Donald Trump’s new national security scandal
The faux-outrage over “But her emails!” that helped fuel Donald Trump’s rise to power in the 2016 presidential election somehow manages to keep getting even more hypocritical, even after Signalgate. A new report by The Atlantic reveals that Trump jut can’t stop answering his personal cellphone without knowing who is on the other end. Even learning that Chinese hackers breached U.S. telecom networks and could eavesdrop did not convince Trump to change his ways.
According to the report, “lawmakers, friends, family members, corporate titans, celebrities, world leaders, and journalists,” call Trump knowing he might answer even if he doesn’t recognize the number. Recently, he picked up the phone while at his Bedminster golf club and asked, “Who’s calling?” As the article noted, “it could have been almost anyone.”
Thirsty for attention and lacking impulse control, Trump just can’t resist answering his phone. Rather than consider the potential dangers, Trump appears addicted to the excitement, “akin to putting a coin in a gumball machine and waiting to see which flavor rolls out.” One advisor said “probably a ton” of people have his number, and it appears aides gave up arguing with him a long time ago.
Ben Rhodes, President Barack Obama’s Deputy National Security Advisor, called it an “obvious massive risk.” Former U.S. counterintelligence chief Joel Brenner, citing the risks of interception and impersonation, warned that Trump’s behavior is “terribly dangerous.” He also pointed out that Trump could be making deals with foreign leaders while his staff remains in the dark.
Obama, by contrast, was the first president to enter office with a smartphone, and he worked to figure out a “compromise” where he could still use it without endangering America’s security. The solution involved limited functionality and enhanced encryption, and the device was accessible only to “a pretty small group of people,” according to a report from NBC News.
This is yet another example of Trump prioritizing himself over the nation he took an oath to defend. Once again, Trump has proven himself to be a walking security risk who cares nothing about consequences. Rather than act like a President with a sense of responsibility, Trump behaves like a petulant child with a toy.
Ron Leshnower is a lawyer and the author of several books, including President Trump’s Month