White House Chief of Staff John Kelly misspoke/lied about Rep. Frederica Wilson of Florida and owes her an apology for doing so in attempting to protect Donald Trump from Wilson’s criticism of his handling of sympathy calls to a family of a soldier killed in Niger.

That part is simple and indisputable, with TV video available to disprove Kelly’s false characterization of a public speech by Wilson. Read the Washington Post opinion here. (Link corrected.)

I happen to also think it is indisputable, as Wilson believes, that her race is a factor in the nature of the response from the White House and Trump’s supporters to her criticism. I also think Trump meant well in his call to a bereaved family, but, lacking empathy or compassion for others, was overmatched in a difficult task.

Advertisement

It is also true that there’s a lot of lying, misinformation and political spin going around on something that could use less  — the loss of American lives in combat. Molly Roberts of the Washington Post emphasized what’s being overlooked after spreading blame around to most everyone.

The country needs to know why Sgt. La David Johnson and three others came home in coffins, and that was where Trump should have started. We should also ask why we are engaged in the conflict that caused their death. We could discuss to what extent the president is responsible for either and to what extent any president is responsible for the deaths of soldiers during his time in the Oval Office.

Of course, soldiers’ deaths are political. If they weren’t, there would be no need for the president of the United States to make these phone calls in the first place. Public commentary on an overseas catastrophe is inevitable; there is no way to keep such a thing truly “sacred” when it is so intimately connected to our country and how it operates. But there are ways to talk about these deaths that don’t rob them of their meaning with a never-ending he said, she said.

To date, the White House has been ever ready to attack Congresswoman Wilson, but far more reticent to talk about Niger.

Advertisement

And let us not leave the subject without a mention of press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders‘ jaw-dropping response to a question about Kelly’s dishonest account of Wilson’s speech:

If you want to get into a debate with a four-star Marine general, I think that’s something highly inappropriate.

Stifling dissent and questions does not make America great.

Advertisement

Erik Wemple got the episode — and Trump generally — just right:

It’s the autocratic mindset’s default response to accountability: intimidate.

Advertisement

Be a part of something bigger

As a reader of the Arkansas Times, you know we’re dedicated to bringing you tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, we've been fighting the good fight in Little Rock and beyond – with your support, we can do even more. By becoming a subscriber or donating as little as $1 to our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage and continue to bring important stories to light. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, it's clear that our readers value our great journalism. Join us in the fight for truth.

Previous article Errors and omissions: Little Rock mayor’s race Next article Saturday night live