In and out, U.S. is weakened by Trump policies

Regardless of whether President Donald Trump colluded with Russians, two things are clear. First, the Russians try to create problems both internally and externally for the U.S. Second, a Trump presidency has served those Russian interests.

Trump is deceiving and dividing Americans. Trump calls the free press the 'enemy of the people.” These actions weaken the fabric of our democracy. This is exactly what the Russians are trying to do through fake posts on social media. They want to weaken our democracy from within.

Russians also want to weaken the U.S. on the global stage. Trump has done so by abandoning the Paris Accord, withdrawing from the Iran deal, insulting our allies, weakening NATO and now abandoning our allies in Syria. This Syrian move was so wrongheaded that a defense secretary resigned in protest. Who will ally with the U.S. after they have seen how the Trump administration abandoned the Kurds? People around the world will remember how the U.S. has treated allies. They will see the U.S. is no longer standing up for freedom and democracy. Our enemies are, as Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said, 'ecstatic.” The Russians, Iranians, and Assad cannot believe their good fortune. Trump has given them a huge gift and earned the disdain of our allies.

Regardless of whether Trump intentionally colluded with the Russians or not, Putin is getting exactly what he wants - a U.S. weakened both internally and externally. Thanks to Comrade Trump.

Rex Clemmensen

Iowa City