Former CIA Director Michael Hayden notes that many of Donald Trump’s foreign policy positions are illegal. Salon‘s Brendan Gauthier:
“Real Time” host Bill Maher interviewed former NSA and CIA Director, General Michael Hayden.
Regarding his thoughts on a President Trump, Hayden said, “I would be incredibly concerned if a President Trump governed in a way that was consistent with the language that candidate Trump expressed during the campaign.”
Asked to elaborate on what he meant by “language,” Hayden cited Trump’s comments on “waterboarding and a whole lot more — because they deserve it” and killing the terrorists’ families.
“If he were to order that once in government, the American armed forces would refuse to act,” Hayden added. “That would be in violation of all international laws of armed combat.”
Again, because Trump is more carnival barker than serious politician, it’s easy to dismiss his bluster. He’s talking out of what graduates of the Airborne School know as his fourth point of contact, rather than making a reasoned policy stance. Presumably, an actual President Trump would listen to the Joint Chiefs and other advisors before issuing orders.
Still, pretty much every other thing that Trump says is of this sort: stupid, ill-advised, and completely out of step with legal and ethical norms. I keep hoping that this will catch up to him. Thus far, it seems to redound to his benefit.
