Michael Goodwin: Trump hit the ground running – but a botched deportation and several other missteps will test his leadership

In ordinary times, a post from President Trump saying that a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went well would be duly noted and quickly forgotten. 

After all, the nations are the closest of allies and their leaders have been joined at the hip on defeating Hamas and defanging Iran, so an agreeable call wouldn’t be news. 

But with trouble erupting on all sides of the White House, nothing can be taken for granted, even a call with an ally. 

Which is why the president’s post served as a reprieve from the impression that he is engulfed by trouble and strife. 

“I’ve just spoken to Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, relative to numerous subjects including trade, Iran, etc.,” Trump wrote.

“The call went very well — We are on the same side of every issue.”

Whew!

Now, back to our regularly scheduled turbulence. 

It’s hard to remember now, but Trump got off to such a terrific start that Democrats and the media — two sides of ...
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