Trump (I assume in jest) thanked Putin earlier today for expelling U.S. diplomats and this has infuriated the State Department (as if Trump needed more enemies). Trump explained that "we're going to save a lot of money," and further added, "I want to thank him because we're trying to cut down our payroll, and as far as I'm concerned I'm very thankful that he let go of a large number of people because now we have a smaller payroll. There's no real reason for them to go back," he added. "I greatly appreciate the fact that we've been able to cut our payroll of the United States. We're going to save a lot of money." Of course, this inane logic (even if said in jest) completely ignores the fact that most of the positions cut will likely be those of locally hired Russian staffers who will likely receive severance payments. The U.S. diplomats forced to leave Moscow will in most cases just be sent to other posts rather than just be laid off as Trump seems to think. Any cost savings, at least in the short run, will therefore be minimal.
The reaction to Trump's impromptu attempt at humor did not go over well at the State Department... A senior U.S. diplomat serving overseas called the Trump's remarks "outrageous" and said, "This is so incredibly demoralizing and disrespectful to people serving their country in harm's way," the diplomat said. "I kid you not, I have heard from three different people in the last five minutes," one State Department official told POLITCO shortly after Trump's comments. "Everyone seems pretty amazed. This statement is naive and shortsighted. It sends a terrible signal to local employees everywhere." "THANK Putin?" another State Dept. official responded. "I don't have words that are printable to describe my reaction." Finally, Barbara Stephenson, the President of the American Foreign Service Association, the diplomat's union, weighed in with a carefully worded statement. "With all the threats facing our nation, we need a properly resourced and staffed Foreign Service more than ever, and we need them where they do the most good - posted abroad, delivering for the American people."
This is what you get with Trump... naivete and ignorance. Even assuming this was in jest (how do you tell when someone is serious when they say dopey things all the time?), it was inappropriate and an incredibly ignorant thing to say. If Trump had a functioning sense of humor, he would see this for the stupid and unfunny comment it was... Well, I assume this puts him back in good graces with his bff.
