President-elect Donald Trump took to Twitter Tuesday to urge President Obama not to transfer any more detainees out of Guantanamo Bay, saying those still being held are “extremely dangerous people.”
It was the latest instance of the president-in-waiting using his favorite platform to try to shape public policy, 140 characters at a time.
He also used Twitter on Tuesday to blast fellow Republicans for planned changes to the House rules, mocked Obamacare, took credit for recent job creation in the U.S., and vowed retribution against General Motors if the car manufacturer builds vehicles in Mexico then tries to ship them into the U.S. market.
A day earlier, he used the online platform to promise that he’ll prevent North Korea from developing a missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the continental U.S. — “It won’t happen!” — and last month he delved into more nuclear diplomacy, saying the American arsenal needs updated capabilities.
“America cannot afford a Twitter presidency,” newly minted Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said as he helped convene the new Congress on Tuesday.
He said that while communicating with Americans through tweets is fine, serious policy issues need a more appropriate forum than rapid-fire tweets.
“These issues are complex,” he said. “We cannot tweet them away.”
He said Mr. Trump’s posts claiming credit for pushing Carrier, an air conditioning manufacturer, to remain in the U.S. is not a substitute for a broad manufacturing policy. And Mr. Schumer warned against conducting thorny international relations via Twitter.
So far, Mr. Trump’s electronic missives have been more effective at controlling his own party than winning over political foes.
Minutes after Mr. Trump blasted House Republicans on Tuesday for their ethics rules change, the GOP relented and scrapped its plans.
“With all that Congress has to work on, do they really have to make the weakening of the Independent Ethics Watchdog, as unfair as it …. may be, their number on act and priority. Focus on tax reform, healthcare and so many other things of far greater importance!” Mr. Trump said.
But the president-elect’s tweet-plea to Mr. Obama on Guantanamo Bay was brushed aside by the Obama administration.
“There should be no further releases from Gitmo,” Mr. Trump said. “These are extremely dangerous people and should not be allowed back onto the battlefield.”
White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Mr. Trump will have a chance to make policy on Jan. 20, but until then it’s up to Mr. Obama, who’s plowing ahead.
“I would expect, at this point, additional transfers,” the spokesman said.
As many as 19 detainees are reportedly lined up to be shipped to other countries, as the president tries to come as close as possible to emptying the prison at the U.S. facility on the Cuban island. That would leave about 40 inmates still there.
Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said Mr. Obama remains the president and the Defense Department will follow his, not Mr. Trump’s, wishes.
“There is one commander in chief at a time and the secretary of Defense will continue to carry out his responsibilities as he sees appropriate,” the spokesman said.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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