with this guff instead.
2
And what does our useless Secretary of State have to say about any of this?
11
Oil good!
2
I listened to Trump's words today during his version of a press briefing. Nothing new as he proceeded to impugn his predecessors re North Korea and boast about all his accomplishment during the last 200 or so days, with a dig or two toward his Republican colleagues in Congress. Of course, there was, yet again, the declaration of his being totally innocent re the Russian "witch hunt." And let's not forget to mention that this is the man who declared an opioid national state of emergency only a few hours before while ranting about McConnell's failure to repeal Obamacare. Mr. Trump, how can we help these people without medicaid expansion or insurance subsidies? All the above was expected. But to compliment Putin and thank him for saving the US money, disregarding the fact that seasoned diplomats will be out of a job...well, a new low for this character, if that is even possible. But let us stay tuned. Within 24 hours, we should be hearing from his counterpart in North Korea, responding with more threats to T's never-ending, widening red line. Another worrisome day, number 203.
5
Let's hope Mr. Trump can find jobs for those American citizens dismissed at one of his far flung businesses or even in the U.S. Government. After all, before he became supreme ruler he promised to create jobs by the millions; here's his chance to follow through in a way that can be win for him and make positive news for his administration.
I really think Trump is mentally ill, and his presidency is going to end very badly for all of us. To thank Putin for expelling diplomatic workers -- it's crazy.
10
For any Trump fans who may be confused by this, it's not good. It's bad. It has nothing to do with our budget. It's not America First.
It's taking sides against America. Make no mistake, Russia did this as a punishment, and our president eagerly accepted it.
"Thank you sir may I have another" is not the response of an American president. It's weak. I thought you liked strong.
It's taking sides against America. Make no mistake, Russia did this as a punishment, and our president eagerly accepted it.
"Thank you sir may I have another" is not the response of an American president. It's weak. I thought you liked strong.
13
Read in isolation from all the other bizarre things trump has said and done so far, this one is almost comical. It's not that he's reluctant to criticize Putin, it's more that he can't bear to admit that anything bad can happen to the US while he's, ugh, the President. He'll make any excuse, no matter how stupid, to put a positive spin on an obvious setback.
And then the comedy if over when you realize this buffoon, heading an executive whose leadership is either incompetent or can't agree on policy, has his finger on the nuclear button wondering what to do next.
And then the comedy if over when you realize this buffoon, heading an executive whose leadership is either incompetent or can't agree on policy, has his finger on the nuclear button wondering what to do next.
3
His behavior in office shows grave disrespect for America. It is all about Trump. I wish we, like ancient Athens, had the ability to exile those who disgrace our country. I nominate Trump as the first to get the boot. Maybe a steerage ticket to Murmansk.
10
When will he publicly thank Putin for his interference in the 2016 election?
9
This would be a good moment for high-ranking Republicans to start speaking up against Trump. (This, or any number of recent Trumpy moments)
After all, after kicking Spicey and Reincy off the island and starting a conflict with McConnell, it seems he's plotting an attempt to split from the perceived "establishment" and complete his reshaping of the GOP in his and Bannon's image.
Republicans might want to save their party image before he can completely trash it.
After all, after kicking Spicey and Reincy off the island and starting a conflict with McConnell, it seems he's plotting an attempt to split from the perceived "establishment" and complete his reshaping of the GOP in his and Bannon's image.
Republicans might want to save their party image before he can completely trash it.
6
I always thought that Presidents do not comment on on going investigations. President Obama was scrupulous in abiding by this practice. And yet today Trump commented on the Manafort raid and the Muller investigation.
9
Here we see Trump's 3rd grade level insult instincts on full display. The meaning is that Putin's move is of no consequence, it's not going to hurt us in the least. Boy that'll show him!
I pity our foreign service agents, I really do. We've all had bad bosses, but he's almost inconceivably bad. Maybe he plans on sending Jared and Ivanka to stand in for our entire embassy.
I pity our foreign service agents, I really do. We've all had bad bosses, but he's almost inconceivably bad. Maybe he plans on sending Jared and Ivanka to stand in for our entire embassy.
8
Foreign Service or Secret Service, I doubt you'd find a single one to "take a bullet" to save him.
You have to wonder what’s going on in Secretary of State Tillerson’s mind. The State Department is of no value to this President.
The State Department has been one the shining stars of our Democracy. They have been involved and instrumental in all major treaty negotiations and Agreements over the decades. The latest being the Iran Nuclear Agreement and Paris Climate Agreement. It’s so shameful of the President to treat “our” diplomats in such a crass manner.
Tillerson should resign in protest over these comments and let the world know he does not condone what Trump has said about having a “smaller payroll". Many of these diplomats have given their lives for this country.
The State Department has been one the shining stars of our Democracy. They have been involved and instrumental in all major treaty negotiations and Agreements over the decades. The latest being the Iran Nuclear Agreement and Paris Climate Agreement. It’s so shameful of the President to treat “our” diplomats in such a crass manner.
Tillerson should resign in protest over these comments and let the world know he does not condone what Trump has said about having a “smaller payroll". Many of these diplomats have given their lives for this country.
10
I wonder what Trump is going to do to get these people jobs... This after all is the greatest president ever who is going to produce millions and millions of high paying jobs and in the same breath cutting them.
2
So where was this insightful perspective when it was time for Trump's fire and brimstone remarks to North Korea. Another NYT columnist recommended a similarly restrained response to Kim, the hateful little bully from NK.
But then Donnie and Vlad have something special going, something that would be clear to all of us if Trump could be made to turn over his Tax returns.
But then Donnie and Vlad have something special going, something that would be clear to all of us if Trump could be made to turn over his Tax returns.
3
The remarks from the White House shows that the connection to reality has been lost. I strongly suggest that the media start boycotting anything that comes out from there. Its not in the interest of US and if we start not paying attention to the tweets we are all better off
4
I don't know about that.
If he decides to access the nuclear codes, he will no doubt tweet it out. That may be our only warning. Only a fool would think threatening "fire and fury" on N.Korea as anything other than a reference to nuclear attack. I can't help but think this may be how it all ends.
If he decides to access the nuclear codes, he will no doubt tweet it out. That may be our only warning. Only a fool would think threatening "fire and fury" on N.Korea as anything other than a reference to nuclear attack. I can't help but think this may be how it all ends.
U.S. diplomatic employees enjoy a great deal of protection from arbitrary and capricious firings, and neither Trump nor, need it be said?, Putin (a foreigner) cannot terminate State Department employees at the drop of a hat. Of course Trump doesn’t know it because he knows nothing about our government and how it is run, in fact he knows nothing about anything except his family business. The State Department is obligated to find those employees, either at its Washington HQ or at other Stateside offices and diplomatic posts overseas. Period, end of story.
8
Trump has no scruples and the GOP has no spine.
I will fear for the republic until he is out of office.
My money is on the 25th amendment.
I will fear for the republic until he is out of office.
My money is on the 25th amendment.
3
Can somebody tell the Donald that those diplomats are still employed by the US government?
Does he honestly think that Putin has the right to fire our diplomats?
Does he honestly think that Putin has the right to fire our diplomats?
6
Just think how much more money could be saved by making cuts to the CIA, NSA and other intelligence agencies. Trump can just ask Putin for whatever the US government wants to know about what is happening in Russia.
2
I don't think #45 is capable of irony; so this is just more evidence of 1) something's wrong and 2) something's very very wrong.
8
Lessening the payroll.
How about all the generals? They probably are costing us plenty.
But oh, they're needed for all the war talk. And the Trump Afghanistan surprise that he promised today. Perhaps the Afghanistan gig will go to Betsy DeVos's brother, Eric Prince, though, who wants to privatize the military in Afghanistan.
The Prince privatization project. Then Trump can pad their family pockets even more. No problem with payroll...
How about all the generals? They probably are costing us plenty.
But oh, they're needed for all the war talk. And the Trump Afghanistan surprise that he promised today. Perhaps the Afghanistan gig will go to Betsy DeVos's brother, Eric Prince, though, who wants to privatize the military in Afghanistan.
The Prince privatization project. Then Trump can pad their family pockets even more. No problem with payroll...
3
What Trump doesn't realize is the Americans still have jobs and are still being paid until they are assigned elsewhere.
7
When Trump first started by saying he was grateful, I thought he was just trying to be facetious. By the end, I felt he thought this was his best response. Pathetic.
5
As Jean Luc Piccard once said, Pathetic, indeed.
1
I can't stand Trump or his daily rants. But in this case, Trump's obviously trying to get under Putin's skin. I'm surprised it took him so long to give this obvious retort. Trump's not trying to avoid criticism of Putin. He's simply taking in stride what was intended to be a major blow to the U.S.
1
puti does not have a superficial attachment to awe. he has billions of $ and millions who fear him.
1
What are the American People to do when our President makes statements like these or ratchets up world tensions attempting to prove his manhood? He, in the opinion of many, is not leading but using the presidency as a true bully pulpit. I grieve for my children and grandchildren who, if we survive this world crisis, will inherit an extremely diminished country.
7
What kind of president doesn't have the backs of American employees under his protection? He simply views them a cost to be slashed. No loyalty to these people. I want to see trump's full financials soon.
14
Of course, the US is always better off if its intelligence on one of its major enemies is sharply reduced, and American citizens and companies in Russia who have problems will be delighted to cope with them on their own instead of having the support of their government. After all, doing without these things frees up money to pay Trump's golf courses for the accommodation of his staff and security while he goes on his endless vacations.
5
Trump is right. All Embassies have too many people, all thinking highly of themselves and constantly worrying about their dinner each night and holidays in foreign countries.
1
Well I guess that's one less thing Trump and Tillerson will have to worry about - Putin is now in charge of our State Department budget.
4
The truth is you can't talk out of both sides of one's mouth, except for elected politicians, who seem to do this on a daily basis. When we have countries that suppress not only opposition in the political realm of speaking out against sitting leaders of countries, who are dictators and despots, brutalizing or murdering their own people, especially those who don't agree with them, we shouldn't have a presence in the first place. nor should we give aid to those countries, as it all ends up in the pockets of despots! When, in the last decades have we really lived that truth around the world, in Asia, Africa, Central and South America? Not too much!
2
Trump is a pathetic mess of little-boy impulses all trying to please daddy--in this case, Putin. And how insulting to refer to the Americans working in a difficult overseas assignment as "personnel," an cold term connoting nameless faces engaged in middling work. The man possesses no class, respect for his office, or affinity for his countrymen. I cannot look at him on television any more without revulsion.
7
Trump and Tillerson are destroying the State Department putting us in even greater jeopardy.
8
I helped 3 close relatives thru old age dementia. I saw the progression close up. Trump's behavior and speech patterns show all the markers of primary Alzheimer's. Rages, wandering focus, erosion of logical thinking.
This is now the Man with his finger on the Button.
This is now the Man with his finger on the Button.
15
A typically glib, and almost childlike response. This man is unfit for political leadership. His wealth and notoriety have won him a novel (albeit seemingly burdensome) pet project to take him into retirement. One can only hope he doesn't get bored enough to start playing soldiers. The world is safer if he sticks to golf.
5
Trump is acting like a child that is tentatively seeing how much he can get away with. It's becoming clear to him that his supporters have complete fealty to him and the right wing media is entirely behind him, so he's becoming more and more comfortable acting out the way he is.
As distressing and dangerous as it is, his supporters are laughing and enjoying all the distress this causes. Trump's a lunatic, but he's their lunatic.
Today it was published that half of Republicans would be fine with the 2020 elections being canceled until it was sure that illegals aren't voting. I'm sure right wing media would be 100% behind this. This is just a prelude of things to come.
As distressing and dangerous as it is, his supporters are laughing and enjoying all the distress this causes. Trump's a lunatic, but he's their lunatic.
Today it was published that half of Republicans would be fine with the 2020 elections being canceled until it was sure that illegals aren't voting. I'm sure right wing media would be 100% behind this. This is just a prelude of things to come.
6
So, Trump on his own was not able to think of this cost-cutting move.
He had to have a vile dictator do that for him.
And then the fool we call president thanks the dictator.
Wonderful times in America.
He had to have a vile dictator do that for him.
And then the fool we call president thanks the dictator.
Wonderful times in America.
3
I don't understand where the "cost-cutting" comes in--they're still on the payroll, only now they have nothing worthwhile to do. Apparently, our president doesn't even see this or, more likely, he thinks his "base" does not understand this, and he may be right there.
4
You are doing an excellent job, Peter Baker! Hang in there!
3
Thank you Mr. Putin for taking over maintenance and upkeep of two of our diplomatic facilities in Russia. A dollar saved is a dollar earned. POTUS must be joyfully celebrating his 2018 budget savings. Is he for real? Sadly yes.
An attempt at humor from Trump. I suppose he thinks the USA can cut itself off from the rest of the world.
1
I have another idea how we could save money.
No more taxpayer funded golf trips for our entitled president.
We'd rather pay for diplomats, since international politics cannot be conducted over Twitter.
No more taxpayer funded golf trips for our entitled president.
We'd rather pay for diplomats, since international politics cannot be conducted over Twitter.
8
Diplomacy is the biggest threat to the IMPOTUS. It had to be removed in order to achieve the level of international hostility and confrontation required for his ultimate goals of martial law and a full time military industrial mafia presence around the globe.
2
Does this mean Putin is officially on Donald's payroll? He's making personnel decisions for him, after all.
1
The staff can now be redeployed in investigating Trump.
3
Pax Americana? Ave atque vale. DT's made us, if not a pariah state, a laughingstock. Are you ashamed of his incompetence, ignorance, and arroganc? Do you believe that he is unfit to lead and that he dishonors and disgraces not only his office but us all? Worse still, that our very democracy has been subverted and that we might have been victimized by a bloodless coup? There are times---once in a generation, even lifetime--when individuals are called on to ensure that the very foundations of our democracy continue. Clearly, Mr. Trump is most vulnerable on Russiagate. He’s indicated that in many different ways. Contact your two senators Call the Congressional switchboard: (202) 224-3121 An nice robo voice will ask for your ZIP code and you'll be routed to your senators. A congressional aide will answer and record your concerns and pass them on. It takes 5 minutes and you only have two senators. Politely request their complete support for an immediate, full, OPEN, and bi-partisan hearing into the alleged Russian influences. AND be sure to urge that Mr. Trump's tax returns be subpoenaed. You can also ask Dem senators to post strong position statements on their web pages and GOP senators why they are waiting to cure a malignancy at the heart of our government. State your case clearly. These are crisis times; answer your call to duty. Please.
6
The only thing the so-called president can see is money, $. Sad!
Perhaps he can layoff the service staff in the WH and that will save money too. And hire some part time immigrants - the ones that his club rejects. Perhaps he can lay off a bunch of his secret service details to save even more money too. How about cutting the military as well?
Fact is, will you, or anyone else, criticize the person who has a "dossier" on you?
Perhaps he can layoff the service staff in the WH and that will save money too. And hire some part time immigrants - the ones that his club rejects. Perhaps he can lay off a bunch of his secret service details to save even more money too. How about cutting the military as well?
Fact is, will you, or anyone else, criticize the person who has a "dossier" on you?
1
Not surprising, but also surprising. We know he is in love with Vladdy P, but isn't he also supposed to be the 'greatest jobs president we've ever seen?' And now he is celebrating Americans getting fired? How anti-American can he get??
3
Each and every day, I wake up to discover that our "President " has said something more outlandish, more mind-numbingly mind-numbing, and more intellectually bereft than the day before.
It's been an entertaining reality show — so far. However, with his bellicose ravings about North Korea raising his popularity ratings among his testosterone-addicted followers, it has become clear that his unhinged "Me Me! Me!" verbal excrescences are starting to become dangerous and no longer merely risible.
This man-child must be reined in. Is there anyone in the Republican majority who is man — or, of course, woman — enough to stop him? Might any of you on the right care to defend our country from this loose cannon?
It's been an entertaining reality show — so far. However, with his bellicose ravings about North Korea raising his popularity ratings among his testosterone-addicted followers, it has become clear that his unhinged "Me Me! Me!" verbal excrescences are starting to become dangerous and no longer merely risible.
This man-child must be reined in. Is there anyone in the Republican majority who is man — or, of course, woman — enough to stop him? Might any of you on the right care to defend our country from this loose cannon?
5
Trump has transferred speech writing to Winston Smith in Minitrue?
and G. Orwell thought he had written a novel!
and G. Orwell thought he had written a novel!
3
I think he is in love with him!! What else could explain his behavior?
1
How much has trump's golf addiction cost us so far?
4
Another embarrassing moment for America as Trump genuflects in Putin's presence.
4
The stench of blackmail grows stronger with Trump's every appeasing gesture offered to forgive the latest Russian transgression!
5
Now we have more money to spend of Trump and his family's
security
security
25th Amendment. Congress, please do your job.
3
Again, Trump is right. As a matter of fact the State Department has been a drain on the US for too long. Maybe just closing all our Embassies and severing diplomatic relations with every country (except Russia of course). The saving would be phenomenal (or Huge) The loss to this country would be exponentially more costly but that should be of no concern…America First you know.
16
You clearly know nothing of the role, importance or function of the State Department. To blandly call it a drain simply because it costs money is like saying that the fire department is a drain because we have to pay for those fire trucks and fire fighters. Yes firing them would be a phenomenal savings until there is a fire. The State department abroad helps us to advance our national interests at the local level, to ensure smooth operations and trade among other functions. America first you know
4
It was a good thing for Trump to praise Putin over Jobs lost because it saved money, something that manufacturing companies are doing, either moving to places with cheaper labor or layoff people and stay in America and Trump condemns them? Hypocritical .
1
After a year of listening to you Einsteins RAIL against Russia, you are showing your GLARING HIPOCRACY after your Hero seized Russian properties, and removed diplomats after their " Act of War" on Your Queen during the 2016 election season. You should be demanding that ALL Diplomats be brought home from Russia as a matter of principle, but the best you have is a poor attempt to satirize someone who you firmly believe is a traitor, although you have NOTHING to back your belief. Name calling binges and baseless conspiracy theories make a sad, sad, case, but are to be expected from the party of tolerance, inclusiveness, and fairness to all!!!
Diplomats are the last bulwark between war and peace.
The staff is civil service, so he can not just fire them, the will still get paid. No money is being saved, in fact it will cost more for Americans in Russia to do business, and I were an American tourists in Russia, I would be very afraid of what I might be charged with, even just walking across the street.
The staff is civil service, so he can not just fire them, the will still get paid. No money is being saved, in fact it will cost more for Americans in Russia to do business, and I were an American tourists in Russia, I would be very afraid of what I might be charged with, even just walking across the street.
36
So Trump has outsourced government restructuring to Putin.
Trump has gone off the deep end and, like lemmings, his supporters are following him.
Trump has gone off the deep end and, like lemmings, his supporters are following him.
224
If he meant it as a joke, I doubt anyone is laughing. Definitely not the 755 people who lost their jobs, or their families who will suffer as yet to be known hardships after the fact. Trump will make any excuse not to speak badly about Putin, but thanking him for this is really bizarre. It's like thanking someone who robs and vandalizes your home because you wanted to redecorate anyway.
200
Great analogy.
2
They didn't lose their jobs. They'll be reassigned. Putin doesn't have the power to fire American diplomats just because he expels them.
This IS, however, a massive slap in the face to our diplomatic servants who represent our country abroad. What an enormous insult and degradation of their work. And also, our capacity and influence and Russia will be greatly decreased.
So... basically this is a massive insult to American diplomats that doesn't even save us any money. Just about the worst deal in the history of deals.
This IS, however, a massive slap in the face to our diplomatic servants who represent our country abroad. What an enormous insult and degradation of their work. And also, our capacity and influence and Russia will be greatly decreased.
So... basically this is a massive insult to American diplomats that doesn't even save us any money. Just about the worst deal in the history of deals.
6
"....It's like thanking someone who robs and vandalizes your home because you wanted to redecorate anyway."...hilarious but sadly true too.....(...a mistake of the century to elect this guy..)...(sigh)
5
So it would be better to make Putin think he is actually hurting us by this action? After all we really should thank Obama for starting it, and these cuts should be made in every embassy around the world. They are bloated, do lots of things that are either worthless or too expensive. Great cost reductions that are greatly needed.
3
You know what? We're really getting sick and tired of blaming everything on Obama. Do you people ever take responsibility for anything? It's always someone else's fault. Hillary, the "liberal" news media, "fake news", Obama, the Clintons. Really, get a life. Whiners and losers, every one of you.
227
Nope. They love to shift blame. Just like the Deflector and Chief. The same stuff we all have heard from Trumps campaign trail.
18
Based on your response I am sure that you have never traveled out of the U.S. nor operated a business that did work overseas, and therefore have no idea what positive and necessary operations are performed for Americans in our embassies and consulates. The vast majority of the personnel that are being cut are Russian nationals doing work for us, a real thorn in Putin's side for a long time past. The cuts will not result in cost savings; all the Americans coming home will not lose their jobs. It will cost to move them early. Like you, the president doesn't understand that or what services we will lose, such as intelligence and traveler support. The major reason that we don't understand what is going on in North Korea is because we have little intelligence assets; you and the President are advocating reducing our intelligence gathering capabilities around the world to save money? The state department budget is less than 1% of the overall budget, and it is money well spent in many ways. We will have many more problems getting along with the peoples of the world if we cut our embassy staff wholesale and become more insular, just like N. Korea.
46
OK, enough is enough with thanking Putin. There is something seriously wrong with him and why his party is not doing a thing about this , is beyond me. He keeps thanking Putin because Putin got him elected. If most of us see that, why can't something be done before he starts a war..oh yeah, he started the rhetoric this week for war.
122
That's insane but no great surprise.
20
Trump is obviously compromised. Most likely after that last bankruptcy when he couldn't get loans from American banks, he started laundering money for Russian oligarchs.
380
Rep. Ryan, Sen. McConnell, Presidents Bush, Secretary James Baker,
The nation has its eyes in you all. We IMPLORE you to speak up, speak out and speak truth to power about President Trump and his administration. To speak out about the rancid, rotten, hatemongerjng being promoted in the name of the GOP.
The nation has its eyes in you all. We IMPLORE you to speak up, speak out and speak truth to power about President Trump and his administration. To speak out about the rancid, rotten, hatemongerjng being promoted in the name of the GOP.
54
Um...you are appealing to Republicans? They put Trump there. Just sayin'.
2
Just when you think he hit the rock bottom, he digs even deeper.
103
...and he is taking the entire country with him. Frightening.
2
Trump is a complete tool, but I actually have no problem with this response. He is basically refusing to engage in the typical, pointless Cold War tit-for-tat - de-escalating the situation by semi-jokingly thanking Putin instead of making some kind of threat that would invite further response from Putin. Now, if only he could apply this same logic to North Korea...
9
I might agree with you but his 40 years of doing stupid things and demeaning people says different.
2
The president does not seem to understand the distinction between the expulsion of a diplomat and the termination of employment of a federal employee. These are two different things and Putin can only control the former action and not the later. The idea that any executive could somehow conflate these two things is beyond comprehension.
242
This is what his supporters wanted: A president who has no clue how government functions. They call it being "an outsider," when in reality he is profoundly incompetent. I don't know when that became such a selling point. Have these supporters never run a business? Hired a contractor? Gone to a doctor? Would you ever want someone working for you who had no experience in the job, no training for the job, nothing but disdain for the job? Yet that is who they knowingly -- enthusiastically -- elected. I'd keep banging my head on a wall, but it's starting to hurt.
12
Unfortunately, Putin controls the expulsion of diplomats from his country and every policy matter in the US.
1
But I thought he was going to cut unemployment. He has an odd way of doing it.
25
Perhaps they could try mining coal?
One would think he would need more diplomats with the mess he has made with other countries, even our allies.
One would think he would need more diplomats with the mess he has made with other countries, even our allies.
4
Not only is trump's comment one more instance of his support of Putin over this country's best interests, it is an insult to the 700 hardworking diplomatic staffers who were expelled. Disgraceful is too kind a word for this buffoon.
133
Can you imagine if President Obama said the same thing? We would be rightfully drawing up articles of Impeachment or invoking 25th amendment.
But nary an outrage or even coverage by the press.
To paraphrase Trump: SAD
But nary an outrage or even coverage by the press.
To paraphrase Trump: SAD
84
Hunh? It is being covered by the press. Who published the story you responded to? What's SAD is nary outrage from Republicans. Guess they're soft on Russia.
1
Hey, the press published it. You can bet that the GOP won't even mention it. As far as outrage, we're beginning to suffer from adrenal exhaustion here. Probably that's been the plan all along.
3
Can you imagine if President Obama said any of the many obnoxious or idiotic or sexist etc things that dt has said? The republicans would be trampling each other the get the impeachment and trial started asap. Just imagine...
4
Just another day in the executive branch where the president, once again, praises and fawns over Vladimir Putin while he criticizes and taunts the majority leader of his own party. How is it he has no clue of the importance of this diplomatic staff? I'm sure he has been told, but has no interest in learning or listening to those who have dedicated their careers to public service. Sickening.
67
Trump's primary interest is himself and his ppreservation. Hopefully Mueller 's investigation will uncover Trump's indebtedness to Russian financial interests
2
Simply amazing. Putin corrupts our elections, fires employees and basically demonstrates bad behavior, and Donald praises him. McConnell follows a democratic process to achieve results, unsuccessfully, and Donald criticizes him. Can it be any more clear how much Trump wants to be Putin and turn our system into something a kleptocrat would admire?
62
Penny wise. Pound foolish.
Or is it rubles and dollars? Dollar and rubles?
Does it matter?
Or is it rubles and dollars? Dollar and rubles?
Does it matter?
11
ABSURD. We cannot go numb to this!! Another line crossed, more damage to America. Disgracing the men and women who serve our country abroad? Check. Bowing to Putin's aggression in the wake of one of the greatest attacks on our democracy? Check. How can it be, that for a President so willing to attack even those he needs to be successful (the McConnel tweets), he just simply cannot bring himself to say a single thing to challenge Putin? But the Russia investigation is a complete fabrication. Give me a break.
With the Russian Twitter bots beginning to turn on the GOP, the spy plane flying over Bedminster and the expulsion of our State staff I wonder if Putin is tightening the choke collar or just going on an all out offensive? Either way Trump will grow increasingly isolated and cornered if Putin truly holds the suspected Kompromat.
Let's hope the GOP grows a spine before the President plays his Trump card; war with North Korea.
With the Russian Twitter bots beginning to turn on the GOP, the spy plane flying over Bedminster and the expulsion of our State staff I wonder if Putin is tightening the choke collar or just going on an all out offensive? Either way Trump will grow increasingly isolated and cornered if Putin truly holds the suspected Kompromat.
Let's hope the GOP grows a spine before the President plays his Trump card; war with North Korea.
19
What damage, lots of waste will be removed, the remaining employees will have to work harder. We will be fine and I would not issue visas to visit Russia except with very severe need. Punish them.
3
Most of them losing their jobs aren't even Americans.
Russia issues visas for Americans visiting their country. The U.S. does not issue visas to visit Russia.
Russia issues visas for Americans visiting their country. The U.S. does not issue visas to visit Russia.
1
Now we've crossed over to the surreal. Could someone tell this clown those people, whose lives have been upended, children jacked out of school, are still on the payroll? We now have the extra expense and work of relocating them Stateside or other posts that are hungry for resources. I never thought I'd see a president that would refuse to stand up for the United States or totally be devoid of concern for Americans or it's sovereignty.
63
Not the locals who will be most of those eliminated. And some when they get home might not have a job. You really think making a big deal out of this would be good, Putin would love us to be outraged that would be a win for him. Not making it a big deal beats him.
2
Uh, no. Not making it a big deal feeds Putin's ego and plays right into his hands. But in the Bizzarro World of right/wrong wing logic, bad is good and down is up.
7
Trump's response IS the Putin victory. He already won. Now it's how we respond as American's that counts. Confident, proud and looking after our own interests is what you'd expect from POTUS. Instead we get this weak, tail between the legs response from a man who's clearly in over his head.
4
Mr. President, you can save us even more money by resigning!
154
With the enormous bills being ginned up by the entire Trump family to protect them wherever they go, we would save a lot of money if they were shown their pink slips. Also might save the country, although it may be too late for that.
3
What a lame way for Trump to try saving face. Of all the things our government spends money on, diplomats are a drop in the bucket.
20
Once again, trump sides with Putin over America and our diplomats. As far as "cutting payroll", these diplomats have been expelled from the country, not fired. Trump is the one working for Vladimir Putin, it seems. He is an embarrassment, the likes of which the world has never seen.
64
This comment should put to rest any doubts that Trump is on Putin's payroll. Add this to your long list of Trump's Putin praise, Mr. Mueller, as you prepare for his indictment.
40
An engaged and committed diplomatic presence is one of the most positive pieces of foreign policy any government can pursue. Many diplomats are experienced in some aspect of culture, or finance or politics; American Embassies in many countries actively cultivate productive relationships with local groups and institutions. However, many of these relationships are not really visible from here in the States.
That the president is thankful that the diplomatic presence in Russia has been forcibly reduced is nuts. He obviously has no understanding of the soft power that a good diplomatic presence commands.
That the president is thankful that the diplomatic presence in Russia has been forcibly reduced is nuts. He obviously has no understanding of the soft power that a good diplomatic presence commands.
39
Yes but none of that is diplomacy, but rather propaganda. We don't need and can't afford all that cultural stuff. Deal with their governments, nothing else.
We can't afford the relative pittance peaceful cultural associations cost, but we can afford the outrageously bloated military and worldwide military compounds? Peace is a lot cheaper than war.
6
“I want to thank him, because we’re trying to cut down on payroll and as far as I’m concerned I’m very thankful that he let go of a large number of people because now we have a smaller payroll,” Mr. Trump told reporters at his golf club in Bedminster, N.J.
He applauds more Americans losing their jobs?
He applauds more Americans losing their jobs?
28
Russians loosing their jobs mostly.
Trumps language is very telling.
Referring to Putin "letting go" American government employees implies it is Putin that is really in charge of our government as only the boss can let someone go.
Freudian slip perhaps. Trump is such a simple minded creature. Bobby will eat him up and spit him out.
Referring to Putin "letting go" American government employees implies it is Putin that is really in charge of our government as only the boss can let someone go.
Freudian slip perhaps. Trump is such a simple minded creature. Bobby will eat him up and spit him out.
7
Hey, wouldn't impeachment save the government even more money on country club protection, golf cart rentals and New York office tower security? Glad to help out!
Seriously, if you're an American diplomat: please hang in there and know that millions of us thank you for your service and pray for your safety.
Seriously, if you're an American diplomat: please hang in there and know that millions of us thank you for your service and pray for your safety.
52
Wow - could Trump sound any more callous? Definitely would make someone think twice about taking a government position while Trump is in office. I guess this offers more than a little insight into why so many positions are still unfilled in his administration, including, laughably, the ambassador to South Korea. Well, he's probably just grumpy about having his "working vacation" being pushed more to the working end of the spectrum.
17
Since the government is way over staffed many need to go anyway. I would be happy to say replace three or more of them.
1
Which is very easy and glib to say when your job isn't the one on the line. He's suggesting - again, very callously - that these jobs - unlike, say, Carrier jobs that were bought back from Mexico by outright government giveaways (and then not really bought back if you continue to follow the story) don't matter and the people whose lives are directly impacted don't matter either. Hopefully one day you'll be able to experience someone arbitrarily joking about your job while firing you for no reason of your own.
7
Unlike the ineptitude of the US president, these educated diplomatic career people have respect for their positions and fellow workers. They did not inherit their jobs from dad. They put effort and evidently caring into what they are doing. Shame for belittling and demeaning them and their service to this country! We the citizens thank you for representing us with class, and professionalism.
43
Why do we have to put up with this nonsense?
Dump is unhinged, nasty, clueless, inept, stupid, uneducated, and has absolutely no business being in ANY position of trust. He is totally unfit to be POTUS and is an existential threat to the United States and the world.
I honestly don't care how he is removed from office as long as it is done before he blunders us into a nuclear war! Perhaps Mr. Bezos could pay Dump enough money to resign.
Dump is unhinged, nasty, clueless, inept, stupid, uneducated, and has absolutely no business being in ANY position of trust. He is totally unfit to be POTUS and is an existential threat to the United States and the world.
I honestly don't care how he is removed from office as long as it is done before he blunders us into a nuclear war! Perhaps Mr. Bezos could pay Dump enough money to resign.
21
Well Gee here are the reasons. He won by the official rules. He has done nothing to justify impeachment. The Republicans control congress so they probably won't allow any trumped up charges. If you did not understand this you must be defective in some way. How much do you think it would take to get him to resign? And you like Pense as president better?
1
This goes in the "you can't make this up" category. Now Putin is the outsourced HR manager for the State Department.
19
No pardon for those who provide comfort to an enemy state: PRISON.
Nothing less; maybe more.
The American People
Nothing less; maybe more.
The American People
12
Saying it once and having nobody laugh proves it was a poor joke.
Telling *three times* proves the joke is on the teller...
Telling *three times* proves the joke is on the teller...
12
Fool me once, shame on ....
LOL! Remember?
Sigh. You KNOW things are really really bad when you feel nostalgic for George W. And I'm NOT being flip. (Just ready to.)
LOL! Remember?
Sigh. You KNOW things are really really bad when you feel nostalgic for George W. And I'm NOT being flip. (Just ready to.)
1
I actually laughed at that one.
1
Hurting the U.S. State Department is a centerpiece of Putin's Foreign Policy. Trump will support his master in any way that he can.
18
This President is now openly mocking and undermining our national interests all because of his avarice. It's a sick spectacle made all the more disconcerting because our Congress stands by and allows it to happen. I never expected the U.S. Senate to behave like the Roman one under the Caesars.
19
Thank you Peter Baker for your dedication to truthful reporting.
As a country of laws and not men, we cannot tolerate the hypocrisy and treason of this illegitimate administration. Having lived through Vietnam, it is clear that the only way to rid this country of this evil"man" child is to march as we did in 60's and 70's. It worked then and will work again. Yes - there is a RESISTANCE- but it is fragmented. When the disparate resistance groups unite, we can change this radical vile authoritarian regime. Otherwise, we are doomed to repeat the history of Nazi Germany. WORLD- pray for us!
As a country of laws and not men, we cannot tolerate the hypocrisy and treason of this illegitimate administration. Having lived through Vietnam, it is clear that the only way to rid this country of this evil"man" child is to march as we did in 60's and 70's. It worked then and will work again. Yes - there is a RESISTANCE- but it is fragmented. When the disparate resistance groups unite, we can change this radical vile authoritarian regime. Otherwise, we are doomed to repeat the history of Nazi Germany. WORLD- pray for us!
11
How is this now a high crime and misdemeanor?
3
Is Trump Putin's lackey? There seems to be much conflict of interest as yet uncovered. Mr Mueller, you got your job cut out for you, and wish you all success to oust this fraudster.
9
It's only a matter of time before he claims credit for reducing the Moscow office(s) payroll.
3
this was a poor review of a poor piece of comedy.
"And if you decide to respond to our Congress' unwise decision to impose more economic sanctions by blowing up a U.S. battleship that would be fine by me. We've got too many sailors as it is."
14
Trump is not going to cross Putin, since Russian oligarchs own
the Orange One's posterior. He would rather threaten to blow up North Korea.
Right wing bullies are all the same. Mussolini invaded Ethiopia, and Reagan showed his courage by tear gassing Berkeley students and conquering Grenada.
Real warriors- Eisenhower, Wellington, Grant- focus their energies on making good military decisions. That's a process that our current President cannot even imagine.
the Orange One's posterior. He would rather threaten to blow up North Korea.
Right wing bullies are all the same. Mussolini invaded Ethiopia, and Reagan showed his courage by tear gassing Berkeley students and conquering Grenada.
Real warriors- Eisenhower, Wellington, Grant- focus their energies on making good military decisions. That's a process that our current President cannot even imagine.
24
Could we perhaps also give Putin authority to fire our Cabinet officials too, then? Please?
57
First Trump signed off on the sanctions, then complained about that bill, now thanks Putin for the fallout. So much for decisiveness.
14
Trump is indebted to Putin so he will continue to show partiality for as long as he remains in office. What can be said about a President who goes against congressional members to appease a despotic leader who is antithetical to the principles and values of his own country? Congressional members , enough is enough.
30
What will President Trump say next? Will he thank Putin for massive interference in our elections, so the United States can just skip the next elections and save a lot of money? Evidently this President believes the State Department is unnecessary, along with the intelligence community, and perhaps Senator McConnell.
23
You just identified one thing he's right about then: McConnell.
1
This is confusing. Other reports indicate that many of the personnel to be dropped are Russians, and so I guess there could be somem payroll savings there, but any State Department people there are most likely career employees, and any decision to RIF or otherwise let them go now is our decision and not Putin's. And, of course, if the Administration felt we were overstaffed in Moscow, they could have acted unilaterally to fix the situation.
8
I think you may be confused because you assume Trump knows what he's talking about. When you realize he's a complete fool, you take his words for what they're worth: absolutely nothing.
10
Well, if there were anything he should know about, it would be what could be saved by firing people. And who is firing whom.
I can't believe I still work for this guy...
I can't believe I still work for this guy...
1
Ya know, we can save money too by not maintaining any infrastructure.
What could go wrong?
What could go wrong?
33
The accelerating pace of Trump's desperate lashing at all perceived foes, both foreign and domestic, to me signals a clear mental breakdown. Hopefully there is bipartisan talk in Congress of removing from office this threat to national and global security.
36
"Trump Offers Putin Thanks, Not Critique, for Throwing Out U.S. Diplomats."
Welcome folks. . .to the twilight zone.
Welcome folks. . .to the twilight zone.
108
We can save money by throwing diplomats out of Russia, but we would save even more in the way of grief if someone would throw out the current occupant of the White House.
41
It's Animal House time: "Thank you, sir! May I have another?!"
16
Donald Trump continues to treat our career diplomats and staff in the most disgraceful and destructive manner. These people do vital work to advance our interests throughout the world, often in dangerous conditions, and for our President to tell Vladimir Putin that he's grateful for the opportunity to save money through their eviction is an outrage. Our diplomatic community must be reeling at having to serve such an ignorant and ungrateful master.
338
Trump does not understand service, period. Unless of course the service is to him.
2
No wonder he's been bankrupt so many times.
244
If Congress refuses to impeach Mr. Trump, they can surely impeach Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for condoning this treatment of his own diplomats by Putin and Trump.
140
Tillerson is gutting the State Department. He's a huge part of the problem. Why, why, why do they want to gut our Diplomatic Corps? Do they WANT a war(s)? Sure seems like it. Tillerson is dangerous. Just as dangerous as Trump.
1
Trump has honed instincts for spinning stories. Honestly my first reaction is I didn't know we had that many staffers in an embassy. So how many are left?
3
can't critisize his consistency.
5
For a moment I thought I was reading the Onion. Nope. Just the worst president ever.
506
I make that mistake every single day when I read the newspaper.
2
...or maybe another Borowitz satire piece?
3
Mr. Trump,
Do you think you're funny, thanking Putin for his actions? Are you feeling clever with these remarks? Let me assure you, you are not funny or clever. You do not have the knowledge, experience, or skills to deal with presidential matters. You are completely out of your depth. You are endangering me and my fellow Americans with your ineptitude. I would like your resignation on my desk immediately.
Sincerely,
Almost Everyone in the United States of America
Do you think you're funny, thanking Putin for his actions? Are you feeling clever with these remarks? Let me assure you, you are not funny or clever. You do not have the knowledge, experience, or skills to deal with presidential matters. You are completely out of your depth. You are endangering me and my fellow Americans with your ineptitude. I would like your resignation on my desk immediately.
Sincerely,
Almost Everyone in the United States of America
775
...and Canada!
8
D, I totally agree with your sentiment and your call but it appears our view is not shared by 'almost everybody in the U.S.'
Regrettably, he still commands majority support from within the Republican base; the very same people who, when polled recently, conceded in the majority that climate change represents a threat to the U.S. but felt that it won't affect them personally.
So, until we are able to convince the Trump cult followers that he is deranged and represents a greater (near term) danger than even climate change, the Republican leadership won't budge and he's going nowhere.
At the moment I'm not sure whether I'm more contemptuous of the leaders or the followers and that from a traditionally conservative voter.
Sorry I can't be of more help. It's not for the want of trying.
Regrettably, he still commands majority support from within the Republican base; the very same people who, when polled recently, conceded in the majority that climate change represents a threat to the U.S. but felt that it won't affect them personally.
So, until we are able to convince the Trump cult followers that he is deranged and represents a greater (near term) danger than even climate change, the Republican leadership won't budge and he's going nowhere.
At the moment I'm not sure whether I'm more contemptuous of the leaders or the followers and that from a traditionally conservative voter.
Sorry I can't be of more help. It's not for the want of trying.
6
Thank you, DHart.
Everybody, let's keep this comment high on the list of picks, where others will see it without scrolling.
Everybody, let's keep this comment high on the list of picks, where others will see it without scrolling.
2
What next? Trump is going to appear in an aluminum foil hat and declare war on the Martians. Wasn't Kelly supposed to vet his statements? Please Congress do something now!
160
You can't take a joke can you?
3
Did you watch the briefing? I did, and it wasn't said as a joke. He was serious. He is unfit for the presidency. Every time he opens his mouth, he reinforces that fact.
324
If it WAS or WASN'T 'a joke' is beside the point! He's the PRESIDENT, not some smarmy lounge comedian on a local cable channel.
78
I watched it too Laura, and agree - he wasn't joking.
27
So I didn't quite get what Trump really meant in his response to Putin's "Jump." Was it "Yes, Big Vladdy", or "How high SIR!"
51
If he is trying to be funny, he isn't.
And if he isn't, he has no appreciation for the heroic and immensely important job performed by diplomats abroad in the State Department, often making great personal sacrifices to live in hostile countries like Russia, serving America.
And if he isn't, he has no appreciation for the heroic and immensely important job performed by diplomats abroad in the State Department, often making great personal sacrifices to live in hostile countries like Russia, serving America.
182
I'm sure all the poor Russian employees of the embassy and consulates, will think fondly of him too. Just makin' friends all around the world.
2
I can come up with a more effective way to save on the govt. payroll and it only involves one civil-servant being dismissed. Just jaw-dropping.
444
Lets not forget Congress too. Plenty of Dems that pander to bottom feeders for votes and repubs that count on Bible thumpers for a vote. Then immediately sell you out to special interest groups.
I just can't accept arguments in this time that start with "plenty of Dems." Dems are not the problem.
7
Michele, the person who you are consider firing doesn't know how to serve. It is an insult to civil-servant to consider him as one of them.
2
Russia's weakening of American presence in that country is of far greater consequence to our national security today than the ritual scaring from North Korea of the past week. And Trump STILL can't criticize Putin. Appalling.
97
What a massive insult to the men and women who devoted their careers to serving the interests of the United States in the land of one of our greatest geopolitical foes. It would be better if POTUS just didn't say anything at all.
534
It would be better if this unbalanced individual resigned or better yet, was arrested.
3
Well that's not going to happen!
2
He's clueless.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
143
I scream at the TV a lot. If I were religious, I would pray.
38
Cry. Definitely cry. He's a real and present danger.
6
He is not clueless. He is working directly for the Kremlin. He has been for years.
1
Yes please! Keep on demonstrating the fact that you won't uphold the Constitution. Not now, not ever.
84
How did we come to this state that the leader with a large following proudly collude with an enemy state and it's spy agencies while sabotaging the American interest globally? How did such a large number of Americans turn against essential American values that made the country great historically? It is mind boggling.
365
Quite simple, actually. Instead of listening to "I couldn't vote for that liar, Hillary", realize that what was being expressed was "I am a (pick one or more) a racist, mysogynist, homophobe, xenophobic hater, classist". The sooner we realize that political correctness is actually not seeing our arrogant, belligerent, and condescending underbelly, the sooner we can perhaps start a course correction.
5
The rightwing media and trump republicans admire strong leader type fascism and authoritarian forms of government...like Putin's. Extreme right reactionaries all over the world think the same.
10
Finally, we have a clear-thinking, speak-his-mind, fighting-for-America president.
One who is working the presidency at the efficiency and speed of a modern corporation.
Many on the left -- mostly millennials -- are now backing Trump. If pollsters claim that Trump's base is shrinking, you know what means by now, don't you ?
One who is working the presidency at the efficiency and speed of a modern corporation.
Many on the left -- mostly millennials -- are now backing Trump. If pollsters claim that Trump's base is shrinking, you know what means by now, don't you ?
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correction, it should read:
"If pollsters claim that Trump's base is shrinking, you know what *that* means by now, don't you ?"
"If pollsters claim that Trump's base is shrinking, you know what *that* means by now, don't you ?"
1
"One who is working the presidency at the efficiency and speed of a modern corporation."
Hmm! So when VW cheated on emissions testing. . .is that an example of efficiency and speed?
Hmm! So when VW cheated on emissions testing. . .is that an example of efficiency and speed?
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Does it mean that they're correct and people are coming to their senses? Sure hope so.
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Putin is a great leader who has been more than patient with Cold War relics in the U.S. Congress.
He deserves President Trump's friendship and camaraderie.
He deserves President Trump's friendship and camaraderie.
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I'm certain that the corpses in Syria and Ukraine agree with your assessment.
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