So lets begin. Senator menendez, the virtual floor is yours. Well thank you, nahal, very much. Good to see you again. And thank you all for joining us online for this release of the report entitled the costs of trumps Foreign Policy, the 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 the damage of the past four years from a congressional perspective and to look at some of the starkest examples of how our president has engaged with the world and what his actions have met for the American People. My staff interviewed dozens of former u. S. Officials, many who served in senior positions in the Trump Administration. They traveled and met with Foreign Government officials and Foreign Policy expert speaking to people from more than 20 countries. And what we found was troubling. The consequences of both Donald Trumps words and action of an almost unequivocally negative for the American People and for broader United States interests globally. Nearly four years since he took office we see democratic decline and creeping authoritarianism around the world. We see the north Korean Nuclear and missile programs larger and more capable than before. We see iran inching closer to a nuclear weapon, and instead of building alliances are coming up with a better deal, as he promised, President Trump is alienated our partners and allies. Indeed, this president has repeatedly bolded and threatened our closest friends, when what we need our Strong Coalitions to promote our interests and address our most pressing challenges. Look no further than the global coronavirus pandemic. Trump is a leading the Global Response to the endemic. He had deliberately undermining it. This administration is unrealistic expectations, lack of attention and inconsistency have left promising diplomatic initiatives to wither on the vine. The president attacks on Democratic Values have empowered autocrats, authoritarians to tighten their grip on power. Former diplomats report not being able to credibly or effectively raise human rights with Foreign Governments. For years in if youre still searching for that trump doctrine on Foreign Policy, you will find a warm embrace of autocratic leaders, a Cold Shoulder for closest allies, and a personal agenda comes at the expense of values and interests of the American People. The president has championed his policy as an America First approach, but in practice what we have is a trump first approach. This report catalogues some of the most damaging aspects of what that means for americans here first, President Trumps Foreign Policy has been marked by chaos, neglect and diplomatic failures. National security decisions have been driven by ego and domestic political calculations, not the vital interests of the United States. Foreign officials recounted how they dont know who speaks for the president or whether a new policy announcement is a real or will be abruptly reversed. Its no wonder that partners are wary of Court Meeting with us and making new engagements. His attempts to personally engage on a real crisis have resulted in diplomatic failure. For example, when it became clear that a quick breakthrough of Nuclear Negotiations with north korea was unrealistic, he lost interest and declared the problem solved. It is not. He has neglected pressing global challenges that endanger the American People including climate change, the covid19 pandemic, and nuclear proliferation. Instead of leading international efforts, the Trump Administration is undermined them from withdrawing from the World Health Organization and refusing to participate in local vaccine efforts to abandon the payers climate agreement. And he is politicized Foreign Policy using his office to advance his own electoral interests, openly calling on Foreign Governments to aid him in work against his opponent. Secondly, President Trumps corrosive domestic policies and damaged u. S. Credibility abroad and undermine our ability to promote the Democratic Values globally. He is separated families of the border, turned away refugees, attacked the rule of law, attacked a free press, tear gas engaged in peaceful protests, and spouted divided redhook on race. Its own statements and policies have implicitly given a green light to repressive regimes around the world. His repeated attacks on the media are cited by foreign leaders in support of their own repressive acts, and according to a former u. S. Official it legitimize the threat environment for journalists. Third, president s abrupt and inconsistent decisionmaking has taken close allies by surprise and thrown alliances into disarray. We have heard from Foreign Governments at the fabric of our alliances is frayed. Some are hanging by a threat. And for good reason. We have treater our not as trusted partners but as the kid we can take on in the schoolyard the time of the gentleman has expired again just because we can. From declaring canada a National Security threat to threatening germany with auto tariffs come to threatening and insulting mexico, to withdrawing troops in syria with no advance warning to allies who have security interests there, our friends feel abused and italy made. As a result some have begun 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 left the United States withdrawn and isolated from combating pressing global challenges and provide openings to our adversaries. Our goal would alone approach has meant when the United States seeks to extend the u. N. Arms embargo against iran, a bipartisan congressional goal, only the dominican republican votes with us and a close allies vote against us. Not because they dont agree with the objective but because the u. S. Has lost all credibility and trust on the issue. Our increasing absence from multilateral institutions mean that our adversaries, particularly china, have a foothold to gain influence. While we have a list of grievances with the u. N. Human Rights Council and the World Health Organization, walking away takes away our ability to effectively Counter China and to breathe these institutions. And fifth and perhaps most dangerously, the the president rhetoric and actions have emboldened and empowered authoritarian regimes and autocratic leaders, weakening human rights and undermine the Democratic Values. President trump has been clear the United States will not push back when authoritarian leaders punish an academic institution, chariot judicial power grab, or assassinate a u. S. Based journalist. Instead of holding the saudi government accountable for the brutal murder of jamal khashoggi, he has gone out of his way to repeatedly defend the saudi crown prince, going so far as to publicly defend him over his own intelligence agencies. Hong kongese retreat from talking drift towards autocratic rule is not met with combination with diplomatic isolation but rewarded with an Oval Office Meeting where orb on his praise as a toughen respectively. Today autocrats and authoritarians know that 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 on the forefront of most americans minds but remains central to the security and prosperity of the American People. For decades american leaders pursued a Foreign Policy vision based upon a a robust defense f Democratic Values. Today, that legacy is hanging precariously in doubt. If the United States is not standing up to brutal regimes, too many protections for human rights abroad, if it does not Counter Chinas repression in st. John, if it allows the tax on a free press to go unanswered, it is erode all ofr rights abroad and at home. And undermined our authority when we try to demand better of these nations that its insuperable effect throughout the world. If the United States can do it, so can we. If u. S. Only boneless and threatens our allies and partners will look elsewhere. If we do not ban together, polar resource, expertise and might come at the United States will be illequipped to me future global challenges. So let me conclude. Where do we go from here . First, we need to rebuild u. S. Foreign policy institutions such as as a state department which has suffered the loss of extraordinary talent over the past four years. Restoring overseas confidence in the United States requires highly qualified diplomats who conduct themselves in a reliable and transparent manner. Secondly, the United States must mend 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 full power and resources in order 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 thriving, vibrant democracy around the world, improve u. S. Safety, security and prosperity. Fourth, the United States is strongest internationally when we are strong at home. We must address our domestic flaws including Racial Discrimination and inequality. The best way to communicate to other nations, they famous trid equality, is to, is to embody it ourselves. This report is the beginning of the conversation about the future of the u. S. Foreign policy and how to undo the damage brought by this president. I hope it can serve as a roadmap for congress and the future administration about what needs rebuilding, and where the damage lies, and as reminder of the consequence of incoherent chaotic Foreign Policy. For those of us who care deeply about this country and the role that we play in the world, there is a lot of work ahead. So thank you for tuning in, and i look forward to your questions. Thank you so much. Really appreciate that. I have a bunch of questions for you and son hoping we can tackle all of them. You report was very interesting but i was particularly struck by a section had about accountability picky set that the Trump Administration needs to be held accountable for some of its actions that you deem as negative. You were somewhat vague about that in the report. My question to you is, which alleged misdeeds do you want to the Administration Accountable for, especially if you become the chairman, and what exactly would accountability look like . Look, the accountability tt im talking about is an assessment. We tried to live foundational element of that in this report of where this administration is left this in the world. Knowing that assessment and knowing where the shortcomings are and where the consequences have been, then we can begin to build upon it. For example, whats happened at the state department. We have conducted a series of investigations and request of oig reviews about some of the politicalization at 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 is role is well respected and engaged, and that is something this administration has sought to trample upon. So an accounting that respect his understanding where this administration has taken us down the wrong path, the consequences that flow from it, and then how do we correct. But, i mean, look, we just had stories about how theres 545 children who dont, have been, so separated from their parents and they guess what i want to know is when it comes to situations like that, either migrant kids and others, or say the polarization of the state department. When you say we dont what to do these terrible things again, but what about the people who separated those children from parents . What about the individuals retaliate, those types of things . Are the individuals going to be held accountable or not . What are you going to do on that front . Well look, i dont see the committee acting as the Investigative Authority on all of these issues, and i think theres so much work to do that lies ahead to promote safety, security and prosperity of the American People. When it is appropriate and he comes about in terms of information, and if there are still those in positions of power who conducted themselves inappropriately, created some of the consequences of the separation of children who have no parent linkage at this point, who did some of these other things, then of course that would be either referred to an Inspector General we may look at specifically. But my view that the committees work is to help us build a robust Foreign Policy that makes america more secure, more prosperous at the end of the day, and that will be the priority that hope we would take. You do have the power frankly to name and shame if necessary, right . Is that something that relates you can do, that sort of thing . I havent hesitated do that as a ranking member. I certainly would not hesitate if i was the chairman and i had that opportunity. My second question is one that like about 20 people a vast. Democrats have been fairly united in opposition to comes policies toward the rest. Towards iran. You oppose the Iran Nuclear Deal here i i covered it. You were very vocal. But joe biden wants to rejoin the deal. If he does become president does he have your support in that move . Will look, i think i President Biden will also face the realities that the Iranian Nuclear deal and the sunset questions are closer to an issue today than they were when the deal was entered into. The reality is, is that in the administration that comes forward is going to face the reality of iran have been gotten close in a seatbelt would come having tested more Ballistic Missiles and perfected. Still has maligned activities. I often refer to this as jcpoa plus, because the reality is is that we will need more than the jcpoa at the end of the deal. As a matter fact, when the air, the big mistake, the consequence come even if somebody who oppose the jcpoa, has said that the consequence of leaving unilaterally by the Trump Administration without any effort into internationalizing our efforts was a huge mistake. Even the french were talking to us about going beyond, what the jcpoa was, recognizing its shortfalls uncensored questions and also dealing with containing arms embargo with missile for reparation and with other elements. Proliferation we missed out on that opportunity and so i believe im sure vice President Biden, should he become president , want to deal with the totality of all of us issues. That to me suggest a jcpoa loss. So you would support quoteunquote better deal, not necessarily going back to the old deal . Well, as senator graham and i actually offered ideal, an idea and we talked to some of our european allies and others about it, about going back to the jcpoa but with a framework understanding that iran would engage in other elements Critical Issues that have to be dealt with, like the weapons development, like a Ballistic Missile development, like their proliferation continuing of terrorism as part of a more holistic deal. For which of course the more we get the more we give. The reality is, is that at the beginning okay we go back to the jcpoa but with an understanding that more to be built with. But you realize your sort of perhaps making a perfect enemy of the good here, right . Youre pushing for this idea of jcpoa plus, hoping the iranians will come along, that sort of thing and at the