The eighteenth week of Trump's term marked the president's first week abroad. The nine-day trip was anticipated to be tense, as Trump had made numerous inflammatory statements regarding the countries and world leaders he was about to visit (to name a few: he had placed the blame for the terrorist attacks on September 11th on Saudi Arabia, called the pope "disgraceful" and Brussels a "hellhole" and tweeted an anti-Semitic picture). A number of incidents did make headlines during Trump's trip abroad. In Brussels on Thursday, Trump lectured fellow NATO leaders while they stood next to him, stating "NATO members must finally contribute their fair share and meet their financial obligations." He went on to scold Germany on their trade policies and later pushed aside the prime minister of Montenegro (the newest member of NATO) in order to get to the very front of a group photo. To top these moments off, a video of Melania Trump apparently swatting away the president's hand while visiting Israel went viral online. Yet while abroad, Trump changed if not all, then at least a good portion of his rhetoric. He called Saudi Arabia a "magnificent" country, deemed Pope Francis "terrific" and even put on a yarmulke to pray at the Western Wall.
While many breathed a sigh of relief at Trump's more measured demeanor, his staunchly conservative supporters have reacted to his conduct with intense displeasure. He is facing particular criticism from the "alt-right", a subgroup of conservatives that is known for its belief in white nationalism. Regardless, while speaking about the success of the trip, Trump stated, "We have been gone for close to nine days. This will be nine days. And I think we hit a home run no matter where we are." However, Trump will be returning to a Washington that is at a boiling point. The Senate Intelligence Committee has gained broad powers to issue subpoenas in its investigation of the alleged ties between Russia and Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and key advisor, has been revealed to be a potential subject of this examination.
Combined with accusations of obstruction of justice, this scandal marks a turning point in Trump's presidency. Prior to gaining the Oval Office, Trump's behavior and the allegations against him were those of and against a private citizen. Now, as an elected official, he has the legal machinery of the American government to reckon with. An increasing number of government officials are facing the choice between loyalty to the administration and political self-preservation-and Trump is making their choice progressively easier by consistently opening his staff to humiliation. For instance, national security advisor General H. R. McMaster was told on Monday to deny that Trump had shared classified information with Russia-a statement that was quickly proven to be false. "General McMaster spent decades defending this nation, earning his integrity and honor," Rick Wilson, a longtime Republican consultant, wrote. "Trump squandered it in less than twelve hours." It is a cautionary tale for the other officials in Washington, many of whom have a great deal to lose if Trump is found guilty under the law.