President Obama had a post-Bush era foreign policy doctrine that he didn't think anyone could disagree with — until Hillary Clinton did. "Great nations need organizing principles and 'Don't do stupid stuff' is not an organizing principle," Clinton said after she left office as secretary of state in 2014. Clinton's criticism made Obama "rip-s--t angry," one of his senior advisers told The Atlantic. Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes recalls: "the questions we were asking in the White House were 'Who exactly is in the stupid-s--t caucus? Who is pro–stupid s--t?'"
Clinton apologized and announced they'd "hug it out" on Martha's Vineyard.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
5 holier-than-thou cartoons about the Pope's passingCartoons Artists take on a new ride, an old hat, and more
-
Creamy kale slaw with hazelnuts recipeThe Week Recommends This slaw with a 'cracking texture' makes the perfect side that will elevate any meal
-
Trump's war on academic freedom: how Harvard fought backTalking Point Political pressure on institutions compromises academic independence – and risks damaging America's ability to attract international talent
-
Judge blocks key part of Trump's elections overhaulSpeed Read Colleen Kollar-Kotelly's decision temporarily bars federal officials from requiring Americans to prove they are citizens to register to vote
-
Hegseth's chief of staff joins Pentagon exodusSpeed Read Joe Kasper has stepped down, leaving the Defense Secretary 'increasingly isolated'
-
A dozen states sue Trump to halt tariffsSpeed Read The states sued in the US Court of International Trade, seeking to stop tariffs they say will damage their economies
-
Trump blames Zelenskyy for peace deal setbacksSpeed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected the US proposal, which includes Russia's takeover of Crimea
-
Musk vows DOGE pullback as Tesla profits plungeSpeed Read The Tesla SEO says he will soon step back from government matters to devote more time to the company
-
IMF sees slump from tariffs, Trump tries to calm marketsSpeed Read The International Monetary Fund predicts the U.S. and global economies will slow significantly due to the president's trade war
-
DHS chief Kristi Noem's purse stolen from eaterySpeed Read Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse was stolen while she dined with family at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.
-
Trump stands by Hegseth amid ouster reportsSpeed Read The president dismissed reports that he was on the verge of firing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over a second national security breach
