In a recent episode of The David Frum Show, hosted by The Atlantic’s David Frum, the discussion centered on the implications of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy decisions, focusing on their detrimental effects on U.S. alliances and global credibility.
Frum highlighted several incidents that reflect this concerning trend, including the detainment of South Korean workers at a Georgia factory, which has led to significant backlash from South Korea.
Approximately 300 South Korean citizens were detained as part of immigration enforcement actions while they were reportedly working to prepare the factory for opening.
Frum underscored that this incident has ignited outrage in South Korea, especially among those who believed they were fulfilling President Trump’s call for increased investment in the U.S.
Alongside this, Frum mentioned allegations arising from covert operations involving U.S. nationals in Greenland aimed at promoting separatist sentiments, further straining relations with Denmark, a NATO ally.
He argued that such actions are indicative of an ego-driven approach to leadership rather than a stance of true strength.
The discussion then shifted to a conversation between Frum and Rosa Brooks, a Georgetown law professor and former Pentagon adviser, regarding the deployment of 2,200 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.
This deployment has sparked considerable debate regarding the appropriateness of militarized policing and the constitutional implications tied to such actions.
Brooks, who also has a background as a D.C. reserve police officer, shared insights on the nature of policing and the challenges posed by the current environment of increased militarization in urban settings.
Frum noted that the National Guard troops, many of whom were deployed from outside D.C., were now tasked with patrolling areas like the Wharf, a popular and affluent district.
In this context, Brooks pointed out the potential longer-term ramifications of these deployments, stressing that while a heavy visible police presence may provide an illusion of safety, it fails to address the root causes of crime.
She highlighted that flooding zones with armed personnel might yield temporary reductions in crime but does not provide enduring solutions to the underlying issues that lead to criminal behavior.
Additionally, Brooks addressed the broader challenges of societal responses to homelessness, indicating that merely relocating encampments does not solve the systemic problems at hand.
Frum linked the discussion to the historical context in which policing split from military action and the importance of ensuring that police forces operate by community consent rather than through a show of overwhelming force.
He expressed concerns that the current environment fosters a chilling dynamic where communities could come to expect and accept militarized responses to civil issues, setting a troubling precedent for future governance.
The episode concluded with Frum introducing a new segment that shifts focus to literature, specifically Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, emphasizing literature’s role in cultivating critical thought, particularly in an era marked by a decline in reading for pleasure.
Frum reflected on the merits of questioning narratives presented in literature as a means to foster critical engagement and a broader understanding of human behavior.
This introspection about literature served as a metaphor for contemporary political discourse, illustrating how narratives can be manipulated and the importance of scrutinizing the reality presented to the public.
Overall, the episode provided an in-depth analysis of the implications of Trump’s policies, touching on themes of governance, civic responsibility, and the extraordinary complexities faced by modern societies.
image source from：theatlantic
