Online for this release of the report entitled the cost of the policy and damaging consequences for u. S. And global security. Let me first explain why i thought undertaking this report was important. Much has been written about President Trumps failed Foreign Policy but i thought it was important to assess from a congressional perspective and to look at some of the examples of how the president has engaged with the world and what his actions have meant for the American People. My staff interviewed dozens of former officials, many who served in senior positions in the Trump Administration. They traveled and met with officials and Foreign Policy experts speaking to people from more than 20 countries. What we found was struggling. The consequences of both Donald Trumps words and actions have been almost unequivocally negative for the American People and broad United States interest globally. Nearly four years since he took office, we see democratic democc decline and authoritarianism around the world. Even the north korea missile programs were larger and more capable than before. We see iran inching closer to a nuclear weapon. And instead of building alliances and coming up with a better deal as he promised, President Trump has alienated more partners and allies. Indeed, the president has repeatedly bullied and threatened our closest friends when what we need our Strong Coalitions to promote the interests and address the most pressing challenges. Look no further than the global coronavirus pandemic. Trump isnt leading the Global Response to the pandemic. Hes deliberately undermining it. This administrations Unrealistic Expectations lack of attention and inconsistency have left promising diplomatic initiatives to wither away on the vine. The president s attacks on Democratic Values have empowered all the cracks and authoritarians to tighten their grip on power. Former diplomats report not being able to credibly or effectively raise human rights with foreign governors. For years and if you are still searching for the trump doctrine on Foreign Policy you will find a warm and brace of autocratic leaders and a Cold Shoulder for the closest allies when in practice what we have is a trump burst approach. This report catalogs the most damaging aspects of what that means for americans. First, President Trumps Foreign Policy had been marked by chaos, neglect and failures. National security decisions have been driven by his eco and domestic political calculations, not the vital interest of the United States. Foreign officials accounted they dont know who speaks for the president or whether a new policy announcement is real or will be abruptly reversed. Its no wonder partners are weary of coordinating with us and making new engagements. His attempts to personally engage on a real crisis has resulted in diplomatic failure. For example, when it became clear that a quick breakthrough of the negotiations with north korea was unrealistic, he lost interest and declared the problem. Hes neglected the challenges that endanger the American People including climate change, the covid19 pandemic and nuclear proliferation. Instead of leaving the international efforts, the Trump Administration has undermined them from withdrawing from the World Organization and refusing to [inaudible] and the Foreign Policy by using the office to advance his own electoral interests openly calling on foreign governments to aid him and work against his opponent. Secondly, President Trumps corrosive domestic policies have damaged u. S. Credibility abroad and undermined our ability to promote the Democratic Values globally. The separated families at the border turned away refugees, attacks of thattack the rule ofk the free press, teargas citizens engaged in peaceful protest and found the divisive rhetoric on race. His own statements and policies have implicitly given a green light to the repressive regimes around the world. The repeated attacks on the media are cited by foreign leaders in support of their own acts and according to a former u. S. Official, they legitimized the threat environment. Third, the president s abrupt and inconsistent decisionmaking has taken close allies by surprise and has thrown alliances into disarray. We have heard from the foreign governments that the fabric some are hanging by a thread. And for good reason. Weve treated the allies not just as trusted partners but as a kid we can take on the schoolyard time and time again. From declaring canada a National Security threat to threatening germany with auto tariffs and insulting to troops from syria with no advanced warning to analyze that have security interests there, our friends have abused and alienated. As a result, some have begin to move on looking to build alliances that dont have the United States at the table. Fourth, the president s hostility towards multilateral alliances has threatened the United States to withdraw and isolate from pressing global challenges and provided openings to the adversaries. Our go it alone approach is meant when the United States seeks to extend an arms embargo against iran, a bipartisan goal only the Dominican Republic votes with us and our close allies vote against us. Our increasing absence from the multilateral institutions mean that our adversaries, particularly china have a foothold to gain influence. Walking away takes away our ability to Counter China and improve these institutions. Perhaps most dangerously, the president s rhetoric has emboldened the authoritarian regimes and autocratic leaders weakening the Democratic Values. President trump made clear the United States will not push back when authoritarian leaders punish an Academic Institution and carry out the due judicial. Going out of his way to repeatedly defend the Saudi Crown Prince going so far as to publicly defend him over his own intelligence agencies. Its not met with condemnation and isolation but rewarded with an oval office respected leader. Today autocrats and authoritarians no donald trump has their back. Now americans might wonder what does this have to do with me. Its true, u. S. Foreign policy is often not at the forefront of most americans minds but it remains central to the security and prosperity of the American People. For decades american leaders pursued a Foreign Policy vision based upon a robust defense of Democratic Values. Today that legacy is hanging precariously. If the United States isnt standing up to the regimes demanding protections for the human rights abroad, if it doesnt counter the repression, if it allows the attacks on the free press to go unanswered it undermines the authority when we try to demand better. It extends a Ripple Effect throughout the world. If the United States can do it, so can we. If the u. S. Only threatens our allies and partners will look elsewhere. If we do not ban together and pool their resources, expertise and night, the United States will be illequipped for the future challenges. Let me conclude where do we go from here. First, we need to rebuild the u. S. Foreign polic foreignpolis such as the state department which suffered the loss of extraordinary talent over the past four years. Restoring overseas confidence in the United States requires highly qualified to diplomats who conduct themselves in a reliable and transparent manner most relations with allies and partners. It wont be easy but its absolutely necessary. Alliances are a foundational bedrock for protecting the American People. We need partnerships that pull our and resources to counter russia and china and tackle problems we cannot solve alone. Third, halting the decline of Global Freedom and democracy must be a critical objective to the u. S. Foreign policy. Driving vibrant democracies around the world, improve u. S. Safety, security and prosperity. Fourth, the United States strongest internationally when we are strong at home. We mustnt address our domestic falls including Racial Discrimination and ill equality. The best way to communicate to the nations they must strive for inequality is to embody it ourselves. This report is the beginning of a conversation about the future of the u. S. Foreign policy and how to undo the damage wrought by this president. I hope it can serve as a roadmap to congress and a future administration about what needs rebuilding and where the damage lies and as a reminder of the consequences incoherent chaotic Foreign Policy. For those of us that care deeply about this country and the role that we play in the world, theres a lot of work ahead. Thank you for tuning in and i look forward to your questions. Thank you. I appreciate this. I have a bunch of questions for you and so im hoping we can tackle all of them. Some of the actions that you have deemed is negative. You are somewhat vague about that in the report so my question is which misdeeds do you want to hold the Administration Accountable for and what exactly would accountability look like . The accountability that im talking about is an assessment. We tried to lay a foundational element of that in the report where the Trump Administration has left us in the world. So, knowing that assessment and where the shortcomings are and where the consequences have been we can begin. For example whats happened at the state department. We conducted a series of investigations and requested reviews about some of the politicalization of the state department. We need a robust vibrant state department with very capable people to promote American Values around the world. In the arms sales process, we need to make sure that Congress Role is well respected and engaged and that is something this administration has sought to trample upon so in that respect it is understanding where this administration has taken us down the wrong path. The consequences flow from it and then how can we correct it. Theres stories others 544 children still separated from their parents. When it comes to situations like that for safer the state department its one thing to say we dont want to do these terrible things again. We just want to do better. But what about the people who were separated, what about the individual that retaliated, those type of things. I dont see the committee acting as the Investigative Authority on all of these issues. I think that theres so much work to do that lies ahead to promote safety, security and prosperity. When it is appropriate and comes about in a term of information and if there are still those in positions of power who conduct themselves inappropriately and created some of the consequences of the separation that have no linkage at this time amanda did some of these other things then of course, you know, that would be either referred to as an inspector general, or we may look at it specifically. But my view, the committees work is to help us build a policy that makes america more secure and prosperous is that something to report . Democrats have been fairly reported. You oppose the deal if he does become president does he have your support about it . The nuclear deal and the sunset questions are closer to an issue today when the deal was entered into. The reality is any administration that comes forward they are testing more in the Ballistic Missiles and perfecting it and has its maligned activities the big mistake and consequences that oppose the jcp oa have said the consequences of leading unilaterally by the Trump Administration without any effort even the french were talking to us about going beyond recognizing its shortfalls and dealing with the continuing arms embargo. We want to deal with the totality of all those issues and that is suggesting the jcp oa plus. As senator graham and i theres an idea we talk to some of our allies and others about going back to the jcp oa but with a framework understanding that iran would engage in other elements critical that have to be dealt with like the Weapons Development and the Ballistic Missile development as a part of a holistic deal. The more we get the more we give and the reality is that the beginning. That you realize in pushing for this idea you were kind of hoping that they would come along and there might not be be a deal at all. I realize even our closest allies. In the beginning of what needs to be done and theres a lot more seeking to pursue a lot more when we were in the deal. Going back, some of my strongest colleagues more has to be done them just jcp oa. Speaking to the middle east, you criticized them for their conduct i have to tell you i am a bit skeptical that they would follow through on this for a number of reasons. If they dont follow through, what are you prepared to do about it. To ensure the results diplomatic engagement to get them to stop what is happening in their engagement to these parts of the middle east the reality is theres very strong support and certainly on the Democratic Caucus and the saudi arms deals which is a much better partner. But there is a strong appetite among the Democratic Caucus to see that through. And i believe that without President Trump, there would be several republicans who would join us in that effort. To take the view that they would follow through on it. [inaudible] especially when it comes to the region. The dynamics of the region we are hearing in saudi arabia there is new restrictions on socializing and theres some positive development. So how do you ensure that while also holding these accountable for the military violations in places like yemen and beyond. How do you explain that . We applaud the recognition and relationship with israel and bahrain and applaud in saudi arabia the greater openings. We also have something called the u. S. Law that means israel must maintain its quality gin the regions so as we are looking at these new relationships, we also have an obligation to u. S. Law. So, i just get concerned we see a breakneck speed of sales proposed without the appropriate deliberative process that goes through from the state department, department of defense and allies to understand thallies to understandthe conse. We can have a robust relationship and we can develop a Security Architecture that can include the countries that the u. S. Law says that it needs to be preserved. Howard d how do you hold these countries accountable while at the same time away from these positive developments. What is something that you would do to try to make sure the president of the United States makes it clear that assassinating a journalist is not acceptable in our relationship. Our relationships dont go totally okay for so long as certain things you can do anything you want. That is the message President Trump has sent. So it starts with a president that upholds basic democratic principles who insist in the relationships people move towards a greater acceptance of it. The leaders do not ultimately undermine a free press and dissident when it is peaceful. Then its followed by a congress that i would hope in its legislations would promote that as a principal and would be prepared to provide a benefit for those that actually follow those fundamental views and in democracy and human rights and the rule of law. And that creates consequences for those who dont. People say things all the time in washington and i think it comes down to what actual you are prepared to do. Feel free to address that as well. Staying in the region, if Benjamin Netanyahu were with us right now, what advice would you give him on how he should approach Vice President biden . [inaudible] first of all, i think that he needs to understand the relationship has been rooted and strong bipartisan support it isnt good for israel and certainly not good for our relationship to be rooted in a partisan view number one. Number two is moving forward with any forms of annexation is a consequence in terms of policy. I think that while they have now said they have suspended i think the term suspended needs to be pursued and understood with the recognition of israel. We need to work on making sure that that suspension isnt a temporal thing. I would make it clear to the Prime Minister that we rejoice in israel not only being a jewish state that a