Justin Trudeau’s latest sin: Over-diplomacy

Why did it take Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 20 full seconds to respond to a media question about Donald Trump’s turning on his own citizens?

And then, when he finally did respond, he didn’t even mention Trump, instead saying: “We all watch in horror and consternation at what is going on in the United States. It is a time to pull people together ... It is a time to listen. It is a time to learn, when injustices continue despite progress over years and decades.”

Trudeau’s diplomatic response displays “hypocrisy,” said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet said Trudeau “needs a spine” for not calling out Trump more directly.

That’s all fine. That’s why we have opposition leaders. But they are not the government, and not the leaders of the country. You might disagree. Certainly, we have used much stronger language about Trump, and will probably again. But we are not the government, either. Neither are you.

Watch the video, which is on display on domestic and international news sites (Google “Trudeau and speechless”). You can very clearly see the PM was working at choosing his words carefully. His jaw was working. No one can know for sure, but it looks like he was biting his tongue — figuratively, if not literally.

And in the end, he delivered a strong statement of concern, later reminding the media and their audience that Canada has its share of problems with racism and needs to focus on that as well as the conflagration in America.

But he chose not to dump on Trump. What would Singh have done if he was in Trudeau’s shoes. Would he have shouted out that Trump is “reprehensible” (which he said)? And had he done so would Canada’s relationship with the U.S. government been damaged as a result? Is that being a good prime minister and doing what is best for Canada?

Trudeau knows that Trump is volatile and unstable. Perceived sleights in the past have resulted in punitive measures against Canada. Is it really wrong for him to refrain from a personal attack against the U.S. president?

There is room for debate here. You could argue that this is a unique time and Trump is doing things that are so bad they transcend all diplomatic imperatives. You could also argue that a prime minister’s job is above all else to maintain important relationships that Canada needs to survive and prosper. Both arguments are valid. From this perspective it seemed as if the prime minister was choosing his words carefully. We would rather deal with that than verbal carelessness that could cost Canada dearly.

Could there be rays of hope in the darkness that covers the United States?

The day after Trump’s military histrionics ended with heavily armed police and troops assaulting unarmed protesters in Lafayette Square Park, other equally volatile situations in major cities ended peacefully. The family of George Floyd pleaded with protesters to remain peaceful.

Although current military leaders lined up behind their president, retired military leaders spoke out.

Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, a former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wrote on Twitter that “America is not a battleground. Our fellow citizens are not the enemy.” Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper said Wednesday that he does not think active-duty troops should confront protesters, just days after Trump said he was considering exactly that. And while most Republicans remained mute on Trump’s atrocious behaviour, a small group of senators spoke out against his actions.

So yes, there is hope, even if faint at this point.