Summary
Putin’s actions after Trump’s election, including a delayed congratulations and a denial of a phone call, suggest a lack of respect for Trump’s personal relationship with him.
Russia’s intelligence chief’s statement that Trump owes them favors for their support in his election, along with hints that he is expected to “pay back” certain obligations, amounts to a bold threat of blackmail.
Trump’s foreign policy, which favors a realignment with Russia, may be challenged by Putin’s actions and the revelation of Russian interference in the election.
He stacked the Scotus for sure, but he never should have had the chance. The fact that Obama’s vacancy from Scalia’s death was delayed by a full year into Trumps term, and then RBG, who had decided not to retire under Obama, died in September of 2020 just a couple of months before Biden’s election. If you play by consistent rules then at least one of those should be a democrat appointment.
So having done that, what was his role in overturning RvW? He takes “credit” for it, but all he did was appoint two judges. Two very damaging judges, but you don’t have to act with intent to make stupid choices that are exploited by others.