Trump’s Doctrine: ‘Principled Realism’ Comes to the Fore

[Right_in_Virginia]

Trump’s Doctrine: ‘Principled Realism’ Comes to the Fore
American Greatness, Dec 18, 2017, Roger Kimball

<snip>

President Trump’s speech, and the nearly 60-page document that lays out his administration’s strategy in detail, is a model of moral clarity and forthright Realpolitik. It is appropriate that the speech was delivered in the Reagan building. Just as Reagan had the courage to describe the Soviet Union accurately, as an “evil empire,” so President Trump’s America First strategy distinguishes sharply between “those who value human dignity and freedom and those who oppress individuals and enforce uniformity.” He explicitly places China, Russia, and North Korea, along with jihadi terrorists and “transnational criminal organizations” in the latter category.

Leading, Period
Pragmatism is a signature element of President Trump’s approach to solving problems, foreign and domestic. As his chief of staff John Kelly noted in an October press conference, Trump’s agenda is simply “what’s good for America.” His approach is governed not by ideology but by “outcomes,” by what works to advance America’s interests.

***

Again, where Obama sought to let a little air out of the idea of “American exceptionalism,” Trump offers a full-throated endorsement of the idea. “Our founding principles,” he said, “have made the United States among the greatest forces for good in the world.”


Read more: https://amgreatness.com/2017/12/18/trumps-doctrine-principled-realism-comes-to-the-fore/

[endicom]

Good article, ridiculous picture.

A POTUS should put the welfare of the U.S. first. As with an individual, you can't help anyone if you don't have anything.