Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo responded to Russia’s naval aggression in the appropriate way–by condemning it. Trump, on the other hand, has said little on the subject, and has suggested that both sides are at fault.
The unexplained divergence between Trump and the rest of his government on Russia has occurred so many times that it has to be viewed as a feature, not a bug, in his administration. Under other circumstances, you would assume that it is an effort to play good cop, bad cop with the Russians; the divergence of opinions among Trump’s advisers on trade negotiations with China, for example, may to some extent be a matter of design, as it gives Trump more flexibility to strike any kind of deal he ultimately chooses. We never make those kinds of demands on Putin, however. So what in the world is going on here?
Let’s hope Mueller answers that question. If he can’t, then maybe the new Democratic House can.