Visiting troops in combat zones has become a sort of tradition for American presidents. President George W. Bush served up turkey for soldiers in Iraq back in 2003. Lyndon B. Johnson gave a speech near the front in Vietnam, hoping to change the direction of the war. And when then President Barack Obama called for a troop surge in Afghanistan, he backed his words up with a visit to Bagram airbase.
President Abraham Lincoln likewise noted that he was “commander and chief” and visited union troops near the front during the Civil War. Eisenhower took a similar approach on his presidential campaign trail. During his 1952 election campaign, he boldly promised to visit the still simmering North Korean war so he could take charge directly. He made good on that promise. He even surveyed North Korean and Chinese positions from a spotter aircraft.
President Trump, however, has yet to visit troops in a combat zone. The president has stated that he intends to do so but has simply had an overly busy schedule. Some of his aides also claim that Trump isn’t really pushing for a visit because he doesn’t want to make it look like he supports the troops being there in the first place.
The Washington Post is claiming, however, that the president’s reticence stems from something else: he apparently fears for his own life. The Washington Post’s claim is based on the testimony of an anonymous White House official who is apparently privy to the president’s concerns. Allegedly, the official said: “He’s never been interested in going. He’s afraid of those situations. He’s afraid people want to kill him.”
Certainly, visiting a war zone will be a hazard. President Trump has hinted, however, that something is being planned. With some still criticizing his bone spur deferments during the Vietnam war, the president is likely looking to avoid any further flak.
