A Warning to Patriotic Americans Serving Under President Trump
The story of President Richard Nixon and his Secretary of State, William P. Rogers, serves as a stark warning to patriotic Americans who have chosen to work under President Donald Trump. Nixon, despite Rogers’ esteemed reputation as a Republican lawyer, repeatedly humiliated him during his tenure. One of the most egregious examples was during the Vietnam peace negotiations. While Rogers was officially in charge of U.S. diplomacy, Nixon conducted secret negotiations with the North Vietnamese, keeping Rogers completely out of the loop. Rogers’ only significant role came when he was tasked with signing the documents that essentially sealed the fate of South Vietnam. This historical incident bears an eerie resemblance to the current situation under President Trump, where similar dynamics are unfolding, with potentially disastrous consequences.
The Role of Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Secretary of State Marco Rubio finds himself in a position not dissimilar to that of William P. Rogers. Rubio, who was confirmed with a unanimous 99–0 Senate vote, has been praised for his commitment to American institutions and values. However, much like Rogers, he appears to be a figurehead rather than a decision-maker. Rubio is currently in Saudi Arabia, ostensibly overseeing negotiations between the U.S. and Russia regarding the fate of Ukraine. Yet, the real power and decision-making authority lie elsewhere, within the inner circle of President Trump. This arrangement sets Rubio up as the perfect scapegoat for policies and outcomes that he may not fully endorse but is forced to carry out.
Trump’s True Intentions and the Betrayal of Ukraine
President Trump’s actions and statements paint a clear picture of his intentions. He has recently blamed Ukraine for instigating the war with Russia, a stance that aligns more with Russian propaganda than with the reality of the conflict. From the Oval Office, Trump is orchestrating a deal that would hand Russia the victory it failed to achieve on the battlefield. This contemplated deal involves concessions that would cede Ukrainian territory to Russia and bar Ukraine from ever joining NATO, undermining its future security and sovereignty. Additionally, Trump is pushing for the early lifting of sanctions on Russia, a move that would constitute another unilateral U.S. concession to Putin. Furthermore, Trump has accepted the Russian position that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should face reelection before peace talks begin, a demand not made of Putin. These actions reveal a clear bias toward Russian interests and a disregard for Ukraine’s plight.
Economic Coercion and the Isolation of Ukraine
President Trump’s demands for half a trillion dollars in economic concessions from Ukraine further compound the pressure on the embattled nation. If Ukraine were to agree to these terms, its economic recovery would be severely compromised before it even began. More realistically, if Ukraine refuses, Trump would gain a pretext for cutting off future U.S. security assistance, leaving Ukraine vulnerable to further Russian aggression. This strategy is not just about economic coercion; it is about isolating Ukraine and weakening its ability to resist Russian dominance. Meanwhile, Vice President J. D. Vance has chastised America’s NATO allies for attempting to counter the disinformation spread by Elon Musk, Trump’s largest donor and de facto co-president. Both Vance and Musk are vocal opponents of Ukraine’s struggle for survival, further highlighting the administration’s pro-Russian stance.
The Complicity of Republican Figures
The complicity of certain Republican figures in Trump’s anti-Ukraine agenda is deeply troubling. When Trump secured the Republican presidential nomination, Senator Rubio abruptly reversed his previous support for Ukraine aid. In February 2024, Rubio was among the 29 senators who voted against an aid package to Ukraine and Israel, justifying his vote with Trump-style rhetoric that falsely claimed aid to Ukraine was being prioritized over efforts to secure the U.S. southern border. Similarly, Representative Michael Waltz, now Trump’s national security adviser, shifted his position around the same time. Both men may have convinced themselves that they were making a strategic retreat to serve a greater cause, preserving their influence with Trump to protect America and its allies from his worst impulses. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special adviser on Ukraine, may harbor similar hopes. However, recent events suggest that they are all deceiving themselves.
The Lesson of History and the Call to Action
The lesson of history is clear. William P. Rogers was ultimately fired by Nixon for his refusal to fully comply with Nixon’s demands during the Watergate scandal. This fate now looms over all those who joined the Trump administration hoping to mitigate its worst excesses. Trump is determined to make things worse, and he is supported in his anti-Ukraine views by the people he cares about most. For those within the administration who still care about America’s reputation and values, the time to act is now. They must recognize that this president is hell-bent on destroying Ukraine and that he is surrounded by enablers who are eager to help him achieve this goal. If they wish to avoid being used as pawns in this dangerous game, they must be prepared to take a stand, even if it means resorting to the drastic measure of a noisy resignation. The stakes could not be higher, and the time for action is now.