Political Junkie: Loyalty and foreign relations

Ken Rudin
Ken Rudin, former political editor for NPR News
Doby Photography | NPR

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spent last week with President Trump, but as Political Junkie Ken Rudin pointed out, there was a slight slip up on the president's part.

Trump called Abe by his first name, Prime Minister Shinzo.

However, Rudin thinks the visit went well overall.

In other foreign policy news, Trump called China's President Xi Jinping and said he supports the "One China" policy. This is after Trump placed an unprecedented call to the Taiwanese president in December.

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Trump was also uncharacteristically silent after North Korean missile tests this weekend.

Rudin said Trump's measured reaction is "good news."

However, Trump isn't consistent.

Some reports say he hung up on the prime minister of Australia during a phone call to discuss refugees.

Also, Trump's warm relationship with the Kremlin is concerning to some.

Intelligence reports show that National Security Adviser Michael Flynn may have called a Russian ambassador prior to President Obama's imposed sanctions on Russia following cyber attacks.

Flynn denied the contact, then backtracked, Rudin said. The Trump administration has been silent on the issue.

"There seems to be some feeling in the administration that his credibility is seriously, if not irrevocably, damaged," said Rudin.

That's unusual, because Trump usually sticks by his own.

"If you're loyal to Trump he'll be very loyal to you," said Rudin.

To hear the full conversation use the audio player above.