Top Jewish diplomat describes Trump’s ‘shocking’ contempt for Congress
Rori Kramer, who is US advocacy at the American Jewish World Service, hit out at the President's actions accusing him of a 'race to the bottom' with lawmakers
A senior Jewish representative in Washington, DC, has described the contempt with which Donald Trump’s administration holds the US Congress as “shocking”.
Rori Kramer, the former deputy assistant secretary of state in the bureau of legislative affairs who is now director of US advocacy at the American Jewish World Service, was speaking after Democrats said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had misused state funds to make a party political address from Jerusalem.
Pompeo, who has made a habit of offending US allies, is refusing to comply with congressional subpoenas for documents connected to the Ukraine scandal that led to Trump’s impeachment.
“It’s really shocking,” said Kramer. “Four years ago it would have been completely bizarro Twilight Zone that Congress could subpoena you and hold you in contempt, and the answer of the administration would be ‘I don’t care’. It’s a race to the bottom.”
Last week Pompeo took part in the Republican national convention with a filmed address from Jerusalem while on a visit as secretary of state. Lawyers say this violated the Hatch Act prohibiting public funds from being used for electoral purposes.
His refusal is the latest two-fingered salute from Pompeo, who in May fired the inspector investigating his use of departmental resources for personal errands. He also declared an “emergency” to bypass a congressional block on arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with whom Israel is now normalising relations.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
