Comment

Fear

Trump in the White House
Oct 02, 2018gloryb rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
The book is very readable with chapter notes indicating where the information came from, an index, and pictures of the players being talked about - the President's advisors/staff. I didn't like the use of the F words and B words, though, spoken by these politicians - so uncomely for people in such a high position. This book gives readers an insider's view on how policy decisions are made at the White House. Trump's staffers emphasize the need for a process of consultation on policy decisions, as opposed to the off the cuff statements the President liked to make on Twitter and at various podiums. Woodward also explains that Trump wanted to make good on his campaign promises, but his staffers often cautioned him on the negative effects that could occur if those ideas became policies. Trump couldn't understand those effects. I particularly enjoyed reading the reasons put forward by his staffers to reject Trump's view on almost every aspect he wanted to make a policy decision on - trade agreements, tariffs, taxes, immigration/the Wall, and foreign affair matters like ending the Afghanistan war, North/South Korea, and Iran. Trump's view always included the cost to the US of current policies, money that was better spent at home. I was encouraged to read that staffers resigned when they realized how difficult it was to work for Trump when he didn't take their advice kindly, who wasn't a team player, was either obstinate or vacillating in his views, and was not a person to be trusted. Woodward started his book with Trump's quote that power is fear and emphasizes throughout how important it is for Trump to get leverage with whomever he is dealing with so that they will comply to his demands. It's important for Trump to convey strength not weakness and he will say anything to give that impression. There is nothing new in the book about Mueller's investigation except that Trump's lawyer felt that Mueller could lay perjury charges against Trump should he testify.