Irony is dead in Trump's State Department.
Mike Pompeo's spokeswoman, Morgan Ortagas, issued a statement on Monday praising Ugandans for braking "threats and intimidation" to vote in national elections. Ortags added: "We are concerned about the intrusion and continuing threats to civil society. We urge all parties to renounce violence and use constitutional and legal means to resolve grievances."
For most of the past 80 years, it was a fairly standard statement, in keeping with America's self-appointed role as global guardian of democratic norms. But after the PRESIDENT of the United States himself tried to steal an apparently losing election and then incited a mob to attack Congress, it was pretty brazen.
America's moral authority has been weakened -- but credibility does not seem to be a priority for Mr Pompeo's team, which boasts of restoring American "swagger".
President Joe Biden's team, well aware of America's reputation abroad, plans to convince the world that "America is back" as soon as he is sworn in on Wednesday. But restoring American influence will not be as simple as flipping a switch: many of America's partners are not convinced that Trumpism is gone. Shortly after being elected last weekend as the new leader of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union, Armin Laschet warned, "Trust keeps us going, but trust is broken in the United States. By creating polarization, widening division and mistrust, and deceiving the public, this president has undermined stability and trust."
Leaders of countries historically grateful to the United States for protecting or regaining their freedom used to look to Washington as a beacon. But now America is a case study in how democracy dies.
The Trump Organization does have some valuable assets. Presidents have tried to use bankruptcy laws and the courts to stave off financial disasters before. But It's not just money that Trump has to worry about. He faces multiple legal challenges to his personal conduct and the way he runs his business. He may face legal risk for inciting a riot in the Capitol and attempting to steal Georgia's election.
Mr. Trump has lost perhaps his two most valuable presidential privileges -- the use of the presidency to promote resorts and hotels, and the justice Department's longstanding immunity from prosecution for sitting presidents.