It is among the most familiar patterns of the Trump era.
First, Trump says or does something weird, rude or otherwise norm-defying. Some elected Republicans object, and the response from Trump and his minions is to shoot the messenger. The dynamic holds constant whether it’s big (Jan. 6 pardons) or small (tweeting “covfefe” just after midnight).
The essence of this low-road-for-me-high-road-for-thee dynamic rests on the belief that Trumpism is a one-way road. Insulting Trump, deservedly or not, is forbidden, while Trump’s antics should be celebrated when possible, defended when necessary, or ignored when neither of those responses is possible. But he should never, ever face consequences for his own actions.
This was the week Trump’s routine went global.
Trump is the blooming peyote flower on top of the shit pile of several decades of abusive U.S. foreign policy. Despite what people might want to believe, continuity of policy is maintained regardless of who is in the White House. There’s only one guy that attempted to disrupt this continuity, and the MIC blew his fucking head off in front of the whole world, just to make sure everyone would know that it doesn’t matter who you are, they are in charge.