'Are You Surprised?' : Trump Shrugs Off New Suspected Hack of Documents by Russia

President Donald Trump was asked on Wednesday about the recent hack of a computer system that holds highly sensitive federal court documents, and his response left many questioning his priorities. The New York Times first reported on Tuesday that Russia is suspected to be behind the attack, which has compromised "sealed records" from court districts in several states, including New York, South Dakota, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, and Arkansas.

Trump was questioned by a reporter if he would bring up the hack when he meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska. "I guess I could," Trump replied without committing to anything. "Are you surprised, you know? Are you surprised they hack in? That's what they do."

Trump went on to say, "They're good at it. We're good at it. We're actually better at it, but, no, I have heard about it. I have heard about it." This response is not surprising given Trump's history of downplaying attacks on the U.S. and failing to take decisive action.

Trump recently admitted that he gave Iran permission to bomb a U.S. base in Qatar, suggesting that this kind of behavior should be acceptable. When asked if he would request that Putin stop bombing civilians in Ukraine, Trump replied "No," insisting that he had already discussed the issue with Putin and wants to end the war.

"I want to end the war," Trump said. "It's Biden's war." This response has raised eyebrows, as Trump often uses the term "Biden's war" to deflect accountability for his own failures in ending the conflict.

Trump then pivoted to talking about the "Russia hoax," a reference to the extensive contacts his campaign had with Russian operatives in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election and subsequent investigations. By his own admission, Putin wanted Trump to become president, which Trump has denied so frequently that many observers assume it must be true.

Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, had a call with Trump and European leaders on Wednesday morning before Trump's press conference at the Kennedy Center. Zelensky has been excluded from the Friday meeting with Putin, but Trump said that he'll include Ukraine in the discussions if they go well.

Trump is scheduled to meet with Putin on Friday, despite accidentally saying he was going to Russia during a press conference on Tuesday: "You know, I'm going to see Putin. I'm going to Russia on Friday. I don't like being up here, talking about how unsafe and how dirty and disgusting this once-beautiful capital [is]." Trump is actually meeting the Russian leader at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage.

A New Era of Suspicion

Trump's response to the hack of federal court documents has raised concerns about his commitment to national security and his ability to take decisive action against threats to the U.S. His tendency to downplay attacks on the U.S. and fail to take responsibility for his own failures is a worrying trend.

"It's not the kind of thing U.S. presidents typically say to excuse attacks on the U.S. and subsequent inaction," said a critic. "Trump's response is a clear indication that he is more interested in playing nice with Russia than taking decisive action to protect American interests."

A Meeting of Interests

Despite Trump's skepticism about the hack, his meeting with Putin on Friday will be an opportunity for both leaders to discuss ways to end the war in Ukraine. However, given Trump's history of downplaying threats and failing to take decisive action, many wonder if he is truly committed to finding a peaceful resolution.

"I want to end the war," Trump said. "It's Biden's war." But will he actually follow through on his words? Only time will tell.