Biggest Threat to US: Trump’s Poor Judgement of Character

THE VIEW FROM HERE--As a cheap political slogan, I detest “drain the swamp.”

Like so much of what Trump promotes, the term is dehumanizing and inflammatory. But since the beginning of his presidency, he has surrounded himself around people who are either incompetent, immoral, or both. (Photo above, President Trump with campaign manager Paul Manafort.) 

As a result, the list of names who have been forced to leave the White House under ethical scrutiny continues to mount: Steve Bannon, Scott Pruitt, Michael Flynn, Rob Porter, Tom Price, David Shulkin, John McEntree, David Sorensen, Brenda Fitzgerald, Carl Higbie, are just a select few. 

Paul Manafort’s trial for tax evasion and corruption exposes yet another example of Trump’s poor judgement of character. The president maintains that Manafort has nothing to do with him; but how can that be true when he joined his presidential campaign team in March 2016, and was campaign chairman from June to August 2016?  Candidate Trump had ample time to properly vet Manafort but went decided to give him a substantial position of authority on his team. To this day he takes zero blame for his choice.

Here’s the bottom line. If Trump really wants to “drain the swamp,” why does he continuously bring into his inner circle known liars, thieves, grafters, xenophobes, domestic abusers, and people with no special knowledge about their departments (Ben Carson and Betsy DeVos come readily to mind).

Moreover, why does he seek the advice of radicals such as Steven Miller and Sebastian Gorka?

If he is so untrustworthy and deceptive, why did he employ Michael Cohen for decades? If she is such a “low life,” why did he appoint Omarosa to be a special White House aid? 

Why did he say that there are good people on both sides of the Charlottesville protest? Why do his biggest supporters keep getting busted for crimes ranging from embezzlement and insider trading to fraud and abuse of power? (NY Congressman Chris Collins is the latest to fit that bill.)

Why do so many of the people Trump appoints end up mired in controversy over racist comments, conflicts of interests, abuse accusations, misuse of public tax dollars, and other integrity issues?

Never mind Russia, North Korea and Iran. Simply put: the most severe crisis facing our nation is Donald Trump’s inability to judge the moral character of people that he associates with and invests power in.

George Cassidy Payne is a freelance writer, domestic violence counselor, and adjunct professor of philosophy at Finger Lakes Community College. He is a CityWatch contributor.)

-cw