Does your president often get frustrated, lash out, or cry whenever you try to correct them? Does he often lie or use alternative facts to get out of trouble? Is it hard for him to apologize or show empathy when he's hurt, someone?
If so, search no further, because I have your answer on how to discipline a defiant commander in chief. As someone who not only had younger siblings growing up, but was also an amazing babysitter (like Nanny McPhee level), I'll say I have some pretty decent disciplinary experience when it comes to feisty kids, whose are unmannerly. can drive those around them crazy, and the presidents who act like them. So let's dive right on in.
This is the period in you president's term when he begins to understand that he is separate from you and can exert some control over the free world. One powerful way he can do this is by defying you and what's morally permissible. You say, “Condemn the White Supremacists and White Nationalists,” yet he says, “No! I think there's blame on both sides! What about the alt-left?"
The important thing to keep in mind that some presidents are simply, by nature, more likely to be oppositional than others. Presidents whose emotional reactions are big and intense, as well as vice presidents who are more cautious and timid, may be more oppositional than presidents who are temperamentally more easygoing and flexible.
Why? Because these presidents and vice presidents tend to have a difficult time with changes, for example getting into the car seat, going to bed, denouncing racism and bigotry, and other tasks. Natural shifts in the day can also be stressful and result in a wide variety of protesting strategies from presidents such as name calling, retracting apologies, or trying to kick you out of a council when you've already quit.
So how does one respond to defiance and oppositional behavior?
Think Prevention
Anticipate the kinds of situations that lead to defiance from your president and help him problem solve and cope in advance. This might mean letting your commander in chief know that you understand letting go of his racist and bigoted supporters is difficult for him, and then offering him the chance to fire one of his many awful cabinet members.
Set the Limit
"Racist symbols and hate groups of any kind are not "appreciating their history", and if you don't condemn them soon, we'll either fall into another civil war or impeach you.” Use language your president understands.
Keep it short and clear, but not threatening. Big words like "racist" or "hate-spewing" should be exchanged for "bad", and he'll instead understand the words "anti-racism protesters" as "the violent alt-left".
Offer a Few Choices
“Do you want to finally admit that you align with the views of White Supremacists or do you want to apologize to the victims and condemn the White Supremacists?” You might also give him the illusion of choice by saying that he can pick the KKK, White Supremacists, White Nationalists, Neo-Nazis, Neo-Confederates, or even just plain racists. Giving choices offers president a chance to feel in control in positive ways and can actually reduce defiance.
Enforce the limit
If none of the strategies above work, and your president is still digging in his heels, calmly and firmly set the limit. "Don, we are not going to build a wall If your commander in chief resists, then (without anger) ban together and enact the other branches of government.
Avoid giving in
If you give in to tan-trumps, your president learns that if he pushes hard enough, he’ll get what he wants. This will also make it more difficult for you the next time you try to enforce a limit.
The key is to pay as little attention as possible to your president’s protests and whining. Ignoring the behaviors you want to eliminate is the fastest way to be rid of them. (The only exception to this rule is if your president is being physically hurtful—encouraging rioting, violence, or nuclear warfare—in which case you calmly but firmly stop the behavior and explain that he can feel mad but he cannot act on it.)
