Administration remains an enigma, 100 days on the job
Never before in modern American history have we known less about a presidency after its first 100 days than now. The Trump administration remains an enigma. Its ideological convictions, competency, priorities and most influential voices are all uncertain, perhaps even more so now than on Inauguration Day. In the crucial realm of national security, the signs are particularly mixed.
For us conservatives, the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s presidency simultaneously bring much to applaud and much to lament on foreign and defense policy. On the positive side, there are several encouraging developments such as:
Trump’s appointments of capable professionals to senior national security positions, which include National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, CIA Director Mike Pompeo, Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Adviser Tom Bossert. Each is exceedingly competent, a principled conservative and a dedicated patriot.
Trump’s ordering of the recent cruise missile strike on Syria to punish the Assad regime’s chemical weapons use. The dispatch with which he made these decisions is an especially welcome contrast with former President Barack Obama’s hand-wringing passivity toward Syria.
Trump’s deference to our military leadership on operational matters, particularly his loosening of the rules of engagement in our war on Islamic State and his refusal to micromanage our theater commanders in their efforts to take the fight to our terrorist enemies.
His affirmation of the importance of America’s alliances with like-minded free nations, such as our allies in NATO and the Asia-Pacific region.
But as laudable as all of these things are, they stand in contrast with some countervailing points that for conservatives and many other Americans elicit significant concern:
There appears to be a pervasive dysfunction afflicting the West Wing, ranging from the appointments of some advisers of questionable competence and integrity such as former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn, to the debilitating feuds that reportedly characterize the jockeying for power among officials such as Jared Kushner, Steve Bannon, Reince Priebus and Gary Cohn.
Trump’s disparaging of valued American allies and partner nations such as Australia, Germany and Mexico. Each one represents a pillar of American influence in its respective region. Showing public disrespect to their leaders undermines America’s interests and ability to project power.
Trump’s unilateral concessions to our strategic competitor China, such as withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and staying silent on China’s authoritarian abuses of human rights and religious freedom.
Trump’s personal refusal to condemn Russia over its brazen interference in America’s democratic processes, its ongoing efforts to undermine our European allies, its support for Iran and its annexation of portions of Ukraine.
It is clear that Trump was quite surprised by his election victory, and thus unprepared for assuming the daunting responsibilities of commander in chief, diplomat in chief and first customer of the intelligence community.
Of the two Trumps we have seen, which one will emerge as our president for the next four years is anyone’s guess. I and many other conservatives are hopeful it will be the President Trump who is committed to America’s international leadership, America’s allies and America’s values of strength and liberty.