Lindsey Graham in Fear, by Bob Woodward

On Principles & Values: Trump cleaned up the mess that Obama left

[On military affairs]: "You're a very good commander and chief," Graham told Trump. The president was listening to his military commanders and the changes to the rules of engagement in the Middle East and Afghanistan were paying off.

This was Graham's pitch to Trump, "You can do something nobody else did. You're cleaning up the mess that Obama left you. You're doing a damn good job of cleaning it up. You're rebuilding the military. You're taking a wet blanket off the economy. You're really unshackling the military and the economy. God bless you for undoing the damage done in the last eight years. Where do you want to go? What do you want to be your legacy? Your legacy is not just undoing what he did, but it's putting your stamp on history."

Source: Fear: Trump in the White House, by Bob Woodward, p.316 Sep 10, 2019

On Principles & Values: Presidents need people that can tell them the truth

Trump seemed to love the adulation but said to Graham, "You're a middle of the road guy. I want you to be 100 percent Trump."

This resembled the loyalty pledge that then FBI director James Comey said that trump had asked for him. According to Comey, Trump had said, "I need loyalty. I expect loyalty," during their now famous one on one Green Room dinner in the White House during the first week of Trump's presidency.

"Okay, what's the issue," Graham said, "and I'll tell you if I'm 100 percent for you." "You're like 82 percent," Trump said. "Well some days I'm 100, other days I'm zero." "I want you to be a 100 percent guy." "Why would you want me to tell you you're right when I think your wrong? What good does that do for me?" Presidents need people to tell them the truth as they see it. It's up to you to see if I'm full of shit."

Source: Fear: Trump in the White House, by Bob Woodward, p.317 Sep 10, 2019

On Principles & Values: Biden: Graham has best instincts in the Senate

[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph] Dunford stopped by the office of Senator Lindsey Graham for a private talk. Probably few in the Senate worked harder on military matters than Graham. A bachelor and colonel in the Air Force reserve, he seemed always on duty. He had built a vast bipartisan network in Washington . Former Vice President Joe Biden, who had served 36 years in the Senate, said that Graham had the best instincts of anyone in the upper chamber. Source: Fear: Trump in the White House, by Bob Woodward, p.99 Sep 10, 2019

On War & Peace: Don't allow North Korea to get missile than can reach US

[On North Korea]: "If it gets to be a mature threat," Graham said, "don't let us (Congress) just sit on the sidelines and bitch and moan. If you had the evidence, the day that they come in and tell you that, you call the congressional leadership up and say, 'I may have to use force here. Let me tell you why I want your backing for authorization to use force against North Korea.' If we had a vote that was decisive and you had that authority in your back pocket, it may prevent you from having to use it."

"That'd be very provocative," Preibus said. "It's meant to be provocative, Graham said. You only do that as a last resort." "That will get everyone worried and excited, Priebus said." "I don't give a shit who I make nervous," Trump said. "You don't want it on your resume that North Korea, a nuclear power, got a missile that could reach the United States on your watch," Graham said.

Source: Fear: Trump in the White House, by Bob Woodward, p.102-103 Sep 10, 2019

The above quotations are from Fear Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward. Click here for other excerpts from Fear Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward. Click here for other excerpts by Lindsey Graham. Click here for a profile of Lindsey Graham.
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Page last updated: Dec 31, 2021