Show-Me State Times

U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) appeared on Fox Business’ Kudlow to discuss recent political developments, including President Trump’s peace efforts in the Middle East and the ongoing government shutdown attributed by Schmitt to Senate Democrats.

Addressing what he called President Trump’s “historic Middle East Peace Deal,” Schmitt stated: “It’s remarkable and I think that [President Trump] is cementing his place in history as the ‘peace president’. That was always President Trump’s north star, which is to seek diplomacy first. I think you’re seeing a rebirth of American realism with this President — in that you see the world as it is, and you understand what our core national interests are. We’re not going to get spread too far and too wide. We can’t be everywhere all at once all the time. That’s why Europe is now stepping up in a much more meaningful way. We are focused on the homeland, and we understand the civilization threat that China is — this competing rival we have across the pacific. And when you can, intervene peacefully and through diplomacy to solve conflicts — that’s an appropriate role for American leadership. President Trump has done that time and time again. Whether Azerbaijan and Armenia, or Pakistan and India, or now with this exchange of hostages. Now they still have to get to the governance, but [President Trump] set a framework here — that’s really built on the Abraham Accords of his first term — that’s not based completely on political dynamics but also economic realities and cooperation that can hopefully stand the test of time.”

Schmitt further commented on President Trump’s approach: “Yeah, [President Trump] has innate instincts here that are right. The globalists have been betting against President Trump for a long time now — we’re kind of a decade into this. And just think of the difference between the first term when President Trump was talking to the Europeans about stepping up to 5 percent of the GDP from national defense and they mocked him. But now, they are doing it because they understand now the importance of that. President Trump is a singular political figure — I think the most consequential president we’ve had in generations in this country. This is just sort of another notch on the belt here of a serious person with great accomplishments.”

He added: “I agree and I see President Trump around a lot of these leaders, and he’s got a magnetic personality. And by the way, winning begets more winning. America is back and people see it, they want to be around it, and they know it’s a good thing for the rest ofthe world, too.”

On domestic issues, Schmitt addressed what he described as "Schumer's Shutdown." He said: “We’re getting there. We’re starting week three ofthe Schumer Shutdown and it’s totally irrational, Larry.There’s really not anything they really want.They will certainly talk about other things,but their offer onthe table is $1.5 trillion worthof spending,$5 billion for all these crazy programs in USAIDthat we defunded through therecissions package.They want healthcare for illegal immigrants.That is what they’re offering.But thisis about fightingTrump,sothat’ swhyit’ snot arational discussion.We’ll see what happens thisweek,butasfaraswhatthegovernmentisgoingtodo,thePresidenthasmadeclearandRussVoughthasmadeclearwhat their prioritiesare .Whichistheyaregoingtomakesuremilitarymembers ,goingtomakesurelawenforcementgetspaid.Andifwegetalittlebitfurtherdowntheroad ,there ’sgoingtohavetobedecisionsmadebecausethegovernmentisjustrunningoutofmoney.TheRepublicanshaveofferedaclean[continuingresolution],whichisusuallytheexitramphere.AndtheDemocratskeepsayingno.Theyarewaymoreinterestedingrandstandingthangoverning.That’sthetruth.”

He continued: “They don’t have another play in the playbook.They really don’tandithasn’tworkedforthem.TheAmericanpeoplerejectedthisbeforeandwesaw everythingunfold.Theydon’thaveanotherplay.Theyareleaderss,theydon’thaveamessage.Alltheycandois[say]‘Orangemanbad’,nonsense ,‘NoKingsrally’.Itisso ridiculouspeoplearetiredofit.”