How the ‘deep state’ is trying to undermine Trump’s incoherent foreign policy and save the world

It is unclear whether the uncertainty of the Trump era will end once he is out of the White House – but many current and former officials are trying to limit the damage he creates, writers Borzou Daragahi

The Oval Office, where insiders are trying to save Trump from himself (AFP/Getty Images)

With a chaotic style and mostly half-baked and incoherent thoughts – often expressed via tweets – Donald Trump and his allies have sought for more than two years to remake US foreign policy. Using the powers of the presidency, they have tried to bully nations, withdraw from international commitments and reward Trump’s personal pals.

But throughout Washington, a sometimes subterranean effort is underway to block his changes or blunt their impact. Some try to lobby the White House. Others reach out to other countries, even rivals, in attempts to prevent wars, economic ruin or simple misunderstandings. In rare instances, influential insiders despised by the Trump administration are taking it upon themselves to smooth over rough edges in the international relationships that are still intact.

For Trump, this is the nebulous “deep state” of bureaucrats and officials that he has said is seeking to undermine every aspect of his presidency. In reality, Democrats, foreign policy veterans and those with stakes in international challenges, such as climate change, publicly criticise Trump but privately attempt to reassure jittery allies, massage incoherent messaging and foil destructive policies.