Obama Warns Trump Faces Reality Check
Faizan Hashmi Published November 15, 2016 | 10:40 AM
WASHINGTON, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Nov, 2016 ) - President Barack Obama cautioned against dire predictions for Donald Trump's presidency Monday, saying his Republican successor faces a reality check if he tries to enact his most controversial campaign promises.
Obama said that deporting millions of immigrants, tearing up mutual defense treaties with NATO and Japan, and unraveling global deals on Iran's nuclear program and the environment were not as simple as delivering tub-thumping rhetoric.
"Regardless of what experience or assumptions he brought to the office, this office has a way of waking you up," Obama said in a press conference that sometimes appeared to be a direct message to the billionaire populist.
"Reality has a way of asserting itself," he said, while offering his view that Trump was pragmatic rather than ideological. Trump's election has been met with euphoria among supporters, but also with a wave of protests across the United States that are unusual for the world's leading democracy.
Obama said that during a meeting with Trump at the White House last week, he had told the 70-year-old president-elect that his actions can move markets, tanks and public sentiment. "I emphasized to him that, look, in an election like this that was so hotly contested and so divided, gestures matter," Obama said.
"It's really important to try to send some signals of unity, and to reach out to minority groups or women or others that were concerned about the tenor of the campaign." "Do I have concerns? Absolutely.
Of course, I have concerns. He and I differ on a whole bunch of issues. But the Federal government and our democracy is not a speedboat -- it's an ocean liner." - 'Pragmatic' - =============== Amid dire predictions about the end of the republic and the global order, Obama said that Trump's inexperience in politics and lack of intellectual baggage could be an asset.
"I don't think he is ideological. I think ultimately he is pragmatic in that way," Obama told reporters at his first news conference since the Republican mogul defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton last week's presidential election.
"And that can serve him well as long as he's got good people around him and he has a clear sense of direction," he continued. Obama said that Trump had already conveyed a "commitment to NATO" that seemed to run against his campaign promises.
During a visit this week to Europe, and then Peru for a summit with Asia-Pacific leaders, Obama said he would be able to tell allies "there is no weakening of resolve when it comes to America's commitment to maintaining a strong and robust NATO relationship." "This is a time of great change in the world, but America's always been a pillar of strength and a beacon of hope to peoples around the globe.
And that's what it must continue to be," Obama said. Obama inadvertently pointed to another example from his own presidency where the campaign rubber meets the road -- closing the 'war on terror' prison at Guantanamo Bay, currently home to 60 inmates.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
PSX achieves significant milestone, surpasses 72,000 mark
Pak Vs NZ T20I: Orphaned children extended special invitation to watch match
Finance Minister lauds UNDP’s unwavering support during floods
President Raisi leaves for Iran from Karachi
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 24 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 24 April 2024
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
More Stories From World
-
China announces new partners for International Lunar Research Station
37 minutes ago -
Astronauts of China's Shenzhou-18 mission meet press
37 minutes ago -
Partial power outage at Fukushima plant, water release suspended
38 minutes ago -
China renews blue alert for rainstorms
47 minutes ago -
China's overnight Shibor interbank rate decreases Wednesday
48 minutes ago -
Means of production prices mostly rise in China
48 minutes ago
-
China's Chang'e-7 lunar mission to carry instruments developed through int'l cooperation
48 minutes ago -
Tokyo stocks end higher tracking Wall Street gains
1 hour ago -
Wildfires burn large land in Mongolia
1 hour ago -
S. Korea's births keep falling in February
1 hour ago -
China to send Spain new panda couple on April 29
1 hour ago -
Chinese astronauts fix space station power supply after debris hit
1 hour ago