“But What About…”: How Whataboutism Is Breaking American Politics

Why deflection is the enemy of accountability—and how we reclaim the courage to confront hard truths

Over the weekend, Donald Trump ordered U.S. bombers to strike nuclear sites inside Iran—without congressional approval, without a declaration of war, and without any clear endgame. In doing so, he didn’t just provoke another dangerous conflict—he trampled the Constitution, sidelined the American people, and dragged us into a war we didn’t vote for.

And before the dust could even settle, the deflections began:

“But what about Obama and Libya?”“What about Biden and Afghanistan?”“What about Bush and Iraq?”

That right there is whataboutism. And it has slowly, steadily, poisoned the soul of our democracy.

What Is Whataboutism is a question we need to ask more often—because it’s become the go-to escape hatch in American political discourse. Whataboutism is the rhetorical trick that gets pulled whenever a conversation gets uncomfortable. Instead of engaging the issue head-on, it redirects blame.

You raise concerns about an illegal airstrike? “Well, what about when your guy did something similar?”

It’s not an answer. It’s an evasion. And it replaces dialogue with distraction.

It’s So Dangerous is because whataboutism isn’t just a bad-faith argument tactic—it’s a smokescreen that shields those in power from accountability. And when we refuse to hold our leaders accountable—regardless of party—we send the message that power matters more than principle.

Here in Mississippi, the consequences of unchecked government decisions hit home fast. While the political class plays dodgeball with responsibility, our rural hospitals close. Veterans face months-long waits for mental health care. Schools in the Delta remain underfunded, with teachers paying out of pocket to keep classrooms running. Our communities are paying the price—while the people responsible deflect and deflect and deflect.

If every abuse of power is excused by a past abuse, where does it stop? We end up with a political culture where wrongdoing is never addressed—just recycled.

The Politics of Evasion thrive because whataboutism is tempting—it lets us stay comfortable. It’s easier to defend “our team” than admit we might have gotten something wrong. And I’ll be honest—I’ve fallen into that trap before. It’s human. It’s hard to look in the mirror, especially when you’ve invested your time, your energy, maybe even your vote in a leader or cause.

But comfort doesn’t create progress. Courage does.

Courage means being willing to say: “Yes, I supported that person, but they were wrong—and I expect better.”

Courage means demanding consistency, not just loyalty.

Courage means caring more about the future of our country than the short-term victory of our party.

A Better Way Forward begins with imagining a politics where we don’t excuse one injustice by pointing to another. Where we can say, without hesitation: Trump was wrong to bomb Iran without congressional approval. Full stop.

And then—without flinching—we can say: So was Obama, when his drone strikes overstepped accountability. So was Bush. So was Clinton. That kind of honesty doesn’t weaken us—it makes us stronger.

Because in a democracy, the most dangerous thing isn’t disagreement. It’s denial.

Let’s Be Better by refusing to settle for the politics of avoidance. I spent 21 years in the U.S. Army. I’ve served presidents from both political parties. I’ve taken an oath to defend the Constitution—not a man, not a party, not a personality cult. And I believe with everything in me that accountability, applied fairly and fearlessly, is not optional—it’s essential.

So the next time someone tries to shift the conversation with “What about…”, pause.

Ask: Am I interested in the truth—or just in winning the argument?

Because if we’re not willing to talk honestly about what’s happening right now—if we can’t even agree that bombing a foreign country without approval is a big deal—then we’re not going to solve anything. Not war. Not healthcare. Not education. Not justice.

We’ll just keep spiraling while the country burns.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

~Ty