I am going to do what some may consider unspeakable: I am going to defend Donald Trump. This does not mean I support him or condone all his policies and campaign tactics — I am still not sure who I will vote for in the national election.
However, I do want to address some of the media attacks Trump has received because of the exposure of his amicable relations with the Clinton administration.
According to ABC News, the National Archives released 464 documents on Tuesday sharing Donald Trump’s past relationship with the Clinton administration in accordance with a Freedom of Information
Act request.
The documents indicate the relationship was less than dating but definitely more than friends. According to Fox News, documents included personal, signed copies of Trump’s books sent to Bill Clinton’s aide, invitations extended to Trump to come to the White House and a birthday note to Trump from President Clinton.
News sources such as Fox News and USA Today are now questioning what this will mean for Trump’s campaign. Trump is not the GOP’s favorite politician right now, and the fact that he once fraternized with the Clintons could send him over the party’s edge.
Trump should not receive criticism for his interactions with the Clinton administration, nor should the media attack Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton or her husband for their invitations.
These documents do not contain major scandals or infractions of the law. The United States has become divided to such an extent that it condemns any interactions — even innocent ones — with the opposing side.
The media’s portrayal of Trump and Clinton in light of this release reflects the immaturity and pettiness often associated with American politics.
As a college student, I encounter many people with whom my views do not align, but these disagreements do
not inhibit my civility and friendships
with others.
In the realm of national politics, association with the other party — whether out of legislative compromise, business interaction or mere politeness — should not deface either candidate. Each candidate should receive criticism so that the public can make informed decisions, but it should be based on influential actions and polices.
National politics need to refocus from the meaninglessness of Clinton’s and Trump’s past contact and analyze their policies and qualifications. Maintaining civil, even friendly, relationships with the other party should not be the cause for a drop in the polls or the front page story on foxnews.com.
Suppressing the importance of the released documents does not suggest forgetting the past — it means deciding which actions and ideas from the past deem candidates worthy or unworthy for the presidency.