And thank you all for joining us 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 democratic state. Israel cannot be jewish and democratic if in fact it is a one state solution. It needs to be a two state solution for those elements of jewish identity to continue to be a reality. So, those are some of the things i would have Vice President biden say. To be clear you want to make sure that its permanently suspended by the annexation. If you pursue the annexation, the possibility of the two state solution and what we must be robustly engaged in is going back to the drawing board in the changing and evolving relationship that is taking place in the middle east with israel that we may have a new dynamic as to how the Palestinian Authority deals with getting to a two state solution. You have to preserve that possibility. Its almost impossible to preserve it. We are going to actually go somewhere else in the world now. You did not [inaudible] if there is a President Biden that he wants to have an opening to again go back to a more normal relationship would you support that . As always, it depends on how things are done. One of the things we learned about the normalization is that the regime took full advantage of it. It did not reciprocate or release Political Prisoners or permit for a Civil Society and peaceful dissent. It didnt present any openings on the free press or do any of the things one would aspire to see cuba do. They should have conditionality. For example, when we had apartheid in south africa we had the principles that basically meant they had to be able to hire directly workers pay them directly and empower them directly and therefore wouldnt discriminate against black south africans. The reality is that would be a powerful tool to say an American Company doing business in cuba have to hire workers directly because they cant be hired directly by any foreign entities hired. You go to the government and they say you are an employee. You pay the government a robust wage and they give a fraction of the wages and you fire them at will because there is no labor rights. So, that is an example of creating relationships with conditionality. You know, there could be a call for the release of Political Prisoners. I think Vice President joe biden would have experienced both ends of the spectrum of the cuban policy could find his own pathway to make it more constructive and possible. It sounds to me like you would offer support for the situation its what he would be considering in terms of such openings and under what condition. You have a big microphone on what. What will be your top priority when it comes to that situation . Of the america leads act is all encompassing. It took all of the committee jurisdictions that have something to do with chinas finance committee on questions and of course the Senate ForeignRelations Committee on diplomacy and other elements. The Appropriations Committee we need not only to confront china. Because of its infrastructure it can undermine your National Security interest youve got to offer something in return. That is one simple examples we must compete with china. With democracy and human rights and how we deal with competing with china. I think it is comprehensive and very well thought out and that would be our blueprint as it relates to china. Would you recommend though that a President Biden with some of the sanctions im not necessarily talking about the tariffs. I think that a President Joe Biden would want to charge his own way with china. To be able to compete abroad as i think as he develops his own way he may have use of both carrots and sticks, so some of those things he may find appropriate in the absence to his initiatives and others it may be a way to incentivize to have them travel a different path at least to see whether they are responsive to it. So i wouldnt say these are all good or all bad. Just as a new administration engages and engages our allies this is a huge part its not just bilaterally with china. Its engaging in the region and beyond. China challenges us in every single way politically, economically, militarily and culturally as they want to change the world order in a way that is concerning because of the authoritarianism. So, part of this is an engaging the world to help us engage and deal with china. The next question is about venezuela and i tried hard to craft a smart question about it but honestly it just seems like a giant mess and so im just going to ask you on venezuela what needs to be done. This is one of the few places that i do say at the beginning the Trump Administration did trd some good things. It got 50 major countries in the world to recognize as the interim president under the venezuelan constitution as head of the national assembly. It started doing some correct sanctioning. The biggest sanction that he could have received is to be called illicit by 50 countries including the leading countries of europe and others in the world. But he failed to bring the coalition together to bear in all of the elements of the policy that we needed to get a diplomatic solution in venezuela so it failed to internationalize beyond the recognition having sanctions directly focused on the cronies in a way that would send them to make a deal. That failure is another example of not willing to multilateral lies our efforts. Then we dont even show up at the conferences or the lower tier. Something ive been advocating because we spent nearly a billion dollars in humanitarian assistance to help countries like columbia over 5 million that have left. But the reality is there is a lot more to be done in that regard. When you say we dont take refugees at home its tough to tell other countries to go home and take a refugee. Should President Biden continue to recognize and continue to build on what President Trump left behind or should there be a wholesale rethinking . He should be recognized as the continuing interim president and i hope a new administration would also say these upcoming are illegitimate and another attempt to smash the last vestige but then to harness our allies going towards a diplomatic solution. Coming back to capitol hill it is quite possible that you will have a number of in the next term it seems like the progressive voice is going to be growing a fair amount. Ive talked to a lot of progressives and they are not your biggest fan. And they seem poised to have plans that say a lot of things in the coming months and years. How do you plan to deal with their demand and advice . They will not always agree with you sue how do you expect you will deal with that . Ive been in Public Service long enough they will not always agree with us. We have a Strong Coalition on the democratic side of the aisle that includes several very strong progressives. We fashioned legislation that has actually had not only their voices, but there initiatives and so i think that is where we will continue to build upon that. The other reality is when it comes to Foreign Policy we are stronger as a nation when we can have a bipartisan so our allies also understand that it wont shift from administration to administration. That may not always be possible but that is a Foreign Policy desirable, so there are some more moderate voices that could be worked with and i could point to a whole host of initiatives that ive sponsored that are very progressive, but of course sometimes my friends in the community unless it is 100 it isnt acceptable so we will continue to engage with everybody including our progressive friends and those voices will be heard on the committee very strongly as they have over the last two years. I have to see where we are going to cut it from and use it for. Those things in the abstract are very nice but wheres the 200 billion. What is it coming out of . I never support, ive never supported just wholesale cuts without knowing all of the other elements. So if that is across the board, which i have opposed or others that unless i know where are you taking it from, how does that not undermine the National Security, where is it going and for what purpose and are those purposes i agreed to than whatever you are doing in the defense budget. What advice would you give if they want to see their nominee move through the process quickly especially if republicans keep a hold of the chamber should they nominate someone like susan rice . I will lead t let president n choose who he nominates for these positions. What i will say in a more broad term is one of the things that has been a poor and is we have had nominees that have been woefully incapable of performing the duties they were nominated for, or inconsistent in the very mission that they were nominated for. And people that had very deeply flawed backgrounds. I dont expect that from the administration and the contrary the one thing about joe biden is he did Foreign Policy for a long time. He did it as a United States senator and the chairman of the Foreign Relations committee with a great deal of respect for the committee and the senate and as the Vice President of the United States. This is a totally different person than donald trump. He will restore our standing in the world, build our alliances like the state department. So give us quality people and they will withstand the partisan attempts. But do you still expect this nonetheless . It depends if republicans want to continue this mode or go back to the Republican Party that was fiscally conservative, socially moderate and try to find Common Ground particularly on the Foreign Policy to put the interest of the United States best foot forward. I dont know which party will show up after. We will see. In the gop, what do they tell you . I think if you seen lately all of a sudden we have a public distancing of senators, for a long time privately they would grumble about much of the actions including in the Foreign Policy, turkey being an example of that. But theyve never been willing to publicly challenge a president and this is something ive often said to them. I am an institutionalist. You talk about two different items i disagreed with president obama on. The role of congress is to rubberstamp everything the administration does and i believe you work with an administration, you know whether it is on your party or not. When there is a National Interest to do so and i believe you stand up to it when they are wrong or there is a different view. If not, then what is the purpose of the provision of the constitution . That is my reminder that we are almost out of time pontificating on and on there are a lot of people in all of humanity that would be grateful for that. Is it possible that you could do that . To undermine the prerogatives of any senator i would simply say to their best instinct that would be the greatest desirable to get to the truth of the matter and the substance of the matter of understanding. For me, questioning has always been what is our best path forward to get the best out of peoples thinking and the intellect we have before us. I dont know that it can actually make that happen but it would certainly try to cajole the colleaguecontrolthe colleage to question, pursued the truths, get the facts and get the best knowledge of the great minds in this country. Thank you everyone for joining us. Lets do this again sometime. Thank you so much. Wednesday President Trump delivered remarks at the Campaign Rally in Bullhead City arizona on the nevada border with less than a week until election day. By making a five to six minute documentary exploring the issue you want the president and congress to address in 2021. Being bold with your documentary, show supporting and opposing points of view that include cspan video and total cash prizes including a grand prize of 5,000. The deadline is january 20th, 2021. You will find competition rules and more information on how to get started on the website, student cam. Org. Next a discussion about the United Nations outlook on global progress including the need for a Global Response to the coronavirus pandemic like the postworld war ii marshall plan. Hosted by the brookings institution, this is about 45 minutes. Thank you for joining us. We are grateful for the participation of the un deputy secretarygeneral and the Rockefeller Foundation president both who are exemplary Global Leaders who took time out of