General Discussion

mr715

(2,979 posts)

34. From a strictly analytical perspective

Mon Dec 8, 2025, 03:14 PM

Dec 8

the dynamic between Trump, Vance, Rubio, and Hegseth is interesting. On paper Rubio has captured a lot of executive power into the Department of State and, specifically, into him. My understanding is he is on the most friendly terms with Trump in that he doesn't really make news and just toadies around the world.

Hegseth is, like you say, an oaf. Performative without substance, which annoys Rubio and Vance who are less media savvy and more intelligent.

But yeah, I think to understand the way this admin works, best to look at 3rd Reich Germany, with competing party structures vs. government structures vs. police apparatus, etc. etc. All this on top of the power of people that allow access.

To the OP, however, Bessent saying anything about foreign policy isn't his lane. He isn't doing such a smashing job domestically that he can riff on the portfolio of other assholes in government.

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Bessent said the US will not send troops if Article 5 is invoked by NATO. [View all] Swede Dec 7 OP

think of the quandary repukes are in Skittles Dec 7 #1

They couldn't get Hegseth to say something that stupid? Turbineguy Dec 7 #2

I think Europe knows and are prepared without the USA.......... Lovie777 Dec 7 #3

Europe produces weapons at a lower cost than the U.S. Ukraine gets more for their money Turbineguy Dec 7 #15

Unfortunately we can no longer be trusted 😔 MustLoveBeagles Dec 8 #35

Putin is so weak, Europe doesn't need the US to put boots on the ground Fiendish Thingy Dec 7 #4

I hope So! The thought of Cha Dec 7 #23

That means nothing to Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania DFW Dec 8 #25

Putin is emptying prisons to replace troops killed in Ukraine Fiendish Thingy Dec 8 #36

Bessent is a spineless and oily money grabber who bronxiteforever Dec 7 #5

He is a total POS and needs to STFU vapor2 Dec 7 #14

And he has a smarmy vibe - requisite for being part of the regime. yellow dahlia Dec 7 #17

WTF? The word of the United States is now worthless, just like Trump's. surfered Dec 7 #6

Traitor is reneging on the US promise of protection for Ukraine Arazi Dec 7 #7

Who are these people and where did they come from? spanone Dec 7 #8

So the Treasury Sec. makes a comment about Article 5? walkingman Dec 7 #9

It's weird Renew Deal Dec 7 #10

how is it weird Skittles Dec 8 #24

Right?! yellow dahlia Dec 7 #18

Then don't expect help when we're attacked. chowmama Dec 7 #11

Is Russia going broke or what lame54 Dec 7 #12

Never, Trump will bail them out. dem4decades Dec 7 #13

Europeans have been preparing for that duckworth969 Dec 7 #16

Isn't his call. mr715 Dec 7 #19

Why should they care? DFW Dec 8 #27

I don't think Rubio and Hegseth are natural allies mr715 Dec 8 #29

Agree there. DFW Dec 8 #33

From a strictly analytical perspective mr715 Dec 8 #34

To be fair, no one saw this coming orangecrush Dec 7 #20

He's the Secretary of the Treasury. What authority does that pi$$ant have in matters of military? n/t aggiesal Dec 7 #21

Remove this pimple liberalgunwilltravel Dec 7 #22

Is Bessent the Sec. of State or Defense? Jilly_in_VA Dec 8 #26

I guess Putin's window is now Ouroborosnek Dec 8 #28

"Sphincter Boy" CentralMass Dec 8 #30

Cowardly POS C_U_L8R Dec 8 #31

Trump and his gaggle of idiots Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Dec 8 #32

Traitor Kid Berwyn Dec 8 #37

To bad MAGA and their 'chosen one' B.See Dec 8 #38

trump has caved to Putin LetMyPeopleVote Dec 8 #39