General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe American Conservative: Trump's Contemptible Attack on Marie Yovanovitch
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/trumps-contemptible-attack-on-marie-yovanovitch/?fbclid=IwAR21EJawvB5KiyLdfb3cs_9ZkoapT7i4B-97hLZfjcunHpmDXWMCEVLg9RwTrumps Contemptible Attack on Marie Yovanovitch
November 15, 2019|
11:27 am
Daniel Larison
Marie Yovanovitch is testifying this morning about being recalled from her post as ambassador to Ukraine and the subsequent revelation of the presidents hostility towards her in the White Houses summary of the July 25 Zelensky call. While she was testifying, Trump started attacking her on Twitter:
Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2019
The presidents public and personal attack on a member of the Foreign Service is contemptible and unprecedented. Going after a career diplomat like this reflects not only the presidents usual disdain for our diplomats, but it shows his willingness to target and threaten public servants in the pursuit of his own personal interest. He abused his power by removing Yovanovitch, and he removed her because she was an obstacle to the shadow foreign policy that was being used to advance the presidents personal interests.
The content of the attack is predictably nonsensical. U.S. diplomats are not responsible for the conditions in the country where they serve, and in any case the most difficult assignments are typically given to the best Foreign Service Officers. The fact that Yovanovitch was given hard assignments is a testament to her qualifications. Zelensky was going along with whatever Trump said because he wanted to stay on Trumps good side. When Trump declared that Yovanovitch was bad news, Zelensky hastened to agree with him because he didnt want to make him angry. Trump does have the right to recall an ambassador, but the reason why he recalled this one underscores that his motives were bad, self-serving ones.
Now he is publicly attacking a witness in the impeachment inquiry, which almost certainly exposes him to new charges of illegal conduct. When someone as powerful as the president publicly goes after a witness, it is bound to have an intimidating effect on her and other witnesses. Trump has responded to an investigation into his abuse of power by committing more abuses that make impeachment that much more likely and necessary.
sarge43
(28,941 posts)Just when you thought he couldn't screw up more spectacularly, he goes for it.
I wouldn't be surprised if Madam Speaker adds witness intimidation to the Impeachment charges.
Cha
(297,323 posts)I hope trump gets new charges of "intimidating a witness" slapped on him.
crazytown
(7,277 posts)More like absolutely nauseous you psycho!
"2016", crazytown? you scared me! lol
crazytown
(7,277 posts)2026 - a third term? I would have taken goodbye pills by then :scary:
TexasBushwhacker
(20,204 posts)Does he have any CLUE what an ambassador does? Isn't Somalia one of those "shithole" countries he's talked about?
crickets
(25,981 posts)and will likely continue to distance themselves.
It doesn't absolve them, but if it makes him look bad and erodes confidence in his support, if this causes any of his supporters to question Trump and their reasons for aligning with him...
Good.