The bill is seriously flawed, Yet despite its problems, I am signing this bill for the sake of national unity.

The white house released a statement by President Trump today confirming he has signed  the “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act”

However, the statement was laced with languages that appeared to indicate Trump only hesitantly signed it.

Today, I signed into law the “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act,” which enacts new sanctions on Iran, North Korea, and Russia.  I favor tough measures to punish and deter bad behavior by the rogue regimes in Tehran and Pyongyang.  I also support making clear that America will not tolerate interference in our democratic process, and that we will side with our allies and friends against Russian subversion and destabilization.

Trump further stated his frustration in what he called improper encroachment of executive powers.

Since this bill was first introduced, I have expressed my concerns to Congress about the many ways it improperly encroaches on Executive power, disadvantages American companies, and hurts the interests of our European allies

Although he signed it the bill but basically says he was not happy because the bill remains seriously “flawed” as it did not allow the office of the president enough power to negotiate?

Still, the bill remains seriously flawed – particularly because it encroaches on the executive branch’s authority to negotiate.  Congress could not even negotiate a healthcare bill after seven years of talking.  By limiting the Executive’s flexibility, this bill makes it harder for the United States to strike good deals for the American people, and will drive China, Russia, and North Korea much closer together.  The Framers of our Constitution put foreign affairs in the hands of the President.  This bill will prove the wisdom of that choice.

Yet despite its problems, I am signing this bill for the sake of national unity.

White House PRESS RELEASE

Senator John Mccain, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC)  promptly reply with what seems like a dig at the President.

 I hope Trump will be as vocal about Russia’s behavior as he was about this bill. John Mccain

The official statement of the SASC chairman

“I welcome President Trump’s decision to sign legislation imposing new sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The enactment of this legislation, which enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan support in both houses of Congress, sends a strong message to friend and foe alike that the United States will hold nations accountable for aggressive and destabilizing behavior that threatens our national interests and those of our allies and partners.  

“The concerns expressed in the President’s signing statement are hardly surprising, though misplaced. The Framers of our Constitution made the Congress and the President coequal branches of government. This bill has already proven the wisdom of that choice.

“While the American people surely hope for better relations with Russia, what this legislation truly represents is their insistence that Vladimir Putin and his regime must pay a real price for attacking our democracy, violating human rights, occupying Crimea, and destabilizing Ukraine. The Chairman of SASC Statement

Analysis:

This is Trump under intense pressure from the two houses of congress, this is despite Republican dominating, but Trump’s unpopularity within his own party means he is hardly able to count on his party.

He has failed so far to pass his signature campaign health care bill through and now he is “hand tied and forced” by the application of the Constitution to sign a bill he clearly does not wish or want to sign.

The realisation of the difficulties in running the White House and how that is different from running a personal business where he does not have to answer to anyone must be impossible to reconcile.

As Michael D’Antonio said, a record-low poll rating, failure to pass his legislation through houses of Congress dominated by Republicans and the growing challenges posed by North Korea would rattle anyone, but must surely be worse for a man whose constant claims to confidence and success suggest that he is, in fact, deeply conflicted about his own competence.