Donald Trump takes his ball and goes home
In what is not an entire surprise, given it is Donald J. Trump, he has cancelled the summit with North Korea that was to take place on June 12 in Singapore. The commemorative coins have been minted, the Nobel Peace Prize application has been submitted, but Trump called it off, accusing Kim Jong Un of “tremendous anger and open hostility.”
In the letter, Trump informs Kim that the meeting is off, addressing the note to “Mr. Chairman:”
Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting. Therefore, please let this letter serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place. You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used.
The bully was bullied, so he is taking his ball and going home. Trump then ends the letter as if it is Kim who cannot attend or as if the letter does not blast the message that ‘mine is bigger than yours’ by stating: “If you change your mind having to do with this important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write.”
That is not how this works, Donald. You do not get to cancel it because your feelings are hurt, or Mike Pence’s feelings are hurt, then make it sound like Kim sent you a note cancelling the meeting. The constant threat of using our nuclear capabilities and bragging about the size of our arsenal is not a diplomatic approach likely to work or engender faith or confidence in our nation. I guess the Nobel Peace Prize application will have to be withdrawn now, given that no summit will occur.
Daniel is a lawyer writing and teaching about SCOTUS, and is the author of the book “The Chief Justices” about the SCOTUS as seen through the center seat.