The World Wide Tragedy of America First


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Unfortunately, the whirlwind that surrounds the Trump presidency is starting to expand. There are more leaks, more books, more events and even more speculation. And likely this is the tip of a growing storm!  Which of course, this means even more lies and fake news!
It also means that more people will become disillusioned with American politics. Strangely, the largest numbers of public defectors are the Republicans and that does not speak well when the members of the party that controls the three branches of government are leaving government behind.
As historians often inform students, the books of the present are often juicy, but the books of the future will be even better. There will be more documents to examine and more perspectives to explore. A critical element missing now that will be available in the future will be that of “intent.” What was the true intent of a political agenda, a political party or a political figure? Was that person successful in their intent?
In spite of all we see and know, Donald Trump remains shrouded in mystery.  He will be the focus of many complex and detailed presidential studies.  Similar to President Reagan, he will be analyzed and psycho-analyzed in varying ways and it will be interesting to see how presidential scholars present a deeper understanding of the workings of his administration.
For example, during his first weeks in office, President Trump was so disturbed by pictures of children and others suffering from chemical poisoning that he supported the attack of Syrian military runways to denounce the use of chemical weapons as a war crime against humanity.
This touching gesture is what has made America a force for moral goodness in the world. It is what has made America seem to symbolize the world's police force! And although America has not always lived up to this self-promotion, it has tried to set a moralistic tone to attempt to live up to such lofty goals.
In many regards, it was one of the president’s finest first moments.  He showed that "America First" meant domestic issues were the priority but America would not neglect being a force for good.  Yet, as quickly as that happened, that shinning moment disappeared and another image emerged.  On other events on the world stage, the president appeared to be the ugly American.  He denounced global leaders and told them to pay their fair share and he walked away from deals and treaties calling them unfair.
However, if one is going to police the world, it must also police its home. One of the greatest faults placed on the Trump administration is the lack of a clear international strategy coupled with a cohesive domestic plan.  Often when Trump has secured a minor victory abroad, he has failed at home and visa versa. 
Days ago, for instance, on April 4th, the new media reported President Trump's desire "to quickly get out of Syria" (Washington Post). Within days of that statement President Assad's government again attacked a community using chemical weapons as a part of this nation's on-going civil war. Less that a week later on April 13th, the combined forces from the United States, the United Kingdom and France attacked Syrian locations alleged to be sources of chemical weapons. (Was this really all done for less than 60 victims?)
It was a back to the future type moment. Trump had another chance to be a global hero. While many applauded the president’s stance, his critics have quickly noted that he has not resolved the problems in Syria. To the contrary, he only intensified the problem and he has spent a great deal of military and financial resources for little return, equally risked the lives of countless numbers of Syrian civilians, American and allied troops, and that his actions might serve as distractions and diversions for self-inflicted problems at home. Critics have alleged that President Trump acts more decisively in such instances than he does with issues like gun violence, medical care, and DACA.  Others have sharply noted that the president refused to accept Syrian refugees into the United States.
There is a parallel situation between this event and the promise of talks between Mr. Trump and Mr. Kim of North Korea. After months of name calling and saber-rattling, and possibly creating a nuclear war, President Trump simply agreed to meet without any terms. Was the meeting in the best interests of the two nations and the world or Mr. Trump?  
As his scandals continue to increase and place him at greater risk, the entire world will question America's global decisions.  And so it must be asked, which Donald Trump emerged on April 13th? Was it the global citizen of the world or was it the scandal-ridden Trump? This all boils down to intent! And that will not be known until years from now when those documents are available to scholars.  What is the original intent of the Trump Agenda? What was the intent of the president?  Was it really to right the American ship or was it to achieve another purpose?


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