Former Homeland Security chief: 'Trump talks about winning - right now, Putin is winning'
Former Bush Homeland Security secretary Tom Ridge said the rhetoric surrounding the investigation into Russia's election meddling is playing right into the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"President Trump talks about winning? Right now, Putin is winning," Ridge said in an interview with The Hill published Thursday.
Ridge said that partisan squabbling in Congress has turned the investigation into a distraction - a dream scenario for a leader like Putin, who he said thrives on "destabilization."
"Let's create chaos, let's create uncertainty, let's destabilize the political environment. [The Russians] have done a wonderful job. If that was their goal, they have done it," Ridge said.
Amidst the chaos, he argued, US lawmakers have lost sight of key domestic issues.
"We see evidence every day. Instead of focusing in on the actor, we're pointing accusatory fingers at each other about politics. We are the victim of this process to delegitimize our self-governance, Ridge said.
"This accusatory finger pointing has been a major distraction to other important issues - we've got a Supreme Court nominee. We've got a health care bill. There are conversations about tax reform. But look what we are talking about all of the time?"
Ridge, a former Republican Congressman and Pennsylvania governor, served as the first Secretary of Homeland Security after the department was formed under President George W. Bush. He now leads the cybersecurity firm Ridge Global.
- Thailand is now welcoming Indians with open arms, but are its drought-hit islands really prepared for a tourism influx?
- Thoughtful gift ideas to make Mother's Day extra special
- Muslims up, Hindus down: What’s the larger picture behind India’s religious population trends?
- Scooch over magic mushrooms, toad venom could be the next big psychedelic for depression and anxiety!
- TBO Tek IPO allotment – How to check allotment, GMP, listing date and more
- Nothing Phone (2a) blue edition launched
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market