“When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”
Proverbs 10:19
Since day one of the Trump administration there has been a constant stream of hearsay and drama surrounding the internal workings of the White House. Some of this originates with the president himself. President Trump has recently and publicly voiced his disappointment that Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from the Russian investigation. The president also voiced disappointment that the AG is not investigating the Hillary Clinton email scandal or the leaks coming out of the Intelligence community.
The president's frustration concerning the Sessions recusal is justified. The Attorney General should not have recused himself. Doing so only opened the door wide open for Robert Mueller and his investigation. Nonetheless, the president should not publicly shame one of his Cabinet members. Harsh and pointed comments can and should be made in private. The public shaming of Mr. Sessions is unnecessary and undermines the confidence that the American people have in the executive branch. Let’s not forget that Jeff Sessions was one of the president’s most loyal and vocal supporters during the campaign. Other than the mistake of recusing himself from the Russian investigation, Sessions has done an outstanding job leading the Department of Justice and should remain in this position.
The majority of the drama from the West Wing is coming from top advisors and White House employees. The advisors just below the president have spent much time leaking information about internal meetings and disagreements that occur in the Oval Office. Meetings and disagreements that are common in the executive branch. These leaks are intended to damage reputations. Often, leaks are also intended to affect policy decisions. Meetings, disagreements, and drama is normal to the inner working of an administration. Many advisers get a say in the policy decisions where there is lack of consensus. This is where the president enters. The president makes the final decision on all matters related to the White House and it is the job of each adviser to support him.
This constant drip of leaks from the White House is crippling the messaging efforts of the administration. President Trump is up against the media, Democrats, and some Republicans. The last thing he needs is infighting within his office leaking to the press every day.
This can be fixed but it will take discipline. There should be an immediate minimizing of White House staff that have access to these policy debates that occur in the Oval Office. This would help narrow down who is spilling the beans. Secondly, if it is found out that someone within the West Wing is leaking information then they should be fired immediately. Lastly, the new Chief of Staff (General John Kelly) needs to make it clear that leaking information is illegal, unpatriotic, and will not be tolerated. Hopefully Gen. Kelly will bring a sense of law and order to White House staffers.
Currently this administration is full of infighting to such an extent that it is damaging the integrity of the office of the president. America was founded as a Christian nation and the White House is a representation of America and her values. The White House occupants must end the drama and restrain their lips as the proverb says.
