Trump takes reins early, assumes major role in negotiations at home and abroad

Fox News.com ^ | December 23, 2016

[Kaslin]

Trump’s involvement in seeking changes early to U.S. policy could be seen in the dramatic and rapid-fire developments at the United Nations Thursday regarding a controversial resolution condemning Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Reuters reported the Israeli government asked Trump to apply pressure on the Obama administration and the United Nations to prevent a Security Council vote for the measure, after failing to persuade the Obama administration to veto.

Trump put out a statement Thursday morning condemning the resolution. He later reportedly spoke to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi – who abruptly postponed the planned vote on the measure, which his country had proposed. A new vote has been scheduled for Friday.

This was after Trump had a protocol-defying phone call with Taiwan’s president, while later blasting China for seizing a U.S. underwater drone, which China later returned. The Obama administration was actively involved in dealing with China over the drone, but Trump’s commentary made him more than a sideline player.

The president-elect, meanwhile, already is trying to apply the “art of the deal” to government contract talks. He hosted the top executives from Boeing and Lockheed Martin for a meeting at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida this week after blasting the cost of two major projects under their direction – the new Air Force One, and the F-35, respectively.

[Mr. K]

Why not?

Obama has some serous golfing to finish, and a vacation over Christmas so all the support staff can be away from their family

[House Atreides]

Actions by Trump were needed due the ineptness & incompetence of the man-child Obama.

[Paladin2]

With Hussein, time’s awastin’.

[HarleyLady27]

There is an important way to block any and all of Barky after President Trump takes his Oath of Office, never mention Barky again...

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Just push Obama out of the way like all other world leaders do.

[Red Steel]

Trump is going to be front and center in just about all aspects of government. He’s already President - 20th of Jan is only a formality.

[taterjay]

I can’t wait for Obama’s post presidency apology tour where he bows to President Donald Trump.

[trisham]

Thank God.

[HotHunt]

Three guesses as to who the real leader is here.

Hint: It's not Obama or Hillary. Does that help any?

[logi_cal869]

Fox News Radio reported not long ago that the vote had occurred and played audio of Ryan excoriating the administration for “abstaining” from the vote.

[luvbach1]

I’m already getting slightly fatigued with winning.

[silverleaf]

Trump had a protocol-defying phone call with Taiwan’s president, while later blasting China for seizing a U.S. underwater drone, which China later returned. The Obama administration was actively involved in dealing with China over the drone, but Trump’s commentary made him more than a sideline player.

The PM of Taiwan called Trump and he accepted her call. Its "protocol" now for private citizens to kowtow to China? Was it protocol for Obama to ignore the Taiwanese leadership for 8 years while selling them $2+ billion in US weapons? Was it protocol to make the Dalai Lama exit the WH past the garbage cans? Was it protocol to make Netanyahu wait for Obama to go eat dinner before receiving him? What exactly does "protocol" mean here?

Re the drone: Trump tweeted that the Chinese should keep the drone. Deflated drama of the entire issue, made everyone laugh, and the Chinese lost face, big time. The drone was returned after that when the Chinese realized they had no leverage over the new President who might well retaliate in the future, and in fact, he called their bluff with one public tweet.

[trisham]

I’m still hanging in there. :)

[353FMG]

First order of the day — jobs!, jobs!, jobs!

Too many Americans are affected by unemployment at this very moment.

[353FMG]

Low energy?

[GreenHornet]

When Obama won the presidency in 2008, there were Democrats who were calling for George W. Bush to step down immediately, so Obama could get in there right away and start “fixing” the country’s problems. Maybe Obama should step down instead of waiting until January 20th.

[353FMG]

Move the inauguration back to 12/24/2016.

[StormEye]

"Maybe Obama should step down instead of waiting until January 20th."

As far a I know there's nothing stopping Trump & Pence from
taking their respective oaths of office tonight!
Then they could get to work while Obama plays with himself --
I meant plays golf, in Hawaii. It sure looks to me that Obama
is abandoning his duties as President for
playing golf these final days of his term.

[DaveA37]

“Obama is abandoning his duties as President”.

He did that a very long time ago. He definitely was not should never have been POTUS.