Trump's Russia Ties Are Overdramatized
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Trump's Russia Ties Are Overdramatized

Future presidents are expected to communicate with the Russians.

15
Trump's Russia Ties Are Overdramatized
Wikimedia Commons

Since his first day in office as President, Donald Trump has continued to face bitter retaliation for his seemingly cozy relationship with the Russian government—specifically, when two top Trump officials, former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, and now Attorney General Jeff Sessions met with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 campaign.

Flynn, who resigned just a few weeks after assuming his new post as National Security Advisor, took the first major hit of the administration. Trump was down one of his top advisors before Flynn’s first thirty days had even been completed. Flynn was forced to resign after he lied to Vice President Pence and denied meeting with the Russian Ambassador. His scandal then threatened to bog down the administration’s agenda with hearings and scandal before it ever really got started.

Then there’s Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Having met with the Russian Ambassador twice during the 2016 campaign, he testified during his Senate Judiciary Committee hearings for Attorney General that he “did not have communications with the Russians.” He was then forced to recuse himself from the Justice Department’s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 Presidential election after that was discovered to be a falsehood.

The seemingly continued interference of Russia in the U.S. elections is unnerving, and every American has a right to be critical, but who cares if Michael Flynn and Jeff Sessions met with the Russian Ambassador during the campaign? That’s what politicians do. It would be irresponsible for the Trump campaign to not be prepared to deal with one of the world’s most powerful nations if he were in fact to win the presidency. On top of that, it’s critical to meet with ambassadors if one wants to turn foreign policy visions into a reality, which ideally President Trump would want to accomplish.

Here are the facts: Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak reached out and met with top advisors of the Clinton campaign as well. Most likely, he also met with key officials in the Obama White House, since the Obama administration would take similar stances with the Clinton campaign on Russian foreign policy and aid in the transition efforts. Russia has a vested interest in securing a good relationship with whatever administration takes office, just as the United States would in any other country when a new leader takes office.

Attacking the Trump presidency over the fact that top advisors met with the ambassador of a suspect nation on the cuffs of a potential election scandal is an easy hit, but it lacks perspective. President Trump came into the Presidency with a plan to shake up Washington and “put America first.” If he’s going to keep those campaign promises, he’s going to have to deal with the Russians at some point.

The sooner President Trump established a relationship between his administration and the Russians, the better. He could deal and negotiate critical terms, like the Syrian Civil War, the situation with North Korea’s missile program, and even Russian sanctions put into place by the Obama administration, doing all of this more efficiently and from a more educated standpoint. Why would anyone want the President of the United States to walk into the office unprepared to deal with the world’s second most powerful nation?

In examining President Trump’s ties with the Russians, it’s fair to be critical and investigative. The possibility of Russian meddling is disturbing, and it should be examined as closely as possible. However, attacking key administration officials for communicating with the ambassador Russia is a bit of a stretch. Who cares if Trump’s National Security Advisor and Attorney General met with the Russian Ambassador? It is not only critical, but necessary, for the President to communicate with such a key player in global politics.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

75679
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

47223
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

977701
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments