Trumped-Up Scandal

President unfairly attacked over phone call to Army widow

We have seen a lot of criticism of President Donald Trump over the past year. Some of it deserved. After all, presidents are mortals, not gods. They make mistakes. They sometimes say or do the wrong things. Nothing wrong with calling them out when that happens.

But sometimes political maneuvering takes the place of legitimate criticism. And the outrage directed against the president this week takes the cake in that regard.

U.S. Army Sgt. La David Johnson was killed in an ambush by militants Oct. 4 in Niger. Trump called Sgt. Johnson’s widow to express condolences. We don’t know for sure exactly what he said, but it was reported later that during the conversation the president remarked something to the effect, “he knew what he signed up for, but it still hurts.”

Now, spurred by Democratic U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson of Florida, there has been a relentless attack on Trump over his “insensitive” comments.

The president, as would be expected, fired back. And so an American soldier’s real death in a real ambush has been pushed aside by a political battle fought out in the media and online. We find this outrageous. Even Trump’s most ardent supporters will have to admit he is not the most sensitive soul to occupy the White House. Nor is he known for his eloquent turn of a phrase.

But while the president’s words might not have been the best, it certainly looks like his heart was in the right place.

Trump is commander-in-chief of this country’s armed forces. One of his soldiers died in the line of duty. And the commander-in-chief called that soldier’s family to offer personal condolences.

Even if he did say “he knew what he signed up for,” that doesn’t minimize Johnson’s sacrifice. It honors the soldier’s bravery in the face of danger. He knew the risk, but it didn’t stop him. He served his country. He did his duty. We think most Americans understand that.

With his phone call Trump was honoring a fallen hero. We see nothing to criticize in that.

But using a soldier’s death for political gain? That is deplorable.