Former Republican strategist Steve Schmidt has launched a blistering attack on President Donald Trump and his administration, accusing them of betraying the final legislative crusade of the late Senator Lindsey Graham with what he called «nonsense.» Schmidt, a longtime GOP operative, made the remarks during an episode ofThe Warning, where he argued that Trump's policies are directly benefiting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Schmidt highlighted that Graham, a loyal Trump ally until his death, had just returned from Ukraine and was preparing to introduce a sanctions bill against Russia when he died. «Lindsey Graham, a few hours before his death, was talking about his Russia sanctions bill,» Schmidt said. He then connected Trump's recent military actions to Graham's thwarted efforts: «When Donald Trump launched his war with Iran, global oil prices spiked, putting a great deal of money into whose pocket? That's right, Vladimir Putin's pocket.»
The strategist did not limit his criticism to Trump alone. He also targeted Jared Kushner and his Abraham Accords, which Schmidt described as «a disaster,» as well as Kushner and Steve Witkoff for «meddling around the world.» Schmidt characterized the administration's foreign policy as «nonsense» that is leading the United States toward another war. «They squeeze on the balloon, moving air around it in disruptive ways that are often, in the end, catastrophic,» he said.
Schmidt warned that the consequences of these actions could be severe. «America losing a war to Iran means that there will be a bigger, more deadly war sometime in the next decade,» he said. He added that «all of the seeds are being laid for it right now, today, as we speak, by the foolish men and women who have followed Trump to the edge of the abyss and over it.»
The criticism comes amid broader concerns about the Trump administration's approach to international relations. Schmidt, who has been a vocal critic of Trump since leaving the Republican Party, described the current MAGA policy as marked by «shallowness» and «abject stupidity.» He blasted senators who are «celebrated in too many quarters as statesmen as opposed to imbeciles.»
Graham's death marked a significant moment in U.S. politics. The South Carolina senator had been a key figure in pushing for a tougher stance on Russia, particularly after the invasion of Ukraine. His proposed sanctions bill was seen as a continuation of his hawkish foreign policy views. Schmidt's comments suggest that Trump's actions have effectively undermined Graham's legacy.
The former strategist's remarks also touch on the broader implications of Trump's foreign policy. By linking the Iran conflict to rising oil prices and Russian revenue, Schmidt argues that the administration is inadvertently strengthening one of America's primary adversaries. This line of criticism echoes concerns raised by other foreign policy experts who have warned that Trump's transactional approach to diplomacy could have unintended consequences.
Schmidt's critique extends beyond foreign policy to the administration's overall competence. He accused Trump and his team of engaging in «vandalism» and lacking the strategic depth needed to navigate complex global challenges. The warning about a future larger war underscores the stakes, as Schmidt sees the current trajectory as unsustainable.
As the 2024 election cycle heats up, such criticisms from former Republican insiders could further fracture the party. Schmidt, who helped found the Lincoln Project, a group of anti-Trump Republicans, has been at the forefront of efforts to defeat Trump at the ballot box. His latest comments are likely to resonate with moderate voters and foreign policy hawks who are uneasy with the administration's direction.
In the meantime, the legacy of Lindsey Graham's final crusade remains unresolved. Without the sanctions bill he championed, the U.S. response to Russian aggression may continue to lack the teeth that Graham and other hawks had sought. Schmidt's warning serves as a stark reminder of what he sees as the high cost of Trump's «nonsense» on the world stage.
