LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP: Well before he was elected to be the nation’s commander in chief, President Trump held the firm belief that he was smarter than the Pentagon brass.
“I know more about ISIS than the generals do. Believe me,” he boasted in November 2015. “They don’t know much because they’re not winning,” he said in June 2016.
Investigative reporter Bob Woodward’s new book, Rage, which goes on sale next Tuesday, contains more accounts of Trump disparaging his military commanders, most of whom he inherited. “My fucking generals are a bunch of pussies. They care more about their alliances than they do about trade deals,” Woodward claims Trump told White House trade adviser Peter Navarro.
The quote is consistent with other accounts of Trump’s disenchantment with the advice of his four-stars. In a now-famous 2017 meeting at the Pentagon, Trump, just six months into his term, berated the top military leaders, telling them that they “don’t know how to win anymore,” according to A Very Stable Genius: Donald J. Trump’s Testing of America, also written by Washington Post journalists. “I wouldn’t go to war with you people,” Trump reportedly said. “You’re a bunch of dopes and babies.”
CIA CLUELESS ON NORTH KOREA: Woodward also documents Trump’s disdain for the intelligence community, especially for its assessment that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will likely never give up his missile and nuclear weapons programs.
The CIA has “no idea” how to handle North Korea, he told Woodward, insisting that his three face-to-face meetings with Kim, which he did in defiance of advisers who counseled that the meetings were premature, were well worth the risk.
“I met. Big fucking deal. … It takes me two days. I met. I gave up nothing,” he said in one of the recorded interviews with Woodward. Trump said upon meeting Kim he thought, “Holy shit,” saying he was “far beyond smart.”
Trump said he hit it off with Kim right away, likening it to love at first sight. “You meet a woman. In one second, you know whether or not it’s going to happen.”
As to why Kim has made no move to give up his nuclear arsenal, Trump fell back on his real estate background. “It’s really like, you know, somebody that’s in love with a house and they just can’t sell it.”
Trump also boasted that Kim “tells me everything,” including a graphic account of executing his uncle. He allegedly also thought former President Barack Obama was “an asshole.”
THE TOP SECRET KIM LETTERS: Rage also included excerpts of gushing letters that Kim sent Trump, in which he referred to the president as “your Excellency” and showered Trump with praise.
“Like the brief time we had together a year ago in Singapore, every minute we shared 103 days ago in Hanoi was also a moment of glory that remains a precious memory,” Kim writes Trump in a June 10, 2019, letter that was posted by CNN. “I also believe that the deep and special friendship between us will work as a magical force that leads the progress of the DPRK-US relations, clearing all the hurdles we face in the process of bringing about the developments we seek to achieve.”
In a Christmas Day letter in 2018, Kim writes, “As we enter the new year the whole world will certainly once again come to see, not so far in the future, another historic meeting between myself and Your Excellency reminiscent of a scene from a fantasy film.”
DEALING WITH DICTATORS: “It’s funny, the relationships I have, the tougher and meaner they are, the better I get along with them,” he told Woodward at one point. “You know? Explain that to me someday, okay?”
NEW SECRET NUKE: In one of his interviews with Woodward, Trump also boasted that the United States has a new secret weapon.
“I have built a nuclear — a weapons system that nobody’s ever had in this country before. We have stuff that you haven’t even seen or heard about. We have stuff that Putin and Xi have never heard about before. There’s nobody — what we have is incredible,” Trump says.
Woodward is not able to confirm what weapon Trump is referring to, but in May, during a Space Force ceremony at the White House, Trump spilled the beans about a new hypersonic missile being tested by the U.S. military.
“I call it the ‘super-duper missile.’ And I heard the other night, 17 times faster than what they have right now.”
Good Thursday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Tyler Van Dyke. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email and we’ll add you to our list. And be sure to follow us on Twitter: @dailyondefense.
Subscribe today to the Washington Examiner magazine and get Washington Briefing: politics and policy stories that will keep you up to date with what’s going on in Washington. SUBSCRIBE NOW: Just $1.00 an issue!
HAPPENING TODAY: Expect some discussion of Trump’s dealings with Kim Jong Un to come up this morning when U.S. Korea Commander Gen. Robert Abrams takes part in a webcast hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies at 9:45 a.m.
IRAQ TROOP CUTS, AS PROMISED: Fulfilling Trump’s pledge to end endless wars, the U.S. announced on Wednesday that it would reduce the number of American troops in Iraq by 2,300 — from 5,200 to 3,000 — in the month of September.
The announcement came in a speech by U.S. Central Commander Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie in Iraq.
“This reduced footprint allows us to continue advising and assisting our Iraqi partners in rooting out the final remnants of ISIS in Iraq and ensuring its enduring defeat,” McKenzie said. “This decision is due to our confidence in the Iraqi security forces’ increased ability to operate independently.”
ISIS RESURGENT IN SYRIA: A new analysis from the Counter Extremism Project concludes that the Islamic State has shifted its strategy in Syria from holding territory to a full-fledged insurgency. “The increased volume of violence, sophistication of attacks, and total number of pro-regime casualties demonstrates ISIS’s ‘robust logistical and strategic capability’” despite the defeat of its self-proclaimed caliphate.
“In August, ISIS fighters conducted at least one ‘high-quality attack’ in each Syrian province where they were present and staged multiple attacks in one day for eight straight days,” writes CEP Research Analyst Gregory Waters. “ISIS’s ability to commit recurrent and far-reaching attacks has stoked fear that the insurgency group will once again establish a Syrian stronghold for its operations.”
SYRIA WITHDRAWAL ‘FELONY STUPID’: Among the revelations in Woodward’s book is a quote that underscores how opposed Defense Secretary Jim Mattis was over Trump’s abrupt decision to withdraw U.S. troops from northern Syria.
Mattis resigned when Trump refused to reconsider the decision, which Mattis considered a betrayal of America’s Kurdish allies, who bore the brunt of the brutal battle against ISIS.
“I was basically directed to do something that I thought went beyond stupid to felony stupid,” Mattis said, according to Woodward. Mattis told Woodward that Trump was “dangerous” and “unfit” to be commander in chief and that he has “no moral compass.”
MATTIS AND COATS DESPAIR: In another passage, Woodward recounts how Mattis made a private visit to the National Cathedral to pray for the nation and later told then-Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, “There may come a time when we have to take collective action” given Trump’s unfitness for office.
Later, Mattis reportedly tells Coats, “The president has no moral compass,” to which Coats is said to have replied, “True. To him, a lie is not a lie. It’s just what he thinks. He doesn’t know the difference between the truth and a lie.”
ON BARACK OBAMA: “I don’t think Obama’s smart. … I think he’s highly overrated. And I don’t think he’s a great speaker,” Trump told Woodward.
TRANSGENDER ADVOCATES CRY FOUL: Advocates for transgender rights are upset about a new 40-page handbook that outlines for military commanders how to deal with transgender troops, including when they can be banned from serving.
“The guidance issued last week doubles down on a ban that deprives the military of qualified personnel, and which military leaders and scholars have repeatedly indicated has no credible rationale,” said Aaron Belkin, director of the Palm Center, an LGBTQ advocacy group. “Donald Trump’s continued attacks on transgender Americans who are putting their lives on the line for this country illustrate a consistent pattern of a commander in chief increasingly isolated from his own military.”
The new Pentagon guidance comes three months after the Supreme Court ruled that a landmark civil rights law protects gay and transgender workers from workplace discrimination, a ruling that does not apply to the U.S. military.
TUNNEL OF LIGHT: Last night, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation began its three-day light display at the Pentagon to honor those lost in the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
Lights were lit for the first time at 9:11 p.m. last night to commemorate the date of the attack. The lights will be lit from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. today and tomorrow.
The Rundown
Washington Examiner: ‘Great celebration’: UAE and Israel to meet at White House to sign historic deal
Washington Examiner: Senior GOP senator wants US to retaliate against Putin over Alexei Navalny poisoning
Reuters: ‘Substantial Chance’ Russian Officials Behind Navalny Poisoning: U.S.’S Pompeo
Washington Examiner: ‘I got that wrong’: Peter Strzok admits he botched timeline on opening of Trump-Russia investigation
Washington Examiner: Afghan vice president survives after convoy targeted by bomb, at least 10 others dead
Washington Examiner: Top Trump officials charge Democrats behind DHS whistleblower allegation
Washington Examiner: US will draw down troops in Iraq from 5,200 to 3,000 this month, CENTCOM confirms
Washington Examiner: Trump battles Pentagon brass while presenting himself as champion of military
National Defense Magazine: Hyten: New Warfighting Concept To Erase Battlefield Lines
Janes Navy International: Template For Change: Marine Corps’ New Vision Sets A Headmark For U.S. Navy Transformation
Task & Purpose: Trump’s Tax Break Could Hurt Enlisted Service Members Next Year When The IRS Docks Their Pay
Bloomberg: Pompeo Urges Southeast Asia To Cut Ties With ‘Bully’ China Firms
Washington Post: Tense Relations Worsen For China And Australia
Stars and Stripes: China, Others To Be Part Of Joint Military Drills In Russia
Military Times: Africa Spec Ops Commander Warns Of Al-Qaida’s Growing Influence
Stars and Stripes: Pacific Air Forces Leader Eager To Take Up Palau’s Offer To Build Joint Military Airfields
USNI News: British Carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth Underway Ahead Of Training With Marine F-35s
Task & Purpose: The Marine Corps Will Pay Pilots Up To $210,000 To Stay In Uniform
Military Times: Half Of Troops See Coronavirus As A Major Threat For The Military: Poll
Calendar
THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 10
8:45 a.m. — Defense Strategies Institute “Military Tactical Communications Summit” webcast, with Army Col. Stephen Hamilton, chief of staff of the Army Cyber Institute delivering remarks at 11 a.m. http://tacticalcommunications.dsigroup.org
9 a.m. Pentagon Briefing Room — Nand Mulchandani, director of the DOD Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, Army Col. Brad Boyd, the JAIC’s chief of joint warfighting operations and Jane Pinelis, the JAIC chief of testing and evaluation brief reporters. Livestreamed on defense.gov.
9:30 a.m. — Export-Import Bank of the United States 2020 Virtual Annual Conference, with Robert O’Brien, national security adviser; Wilbur Ross, secretary of commerce; Lawrence Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council. https://www.exim.gov/events
9:30 a.m. — Institute for Corean-American Studies virtual fireside chat: “U.S. Leadership in Asia,” with retired Marine Gen. John Allen, president, Brookings Institution. https://www.icasinc.org
9:45 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies webcast: “The Capital Cable” with Gen. Robert Abrams, commander of United Nations Command, ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, and U.S. Forces Korea. https://www.csis.org/events/online-event
10 a.m. — Washington Post Live webinar with U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison on “the emerging challenges facing NATO.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-live
11 a.m. — National Defense Industrial Association Women in Defense Leadership Symposium, with Janice Glover-Jones, chief diversity, equality and inclusion officer at the Defense Intelligence Agency; Valerie Hunter, vice president for human resources and administration at BAE Systems; and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger delivers keynote remarks at 4 p.m. https://www.womenindefense.net/events
1 p.m. — Heritage Foundation webinar: “The Enemy Within: The Security Risks of U.S. Law Enforcement’s Use of Chinese Drones,” with Ellen Lord, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment; Brendan Groves, head of regulatory and policy affairs at Skydio Inc.; retired New York City Police Lt. Art Mogil; John Venable, Heritage senior research fellow for defense policy; and Lora Ries, Heritage senior research fellow for homeland security. https://www.heritage.org/homeland-security/event
4 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies webcast: “How Ike Led: The Principles Behind Eisenhower’s Biggest Decisions,” with author Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of Dwight Eisenhower and president of the Eisenhower Group. https://www.csis.org/events/online-event
FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 11
9:45 a.m. — Memorial service at Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville, Pa. to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Both President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, are scheduled to participate in events.
MONDAY | SEPTEMBER 14
9 a.m. — Day One of the Air Force Association 2020 Virtual Air, Space & Cyber Conference, with Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett; Gen. Timothy Ray, commander, Air Force Global Strike Command; Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, commander, Pacific Air Forces; Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa. Full agenda at: https://www.afa.org/events/calendar/2020-09-14/air-space-cyber-conference
TUESDAY | SEPTEMBER 15
9 a.m. — Day Two of the Air Force Association 2020 Virtual Air, Space & Cyber Conference, with Chief of Space Operations Gen. Jay Raymond; Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics; and others. Full agenda at: https://www.afa.org/events/calendar/2020-09-14/air-space-cyber-conference
10 a.m. — Atlantic Council webinar with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on his recent trip to Central and Eastern Europe. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event
1 p.m. Rayburn 2118 — House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness hearing: “Addressing the Legacy of Department of Defense use of PFAS: Protecting Our Communities and Implementing Reform,” with Maureen Sullivan, deputy assistant secretary of defense acquisition and sustainment; Terry Rauch, acting deputy assistant secretary of defense health readiness and policy oversight; Herb Nelson, director, Strategic Environment Research and Development Program. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings
3 p.m. — Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute virtual launch of the new Center for Freedom and Democracy. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivers keynote remarks, followed by a panel discussion “Retooling Westminster: Advancing Freedom in the 21st Century.” with Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim, Amb. Mark Green and Kenneth Wollack with the National Endowment for Democracy. https://www.reaganfoundation.org/programs-events/events-calendar/
WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 16
2 p.m. — McCain Institute “Authors & Insights Book Talk Series”: “Foreign Policy Crossroads: Where We Are and How We Got Here,” with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, author of Hell and Other Destinations: A 21st Century Memoir, and Mark Green. https://asu.zoom.us
THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 17
1 p.m. Rayburn 2118 — House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities hearing: “Interim Review of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence Effort and Recommendations,” with Eric Schmidt, chairman, National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, Robert Work, vice chairman, National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence; Mignon Clyburn, commissioner, National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence; José-Marie Griffiths, commissioner, National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings
MONDAY | SEPTEMBER 21
12 p.m. — Day one of New America and Arizona State University Future Security Forum, a four-day virtual event reimagining national security in the age of COVID-19, with retired Gen. Joseph Votel, former U.S. Central Commander; Michèle Flournoy, former undersecretary of defense for policy; Bonnie Jenkins, founder and president, Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security and Conflict Transformation; Helene Gayle, MD, member, Committee on Equitable Allocation of Vaccine for the Novel Coronavirus, National Academies; Michael Osterholm, director, Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, University of Minnesota. https://www.newamerica.org/conference/future-security-forum-2020/
WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 23
9:30 a.m. SD-562, Dirksen — Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support hearing on “Navy and Marine Corps Readiness,” with Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday, and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger. https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/hearings
FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 25
10 a.m. — “Hack at the Harbor” virtual security conference sponsored by Point3 Security, with speakers including Chris Krebs, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security. https://hackattheharbor.com/
11:30 a.m. — Approximately 70 World War II aircraft will fly over the Washington Mall in two-minute intervals in historically sequenced warbird formations representing the major World War II battles. More than 20 different types of vintage military aircraft are scheduled to take part, including the P-40 Warhawk, P-39 Airacobra, P-38 Lightning, P-51 Mustang, P-47 Thunderbolt, F4U Corsair, B-25 Mitchell, B-17 Flying Fortress, B-29 Superfortress. https://ww2flyover.org/
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“You meet a woman. In one second, you know whether or not it’s going to happen.”
President Trump, explaining to author Bob Woodward his chemistry with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.
