Trump’s sycophants strike disturbing note

Most heads of state say they do not want to be surrounded by yes- men and the best of them mean it. Donald Trump has no such qualms. He invited the cameras into the room before the first meeting of his full cabinet this week and invited each of his appointees to say something in the photo opportunity. Round the table he went and each in turn professed what “an honour and privilege it was to be able to serve you”.

These were not just yes- men, they sounded like sycophants.

A leader worth his salt would have intervened after one or two offerings and suggested to the third that he say something about his ( only one was female) portfolio. Not Trump. He beamed and wallowed comfortably in the flattery.

This is worrying on two levels. It underlines the ego and poor judgment of the world’s most powerful man, which was apparent before he was elected, but worse, it does not inspire confidence in those around him. They included his chief of staff, Reince Priebus, at the cabinet table.

With a President as erratic as this one, it is vital that sound, sensible, strong characters are able to check his impulses when it matters. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was at his right hand in the cabinet and seemed less fawning than others. But none of them took the opportunity to say something important about the tasks on their plate.

It was odd and inspired amusing comments, but it was also deeply disturbing.