[Shanghai Morning Post] Diao Daming: What Happened in the USA While Trump was Away?

Presidential Veto Power Standby?

Q1: How do you evaluate Nancy Pelosi’s words “terminating national emergency declaration is about the Constitution of the United States. This is not about politics. It’s not about partisanship. It’s about patriotism. ”?

Diao Daming: It is essentially about partisanship and not necessarily a violation of the Constitution. There is no specific interpretation about national emergency state in the federal Constitution and a clear definition of the President’s executive power in the Article II of Constitution.

Q2: as for whether Trump violates the Constitution by declaring national emergency, how can the court make decision if the interpretation of the Constitution is vague?

Diao Daming: The lawsuit filed from 16 States against Trump’s national emergency is more about their expression of dissatisfaction than to get any practical outcomes, in this case, blocking the building of border wall. The focus of such a symbolic lawsuit is about the president’s executive power overshadows legislative power. Meanwhile, the earliest time for the court to make decision will be in the second half of next year, by when the wall will almost have been built.

Q3: Does the fact that Trump saves the Presidential veto power until now mean that the Congress has been controlled by the Republican?

Diao Daming: Trump never used veto power in the past two years because much of the legislations are in line with his policies, and even others are not, they are passed with majority support in both houses, which would make his veto meaningless.

Trump-Russia Ties Confirmed?

Q4: Do the testimony from Cohen, Hilary email probe, and Trump’s business ties to Russia really threat the President and make him a suspect?

Diao Daming: The purpose of these attacks is to tarnish Trump’s image among swing voters. In addition to the propaganda effect, what’s more important to the Democratic Party is these evidences will contribute to launching new investigations.

Q5: Why hasn’t Muller’s report completely disclosed?

Diao Daming: The major reason might be some considerations in the Justice Department, but the investigation itself has been almost done.

Q6: Is there any evidence provided by the six people who have admitted guilt in the investigation that Russia meddled the election?

Diao Daming: Muller’s investigation can only prove that those who around Trump have some problems, not Trump himself. In fact, Carter Page is the most possible person of interest.

Reasonable Reactions on Domestic and Foreign Policies, Public and Private Miscoducts?

Q7: What are the reasons that the public’s reaction to Trump’s extramarital affair is less intense than Clinton’s?

Diao Daming: These two issues are slightly different. The public sets different moral standards to politicians–Clinton was almost impeached because of the perjury and belittling judicial process. However, even though the hush-money issue was true, it was happening during Trump’s campaign and as long as he does not perjure, the source of the money does not matter as well.

Q8: What are the impacts of Hanoi Summit for Trump?

Diao Daming: Ending with no agreement in the Summit in fact benefits Trump in the long run since this could be an issue brought up in electoral period. Besides, his success in foreign affairs might not necessarily contribute to releasing pressure from domestic issues.

Diao Daming, Research Fellow of National Academy of Development and Strategy, Associate Professor at School of International Studies, RUC.

The original article was first published at:

http://epaper.zhoudaosh.com/html/2019-03/01/content_761400.html