Daily Times

Can the United States (US) be considered a rational state under the Trump presidency? The world must wonder how the leader of the ‘free world’ favour dictators over democratic allies, and abrogate over seven decades of the international order created by the US itself?

His supporters argue that Trump is a disruptive and unconventional Chief Executive who doesn’t need much help in governing. He is “cleaning the Washington swamp”, which has been polluted by broken and corrupt governance and a far left-wing democratic party.With tax cuts and regulatory reform, he has jump started the economy on its way to record growth.

He saved the nation from the “worst” deals ever negotiated, rejecting the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP); the Paris Climate Accord (PCA); and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).  He is taking on the decidedly unfair trade advantages of China and the European Union by imposing tariffs and seeks to re-negotiate NAFTA. Perhaps on the seventh day he can rest.

Dismissing the six other members of the G-7 who met in Quebec last week, Trump left a day early for the summit with North Korea’s Kim Jung Un, his new best friend.  If the summit goes well, Kim may be granted a White House visit, and who knows, possibly a state dinner and a seat at the huge military parade scheduled for November this year.  The same cannot be said for the six other members of the G-7.

One of the better known World War II movies was titled One of Aircraft Is Missing. Today, it is clear that one of our Congresses is also missing.Tensions and disputes between both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue were purposely baked into the Constitution under a system of divided government and checks and balances. It was no accident that Article I specified the duties of the legislature, not the presidency, who was meant to execute the laws of the land passed by Congress.

But for divided government to remain functional, Congress needs to be an active player. To be generous, Congress — or at least the Republicans — are passive. More harshly, most are door mats the President easily walks over. The Democrats are hardly better, with no clear message other than ABT-Anything But Trump.

Whether in foreign or economic policy, the White House has assumed much of Congress’ Article I Section 8 authorities.  It is Congress’ sole responsibility to “regulate commerce” with foreign nations.  True, a series of laws have extended Presidential trade authority.  Congress also has the sole authority to declare war. While that does not necessarily apply to starting trade wars, perhaps it should. Aside from outgoing Tennessee Senator Bob Corker’s draft amendment to limit presidential trade power in the National Defence Authorisation Bill that the president can veto, Congress is still missing in action.

If the summit goes well, Kim may be granted a White House visit, and who knows, possibly a state dinner and a seat at the huge military parade scheduled for November this year. The same cannot be said for the six other members of the G-7

To extend the aircraft analogy, it is interesting to see how much Mr. Trump is flying solo. He seems oblivious to advice.  He is his own expert.  He prefers governing by Tweet, pontificating on whatever motivates him at the time.

Because of public outrage over the broken state of the American government, Trump’s popularity has grown. This is despite — or perhaps because of — his unconventional and idiosyncratic approach to things. To rile his G-6 colleagues further, he suggested to, or teased, reporters with the possibility of returning Russia to the G-8-a decision that will be highly unpopular with the other heads of government.  Meanwhile, Republicans on the Hill remain deferential to whatever actions the President may take.

Regarding North Korea, several senators have made the case that any agreement must be framed as a treaty requiring Senate approval.  Whether this will be a line in the sand or another failed opportunity to exercise a check and balance seems destined for the latter outcome. Of course, the November elections might produce a Democratic victory.  But whether that will or will not happen — or make a difference if it did — is quite speculative.

To many observers, today’s situation resembles the cynical assessment in Berlin just prior to the outbreak of war in 1914 — critical but completely non-serious. With friends like us, who needs enemies?

The writer has served on the Senior Advisory Group for Supreme Allied Commander Europe (2004-2016) and is currently Senior Advisor at Washington D.C.’s Atlantic Council, chairman of two private companies and principal author of the doctrine of shock and awe. A former naval person, he commanded a destroyer in the Persian Gulf and led over 150 missions and operations in Vietnam as a Swift Boat skipper. His latest book is Anatomy of Failure:  Why America Has Lost Every War It Starts. The writer can be reached on Twitter @harlankullman

Published in Daily Times, June 13^th 2018.