In February, President Biden declined to do the traditional Super Bowl pregame interview, which could have showcased his presidential approachability to a U.S. audience of more than 100 million people.
Responding to the decision, Democratic strategist James Carville warned, “It just shows that your staff and you don’t have a lot of confidence in you. There’s no other way to interpret it.”
Carville’s reading was vindicated by Biden’s terrible debate performance. Protective shield Biden has held fast to the bonds his family and staff have built around him. At 81, his startling decline was visible to 51.3 million people, who witnessed the passing of the political expiration date of the world’s most powerful leader.
Former President Donald Trump, 78, is also viewed by half of the nation as unfit to serve as president. Both men have disapproval ratings of over 56%, a sign that the presidential nomination system in the longest-running democracy is failing Americans.
Globally,The BBC reported.Criticisms of the Biden-Trump debate. Chinese state media said the debate was “like a reality show,” that Trump “lied” and Biden “mumbled,” and concluded that both candidates “are currently facing difficulties.” Russian media called Biden’s performance a “total failure” and expressed concern about his “mental state.”
Afterwards, I called a senior defense consultant concerned that the debate posed a national security risk. “The Trump-Biden debate performance was a disaster for the national security of the United States,” he insisted. “Electing Trump or re-electing Biden is a sign of weakness that encourages China to invade Taiwan and encourages Putin to continue the invasion. But please don’t mention my name.”
There are at least seven reasons why electing either Trump or Biden would endanger national security.
First, the unspoken rule of “one president at a time” may be put to the test, assuming Trump stays on his projected runway to the presidency. 312 electoral votesThat means Biden will now be considered a lame-duck interim president until Election Day, during which he could be undermined by elected officials, Trump allies vying for Cabinet posts and the last remaining members of his foreign policy team that Trump didn’t fire.
A prime example is Richard Grenell, whom Trump has called a global “envoy” and who may be the next Secretary of State. Grenell was Trump’s ambassador to Germany and later served as acting director of national intelligence, though that role has yet to be confirmed.Guardian“I have documented how Grenell’s shadow foreign policy campaign threatens to destabilize diplomats and undermine U.S. interests. Indeed, our adversaries may find a way to exploit even the mere hint that the two presidents will compete this fall.”
Second, Biden’s exposed weaknesses are ripe for a test by America’s opponents. Is it a coincidence that three days after the June 27 debate, terror alerts were issued for US military bases in Europe? A “3 a.m.” crisis would be one in which an exhausted and weakened commander-in-chief would delay or indecisively, leading to finger-pointing from the Trump team.
Third, Trump poses a unique risk to national security in terms of whether the intelligence agencies will entrust him with classified material. Last year, he32 indictmentsHe has been charged with violating the Espionage Act by refusing to hand over boxes of classified government documents stored in his Florida home. A trial date has not yet been set.
Allies may also be reluctant to share sensitive information with the Trump administration, given former President Trump’s history of leaking secrets and questionable alliances. As a private citizen, Trump was convicted of 34 felonies and was also convicted of civil financial fraud, meaning he would not be granted access to classified information, but if re-elected, he would be granted unlimited access to information.
the 4th,NATO’s 75th AnniversaryThe anniversary summit begins on July 9 in Washington, DC. This is the first time Biden has been viewed as a tarnished “lame duck.” Ironically, it was Biden’s leadership that succeeded in strengthening alliances and thwarting Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The two major global security questions areOn the agendaAt the summit, Biden will be asking whether or not to join NATO. First, whether Ukraine should be invited to join NATO. Second, how NATO can “counter-Trump” itself and its support for Ukraine. Member states expect to become less reliant on U.S. funding, weapons, and leadership because President Trump’s past anti-NATO stance is perceived as a threat. Biden also made NATO membership counter-Trump by signing a bill in December that requires two-thirds Senate approval to withdraw from NATO.
Biden’s invitation of NATO leaders to Washington may test the “one president at a time” rule. It will be interesting to see whether a proud Trump, smelling victory, will send an envoy or make a surprise off-site visit for informal talks.
Fifth: The Trump Organization’s new overseas project is rife with national security risks. This week, the Trump Organization announced a new project in Saudi Arabia. More Trump-Saudi business deals mean more conflict. Shortly after Trump left office, the Saudi government invested $2 billion in a new investment company founded by Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
And let’s not forget Trump’s failed attempt to build a Trump Tower in Moscow in 2016-2017. Perhaps the plan could be resurrected in a second term, without the presidential guardrails.
Sixth, Trump’s relationship with Vladimir Putin is fraught with risk. Some worry that Putin has economic influence over the former president. Others believe that “kompromat” exists. Putting information at risk Putin could use this to control President Trump.
If Trump is re-elected, it will be interesting to see how quickly he will try to end US aid to Ukraine, pleasing Putin and with devastating consequences for Europe. US intelligence has long reported that it believes Russia has “pressure levers” against President Donald Trump, another national security risk that intelligence agencies should monitor in the Trump administration’s second term.
Seventh, President Trump will enjoy an enhanced “imperial presidency” as a result of the Supreme Court’s immunity decision, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor writing, “In every exercise of civil power, the President is now a king above the law.”
Both Trump and Biden have national security concerns, but if Biden finishes the race, leadership uncertainty dramatically increases global short-term risks, and a second term for Trump is potentially riskier because many believe he worships power and money and seeks immoral revenge backed by an army of supporters.Worship HimAs one chosen by God.
Myra AdamsHe served on the creative teams of two Republican presidential campaigns, in 2004 and 2008.
