Donald Trump's Speech in Iraq: Losing Control of His Own Agenda

President Trump at Al Asad AFB

President Donald Trump gave two speeches yesterday at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. Having been criticized for not visiting overseas service personnel, Mr. Trump apparently realized that it was high time for him to do so. His first speech, a typical Trump extemporization, praised and thanked the service personnel, spread praise around to the military commanders who were present, boasted of the new equipment they had received, and told them that “It’s because of your sacrifice that America’s families can celebrate in safety and in peace.” He named the various units present and gave their commanders’ names. That was all fine. Much of it was quite charming. More important, he gave a long-overdue explanation of his Syria policy. Unfortunately, by getting unduly political, he then distracted the audience from his main purpose. Let’s look at how he did it.

Having been criticized for ordering a precipitous withdrawal from Syria, Mr. Trump hit the issue directly: “Our presence in Syria was not open-ended, and it was never intended to be permanent.  Eight years ago, we went there for three months, and we never left.  But now we’re doing it right, and we’re going to finish it off.” He assured his audience that the withdrawal would be careful and measured. This was an important point that he needed to emphasize. He explained it pretty well.

This important point got lost, however, because he made two unforced errors in this speech. First, he falsely boasted that he had signed the first military pay raise in years: “You haven’t gotten one in more than 10 years — more than 10 years.  And we got you a big one.  I got you a big one.  I got you a big one.  (Applause.)” Actually, the military had received raises every year. Worse, he falsely implied that the 2.9% pay raise was actually 10%: “I said, ‘No.  Make it 10 percent.  Make it more than 10 percent.’” (Today’s military personnel are well-educated, and they will notice if their checks aren’t 10% bigger next year.)

Second, Mr. Trump politicized the speech by talking about his conflict with Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi about the border wall:

“But you gave me an idea, just looking at this warrior group.  I think I’ll say, ‘I don’t want the wall.’  And then they’re going to give it to me.  (Laughter.)  I’ve figured out the solution, First Lady.  (Laughter.)  Tell Nancy Pelosi, ‘I don’t want the wall.’  ‘Oh, we want the wall.’  And then we get the wall.  (Laughter and applause.)  That’s another way of doing it.  (Applause.)  That’s another way of doing it.”

On the one hand, Mr. Trump had a conservative audience who, probably, largely agreed with his immigration policy. On the other hand, however, this made the speech political, diverting attention from his point. Mr. Trump quickly returned to making points about the military mission, but it was too late. The press quickly noted that this was not a suitable forum for political comments. As a result, his main message got muddled. He had a chance to defend his decision to withdraw from Syria. He took advantage of that chance and offered a good defense of his policy. So far, so good. But, unable to restrain himself, he created a distraction. 

The side that sets the agenda usually wins the debate. Donald Trump, who is often so good at driving the national agenda, instead tossed the agenda to his critics. His reasoned policy defense, which otherwise made quite a bit of sense, got lost in a morass that he created himself.

Of course, this is not the first time that Mr. Trump has politicized a non-political event. Remember his Boy Scout Speech?