Lyndon LaRouche on Trump Inauguration: 'No Clear Principles' Yet

Soon after the inauguration of Donald J. Trump as U.S. President Friday, and his swearing-in speech, Lyndon and Helga Zepp LaRouche gave their assessment, in discussion with colleagues. Mrs. LaRouche also commented on the exchange over reinstating Glass-Steagall, which took place Thursday at the Senate Finance Committee hearing between Trump's Treasury Secretary nominee Steven Mnuchin, and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a proponent of Glass-Steagall.

Trump's 16-minute speech cited the hardships and decay in the United States, promising, "From this day forward, 'America First;'" and that, under his administration, we will, "Buy American and Hire American," as we also seek friendship among nations. One of his first acts as President was signing a proclamation creating a National Day of Patriotism.
 
Regarding Trump's inauguration speech, LaRouche said that it was very confused on the surface, and we'll have to wait to see what is behind the surface. On the basis of what was presented, there is no clarity or principle there.
 
Mrs. LaRouche said that, the most important thing on the domestic front is: how will Trump deliver on the promises he's made? What are the actions he'll actually take?  Regarding the international front, she said that Trump should know, it doesn't work that way; the issue is how do you find common interests shared by many nations, not just "America First"—which was one of the slogans he used. She asked, what are the common objectives of multiple nations, and how do you act in pursuit of those objectives?
 
LaRouche elaborated on his point, that the problem is that there is no clear principle yet. It could go in the direction of a unifying principle, but, from what was presented, it isn't yet clear that it will, or what exactly the principle would be.
 
Helga LaRouche then reiterated, that, overall, Trump's address was a very mixed bag; there are certainly promises in the right direction, but we need to see concrete plans of action. We need to increase our own mobilization on LaRouche's Four Laws program. It is good that Obama is out, and that we get a fresh
wind, but a lot more clarity is still needed.
 
LaRouche said, further, that we don't want to get too close to their arguments; let them clarify their own arguments. Zepp LaRouche added, we don't have to support every aspect of what Trump says; we don't need to be overly critical either, but we should be focusing on our own principles and objectives.
 
LaRouche continued, that this is a temporary effort that hasn't been fully resolved. Maybe Trump will reveal what he truly means, but as of now, there is no clear answer. When people think there is an answer, they're wrong; we need to hold back on this. Trump has gotten into things that he hasn't yet explained, so let
him explain them.
 
One thing we absolutely shouldn't get wrapped up in, Helga LaRouche added, is in the commentary and speculation in the media. In the next few days—maybe even hours—hopefully we should be seeing some specific actions being taken, so let's see what the actions will be, rather than speculating. We need to keep our own focus on our program. From Trump's speech, there wasn't even an inkling of the new global paradigm. This "America First," and "America Alone" sense won't work. It is a new world.
 
Zepp LaRouche also commented strongly against the testimony by Treasury Secretary nominee Steven Mnuchin, at his Senate confirmation hearing yesterday, when Sen. Maria Cantwell used her entire time allocation to question him about his intentions on reinstating Glass Steagall. The exchange began, with Cantwell asking Mnuchin, "Do you support returning to Glass-Steagall?" He replied, "No, I don't support going back to Glass-Steagall as is...No, I don't support taking a very old law, and saying we should adhere to it as is..." And they continued.
 
Mrs. LaRouche said that, Mnuchin's stance was real sophistry. Lyndon LaRouche has been very clear that we need the original Glass-Steagall, without modification. But here comes Mnuchin, going on about a modified Glass-Steagall, and mixing it in with the Volcker rule, etc. This is real sophistry.
 
Mrs. LaRouche stressed that it is good that Sen. Cantwell has now put herself on the spot on this issue. (Cantwell backs reinstating Glass-Steagall). Zepp LaRouche said, now we have to put the pressure on Cantwell, and on Trump, to get the real Glass-Steagall and the full Four Laws program.
 
Mrs. Zepp-LaRouche also noted in passing, that the immediate German coverage was generally negative of Trump's inauguration message, featuring a lot of pro-NATO advocates in the press. She also added, our Schiller Institute Chorus is better than those performing at the inauguration!