Trump Is All Bluster

Border Wall

Immigration enforcement

North Korea punishment

Tariff raising on Chinese product and steel and aluminum consumers

Attempted rape in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room

Now Trump’s threat of retaliation on Iran

All these loud claims and impulses have been diffused by aggressive criticism or determined resistance. Like the nude king in children’s literature, any innocent friend or even adversaries seem able safely to call Trump’s bluffs.

He can’t be taken seriously. That means that the danger of Trump’s presidency is just as much that U.S. policy will lose credibility as give rise to a pointless crisis.