A summary look at hot news issues surrounding Trump during the past week
The past week could be regarded as the week in which Trump grew into the Presidency. The chemical weapon atrocity in Syria was a test toward American resolve. Trump passed, the rest of the world noticed. While Trump’s elocution is still hobbled, we haven’t heard too much about his tweets lately. Suddenly, he is too busy addressing the matters important to a President. With Bannon virtually out the door, suddenly we see a different President. Stay tuned.
Where Trump’s initiatives should succeed:
Syria | As I explained in more detail, Trump did the right thing in bringing an initial response to a deadly situation in Syria. The signals to Russia, China and North Korea are perhaps more far reaching. They can no longer rely on what used to be an almost assured tepid response from the United States when they decide to throw their weight around. Each have signaled threats of military counter-action. Do not take the pronouncements of each of these countries at face value.
Bannon | Bannon has been curbed. This could mark a major turning point in the Trump presidency. After suffering several major fiasco’s with Bannon’s handprints on them, we’re already starting to see a different president.
Jared & Ivanka | Last week, I placed these two family members in the maybe column, this week the success column. They appear to be instrumental in modernizing the President.
Gorsuch | An unmitigated success
North Korea| Caution was the note last week. After further observation of the decision makers, I believe that any further action, like the Syrian strike, will be limited and with a high likelihood of success. Risk, always, but I detect the potential for a historic adjustment to this regime.
Tillerson | I’ve said little about Tillerson. There were some worries that he might be beholden to his international business interests, particularly with Russia. Those fears are calmed. His treatment of Russia this week projects American interests, strength, and realism. It feels like it’s been many years since we had that. Who knew.
Where we should take a wait and see approach before we get the pitchforks:
Spicer’s remarks about Nazis and chemical weapons | I bet he wishes he could take that one back. I regard the comment as a moment of stupidity, not evidence of a stupid person. Here’s the underlying problem: The mention of Hitler and Nazis have become a universal meme for a whole spectrum of causes. It’s now built into the foundation of our lexicon. That’s pretty odd considering that a few Holocaust survivors are still alive. We should judge ourselves at the same time we’re judging Spicer
Where Trump’s initiatives should be reversed:
The drug war | The Trump administration seems to favor old guard hard-liners who never got the memo that the drug war was lost. I keep hoping for a sudden-clarity-Clarence moment by Trump on this issue, but so far, nothing. The war on drugs did not solve addiction. Legalization of marijuana alleviates far more problems than it causes. Focusing on treatment rather than incarceration is the way to go.
Commentary by Lee Jones