The Trump administration’s failure to aggressively push back on Russia for its hostile actions across the world–i.e. Syria, Ukraine–has emboldened Vladimir Putin, but to hear White House officials tell it, the so-called president is tough on the Russians.

Appearing at a “Women in the World” summit in New York on Thursday evening, UN Ambassador Nikki Haley was being interviewed by MSNBC host Greta Van Susteren, who asked Haley this question about Trump:

“We have not heard much from him about Russia. Why?”

Haley replied:

“I think, first of all—keep in mind I work for the Trump administration. And if you haven’t heard me talk about Russia—I have hit Russia over the head more times than I can count.”

That may be true, but the question was about why Trump hasn’t said much about Russia.

The UN Ambassador then tried to claim that Trump’s actions prove he’s tough on Russia, saying:

“I have had conversations with him. He very much sees Russia as a problem, and I think if you look at his actions—everybody wants to look at his words, look at his actions.

“The two things that Russia doesn’t want to see the U.S. do is strengthen their military and expand energy, and the president has done both of those.”

For her response, Haley was roundly booed by the audience. She attempted to smile and pretend it didn’t bother her, but clearly she was uncomfortable with the reaction.

Can anyone remember the last time Donald Trump said anything negative about Vladimir Putin? Think carefully. Has he ever said anything the least bit critical of Putin or Russia? No, he hasn’t. The use of chemical weapons yet again in Syria this week would have been the perfect opportunity for Trump to call out the Russians and insist they put a muzzle on Syrian President Bashar Assad, who ordered the use of sarin gas on innocent civilians. The Russians are longtime allies and supporters of the Assad regime. But all we heard from Trump was a half-assed statement in which he declared:

“I like to think of myself as a very flexible person. I don’t have to have one specific way, and if the world changes, I go the same way, I don’t change, well, I do change, and I am flexible, and I’m proud of that flexibility.”

The modern-day American Nero fiddles on while Rome burns.

Here’s Nikki Haley getting booed. The question from Van Susteren begins at about the 3:10 mark:

This article was originally published by the same author at LiberalAmerica.org