Trump is throwing Georgia under the bus
The president pushed for states to reopen, but now he's backtracking
President Trump's leadership has always been inconsistent and erratic. He takes a position one day, only to reverse himself the next. This has been frustrating since the beginning of his tenure, but now, it is positively dangerous to Americans trying to survive during a global pandemic — and it is a threat to the futures of local politicians trying to follow his lead.
Trump's tendency to flip-flop was on display Wednesday at his daily news briefing. After days of signalling his support for protesters who are trying to get their states to lift quarantine conditions, the president suddenly reversed course, criticizing Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R), who earlier this week announced his state is lifting its lockdown.
"Would I do that? No," Trump told reporters. "But I'm going to let him make his decision, but I told him, I totally disagree."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
You couldn't blame Kemp for being confused. Last week, Trump unveiled his administration's official guidelines for states to return to normalcy when the pandemic subsides, but then almost immediately undermined those guidelines by tweeting his support — "LIBERATE Michigan!" — for anti-lockdown demonstrators in states run mostly by Democratic governors.
"They have got cabin fever," Trump said about the protesters Sunday. "They want their life back. Their life was taken away from them."
Considering Trump's comments, plus congressional Republicans' refusal to approve aid for states and cities — an attempt to incentivize local leaders to reopen their economies — you could almost understand why a GOP stalwart like Kemp thought the smart political thing to do would be to go ahead, despite the recommendations of health experts, and try to put this state back to business.
But Kemp should've known better.
Among the president's defining characteristics is a certain malleability — he has shifted, on a dime, on issues like DACA, Syria, and health care. His positions are based on whatever he believes gives him an advantage in the moment, and attempts to hold him to account for these inconsistencies are often met with lies and bluster.
And it's only gotten worse since the pandemic arrived. The president has flipped frequently between pushing to end quarantine conditions and acceptance of expert recommendations to hold off. He has asserted "total authority" to order governors to reopen states, then deferred to them. Trump can't even pick a tone — in some briefings he tries to act presidential, calm, and measured, but most other days he is defensive and antagonistic. The overall impression is that he wants to claim credit but avoid responsibility.
Changing one's mind can be a good thing, if done in response to new and better information. It is less desirable to shift back-and-forth on a whim, or in response to the latest polls. Trump's decision-making is often in the second category, and is too unreliable to be considered actual "leadership."
Democratic governors, like California's Gavin Newsom and New York's Andrew Cuomo, have learned to deal with Trump during this crisis by flattering him when possible and working around him where prudent. They know at this point not to trust the president's unreliable leadership. Republican governors like Kemp, though, may feel less free to act independently — Trump is hugely popular among GOP voters, and the party's elected officials fear crossing him. So if he signals that the economy should open sooner rather than later, it is likely they'll follow his lead.
When Trump changes his mind, though, he has no problem throwing such followers under the bus. Just ask Kemp.
The Georgia governor has decided to expose his state's 10.62 million citizens to a heightened chance of death and illness from the COVID-19 virus, and now he is doing it without the political backing of the most popular figure in his party — support he had reason to believe was forthcoming. Given that most Americans aren't ready to lift the lockdown, Kemp's decision is a loser both in terms of public health and politics.
Inconsistency isn't Trump's only shortcoming. On Wednesday, he displayed his penchant for magical thinking, shoving aside assessments that a second wave of coronavirus infections could occur in the fall. "We may not even have corona coming back," he said, even though Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, immediately contradicted him. That suggests the United States is in danger of being inadequately prepared — again — when and if that next outbreak happens.
But hey, the president might change his mind about that forecast in the next day or two, depending on which way the wind blows.
Want more essential commentary and analysis like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for The Week's "Today's best articles" newsletter here.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a freelance writer who has spent nine years as a syndicated columnist, co-writing the RedBlueAmerica column as the liberal half of a point-counterpoint duo. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic, The Kansas City Star and Heatmap News. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
'Voters know Biden and Trump all too well'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Is the Gaza war tearing US university campuses apart?
Today's Big Question Protests at Columbia University, other institutions, pit free speech against student safety
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
DOJ settles with Nassar victims for $138M
Speed Read The settlement includes 139 sexual abuse victims of the former USA Gymnastics doctor
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
UGA student's death adds fuel to the culture war fire
talking points The fact that the suspect is an undocumented migrant has eclipsed the story of her murder
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Trump works to delay and dismiss Georgia trial as alleged co-conspirators flounder
Under the Radar The former president asks the court to throw out his racketeering case, while Rudy Giuliani and Mark Meadows face a series of ignominious setbacks of their own
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How the Rudy Giuliani defamation verdict could spell trouble for Trump
Talking Point Does Rudy Giuliani's court loss mean Trump will be held accountable for false election fraud claims?
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published