Candidates for Trump derangement syndrome

Charles Krauthammer, the widely respected conservative political columnist and commentator who we lost last month, could trash talk with the best of them, but he did it with an eloquence that few could match.

Also a licensed psychologist, Krauthammer joined the Carter administration in 1978 as a director of psychiatric research. During the presidency of George W. Bush, he coined the phrase “Bush derangement syndrome,” which he defined as “the acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal people in reaction to the policies, the presidency — nay — the very existence of George W. Bush.”

No fan of President Donald Trump, Krauthammer tailored a new definition for the 45th president. He defined the latest onslaught of Trump derangement syndrome as a Trump-induced “general hysteria” among the chattering classes, producing an “inability to distinguish between legitimate policy differences and … signs of psychic pathology” in the president’s behavior.

When it comes to “chattering classes,” the Democrats have a stable full of candidates showing signs of the syndrome. Several of them, including Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen, were on full display during last week’s televised congressional hearing for FBI agent Peter Strzok.

During the intense hearing, in which the FBI official was being grilled by Republicans over anti-Trump text messages he exchanged with now ex-FBI lawyer Lisa Page, Cohen remarked that Strzok deserved a Purple Heart for surviving the attacks.

“If I could give you a Purple Heart, I would. You deserve one,” he stated during his monologue.

Cohen’s idiotic comment brought an immediate response from veterans who understand the significance of the award.

Given to American service members who are wounded or killed in combat, the Purple Heart has been described by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as “one of the most recognized and respected medals awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces,” and “the nation’s oldest military award.”

Cohen’s congressional colleagues also lashed out.

“The notion that Peter Strzok deserves a ‘Purple Heart’ is an insult to the honor, valor, and service of men and women who truly earned its recognition,” said North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows.

Florida’s Ron DeSantis also weighed in.

“Democrats seem more interested in running interference for Strzok than in getting the truth about his conduct,” DeSantis said. “One Democrat member even suggested that Strzok deserves a Purple Heart. How absurd!”

Faced with a blistering backlash, Cohen attempted to walk back his remarks the next day.

“I regret mentioning the Purple Heart medal at yesterday’s hearing,” he said. “My intent was to speak metaphorically to make a broader point about attacks against the FBI and Special Counsel (Robert) Mueller’s investigation into a Russian attack on our country.”

This isn’t the first time Cohen has made crazy statements and then attempted to “clarify” after receiving intense backlash.

In 2011, he was widely criticized for comparing Republicans to Nazis over their efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Faced with blistering response from Jewish organizations, Cohen later backtracked. The National Jewish Democratic Council still issued a rebuke.

“Invoking the Holocaust to make a political point is never acceptable — on either side of the aisle,” the NJD stated. “Cohen’s comments and similar comments made by others are not helpful as our leaders and citizens conduct a joint effort to advance civility in our political discourse. We implore Cohen and all our leaders to choose their words carefully as we move forward.”

Cohen and Democratic colleague Maxine Waters have been calling for Trump’s impeachment from the day he took office.

“The time has come to make clear to the American people and to this president that his train of injuries to our Constitution must be brought to an end through impeachment,” the congressman stated. “I believe there is evidence that he attempted to obstruct an investigation into Russia’s interference with the U.S. presidential election and links between Russia and the Trump campaign, most notably the firing of FBI Director James Comey.”

More recently, Cohen became unhinged over Trump’s historic summit with Kim Jong Un in Singapore.

Last month, a new poll showed about 19 percent of the U.S. population approved of the way the Congress was handling its job. After hearing a congressman like Cohen continue to embarrass himself and his office, it’s no surprise so many feel let down by those they elected to conduct the people’s business in Washington, D.C.

By Jim Zbick | tneditor@tnonline.com