国际英语资讯:News Analysis: Trumps constant controversy could impact White House agenda_时事

国际英语资讯:News Analysis: Trumps constant controversy could impact White House agenda

"The scandals harm his personal reputation and are raising his negatives in public opinion surveys. This is very problematic for him and will make it harder to implement needed changes. People don't trust him and worry that he is not up to the job of being president," West said.

Despite fervent backing from his supporters, the fomer New York businessman overall has very low poll ratings.

Critics now describe Trump's wiretapping accusations against Obama as something out of a spy novel and quite unusual in the United States.

"Trump has provided no evidence that Obama wiretapped him. Even Republican leaders seem dubious of these claims," West said, adding that leading intelligence officials also say this is not true.

Another controversy is that Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who met with the Russian ambassador in the U.S. twice last year, did not disclose the meetings during his confirmation hearings. Critics say he should lose his job, although supporters say the controversy can be chalked up to a political witch hunt.

Sessions has recused himself from any investigations into the Trump campaign's contacts with Russia.

"The Sessions' recusal means that all investigations of the Trump campaign will go to someone who is less sympathetic to the president than the Attorney General," West said.

Decisions on whether to appoint a special prosecutor will go to a deputy and that person will not have the close personal relationship to the president that Sessions has. The result is riskier for Trump because he will no longer have a trusted ally protecting his legal flank, West said.