President Donald Trump is literally conducting foreign policy via Twitter. Friday afternoon from Mar-a-Lago the President tweeted that he is reversing sanctions Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin imposed just 24 hours ago.
The President did not accurately describe when they were placed into effect, as CNN's Sarah Westwood reported:
The White House reportedly scrambled to support Trump's unilateral decision, seemingly made without consultation with Treasury.
“President Trump likes Chairman Kim, and he doesn’t think these sanctions will be necessary,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, according to The New York Times.
On social media, many – including experts – were stunned:
Richard Haass, the President of the Council on Foreign Relations, noted Trump usurped Secretary of State Mike Pompeo similarly this week:
Former principal deputy assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs weighed in with a simple but powerful three-letter statement:
Professor of international relations, political scientist, and CEO:
A professor at American University who teaches intelligence and analysis mockingly referred to a top-level official at the National Security Council:
Democratic 2020 presidential candidate:
Boston Globe columnist:
National political reporter for NBC News:
New York Times DC correspondent:
CNN's Kaitlan Collins notes the sanctions are important for denuclearization:
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