Two events have caused commentators to question President Trump’s political identity. The first is the meeting on immigration he held with both Democrats and Republicans. Some are saying the President, in an effort to prove his competence, came off as a yes-man, agreeing with conflicting assertions proposed by both parties, and allowing for pork barreling by the congressmen. Trump’s behavior at the meeting has received push back from republican icons such as Ann Coulter. who said he “agree[d] with whatever the last person who sp[oke] . . . . said.” The second event is President Trump’s announcement that he will be attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Though Trump’s press secretary has said he is attending the conference to talk about “America first” policy, his attendance contradicts the anti-elitist base upon which he ran for the Presidency. Therefore, Americans should be left confused at to what President Trump stands for.

It is unclear how this confusion will affect Trump’s support, but it may be to his advantage. If Republican Congressmen are unwilling to scrutinize the President, then they need only a few examples of his fitness to justify their support. Though the President’s behavior may be contradictory, it is just the sort of smoke bomb he needs to buy himself some time.