Democratic leader says Trump’s unpredictability causing US instability
Aug 21, 2017, 1:38 PM
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
PHOENIX — The CEO of the Democratic National Committee said Monday that President Donald Trump’s unpredictable behavior is causing instability in the United States.
“We never know what President Trump is going to say on any given issue,” Jess O’Connell told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News.
O’Connell said the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s comments has affected several fields.
“That has created a lot of instability in this country in business, in health care markets and now, certainly, in national security,” she said, alluding to Trump’s expected Monday remarks on Afghanistan.
O’Connell pointed to Trump’s scheduled Tuesday visit to Phoenix, where the president was expected to speak on an unknown topic.
“I think we all know that Donald Trump could spend his time doing: Most Americans, most Arizonans want a president that is focused on the economy, focused on jobs, focused on lowering wages for families, focused on jobs for the future – instead, he’s coming here tomorrow (Tuesday) to do what?
“We’re not exactly sure yet. I don’t think any of us know exactly what he’s going to be talking about.”
Details about Trump’s possible topics have been scarce, though he could pardon former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. He used a speech last August to unveil a 10-step immigration plan.
O’Connell said her party wanted to hear the president name and denounce white supremacists and other groups responsible for violent outbreaks at protests around the country, especially those in Charlottesville, Virginia.
But no matter what the president says, O’Connell said she and other Democrats want to see any protests proceed peacefully.
“That’s what we’re here to talk about and encourage [Tuesday]: peaceful, nonviolent action and protest against this president who is not speaking for so many of us,” she said, adding that she had not yet decided if she would attend the protests.
“We’re waiting to see exactly how things are shaking out in terms of the events,” she said. “We’ll make a kind of game-time decision tomorrow once we know a little more about it.”
