Greatness continues to elude America and its self-obsessed leader
President Trump seems to have focused his State of the Union speech on only one subject: himself. Despite declaring his speech to be a call for national unity, Trump’s suggestion that the Justice Department abandon its probe of collusion between his election campaign and Russia constituted a “threat”, said Democrats and other observers.
Trump said “ridiculous partisan investigations” into his 2016 election campaign could “harm the economy”.
That looks like an attempt to merge two unrelated issues.
In answer to Trump’s remarks, Democrat leader Nancy Pelosi said the president should not bring “threats” to the floor of the House.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer was more outspoken, asking what Trump was “afraid of”.
Schumer said if the president had nothing to fear, he would “shrug this shoulders” and let the investigation go forward.
Trump also called for national unity during last year’s State of the Union address – but then slammed the Democrats as “un-American” and “treasonous” for refusing to applaud during his address.
It appears unity is still a long way off in US politics. And “Making America Great Again” seems just a pipe dream.
Vint Chavala
Chiang Mai
