Trump is a threat to US National Security. Biden is not.

I truly admire and appreciate your attempts, PDS, but when the following cannot see the dangers when they heard the tapes of Trump showing documents he knew to be classified to those not qualified/cleared, I don't see how further attempts will convince any of the national security concerns. Further, they responded that they didn't care if a foreign adversary paid for his bond. It's a losing proposition.

 

@Patricio Da Silva

""Trump; will give Ukraine to Russia.""

No he won't..

 

Temporary, and Trump had the same military, so this idea that if he pulled us out, it would have been any different, defies credulity. Trump, by kicking out the Afghanistan government, and tying Biden's hands with the Taliban, handed Biden a terrible hand. Personally, I think he did it deliberately just so guys like you can bellyache about it, which is to his advantage, because now guys like you are going to vote for him. I'll give Trump this much, he's clever, but all demagogues are clever. Their playbook is all about deception and trickery and now to bamboozle the masses.

But, it was temporary and now it's over. Trump's chaos was constant.. Books are written about it.

Deal with it.

 

You say that like it's a bad thing. We have no troops on the ground committed to daily combat anywhere in the world. The only combat our troops are involved in, is retaliation for attacks on our positions.

Contratstingly we are honoring our treaty to support Ukraine without direct involvement. But that support has kept Russian aggression at bay. That's a win win, we win twice, we're stopping Russia/Putin and doing it without risking the lives of our troops.

 

Only thing? My how quickly we forget, either that or you haven't been paying attention, Trump's president was a legacy of back to front chaos. He's the type of guy that likes it.

For your edification, I've researched this a bit, with assistance from my Copilot buddy, and have written you this little essay, and annotated to sources:

The Cost of Chaos: Unraveling the Trump Administration

Introduction: A Brash Arrival

Donald Trump’s ascent to the presidency was unlike any other. A real estate tycoon and reality TV star, he entered the White House with minimal foreign policy experience. His promise to wield his brash, zero-sum swagger to tackle complex national security issues set the stage for what would become a chaotic and divisive tenure.

1. Bulldozing Alliances: “America First” at Any Cost

Trump’s “America First” agenda came at a price. He bulldozed the carefully tended foreign alliances that had shaped American diplomacy for decades. The edifice built by Truman, Kennedy, and Obama crumbled as Trump disrupted established norms. Peter Bergen’s book, “The Cost of Chaos: The Trump Administration and the World,” chronicles this collision between Trump’s force and the immovable object of the national security establishment 1. The cost? A fractured global order and strained relationships.

2. Clash of Titans: Trump vs. the National Security Community

Within the Washington, D.C., corridors, a real “deep state” emerged—not the FBI, but the national security community. The CIA, State Department, and Pentagon formed an immovable force. Trump’s generals—Jim Mattis, John Kelly, and H. R. McMaster—were products of this entrenched culture. He wanted generals, and he got them. But three years later, they would be gone, and the guardrails were off 12.

3. The Chaos Within: Staff Turnover and Discord

The revolving door of staff appointments defined Trump’s administration. Prominent figures came and went, leaving a trail of chaos. The abrupt departures of key officials—Scaramucci, Bannon, Priebus, and Spicer—became emblematic of the administration’s instability. As Anthony Scaramucci famously put it, “They have to move!” 3.

4. Twitter Diplomacy: 280 Characters and Global Impact

Trump’s unfiltered Twitter feed became a diplomatic battleground. From taunting North Korea’s Kim Jong-un to announcing major policy shifts, he bypassed traditional channels. The world watched as foreign policy unfolded in 280-character bursts. The chaos lay not only in the content but also in the medium.

5. The Mueller Investigation: A Storm That Never Subsided

Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election loomed large. The constant speculation, indictments, and revelations fueled the chaos narrative. Trump’s repeated cries of “witch hunt” only intensified the storm. Michael Cohen’s testimony—“I fear that if he loses the election in 2020, there will never be a peaceful transition of power”—underscored the gravity of the situation.

6. The Pandemic Response: Chaos Amid Crisis

COVID-19 exposed the administration’s vulnerabilities. Mixed messages, lack of coordination, and sidelining of experts fueled chaos during a global health crisis. Dr. Anthony Fauci’s candid assessments clashed with Trump’s optimism. The chaos extended to mask mandates, vaccine distribution, and public trust.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Chaos

The Trump administration will forever be remembered for its chaos. Whether it was the travel bans, family separations at the border, or the storming of the Capitol, chaos was the constant backdrop. As we reflect on those tumultuous years, we grapple with the enduring impact—a nation divided, alliances strained, and a world forever changed.

In the annals of American history, the Trump administration stands as a testament to the power of chaos—a force that reshaped the political landscape and left an indelible mark on the global stage.

Note: This essay draws from Peter Bergen’s book, “The Cost of Chaos,” which provides a comprehensive account of the Trump administration’s tumultuous journey 1.

In short, 'the only thing really chaotic...' my ass.

 

That's horseshit! President Biden pulled off a withdrawal that tRaitor tRump set the conditions on and also reduced our forces to the point of un-defense-ability. Then chickenshitted out and left it to President Biden.

Yet, President Biden got our troops out with very few casualties.

 

Possibly, he's hoping the House will do it for him.

 

He's also the most existential threat to democracy our country faces. There is no more room for the "lesser of two evils" mentality. There is no doing worse than Trump at this point.

 

He's openly stated he wants to give parts of Ukraine to Russia. And he defended Russia the previous time they invaded the country. The ONLY change he requested to the Republican party platform was to go easier on Russia for that invasion. Yes, he absolutely would. It would take a lobotomy to think otherwise.

 

Biden did not follow the advice of his advisors. As a result, terrorists who hate us have billions of dollars worth of military equipment.

It was a disaster from beginning to end. It was no one's responsibility except Biden's.

 

He never said that at all... please stop making stuff up...

 

Then try learning what he said about how he would handle the "negotiation." Yes, he absolutely is in favor of giving some Ukraine land to Russia, just as he defended Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Your unwillingness to address reality is not my problem.

 

Please don't blame the Afghanistan screwup Biden created himself on Trump.... Trump would never had made the mess that Biden did... and we would still have Bagram Air Base... with the 5000 terrorist at the two prisons still incarcerated.. and 13 living American soldiers as Biden let the one loose that killed our service folks from that prison.....

 

Trump didn't bulldoze any alliances though DC though He would sink the alliances by asking some of the richest countries in the world to keep their treaty alliances. Meanwhile Biden already burned Saudi and is trying to burn Israel though those pesky Jews, who by the way would love to have Trump back refuse to cooperate. Meanwhile he keeps seeking a rapprochement with Iran that has set the middle East afire because the stripey pants set at state is so stuck inside the box that they don't even know they're in one. The covid mistake that was made was almost entirely trusting Fauci and company. And no one would have done any better especially not bought and paid for Joe or any other Democrat. Again almost all the chaos was the creation of an administrative state whose top people hated trump with a passion and were more than willing to take the aggravation out on the American people. And yeah you'll yell conspiracy or some other drivel when you're presented a truth that fits the actual facts better than your chosen narrative but at this point I don't really care.

 

Trump literally abandoned our allies, negotiated the surrender to the Taliban, negotiated the release of thousands of Taliban soldiers, and bragged there was nothing that Biden could do to stop his plan, which involved the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban.

 

I didn't tell anyone that Trump was going to start WWIII, not that I can recall. Feel free to quote me.

So, yes, strawman.

And for wars, we were fighting in Afghanistan during Trump, remember? He paid lip service to getting us out, but he kicked the can to Biden, and handed him a bad hand when he did.

 

No he didn't... Biden made his own phuster cluck and got people killed.... you can't blame it on Trump...

This little girl died in Biden's failed drone strike.... tell her how great you think YOUR brain dead president is..

https://www.gospanews.net/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Biden-Malika.jpg

 

I'm sorry that reality offends your partisanship, but that won't stop it from being reality. Come to terms. Willful ignorance isn't going to work.

 

Only pattern I see is your unquestioning swallowing of LW poppycock.

 

You forget, Trump LACKED THE COURAGE TO PULL OUT, HE ONLY PAID LIP SERVICE TO IT ND KICKED THE CAN TO BIDEN.

How many times do you need to be told this?

Your assertion is misleading.

You need to recognize that there were indeed recommendations from top military advisors suggesting that a small contingent of troops remain in Afghanistan. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Mark Milley and Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, both recommended keeping a residual force of at least 2,500 troops in the country. This advice was part of a broader strategy to prevent the collapse of the Afghan military forces and government (FactCheck.org) (Politico).

However, President Biden's decision-making process also took into account a diplomatic agreement made by the previous administration with the Taliban, stipulating that all U.S. forces would withdraw by May 1, 2021. This agreement was inherited by the Biden administration, and while Biden mentioned that it might not have been the deal he would have negotiated himself, he emphasized the importance of the United States adhering to its agreements (FactCheck.org).

The situation in Afghanistan was complex and evolving, with increased violence and stalled peace negotiations despite the agreement. The Taliban's "fight and talk" strategy had been increasing violence across the country to leverage negotiations with the Afghan government, even as U.S. forces were reduced to their lowest levels since 2001 (FactCheck.org).

In addressing the criticism, you need to highlight that President Biden stated the withdrawal would be conducted responsibly, deliberately, and safely, with assurances that the Afghan military, trained and equipped by the U.S., would continue to fight valiantly. The decision to withdraw was influenced by a broader strategic view that endless military force could not create or sustain a durable Afghan government and that the reasons for remaining in Afghanistan were becoming increasingly unclear over time (FactCheck.org).

Regarding the claim about terrorists acquiring military equipment, the chaotic nature of the withdrawal and the rapid advance of the Taliban indeed raised concerns about military assets falling into their hands. These developments underscore the unpredictability and difficulty of ending America's longest war. There really no convincing argument that if Trump had pulled out, it would have been better, hell, he negotiated the deal that Biden adhered to.

so, while there were advisories against a complete withdrawal, the decision was made within a complex matrix of prior commitments, strategic reassessments, and evolving on-ground realities. The outcome of the withdrawal, marked by criticism and tragedy, underscores the intricate challenges of foreign policy and military engagement.

If you really want to get to the truth of something as complex as this subject, you really need to dig deeper than think in short sentences.

 

You claim that Trump didn’t bulldoze alliances but merely asked wealthy countries to uphold their treaty commitments. However, the reality is more complex. Trump’s confrontational style—whether berating NATO allies for defense spending or cozying up to autocrats—strained relationships. His “America First” approach disrupted the delicate balance of global partnerships.

Biden’s actions, including recalibrating relations with Saudi Arabia and seeking dialogue with Iran, reflect a different strategy. While not without controversy, they aim to restore diplomatic norms rather than bulldoze them.

You point to the COVID-19 response as a mistake rooted in trust in Dr. Anthony Fauci. It’s true that Fauci’s guidance evolved as more information emerged. However, the chaotic handling of the pandemic extended beyond Fauci.

Trump’s mixed messaging, downplaying the severity, and sidelining experts contributed to the chaos. Other leaders faced similar challenges, but the lack of a cohesive national strategy exacerbated the crisis.

You blame the “administrative state” for much of the chaos. Indeed, career officials clashed with Trump’s unconventional methods. But this tension isn’t unique to Trump; it’s inherent in any administration

The bureaucracy’s role is to provide continuity and expertise. Trump’s disdain for norms and disregard for protocols led to friction. However, it’s essential to recognize that checks and balances are vital for democracy.

You dismiss alternative narratives as “drivel.” But questioning official narratives isn’t inherently conspiratorial. Healthy skepticism ensures robust discourse

While some conspiracy theories lack evidence, others raise valid questions. The challenge lies in discerning between genuine inquiry and baseless claims.

Trump’s legacy is multifaceted. His tax cuts, deregulation, and Middle East peace deals garnered support. Simultaneously, his divisive rhetoric, immigration policies, and handling of crises fueled chaos

Biden faces his own challenges, navigating a polarized nation and global complexities. The pursuit of stability and diplomacy doesn’t guarantee unanimity, but it aims for coherence.

The Trump era was a maelstrom of contradictions. Whether you view it as a necessary disruption or an avoidable chaos depends on your vantage point. From my vantage point, Trump is a threat to US national security, a view held by many in the intelligence and foreign departments.

 

And Biden made such a mess out of it, that we would have been better off to stay.

 

thank goodness.

 

that is both Putin and Trump's position on Ukraine.

At least we know with whom you stand.

 

Right and our young troops would still be getting killed for nothing. I'm sure there are many American mom's that disagree with you.