Sinking of the Trump Titanic: History Lessons Series
During the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump was called a “Teflon Don” because the horrible things he said or did left his poll numbers untouched. He even bragged that he could shoot someone in public and get away with it. Over the two years of Trump’s presidency, he has become increasingly unrestrained, seemingly confident that living “on instinct” trumps efforts to hold him accountable.
A different picture is emerging as the summer of 2019 draws to a close. The unsinkable Trump Titanic collided with an iceberg named Robert Mueller whose damage didn’t seem life-threatening because it wasn’t immediately visible, but the water irresistibly pulls the ship down.
Hiring William Barr as damage control officer prevented congressional Republicans from jumping into lifeboats, thus ruining their chances of survival. The Mueller iceberg is also amplified by the rise of “cold hand” Nancy Pelosi, whose team is opening more cuts in the ship’s structure and saving torpedoes for a dramatic end to an evil presidency.
There are three important lessons from the story that are in the process of becoming apparent to the media that hastily devalued Mueller’s work. Those lessons stem from Mueller’s approach to the report, from Nancy Pelosi’s leadership, and from the Nixonian Republicanism that produced Donald Trump.
Mueller Research and Report. The historic role of Robert Mueller and his outstanding team will be appreciated more and more by our nation sooner than most expect. His work seemed disappointing at first because it was cautious and restrained. Ultimately, he avoided many risks. There could have been recommended indictments against the president and members of his family and businesses.
How was Muller? risk downpour? First, he didn’t follow the money. Trump set a “red line” in the investigation of his finances and Mueller did not cross it, although the cases have been referred to other investigators. Second, he did not extend the investigation by issuing a subpoena to force Trump to testify in person. Two important findings became clear, so the special counsel’s job was concluded in a way that did not justify Trump firing him. One thing that has gone unnoticed is that ending the Mueller investigation has not ended Trump’s vulnerability in the areas that Mueller overlooked.
Third, the conclusion that criminal conspiracy with Russia could not be proven is inconclusive. Mueller demonstrated unethical and illegal activity, but lacked “evidence beyond a reasonable doubt” to present to a jury. Why? Due to Trump’s success in obstructing the investigation despite the fact that Mueller was not fired. Mueller was limited to what he could prove at this point. He did not find Trump and his campaign innocent. Obstruction will not always prevent the truth from coming out, and anyone who bets on Trump’s innocence is a very foolish player.
why Mueller risk downpour? Presidential obstruction, increasingly aided by congressional Republicans, posed a daily threat to the investigation. Focusing on the essentials and working quickly were clear priorities that Mueller managed to accomplish. The point is that Mueller was able to investigate a president who actively involved a hostile power in his campaign and, as president, favored that enemy over our allies and clear national interests. It’s a staggering fact, especially in light of the overwhelming cowardice of Republican majorities in Congress. This kind of research could not have been done in Russia, China or Turkey.
Impact of the Report. Presidential obstruction, aided by an attorney general serving the president rather than the nation, seemed to blunt Mueller’s effectiveness. The media and many Americans expected dramatic news, torpedoes that would blow up the Trump presidency. Events are in the process of proving that icebergs are more effective. Torpedoes can miss, hit the wrong target, fail to explode, or miss and sink those who fired at them. Icebergs make it impossible to ignore self-inflicted damage.
Pelosi’s leadership. How is it that a relatively soft-spoken woman is the most formidable opponent Trump has ever faced? I believe that, rather than the difference in style and skill, the answer lies in authentic versus fraudulent American political values based on the lessons of the New Deal and World War II. New Deal values seek to unite all parts of American society, working to overcome historical divisions of geography, class, gender, and race. The worldwide emphasis on human rights since 1945 also extends New Deal values internationally as essential to our national interests.
Tyranny versus Participation. Donald Trump ranks with Andrew Jackson and Richard Nixon as the worst bullies in presidential history. His idea of strength is based on overpowering supporters and opponents with exaggerated attacks that become more exaggerated when proven false. The result is force by “divide and conquer,” winning compliance from Republicans through intimidation and unleashing dangerous mob emotions among their voter base.
The composition of the Democratic caucus in the current House of Representatives reflects a different America than that of Trump supporters. How is it possible to unite and lead such diverse and conflicting interests, which reflect many of the tensions in our nation, through moderation and participation? Cool Hand Nancy has made her strategy clear and sticks with it while remaining open to the changing realities within the caucus. Steadfast leadership in setting direction is met with moderation when criticized by factions in the caucus.
Let Trump sink. I think Pelosi’s strategy is working. Don’t waste torpedoes until you know they’ll finish the job. The strategy of having Mueller testify just before a long recess seemed silly to the media, but it may turn out to be brilliant. Representatives and Senators will meet with voters in August. Wait for September and October to raise awareness that Trump Titanic is beyond rescue.
The Nixon Legacy. In a recent interview, Jill Wine-Banks, a member of the Watergate prosecution team, said that Trump would have already been indicted if not for FOX News. Her comment pointed to an underappreciated way in which Trump emerged from unregenerate supporters of Nixon’s crime.
The pending trial of Roger Stone should demonstrate how Trump embraced unrepentant Nixon supporters and his determination to revive a form of republicanism that most Americans thought was dead. Examinations of the life of Roger Ailes are also making clear the extent to which Republicans have embraced open propaganda as a political strategy to seek revenge for Nixon. No wonder Trump sees the propaganda of Russian and white nationalists as useful in combating legitimate news. In the year to come, the resurgence of Nixonian criminality among Trump supporters may reveal itself and could become one of the biggest benefits of the Mueller iceberg.
Sinking the Trump Titanic will not end all the corrupting influence of money and divisive politics. We will always have to be on guard against those who will inevitably want to resurrect and profit from the “sunken treasures” of the Trump Titanic.