Trump is weakening America's credibility

To quote Donald Trump , If you dont deliver the goods, people will catch on. Rather than focusing on issues which matter to the American people, President Trump consistently distracts the media with controversial allegations designed to shift attention away from his administrations lack of substantive policy solutions to many of the problems facing the nation. President Trumps baseless March 4 accusation that President Obama "wire tapped" Trump Tower before the election is an obvious attempt to distract the medias attention away from its focus on the Russian governments meddling in the 2016 U.S. election.

Trump has long prided himself on his ability to attract and manipulate the news media in his favor. He provided insight into this approach in his book The Art of the Deal, where he advocates for fomenting controversy, promotes the use of misdirection, and embraces bad news coverage for his own benefit. He writes that even a critical story, which may be hurtful personally, can be still be very valuable to his business. However, since becoming president, Trumps reckless rhetoric has put congressional Republicans and top national security staff in a bind.

Walking back indefensible comments has become a regular exercise for Republican leaders. Since taking office, President Trump has relentlessly attacked the judicial system, the press, and American liberalism key pillars of our republic. His zero-sum worldview, the ignorance of substantive public policy, the blurring of government service and private gain, the endless lying, the incompetence, the chaos - all of it damages the office of the presidency and the reputation of the United States. The integrity, credibility, and leadership of the United States are the backbone for the Western World Order. When the President of the United States repeats debunked claims, not only does he damage the credibly of his office, but he increases risk to the security of the country and Americas standing in the world. The nation pays a heavy price whenever President Trump chooses to instigate controversy and distract the public away from issues that really matter - like how Trumpcare" is a windfall for the wealthy and hurts poor hardworking Americans, or the need to address Russian activities undermining our democracy.

What should concern every citizen is that Trump's crumbling credibility will not be limited to him. America itself is losing credibility. If the President of the United States cannot be taken at his word, America's arguments on the global stage will be easily dismissed. This will have profound and very specific consequences as the country faces new and old challenges, which will require the support of other nations.

Further, the mounting evidence aired out yesterday by Rep. Adam Schiff , Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee, connecting the Trump campaign to Russian state actors seeking to undermine the 2016 U.S. elections is deeply concerning. Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to undermine the West, its institutions, and actively aspire to be the geopolitical and military counterweight to the United States. Putin has increasingly relied on promoting nationalism, using the Kremlins propaganda machine to cast Russia as under siege by internal and external enemies. His regime promotes fear among the public and curbs dissent, in order to increase support for Putins Presidency, while at the same time dividing and weakening Europe.

The similarities between the public messaging of Presidents Putin and Trump should give us all pause. Moreover, President Trumps outreach to the Kremlin leaves U.S. allies apprehensive. Trump should cooperate with the on-going FBI investigation into the nature of his links with the Russian government and tell the truth about all contacts made with Russian officials. Instead, Trump will have his top diplomat skip an April NATO Ministerial and instead visit Moscow where hell be expected to discuss the Presidents approach to appease Russia, including easing sanctions.

Despite Russias apparent cyber attack on our democracy last November or its hacking into 500 million yahoo email accounts, President Trump isnt condemning the Russian government - instead he praises Putin . Despite taking credit for modest job growth put in motion during the Obama administration, Trump has yet to provide details of a sustainable job policy. His diversions cannot mask that fact. He should admit that his administration does not have a jobs plan for middle America other than to increase the wealth of the top 1 percent. Despite promising to make America safer, Trump should admit to the fact that he does not have a new plan to defeat ISIS, other than doing more of the same under the Obama administration.

Maneuvers that may help Trump politically hurt America at home and abroad. His attacks on our most important institutions weaken America and embolden our adversaries. The lying alone has already eroded America's moral authority, which is arguably the country's most powerful tool, least expensive weapon, and the impetus for persuading others to follow its lead. America's strength is not just its mighty military or its giant economy. The United States is strong also because of its credibility and reputation. Trump is squandering America's credibility. He is exposing himself and the American people are catching on. Trump may not care about the truth, but the American people and the rest of the world do.