WASHINGTON, DC – Feb. 18 (DPI) – Among the dizzying actions of the last month – some potentially positive, many others catastrophic – Trump’s direct outreach to Vladimir Putin is emerging as perhaps the most destructive of all.

And so far, America’s legislative bodies – both the Senate and The House of Representatives – are sitting by watching Trump as he abandons the global rules-based order – an order the US largely created, and which the US itself benefits from the most. Global capital flows, free trade, the promotion of democratic, people-focused institutions are all the foundation of that order.

Trump’s attempts to destroy longtime relationships and alliances is already taking place, and US Senators have so far not challenged this president. Former National Security Advisor John Bolton is predicting Trump will try to abandon NATO,

There’s some small evidence that small groups of Senators are trying to reassure Ukraine that the US still has its back. Sen Lindsey Graham said in Munich last week that the door should remain open for Ukraine to join NATO quickly if Russia attacks again.

An AI generated summary of 3,000 reader comments after The Washington Post reported that Trump called Zelensky a “dictator”:

The comments overwhelmingly express outrage and condemnation of Trump’s remarks blaming Ukraine for the war, with many accusing him of being a traitor and a puppet of Putin. Commenters emphasize their support for Ukraine and President Zelensky, viewing Trump’s statements as a betrayal of democratic values and an alignment with authoritarian regimes. There is a strong sentiment that Trump’s actions are damaging U.S. credibility and alliances, with some expressing shame and disappointment in the current U.S. leadership.