Is the US President a National Security Risk?

While the role of the US President is one of the most powerful and influential in the world, the current incumbent, Donald Trump, may pose a significant national security risk. This article will explore the various reasons why this presidency represents a threat to the nation's security and discuss specific cases and scenarios that back up this claim.

Refusal to Place Business Interests in a Blind Trust

One of the key concerns is the president's refusal to place his business interests in a blind trust. While a blind trust can protect a politician from financial conflicts of interest and potential public scrutiny, failing to do so leaves the president vulnerable to influence from his business activities. This means that he is currently making many of the decisions for his businesses, which can be influenced by matters affecting the profits and losses of those entities. A nation with hostile intent can potentially sway his decision-making processes through fluctuations within his businesses or by restricting their access to credit.

Insecure Cellular Phone Usage

Another significant risk is the president's use of an insecure cellular phone to make both personal and official calls. Not only does he not deny this practice, but there is no evidence that he has ceased using it. The calls on an unsecured line can be accessed by a foreign power, and the information gleaned from them can be used in ways that compromise the president's security. This behavior underscores a serious lapse in security protocols that should be strictly adhered to, especially for a public figure with national security responsibilities.

Lack of Membership Vetting for Private Golf Clubs

The issue of unvetted membership in his various private golf clubs is another critical concern. There is no oversight or background check to ensure that individuals joining these clubs do not have connections to foreign entities. This lack of vetting can lead to espionage and the collection of sensitive information, particularly if the president remains closely tied to his business assets. The proximity of such individuals to the decision-making center of the nation poses a significant threat.

Appointment of Unqualified Individuals to Sensitive Positions

Another area of concern is the appointment of unqualified individuals to positions with access to highly sensitive information. For example, his son-in-law possesses access to the US intelligence daily briefing, which is limited to the President and those in his immediate circle. However, this individual failed to secure a full security clearance until over a year after applying. The critical nature of the intelligence received and the potential for sensitive information to be mishandled or misused warrants a high level of vetting. Imparting such information to unqualified individuals is a significant security risk.

Vulnerability to Extortion and Blackmail

The Micheal Cohen incident has revealed that Trump has engaged in multiple sexual indiscretions and paid off individuals to keep the information confidential. The large sums of money paid to these individuals, despite the lack of personal damage to his reputation, raises questions about additional compromising information that may exist. If he is willing to pay to keep personal indiscretions secret, it stands to reason that he would be willing to pay more to keep financial or criminal secrets quiet. This vulnerability to blackmail and extortion could have severe national security implications.

In conclusion, the series of actions and omissions by President Trump suggest a lack of commitment to security protocols and a potential vulnerability to influences that could compromise the nation. Until he takes steps to address these issues, it is clear that he poses a national security risk that will continue to affect the country's safety and stability.