VOA常速英语:Amid White House Turmoil, Trump Faces Credibility Crisis

“We are going to meeting…”

Another chaotic day at the White House as reporters grill President Trump over his decision to share classified intelligence with Russian officials.

“Good morning, everybody.”Each day seems to bring a new crisis, including reports that Trump pressed former FBI Director James Comey to drop his probe of fired national security adviser Michael Flynn,and a shifting White House explanations for the recent firing of Comey.

While dispensing advice to Coast Guard cadets at their commencement in Connecticut Wednesday, the President fired back at his critics and the news media.

“No politician in history, and I say this with great surety, has been treated worse or more unfairly. You can’t let them get you down, you can’t let the critics and the naysayers get in the way of your dreams.”

With the White House in turmoil, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer wonders whether their president can be believed.

“There is a crisis of credibility in this administration, which will hurt us in ways almost too numerous to elaborate. At the top of the list are an erosion of trust in the presidency and trust in America by our friends and allies.”

Some congressional Republicans are pushing for more information from the White House, including House Speaker Paul Ryan.

“Our job is to be responsible, sober and focused only on gathering the facts.”

But the turmoil is clearly taking a toll on others, like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

“I think it would be helpful to have less drama emanating from the White House.”

The controversies at home are bound to follow the president on his overseas travel, says analyst Anthony Cordesman.

“One question everyone outside the United States has and are not likely to ask the president,is what is his actual political strength relative to the divisions with Congress, the problems within his own party, can he move forward with his own agenda?”

And even some republicans are warning that the president’s combative nature during a crisis is problematic,including strategist John Feehery.

“He has promised to disrupt the status quo, which I think he has certainly done.He has found a willing and able opponent in the national news media, with his supporters, it might help him.But in building credibility, it definitely hurts him.”

The president is sure to face more credibility tests down the line,especially given the likelihood that former FBI Director Comey will eventually publicly testify before Congress about his dealings with the President.

Jim Malone, VOA news, Washington.