WASHINGTON — In less than two weeks in office, President Donald Trump has shaken up Washington, as promised.
So the timing today seemed right to ask Sen. Rob Portman, an Ohio Republican who didn’t join the Trump bandwagon bonus veren siteler during the primaries but became a supporter later, whether the ensuing criticism of Trump from critics is warranted. In a conference call, we mentioned:
- The 90-day executive order barring people from certain countries from entry, and the controversy that confusion and disruption that ensued. A Cleveland Clinic resident, for example, returning from a visit to Saudi Arabia, was put back on a plane to the Middle East.
- Trump’s assertion that the confusion and airport snarls stemmed from a Delta Airlines data outage, even though that wasn’t until later Sunday.
Only 109 people out of 325,000 were detained and held for questioning. Big problems at airports were caused by Delta computer outage,…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2017
- Trump’s inclusion of a top strategist, former Breitbart executive Steve Bannon, on the National Security Council, and the exclusion of the chairman of the joint chief of staff and the director of national intelligence unless their “responsibilities and expertise are to be discussed.”
- The president’s frequent tweets, which include insults to members of Congress.
Nancy Pelosi and Fake Tears Chuck Schumer held a rally at the steps of The Supreme Court and mic did not work (a mess)-just like Dem party!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 31, 2017
Portman’s answer in a nutshell: Yes, some things should have been done better and are now being improved. But as for Trump’s communication, Portman basically said: C’mon, that’s his style. Why would folks be surprised?
On the visitor and refugee block, Portman Gencobahis repeated what he said Sunday — that it was poorly vetted, that more people needed to have been consulted, that the Trump administration could have avoided much of the confusion.
On the National Security Council, Portman said concern was legitimate but, he understands, it is being addressed.
“I’m a lot less interested in Steve Bannon being on the National Security Council than not having the chairman of the joint chiefs and the director of national intelligence being present at all those meetings. That was my concern over the weekend when I heard it.”
The director of national intelligence coordinates intelligence information and helps determine how to act on it, Portman said. He should be there, he said.
“My understanding is that it has been resolved, that they are now not just invited but encouraged to come to all meetings. That’s my understanding, at least. If not true, then I want to be sure that it is true because that’s a concern of mine.”
The Pentagon on Monday said the national security role of Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, will not change, despite the language in Trump’s executive order on the National Security Council.
As for the way Trump communicates?
“He does communicate directly with the American people,” Portman said. “He did that all through the campaign. Obviously that was very compelling to a lot of people.”
Trump’s manner of communicating, Portman added, is “to be expected.”
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