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Pointless distractions undermine worthy goals

Mar 8, 2017, 8:36 PM

Trump...

This is the first time I can remember a White House Press Secretary saying Congress should fact-check the president. (AP file photo)

(AP file photo)

President Trump is committed to pursuing so many worthy goals – tax reform, border security, economic growth, choice in education, strengthening the military – that it’s a shame that he allows himself to be distracted by dubious concerns and trivial issues.

Four days after his well-received speech to Congress, he shifted attention to an unsupported claim that Barack Obama tapped the Trump Tower phones. If there is any substance to this charge, it should have been exposed by law enforcement officials or Congressional investigators, not by the president himself in a Saturday morning twitter storm.

In his speech to Congress, Trump made an encouraging call for bi-partisan cooperation, but attacking his still-popular predecessor as “bad or sick” can hardly help the cause of consensus or reform.

The White House needs a major staff shake-up to refocus the administration on changes that matter to the American people, rather than re-fighting campaign battles that were settled by Trump’s November victory.

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Morristown Airport, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, in Morrist...

Associated Press

Trump announces staff secretary Will Scharf will be his new White House counsel

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced Sunday that his new White House counsel will be Will Scharf, the staff secretary who as the Trump-appointed head of the National Capital Planning Commission helped secure approval for the $400 million ballroom project. Trump said that, beginning Sept. 1, Scharf will be replacing David Warrington, who will […]

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The Bald Range wildfire, that has forced people out of their homes in the south Okanagan region, bu...

Associated Press

Wildfires burn across western US and Canada as residents are evacuated

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Associated Press

Don Nelson, second-winningest NBA coach who won 5 titles as a Celtics player, dies at 86

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Associated Press

El-Sayed spoke with Obama as Michigan Democrats look to unite after a bitter Senate primary

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helicopter pilot utah wildfire...

JOSH FUNK, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pilots of helicopter that crashed while fighting wildfire in Utah are dead, officials say

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wells road fire whitman county evacuations...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Wells Road Fire burns more than 1,000 acres in Whitman County; GO NOW evacuations ordered

Level 3 GO NOW Evacuations are in place in Whitman County as the Wells Road Fire burns an estimated 1,000 acres as of Saturday evening.

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Pointless distractions undermine worthy goals