Since Donald Trump’s surprise victory in the 2016 presidential election, there has been growing speculation about whether or not he will be able to serve out his term in office. After all, Trump only received a fraction of the votes that Hillary Clinton received, and a lot of his campaign rhetoric was pretty inflammatory. With his election victory comes the responsibility of his supporters to act responsibly and not let their frustration about Trump’s win boil over into acts of political violence. Nevertheless, with his victory comes the possibility of failure as well, and many people are wondering if Trump can actually be trusted with the presidency.
Will Trump Be Able To Stick To The Key Foreign Policy And National Security Goals He Promised?
One of the most frustrating things about the 2016 election is that we were given such lousy guidance on what sort of foreign and national security policies and actions the incoming Trump administration would pursue. It is one thing to have an opinion about what America’s role in the world should be, but it’s quite another thing to have a clear idea of what the next administration will do. This uncertainty has been compounded by the fact that Trump’s campaign rhetoric was so full of inconsistency and ambiguity. For instance, Trump frequently criticized the Obama administration’s approach to foreign policy while also indicating a desire to take a more active approach to the world; this incoherence has made it difficult to ascertain which foreign policies Trump will actually follow.
To be fair to Trump, his lack of diplomatic experience and his unfamiliarity with international affairs makes it somewhat understandable that he would blunder through the transition from the campaign trail to the oval office; however, this does not excuse his team for failing to provide clear and consistent messaging about his actual policies. After all, not too many people got the brilliant foreign policy idea that became Trump’s ‘America First’ mantra, and even fewer people realized the profound impact this could have on American interests. This lack of clarity on crucial foreign policy issues was a major reason why many Americans decided to oppose Trump during the election, and it is one of the main reasons why people are skeptical about whether or not he will be able to follow through on his campaign promises.
What About The Investigations?
Another issue that got a lot of people worried was Trump’s suggestion that he might shut down the investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election. This was a direct affront to the voters who expected Trump to follow through on his promise to investigate what happened and hold the perpetrators accountable. As it turns out, Trump hasn’t closed down any investigations; he has simply stopped commenting on them, a clear indication that he doesn’t want to draw more attention to them. Although this is a positive sign and shows that Trump is taking the investigation of Russian interference seriously, it is also a sign of how little he cares about the issue. If Trump truly cared about justice, he would have made the investigation a priority months ago, especially since it’s been more than a year since the election and many of the people responsible for interfering with the election process are still at large and operating with impunity.
There is also the issue of Trump’s comments about women, which were deemed ‘objectionable’ by then–FBI Director James B. Comey. Although there is no evidence that Trump actually committed a crime, there is a strong sense that he doesn’t respect the feelings of women and that he is verbally abusive. This combination of traits makes it virtually certain that Trump will say or do the wrong thing at the wrong time and place, which could create major problems for him in office. When viewed in this light, it is easy to understand why so many people are worried about what Trump will do, both in terms of foreign policy and social issues.
Why Are People Doubting Trump’s Judgement?
On a related note, there is also the issue of whether or not Trump has the judgement to be president, a question that has been raised by his own actions as well as those of his staff. After Trump fired Comey, the director of the FBI, Trump’s former Acting Attorney General, William Barr, was seen as a possible replacement because he was seen as less conflictual and more of a straight-shooter than Comey. Even so, it was decided that Barr was not up to the task because he is not viewed as impartial and independent enough. Additionally, the position of attorney general is one of the most important in government, and it is hard to imagine someone less qualified for the job. All of this points to a fundamental flaw in Trump’s judgement, making it difficult to have any faith in him knowing what to do with the reins of power.
Aside from these considerations, there is also the issue of whether or not Trump is the sort of person who can be trusted with such serious responsibilities. Many have observed that Trump is quick to anger, that he readily agrees with the first thing that comes into his head, and that he does not consider the implications of his actions before acting. This is in direct contrast to the traits needed to be a good president, especially as the role of the chief executive relies on the ability to think on your feet and make quick, well-reasoned decisions in pressured situations. There is also the fact that, as a real estate magnate and celebrity, Trump’s judgement has been questioned before, and it was found wanting. For example, the BBC reported in 2011 that the Clintons bought a vacation home from a former business partner of Trump’s for the discounted price of $1 because the real estate mogul lacked the ‘affairs of the heart’ and they did not want to get involved with someone who is ‘susceptible to flattery and indiscretion.’
All of these factors, taken together, serve to highlight the enormous responsibility that comes with being president and how uncertain it is that Trump has the mental and emotional capacity to fulfill this role. With his track record of inconsistency and his seemingly impulsive nature, Trump’s supporters must feel very much on edge as the president-elect prepares to enter office; as a result, there is plenty of room for concern, even if you don’t agree with his politics.