Trump Sidelines His Secretary of State

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Rex Tillerson arrives at Benito Juarez international Airport in Mexico City, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017. (Carlos Barria/Pool photo via AP)

by Michael J. Scott

What president excludes his secretary of state from meeting with foreign leaders? Why Donald Trump of course, likely because he knows more about diplomacy than anyone.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson feels that he has been sidelined—along with the entire State Department—and is looking for ways to boost his profile, insiders say.

A State source tells Politico that Tillerson has privately asked aides for advice on boosting his profile and engaging with the media more often.

The Washington Post reports that President Trump has relegated the former Exxon CEO to a “mostly offstage role,” with Tillerson usually absent from high-profile meetings with foreign leaders. The State Department’s traditional daily press briefings ceased when Trump took office and there has been no word on when they might resume.

Insiders say one reason Tillerson hasn’t become the face of US foreign policy the way his predecessors were is the fact that his views aren’t always in line with Trump’s.

He is “clearly a very talented and able guy,” former State official Eliot Cohen tells Politico. “The problem is that this is the Trump administration, and one has to surmise that he is not where the president is on some of his zanier days.”

Trump rejected Elliot Abrams, Tillerson’s choice of deputy, for having criticized him. The president has also delegated elements of foreign policy to advisers instead of State, including Israeli-Palestinian talks, where son-in-law Jared Kushner is playing a leading role.

We are living in a dangerous world, and when an unhinged, unfit man like Donald Trump is the president of the United States it becomes even more dangerous. Will there be a happy ending to this story? What do you think?

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Professor Mike

Professor Mike is a left-leaning, dog loving, political junkie. He has written dozens of articles for Substack, Medium, Simily, and Tribel. Professor Mike has been published at Smerconish.com, among others. He is a strong proponent of the environment, and a passionate protector of animals. In addition he is a fierce anti-Trumper. Take a moment and share his work.

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