Must we forget when, then Secretary of Homeland Security, John Kelly suggested that Trump use a saber on the press? This was the cementing of their very dangerous relationship.
And, here we are witnessing him choreographing this current dog and pony show using that very saber to defend, poke, and deflect from Trump's lies.
When does this end?
https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000005112284/kelly-jokingly...
44
I'm disappointed in the NYT for calling General Kelly's blatant lies about the congresswoman "misrepresentations" in this story. Stop sugarcoating it and trying to make this administration's lying normal: call it what it is!!
192
“It’s almost like General Kelly was telling the congresswoman, ‘You don’t know your place, you’re not supposed to criticize the president,’” said Mr. Jordan, who is black. “That’s how it looks to the black people.”
So Mr. Johnson gets to speak for "the black people"? Must be racism since a White guy is talking about Black people and he had something bad to say about one of them.-
22
Is anyone surprised that mentally unhinged trump, on the precipice of taking us into war on so many fronts, would continue with this insanity?
As for Gen Kelly, unable to stand up to this lunatic obviously goes to his inner soul with racist, sexist comments, and pure lies, without apology. Sorry, but his status as a Gold Star family does not deflect or excuse his inappropriate slamming of a black, Democratic congresswoman and his misappropriation of facts, logic or empathy.
Sir, your anger is misplaced, and you are continuing in the gutter of trumpism. Are you happy that on the day of the funeral trump continues his distorted demented anger? If not, speak up. Then you can hold your head up high again and command the respect of us. And if you can’t you are enabling a unbalanced horror of a president, destroying us more minute by minute, day by day, and you must ask yourself, why.
God help us.
145
So it's inappropriate for a Member of Congress to question the behavior of a "four-star general"? Or is it inappropriate for a black woman to question a white male? I keep wondering how long it will be before someone uses the adjective "uppity".
194
General Kelly, you were one of the last best hopes for a disgusting Republican President and Administration, and that to has faded. Mr Kelly, please don’t lecture my family on sacrifice, we have fought in all major conflicts since WWII, and to our family this disgusting draft dodging Republican President is an embarrassing representative of our people, military, and country. And now you Mr. Kelly, have lowered yourself to his equivalent, shame on you. Sad.
180
The White House is full of white supremacists? That is stopping short of accusing Kelly of racial animus? Sounds like he was called a white supremacist to me. That’s a bit over the top.
13
Looks like 'General' Kelly, actually just a politician now, is the one with the empty barrel, 'cause he's shooting blanks.
99
Yes, Gen.Kelly shamed himself by repeating lies in order to discredit a critic. But why doesn't he just say, "I don't know, that's just what someone told me'" like his boss does. When confronted with one of your own lies, just punt it off. Is Kelly incapable of learning a new skill set?
56
John Kelly, a holier than thou demonstrable liar.
His words about Congresswoman Wilson were despicable.
This "four star" general was supposed to be the "adult in the room" to protect us from Trump.
Who's going to protect us from John Kelly?
What a disgraceful display.
He couldn't attack the "gold star mom", so he used the African american congresswoman as a proxy to spew the vile hate that gushes out of every pore of that administration.
And he seemed quite comfortable doing it, don't you think?
145
If Congresswoman Wilson's listening in to the President's call to the Gold Star wife was so heinous, then so was general Kelly's listening in.
81
Anyone who doubts that Trump and his staff are racist must be living under a rock. That's been very clear from the beginning.
99
"Video of a 2015 speech delivered by Representative Frederica S. Wilson revealed Friday that John F. Kelly, the White House chief of staff, misrepresented her remarks when he accused her of bragging about securing $20 million for a South Florida F.B.I. building and twisting President Barack Obama’s arm." lied. The word you're looking for is lied.
124
“Words, words, words.” People should be careful with them as it is entirely possible they will be called to justify or explain them. Huckabee Sanders – who seems to be the grand master of the non-sequitur - is quoted as saying that wanting to engage in a debate with a four-star general is “something that’s highly inappropriate.” Say, whaaa? I read that as the press secretary challenging my 1st amendment right. While I would not encourage a “lay person” to invite a debate with the highly skilled general on a military issue without being prepared, it is not “inappropriate”; it may be unwise. And while I am at it, throwing about the term “white supremacist” is a bit dicey. We need white people to be educated about what the term means and how it is being used these days. White supremacists are not necessarily or consciously or patently hateful or outright Nazis. They are, sadly, inoculated with a sense of righteousness (superiority) because they “think they are white”. See DuBois, Baldwin, and more recently Coates for more on this. White people may insist they are not racist, but it would not hurt to run a check on the language they use as we try to uncover what thinking prompts that language.
39
It's the lies, the incessant lies, and then they lie about lying.
Before reading this article, I was glad General Kelly was in the White House babysitting the incorrigible Trump.
Frankly, I thought General Kelly was better than this. But it is inexcusable and disgusting that so many facts of this incident with the soldier's widow have been misrepresented, withheld, distorted, and fabricated by Trump and his "team" of paid liars--Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Kelly Ann Conway [no surprise there], and now General Kelly).
Once again, we have a video corroborating the facts that were misrepresented by Trump and General Kelly, who, without a pang of conscience, seriously disrespected and damaged the reputation of Ms. Wilson (a good friend of the fallen soldier's family) and the pregnant widow who had just lost her husband.
But it is not only the Trump and his paid liars that are culpable. It is those who turn a blind eye in the GOP to Trump's ruthless incompetence. And it is Trump's "base" who prefer believing damaging lies, despite all evidence to the contrary, and worse, who enjoy Trump's personal attacks like a cock fight where someone or something always gets hurt.
105
Not surprising! Anyone connected to trump is capable of anything. Even John
Kelly.
Dump this motley crew of misfits now!
51
she's absolutely right. general kelly has made himself out to be a fool, a liar, and a racist without credibility. nice job general.
67
Of course the attack on Congresswoman Wilson was racist just like the implication that Puerto Ricans are too lazy to help themselves and Judge Curiel was incapable of judging a case fairly because he was of Mexican heritage. And let's not forget how Trump announced how he was running for the presidency disparaging those rapist Mexicans.
Trump, Kelly, Sanders and Conway are the true "empty barrels" who eagerly do their bosses bidding. We have an administration starting with Trump at the top who are ignorant liars.
95
When she took to calling the White House Staff “white supremacists,” it was done out of anger, as a way to smear the president and his staff and to stop conversation, just it was her signal on her part, that she, the self-righteous she, that she would not brook any disagreement with her own prejudiced opinion, lie that it is. And it is quite clear that she would regard any group of white people, even one’s she knew nothing about, as “supremacists” and “racists” because she, herself, is a racist, and a supremacist of a different stripe.
She’s not encouraging dialogue or mutual understanding, nor harmony between the races with her name calling, labelling, stereotyping, and hate mongering. She’s self-righteous, full of herself, and a narcissist. And it’s only too obvious in the pages of this paper that she has a lot of company supporting her prejudiced views.
8
OK we most of us want to find a hero in this horrific administration of thieves and liars. Maybe its time we just give up, General Kelly is as bad as the rest of them.
69
General Kelly has sold his soul to the devil and now he's finding out what a bad bargain he made. He smeared Frederica Wilson with an easily disproven lie at the behest of his draft dodging, pathological liar boss and lost his own reputation as a decent person. He forgot the old adage, "Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas."
83
trump may have succeeded in assembling the most disgraceful and dishonorable people on this planet!
68
Beyond all the obvious shortcomings and issues this president has thrown on us for these past 9+ months, having a military man in the white house who is so quick to throw whatever reputation he has in his circle down the drain so quickly is so telling as to how deep down the hole this administration and those around it are. Beyond the genitalia grabbing, boasting, lying, cheating, treasonous, self serving, dangerous things this man serves to the American public on an hourly basis, the biggest fear may very well be brewing in our midsts. There really has never been the thought of a military coup in modern American history but it is not out of the realm of possibilities right now. I thought there was some reason with people like the general but he has quickly shown there not to be - and I am sure there are many others like him standing in the shadows. This could even lead to a new civil war. Let the Boehner indictments begin soon please so we can start shaking this tree of as many nuts as possible. We almost lost a solid president to impeachment because of what he did outside of marriage. How far have we come in these few short years in that none of the issues that are blatant with Tr_mp have accelerated the process yet. I did not vote for any of the Bush family to run our county - but I never feared that they could not if they were in power. This is not about red or blue - this is about fundamental wrong or right and the consequences that follow for us all.
37
Our country needs many more men like General Kelly and women too, that serve and some who die for our country. Their service and sacrifice is what enables people like Wilson and others pander their racist utterings, which is so overused and a knee jerk far left reaction when there is nothing of substance to offer.
11
Memo from Trump to Kelly: go after this black woman. Our base will love it.
Memo from Trump to Sanders: Double down on Kelly's lies, or else.
52
Do you think Fox News is going to report that Mr. Kelly lied about what Representative Wison said during the opening of the F.B.I. headquarters? And by the way, Mr. Kelly lied, he didn't "misrepresent" what she said.
68
People act as if we can wholly dismiss the possibility that this incident reveals the John Kelly John Kelly has been ever since he came out of the womb. These folks should look carefully at how zealously he led DHS in enforcing trump's right-wing immigration policies.
36
Facts:
1) Trump lied (on video) when he denied saying to a grieving widow that her husband, a fallen soldier, "knew what he signed up for";
2) General Kelly lied (on video) about Congresswoman Wilson's speech regarding the new Miami FBI building;
3) So far, nobody has apologized or corrected their 'alternative facts' (=lies).
When we believe lying is justifiable, we are denying people's right to know the truth and making informed decisions.
“I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche
60
General Kelly's attack on Congresswoman Wilson is further evidence the Trump administration has no respect for people of color.
50
It's so hard to see Gen. Kelly, who was one of the adults who was going to restore an aura of dignity and common sense decency to the White House, now besmirch his reputation with these false politicized accusations. It seems nobody connected with this Trump administration can avoid being contaminated with the filth emanating from this president. Are there any mature sophisticated adults really working at this White House???
37
According to Sara Huckleberry (oops, Huckabee), questioning a four star general is inappropriate. Really? Lying generals (Westmoreland comes to mind) and, of course, the lying presidents (Johnson, Nixon, Bush 2) are the people, who brought us Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. They approved of using agent orange, napalm, and bombing by B52's on civilian populations. And what have we gained after all the loss of lives and treasure? Do we respect and honor the sacrifices of our men and women who gave their lives in these endeavors? Yes and yes again! Respect for the generals and politicians who sent them to die and for what? I don't think so Sara.
49
The Fake News is going crazy with wacky Congresswoman Wilson (D), who was SECRETLY on a very personal call, and gave a total lie on content," Trump tweeted on Thursday night.
If he was speaking to Johnson’s widow on a speaker phone how does he accuse Ms. Wilson of SECRETLY listening in?
37
Alas, a new political hurricane hits America - the `misrepresentation` of General John Kelly in defense of his president`s less than empathetic condolence call to the young black widow of Sergeant La David Johnson - lost, fallen, dead two weeks ago - in Niger. The call on speakerphone, yet. Trump`s Press Secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders (the Arkansas Yeti) added fuel to the fire by threatening the press at the White House Gaggle yesterday that they had better not mess with ex four-star Marine Corps General John F. Kelly, Trump`s newest Chief of Staff, whose words were untrue and unkind, name-calling a black Miami Congresswoman`an empty barrel`. Oh, how we all shivered and cringed in our timbers at Sanders`s bizarre ultimatum against American freedom of speech.
45
Rep. Wilson is black, smart, accomplished, dresses to the beat of her own drummer, is not afraid to speak out, a Democrat, popular in her district and has a strong sense of right and wrong. In essence, everything that Trump seems to despise in a woman; no wonder he's trying to tear her down. This man is an insult to his office and to men in general. As the leader of this kakistocracy he taints everything that he can get his little hands on.
Gen. Kelly too should be ashamed for letting himself be dragged into this sorry spectacle. Evidently, 4 stars do not confer common sense. He may have been treated as a demigod by the corps, but he puts his pants on one leg at a time, just like the rest of us. It would do him good to remember that.
130
Kelly works for Trump,so he lies for Trump. Ex-military Generals don't have a very good record of being honest and honorable. Why should he be different.He has been caught lying. No surprise. Sanders the White House mouth,says Generals should not be questioned. She thinks he's a saint. Why pay attention to Sanders? Another Trump supporter,another liar.
43
I think this is the most shameful time in my lifetime, for this country. Those who voted for this administration, have done incredible damage in an amazingly short amount of time. Trump has a vocabulary of around four short words, "best, worst ,sickening, huge." He needs to turn off Fox news, set down his smartphone (in his hands, quite the opposite), and pack a suitcase. Time to go home.
44
It’s a cover up. Trump could not answer the question about Niger massacre so he flailed with a false put down about condolence calls. This smoke screen is the real travesty. Trump is only interested in his personal hype- so he ignored the soldiers’ death for 2 weeks...failed missions make him look bad.
What a shallow hypocrite.
49
The current W.H. has been filled with pawns and sycophants whose sacred duty is to praise a clown. I, like millions of Americans, always had a tremendous respect for the office of the presidency. Now ,with the current occupant of such a venerable and respected building, that respect is gone. Little hope for the restoration of respect when everyday a new tirade of idiocies are freely coming from the mouth, and team, of ridiculous ignorant sheep.
Is Mueller closing in or do we have to wait additional months?
29
Kelly was not inaccurate in his recollection, he lied. The specificity of his lies prove that he did not simply mis-remember. He lied.
Kelly is a liar and from this moment on, for the rest of his life, he will be known as such.
56
In the White House video, General Kelly claims repeatedly that the people in military uniform are the finest 1% on the planet. Does he mean that everybody else is second rate? And why, in that case, does he continue to serve as right-hand man to a vicious liar and self-serving misogynist?
Something wrong with this picture. Something, perhaps, to do with that well-known oxymoron military intelligence?
30
Even this morning -- as Congresswoman Wilson prepared to attend the funeral of the young man she had known since his childhood and had mentored in her program to lift up blacks kids -- Donald Trump could not muster up the dignity to STOP his barrage of insults directed at her.
Shame on Trump.
Trump and 4-star Kelly (who must not be questioned, according to Huckabee Sanders) have been engaging in "the high-tech lynching of a black" woman.
And shame on Kelly.
Both men could have ended this debacle by simply apologizing, but I guess being a Trump or a 4-star general in this White House means never having to say, "I'm sorry"!
44
The GOP has long been the party of covert racism. The ostentatious and preening man they got elected POTUS is running a training camp for white supremacists who previously had to curb their enthusiasms. He and his staff show everyday the many ways to belittle and insult people of color, and on live TV! And the Grand Old Party is eating it up. It turns out the party that was never very keen on civil rights has been unmasked.
26
Not only defends The Indefensible, but doubles down with another lie! He's learning his lessons in Trumpishness well. How embarrassing. THIS behavior is what is lowering America in the eyes of the world. Look at all the smirking Republicans after the tax vote. They look like a bunch of elementary kids after the teacher sat on a tack they put on her chair.
28
The country is suffering from OCD. We are Obsessing over real and imagined slights. We are Compulsive in our absolute need to shoot off our mouths over them. And this is certainly a national Disorder.
In this case the Mr. Trump tried to play nice and call the widow of a soldier. It happened to be received in a limo with a speaker phone to be heard by others. Mr. Trump is not real good at a lot of things. Then the Congresswoman (and the widow) was shocked Mr. Trump did not have the NAME of the deceased. SAD. Can't let it ride? Have to go public? Crude. Then the disinformation stream at the White House must have enveloped Gen. Kelly as he clearly did not get the whole story about the phone call. And he went off obsessed over the perceived slight to dead warriors. Now the compulsion to fight back like Trump's mentor Roy Cohn (google him) drives Kelly and us even deeper. Kelly's got mud on his shoes now. Double SAD.
5
Huckabee Sanders has commuted treason when she told us that we should not question a military general. The Constitution guarantees our right to question anyone in the Government. Huckabee Sanders is a traitor to our Constitution.
30
Total, complete, absolute shame on anyone who allows him or herself to be used as a Trump minion for the “prestige” of WH association. And that would include everyone from a 4-star “elegant” general down to and certainly including the mouthpiece.
24
This is a big misunderstanding. Mr. Kelly was thinking about Trump when he said “If you’re able to make a sacred act like honoring American heroes about yourself, you’re an empty barrel.”
33
On day one it was clear to me that Trump’s comments were not only disrespectful, but racist and sexist. I am glad that senator Wilson called him on it. This article brings it to light—Wilson heard him make these comments on speakerphone. Unfortunately Trump has a reptilian brain and he is on to the next attack and feed.
20
The fallen soldier (La David Johnson) has a name, as does his widow (Myeshia Johnson), and his mother (Cowanda Jones-Johnson).
Please continue to acknowledge them and not "white out" his service nor their grievance.
His family deserves better.
38
I respectfully disagree with the Congresswoman. After viewing the video that refuted Kelly's claims, it was easy to see the shadow of a furious Trump over Kelly's shoulder when the Congresswoman pointed out that then FBI director James Comey and Debbie Wasserman Schultz were among the dignitaries in the audience.
This isn't about race ladies. It's about GENDER. Here's the common equation. One disgusting, pathetic woman abusing man like Trump surrounded by a bunch of Mutton Chops and Corn Pone males who grew up in a culture that refuses to allow women to EVER one step ahead of them, you get gender bias that isn't going away.
In the Congresswoman, all those good ole boys see is a woman, not even a black woman, just a woman who dares to say from her heart what she thinks. She's a woman used to being in a position of leadership these men fear will become a powerful message to ALL women to learn to speak their minds whether the good ole boys try and stop you or not.
Right now, you have Grassley, Cornyn, Ryan, McConnell, Corn Pones and Mutton Chops all, desperate to keep women from becoming the REAL MOST powerful majority in Congress.
From Geraldine Ferrara to Hillary Clinton, to Wendy Davis, Elizabeth Warren, Maxine Water, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and now to add to their male battle of the sex war: Congresswoman Kelly.
How dare she speak her mind when the only voices in government are white, brazen, belligerent, defiant males their mommies would have spanked for sure?
23
"Empty Barrel" is the perfect euphemism for this Administration.
25
Such a disgrace that here we have 4 Generals who obviously have no character or integrity, surrounding the most incompetent, the most dishonest, and the most corrupt man ever in the WH. General Flynn, disgraced by colluding with the enemy Russia, General Kelly, a dishonest man who threw his character and integrity under the bus for his puppet master, General Mattis, spinning nonsense to cover up incompetency on his part and his puppet master, and General McMaster who will in a matter of time expose his ability to throw his own character and reputation under the bus too when his puppet master calls. What has happened to our military when such men of high rank, collude with our enemies, outright lie and defend the lie, are subservient to a traitorous man, instead of to their country, and even resorting to carrying the bucket of dishonesty for him. No sense of duty to country, no sense of integrity, and certainly no sense of values. They shame the uniform they wore. A national disgrace is what they are.
24
How contagious evil is! Gen. Kelly has abandoned his integrity and has come down to Trump's level,
22
Hohum, she did, he did, she is, he is. No wonder some wise folks warned of political factions. Never the twain shall meet!
1
Well that's it for Kelly. He's proven himself as just another liar for Trump. He isn't going to be a "grown up in the room" in the kindergarten aka the Oval Office. Every day gets more and more scary. Mr. Kelly says he was stunned by what Congresswoman Wilson had done. Mr. Kelly, I'm sickened by what you and your president have done and are still doing.
29
Kelly started lying quite a while ago, when he said the roll out of the travel ban went well.
28
Kelly went before the national press and before the world and told a totally fabricated story about Congresswoman Frederica Wilson. He claimed to have been present when Ms. Wilson spoke at a dedication of a building and that she only got up and claimed credit for obtaining the money for the FBI building that was being dedicated in Florida and then she sat down. He claims that she made no mention of the two FBI agents that the building was being named after.
Kelly either wasn't there as he claimed or he didn't listen to her speech. Kelly didn't get the names of the fallen FBI agents right, so like I said, he either wasn't there or he wasn't paying attention to what was going on around him. Did he just see a black woman, a Democrat, a woman in a high position and that so filled him with rage that he was deaf and blind to what was going on around him? If he had listened to her speech he would have heard her moving praise for those two fallen FBI agents and for all the men and women that serve to protect us both in law enforcement agencies and the military. She got a standing ovation when she finished.
For those of us that thought that General Kelly would bring some integrity to the Trump administration Kelly has proven that he is just as craven as Trump.
39
Kelly no longer is a general. He's a political hack. Anyone who works for Trump, the icon of immorality in this country, subscribes to his racist, misogynistic and immoral policies. And by placing the military above all other Americans he is a disgrace to that military and to the Constitution Cheshire to uphold.
25
Umm, Sarah, Kelly is not a general, he's a civilian.
34
The headline should not be about what the Congresswoman says, but should note the factual inaccuracy of Kelly's claims.
23
Congresswoman Wilson is black, a woman, is assertive, and wears colorful hats. It plays well to Trump's base to attack her. They like it.
27
I guess I've gotten used to the unthinking comments out of the White House. What really disturbs me is the picture of the ribbon-cutting. Are these women all that tiny and these men all that huge?
5
Why do people think Kelly was sent here to save us from Trump? He was selected to head DHS because he is an ardent Trump supporter. So is Mattis. The only one I had hope for was McMaster and I was wrong. Stop projecting your desire for a mitigating force inside this administration. There isn't one and none are coming any time soon. The only way to slow down this national freak show is to get out the vote in every upcoming election. Stay engaged and hammer your representatives, even the ones on the Trump train. Maybe if we can keep them distracted long enough, we can still limit the damage.
37
Is there any chance that Kelly is "playing" the fool because he knows that if he goes against Trump in certain ways that Kelly will get the old "Your Fired"... which of course could be detrimental to the country considering that Kelly looks to be a balancing force (what ever that would be) in the Trump administration. It is one of those "sleeping with the enemy" situations or even better yet "Schindler's List". Remember the part Liam Neeson played as Oscar Schindler to Ralph Finnes's Amon Goeth...how Oscar played to Amon's distorted mind to get him to do what Oscar wanted. Yea, kind of like that!
3
I'm gobsmacked afresh each time this happens, but why wouldn't it? Donald cares absolutely nothing for the truth; he just spews out one self-serving lie after another. So why would any decent person who couldn't tolerate this work for him? That explains why no one in his clown car can be bothered to verify statements before they make them.
13
Enough of this obscene back-and-forth. Let the grieving grieve without further politicizing of their grief. Why has there been no reporting (except by the AP and Rachel Maddow) on why Chad, our strongest military ally in the Sahel, was included in Trump's latest travel ban, against the urgent advice of State Dedpartment experts? This apparently led to Chadean troops being pulled out of Niger, where they had been supporting and protecting French and U.S. forces from ISIS and Al Qaida affiliates, which in turn led to intelligence failures and the disastrous ambush that killed four of our own. This is a major oversight by the NYT since it may explain Trump's 12-day silence and the disarray in Tillerson's State Department.
27
Lies, lies, lies. Trump lies and everyone who works for him swears to it. Racism, bigotry, cruelty, self-dealing, blaming of others are all part of the Trump playbook. There is no one in this administration who can or will save us from whatever Trump wants to say or do. And even worse, much of the media will normalize his behavior and give him a pass even on the most egregious words and behavior. They've already done it and keep doing it. We are in sad and very dangerous times.
17
To General Kelly, You spoke with great emotion. Your pain was visible. I know you have another son in Afghanistan. But you spoke incorrectly and perhaps from a faulty memory. I watched the Congresswoman's speech and you need to correct your statement. Your "empty barrel" comment rang sexist and racist to me. With all due respect, you set a horrible example for the the troops and the country. Please fix that immediately.
128
Question for Sarah Sanders at the next press briefing: How many four-star generals did Donald Trump viciously attack before he was president, during the campaign?
The Washington Post has an article up now quoting a number of nasty tweets.
What a sorry bunch of hypocrites.
31
It would seem everyone in the WH cannot make a public statement without putting their feet in their mouths.
Perhaps the most troubling, to me, is their mind-numbing ignorance of the text and meaning of the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the fundamental organization of our three branches of government. This ignorance resurfaces on a daily basis.
16
I truly doubt that Trump meant to insult the widow. Yet the way he uses words is clumsy and confrontational. It's different when a Marine commandant tells a general about his dead son "He was doing what he wanted when he joined that elite 1%." Military people understand the meaning. But Trump is such an unaware arrogant person that he doesn't think. He doesn't realize that there is a difference between what the commandant said and what he told the widow "he knew what he was getting himself into." Trump only understands words that serve him, but his grasp of language is horrible and he insults with a calloused usage that he doesn't understand. He doesn't understand. The Congresswoman does and no doubt Trumps bombastic style of delivery was a very big part of this insult.
10
I guess we ain’t ‘posed to pay attention to facts, but trust a proven lying real estate salesman and his band of similar sycophants.
20
The video does not refute Kelly. She took a lot of credit for the affair. Perhaps his recollection is not as crisp as it needed to be but the term "empty barrel" captures well the spirit of her speech.
To all those calling General Kelly an enabler. He as much an enabler as you are an enabler of sexual harassment for patronizing Miramax movies!
4
ComeON nyt! "says" Kelly lied? You mean objectively speaking he didn't? Did you see the video? Did he lie or she's just saying it? you are soooooo fair and balanced!!
4
Kelly has become Trump's lapdog.
16
Does ANYONE in this White House know how to apologize when he or she is caught lying?
Has John Kelly become contaminated by his close association with Donald Trump?
To those who work in this White House, a black woman who dares to win a seat in Congress is an "uppity" woman who must be silenced.
18
The Irish jig is up for John Kelly. On Thursday this alleged man of honor tarnished his reputation for his Fuhrer, a man who makes Kelly's racist and misogynist rant against that "empty barrel" member of Congress seem tame. But make no mistake, what Kelly did on that day of Infamy was destroy any respect I ever had for him. He was touted by all as the man who would tackle Trump were he to push the nuclear button. I no longer buy that hogwash. Kelly will be right there next to our evil dictator president. That't the price you pay when you decide to deal with the devil. Kelly put his credibility on the line and he lost, big time. Kelly showed US his true colors, a sycophantic be-hind kisser of the first order, a poodle to Trump who emanates hate from every pore. I was expecting Kelly to come into the press room, tell the truth, and announce his resignation from the most corrupt administration in history. Instead what I saw was jaw dropping. Kelly's description of his son 's demise only made what he followed up with about the Congresswoman more obnoxiously glaring. Kelly owes "that woman" that "empty barrel" a profound apology. Kelly owes "that woman", "the wife", "the mother", and the man who was KIA and remained nameless apologies that never end. What Trump, Kelly and Sara Huckleberry showed US all is how low this nation and our leader have sunk. I have never been so ashamed to be an American. I apologize to the world. The US is a mess.
30
The bigger story beyond the kerfuffle between Gen Kelly and Rep Wilson is what happened in Niger that four US soldiers were killed. As usual, the liar-in-chief and his lackeys are using this non-story as deflection from the real story they don't want to get out. They don't want people asking question about conflicting accounts from the US Military and Nigerien Military as to what actually happened. According to MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, the ambush occurred right after Chad, a US strategic military ally and regional peacekeeper, was put on the Muslim ban list. Shortly thereafter, Chad pulled all its troops out of Niger, which left US troops vulnerable to attacks. Where's all the outrage from congress? Crickets. Please write about this, NYT.
22
*Ms. Sanders also told a reporter who questioned Mr. Kelly’s veracity that “if you want to get into a debate with a four-star Marine general, I think that that’s something highly inappropriate.”
*“It should have ended yesterday after General Kelly’s comments. But it didn’t. It continued,” Ms. Sanders said. “He thought it was important that people got a full and accurate picture of what took place.”
Yes John Kelly is a 4 star general, yes he has had a distinguished and noble career in service to his country and yes he has suffered the ultimate sacrifice of losing his son to war. He deserves great respect.
That said, Ms. Sanders implied message that Gen. Kelly's statements, coming as they do from a member of the military elite (yes, they have elites too) is beyond fact checking or political concern. Nor does it justify treating Gen. Kelly's statements, made as an acting proxy for a president too intellectually challenged to appear, as coming from on high and beyond analysis or debate.
That thinking kind of thinking best manifests itself in a military junta.
14
"...General Kelly pointed out, if you’re able to make a sacred act like honoring American heroes about yourself, you’re an empty barrel."
If only Kelly and Trump could realize how utterly, ironically self-descriptive this is!
24
“It should have ended yesterday after General Kelly’s comments. But it didn’t. It continued,” Ms. Sanders said. “He thought it was important that people got a full and accurate picture of what took place.”
It would have ended then, Ms Sanders, if only General Kelly had not lied.
How sad that he would throw his own son's death into this cellpool of dishonesty in the cause of this disgusting President -- or was it in the cause of shoring up his own position with that erratic and disgusting President?
17
An apt description of General Kelly: “A man is known by the company he keeps” (Aesop).
17
THE only reason John Kelly’s working for Donald Trump seems to be their mutual grudge towards Obama?!!!
John kelly does not seem like a patriot, however many stars general he might be, if he chooses to put politics and grudge against a previous Commander in Chief as his primary motivation to serve the present (gag) C-I-C.
Aren’t these generals supposed to put country before politics? Aren’t the armed forces supposed to be above politics? Can general Colin Powell weigh in please?
11
Saying to a four star general in condolence for his family's loss of a son in combat that 'he knew what he signed up for' almost makes sense. General Kelly is a Marine and a combat veteran. Myeshia Johnson is a young woman with two children and six months pregnant with her third who just found out her husband won't be coming back from Niger and is on her way to see the casket. I figure Trump probably pets his cat with a hair dryer.
8
Race - the last refuge of the politician today. As a non-white, non-black American (and an immigrant), I am pretty sure this incessant harping on race, race preferences and the rush by people to blame race for every ill will lead to a backlash by non-blacks(not just whites). I fear the backlash, but I think I fear the alternative even more.
2
Dear General Kelly, We have been counting on your rectitude to protect the nation from the frightening instability of your boss. Please provide some reassurance with a straightforward apology for your faulty criticism of Representative Wilson.
12
We need to give both Congress woman Wilson and General Kelly space. Politics has taken hold.
1
“It should have ended yesterday after General Kelly’s comments. But it didn’t. It continued,” Ms. Sanders said. “He thought it was important that people got a full and accurate picture of what took place.”
This quote from Ms. Sanders sums up the philosphy of the current White House.
Once "we" tell you what we want you to accept as the tructh, you should accept it blindly and not search for what is the real truth. This sums up how the current occupants of the White House feel about the rights of American people. Ms. Sanders went even further to state that just because Mr. Kelly as a result of his former and current position in our government, said it we should not question what he said. What is disturbing, is that she seems to believe this. What are they serving up in that White House?
17
“As General Kelly pointed out, if you’re able to make a sacred act like honoring American heroes about yourself, you’re an empty barrel.”
If I had gone a week without news, to read this only now, my logical conclusion would have been that they talked about their boss.
Forget logic.
11
So how come it’s okay for Trump to have Kelly and “a lot of other people” in the room when he was making that “sacred call” to Sgt Johnson’s widow BUT Trump and Kelly are “deeply offended” that Mrs Johnson put the call on speaker phone so others with her could hear Trump’s words?
22
I would be embarrassed if I lived in this person's district having this bizarre person representing me.
"Misrepresentation?"
No. Gen (ret) Kelly lied in his public insult to Congresswoman Wilson. By adding more poisonous rhetoric to this shameful episode Kelly also further disrespected the memory of Sgt. Johnson. By lying about something so transparent and readily fact-checked. Kelly has also insulted the American public and soiled his record of service.
16
Ahhh, Mr. Kelly, I thought you were the smart one in the White House.
8
Later today we'll see General Kelly picking up Big Macs for Dear Leader, then thanking him for the opportunity to serve.
9
I can't help but wonder if John Kelly was force fed the Kool-Aid or just drank it himself?
11
Mr. Kelly got up with fleas.
16
The White House and Ms Sanders are repeatedly appalled by Americans who call out this president on his lies and incompetence. They're not appalled that Congress wants to cut taxes to the wealthy and run up an appalling deficit. They're not appalled at the destruction and cost of climate change in California, Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands rebuild. They're not appalled when Nazi's scream hate.
19
That one should never question a General comes right out of the military playbook/dictum; rank has it's privileges and this class distinction enables toxic leadership. General Kelly sounded the words of Col. Jessup in a 'Few Good Men'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FnO3igOkOk
11
Why did Kelly say anything at all? Is this part of his job description? I thought he was in charge of in-coming communications to the President. What was his point? We all know Trump is a mean clumsy oaf who gets awkward when forced to mimic empathy.
18
all of this is so disturbing.......does no-one in this administration know how to, or feel the need to apologize...EVER!!?? it could have been handled and resolved so simply with an apology for any misunderstanding (if.that is what it was).
I am particularly appalled by Huckabee -Sanders who constantly inserts her own opinions, admonitions, criticisms, declarations, etc. into the WHPress briefings...who cares what her opinions are !?
She needs to convey information regarding the WH and POTUS...period. if I were a journalist in those briefings I would be totally incensed by the way she handles those interactions....so condescending , dismissive, and disrespectful.
22
Based on Huckabee's comment, about giving oneself props during an event honoring something else, Trump is an empty ocean!
14
If General Kelly was an honorable General he would have made himself available immediately for comment to clear the matter. FYI lying is a mortal sin in the military and he knows that. It seems he's traded his stripes for a tie and lives the dishonest life of a politician now. I guess since he is technically chief of staff now and not in the military that is ok? Sigh...
13
General Kelly's mistaken recollection of what Congresswoman said at the Miami FBI Building Dedication appears to reveal his subconscious racism over the speech of a strong black woman, the same subconscious racism that most all of us white folks harbor. It's a terrible thing that our know-nothing "entertainer" would-be President promotes overt racism.
12
There is an excellent chance that Trump's bumbling and corrupt (pro-Russia) foreign policy will lead us into war.
How can Americans believe one word out of this administration when they invent facts and double down on them? How can Americans believe one word when even so-called "liberal" media outlets bend over backward to avoid calling a lie a lie and enable this.
The NY Times spent the first day bending over backward not to call out the lie. When it had evidence beyond dispute that it was a lie, the headline read that the Congresswoman accused Kelly of lying instead of "Kelly lied and keeps lying despite incontrovertible evidence".
This is unacceptable if we want to avoid our country going the way of all countries led by a lying demagogue where the press bends over backward not to seem "unfair". It isn't "biased" to inform the public when an administration lies. It is necessary in a democracy.
13
How very bizarre that this highly distinguished Marine Corps General, Kelly, would bring up a completely irrelevant event
(Ms Wilsons FBI speech) and then lie about what actually happened... especially when it could be so easily proven as a lie.
For Kelly to admit that he first walked around the cemetery for an hour and a half contemplating what to say to the press is also a big red flag.
This is obviously a human being under enormous stress. Trying to keep this deranged POTUS from activating the nuclear codes because he's angry can make people do inexplicable things.
12
I’m sorry, but I’m now laughing at this story because it’s become so rediculous. If there was anyway to show the proper respect for the fallen soldier to satisfy the Congresswoman, perhaps all of our silence on the matter will suffice. John, please take Donald’s rattle away as well.
5
Trump's lies about former presidents and Gold Star Families have sullied and soiled our nation and those in proximity to him every time he speaks. General Kelly was no doubt reluctantly drawn into the toxic web cast when Trump lied invoking what he said about Presidents Obama and Bush. General Kelly in his heartfelt remarks observable online to the press said that Trump asked him how to express condolences during the call to families of fallen soldiers in Niger. This negates Trump's assertion that he, unlike his predecessors, has made phone calls to every Gold Star Family. It is Trump and Trump alone who dishonored Gerneral Kelly and General Kelly's fallen son, Lt. Robert Kelly with his egregious lie about former presidents. And now this. Charles Blow had it right a few days ago in his commentary. When are those within his circle understand that he is infecting them with could be a life long misery and disease of being in his employ. When will the majority in congress save our country from this growing epidemic and contagion that is Donald J. Trump.
15
That the members of this clueless administration continue to kick this story around is an abomination. What about Mrs. Johnson? I wonder how she is feeling that her loss has become the center of such stupid, ugly, political rhetoric? Why can't Trump and his minions just apologize. It would be so easy for the President to say, "I am very sorry I hurt your feelings. I had no intention to do so. Thank you and your family for teaching me something. Thank you and your family and your brave young husband for your sacrifices for this country."
18
John Kelly’s “response,” as an effort to rehabilitate Trump’s emotionally vacuous and generic call to a grieving widow, shows how Trump behavior infects those around him. Rather than elevating or explaining Trump, he has lowered Kelly to his own level of fabricating and lying about human exchanges and then trashing those who are seen as opposing him because they refuse to validate Trump’s view of reality.
Everything that comes close to this President turns to poo. And anyone who comes close to him soon begins looking and acting like a derationated zombie. Just look at the emotionally blank faces of his wife and son. Sad. Very sad. Now we can add John Kelly to the zombified list. The boot licking Cabinet is right there as well, and the silence of the Republican Congress in not confronting Trump nonsense reality, shows that they too have lost their emotional and moral compasses.
14
And now Kelly is infected with the same Trump malice and ugliness that every staff member eventually succumbs to. How humiliating to see these grown men attacking a congresswoman with lies that can easily be proven wrong.
Sad days ahead.
16
There is no debating kelly-he lied. Women are not supposed to be sacred. They are equals like my wife of over 50 years is to me. There i not one decent person in this administration. What a horrible mess we have brought on the country.
17
Other comments have expressed it much better, but I need to get it off my chest, daily, about the disgust I feet about the incompetence and dishonesty that are on display for the world to see, from every member of the Trump White House. I'm embarrassed for our country.
15
Referring to a Congresswoman as an "empty barrel" and "all hat no cattle" is incredibly insulting regardless of the controversy. Would the Trump team be so demeaning to a white member of a Congress? I think not.
17
"A lie told often enough becomes the truth." - Vladimir Lenin
Conversely, the truth denied often enough becomes a lie.
Trump, Sanders and now Kelly in a nutshell.
7
Memo to General Kelly (and Donald Trump): Don't mess with the lady in the cowboy hat. Especially when she's got the goods on you. You should have quietly called the widow to apologize for any insensitivity or misunderstanding. AND then, you should have called Rep. Wilson to thank her for calling this to your attention. That's what adults do. That's what leaders do. That's what Commanders-in-Chief do. Neither Kelly nor Trump fit any of those categories!
20
Perhaps "he knew what he signed up for" is fine between army officers, but it certainly isn't fine when trying to console a pregnant widow with two small children. But who really expected sensitivity from this president? And yes, the president's behavior, even in condolence calls, is a fair subject to scrutinize. So far Trump hasn't really acted in a manner for people to give him the benefit of the doubt.
As for General Kelly, I'm surprised at his false claim. Him, I would tend to give the benefit of the doubt. But one would expect an honorable man to admit he was wrong. But his false claim is just a symptom of this White House in which everyone talks without thinking or knowing the facts and then has to stonewall for their falsehoods to save face. There are only so many times one can apologize without looking like an idiot, which one way or the other, they do.
The other issue is criticism of the military, which has become a sacred cow in our society. They are not saints. "They know what they sign up for". We shouldn't be expected to bow down to them for their choice. Just because they fight and sometimes die doesn't mean we have to agree with and hold sacred their cause. It's out duty as citizens to speak up about the issues that confront our country even when the military doesn't like it or they feel disrespected, or unappreciated by it. And they shouldn't expect elite status for it. That's only one way citizens serve their country.
10
The most scary thing about this to me is that here we have a 4 star general, and supposedly all the intelligence and experience and expertise that goes along with having achieved that level in our military and our government, and he doesn't even bother to check if there would be some obtainable evidence in existence that would paint him the liar that he is. Or maybe, just maybe, he's reached the point that his boss has, wherein he really doesn't care if his lying is discovered and refuted, because you see, he and his boss are superior to you and me and therefore have no need to be concerned about what we might think.
72
This is an example of the national media making a family's tragedy a political event - shame on all the participants who have no respect for the family's loss.
5
kelly is not a victim at this time, but a co conspirator.
It is his duty to country to see that what comes out of his mouth is truthful, and does not embarrass the nation, his service, and himself.
This administrations creed seems to be Semper lie.
Do false statement like this fall under the Uniform Code of Military Justice?
Would the Times please look in to how Kelly has dealt with subordinates who lied to him?
6
Ms Sanders highlights the hypocrisy of the Trump administration when she said: "if you’re able to make a sacred act like honoring American heroes about yourself, you’re an empty barrel.”
As the NY Times reported on Jan 24, 2017, when Donald Trump spoke to the CIA in the front of the CIA Memorial Wall that honors 117 men and women who died in the line of service: "Few things are sacred in our government. Even fewer command equal respect from people on both sides of the aisle.... The C.I.A. Memorial Wall is one of those things". When Trump spoke there, he "cracked jokes, made thinly veiled threats and disrespected many Americans."
Donald Trump Is an "empty barrel" indeed.
10
Kelly’s false statements about Rep. Wilson don’t make sense unless they were made w/an ulterior motive. The video of her remarks at the ribbon-cutting is readily available.
Rather, it would seem to be a callous ploy to divert attention away from the Army’s apparently colossal intelligence & security blunder that led to our four soldiers' death in Niger. (Sgt. Johnson was one of the four.) The blunder, if discovered, could be Trump's Benghazi.
Per Rachel Maddow's excellent reporting, the Trump admin. inexplicably included Chad in the latest immigration ban a couple of months before the ambush despite protests from State & DOD. They were opposed because Chad has indisputably been the US military's best friend in fighting ISIS in Niger.
After the ban was issued, Chad pulled its troops from Niger. Days later, the four Green Berets were slaughtered there by ISIS. There was no rapid rescue force to save them nor air cover of their mission.
Given State & DODs' opposition, why was Chad put on the ban list? Per Rachel, it may be because Exxon Mobile (Tillerson spent his entire career there & retired as its CEO) wanted to teach Chad a lesson in retaliation for the $$ it had to pay Chad in June of this year to settle oil royalty claims.
He wanted his racist and sexist comments to stir up a big brouhaha, w/ the added benefit of being a dog whistle to Trump's base. He knew the push back would consume many news cycles, and then Trump could do something else outrageous next week.
11
Gen. Kelly criticized Rep. Wilson for being invited into Mrs. John's limo when the president's call came. He said he was heartbroken that the president's private call was overheard, but he also said he (and others, according to the president) also monitored it from the Oval Office. How is his monitoring a private call different that Ms. Wilson doing so?
11
All hat no cattle - just another "You're rubber, I'm glue" bizzaro insult from DT's white house where every epithet they hurl merely highlights their own failings. It's disingenuous for the administration to act as though it is not aware of Wilson, a woman of immense accomplishment and courage, who, without an inherited platform of wealth or white patriarchy, fought for recognition of injustice in a hostile tea party state and achieved it.
11
Let's face it, the "adults" in the room have discovered that the kids have more fun.
Kelly was put up by the WH to be a bullet proof shield for the President...much like Ge. Powell was sent to the UN to sell the Iraq war.
Sanders' comment about it being inappropriate to argue with a 4-star confirms that.
It is always hard to defend the indefensible, but she does a good job of it.
1
Whoever Trump touches is tarnished. Kelly is only the latest.
2
Kelly has hurt his reputation and maybe not even helped Trump. But to me, it is just one more example of how Trump gets others to defend himself, and then tosses them into the gutter. I can scarcely believe that Trump represents the values of the US, unless one considers the US as the center of selfishness, lies and dishonestly.
12
Gen. Kelly and all the others willfully became part of this administration, he was not forced into it. As Trump put it : "he knew what he was signing up for". Why would we expect him to be so honorable? And really, does anyone believe that generals never obfuscate or lie?
It's a sad day when Americans have to choose between bad and worse, terrible and evil.
The rot is everywhere. There are no secret saviors.
13
General Kelly has brought shame to himself and his Corps. by agreeing to act as Trump's attack dog questioning the congresswoman's integrity.
16
What has been stunning watching Mr. Trump’s time in the Oval Office is his facility for lying, continuing his campaign whoppers out of the gate with the ridiculous inauguration crowd size claims. The lies and ambiguities roll out with such regularity he truly is an example of a well-practiced liar. Sometimes they are obviously calculated to divert public attention, and the media has been happily biting down on the hook parsing statements most of us know are nonsense the moment we hear them. The man has so little credibility or attachment to truth as soon as he speaks or tweets. The entanglement of all the White House in attempting to cover his tracks and show solidarity is pathetic and demeaning. People like General Kelly are reduced to bullying, blustering, and making nonsensical arguments trying to defend the indefensible utterances of a President who cannot stop lying. Thus the mounting aggression and anger out of the General who knows he is being made to look a fool. Trump diminishes all who embrace him.
10
Having watched the entire videos of both Mr. Kelly's remarks and Rep. Wilson's speech at the dedication of the new FBI building in her congressional district, I am deeply disturbed by the outrageousness of Mr. Kelly's lie. His telling of the (non-)event was lengthy and very detailed -- so detailed, in fact, that it lent credibility to this complete fabrication, delivered on camera with the appearance of truth-telling. Does that mean that Mr. Kelly, like his boss, actually believes his own demonstrably false narratives? This is the person we're told will protect us from the conduct of a president widely, if not yet universally, judged to be morally, intellectually, and psychologically unfit for the office he holds. Like everyone else who has served this unfit president, Mr. Kelly shredded the reputation he has a spent a lifetime establishing. What a pity.
12
It's likely that Trump's aides fed Kelly some erroneous information and he was foolish enough to use it in his speech. I bet he won't make that mistake again. And, if he's half the man he purports to be, he'll apologize and just might quit the Trump circus.
6
I think this story is a example of how subtle racism can be. General Kelly I'm certain doesn't consider himself racist in any way, nor does Trump. However, they clearly do in fact view black people in a different way because of their whiteness and lack of empathy to what it is like being black in America. His recollection of Ms. Wilson at the dedication ceremony clearly shows an inherent bias that he himself probably didn't realize. He viewed her to be a grand-stander taking credit where she should not. However, she did help the bill get through that honored slain FBI agents which is something she (and we) should be proud of. Maybe Trump is rubbing off on Kelly as opposed to the other way around.
8
Looks like Lord Acton was right. Even being the power behind the incompetent occupant of the Oval Office is corrupting.
Not to mention that Kelly himself seems to be pretty inept at exercising the power he has. The adult day care stories from last week show that West Wing leaks continue unabated. His boss still tweets venomous lies and narcissistic praise of his own performance in office. And Kelly is now aping his boss, indulging in his own temperamental displays of faux outrage, and lying. And trying to sell himself as the grown-up in the room.
5
General Kelly should be ashamed. He let himself be diminished by Trump. If we think that the General is going to save us from Mr. Trump, he's proved to be failure in that task. He sounds like all of the rest of the Trump trolls; spewing lies and acting affronted when called on them. I feel sad about our country right now.
6
Can we focus less on the Trump, Kelly, Wilson side show and start getting answers to why we have troops in Niger? Wilson would have accomplished more by asking that question as opposed to calling out Trump as insensitive - something we already know.
2
I can't get over the irony and hypocrisy of Kelly getting his facts wrong about the phone call and about Wilson's speech, and calling _her_ an "empty barrel.
The phrase comes from a Scandinavian adage:"an empty barrel makes the most noise." It means people who don't know what they are talking about -- people like Kelly and Trump -- go on and on about the stuff they get wrong and never stop to learn or admit a mistake when it is pointed out to them.
Empty Barrel Trump and "his" general, Empty Barrel Kelly, are quite the noisy pair.
12
So it turns out Gen. Kelly is just another of Trump's lackeys...a sycophant whose integrity is pretty much down the drain now. Narcissists surround themselves with such people who are weak at their core, driven by a desire for fame or attention or power rather thsn guided by an inner moral compass. Thus, lying, degrading and recreating reality to fit the lies and justify the degradation becomes their inner motivation. Kelly will not save or protect us, as many of us hoped. So I ask, where are the heroes who will find a way to stop this madness? We need truthful people who have the courage to stand up and file Article 25 to remove Trump and his minions from power so that we can push a reset button. It may be difficult but there is no other choice if we are to avoid further choas and potential disasters associated with these people.
5
I had a kernel of hope that Kelly would be the adult voice in the oval office. No more. An adult would give deference to the grieving family and congresswoman. If he and the buffoon he works for simply acknowledged the family's pain and apologized for what the family perceived as disrespectful words, this no-win battle of insults would be over.
I will never understand how any sober minded adult could have voted for this atrocity.
10
More evidence of the appallingly bad influence Trump has on people, even the good ones.
3
Since when has criticism of lying politicians, no matter their rank, privilege, and status, become "inappropriate" for an American citizen? What is this, Russia? North Korea?
Huckabee Sanders, Kelly, and Trump disgrace themselves and their offices with their insults and lies.
They all lie and then grow indignant when caught in their lies, as if we who have been lied to have no right to the truth, but must simply accept whatever falsehoods come out of their mouths -- only because they work in the White House. It's the most anti-democratic behavior I've seen among officials in the White House since Nixon darkened its doors.
9
Kelly's attempt to publicly smear the reputation of Ms. Wilson seems sadly in the company of how Harvey Weinstein dealt with those who threatened his position of power. Kelly has only further demonstrated how viciously those in power fight back when a woman dares to bring light to a man's behavior. It's also telling how everything he and Sanders have accused Ms. Wilson of, are tactics Trump uses every day. Disgusting.
114
So where's the video?
There's not much left that is sacred, is there?
In fact, "sacredness" is anathema to the many atheists and agnostics in our world, is it not?
1
In thinking of this Presidency and Administration, the sentence 'Didn't Your Parents Teach You Anything' comes to mind, and for Mrs. Johnston and for those of Us who care about our Children and Country, we are watching the Fall of The Trump Empire, while the Sun rises once more in America.
In remembering Sergeant Johnson, here is 'Tomorrow' for his wife, and all of us, when a child sang of hope during times of sorrow:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sxrAZvd01A
1
Given the Military brass propensity for covering up their mistakes why would these lies seem a surprise?
8
"It should have ended yesterday after General Kelly's comments." - Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Really? Why? Because he's a "four-star Marine general"? So therefore, being a "four-star Marine general," Kelly gets to have the last word -- even if it is a lie -- and it ends there, when Trump Pictures director Sarah Sanders yells "Cut!"
Does anyone else find this as sickening and dangerous as I do? This is how fascism takes root. There's calculation here and a big part of that calculation is that, when it comes our time to weigh in on all this with our votes, a combination of voter suppression and computerized votecount manipulation will protect the grip this vile and shrinking minority has on our country. Without that weapon, all these moves would be political suicide.
I'm afraid if we want to see the back of Trump and Sanders and their lies, we're going to have to pull together to, at the very least, change the way our votes are counted: out of the pitch-dark of cyberspace into the light -- public and observable. If we can't do that, we really haven't earned our deliverance or our democracy.
24
Our president Trump has caused yet another quarrel. This time with a grieving military family of Sgt La David. If this is not bad enough, he has now escalated the quarrel to include Congress Woman Wilson.
Once again, the posse of the White House editors enter the scene to temper and clarify "what he meant to say".
Any person of good character would have made another call to the grieving family to clarify "what they meant to say".
6
Mr. Kelly owes Ms. Wilson an public apology. Nothing in the job description of the appointed White House Chief of Staff entitles him with the authority to attack an elected Representative of the people of South Florida or to lie about her video documented remarks at a Federal building dedication ceremony.
One of the problems with lying repeatedly is that after a while no one trusts what you say.
18
I think it is now "highly inappropriate" for Huckleberry Sanders to be the spokesperson for our nation's executive branch of government.
19
Benny Grogan was a high-school wrestling coach in Atlanta in the early 1960's. I'm glad to see the building named for him.
2
Let's not forget that it was Trump himself who (ONCE AGAIN) started this latest dumpster fire. Trump was the one who simply couldn't resist trying to glorify himself at the expense of Obama, Bush, and other past presidents with his completely false claim that previous presidents hadn't bothered to call the families of soldiers who died in battle. THEN, to make it even worse, after telling reporters (in that awful, childish, resentful tone we all know so well by now) to ask Gen Kelly if Obama had called him after his son died (thereby politicizing it), Trump and his minions had the nerve to turn around and accuse everyone else of politicizing it.
10
The U.S. is in a state of seemingly irreparable disgrace and will remain so for many years to come.
7
So...after Kelly gets caught lying about Congresswoman Wilson, does he apologize? NO. If he did so, Trump would have to fire him. HAVE TO. Trump simply cannot have some staff member tell the truth or apologize when Trump does neither. And Huckabee Sanders understands that completely in her daily press lying. The bottom line for all to see: this administration has no shame. They lie 24/7 about absolutely everything and anything.
Next question...what does this say about the people that support Trump. One can only conclude that they completely and totally approve of lying 24/7. So they must also lie 24/7. After all, they are Trump and Trump is them. It's time for the rest of us to see them for what they are. People with no shame and zero integrity. And when you know that they constitute 40% of this country's population, that should open your eyes to where this country is headed. Just sayin'...time to wake up...we are all in big trouble.
9
I wonder whether we'll see Kelly set an example for his boss? He should be apologizing.
6
I'd like to know who gave Kelly the incorrect information about Congresswoman Wilson's speech. He got totally punked.
His response is also disheartening, almost as disheartening as Colin Powell's response to being lied to about yellow cake powder when justifying a war against Iran.
I guess Generals are trained to never take anything back after they've said it. That's a really bad way to run anything.
13
This is due to Trump's sickness. He can't tolerate criticism and also must involve those around him in his vindictive acts.
It is a shame to see General Kelly, a four star general who lead the Marines, get drawn into this sickness. Hopefully, he will issue an apology to Representative Wilson for his misstatement and extricate himself from such a stupid vendetta.
Trump has refused to apologize for much worse behaviors. So he probably won't even though all would take is a call to Mrs. Johnson and say that he is sorry his words were misunderstood but he intended to console her, not upset her about the death of her husband, David.
Rather than apologizing, Trump continues to attack, so he probably won't apologize. Americans better start understanding that his extreme need to look good, to win at all costs, to attack rather than resolve misunderstandings is dangerous and will continue to put us in danger in situations that could harm many more people. For example, his taunts of North Korea's young leader Kim Jong-un have, according to a journalist reporting from within North Korea, resulted in a widespread expectation that there will be war between North Korea and the U.S. It is not comforting that we now have to rely upon Jong-un to be the sane, adult in the room and avoid nuclear war. If Kim provokes Trump we can only hope that General Kelly will be there to restrain him. Hence, it is discomforting to see Gen. Kelly drawn by Trump into playing vicious political games
6
Aside from who said what in all of this, the White House continues to show us that they cannot even do the most basic research and get it right. The question: Why would Gen. Kelly rely upon anything he was told without vetting it himself?
The answer(s):
1. Kelly is not fact-checking his staff, a staff known for a very casual, inconsistent relationship with truth, and/or,
2. Kelly took the low road deliberately hoping that he if he struck first it would stick to the wall.
Either way, it speaks volumes, again, for a WH who knows its base will believe anything it says and telling the res of us to go pound sand. I thought better of Gen. Kelly - now we'll see if he also never apologizes or mans up about this one.
10
Kelly’s supposed integrity is an optical illusion: by contrast with the most openly dishonest president in American history, anyone looks better. But how much integrity could someone have who has chosen to serve Trump?
The vividness of Kelly’s (false) account of statements Rep. Wilson never made suggests he is a conscious liar, like his master.
8
They keep forgetting that video is not their friend. It started with Mitt and it's just escalated since. And then when confronted, they just dig in deeper.
SAD!! (And a lot more.)
5
I am stunned!
Kelly is not the man who will save the country from Trump’s reckless acts.
He seems to be AWOL from his duty post in the “adult day care center”.
Instead he is already in the gutter with Trump and is dragging the country down with him.
7
Let's all take a big breath here. The mission was to console a widow and her family. Mr. Kelly told Mr. Trump the words that had been said to him in consolation for his son's death. Mr. Trump, not particularly empathic, got the gist of it but was not able to translate it into the proper words to fit the circumstance. Mrs. Johnson was in no condition to receive that kind of message on the way to her husband's funeral. Congresswoman Wilson, a long-time family friend, was in the car, heard the exchange, and saw the effect on Mrs. Johnson. She became upset, and rightly so.
So Ms. Wilson lashed out in the media, Mr. Kelly came back with an untruth which, when exposed, was handled by a stonewalling WH press officer with the statement that it is inappropriate to question a 4 star general.
So, what we have here are two highly placed men who for separate reasons have no clue how to console a grieving widow, an outraged member of congress, and an equivocating snarky press officer.
The mission was not accomplished. I humbly ask this question of everyone involved: if you cannot even console a grieving widow, how can you possibly look at yourself in the mirror in the morning? Or is it that you are so self- centered that you just don't care?
11
Anyone who works to support Trump will be corrupted, if they are not already corrupted to start with.
Recall the photo montages of the dozens of Nixon administration staffers who were convicted during Watergate. I think we will be able to make a similar photo montage of corrupt failures in the Trump administration -- look how many names we already have in less than a year, with Kelly now demonstrating he belongs in such a montage. Sad.
7
One question: How can Trump and the male members of his cabinet look in the mirror when they shave in the morning and feel good about themselves?
1
Kelly “misrepresented,” he incorrectly recollected! No - he lied: the strong Marine 4 star general lied. Imagine that. Why is it so difficult for the media to offer us the honesty he lacks?
6
I will take "all hat and no cattle" any day over the all mouth and no brain of this administration. Meanwhile as they distract us with this bright shiny object they continue to destroy health care, world stability, consumer and environmental protection and push racial division and other evidence of their "greatness". Are we, as a people, tired of too much winning yet. I fear more from the "winners" in this White House
8
It should be noted that the video does not show the very beginning of the Congresswoman's speech. I do not know why.
2
To me, one of the most disturbing aspectsthat, while pretty awkward as statements go, Trump’s initiating comment isn’t even his worst. But his — and his people’s — unparalleled talent to offend, outrage, and divide is boundless. And to Clifford Jordan, I would add that not just black people interpret WH comments as a feeble attempt to instruct those who rightly oppose that their job is to stay in their places...it looks (oe should look) that way to all of us.
2
How many Black women has Trump or someone of his administration scolded or verbally attacked since being in office? I'm counting at least four.
Then if you want to add the ethnicity of the Gold Star family that he publicly attacked.
Trump and those of his ilk clearly have a problem--at least, it is clear to those of us with eyes (and conscience) to see.
10
This is all so depressing. The President, his spokesman and a congresswoman indulge in distorted personal attacks on each other. The Times makes it the lead story and the public eats it up. Meanwhile there are real problems going unaddressed.
2
If there ever was an empty barrel, it's Ms. Sanders (and her obnoxious, sanctimonious father). Representative Wilson should walk away from this fight and move on. The tape of her speech that somehow offended the General shows Rep. Wilson to have more class than the whole current White House put together. She shouldn't waste any more time on these petty creeps. Poor General Kelly. He seemed so much smarter and more adult a week ago.
Let's hope that General Kelly is an object lesson for other apparently decent, honest people thinking of working for Trump--the president is a cesspool that pulls in even the most dignified people who come into his circle, and utterly destroys their honor, discretion and reputation. For those keeping score, we are now down to 2 people who stand between us and chaos. Wonder what Mr. Corker would say about all this.
8
When one has no meaningful comments to add to a discussion, it's simple to play the "race card." People are people. Using the "race card" only diminishes the discussion and puts up metaphorical walls to solving the problem (if there really IS a problem).
2
Only in contrast does Kelly shine so brightly...he is, after all, a Republican working to further a Republican administration.
1
Now I'm worried about Kelly when I wasn't before. Before I thought here's guy
who can hold Trump back, especially "The Bomb". Now I wonder.
5
I can "Explain" why Trump Lied, I know the type. And I'm certain MANY of you have been just as unfortunate as I to be around such folks?
But why did the General Lie too?
2
It reminds me of the scene in "High Noon" when Gary Cooper throws his star on the ground.Only this time General Kelly has thrown his four stars in the mud.
6
See also, Trump's comments at a CIA ceremony on Jan. 21 regarding his inauguration (rendering him an "empty barrel" by Kelly's logic).
5
I’ll feel bad for Mr. Johnson if it turns out that her son was found to have died after taking off on his own going after a suspect he wasn’t authorized to with nothing more than probably good intentions. After all the ire this case has raised through no fault of her own, whatever solace her son’s good intentions may have once given her will have been lost in all this political mud slinging.
Who called the reporters to the airport where She Johnson's widow was going to retrieve her husband's body: the Trump White House. Had Trump not tried to milk this for publicity (to cover up his other lie about Bush and Obama) , Rep. Wilson would never have been queried about the conversation. I think this is a crucial point missing from this article.
8
Mr. Kelly, telling the truth should be sacred.
6
It is such an absolute shame how this administration has attacked a well respected in her community member of congress. I’m sure it’s just coincidence how this person being attacked is a woman and of color.
Any rate, the point this disgraceful administration misses so very badly is that this congresswoman was with this family at a time when the family really needed it. That is what a good congressperson does, spend time with the family.
God bless this congresswoman.
3
At this rate, ease, and frequency,.. I just don't see them running out of "Lies" anytime soon?
Or if it's easier to digest, "Misrepresent" (the truth).
2
Despite lying by Trump, McMasters and now the holiest of holies, a Four Star Marine General, Chief of Staff General Kelly, the current Republican establishment has been emasculated by their fear of the President.
I had no reason to doubt Kelly's words and his evoking of his son's death was maudlin. But, now Kelly has besmirched the honor of his son, who gave his life for ALL Americans, by tying it to the coverup and lies of the Trump administration.
I hope that run the tape of Congresswoman Federica's Wilson speech on every network and not just what Trump dismisses as the fake media.
The tape by the Sun Sentinel proves not only that General Kelly lied, but it exposes the cynical manipulation of the press that Kelly attempted to pull off by attacking Rep. Federica Wilson. This marks the first time anyone has ever stood up to this General with the truth, the facts and a 9 minute video showing General Kelly to be a LIAR.
Of course, Sarah Huckabee Sanders now says it it is wholly inappropriate to question a "Four Star Marine General".
These folks hold themselves above us and above the laws of our Constitution. When will Paul Ryan and the Mitchster speak up and hold Trump accountable for lying? Why is truth a partisan issue?
5
Sanders says, "if you want to get into a debate with a four-star Marine general, I think that that’s something highly inappropriate.”
Wouldn't want any "debate" with our military men, Sarah? What form of government is that?
6
I too was moved by the first few minutes of Gen. Kelly's remarks and hope very much that he is a voice of calm in a snake-pit of an administration. I am therefore looking for a reason other than prejudice for his misrepresentation about the FBI building. Could he have been handed a statement that was inaccurate, trusted that it was true and caught in an inadvertent lie? Did DJT write it for him? Did Kelly actually remember the event clearly? I have sympathy for a man whose son was killed having to keep a poker face in this situation. Perhaps only in my dreams is he crying on the inside as he sticks it out in a situation where he is still the only reasonable voice and needs to hang in there. I don't want to believe he is as rotten as people are making out because my sense of impending doom becomes even deeper.
Can we get past this issue already? Its not like there aren't more important things to do and report on. Actually daily there are more important things to report on than the sticky lesser priority issues we have spoon fed to us ...everywhere. You really have to hunt for news relevant to the economy or global matters many of which I find reported on elsewhere than MSNBC, FOX or CNN. It demonstrates how the profit motive often ruins quality and relegates our information to the lowest common denominator. How about "Trump's Benghazi" that should surface during this investigation into the Niger attacks?
Indeed. People who set out to engage in character assassination had better first be sure that the one whose character they seek to impugn actually merits it. In this case, the attempt has failed utterly. Rep. Wilson has been doing what all of our representatives, ideally, would do: she is working, constantly, on behalf of her constituents. She even knows them, personally. Would that she were my representative. (Luke Messer (IN-06) does not even live here, and cannot be bothered to hold a Town Hall; and now he wants to represent our entire state in the Senate.) John Kelly, on the other hand, has been revealed as a liar, and rather more cowardly than he had previously been thought to be. Shameful.
7
I mistakenly thought that General Kelly could be counted on to do the right thing.
7
The last hope was the military people around Trump. Kelly just snuffed that out.
6
We have a man here who not only lied about a speech Congresswoman Wilson had given during a dedication ceremony, but attacked her knowledge and intellect, calling her an "empty barrel". Huckabee continued the attack with the "all hat, no cattle" remark. So, John Kelly, who mourns the loss of all things "sacred", such as women, publicly belittles and disrespects a woman whose only crime was to criticize Trump. Yes, quite the class act he was. And a note to Huckabee: as a citizen of this country, I will question and criticize whomever I please, including Trump's four-star generals. If you find that "inappropriate" then maybe you should take your hat and cattle and go back home.
12
What should be "stunning" to Gen. Kelly is that trump would possess even a remote semblance of empathy for a grieving military family after he manufactured 5 deferments for himself so that he could avoid serving our military.
8
To the editors,
How would this episode have evolved if President Trump had adopted the humble and sensitive path, understanding that the accepted meaning of a comment is that of the receiving individual, such that his initial response was to simply apologize? "I am sorry if I misspoke in a manner that disrespected your husband and that upset you so. That was not my intent. I humbly apologize. Please accept my sincere condolences."
5
This entire incident -- a condolence-call-gone-wrong and its spiraled-out-of-control aftermath -- has me asking out loud to no one in particular:
Is there anyone in this administration who actually deserves to be there?
7
I think that General Kelly was using a technique from military SERE training to prepare soldiers for possible capture. He was sending us a cryptic message right under the nose of his captors. Forget the ridiculous assertions about Representative Wilson; that was Kelly’s cover. His real message was an attack on Trump for disrespecting Gold Star families, combat veterans (particularly those who were POWs) and women.
Our country is in a very dangerous place right now. Trump's fascistic attacks on the media and anyone who speaks in opposition to him is deeply alarming. He has brought "his" generals into civilian governance and tried to use one of them, General Kelly, as an enforcer. Sarah Huckabee Sanders herself made that clear when she remarked that it would be "highly inappropriate" to debate or question a four-star general.
General Kelly has now dropped all appearance of honor and waded into the muck with Mr. Trump, telling us what we should regard as sacred (certainly not the lives of civilians left dead, maimed, homeless in his wake). He attacked a US Congresswoman with a heavily redacted version of a speech she gave years ago, making him just one more liar in King Trump's court. He should have consulted Colin Powell before he signed up for this.
7
One thing for sure, Trump's toxicity is rubbing off on "the war hero" and adult in the room Kelly.
With the exception of the rabble rouser demagogue Trump bringing up I called up more widowed wives than Bush 2 or Obama and then lying about what was stated to the current widow, it is a matter of he said, she said as to what was meant.
Enter Kelly who now lies about the naming event.
In previous administrations, both parties would condemn the above, now they fight as to who is the lesser liar.
4
All of our words go unheeded by those who need to hear and process them.
Trump and minions, now including Kelly, rely on the gullible-and-voting base to believe everything they say regardless the facts. I spoke with a successful Trump-supporting LAWYER yesterday...this person says Trump is a good man because he has found God and prays daily...no confirmed facts regarding on-going lies by Trump et al, caused this lawyer to take pause.
Voltaire: "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
It is our duty, as U.S. citizens who care about LIFE and others' LIVES, to mount a defense against the soft coup and activate politically, run for office, and encourage as many as possible to register and vote, vote, vote (regardless political persuasion). A healthy democracy demands opposing points of view among thinking, rational and active citizenry who seek to solve problems peacefully.
6
He is doing the very thing he decried in his press conference: Aren't women sacred? Yet he attacked her, a woman, without even having watched the video of her ribbon-cutting: otherwise he'd have known his attack was misplaced.
3
It’s quite simple: Good builds, Evil destroys.
Now we have yet another casualty in the effort to defend lies, mistruths, and half-truths coming from the White House.
Quite the opposite of “The Midas Touch.”
Well, I suppose they knew what they signed up for.
3
So Kelly now shows himself to be as much of a wild, shoot from the hip guy as Trump! At least one would have thought Kelly would have approached this subject in the most public of Forums in a rigorous way - that he would have at least done his homework.
How embarrassing for the military, Mr Kelly, and once again, for our country.
5
Trump lately has had the temerity to quote scripture a lot. What part of scripture says if you're elected to serve people, and someone questions you, the correct response is to turn it into an endless firefight? Of course, it's in line with what he and his wife told us during the campaign -- if someone hurts him, he won't rest until he's hurt them back.
I was a government lawyer for over 30 years. I gave a lot of presentations in areas of my "expertise" (i.e. I was an "expert" simply because I had been assigned to burrow into a subject matter area). I learned early in my career that I could improve my performance by listening to questions and criticism, reviewing what I had said, and figuring out what I needed to work on from that point. If I had just started a job or started learning a topic, I said so. What Kelly said about Trump being a beginner at consoling military families is a perfectly reasonable statement. Why can't Trump just say something like that and stop the firefight? He has this pathological need to spout nonsense about how smart he is, how he doesn't need briefings because of what he knows, how great a job he's doing (the "10" for the relief effort in Puerto Rico,), etc. Now his flaks are doing it too. Why does Sanders approach every briefing like she's some brilliant mind deflecting the stupid questions of a bunch of buzzing insects? Maybe, once in a while say, hmm, I hadn't thought of it that way?
But I won't hold my breath for it.
5
I sense Stephen Miller's fingerprints on this mess.
3
This entire kerfluffle is obscuring the real point: What, exactly, are we doing in Niger in the first place? What war has been declared there, and by whom? (Not Congress!). What is our military goal and how will we know when we have accomplished it?
The President and his cronies are up to their usual tricks: Create a distraction so people don't ask the tough questions: Why are we committing American lives (including Sgt. Johnson's) and treasure in a country that we are not at war with?
5
If they wonder what is wrong with this nation all of the Trumpsters, now let us include the formerly respected John Kelly. Maybe it is just being around this man that corrupts other seemingly good people. It is awful. They need to stop and truly look at the man and the politics they are promoting to DESTROY our nation.
3
Ms. Sanders said in a statement. “As General Kelly pointed out, if you’re able to make a sacred act like honoring American heroes about yourself, you’re an empty barrel.”
Oh, you mean like the time Trump stood in front of the CIA Memorial Wall and bragged about his campaign? Trump IS the empty barrel that came out of the original barrel.
8
The very freedoms of our country that our military defend are being eroded day by day by the commander in chief and his staff,
The most powerful weapon we now have is the truth, something Gen. Kelly has overlooked and Ms. Sanders ignores.
Congresswoman Wilson deserves an apology.
Mrs. Johnson deserves an apology.
13
I believe now the way to put the controversy to rest is for President Trump not to call any of the relatives of fallen military personnel regards of race, gender, religion, and creed. That way he will be fair to everyone, because no matter what President Trump does or says, the left wing opposition will find fault in his actions and words. The left is bound and determined not to cooperate with the him, just as the right was bound a determined not to cooperate with Obama. I think this will continue to be the course of American politics for a long time to come. At any rate, President Trump and General Kelly owe no one, especially the Congresswoman from Florida, any apologies. I support General Kelly. I support the President. I support Trump. And above all I support America! Thank you.
2
It seems that jelly belly Kelly lied. He may be a four-star general but now I question how we got there with such character. There was no reason to fabricate such a story. He did it for political reasons; that shows a small character much like his boss.
11
While all this back and forth is going on and dominating the media, the Republican Senate has used a backdoor filibuster-proof method to pass the a budget that will pave the way for the Trump tax plan. When will the media learn to be responsible and put important policy decisions before sensationalism? That is how we got Trump to begin with.
4
This has gone on way to far, it is time to put this story to rest. General Kelly was incorrect in regards to the Federal Office Building, but to say it is an intentional lie not only continues this now endless news cycle, but adds a new character to the mix - General Kelly. President Trump and his mouthpieces, first Spicer and now Huckabee Sanders, deserve no comment and in the end will be just trivia to be remembered from a failed administration. General Kelly is an honorable man, and the center of this issue, the death of a soldier serving his country, should not be diminished but will inevitably will as this story continues. Lets end this, if not, the dissenters will succeed in their mission.
There needs to be one parent in the White House that holds up conventions of civility for all the children in the household. We hoped that Kelly's military training would allow him to be that parent. Scary that 10 months with Trump trumps decades of honorable training and discipline.
8
Let’s get back to the root issue here that everyone is eager to make their bones on: inappropriate and/or insensitive to tell families that troops (elite ones, at that) were aware of what they’d signed up for re: duties and risks?
Don’t have the answer myself, but I’d really like to know what past POTUS’ have said to families on the subject since I would assume it as obvious that people were aware of what they signed on for and, on the other hand, have no idea whether or not it would lessen the sting of loss hearing that as a family member.
I'm the son of a WWII marine and my son-in-law has spent over 10-years in active duty with the Navy and both have modeled and taught their children the importance of discipline. Unfortunately General Kelly fell short on this discipline when he attacked a sitting congresswoman. I was "with him" in most of his remarks but my stomach turned when he moved from honoring the sacred loss of life and his own experience to politics. He's correct on his perception that having a family member in active duty changes one's perception; that's certainly been my experience. However, the debacle that began with Trump's inability to exhibit empathy was sadly made worse when Kelly strayed from telling Americans about the sacredness of life loss to political attack of a congresswoman with facts that were inaccurate. I was hopeful that General Kelly could bring some discipline to the White House--and he has--and this attack falls outside his own disciplinary bounds. Hopefully, its not a harbinger that he's strayed from military discipline into the quagmire of politics. Like many well-respected generals before him, acknowledgement that the facts he shared about a sitting congresswoman were incorrect and a disciplined willingness to accept responsibility for this mistake (perhaps an apology?) would go a long way in healing the rift that keeps widening on this sad situation. We need to return to honoring our service men and women, especially when they make the ultimate sacrifice.
6
It's time for Mr. Kelly to offer an apology and Ms. Wilson to meet him half-way. A young man has lost his life and leaves a grieving widow - please let him rest in peace.
5
Mr. Kelly, it was thought, would be a tempering force on the wild hysterics of Trump. However, what Mr. Kelly did, in response to Congresswoman Wilson, was right out of the repertoire of Trumpist sycophantic enabling--the twisting, reactionary distortions we have sadly come to see as all to routine. So--dash the wishful thinking that Mr. Kelly's role adds a counterbalance to irrationalism. As for the horrendous spin Ms. Huckabee put on out--that it was seriously "inappropriate" and even presumably unwise to challenge a Four-Star General--what we go was a dark performance of how the cultivation of the Authoritarian Personality functions. We must open our eyes ever more widely with this coming darkness at noon.
7
There are too many comments to read all of them but of those that I have perused the vast majority support the congresswoman and condemn General Kelly. Why is it that no one seems to grasp that regardless of the quality of Trump's call to the widow of Sgt. Johnson, there was no other reason for the congresswoman to make this public than for political reasons. This demonstrates a complete lack of proper decorum under the circumstance.
1
I hope Heaven includes keeping his three dead comrades from ever knowing how the fourth member of his unit and their family have been treated. Showing them side by side, reading their biographies, it is clear there was no racism in Niger. Too bad the same can't be said for the White House--most sadly, for Gen. Kelly, someone I have always respected. How hard would it have been for him to simply explain how difficult to explain in a condolence call that in law enforcement and the military--as the congresswoman eloquently said during the FBI building dedication about which Kelly outright lied--is difficult, that the statement was meant as a mark of deep respect, honor and sorrow, and that the President and he are both deeply sorry that it was misinterpreted. A simple apology, coupled with a simple, "We meant and mean only to honor his bravery, salute his dedication to our nation, and mourn not only his loss but the enormous contributions he would have made in the future"? Sadly, this episode reeks of racism, starting with not understanding that the Congresswoman was not there as a politician, she was there as a longtime and trusted family friend and a mentor to Sgt. Johnson. Perhaps that isn't the way it works in high society; it is how it works in the real world.
5
Dose anyone really think Kelly would use the death of his own son to excuse Trumps call if he just to excuse Trump? Doubtful. Does anyone really think, "Oh I'll call up Ms Wilson so she can listen in on Trumps call to me"? Doubtful. It was exploitation of grief for publicity and TV time. Kelly made the point to Trump that his son knew what he was getting into. There is no draft and we are at war. He joined because he wanted to serve our country. Trump tried to comfort her with the words Kelly had used regarding his own son. Whether Wilson mentioned money or not, her nine minute speech was about what she had done concerning the building She ignored the agents who fell and their families. She could have said that she wanted the building named after them and worked to have it named for them in less that one minute.The other eight minutes she could have talked about the agents who died and all the other government law enforcement agents who risk their lives every day. I can believe Kelly went to Arlington Cemetery to be with those who died for us after she got her TV time demeaning the call. I suspect Wilson never ever stepped in there.
I'm starting to see a disturbing trend. I was young when the Vietnam war was on but I do remember the abuse the soldiers endured when they came home. I am seeing some in the media again disrespecting the soldiers. Whether or not you agree with the military they are vital part of the US and deserve respect. They do a job put on them by the government. Protest the politicians but the soldiers should not be pawns in politics.
2
It was Trump who first used Sgt. Johnson's death as an opportunity for self-aggrandizement when he bragged that he was the only president who had called the families of fallen soldiers. Representative Wilson publicized the call because she was outraged, as we all should be, at the crass language Trump used during the call with a military widow.
Kelly made a huge error when he waded into this mess, and ruined what little credibility he had left. After the stunt that had VP Pence leaving the Colts game (which cost taxpayers a quarter million dollars) because his boss ordered him to, there's no doubt that Kelly went before the microphones to exploit his own son's death because he was also ordered to. Kelly may have once been a Marine general, but he's a patsy now.
7
The White House is trying to hide behind Kelly's four stars. Presidents out-rank four star generals, and that didn't help Nixon.
6
“Most men and women in law enforcement leave their homes for work knowing that there is a possibility they may not return,” Ms. Wilson said.
In other words, they know what they’re signing up for, and they still do it, much to their credit. I believe Trump was trying to say the same thing to Mrs. Johnson.
Assuming that it’s considered inappropriate to lie, and shade the truth, Ms. Sanders has become the Empress of the Universe of Inappropriate. She is also the Queen of Denial. But, that’s just my opinion, and it’s just her opinion that it’s inappropriate to debate a four star general. The Constitution says it’s OK, though. So like the Trump folks to use the language of the second amendment (empty barrel) to deny the first amendment.
5
Could it be that Mr. Kelly, while present at the building dedication, was actually (at the time) harboring negative thoughts about the fact that the Congresswoman was able to address this important meeting and ramble on about the naming, which she maybe did overdo a bit? Was he one of the important old white men who resented having a short black woman with a microphone in the media focus? I noticed that in the video the law enforcement officials appeared to be annoyed that the Congresswoman was calling on them to stand up. Maybe they wanted to be there for a gathering of the "good-old-boys" club, but not to be publicly seen as somehow subordinate to the office of the member of Congress. Yes, racism is not really all that subtle. Handing control of the Nation to a more diverse population is not a pleasant process when you feel that you did it all. I would argue that those who think they have given us everything that we have are no more than privileged late arrivals to the theater of accomplishment.
3
We are failing to communicate on so many levels in our political discourse today that is exhausting.
General Kelly lost a young son a few years prior to this dedication. His interpretation of Rep. Wilson said at the ribbon cutting was unfortunate but understandable as a military leader. Wilson and Kelly are polar opposites in the way they move through the world. I don't think is racism or misogyny. I think its a failure to understand someone else's perspective.
Rep. Wilson is outspoken, smart, flashy and capable. But I could see how talking about how she got the naming of the building (even though it was challenging and was something she was proud) could be interpreted by some as grandstanding.It was not about the funding but it was a self congratulatory move on a sad day for the families.
General Kelly is someone who would not have shared any behind the scenes efforts that he made in a public talk. He saw the dedication as totally about the agents and their loss of life.
Even as a fervent Anti Trump person, I'm getting a little weary of the media's coverage of whatever "talk" comes out of the White House.
PLEASE focus on the Trump administration's policies,law breaking, or the Russian election interference BUT stop the school yard sniping. It's a waste of time and energy and just further polarizes the nation.
2
I am very sad. I had come to respect General Kelly as one of the few sane, reasonable members of the Trump Administration. Sane, reasonable people get their facts right and apologize when they make mistakes of fact. General Kelly seems to have moved instead into the world of alternative facts, making up whatever facts he needs to serve his political purposes. The problem with lying is simple: people stop believing you.
3
While sorry for the family of a fellow veteran, I am glad this stuff about Kelly is coming out. I am especially grateful to Sanders for her statement about never questioning a General.
Civilian control of the military is in jeopardy. Trump is allowing Generals and Admirals to populate our government and to be in charge of the military. Civilian control of the military is necessary for a democracy and I see that slipping away. I'm glad Kelly is showing himself to be a political opportunist who is willing to lie and mislead for Trump.
He needs to leave government.
3
If he has one ounce of the honor that he is reputed to have then he should both apologize and retire. His credibility has been destroyed, as has his honor, and neither will be restored by resigning but he no longer has the right to hide behind the dignity of his title.
All true for our president but then he has never had a reputation for honesty and dignity.
3
I think Trump's fight to assume the moral high ground here is beyond absurd. Wilson was irrelevant to the conversation until the White House started targeting her. The details of Trump's conversation with Mrs. Johnson were published independently of Rep. Wilson. The story would have broken anyway. Targeting Wilson is just a mechanism to divert attention from Trump's original mistake. He's just thrown another respected administration member under the bus for no good reason.
That said, I think Wilson erred in her judgement. I don't think she should have brought up the racial animus. She's probably correct. I believe her when she says Kelly's statement was interpreted by black communities in a racial context. Still, I'm not sure making the point right now helps her cause. I think the better move would have been to highlight Kelly's falsehoods and redirect the conversation back towards Trump's disrespect. Wilson just gave the conservative spin machine new legs to run on with this story.
From Huckabee Sanders on down, Wilson is going to get criticized for making honor a racial issue. It doesn't matter whether she's right or wrong. She just played into their hand. The right-wing media is going to eat this up. Who do you think their viewers are going to side with? Wilson can either double-down defending her statements or walk away. Pivot to the points where she has objective authority. Either way, she's on the defense now which was the point of the trap in the first place.
2
Why are we the people so afraid of saying, "He lied"? It was not a misrepresentation, it was a lie. And blaming an underling for giving him the information just dosen't fly. Especially with this administration.
6
If doesn’t seem possible that our country has an Administration that seemingly has almost no one who can tell the truth. I can’t imagine what drove Gen. Kelly to pour out the complete falsehoods, and then resort to the disrespectful name-calling. I can only assume that he was badly mistaken on the facts because no one would say what he did when the truth was so easily available.
However, since we have not heard an apology from Kelly, I regretfully must relegate him to the dustbin of sorry enablers of Trump. There seems to be a time limit on how long people can lie effectively enough to please this President. Eventually, like Spicer and Priebus, the lies are not convincing enough—and they are let go. I don’t want to think that Gen. Kelly could continue on this path. I can easily imagine Sarah Huckabee Sanders, with contempt for the press virtually dripping from every word, continue to lie for as long as we must endure this President.
3
It seems nearly impossible for the President to take the high road on any issue with any person or group, within our country or otherwise. Rather, he prefers the incendiary tactics that have worked for him within the smallness of his prior life. I applaud the media and the Congress woman from FL -- most of us healthy, caring and rational people know that one of the most impactful ways of dealing with a narcissistic Machiavellian personality is to shine the light on their behavior, continually, not selectively with the goal that eventually all people and groups will see them (the President) for exactly who he is, self-serving, disingenuous, weak and without integrity of any kind; and, who he will never be. Unfortunately, it seems that General Kelley is succumbing to the pressure of either being "with me, or against me" . . . my hope is that this is because he's been influenced by Trump's power, and not a window into who he is. Either way, he owes Ms. Wilson and the country an apology for his comments and non-productive innuendo.
4
At last check the United States is not a military dictatorship and any citizen is free to challenge a 4 star General on matters of fact or opinion. If this is not so Mr. Trump should tell us and let us know what penalties he intends to impose on people that disagree with the military.
4
I think the letter witters (all Trump haters it would appear) need to go back and examine the situation from the start.
1 A president called the widow and expresed his sadness. As other national figures have done, he stated the obvious--the deceased knew of the danger he faced and he served his country. The exact same reference made to other widow's by other national figures. (Kelly testimony)
2. A democrat politician hearing the call ELECTED to continue her efforts to degrade the president by evaluating the presidents remarks to the widow from HER perspective. The objection was not related to war, peace, taxes, health, or any matter before the nation. Just her opportunity to protest.
3. The result of the objecton on the part of the democrat polititcian FAILED TO REDUCE THE DIVISION IN THE COUNTRY, RATHER IT INTENTIONALLY INCREASED THE DIVISION EVEN THOUGH THE ACTION OF THE CALLER WAS CLEARLY AN EFFORT TO HELP, NOT HURT, A FAMILY.
4. Action reported today on the part of the democrat politician, seeks to INCREASE THAT DIVISION BY INSERTING RACE INTO THE DISCUSSION WHERE THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT IT.
I any president (both parties) is going to be subjected to this kind of criticism while they try to do their best to lead us, we are indeed a sick people.
1
The saddest part of Gen. Kelly's performance was that it took away the confidence and hope from public that Gen.Kelly might change the President, instead President changed Gen. Kelly who even tried to bully congressman by calling her names and lie without checking the facts. Gen. Kelly has still not apologized, like Mr. Trump, for misstating facts.
2
Ofcourse General Kelly was brave as a soldier for our country , but where is his bravery now? He needs to man up , ADMIT he was wrong , hold himself accountable and apologize to Congresswoman Wilson for unfairly impugning her character . That's what profiles in courage are all about.
Quite frankly I am " stunned " simply stunned that he is hiding behind some empty political title . I think he should resign . He seems miserable and has lost all credibility.
3
Kelly, who was supposed to be one of the adults who could restrain Trump from his most destructive impulses, has proven to be a weak parent controlled by an abusive child. He was manipulated by Trump to act as a surrogate attack dog. As a gold star respected general with an unassailable reputation for integrity , Kelly was a vehicle for Trump's ignoble "counterpunch" while insulating himself from personal blame. He convinced Kelly to attack without Kelly's assessment of all the facts as to why the Congresswoman heard the call, her relationship to the family, that a tape of her speech existed, and sensitivity to the racial component and the family's grief.
Kelly should have taken the reigns and simply stated that the President intended to express the gratitude of the nation for the ultimate sacrifice made, and ended the issue. Instead he followed his commander in chief's orders: destroy the Congresswoman.
This is the problem with civilian roles for former generals: they are programmed to respect the chain of command and obey the commander in chief. But as Chief of Staff he should be responsible for more than "just following orders."
We now must ask: what heinous offense will it take to see McMaster, Mattie and the malleable Kelly orchestrate a mutiny? We know it will have to be more than a threat to their personal integrity, honor and reputations.
1
One of the undertones of this flap that is especially disturbing is the White House expectation that when "a four-star general" speaks, we should all shut up. Combined with Trump's excessive reliance on recently retired generals and his frequent references to "my generals" when speaking of officers of the United States and his apparent belligerence about, well,about everything, this should give everyone chills. More than anything else, this is why we must persist in demanding that Kelly apologize for lying about Rep. Wilson. It must be made clear that Kelly's "1%" have no special immunities.
5
With all of the coverage Trump relishes in all of the attention and it dominates the news cycle.
Unfortunately this is at the expense of stories on sexual harassment, gun control and the recovery efforts from recent natural disasters, critically important issues that get buried or pushed aside.
As of Saturday morning, the so-called 'leader of the free world' is still tweeting childish insults toward this member of congress. If anyone was still clinging to any naive notions about the presidency being a position of honor or dignity, they can let them go now...
5
It is certainly troubling that Kelley entirely fabricated what Ms. Wilson actually said at the dedication ceremony. His version was made out of "whole cloth" as the saying goes.
I found it even more problematic that he stands by his version, according to Sarah, after the video evidence emerged contradicting every statement he made about the event.
I do not view the "empty barrel" or "all hat, no cattle" derogatory comments to be inherently racist.
If Sarah called Donald an "empty barrel", I would not object.
Ann Richards once used the "all hat, no cattle" phrase to describe Bush Jr.
There is, however, a dog whistle racial overtone to those put downs when used to describe the accurate statements made by a black woman who wears a decorative cowboy hat.
A substantial part of the republican base would agree with those derogatory statements, without regard to the facts, simply because of Ms. Wilson's race.
I would add that Congresswoman Wilson is a graduate of Fish University and received a M.A. from the University of Miami.
Sarah graduated from Ouachita Baptist University. Let's have a show of hands of who has heard of that college.
5
The Cascading mistakes behind Trump's comments
Oct 4
Four Special Forces Soldiers killed
White House offers no public comment
Oct 16
Trump is asked about fatalities
Trump Claims he makes calls
to families and other Presidents don't - quickly proved wrong
Oct 17
Trump claims he calls all families - quickly proved wrong
Trump says Obama didn't call Kelly
2010 - right but was seated with them at the Gold star dinner in 2011
Trump calls Sgt Johnson's family - Rep Wilson say family was offended
Oct 18
Trump says Rep Wilson fabricated the story - family confirms Wilson's story
Oct 19
Kelly says Rep Wilson shouldn't listen in, but it was on speaker phone in the car
Kelly disparages Wilson for a 2015 incident - which really didn't happen
Oct 20
Sun Sentinel publishes video showing Kelly was wrong
Roll Call obtains emails showing White House scrambling to get name to call to make the President seem correct that he actually call some of them
Sanders suggests it is inappropriate
to question Kelly, a former General - Examples surface of Trump doing it
Oct 21
Trump again calls Rep Wilson "Wacky"
7
Just another day of Trump making up his own facts, his aides rallying to his defense and being proven wrong. That, alone, is getting old fast. But since the people involved in this one are "people of color," it gets to be a racial issue. That gets tiring as well.
General Kelly:
1)was supposed to be the adult in the White House Day Care Center. Probably the most expensive day care in the world;
2)destroyed in five minutes all his credibility that he took thirty years to build;
3)demonstrated that when you work for president Trump you do not elevated the President to your standard, you lowered your standard to his.
And I was appalled by the comment of the White House Press Secretary that you can not challenge the lies of a General. As some journalists said so well, USA is a democracy not a military dictatorship.
7
It's sad and troubling to watch General (retired) Kelly reduced to the moral vacuum of the man he chose to work for. If Kelly did indeed tell Donny Two Scoops what to say to the widow of Sergeant Johnson, then he is also culpable for the ham-fisted phone call. It is understandable for one soldier to say to another soldier about the death of a son "he knew what he was getting in to" (Kelly's excuse), it's completely different to say those words to a grieving, pregnant widow, especially when uttered by a draft-dodging president. You would think Kelly would have the sense to know this.
To then carry on and lie about what Congresswoman Wilson said during the dedication of the new FBI building is shocking. Here again Kelly is taking on the frightful mannerisms of the current administration, demonizing those who dare to criticize. Kelly has become the "empty barrel" he so loathes. When will he save the last shreds of his reputation and dignity, and resign?
Lastly here's a message for Sara Huckabee Sanders: you would be wise to question everyone you work for, as you are sprinting toward an ignominious end.
9
Heartfelt thanks to Rep. Wilson for standing strong against the vile barrage of hate spewing from the White House, including from the Princess of Darkness herself, Sara Huckabee Sanders.
I am hoping against hope that incidents like this, not to mention the continuing vilification of the African-American community by Trump, serve as a sufficient impetus to increase black turnout at the polls in 2018 so that we can stop this horror show.
7
Kelly also used his son's death to characterize the death of sgt Johnson as dying surrounded by friends. This might have been true for Kelly's son, but not for sgt Johnson. & it goes somewhat toward covering up the Niger incident- because Johnson's body was not picked up with the other dead & survivors. He was separated, perhaps captured & murdered - or worse (mrs Johnson was not permitted to see the body, even privately). He did not die surrounded by his buddies!
5
It is my hope that John Kelly comes to realize that he said happened, didn't actually happen the way he thought it did and apologize.
What's more, it's on tape.
Many of the things Trump says didn't happen are on tapes and yet he has the audacity to even disclaim that.
He just can't admit to being wrong about anything.
The character of a person is to recognize a wrong and try and correct it.
That Kelly is now trying to pave over the handlings of his boss raises questions about his own character.
He is touted as a man of honor.
Is he?
2
By Monday morning this issue just get's added to the list of crazy and we'll move on. The pattern is now ingrained into our psyche. On Monday Trump says or does something rude, crude, or ignorant or just flat out lies. On Tuesday someone will challenge him with the truth and that night he will launch a twitter storm defending himself. On Wednesday he will tacitly admit to whatever he did by saying Obama did it too. By Thursday the spokespeople get into the act and hold press conferences where they defend his lies with lies of their own. On Friday night Bill Maher comes on HBO and rips Trump and his people to shreds with the truth by using their own words. Saturday is basically a non political day in most peoples lives so short of a nuclear war with North Korea any issue is mostly non existent except for SNL where we all laugh at the issue and in doing so diminish the importance of it. On Sunday morning everybody turns on the TV and goes to their comfort zone political show and hears the issue dissected by their preferred talking head and spokespeople from their political side and the issue is settled. Monday again. Next.
4
When I read these comments, I feel so heartened that there are so many intelligent people in the US who take the time to parse the exchange and to reject the big lie. Maybe, it's just the people who read the Times, but I applaud them.
6
From the reports and his own comments, Kelly apparently prepped Trump for the telephone call to the widow of Sgt. Johnson. Trump proceeded to scramble parts of what Kelly told him, with less class than most adolescents would know enough to use. Caught in the middle, and bearing some responsibility for his lack of sufficiently careful tutoring, Kelly showed himself to be no different than the partisan hacks with whom Trump has surrounded himself. He failed to take responsibility; he slandered a Congresswoman, with several errors and fabrications; and he demonstrated that those who trusted his judgment were wrong.
We have ample reason to be concerned that, as these military people, appointed to civilian positions by Trump, permit themselves to be backed into such corners, honor and patriotism will take a back set to the dictatorial personality of their president.
4
I I remember a press conference recently, perhaps after Charlottesville, when the tv cameras panned to General Kelly, standing back and to the right of DJT. His eyes were almost closed and he shook his head from side to side, in obvious discomfort and disagreement with the hate filled words coming from Trump. And at that moment I had the greatest sympathy for this man who so obviously was not in agreement with... was mortified by his boss’s thoughts and words. He seemed so,pained by that place he occupied. Now that respect and empathy is gone. Like everyone who works with and for this madman we elected, Gen. Kelly has been made small and less worthy of our respect. A terrible price to,pay.
4
If it weren't so infuriating it would be funny that Kelly was accusing Rep. Wilson of grandstanding and making something about herself (even though she didn't) considering who he was defending. He didn't name her, and Trump didn't name either the fallen soldier or the widow when he was defending himself, saying he had a nice conversation with "the woman". Those are some dehumanizing tactics.
4
It's simple. Politicians have now learned that their base does NOT care if they lie. In fact it's encouraged and is now called "alternative facts". Anything that is not congruent is "fake news". Post-truth indeed.
3
Left out of Kelly's emotional speech about the death of his son and the military's respect for the body of the dead service member is the facts of this particular death. He tries to gloss over the fact that Johnson was left on the battlefield to die and his body not recovered by fellow US troops. Instead it was recovered by French and Nigerian troops after 48 hours. Under those circumstances the comparison to the death of Kelly's son is striking. So the President's remark to the effect that Johnson signed up for such treatment is misplaced and inappropriate. Of course the President is incapable of seeing anything more than his words with no empathy for the effect of his inappropriate comments and the story became about Trump and his latest attack on a Black member of Congress due to his ill perceived slight on his reputation. Perhaps Hillary can console the President and his hurt feelings based on her Benghazi experience with families of the deceased Americans.
It's long been said that a fish rots from the head down. We're seeing proof of that with the Trump administration, in real time.
5
With all due respect to the servicemen killed in Niger, it seems to me that the media would do well to invest more effort in writing articles about the great issues of the day. For instance: the death of democracy, the rape of the environment, the destabilizing of health care, the destruction of foreign policy, the lies about serious policy coming from the WH, to name a few. The media is guilty of elevating trump's calculated divisive tactics (as it did during the election) to the detriment of issues that affect the existence of democracy in this country. It wouId be nice if the media could focus on issues that will profoundly alter the well-being of the people of this country.
2
Of course he lied. They all do, these days. Lie if you are loyal, quit or be fired if you don’t. This makes me physically ill. I had expected more from General Kelly, but he, too, has chosen to serve someone who is fundamentally undeserving of his time and talents.
2
It is not surprising for trump to lie and attack civilians, but it is surprising and disappointing to see Kelly model the behavior - Kelly not only put a stain on his reputation, but the reputation of all of the armed services as well.
3
Fredericka Wilson seems desperate for attention and eager to prolong her contrived, self serving partisan attacks. First she pushed a fallen soldier and his deeply grieving family into needless political squabble in the midst of their mourning. Then she attacked distinguished former Lt. General, combat veteran and commander. Now thirsty for more cheap headlines, she claims racism. What she is accomplishing is to shine a spotlight on the pathetic state of our Congress -- Republicans and Democrats. The people of Miami Dade and the nation deserve better. Perhaps a bold, responsible, able progressive aspiring leader will challenge her in a Democratic primary in 2018. If someone emerges soon, they might find a windfall of national contributions for a campaign war chest.
1
Those of us who had hoped General John F. Kelley was the adult in the room are bitterly disappointed today. He's no better than Trump.
4
Turning Trump's thoughtless remarks to a grieving widow into a race issue is just adding fuel to the fire. His personal bigotry notwithstanding, Donald Trump is an equal opportunity insulter with a very limited vocabulary and total lack of empathy.The language he used in his phone conversation wasn't racial, just insensitive because this man is clueless. When Ms Wilson spoke up, voicing her opinion about the nature of that phone call, she made herself the Trump target of the moment. Her comments, not her color, made her yet another person now perceived as disloyal and disrespectful, daring to criticize the great man's behavior. Sadly, Trump and his cronies are already doing a pretty good job of dividing his country, stirring up old and new hatreds. Let's not help them.
8
Kelly said it was offensive for a WOMAN to be listening. It would have been ok if the member of Congress was male.
Sexism clearly played a role, as well.
14
Kelly and other WH staff were themselves listening in as well.
1
Sexism, racism, Cowboy-hat-ism -- whatever it takes for a self-perceived person of privilege to discount another's words.
If the Congresswoman is 1/2 as bad as the WHouse, Trump, others, and General probably honestly believe,...they wouldn't have to LIE on her.
4
For the record, Donald J. Trump is a TAR BABY.
Trump's type of tar is not color coded. It's the stickiness of Trump's qualities and the way it covers anyone who plays on team Trump. His lack of character contaminates and covers everyone who comes to the public's attention to explain his words and actions. If they had some integrity, credibility before playing on team Trump, those qualities are covered over with Trump's qualities until there's virtually no difference between Trump's lies and their lies.
Examples: Kelly Anne Conartist, Sean Spicer, Sarah H. Sanders, Rince Priebus, Gorka, four-star General John Kelly, Jerry Jones, and other public figures. Did I forget to mention the two audio-visual recording of Trump's team attesting to what an honor it was to serve him and his program?
14
General Kelly has lost his credibility by attacking the congress woman. When he spoke the falsehood, he also lost his honor as a marine general. How disappointing.
30
General Kelly epitomizes many of Trump's followers - men who consider themselves honorable, who pine for the good old days when men were men and women were sacred (what does that even mean! No women in the military, perhaps?), when racial discord could be swept under the rug, and real Americans were Christians.
As my 85-year-old mother says, "He may be a great general, but deep down he is just another old white man."
30
I see nothing wrong with Congresswoman Wilson’s criticism of Trump’s bungled condolence call. It was insensitive at best (“knew what he was getting into “) and dismissive at worst (“your guy”).
However, I’m uncomfortable with the seemingly instant assumption that any criticism of her actions is racist.
Many commenters here have chafed at Huckabee-Sanders’ idea that General Kelly should not be questioned because of his title. I agree, we should be able to question anyone we want. However, that also includes African-American congresswomen.
Now, do I believe Trump is a racist? Absolutely. I suspect that at least part of the awkwardness of that call was because he’s uncomfortable talking to “them.” And I wonder if one reason he didn’t use their names was because of the names themselves. Too “different.”
But General Kelly? I’m not so sure. Yes, he clearly misrepresented Wilson’s speech, and that’s wrong... but was it racist?
3
I find it very interesting that, of all the people Mr. Trump tangles with on a daily basis, Mr. Kelly chooses to go on the attack against an African-American, Rep. Wilson. I'm sure Mr. Kelly doesn't think he's a racist ...
2
Yes -- it was racist and sexist and anything else that allowed Kelly to perceive Wilson as less worthy than him.
3
1. Kelly, whose son was killed in Afghanistan in 2010, attended a 2011 White House breakfast for Gold Star families with his wife. The two were seated at first lady Michelle Obama's table, NBC's Peter Alexander reported.
2. Kelly He angrily decried the politicization of the war dead, although it was his own boss who politicized a simple question about a military mission that nobody wants to talk about by attacking his predecessors' approach to dealing with this sacred duty.
3. Then Kelly went for the jugular and brutally attacked Rep. Wilson for "eavesdropping" on the conversation between the president and Sgt. Johnson's wife. Apparently he hadn't bothered to read anything about the incident or he would have known that the call was on a speakerphone in the car and the exchange was confirmed by others who heard it. Had he looked into it, he would also have found out that Wilson, a former educator, is a good friend of the family and ran a program Johnson attended called the 5,000 Role Models of Excellence Project, for youths pursuing military careers.
4. Chuck Todd said "people heard what they wanted to hear, suggesting that if you liked Trump you understood his reported comment, "He knew what he signed up for," as a sign of empathy and caring. But it's not that simple, since Trump is a compulsive liar who has never shown empathy toward anyone but himself.
24
Sgt. La David Johnson, Staff Sgt. Bryan Black, Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson, Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright our nation morns. You made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom. Words cannot express our gratitude.
To the families of these fallen heros we extend sincere and heartfelt condolences. May we all strive to demonstrate our empathy, compassion and respect to each one of you during this very difficult time.
14
Sanders-Huckabee practically demanding that Kelly should not be rebuked because he was a general is absurd.
John Kelly criticizing Representative Wilson was a political mistake that had little or no upside. It shows the Chief-of-Staff is not above the childishness that he was supposed to control.
President Trump was wrong to lie.
Heaping on one mistake after another in an attempt to justify Trump behavior has been the ugly trademark of this President. More and more the proffered diagnosis of malignant narcissism appears very accurate.
Trump repeatedly demonstrates no ability to shut down his ego. This was the simplest and most obvious of circumstance. Why debate proper condolences for fallen American military personnel? Boing his head and shutting his mouth would have worked but Trump can't even do that.
21
it would have been so simple....all Trump has to say was something like this....."Mrs. Johnson, I am so sorry for your loss and offer my sincerest condolences...your husband was serving his country the best way he knew how...and I and the country appreciate it very much and thank you. If there is anything I can do to help let me know....." But Trump does not do empathy and loving kindness....so that was impossible for him.....and remains so....he seems to be constitutionally unable to apologize or even to admit there is need...he could easily call her back and simply say please accept my apologies, I didn't mean to sound insensitive....but he won't
13
A public apology from Gen. Kelly should be made, unquestionably. A resignation from this inept collection of miscreants should follow. Can this be what Kelly worked so hard to protect? Semper Phoney
26
This is no adult day care center. There are no adults in this administration.
25
John Kelly should admit he misspoke and apologize for his error in smearing the Congresswoman with false charges, otherwise his credibility for these press briefings will be as credible as Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and we know how much she lies.
23
I wish this WH and congressional representative would put this petty nonsense to rest. We have 4 soldiers that died protecting our freedoms, the least we can do is maintain a level of civility and reverence for the victims and their families. No one is right, if everybody's wrong!
4
Yes - it should be put to rest. Kelly should apologize to Wilson. Trump should apologize too, but we know that will never happen
1
It should have been very simple. They could have said: We understand that Congresswoman Wilson was listening when the President called, and we are very disappointed that she chose to make public what is traditionally a private conversation. Instead, the President claims she's a liar, Kelly calls her names, and Sanders mocks her headgear. Everything blows up in this administration's face because they cannot master the easiest of tasks.
11
Even 4 star generals can have a defective memory.
4
And when they do have a defective memory, Four star generals should acknowledge it and apologize to the person whom they misrepresented.
3
Former general Kelly came to his current position after promoting and leading the chaos in ICE with their new procedures for going after anyone and everyone everywhere regardless of whether they have committed property crimes or crimes against persons. He deserves no respect. It should come as no surprise that he lied. He believes himself to be of an elite class of warriors and, as such, he’s no different in his outlook than the old Juncker class. They were a disaster for Germany and he’s a walking disaster too.
22
When Kelly and Sanders say what the base wants to hear, and they have done their job. Now their followers have their own fake truth.
Evidently, the very sight of a black Congresswoman is an affront to Kelly.
It takes courage to go into battle. It also takes courage to admit you were wrong. Would just one Trumpist showed that kind of courage.
34
Sloppy staff work for Mr. Kelly, it would appear. Aides probably searched the internet for news commentary about Ms. Wilson's appearance and went with the first op-eds they saw. Did not look up videos.
More evidence that a little "knowledge" is a dangerous thing.
12
Nevertheless, she persisted.
25
It's disappointing, but hardly surprising that General Kelly should lie so brazenly. He is a prominent member of the Trump administration, after all. In his own perverse way, Mr. Trump has proven to be an excellent judge of character--or the lack of it. Trump doesn't corrupt people, but he is adept at spotting the preexisting corruption in people like John Kelly No one will emerge from this administration with their reputation of dignity intact, but they will all have done it to themselves.
42
Were Kelly's comments blatant lies or were they comments based upon an imperfect memory? In this day and age of electronics, that matters not since we have all the tools necessary to go back to a video or voice recording of the event in question to verify its accuracy. Mr. Kelly, you have sold your soul to the devil and his name is Trump.
31
Imperfect memory or not, Kelly stood up there with teary eyes as he ripped into Wilson with what turned out to be false. And he’s suppose to be the adult in the room. Then Huckababy defends him as if no one can question a 4 star general who has willingly turned himself into a political operative for Trump’s empty leadership. I think this has damaged his reputation irreparably. But this is what happens when you work for the Devil incarnate.
2
Sarah Huckabee Sanders: “As General Kelly pointed out, if you’re able to make a sacred act like honoring American heroes about yourself, you’re an empty barrel.”
Pretty galling statement from someone whose boss stood in front of the FBI's wall of memorial stars for covert agents killed in the line of duty and yapped about how more people attended his inauguration than did Obama's.
57
"misrepresented" is a euphemism Donald Trump would never be caught using when he can just as easily say "LYING"....
11
We better be careful about who we "go after" in the White House. There seems to be only a small number of "normal or sane" people there - if they go then "what is left???"
4
This would be a valid point if one could point to anyone in the White House that is "sane." Many thought Kelly would be the penultimate bulwark against madness and stupidity, but his performance this week proves that he is just as shameless a liar and enabler as the rest of them.
1
They have no credibility,” she said. “They are trying to assassinate my character, and they are assassinating their own because everything they say is coming out and shown to be a lie.”
The party of “lock her up” General Flynn, reality TV...a place where patriotism is considered shutting up because some general decrees it. A geographic location where Putin is an ally. Sounds like my last three jobs, expect worse because it gets far worse.
11
Watch the video of representative Wilson's speech. General Kelly should be ashamed and should resign.
29
The genesis of this latest problem involving the White House is that, once you sell your soul to Trump, you are doomed. Kelly has arrived at that point. He won't be the last.
24
Forget race, forget it's possibly because she is a woman speaking out -- Kelly's speech is an clear abuse of power. (As is the WH's assertion that speaking out against a general is overreach for ordinary civilians.)
This is also why we should not have a general controlling personal and informational access to an elected president. Called a coup, most of us and almost all of Congress-- who knows Trump's unfitness even better than we ordinary mortals -- accept what has been called a "benign coup" because Trump is corrupt and unfit for office. To know Trump is to know more and more how unfit seems to be the gist of Sen. Corker's outburst.
Trump was wrong to take Kelly's personal hurt and make it his own public defense. Kelly was wrong to add a personal attack on the Congresswoman to his otherwise heartfelt speech.
But the bottom line? Both Kelly and Trump lied to us in the particular facts. If you want to destroy democracy -- lie, and lie badly and with consequence, repeatedly to citizens. (And Kelly --if Trump does succeed in getting us into a war so he can play bombs -- how can you expect any soldier to die for such a callous and, frankly, ignorant C in C? How can you expect any of us to support a war that is caused by ridiculous and belligerent speech and who can't be bothered to remember the name of the person who died for our country in a 5 minute call?)
31
Kelly has not just lied, politicized a military death after his boss began the disgraceful process, hurt a grieving widow and her family, but has dishonored himself and should resign after apologizing to Mrs. Johnson and Rep. Wilson. The hypocrisy that Kelly and the Trump cohorts practice is beyond the pale. Kelly has utterly failed as Chief of Staff and if he actually had any honor, which he absolutely demonstrated that he does not possess with his empty barrel insult and lies about Rep. Wilson, he would resign immediately.
32
Finally a politician who (honestly) calls them as she she sees them. Congresswoman is a breath of fresh air and appears to be the straightest of shooters. It's about time a Washington pol thinks, speaks and acts with facts, logic and earned outrage. Bravo!
30
To all Americans,
With Donald J Chaos & Co. it is all about the payback. Trump cannot admit of personal fault or mistake, so what is a White House staff to do? They have to say something, anything! I am sure that Trump was goading them to come up with some kind of face saving press release or statement. The problem is when your boss is a man without a moral compass, who lies and says vile things, who makes mistakes because he lazily won't do the hard work required, you are left with only one option of action--- lie, slander, say vile things, excuse the inexcusable, etc. Art of the deal indeed!
22
Actually flee Trump it is all about replacing the constitution with his personal power. The partial is a distraction that he knows will distract the media so he can destroy our republic before most know what is happening.
2
What Sarah doesn't get: If four-star General Kelly were half as honorable as she wants to make him appear, he wouldn't haven't participated in this miserable charade of lies in the first place. If he were a decent chief of staff, he would've deescalated the situation before it ever got this far.
47
Another chapter in a national nightmare! Lies, plain and simple. Incompetence, plain and simple. Lack of respect for Gold Star families or anyone beyond himself for that matter. Has he no decency? Have Kelly and Huckabee Sanders no decency? It takes my breath away!
27
There is no maybe, there is no gray area, there is no mistake. Kelly lied- plain and simple. Kelly - who i had respect for, has decided to cover for his boss with a lie that has been proven a lie. He tried to shut down the conversation as a bully, that did nt work as the truth - the actual truth - always comes out. He and Huckleberry Sanders should be ashamed of themselves.
32
The relevant issues, in order of importance:
1. Members of he U.S. Military have died in service to our country. Their lives have been cut tragically short and their families are devastated.
2. Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared, astonishingly, that questioning members of the military is inappropriate.
3. Chief of Staff, John Kelly, either deliberately or sloppily lied about the Florida Congresswoman's actions at a 2015 ribbon-cutting ceremony in order to cover for his boss' stupidity.
4. Chief of Staff, John Kelly, suggested at his press conference that military people are somehow superior to non-military people and would only answer questions from reporters who were associated with Gold Star families.
5. Donald Trump lied (again) about the actions of his predecessor.
6. The Congresswoman from Florida, Frederica Wilson, was tactless in bringing up Donald Trump's inartful phone call to the widow of the fallen soldier.
7. Donald Trump doesn't know how to express empathy.
8. Refer back to item #1 if there's any further confusion.
23
It was a major strategic error for the congress woman to make these charges. The charges should have come from the widow herself. Now the Republicans have a black, female Democrat strawman to attack instead of having to directly face the issue. They know their racist base will not believe the congresswoman, so they can ignore Trump's disrespect for the troops, yet again.
100%. And not a biggie but you left off Trump Lied on the Congresswoman and others involved too.
Impossible to see how this administration goes forward after Trump and General Kelly have both impugned the honor of Rep. Wilson and have not made any amends to Sgt. Johnson's widow, after making these 2 weeks even more miserable for her, creating a media firestorm about how condolences to her and her family were extended.
This administration is in the gutter regarding how they deal with the families of fallen soldiers. It's hard to imagine that General Kelly actually made this situation worse but in attacking Rep. Wilson, he did.
Trump's too much of a self-involved jerk to have anything to do with these families.
What to do with this horrible president and the loathsome people around him?
Trump should resign. I think Mike Pence would be a terrible president but it would be a relief not to have to constantly have the country in an angry divided uproar which is all we've seen in the Trump presidency. Trump can't lead or govern this country, he can only continue to fight with people and the rest of his presidency is going to be more of the same stupid feuds, fabricated
scandals, Trump fighting with people and dividing the country.
I truly believe that after 9 months the majority of the American people have had enough of Donald Trump as president.
19
Paraphrasing what Obama said in a recent speech, when you run a campaign based on dividing people, you can suddenly unite and govern them when you get elected.
Unfortunately General Kelly you have sully your reputation for someone who is not deserving. Not if but when this Administration comes tumbling down your credibility and reputation will go down with it.
18
It is so sad to see that the General has become another of President Trump's lackeys.
It's pretty clear that White House racism, misogyny, and intolerance is widespread. As the wise man said, the fish rots from the head.
20
The myth that retired Gen. John Kelly was ever going to "rein in" his tempestuous Tweeter-in-Chief has been exposed as he's joined him in riding roughshod over anyone who dares to criticize them. By viciously throwing mud at Rep. Federica Wilson, who was doing what he and his boss failed to do, consoling her friend, Myesha Johnson, over the loss of her husband, Sgt. La David Johnson, Gen. Kelly "stunned" the nation with his cruelty, contempt, and outright dissembling in creating more collateral damage to an American tragedy. Ironically, if he'd only taken the time to watch Rep. Wilson's pitch-perfect speech dedicating the Miami FBI building to two of its fallen, he might have learned just how you honor, respect, and comfort those who've fallen in the service to our country. Gen. Kelly has disgraced himself and the nation he's served. He should resign.
29
I just listened to the full address of Congresswoman Wilson at the FBI dedication that Kelly cited in detail in his recent statement to the press. The only problem is that he lied about what she said, again and again and again. I had thought that perhaps Mr. Kelly would be a positive influence on Donald Trump, especially in terms of his trying to differentiate truth from lies, fantasy from reality. I am sorry to say that I was very, very wrong. Kelly has become just another shill for for the most dishonest man to ever sit in the Oval Office. Have a listen to her speech if you doubt what I have said: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NOdsbnLRF4
30
Sometimes being polite ("mischaracterized") is just inaccurate and not good journalism. Time to start calling out lies for what they are.
15
As David Brooks observed early on, all who associate with Trump have ended up somehow diminished as a result. It was only a matter of time for Kelly.
26
Anyone moved by General Kelly’s description of the recovery and transportation of the body of an America soldier might find the Kevin Bacon movie Taking Chance of interest. I watch it once a year. Around Memorial Day or Veterans Day usually.
1
In this tragic saga our thoughts and prayers must in the main go to the grieving families of the brave men who lost their lives in their line of duty. General Kelly has been doing his best in this fumbling administration, however recent events have cast some doubt on his credibility while trying to cover up for his mendacious boss, making one wonder why he was so vehement in his attack of Representative Wilson. In view of all that has transpired in this godawful, unhappy saga, General Kelly seems to have made a terrible blunder denouncing her and with the video now proving he was in the wrong and in light of which, is he now man enough to apologise to her for being, to say the least, so ungracious in his condemnation?
20
I would bet he’s not man enough. If I had his job I would show you what a man would do. Call out Donald Trump on his lies as he speaks of them correct him on the spot and make him look like the small person he is. That’s what a man would do, Kelly is nowhere near that.
2
What's perhaps most alarming about the episode (which until this latest bit was something of a sideshow, but is actually taking on some significance, especially in view of the press secretary's apparent position that there are some individuals who ought not to be questioned) is that Gen. Kelly, one of three individuals in the administration who is supposed to be buttoned up, entered the fray without checking his facts.
18
I think there are at least two lessons from the aftermath of Sargeant Johnson’s death. First, Presidents should probably not deliver a condolence by phone that can be more thoughtfully made in person by military officers with experience in that fraught task. Second, defending a President from attacks by politicians should be done by politicians, not by military officers who are not trained to move through political thickets. Maybe it’s time for the three public actors in this drama to clear the air a bit by meeting for drinks at the Skip Gates porch at the White House.
4
Gen. Kelly’s defense of President Trump clarifies the notion that there are two major classes in America; those who serve and all of the rest. He showed disdain for civilians at the press conference and in society as a whole saying that they cannot understand service and loss. Those in the military and those they serve-the party in power are better, more valuable, more worthy than society as a whole. The question become those who serve, who and what are they serving? If who and what they are serving, the rest of us and what we represent, is of so much lesser value than the military class doing the serving, what is the military class really serving- the nation or something else.
14
It's actually quite simple. The soldiers life is at risk, just like those that work in law enforcement.... at risk..... Yours is not..... So they are in a different class.
Before I take part in the witch trial, I think it's fair to allow General Kelly a chance to reply to the accusations. I have read the condemnations since the video was released, however, is it possible his remarks were in reference to comments Congresswoman Wilson might have made off camera? Could she have said something to a small group in a private conversation? I don't know, and I suspect neither does the majority so quick to judge and cast dispersion. However, I strongly disagree with the mob mentality which arises after every faux-pas by the President and view it a dangerous trend. Perhaps the General, after serving forty years with distinction, should be permitted the same level of respect (until proven otherwise), that Mrs. Wilson's defenders are so quick to clamor for.
2
Because Sen Wilson deserves no such respect, right? I am a member of a Gold Star family and I am appalled at Gen Kelly's remarks. I'm used to Trump's blather, bombast, and lies - he no longer surprises only daily confirms he is unfit for any public office. I can understand why La David Johnson's wife felt disrespected by Trump. He is incapable of speaking to anyone without causing one to wonder - "is he mocking me, is he disrespecting me, is he lying." Listen to him - as he throws paper towels to hurricane victims, talks to people whose lives have been destroyed, and calls for them to pay their debts - it is astonishing in it's disrespect and lack of empathy.
Now Kelly disrespects us expecting us to buy that civilians don't understand service and don't deserve to ask questions. You know I think we should have a national election on the wars we are currently involved in - then maybe Gen Kelly would understand how we feel about the current situation. We and he (Kelly) do not serve the military, the military serves the civilian public. Show some respect, and Huckabee Sanders needs to see a doctor about her compulsion to say things that make no sense. She even looks like she doesn't believe what she's saying.
I respect a person in uniform, until they don't deserve it. I have no romantic ideas about military and war. You either live the truth of all the shiny medals on your chest in your daily life or you stop wearing them.
4
He is the one who referenced the time and place where she delivered the remarks, and indicated he was present. There is no mob mentality in joining others in recognizing a blatant misrepresentation of the remarks and character of another person.
2
Remarks off camera to WHOM?
And why would Kelly know about such alleged remarks?
This doesn't work as a defense. Her recorded remarks have been preserved and are the record. General Kelly probably never watched and was repeating lies from an aide. Sarah Sanders is absolutely wrong to suggest that off camera, off the record remarks were made by Sen. Wilson and say that this proves Kelly was correct in his accusations. . Kelly was wrong to NOT take questions from non-military connected news people and insulted the power of the free press.
Too many wrongs here. No slack for Kelly, Sanders and trump --
Insensitive, opportunistic Liars all of them.
We the People need to take back our country. SOON !
3
Another article talks about Kelly lamenting that only 1% of the population serves in the military. He has a point.
To me the military is supposed to be for self defense. I had always said that if we were attacked at home I would join, and after 9/11 I nearly signed up to go to Afghanistan. Then, I realized that if I did sign up, I would likely be sent to some other country to fight in a war I didn't believe in. Sure enough, they were soon pulling troops out of Afghanistan to fight a war in Iraq for the benefit of about 25 global oil corporations that ended up controlling Iraq's oil (including Chinese and Russian oil companies).
Those of us that regularly protest against unjust wars respect and love our professional soldiers who are ready to sacrifice everything for our country, including the First Amendment.
Unfortunately a different 1% has captured our civilian leadership, the richest 1% on the planet, who would not sacrifice a dollar for our troops, who couldn't even be bothered to make sure our troops had modern body armor or armored humvees before they sent them to fight for oil profits.
It makes me sad that our troops have more respect for global deferment billionaires like Trump, then they do for the protesters that are trying to keep them from dying for billionaires who have no loyalty to our country at all and just want to use them for profit, then callously tell their wives, "he knew what he signed up for."
14
I had believed General Kelly was a restraining influence on Trump but this incident has given me pause. If General Kelly had stopped his speech before getting to his impression of the Congresswoman, it would have been a great speech. When he stooped to criticism of the congresswoman, that was a very big mistake and a political action. I fear that everyone connected to Trump loses his or her moral compass.
11
political action? yes probably. racially motivated? hmmmm... is every time a Caucasian person disagrees with or criticizes a non-caucasian a "racially motivated" incident?
The lid is a nice touch.
"I (he) knew what he was getting into" a phrase almost every military person will say or think and that I have heard from countess soldiers-men and women- who served in combat.
They say it with pride, and to demonstrate that despite the risks and hardships they could endure they knowingly chose to serve our country.
The charges of racism and white supremacy by the left media and political demagogues clearly show they are empty barrels. However, it does not diminishes the sacrifice made by Sgt Johnson and the three other who died in Niger and the many others before them.
God bless our military.
4
Quite often when Trump is caught making a false statement his defense is,
"That's what I was told." Apparently General Kelly was also given false info. I would suggest that the Trump team make sure that those who do research for them do not create "false news."
7
I would urge everyone to watch the full video from beginning to end. If you hear the first part of the speech you hear the congresswoman carefully delineate her role, along with others, ingesting this project off the ground quickly. Those remarks stick, accurately in General Kelly's mind as a father of a fallen. I completely understand his take. In her later remarks her words were fine and above reproach. If she had not chosen to politicize the tragedy of Sargent Johnson's death, who became separated in a gunfight when four brave men were ambushed by 50,probably, Isis fighters this unseemly controversy would never had arisen. His body was not left behind, it was rescued by our forces and returned by a French helicopter. Republicans do not approach this with clean hands. The obsession with Benghazi and the appearance at the Republican National Convention in 2016 by the mother of her fallen son for political advantage was equally despicable. Mistakes happen. They have happened to FDR and Churchill and JFK but I fear for our nation when political advantage, by either party, replaces any vestige of unity or patriotism.. United we stand, divided we fall. It happened to Rome; it can happen here.
2
Maybe it should happen here. Things are broken. Open your eyes, and notice that the emperor wears no clothes.
1
Mistakes happen. You either refuse to acknowledge them and lie through your teeth to claim you were correct, or you apologize.
When you choose to lie through your teeth, the only reasonable conclusion to make is that the mistake itself was an intentional lie.
1
I also think that as much as race may have a part in this attack let us not forget the other factor that Wilson is a woman and while the race issue may be hard to prove there is no doubt in my mind that that is the major cause of this angst with her.
11
The fact that Donnie Dotard was a draft dodger (ok, not technically - he paid for a doctor's note) makes this episode all the more bizarre. General Kelly's judgment, four stars and all, needs to be questioned. Where is his sense of honor?
11
Don't forget that the two A bombs dropped on Japan were done so without the knowledge of President Truman. The Air Force chief, General Curtis Lemay, ordered the attack, even after Truman reminded the country when he cashiered the adventurous General MacArthur for his reckless threat to take on Russia and China, that the military is supposed to be subservient to civilian control.
Lemay even advised JFK to nuke Cuba during the missile crisis. By then, a clear line of civilian control of our nuclear forces had been established. Kennedy thought Lemay's advice was sheer lunacy and rightly rejected it.
To keep the military generals at arm's length from the White House is necessary for a balanced perspective regarding matters of war and peace. To invite them in to run the executive branch as has been done with the appointments of Kelly, Mattis and McMaster is to court disaster.
Kelly and McMaster have so far disgraced themselves by justifying Trump - in the same way that hostages bond with their captors to increase their chances of survival. Only General Mattis now stands between Trump's untamed aggression and catastrophe. It's down to Caesar and Brutus.
16
I would vote for a team of 8-year-olds over the Trump administration. They would do a better job.
13
Every time a 'person of colour' says or does something, which is (to put it mildly) out of line, he/she knows that any opposition can and will be immediately interpreted, as racism.
So much about equal treatment for all.
6
Well then, take your pick here: racism, sexism, or just blatant liars? The reason Trump and Kelly are such liars doesn't really matter. What matters, simply, is that they are.
Righteous indignation is effective only if it is righteous. Mr. Kelly owes Ms. Wilson an apology since he clearly misrepresented Ms. Wilson’s speech at the FBI building dedication in Florida. In his entire comments at the press briefing Mr. Kelly wrapped himself in a mantle of moral superiority. That moral superiority is now questionable.
11
I think Ret. General John Kelly is a good man. His tragic flaw is that he has misplaced his allegiance to his country with loyalty to a corrupt president. I feel sorry that this association will tarnish his reputation. At some point I hope he realizes this and resigns.
8
When you wallow in the cesspool that Trump lives in, you can't help get the stink on you.
John Kelly needs to take a hard look at that video and come out to make amends for the falsehoods he claimed about the Congresswoman, an apology would be inline, otherwise his reputation will not ever be the same.
I think this is a make or break moment for him, and his credibility to the public.
I wonder how much silver John F. Kelly sold his soul for?
It is the attitude that Ms. Sanders presented that has been a problem that has haunted our military since Vietnam.
.."if you want to get into a debate with a four-star Marine general, I think that that’s something highly inappropriate.”
Think the debacles in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria where who knows if the appropriate questions were asked of our military leaders?
The slavish devotion to the military that apparently the White House, Sarah Sanders and John F. Kelly have led to a great deal of trouble in our times. The men and women who serve our country deserve our respect and gratitude--not to mention decent VA healthcare, well-armoured vehicles, decent weaponry, and not to be put in the line of fire for stupid reasons that no one thought they could question.
For goodness sakes, no one is above questions, except perhaps the Pope.
10
Would be proud to shake Congresswoman Wilson's hand and think her speech was a model of appropriateness and decorum. Enough said.
11
Kelly's failure to hold another press conference to explain his previous remarks which are clearly false show too clearly what type person he is, how much he actually values the concept of honor. Four stars seem to mean nothing in his world view.
10
So the President's press secretary thinks it's "highly inappropriate" to call out a four star Marine general for lying. I would modestly suggest that it's more than inappropriate for a four star general to lie. His comments were disgraceful, but what can one expect from this administration? When the guy at the top doesn't know the truth from a bologna sandwich there's no reason to expect truth from those in the trenches. It's important that those of us who care about this country not be overwhelmed by the lies. If we keep pointing them out eventually good will triumph.
14
I had bad vibes about Gen. Kelly when as head of Homeland Security he seemed over zealous about rounding up and deporting undocumented immigrant families. When he took the job as chief of staff for Trump I wondered if maybe he had some affinity for some of Trump's darker tendencies. Now, with his unnecessary and inaccurate attack on Congresswoman Wilson I'm wondering if he's protecting us from Trump, as many have surmised, or if he is actually somewhat in line with Trump's world view.
10
Even retired 10 star generals (10 out of 10) get a little soft in the head as they age. It's just a human fact of life. Although some are born that way i.e. DJT.
3
Kelly could have stayed on the High Road but he made a choice to go Low thereby selling his soul, his honor and his legacy. Once a hero he succumbed to the basest of human instincts. Power corrupts. Greek tragedy. Really sad.
14
Sadly, General Kelly has now dishonored his own fallen son by dragging him into a typical defense of a coarse Trump episode. All of Trump's underlings must be willing to say night is day when the president decrees it is. They all get cheapened. Kelly should have known this after watching many months of Trump's difficulty with reality.
12
General Kelly told a lie. Whether it was his lie or a lie he was told to tell, it remains a lie. Dressing him up as a hero does not mitigate the lie. He chose the time and place for his speech. He chose to speak from the center of a factory of lies. He may be less honorable than he and the White House pretend. He could redeem his honor with an apology to the congresswoman.
13
The women look disproportionately tiny next to their male counterparts in this enhanced photo. This may be coincidental, and at the same time telling.
2
I am not a Trump supporter by any stretch and he brought on this whole mess at the press conference when he disparaged his predecessors. Further, we know he is inarticulate and insensitive. However, as much as I dislike Trump I doubt his call was not made with the best of intentions. What I don't understand is what Ms. Wilson hoped to gain by calling this out. Ms. Wilson didn't start this fire but she certainly fanned the flames. Sadly, the story has shifted to this circus and away from Sgt. Johnson and his fallen brothers.
2
No. I don't think so. As a matter of fact, I hope their deaths brings about the fall of this hideous, lying, bloviating, horrible Administration. They may wind up being more than military heroes.
2
That's what inevitably happens, when you mix with the wrong people you eventually think alike and you loose your self respect. Being with the main author of fake news, he now also sprouts lies as facts !
4
“Mr. Kelly, escalating a feud...”. Sums it up perfectly.
Trump obviously has an anger management problem. Criticize him in any way on significant or trivial matters and he lights up like a Christmas tree and “bing, bing, bings” on twitter.
But what is Kelly’s excuse?
Why the escalation?
Perhaps a diversion from questions about the death of the 4 soldiers? Or from looking at how Trump and the Republicans are proposing to gut Medicare to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy?
Or is Kelly playing the politics of division, like his boss?
Why would Gen. Kelly do the political dirty work of his boss, the man who shirked his civic responsibilities and became a Draft Dodger?
10
There's a very old saying that "I won't lie about you but I won't lie for you".
General Kelly and all of Trump's staff including above all the despicable Sarah Huckabee Sanders don't serve America by that motto.
7
The video revealed the truth which only a fool would deny. Naturally, Trump, Kelly, and Sanders doubled down on their lies.
They are who they are.
23
Mr. Kelly you were once held in high regard by all Americans. Save yourself and whatever dignity you still posses and leave the Trump Administration now. The president corrupts all he comes in contact with. It is as if he has deadly pneumonia. The very air he breathes infects all who have close contact with him. It is time you checked in to Sick-Bay and stand down.
14
Another persistent woman! Hooray!!!
17
What a travesty. My main purpose in writing is to add my support to Congresswoman Wilson and apologize to her on behalf of the American people for the flagrant lies and disrespect lobbed in her direction like a spit-ball by a nasty bunch of undisciplined and unprincipled bullies. While I'm here I will also express the contempt in which I hold everyone who serves in this Administration. You are tainted by the stench of corruption, dishonesty, and degradation. The lack of dignity and even lip-service to any kind of honor or integrity in this White House and yes, most of the GOP, is so disheartening and appalling. Oh yes, while I'm at it- I question 4 Star Generals. Indeed I do.
36
Mr. Kelley, what is it called when you become the one you hate? You were supposed to reign in this man. His lack of empathy, his inability to express himself, belligerence where there should be grace and finally, the lies, the endless lies.
23
Welcome to our America's newest national monument....the filthy Trump Toilet where all dignity, patriotism, truth, honor and human decency are flushed down the open sewer of Donald Trump's infinite malignant narcissism.
General John Kelly just got flushed.
Yet another piece of America destroyed by Donald Trump.
21
Mr Mueller we need you fast... if there truly is a coup brewing at the adult day care center it needs to be checked and stopped.. republicans are you even home? or did you leave until you get your wallets filled? then will you step-in and step-up to this truly frightening situation....
18
What is it you imagine Mr Mueller can do? He is only going to give us a report and possibly file charges on some people. that is the extent of his authority.
I have lost all respect for Kelly and for anyone who defends him. I think the story about the phone call is a ridiculous distraction, but Kelly's press conference reveals that Kelly is a partisan hack. He's not serving in the military now - he's just a manservant to a person who (much like Kelly) has a fluid relationship with the truth. And no, Mr. Kelly we don't think you are beyond telling lies just because you were once a general, any more than we think your boss tells the truth just because he's president.
120
Ditto. Why did he even bring her speech at the FBI building opening up? It had nothing to do with the current situation. And Sarah Sanders said that after his speech they thought it was all over - of course, because he’s a white man (father figure) and she’s a black woman (child). When will sexism and racism end in this country? When?
4
Kelly and trump need to apologize - now!
28
Trump won't, but Kelly should, otherwise he won't be trusted by anyone that matters.
7
Except, they'll just keep Lying.
And even if they (do happen to) apologize,..they'll keep Lying
2
Kelly's vehemence and animosity towards this woman exposes him as a political hatchet man. The use of his dead son to legitimize the lying is as appalling as the lies.
66
Everyone has pretty much expressed everything that can be said ab out this sordid affair. Donald Trump taints, corrupts, and infects everything he touches. He is a vampire living off the blood of others. And once he bites you either die or become, like Trump, a member of the living dead - dead emotionally, and morally;dead to compassion and what makes us human.
57
I thought Kelly was a decent human being when he became White House Chief of Staff. Maybe he was, then, but he certainly is not now. I guess wallowing in the Trump sewer can do that to anyone.
45
A President’s phone call supposedly to console the wife of a fallen American soldier.
Then lies and counter lies, allegations of racism and sexism, and on and on adnauseam.
Predictably more of the on-going Ugly Clown show that is the Trump presidency, a moral and ethical black hole with no bounds when it comes to putting the ridiculous and the absurd perpetually at the forefront of the nation’s now wacky political epicenter.
The travesty of our dangerously sick politics.
19
The Trump administration has become the place where honesty and character go to die. Lie to smear someone. Get caught in the lie - double down. Wrap the liar in the flag. Stonewall. Attack any critic and refuse to respond.
Jeez - this happens to everyone who joins this liddle band of liars.
51
Donald Trump is a virus that infects and destroys honor in people, organizations and institutions. John Kelly is the latest victim.
59
It is so easy to lose heart these days. OUR governments have been taken over at every level by liars and thieves. An article in opinion today talks about
The Con Don's road to 2024. Each day I picture the road dropping out from in front of him that very moment - and taking every corrupt member of his cabinet, judges and agency heads with him. I picture the French solution for the Robber Barons who fund them and their other operatives.
But there is hope. Please take a moment to read Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Second Bill of Rights" as outlined in his inauguration speech of 1944. This was his fourth - and last - State of the Union speech. He had brought America back from the stock market crash of 1929 and the terrific depression that followed by using OUR government to improve the rights of average Americans. Now those rights are in imminent danger.
Is there an FDR and first lady who will lead America back from this brink of disaster? It must be someone with the same amount of power and money as those trying to destroy America because they understand how power works.
I pray there is. Meantime, WE THE PEOPLE must step up every single day and fight to prevent the destruction of OUR democracy and WW3. The Robber Barons want it all. NO, NO, NO! Not MY life. Not my Children's or Grandchildren's lives. Not YOUR life.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Bill_of_Rights
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_D._Roosevelt
27
Gen. Kelly seems to have morphed into Kellyanne Kelly. :(
75
Pretty pathetic watching a man throw a forty year legacy in the toilet. For what?
87
This entire controversy is shameful and should be abandoned.
13
She didn't "suggest he lied" -- Kelly flat out lied. Good god, NYTimes, get a clue! The video is right there and you know it! The lying--it _is_ so corrosive.
72
This whole Trump-Kelly, Congresswoman Wilson exchange is clearly racist: how dare black people demand respect? And women, to boot? The WhIte House has no shame. When will this all end?
75
Huckabee Sanders is apparently familiar with the work of Dr. Joseph Goebbels: “The most brilliant propagandist technique will yield no success unless one fundamental principle is borne in mind constantly - it must confine itself to a few points and repeat them over and over.”
― Joseph Goebbels
94
And with this too apparently:
The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country. -Hermann Göring
1
What is strangely forgotten in this story about politicizing grief and a tragic situation is that the entire kerfuffle started when the Big Boss started attacking his predecessors after being asked about the loss of American lives in the line of duty. If that wasn't politicizing, what is?
As far as the phone call to the family of the fallen soldier is concerned, the Big Boss probably had heard from General Kelly how he had come to terms with the loss of his son in battle. But there is a world of difference between a general talking about the loss of his own son and a multiply deferred bone spur sufferer uttering the same words at the occasion of someone else's loss.
68
Nicely done, Democrats. Great diversion and misrepresentation of the main points made by the General. First, let’s take the statement by Sanders. When she said it was inappropriate to debate General Kelly, she meant on the very specific issue of what the president said in his call to the soldier’s widow. The part about his knowing what he was getting into. A civilian is not likely to debate a man who has fought in wars and ordered men into battle and lost his own son in battle. What civilian could really understand on the same level in order to intelligently debate the issue.
Next is the issue of his misrepresenting her statements. He was factually wrong but he was speaking to the general issue of whether you speak of politics at a ceremony honoring the dead. Because that is the issue. Was it appropriate for the Congresswoman to raise a political attack on the president for a phone call intended to honor a fallen soldier? Why would a person do that except for political reasons. What kind of person would do that?
I would say an “empty barrel” would be kind as a descriptor. I do not see many comments under this article condemning the congressoman for her misrepresentation of “empty barrel” as a racial slur nor for the continued application of the term “white supremacists” to the people in the White House.
So, good job again, Democrats, for finding a way to divide the country again.
20
Just plain silly.
Trump made a condolence call that came across as insensitive. The Congresswoman called him out on it.
The mature response would be to apologize and clarify.
Instead Trump can’t tolerate any criticism and went into attack dog mode using Gen. Kelly as his attack dog.
If Kelly had just shut up after he explained how he learned of his son’s death, that would have been appropriate. And put an end to the story.
But he went on a political jihad against the Congresswoman and got his facts wrong to boot.
A very sorry display.
21
Well, you got it just about completely backwards. Sarah Sanders' comment about not questioning Gen. Kelly was in response to a reporter who pressed the point that Kelly's description of Rep. Wison's remarks at the 2015 building dedication was clearly wrong. And Kelly grossly misrepresented Wilson's remarks at that 2015 ceremony. There was nothing unusual or inappropriate in Rep. Wilson talking briefly about the extraordinary effort involved in enacting legislation naming the building in honor of the two FBI agents in time for the dedication. She also went out of her way to share the credit with Republican legislators who helped. Most of her remarks addressed the heroism of the two FBI agents who had been killed in the line of duty.
4
Yes, I am a Democrat, but I believe in honesty and if one makes an error then one should have the decency to say I made a mistake. Ms. Sanders was not just speaking of the fact that a family friend was included when the call came. If so, she needs to improve communication skills. I don't believe President Trump intended to be hurtful. All he had to do was say that and be sure the family understood--then move on. I was so hopeful about General Kelly, but now. it seems, so far he does not care about accuracy--like his boss.
I'm perhaps most disturbed by the notion that General Kelly might have actually thought he was telling the truth when he grossly misrepresented Representative Wilson's speech at the dedication of the new FBI building. That would imply that he has a serious hearing problem - although not necessarily a physical one.
36
To be accurate, Kelly criticized Wilson for spending so much time extolling her part in securing the funding for the building (she did mention others' as well, but listen to the video; she put herself up as the star) and not speaking substantively about the people whose names are on the building. Whether what Kelly was criticizing was any less appropriate than his criticism of her is another issue. What is sad is that Trump's ineptness and insensitivity gets such coverage that it overshadows the more important issues involved. A moment of silence, please, for the tragedy of another life lost.
David - you must have watched an "alternate" video! She credited Boehner and other Republicans, and mostly the people who were being honored, did not talk " about herself as the star", and got a standing ovation for her speech. Apparently Kelly saw the same video you did.
1
When is enough enough!? While I don't know the entire context in which Trump made his comment to the fallen soldiers widow, and while taken alone it does seem insensitive, we all are aware that with the privilege of living comes the consequence of dying. Perhaps the answer is just in loving and living everyday. Living everyday with love in our hearts.
4
I'm pretty sure the President should have some crib notes whereby he can actually pretend to remember the fallen's name. General Kelly should also be aware of the difference between speaking to a military General who lost a son in war, and speaking to a civilian mother who lost a son in war. The fact that he doesn't means he's been in the sun way too long.
2
Close,
This WHouse has replaced the word "Living" with "Lying" in your heartfelt plea.
1
Huckabee Sanders is the embodiment of impropriety. But it's like we used to say back east, "Empty barrel, no hat"
54
The saying is: "Big hat-no cattle" and it's from the West not the East. The saying definitely fits Wilson.
2
Name calling people - empty barrel? It doesn’t matter whether you are a 4 star general or not, gold star family or not, it is not becoming of a decent human being. Be objective, address the issue, never the character of an individual. Even if Mr Kelly did not lie, he lost all my respect. I don’t understand, in this modern educated society, how individual like him even make it to that level in any organization
70
I agree with CJ 13. I don't know why John Kelly came into the fray.
We were all looking for him to be the much needed stable influence
in the White House.
Lost all credibility for me. Big loss for America.
70
Trump et al operate from their unchecked emotions. Group think is now replaced by group feel, and the later is a worse case scenario. And we know the disasters caused by the former. The fog of feel has descended.
16
I have learned since serving in combat in Vietnam that it makes no difference how many stars or bars or clusters military officers have, they are just as susceptible to lying as anyone else. Generally, enlisted military personnel learn to trust sergeants, and suspect the motives of officers. Kelly lied. His military record can never excuse that. There is no "halo effect" when it comes to telling the truth.
65
Nobody critiques a general. Just ask George McClelland, Douglas MacArthur , Benedict Arnold- all generals. Perhaps Huckabee was referring to one of her heroes who turned down a top command in the US Army to become a General , Robert E. Lee. That would make sense for her.
30
Or General David Petraeus. Had Huckabee Sanders been press secretary when Petraeus was forced to resign in disgrace, Sanders, like her predecessor Sean Spencer, would have repeated the words disgusting Donald Trump had ordered her to proclaim to the American people, further disgracing the White House, the office of President, and insulting the intelligence of America's citizens and media. Shame on Trump, and now on Kelly.
One thing comes to my mind how would General Kelly know any part of Trumps conversation with the Widow of the fallen soldier to defend a person who lies constantly ?
Yes, General Kelly made a blunder to criticize the Congresswoman so quickly being a third person in that equation.
15
Kelly’s point was that Rep Wilson was bragging about herself at a somber occasion dedicated to fallen heroes. Point made.
3
She was was mentioning herself along with two Republican politicians who got the building named, Boehner and Rubio. Seems pretty generous to me and what any politician would do. Except if they were Republican men, Then they would take all the credit themselves
5
Actually, that point was not made. Of the 9 minutes on the tape, 7 were used in praising the people whose legacy was being honored. The other two were primarily praising Congress for coming together as united in recognizing the work of the FBI. She did NOT make it all about her.
7
No, she wasnt bragging about herself. She was pointing out what lawmakers can accomplish when they respect the objective. The FBI was the one that asked her to get legislation passed to name the building in 4 weeks. Normally, such an act takes 8 to 12 months. She called on the members of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, to thank them for their dedication and effort in getting the bill passed in time. And she stated the reason they could do that was due to the deep respect they had for the FBI as an organization and for the sacrifice of the agents the building was named after. She was highlighting what our legislators COULD do when they show respect and put partisan politics to the side. She showed respect for the first responders in the audience. She showed respect for the FBI as an organization and for individual agents. Kelly showed disrepect for the efforts of all of those lawmakers, including those of his own party by the way he characterized Ms Wilson. And he definately showed disrepect for a sitting member of Congress. He reflects his boss's attitude of a coequal branch of our government. It is not an attitude becoming of a lifelong military person.
9
My father was a Marine officer in WWII; Guadalcanal, Saipan, Guam, Bougainville to name a few places he served. He came back, was a successful lawyer, and died a few years ago at 90. He was always proud to have served as a Marine in a conflict that threatened our very existence as a country.
He taught me early in my life the Latin creed: Dictum Meum Pactum (My Word is my Bond) and said I should always follow it.
It’s too bad that Gen Kelly chose not to follow the teachings of the creed, and as such has permanently tarred his reputation as yet another Trumpo sycophant.
54
I am not good at vocabulary.
What does "misrepresented" mean.
17
Can you see these sorts of of issues hitting the screens and airways, day after day, as an American form of Kabuki Theater: highly ritualized and formalized theatrical productions, "... using exaggerated gestures and body movements to express emotions, and including historical plays, dramas, and dance pieces."
We have not been governed the last fifty years.
We've just been entertained.
2
John Kelly has spent years since the death of his son not speaking publicly about his family’s loss. And then…
On an afternoon in October, 2017, he spoke, and in doing so, exhausted a large portion of his political capital on a man unworthy of the gesture. He spoke with moving eloquence of his son and of the young men and women who gave the last full measure of devotion to the nation. He described with solemn and poetic beauty the preparation of their bodies returning home to a grieving family and a grateful nation. His hurt was palpable as he held back tears. What he described was poignant, beautiful, painful. He could have stopped there, but he chose to go on. And then…
And then, full of passionate intensity, he chose to attack a woman he did not know, whom he did not deign to know, and whom he held in utter contempt. It was apparent by his body language, by the timbre of his voice and by the words he spoke: “empty barrel,” he repeated over and over. He even resorted to patent lies, ultimately dehumanized her. And then...
He did this for a boss without character, a dissembling man unworthy of the descriptor “brave.“ There is nothing brave about Donald Trump. He is the manifestation of cowardly, dishonest cunning, but not brave.
And then, with his years of combat experience and with all his well-earned gravitas, Kelly chose this moment to squander that reputation to tamp down the latest fury created by a White House where the center no longer holds.
87
This is exactly my reaction. Why on earth would Kelly, for the first time, reveal his painful feelings about his son for a back-stabbing narcissist, and then adopt trump’s “big lie” technique? Kelly isn’t reigning in his boss; he’s emulating him. Anyone with any moral or ethical backbone working for the president ought to quit.
2
Under the Trump administration, it's highly inappropriate to debate one of HIS four-star generals but it's okay for POTUS to attack other four-star generals, including Gen. Colin Powell, Gen. Martin Dempsey, and Gen. John R. Allen.
Trump repeatedly refers to "my generals" and now we are told that they are not to be questioned. Good people must rise up and reclaim our democracy.
41
Like most who watched John Kelly, I was very moved by most of his address. However, the horrible situations that have occurred since have led me to question not only Kelly but myself. Why, I wonder, have I accepted on clearly misplaced faith, that he is any different from Trump? Why are we "stunned" when he behaved exactly as all other Trump employees have behaved? Whose words have led us to place faith in this man? I think John Kelly has given us a very, very valuable lesson for which he can be thanked. No one, whatever his career might have been, who associates himself in any way with Trump, can be trusted or respected. No one.
47
The Congresswoman is advocating for her constituents, attempting to highlight the poor treatment they have received, and beyond that, has tried to obtain answers regarding what took the lives of these men. How is that self-serving? That is her job.
Meanwhile you have Kelly, who we now know is cut from the same cloth as Trump, making some bizarre statement about how women used to be sacred, and then turning around and making up lies about a woman. Looks like the blue-eyed four star General has now officially been folded into the Trump warp, and is a barrel-full of Orange crud. No longer any use to the sane percentage of the population.
And Sarah Sanders, we do know what you say in the South, and it's a lot worse than "all hat, no cattle." Thanks for that subtle reminder though.
And also for that example of classic bullying: take whatever characteristic a person has that is most salient, in this case the signature hat, and pick on that.
41
I agree that General Kelly seems like an extraordinarily gifted and elegant person. I would think he would be above any sort of tit-for-tat blaming game, especially when it's clear he was dead wrong. So now he has an opportunity to elegantly admit his mistake by apologizing to Representative Wilson. It would be a simple act of contrition in a sea of trouble. We need to come together.
20
There have been earlier signs of Kelly's thinly veiled contempt for both lawmakers and the media. Kelly brought that with him from Dept. of Homeland Security to the White House. That contempt seems to come in part from his belief that members of the military are better people than those in Congress, the media, and the general public who never served. Unfortunately for Kelly, the American political system has been built on civilian control. He either needs to get his attitude under control or leave the White House. In the meantime, he has forever soiled his reputation.
42
I agree with all the comments posted so far. But the term "empty barrel" was never a term I associated with racism. Perhaps this is a regional slant on the term. In any event, the focus should be on tragic death of this soldier and to understand what went wrong on this mission.
2
Agreed!!
And shortly afterwards, why the WHouse and General chose to lie.
1
OOPS
Sadly, yes! For what it's worth, I've decided that Kelly was guided by racism. What he verbalized about her was false, and could only have been based on a racial/gender profile that excluded her from the ranks of those who, in his opinion, deserved to be thought of as "sacred." Sarah Sanders revealed more of the mindset of this crew of White House misfits when she said that it would be inappropriate to debate the four star marine general (which he no longer is.)
21
Nothing Trump has done shows disregard for the service members or first responders. In fact, there is a video of him picking up the hat of a black Marine. In the presence of the military, he has shown humility.
Where Trump and Kelly may have erred is in thinking all service members are willing to give the ultimate sacrifice for God, country, and their units. In fact, many join for college money or health benefits. Calling the deceased a hero may rub people the wrong way.
Regardless, scoring cheap political points off of the call is so wrong on both sides. No one is winning this argument. Everyone should stop now.
9
Trump has mocked a Senator who was a POW, mocked a Gold Star family, mocked generals, mocked the intelligence community, and dispite his background of attending a military school, showed his contempt for the flag and the military by sitting and joking with Hannity during the playing of "To Colors". One act of humanness does not offset his deliberate, consistant acts.
6
This would probably be(en) over if the WHouse STOPPED lying.
But it's apparent they cannot.
4
It was nauseating to listen to General Kelly degrade Representative Frederica S. Wilson and lie about what she said at the dedication of an F.B.I. building in South Florida. The use of the "empty barrel" characterization still makes me cringe. And then, Sanders suggesting it is "highly inappropriate" to question a four-star Marine general leads me to contemplate the real possibility we are well on the road of seeing our democracy erode before our eyes at supersonic speed.
29
Baldly fabricating a fantasy world to inhabit seems the only recourse that allows President Trump to live with himself. The alternative, to confront the truth about the meanness and deficiency of his character and to bear responsibility for his failures and shortcomings as a leader, a businessman, an employer, a husband would be a nightmare too disturbing for him to face. To honestly see himself and the impact of his lifelong actions on many lives requires a fortitude not in his makeup.
Trump long ago sold his soul in pursuit of the American Dream — of success, wealth, and power. This toxic shadow version of the American Dream for which he is the ultimate symbol/idol casts greed and exploitation as virtues necessary to its attainment. The instituting of slavery at our country’s founding instituted self-deception, the twisting of moral values, as cultural practice; we see the fruits of this in America 2017, from the White House to the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam. Pardon the cynicism; it’s that sort of moment in our 240-year history.
Drawing comparisons from art/fiction and fictitious reality TV, Trump achieved the success that Willie Lomax desperately and pathetically sought and was destroyed by in deluded pursuit. Trump, having found pots of gold at the ends of rainbows, with which he has gilded his imperial existence, must maintain his delusions to keep all that he has lived for from vaporizing.
15
You capture the essence of what this White house is all about ... excellent analysis.
.
I'm going to give Kelly the benefit of the doubt and assume some other Trump lackey did the research on Wilson, then prepped him with false information. Kind of like what happened to Colin Powell at the U.N. in the run up to the Iraq war.
Here's the sadder, larger point - despite the provable falsehood of Kelly's statements, the "base" will absorb the attack on Wilson's character and never accept or consider proof to the contrary. It's now a "fact" that will live on in the alternate political universe occupied by too many people today.
Until all reasonable Americans, regardless of party, reject the deliberate lies and the alternate "reality" they create, we will suffer the consequences of this rogue administration.
14
Why do you believe the General was provided "False" Information on the Congresswoman?
When the Truth was a lot easier to find?
4
Processing this past week on the aggregate brings us straight to the issues of government competence, transparency and objective credibility.
We saw a West Wing surround this poorly spoken, unsophisticated president.
Meanwhile, all of this distracts from a main fact---we have four dead Americans, and this president did not acknowledge their deaths--or that Niger operation, for almost two weeks.
As the broad extent of the military footprint of this administration has been kept from the public, an administrative spokesperson informs the American press the military general assisting the president in the west wing is not to be questioned.
16
I never understood all the praise for Kelly when he was appointed Chief of Staff. Something must be wrong with him to want to prop up Trump! He has said very disparaging things about Congress before, contemptuous even, making me think he does not respect the separation of powers between the three branches. He'd be fine with a dictator if it demonstrated his supposed supreme loyalty to country. And his glorification of the military ("the best people in the world") is downright scary to me.
20
Glorification of the military is due to the fact that when one spends 45 years in uniform, the world outside doesn't matter. Unfortunately for him, it is not the real world.
5
It's not surprising that Kelly lied. Lying is the lingua franca of the Trump administration. After lamenting that women used to be "sacred and looked upon with great honor," Kelly proceeded to dishonestly trash the character of the congresswoman in question. Apparently, a lot of things "stun" Mr. Kelly, but lying about a "sacred" woman isn't one of them. Was I stunned by Kelly's lies? Of course not. I expect nothing else from this administration. What Kelly did for us was dispel the notion that he is somehow different from Trump.
I found his comments about the 1% to be ludicrous. They -- service men and women are not the finest 1% the nation has to offer. They join the military for their own reasons. I imagine very few join primarily because of an extraordinary love for this country. I served in the military and none of the finest people I've met in my life were people I met in the service. In fact, career military people made up a disproportionately large percentage of the least admirable people I've met. Kelly's belief that the best people are found in the military is both wrong and wrong-headed. He is not someone who should be influencing decision-making in a democracy.
Mr. Kelly showed us who he really is and it was not a flattering view.
30
Wilson did grandstand, but not about getting funding, but about the paltry accomplishment of changing the name! Yeah, it's less ignominious to brag about paltry accomplishments than about difficult ones!
1
School children talk about their, workers show their salaries/wages, elected officials highlight what they do for their constituents, big and "paltry" to use your language. FYI, the the funding came before she was elected to office that why she didn't mention it.
The paltry accomplishment of changing the name of the building to honour two slain FBI agents in time for the official opening? It seems that in Trump-world, honouring those who have died to protect their countrymen IS considered 'paltry'.
2
"Empty vessels make most noise" is an expression I heard often as a child. I read and re-read Kelly's remarks for a clue as to why he used a similar saying to disparage Rep. Wilson. There was no such verbal clue. I also read that Kelly was very upset that his son had been dragged into the controversy and that Kelly had walked at Arlington cemetery to collect his thoughts. His beef was with Trump. But like a good soldier who had long ago surrendered his brain to the machine, maybe it was impossible for him to see straight. I recall Colin Powell, dragged into a war he thought was wrong, but had gone before the world at the UN to justify that war.
Sadly, yes! For what it's worth, I've decided that Kelly was guided by racism. His beef was with Trump for politicizing the death of Kelly's son. But like a good marine, he couldn't contemplate mutiny. "Empty vessels make most noise" is a phrase I heard often as a kid. Kelly used it without preamble, pointing to a definite dislike of Rep. Wilson. What he verbalized about her was false, and could only have been based on a racial/gender profile that excluded her from the ranks of those who, in his opinion, deserved to be thought of as "sacred." Sarah Sanders revealed more of the mindset of this crew of White House misfits when she said that it would be inappropriate to debate the four star marine general (which he no longer is.)
`
19
Kelly will have to learn the hard way not to surrender his reputation in service to politicians, just like Powell before him.
22
A lot of people seem to feel that Mr. Kelly deserves a pass for his behaviour yesterday. It is unfortunate for Mr. Kelly that his boss dragged him into this mess, but his attempt at deflection by leveling ad hominem attacks, based on lies, against Ms. Wilson is beneath contempt.
He is supposed to be a shining light of hope and integrity in an otherwise festering swamp. The thing about swamps is that, despite your best intentions, they can swallow you if you aren't careful. If Mr. Kelly is the man of integrity that he is reputed to be, I can't see him lasting much longer in this position.
But I don't feel sorry for him. To paraphrase Mr. Trump, "he knew what he was signing up for".
20
Kelly's memoir will be fascinating. My reading is that he's doing what he needs to do (i.e. playing the game) so that he can keep what little control he has over Trump. My sincerest hope is that he's not as racist as he seems but who knows.
6
I'm disgusted beyond belief that former Gen. Kelly felt it necessary to denigrate and disrespect in such a public way Rep. Wilson, an honorable public servant. To call someone an empty barrel is horrendous enough, but to say it in the somber setting and on a national stage was like watching a horror movie. My heart actually squeezes with pain at the total cluelessness demonstrated by Mr. Kelly. He is unaware of his own internal lack and hangs his pride on his outward accomplishments. The measure of a man is not his medals, it is his character. Somewhere inside he knows this.
20
Gen Kelly just lost any shred of respect he might have had. He no better than any of the other flunkies in the WH who continue to enable Trump. He also lectured everyone assembled in the most patronizing way continuing the myth tat only those who serve are patriotic.
20
A few assembled (press corps) quite possibly have seen combat, armed only with cameras and notebooks. I also noted his sly disparagement of the media.
1
"Appear to be?" Why guess?
"it is absolutely disgraceful that [Kelly] would disparage Representative Wilson using what appear to be lies."
To its credit, the Times has provided a link to Wilson's actual speech! I highly recommend watching it, so that you don't have to write about what "appears." You'll have the actual speech! Watch the video and then ask yourself whether your remark was appropriate.
7
'Lie down with dogs, wake up with fleas.' General Kelly must be scratching today.
21
I had thought you, at least, were an honorable man, General Kelly.......
13
He trying to keep his job longer than six months, then he will leave and I don't know if that honorably or not.
1
Apparently even those we deem to be somewhat above reproach..... Maybe two centimeters higher than the mean in this WH, are just the second HUCKSTER stock.
Gee, this takes me back to the first days when the first task leaves of the Cabinet all joined in ATTA BOY rounds.
3
Anyone missing Obama lately- raise your hand.
18
It does look like white people lecturing black people about not knowing their place. Why else fabricate lies and denigrate instead of apologize?
20
Seriously, "EMPTY BARREL"?
3
[[Mr. Trump said he found Ms. Wilson’s criticism of Mr. Kelly “sickening.”]]
Just sickening? Not also "sad"?
[[The president called his chief of staff “a very elegant man,”]] and an apparent liar.
[[Trump added that Mr. Kelly “is a tough, strong four-star Marine.”]]...and so you sent him to beat up on a 75 year old woman? Good thinking.
12
To quote the popular often reelected Rep. Addison Graves "Joe" Wilson Sr. "You lie!"
5
OOOhhhhh!! A four-star General. Be afraid.......be very afraid!!
9
This has blown up because the president simply lacks empathy and this is a personality trait that is tied to documented behaviors going back to his upbringing.
He actually doesn't know how to give condolences. That's why that call came off the way it did. For normal people on the other end of his call, of course it sounds shallow at best, callous - even mean - at worst. He provided no solace to Myeshia Johnson because he simply doesn't know how.
This can be seen as a trait common among sociopaths.
Now, instead of putting this to bed by saying, "I'm sorry my call upset Mrs. Johnson," he goes to war with her and Representative Wilson. He can't be wrong, ever. This is another common sociopathic marker.
He continuing lies in the context of an attack on these women is yet another classic sociopathic response.
As for the spreading collateral damage his life is known to trigger, It's expected to see Ms. Sanders up there doing the dirty work, but it's absolutely appalling to see General Kelly now denigrating himself in this mess.
This is further proof of the wreckage that has followed in Donald Trump's life since he was old enough to start mocking schoolmates. You can't be around him without being sucked in and down.
18
Thou shall not bear false witness...
Oh, heck, evangelicals, Trump is your guy, right?
Who cares about any of that small stuff..?
12
I respect Representative Wilson for standing up for itself, for honesty and dignity, and for caring about the people she represents. I mourn the loss of the dignity, consideration, and competence in the office of the president of the United States. Who on earth in that role disparages a fallen hero and his widow or her allies? What general worthy of the role would throw himself on the sword for a careless idiot like Trump? Can we please impeach this dangerous man and drain his swamp? Everyday is a spit fest of stupidity, offense, and despair under his leadership.
14
Kelly got into the mud wrestling business and of course got covered with it himself.
9
Anyone who thinks generals don't lie hasn't read much history.
16
Mr. Kelly says: " Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?"
6
The last act of a coward is to decry racism. She's a grandstander and a huckster.
3
Perhaps, unless the charge is true, as it is here.
Then it's bravery. That's probably what you meant.
1
The first act of a coward is to get a military deferment due to 'bone spurs'.
2
Well, as usual the NYT’s and the left fails to see the real story and tries to bring politics into the story, to change the story. President Trump made a call of compassion to the wife of a brave soldier who died for this Country. The wife was told that the call was coming. Congressman Wilson got wind of the calling so this as an opportunity to make this all about Congressman Wilson by listening in on this private conversation. Wilson then convinced the wife that our President disrespected her. Of course the NYT and the rest of the Democratic, Liberal media jumped on this faster then you could say Al Sharpton or Senator Schumer. What terrible people can be to take this
private, respectful moment and turn this into a politicized moment, you all should be ashamed!
1
it's pretty clear the "call of compassion" failed miserably because it is a quality of emotion that Trump does not appear to have.
1
Wilson is a longtime friend of the family and a mentor and former principal of the young soldier and was in the car in that capacity, awaiting his body at the airport. The call came in on Bluetooth.
Turn off Fox.
1
It’s amazing how people who once had an impeccable record get tarnished working under this administration. They must feel a lot of pressure to support their vile boss and in doing so must lie to keep their jobs. As the Bible says, “bad company corrupts good morals”!
Mr. Kelly, how much is your honor worth? Or do you feel that you must throw your honor away, feeling that you're among the few that are standing between this unstable president and our nuclear arsenals? If you sense that, it's time to enact on the 25th amendment. You can't hold off a mentally derange president for a little over 3 more years (unless Mueller gets to him first). Our US Constitution have provided the the 25th for such times as this!
9
Dave, General Kelly debased the Marine Corp by not doing the honorable thing and refuse to do the presidents bidding to lie.
I cannot pity such a man.
12
I wonder who would not expect a lying Chief of Staff coming from an administration with a liar at the top.
"Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are". Sounds just right
11
C'mon people. He's racist. Let's call him on it it. Every moment. Every utterance. (I know, that's a lot.) We're better than this (him).
7
Even four star generals can have forked tongues.
8
And he's not a general. He's just a civilian like the rest of us. It's not a gene.
2
didn't anyone wonder from the very beginning of this whole debacle: why did he choose to phone the widow of the only black man killed? no way that was going to end well.
2
Hey colorful, powerful leaders...love the hats! That said, how can theGOP sleep at night...they have become a stinking mess. What are we too do?
1
The White House insiders are calling Kelly the "moral core" of the Trump administration. How sad. This is what we've come to -- the president asks Kelly what he should say to a grieving widow -- Kelly has to tell him how to express sympathy. How sad. Then Kelly has to falsely accuse a black congresswoman of something she didn't do or say to express his loyalty to a person whom the secretary of state, Tillerson, has accurately called a "moron". This way he keeps Trump's faith and riles up a "base" that loves it when the Trump WH goes after black people and women. How sad.
This whole episode would not have taken place if Trump had proper social skills.
7
General Kelly is just one more person who will forfit a lifetime reputation by his association with Donald Trump. Trump is draining the swamp and replacing it with sewage.
7
Kelly is a despicable LIAR.
Apologize to the Congresswoman, then resign.
11
There you go again. The Times is again using a euphemism when the word lie is more appropriate. How can the same words (basically, accusing Ms. Wilson of bragging about securing funds for an FBI building and twisting President Obama's arm) be a misrepresentation from Kelly and a lie if it came from Trump?
5
It's hard to believe anything at all coming from the lying US President and his arm-twisted sidekicks given the way they attack their own war-dead and their families and clearly go after blackUS citizens. It's time the rest of the decent world put in place sanctions against the office of the President until the present rabble are gone and folk with ethics and integrity replace these monsters! Honestly - out here in the rest of the world - the respect formerly held towards POTUS and Office has plummeted to 0%. Weep my US family and friends - and get rid of these uglies - impeachment now!
4
The Times has graciously provided a link to the actual speech! I highly recommend that you watch it.
"Kelly 100% lied through his teeth. How shameful."
6
So over Kelly. Everything and everyone Trump touches is soiled in the end. To know him is to take on his slime and sordidness. Are there no adults in that White House who can resist being dragged into his gutter and coated in sludge?
5
Trump’s evil magic at work: semper fi turns into semper LIE.
Ps, my daddy was a marine.
8
I see the hand of Steven Miller here ... an absolutely abhorrent person.
8
My fellow Americans, I ask you: Are you going to believe the POTUS, Donald J. Trump, and Four star General John Kelly', these two distinguished White men's lies or that Black woman's truth? Did I fail to mention that she's a member of the U.S. House of Representatives? Does that matter? Do you really care?
Your answers might tell you if you're a racist or not.
6
Oh, duh. Is anyone really surprised? But keep it coming NYTs.....don’t let anything get by undocumented or undisclosed for this evil empire. It will be interesting when we find out how much money the Trump gang has stolen from the coffers of our country...
5
I have no idea if Kelly and/or Sarah Sanders are racists. But the lies & deceit they’ve perpetrated this week certainly reveal more than hints of racism. Kelly essentially brought a gun to a knife fight in his reprehensible attempted take down of Wilson, a strong black female adored by her constituents. And Sanders closed the week with coded divisive language...”As we say in the South”. She spewed that garbage from the White House podium. She should be fired for doing so.
9
Too tedious to read, type or say Sarah Huckabee Sanders all the time. Let's start abbreviating all those syllables as SHS.
1
Sanders warned the CBS reporter who challenged her in the press conference that he was taking on a Marine general, like he was a schoolyard bully who would come out and kick his posterior.
We have a clown car driving the ship of state. When we get into a storm we are on the rocks, as sure as sunrise.
7
Dear General Kelly -
My grandfather died serving as a Marine.
Your blatant lying and politicizing your son's death disgust me.
You disgrace the flag that I want to salute.
I hope that all of America's service men and women, of all races, both watch the facility dedication and read the article comments in The New York Times and the Washington Post.
You disgrace them.
You need to resign, sir.
12
Well, General Kelly, I did serve in Iraq in 2003, so even by your criteria, I can comment on this. (And really, the “only military vets can comment” attitude is directly contradictory to civilian control of the military, a founding principle of this country!) General, you dishonor your uniform when you flat-out lie about the Congresswoman’s actions, disrespect your son’s memory when you use his loss as emotional cover for your morally bankrupt President, and disgust this combat veteran when you suggest that you somehow have the moral high ground in attacking a woman of color because “when you were a kid, women were respected”. My sincere condolences to Mrs. Johnson, her children, and SGT Johnson’s other family members and friends both for your loss and for the extraneous grief and pain our vile President and his lackey General have caused you.
13
As a former white officer in the USN in 1966, I experienced racist incidents from my Commanding Officer, from Alabama. At Captain's Mast, non-judicial punishment, two white sailors were admonished for their misdeeds and each told, "Son, if you do not straighten out, you will get into trouble!". Charges against them were dismissed.
When the next sailor, a black man from my group, was called forward, I said to the officer standing next to me, "Al, I bet you he will not address my seaman as "Son!". Sure enough my Captain very loudly said "Boy, ............!" My sailor was punished.
9
Message to All, most especially Trump and co-conspirators:
Stop It! Just STOP It!! STOP IT NOW ALREADY!!!
3
The view of what appears to be a minority of commenters that the congresswoman's speech was self-serving and inappropriate as suggested by General Kelly prompted me to watch the video myself.
Objective Timeline of Speech:
0:00 - 1:47 Acknowledgements
1:47 - 2:30 Description of short naming legislation deadline problem brought by FBI
2:30 - 2:52 Statement of her intention to fast-track the process
2:52 - 3:12 Description of legislative process
3:12 - 3:38 Description of her bill co-sponsoring efforts and putting senators on notice
3:38 - 4:00 Description of Presidential assent
4:00 - 4:12 Statement that copy of bill to be presented to FBI
4:12 - 9:30 Eulogy and FBI praise
I would argue that the background to the naming was relevant. This lasted for 2m 13s in total. During that time she mentioned her own involvement 3 times lasting for a total of 1m 31s. She then takes a further 12s to mention that she will present a copy of the bill to the FBI. So she "self-serves" for 1m 43s out of a total 9m 30s video (4s less than the acknowledgements of other parties). To further reduce the references to herself would have made the naming story impossible to recount seeing as she was in fact an integral part of it.
People can argue that the 2m 13s recounting the naming process should have been dropped. I don't share this view. In any case I don't see how the facts support the contention that she was inappropriately self-serving.
8
I expect to see a red "Breaking News" crawl quite soon: "General John Kelly Resigns."
7
I thought Mr. Kelly was an idiot for taking this job. Now I m sure. Unless his strategy is to out-stupid the President to take some heat of his daily ramblings Kelly is exposing himself as someone is better placed behind the scenes doing military ops than in front of a microphone.
4
Race??? You should have quit while you were ahead.
Et tu John Kelly?
5
Time to throw Kelly on the heap of other Trump Trash. He did this to himself. Sad.
7
Maybe this surrealistic episode, created solely by Trump's sordid and warped imagination is a tipping point. With Kelly making a fool of himself, and the president's poodle press hack demanding obedience, we have begun to pull back the curtain on our infant president.
Enough is enough, maybe?
17
Ypu would think. Sigh
Let's say every word the Congresswoman says is true: what does this have to do with "White Supremacy" and why do White people permit themselves to be constantly subjected to these bizarre claims of "racism"?
7
You want to know why? Kelly stated that the congresswoman secretly listened to the conversation, didn't he? What makes him entitled and her not?
2
Because if you look at it objectively, General Kelly has not spoken out on anything else. He didn't publically condem Sen. Corker for calling the White House a day care center or Gov. Kasich for all his criticisms or McCain. He was said to be dismayed at the Presidents comments in Charlottesville but remained silent. He has stood by A president that bullies and lies. But he broke his practice of remaining behind the scenes to criticize an African American Congresswoman. c'mon!
Trump's long list of racist remarks are top many to list in 500 characters. His denials are not plausible. He is a liar who had surrounded himself with liars. He is a danger to the USA.
1
Kelly works for Trump and he wants to keep his job.
What he said about the muslim gold star family was absolute nonsense. There was not point in Donald Trump attacking the Khan family other than bigotry.
10
This seems to be a common tactic in the trump era - if you cant refute someone, smear them.
26
"As we say in the South, all hat, and no cattle" was how the WH press secretary described Representative Frederica S. Wilson.
Say what? Does Sanders' think she's on Saturday Night Live cold open???
12
She is a disgrace and I'm telling you that those folks is trying to turn this country into a dictatorship. You heard what she said , if you want to question a four or five star general, isn't he the chief of staff? This is not the army.
2
She's repeating the hate speech going around the Trump White House. This is a high-risk situation for them, and it will be damaging. Mocking Congresswoman Wilson, dehumanizing her and lying about her will not play well with many Americans. Trump and now Kelly have put their foot in it, and Sarah Sanders is making it worse.
3
Poor General Kelly has become the latest victim in Trumpland. The old adage about lying down with dogs comes to mind.
17
Why "poor". He chose this job. He has stood by Trump's bullying, lies, and racism. He was ok with Trump going after a Gold Star family even though they are supposed to be "sacred". The Emperor has no clothes, just like his boss.
4
“It’s almost like General Kelly was telling the congresswoman, ‘You don’t know your place, you’re not supposed to criticize the president,’” said Mr. Jordan, who is black. “That’s how it looks to the black people.”
...while I perceived it in other terms, it's not looking much different than that to some white people, too.
18
And Steve Bannon has the nerve to blame Bush "for going around in circles" -- what does Trump do? One day he says one thing, the next day something else. And yes, the Senator is correct...the current administration is full of White Supremacists. Bannon is solely able to analyze what is good based on his twisted rightist thinking. I despise this man and his agenda. At least George Bush, Jr., has a heart. Bannon is nasty.
9
Who says that Trump doesn't have a fatal, communicable mouth disease? Kelly should have watched who he was kissing up to.
18
"But Mr. Trump and his top aides remained defiant on Friday, even after the video was released."
Being obtuse means never having to admit you're a liar...
16
Is everything racist? She said that Kelly was racist by saying an empty barrel makes the most noise. That's racist? Nuts, Is every criticism of a person of color racist? Nuts, if you ask me.And way over the line.
5
OK, maybe not racist. Crass and insensitive for sure. Plus, he's doubling down on an argument that's already been shot full of holes, on tape that everyone can see.
1
In this admin, yes
1
No but since Kelly has not publically criticized anyone but a black womsn even though many have criticized Trump even more, that raises questions.
2
A fine general just fell into the swamp.
12
What jumped out for me, during Kelly’s televised remarks, was his hearkening back to days past when when military service and women were regarded as “sacred”. Oh, give me a break. He might as well have talked about when black folks knew their place.
31
In their un-examined, frighteningly unconscious racism and misogyny, Trump and Kelly figure they can just swat this woman away. She must be a nitwit, because, you know, look at her, and Kelly is a big tough 4-star general. They should have done their homework, because she is going to kick them around the block until they apologize for slandering her. Sanders pontificates without irony: “It’s appalling the congresswoman continues to make the death of an American hero about herself instead of honoring the fallen who selflessly gave their lives for all of us." Trump has yet to even mention the soldier or address his wife by name. To him, she "the woman" and he was "her guy". Everyone is a bit player in his movie about himself. And anyone who thinks for a second that either the grieving family or the Congresswoman would have been treated in this casually dismissive way if they were white has bucket over their head. Everything Trump does is based on his marketing knowledge that the largest dependable voting bloc in America is whites who will support the most racist person they can find, regardless of any other considerations. That 15% tips countless elections, especially in the former Confederacy, and makes America functionally racist. Without racism, Trump would have lost by ten points, and he never forgets that.
28
Best comment I've read this morning. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent analysis !!!.
I fear there are really no honest adults in the room at the White House...
11
Kelly was mistaken, but to justify racism you need more proof than the congresswoman has provided. She stooped to making a generalized accusation and playing the victim card.
4
Or not.
2
Semper Fi doesn’t include Semper truthful, apparently!
13
I just saw 1) Kelly's remarks on Congresswoman Wilson's speech in 2015 ("empty barrels" etc) and 2) the tape of the said speech.
I am truly shocked. Kelly is a disgraceful liar in this respect and owes the Congresswoman a sincere responsibility. Doubling down when we can ALL view the tape ourselves makes him look even worse...
Oh and YES Sarah Sanders, retired generals especially those who take political jobs are ALL subject to being questioned by the press on our behalf. What happened to "We the people"???????
25
You know without a full tape of the meeting We don't know what happened either before or after this speech .We also see a speech involving this representative..saying essentially the same thing about fallen police 'and fireman to paraphrase they know when they leave the house they may not return.....I'd use a common term but being politically correct this is the height of hypocrisy something the democrats since Clinton have been adept at. Perhaps you should note that Kelly is also a gold star parent as you did when Khan was embroiled...something that at one Time a read this paper for.
Did Trump tell the families of the three white soldiers that they knew what they signed up for? Talking down to the widow was insolent and demeaned the office of the President. Was Kelly’s dog and pony show orchestrated by Trump?
6
Kelly did not corroborate Trump's denial of telling Mrs. Johnson that her husband "knew what he was getting into." Further, Kelly made it clear he told Trump not to make these calls. Give Mr. Kelly credit for that.
But then Mr. Kelly went into the gutter. He chose to ignore that Rep. Wilson was a close family friend of Sgt. Johnson and smeared her for listening in on Trump's call. This was especially hypocritical because Kelly was listening to the call himself. Then Kelly went even lower by impugning Rep. Wilson with a blatant lie. A man who many hoped would curb Trump's worst impulses has himself been dragged into the mire defending this vile and vulgar man.
When you consider that Trump has attacked the Kahn's and Johnson's, both non-white Gold Star families, it's easy to see why the allegation of racism have arisen. When you add support for Trump among the KKK and Neo-Nazis, Trump's meek denials become a signal of guilt.
15
The fish rots from the head down.
13
Whether Trump's Chief of Staff Mr.Kelly is a racist or not is a debatable issue. But it is quite unbecoming of a 4-star General to fabricate an incident on National Tv.,to denigrate the Black Congresswoman from Miami,Florida, Ms. Wilson,saying falsely that she pleaded with our 1st Black President Barack Obama to get the funding for the new F.B.I. building in Miami which Mr.Kelly knew very well was not true.
As the old tape revealed,Ms.Wilson took the names of only the Republican Congress persons of Florida who helped her passing this legislation which granted her wish.
So for someone like Ms.Sanders to say that we should not criticize a four star general,no matter what,even though we all found out that his main intention was to denigrate the Black Congresswoman's credibility as she told the truth that Trump was totally disrespectful in consoling the wife of a fallen Black soldier who gave his precious life in Niger recently.
Ms.Sanders should know that Mr. Kelly is not working in the White House as a 4-star General but as a Chief of staff which is nothing but a civilian job that has nothing to do with any military actions of our country.
And as Ms.Wilson rightfully stated which was corroborated by many Congress persons associated with the Black caucus that this current White House under the guidance of Trump the most racist president ever,is full of White supremacists.
Mr.Kelly should quit his job if he doesn't want to be called a racist like everyone in the White House are.
11
I am tired of the race card being pulled out. Next thing I know, Ms. Wilson will be kneeling the next time the national anthem is played. And she is definitely policizing the call.
4
Why, because she called them out on it? And Kelly isn’t politicizing the call by lying about her?
2
And we thought that General Kelly was the adult in the room protecting us from this farce of a president. He should go back to selling condos with the Russians.
11
It must be really hard to get an FBI building in your district named after fallen FBI agents. That's one step up from making quartz the state mineral at the request of a 6th grade civics class learning how a bill becomes law.
1
"If you're able to make a sac red act like honoring American heroes about yourself, you're an empty barrel". We all know the emptiest barrel - these people don't even see the irony.
9
John Kelly is as disgraceful as his evil boss, a boss who has turned someone who had a hard-earned reputation but in one day lost it by turning into the "good soldier". Like so many Generals before him, Kelly has become an accomplice the evil Trump perpetrates daily. Kelly lies with this dog Trump, he gets fleas.
DD
Manhattan
8
The attack on the congresswoman is a fabulation they have constructed to make Trump's initial fiasco at CIA look "less bad" so Donald can feel less bad. That's how humiliated he is by his own behavior. His followers may have been humiliated by black women in a hat once; so this plays well. This is a textbook sociopath,and the regime is beginning to coast past the Pretoria white nationalists, 1960, and down towards the Confederates of 1860. Kelly's performance is shocking in its mendaciousness and the dirt it shovels for the 5-deferment Sore Heel in the Oval. I love the Sanders woman's line: How dare you question a 4-star general; I imagine the same comment was made on behalf of Francisco Franco and Robert E. Lee.
2
If Kelly doesn't apologize, America is in trouble
6
Mr. Kelly should be ashamed of himself.
9
“It’s almost like General Kelly was telling the congresswoman, ‘You don’t know your place, you’re not supposed to criticize the president,’” said Mr. Jordan, who is black. “That’s how it looks to the black people.”
I am not black, but that’s how it looks to me too. General Kelly, I had such high hopes for you. What a disappointment.
10
John Kelly needs to have a long conversation with Colin Powell about the ash heap of history.
6
Once you have lost your credibility through lies it is impossible to retain.
Will the generals talent for lies lead us off to war with North Korea?
5
Re the photo; I hope the Lilliputians at least did a rope dance before cutting
the ribbon.
1
Does Sanders-Huckabee know it’s highly inappropriate to question the first amendment rights of Americans, not to mention the right to free speech from a Congressional Representative?
The optics of Sarah questioning the Congresswoman's right to speak who is a person of color lends to the racism claim. And the White House still has not gotten past Trump's claim that "some very nice people" marched with white supremacist and Neo-Nazis in Charlottesville.
10
It's easy to know when President Trump Is lying, his lips will be moving.
5
Here goes the last "honest" adult in the White House Day Care Center...
5
I disagree with the often stated premise that we need General Kelly to remain as Chief of Staff in this dysfunctional administration because he, General Mattis and General McMaster are the "checks" on trump's outrageous and destructive behavior and protect us against nuclear war and other trump inflicted catastrophes. This is wishful and incorrect thinking. They do not and cannot control this psychopathic, narcissistic president. They cannot keep his finger off the nuclear button. All of you who think they are keeping you safe are deluded.
And, General Kelly made a terrible career choice by aligning with and behind trump - even demeaning his own name with lies to support trump's ego. Shame on General Kelly. What a disgrace to your illustrious career and reputation.
It would be better for We the People if you, and many others in this administration and Congress could find the way to honesty and speak the truth. You work with trump daily. You see his pathology, meanness, small-minded and hateful behavior. Would you have tolerated this under your command in the military? Not likely. Why do you tolerate this in the WH now?
General Kelly, you are now complicit in this dangerous destruction of our wonderful country, our society, our values and morals.
General Kelly - Speak Up, Speak the Truth, or crawl away in shame.
5
*“It’s almost like General Kelly was telling the congresswoman, ‘You don’t know your place, you’re not supposed to criticize the president,’” said Mr. Jordan, who is black. "That’s how it looks to the black people.”*
That's how it looks to a lot of white people, too. And if I had to guess, that's exactly how Kelly intended it. He would deny that it had anything to do with her race and/or sex, of course. But it does.
*Ms. Sanders also told a reporter who questioned Mr. Kelly’s veracity that “if you want to get into a debate with a four-star Marine general, I think that that’s something highly inappropriate.”*
So now us puny civilians are not allowed to argue with a general? My, my, how banana-y this republic is becoming!
6
Racist racist racist That's all democrats can complain about. Maybe they will come with a some policy statements that might improve thing.
Well frankly I don't care what they think or what words I'm called or what they call the president. Trump keep up the good work.
1
I understand according to your president that if you're born in Hawaii you're not actually an American
2
Mike M (who says he's a former serviceman) feels that Kelly lied:
"With his bold faced lies, clearly General Kelly has has disgraced every Marine and every other serviceman, like myself..."
Worry thee not, Mike! The Times provided an actual link to the speech. Watch the video, and see whether you still feel Kelly lied. True enough, he didn't give Wilson credit for the second half of her speech, which iindeed was devoted to praising the slain FBI agents. But the first half? Pretty much entirely "me, me, me," just as Kelly said.
When the Times -- to its credit -- provides an actual link, take advantage of it! Click on the link!
1
The way the Democrats are handling this just confirms to me they are their own worst enemy. Dig your hole deeper.
1
The only question in this matter was how soon Wilson decided to play the race card to try to obviate any further discussion. Thanks to the faithful on these pages and others, looks like the hucksters' carnival trick still has some life...
1
Kelly turned out to be a huge disapointment. how can he dodge this issue ? The video shows clearly that he was lying. He knows it, and we all know it, and yet he refuses to admit that this was a misstatement. Ms. Sanders remark that a 4 star general should not be questioned is ludicrous. How obscene a statement ! That might fly in Nazi Germany, but as of yet, it is out of bounds here.
3
Donald Trump is a disease, and John F. Kelly is only the latest to contract it.
4
When you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas.
5
What's up with the hats?
2
Yet another strong unapologetic Black woman who doesn’t conform to America’s norms?!? How dare she.....
1
OMG - how the indefensible people scream!!! Love you for being strong Representative Wilson! I was just thinking about the Weinstein stuff, ok I have a life in showbiz - this is their normal. Of course it makes normals throw up. I am so happy to bust them.
3
Hard to take this congresswoman seriously when she dresses like she works for a circus. What's with the hats she insists on wearing, even when being interviewed on television? She speaks of disrespect, and yet her whole demeanour screams "Look at ME!!!!"
1
@Keir: She has said she wears the hats to honor her mother. Wearing fancy hats when they get dressed up, especially for church, is a tradition for women in the African-American community.
The Congresswoman represents a predominately black district, and they love and respect her. Just because you don't understand their culture doesn't mean it is invalid or deserves to be mocked.
Republicans are quick to cry "elitism," but those looking down on Wilson and insulting the way she dresses are being elitist as well as racist.
1
She wears the hats to honor her late mother. How sexist to judge someone by her clothing anyway.
1
Excuse me? That’s like me asking why Germans wear what they wear or speak English with an accent? How much longer do we accept such ignorance ?
1
President Trump has pulled a major coup. He has dragged a four-star general into the mud.
17
Kelly allowed himself to go there.
2
It's a strategy to disrupt Florida politics and incite more racial division. Also to distract us from the FBI's investigation. Don't take the bait. Stay strong and focused!
11
So, it has come to pass with life imitating art in a sequel to Liar Liar. Or, is it Liar Liar Liar, starring Trump, Kelly and Sanders? I can only read and shake my head in amazement at this circus that is the US presidency. The White House is a misnomer; it should be renamed Black House because there is only darkness coming out of it. I feel so sad for America.
10
When one lies with dogs, lying becomes a double-entendre. :)
1
It's just more of the constant stream of artificial dissemination (lies) pumped out by this band of pirates. I think General Kelly needs a new motto. Perhaps semper merda taurorum.
9