The Victim: Donald Trump
The President of the United States delivered his “State of the Union” address on Tuesday. It was the longest in American history, full of introductions of special guests; from Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, to a nine-year-old cancer survivor. It seemed like a pretty normal State of the Union, even ending in the traditional “…God Bless America.” There was talk of all of the accomplishments of the past and hopes for future legislation. There were even the expected shots at Democrats over the Wall and abortion; and after the speech, reams of fact-checking corrections.
But, awkwardly placed in the speech (and with incorrect grammar) there was the “kicker” clause:
“… An economic miracle is taking place in the United States — and the only thing (sic)that can stop it are foolish wars, politics, or ridiculous partisan investigations. If there is going to be peace and legislation, there cannot be war and investigation. It just doesn’t work that way!”
“Peace and legislation, or war and investigation,” this is the choice the President presented. Or to put it more bluntly: “leave me alone, Democrats in the House, and we can legislate together. Investigate me, and it means war.”
Trump is facing investigations from multiple House committees: Judiciary (Nadler), Oversight (Cummings), Intelligence (Schiff), and Financial Services (Trump’s favorite, Maxine Waters.) They aren’t waiting for the Mueller investigation to conclude, the Southern District of New York’s work, or the varying state and civil cases advancing. They are going to investigate the President – so he’s “off the hook” on the need to legislate, according to him.
It’s too bad. There’s lots to get done, including avoiding a government shutdown next week. If Trump’s legacy is going to be anything more than appointing judges, separating children, and making the rich richer; he needs to get some things done in law. But that’s probably not in the cards.
So the investigations continue. Today Acting Attorney General Matthew Whittaker is supposed to testify in front of the House Judiciary Committee. The Committee and Whittaker have been involved in an odd dance over his appearance; with Whittaker saying he won’t testify if subpoenaed, and the committee saying that won’t subpoena him if he testifies. I guess we will all hold our breath to see if he shows up, or answers questions if he does: the Committee has given him a cheat sheet to study up on. Hopefully he’s found a way to manage the stress; his last appearance almost drowned the podium in sweat.
On Thursday, the President tweeted:
So now Congressman Adam Schiff announces, after having found zero Russian Collusion, that he is going to be looking at every aspect of my life, both financial and personal, even though there is no reason to be doing so. Never happened before! Unlimited Presidential Harassment….
The Intelligence Committee reached the “no collusion” conclusion under the leadership of Republican Chairman Devin Nunes last year. With Democrats now in control and perjury charges made against several witnesses, Schiff is going back into the investigation.
And the President, arguably the most powerful man in the world, is now a poor, sad, helpless victim. He is being Harassed, and will soon be making the case that he is unable to do his job because the investigations. It is the new tactic in the ongoing battle: the investigations are impairing the President. And if investigations do that, what would any further action in the Courts or, heaven forbid, the “I” word (impeachment) do?
Donald Trump has often used language to underline his personal strength. When he talks about the wall; “strong, beautiful, long,” it’s almost in pornographic terms. He constantly speaks of the power of his supporters, the “good old” Americans with the MAGA hats on. He wields his twitter account like a sledgehammer, bashing anyone who opposes him.
But now Trump is a victim. No matter your side on the ultimate questions of Trump, it’s a sad image of the United States Presidency, one that will not only impact the current domestic crisis, but America’s standing in the world. No one respects the victim: ask Vladimir Putin.
