Please don't quit, Mr Shaub. The conflicts are outrageous.
DT & Co are certainly acting guilty of many things and are sure they have the best priciest lawyers to get them out of any problem.
So will they be right, GOP Congress, hello? Flag pin wearers?
It is making me physically ill watching this country be sold to the savviest donor & decimated, all for profit.
DT & Co are certainly acting guilty of many things and are sure they have the best priciest lawyers to get them out of any problem.
So will they be right, GOP Congress, hello? Flag pin wearers?
It is making me physically ill watching this country be sold to the savviest donor & decimated, all for profit.
16
Turns out President Trump's core skill is not deal-maker supreme, it's riding roughshod over truth, facts, people, the Law, the Constitution, US allies, protocols and most pre-election promises he has made. Damaging institutions and destroying careers are but collateral damage in pursuit of his evaporating alpha-male agenda. It's doubtful Trump gives the consequences of his actions a second thought, but what he fails to realize is the damage he has done to the Presidency and his personal credibility - assuming he had some in the first place. But damaging the Presidency is something else. Presidents come and go - but the Executive branch of the US Government remains. This man speaks in insincerities and I am unable to believe a single word he speaks whether it be a policy announcement or condolences he may utter in times of tragedy. Donald Trump casts a menacing shadow far greater than the sum of his mass. Only through the power of the office of President is he able to command the coverage and attract the attention that he does. History will not treat him as a 'Great man' because he is not - nor will providence describe him as a good one - because he is not that either.
19
The White House lawyers are pursuing "such a baseless line of attack" because they can. Anyone who would do otherwise has long since been culled from Trump's circles. The remainder are people who are willing to say and do anything to protect Trump and evade justice.
10
Openly contemptuous of laws, ethics, and values....
Certainly sounds like 'high crimes and misdemeanors' to me...
Certainly sounds like 'high crimes and misdemeanors' to me...
13
The Democrats need to identify the cleanest group of future candidates they can as potential Presidential nominees in 2020. It's imperative that that someone with impeccable ethics be offered to the electorate as a contrast to the current President.
10
By all means, find the cleanest people you can find, and watch how fast the alternate-news men can soil them. Obama was about as clean a politician as you'll find, and just look what they did to him.
19
Hillary Clinton's motto was "if it is not explicitly forbidden then it must be legal". The Trump team goes one step further - "it's probably illegal but if we hide it we won't have to find out".
3
Unfortunately, the Saudis had way too much brains to accept his request for asylum. And no job openings for obnoxious, semi-literate, self-admitted abuser of women, loud, tacky, boorish " billionaire " businessman. Damn.
9
In today's episode of "Invasion of the Swamp Creatures". . .
"Republicans want smaller government for the same reason crooks want fewer cops; it's easier to get away with murder." - James Carville
"Republicans want smaller government for the same reason crooks want fewer cops; it's easier to get away with murder." - James Carville
22
Trumpian ethics. Yet another oxymoron to emerge from phenomenon of Trump's Electoral College "landslide."
Physicians have their Hippocratic Oath. Is the corresponding lawyer equivalent the Hypocritical Oath? Mulvaney (I assume he is a law school graduate; a reasonably reasonable assumption, given Trump's tastes in protective layers.) is certainly providing a convincing simulacrum of the species.
Physicians have their Hippocratic Oath. Is the corresponding lawyer equivalent the Hypocritical Oath? Mulvaney (I assume he is a law school graduate; a reasonably reasonable assumption, given Trump's tastes in protective layers.) is certainly providing a convincing simulacrum of the species.
4
I hope everyone keeps in mind that all this unethical behavior has the full support and encouragement of Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, and most Republicans. They see nothing wrong with it and they're doing everything they can to make sure it succeeds. It's kind of startling in a way because we all knew that Trump was pretty much a sleazy, law bending and breaking phony, We may have suspected that of the GOP but it's unnerving in a way to realize that most of them are no better than he is.
31
. . . but they're TRYING to SAVE the COUNTRY!!! Just WATCH them WAVE that FLAG . . .
4
Ethics is in the eyes of the beholder and not very precise and not part of constitutional law and difficult to enforce uniformly due to the complexity. If one has to impartial impose ethical rules, they should be made a law. For example if the Congress does not want close relatives of the president to be taking up a white house job then make it a law that no close relative of the president can be part of the cabinet or an advisor with an office in the white house. Ethics some times has no clarity and it is an after though leaving a window of opportunity to violate ethics rule. If it is the law of the land then it will come with appropriate punishment.
4
This administration is hiding a lot of information, data the American people have a right to know. The intensive efforts that Trump and his staff are making to quash anything that may place him or his appointees in a negative light is indicative of, at least, some serious wrongdoing or malfeasance. Innocent people do not try to circumvent the truth; they welcome it.
8
America is a modern, advanced, society. It is a legal society. Not a MORAL society. In this society, vibrancy is achieved through lies, better lies, than those others, novices in the art of lying, can come up with. Ethics is something effete people invoke to fight the brave new world. We invented the world of ALTERNATIVE FACTS. Others have to adapt themselves to the BRAVE NEW TRUMPLAND. Through executive order, the name of the country will be changed soon. Long live EXECUTIVE ORDERS. It can be done; it will be done!
Actually, I think this is called a hostile takeover.
6
You can’t really compare Trumplar Knights with the Obama administration.
Comparison with President Robert Gabriel Mugabe’s governing apparatus will do just fine.
Comparison with President Robert Gabriel Mugabe’s governing apparatus will do just fine.
8
Asking for a sense of ethics from Trump is , as the Spanish proverb says, like getting pears out of stones. The man has not a single ethical bone in in his body. He is an urban hustler who uses any and all means to get an advantage: stiffing suppliers, of course. Not paying his workers, they are losers. Counter suing to discourage claims, par for the course. Not paying taxes? Only the stupid do that.
He is the very epitome of the individual whose accumulation of wealth is the only purpose in life. Don't expect anything from him and don't expect anything from his Christian, moral, conservative, freedom-loving Republicans. Anyone who promises to help the "forgotten" and stuffs his administration with bankers, millionaires and lobbyists and then cuts their health care is not going to bother with a little thing like ethics. Ethics, meshthiics, you gotta be kiddying.
He is the very epitome of the individual whose accumulation of wealth is the only purpose in life. Don't expect anything from him and don't expect anything from his Christian, moral, conservative, freedom-loving Republicans. Anyone who promises to help the "forgotten" and stuffs his administration with bankers, millionaires and lobbyists and then cuts their health care is not going to bother with a little thing like ethics. Ethics, meshthiics, you gotta be kiddying.
48
The road to great wealth and power is not a straight one, it is composed of great numbers of crossroads where the traveler may suffer losses that ends any chances of achieving the ultimate rewards. Those who are lucky enough to achieve those extraordinary rewards often think that they were destined for wealth and riches, that they are unlike everyone else and they could achieve the same results because they are special. Being special in their minds means not having to worry about the rules and constraints that apply to everyone else. That's Trump and Trump's people, they think that the rules are for little people not themselves.
19
And now Mr. Trump is claiming that it is "impractical" for him to comply with the emoluments clause -- even in the severely weakened form he had negotiated it down to.
If so Mr. Trump, it is "impractical" for you to remain president.
If so Mr. Trump, it is "impractical" for you to remain president.
37
Trump is straining the seams of the traditional conduct of a president. And it turns out, nothing much is there to stop him.
What we need are laws. Clear, simple laws that say,
"the president or his employees may not benefit from outside business interests in any way, and if they do they must be immediately prosecuted in the courts (not wait for impeachment by political parties)"
" A president is not eligible to serve once he is convicted in court of the above -- any further actions by him in office are invalid, and he must resign (again, no waiting for impeachment)."
"complete tax returns of the president and his cabinet must all be published -- any who refuse are not eligible for office even if elected, and their actions in office are not valid"
Since the law seems to offer so many grey areas for this president to get away with anything, we should tighten the laws, and make clear no president is above the law.
Who will pass these laws? Not the current Republican led Congress.
Dems need to flip both houses in 2018.
What we need are laws. Clear, simple laws that say,
"the president or his employees may not benefit from outside business interests in any way, and if they do they must be immediately prosecuted in the courts (not wait for impeachment by political parties)"
" A president is not eligible to serve once he is convicted in court of the above -- any further actions by him in office are invalid, and he must resign (again, no waiting for impeachment)."
"complete tax returns of the president and his cabinet must all be published -- any who refuse are not eligible for office even if elected, and their actions in office are not valid"
Since the law seems to offer so many grey areas for this president to get away with anything, we should tighten the laws, and make clear no president is above the law.
Who will pass these laws? Not the current Republican led Congress.
Dems need to flip both houses in 2018.
27
Beautiful!!
5
Or maybe just a voter intelligence test, only this time color, race, or ethnicity won't enter into it.
1
S/HE WON'T WEAR HIS GLASSES
I am a clinical psychologist and the following is a true story with elements changed to protect confidentiality.
A few decades ago, when seeing mainly children in my practice, a parent brought in her child, with the present illness being, "he/she won't wear his/her glasses in school." At first it seemed like a perfectly simple behavioral issue. An hour and a half later, after many exploratory questions, I realized, "we are still taking about the glasses," after meeting with obstruction and a winding, confusing story that made it clear this parent was not looking for a "simple" behavioral intervention. It began to feel truly crazy and mind-bending - and NOT about the glasses, despite the parent's insistence that the glasses were the problem. In the end it turned out to be one of the most sinister abuse cases I ever encountered.
Right now, we, us Americans, are still talking about the glasses too, even when every "fact" suggests or screams at us that something much more sinister is going on. Maybe it's a cliché, but when something doesn't feel right, it usually isn't. Like my case, finding truth with people who don't want to hear it then places the truth-teller in the hot seat, as the abuser, as the disruptor - and the wagons circle quickly. It's ugly, scary how "voices" we elect to bring out the truth are NOT doing so. The weak and voiceless are about to suffer in deafening silence. Legislators are failing us and Ambien use is on the rise.
I am a clinical psychologist and the following is a true story with elements changed to protect confidentiality.
A few decades ago, when seeing mainly children in my practice, a parent brought in her child, with the present illness being, "he/she won't wear his/her glasses in school." At first it seemed like a perfectly simple behavioral issue. An hour and a half later, after many exploratory questions, I realized, "we are still taking about the glasses," after meeting with obstruction and a winding, confusing story that made it clear this parent was not looking for a "simple" behavioral intervention. It began to feel truly crazy and mind-bending - and NOT about the glasses, despite the parent's insistence that the glasses were the problem. In the end it turned out to be one of the most sinister abuse cases I ever encountered.
Right now, we, us Americans, are still talking about the glasses too, even when every "fact" suggests or screams at us that something much more sinister is going on. Maybe it's a cliché, but when something doesn't feel right, it usually isn't. Like my case, finding truth with people who don't want to hear it then places the truth-teller in the hot seat, as the abuser, as the disruptor - and the wagons circle quickly. It's ugly, scary how "voices" we elect to bring out the truth are NOT doing so. The weak and voiceless are about to suffer in deafening silence. Legislators are failing us and Ambien use is on the rise.
28
As someone who knows Donald Trump well has said, Trump does not waste time considering if something is right or wrong. Instead his analysis is "transactional," a strange term emphasizing his impulsive rush to action. Modifying and simplifying the "Calculus of Pleasure" devised by 19th century British philosophers John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham, Trump looks at a situation and chooses an option that gives him the greatest advantage. Ethical concerns regarding right and wrong don't enter the picture. He's used to his role as the spoiled child who gets what he wants; ethics involves being told 'no'.
It's bad enough having just one man acting in complete disregard for ethics, but his White House follows his lead. This is not a "trickle down" example, but is instead more like a volcano of lies, deceit and greed, the lava gushing as it burns trees of truth and virtue, overwhelming what is good.
It's bad enough having just one man acting in complete disregard for ethics, but his White House follows his lead. This is not a "trickle down" example, but is instead more like a volcano of lies, deceit and greed, the lava gushing as it burns trees of truth and virtue, overwhelming what is good.
22
It's darn near the whole Republican party. After Obama was elected, they "fired" any respectable Republican from congress. Remember the Kochtea party? This undermining has been going on for quite some time and it's not over yet.
5
Not considering what is right and wrong is a neutral way to put it. In plain English it means being amoral. In even plainer English it means being evil.
3
The only surprise here is that anybody would be surprised. This was coming to anybody who cared to look for it. And equally obvious was that the GOP would be in the vanguard of not looking for it.
We now have a federal government by the crooked, of the crooked, and for the crooked. And perhaps our only hope is that it will perish from the earth.
We now have a federal government by the crooked, of the crooked, and for the crooked. And perhaps our only hope is that it will perish from the earth.
13
Without ethics and willingness to forego immediate gratification where necessary to preserve trust in one another, we end up in a lawless place where everyone are our adversaries and only those with the power to enforce their will can expect any control over their lives. Trump has wealth and relationships with the very powerful, and he's never suffered for any of his mistakes in anyway that made any difference to him. He has lived in a bubble all of his life, the beneficiaries of people who have created and maintained a safe environment in which he has dwelled, and he has no appreciation of it.
10
Correct me if I'm wrong, but did not the Trump Interim staff cancel the contract for the customary instructional sessions for all incoming WH employees on ethics? Said it was too expensive and not needed?
12
"Why would White House lawyers pursue such a baseless line of attack?" Because they are running for their lives. Expect Trump to continue to fight the investigations at every turn. An honest and law abiding president would turn over everything requested. Trump will not. Count on it.
14
This administration has no interest whatsoever in rule of law, American institutions of governance, or the trappings of democracy that actually make America great.
The thing to keep in mind is that we are not simply watching the failings of an inept and corrupt right wing administration.
What we are witnessing is the methodical probings of a fascist coup. The moral foundations of our society and institutions are being tested. Let us just hope that we have the strength to stand up to the challenge this assault represents.
The thing to keep in mind is that we are not simply watching the failings of an inept and corrupt right wing administration.
What we are witnessing is the methodical probings of a fascist coup. The moral foundations of our society and institutions are being tested. Let us just hope that we have the strength to stand up to the challenge this assault represents.
13
He was corrupt and lacking in integrity when we elected him. Why would we expect that to change upon entering office? And, like other corrupt people, he surrounds himself with equally corrupt "yes" men (and women: I'm looking to YOU, Kellyanne!) who will lie (clearly in evidence), cheat (circumventing ethics rules, taking money from foreign governments) and steal to keep him and themselves in power. The only thing we haven't seen yet is the stealing. But it's only been four months.
6
OK- So the numerous allegations being lashed around against Trump have no concrete evidence tied to them yet. As the comment from Mr. Campo below states, maybe the accusations are full of errors, are lacking the citings needed, or perhaps are stretching the news a bit (fake news?). However, even the most diehard supporters of Mr. Trump have to ask why is he evading, persuading, and supporting elements of this ever-increasing fiasco to the extent that he is looking very guilty? If he is indeed innocent, why doesn't he roll with the investigation...why is he trying to deny his words to high ranked officials known for their integrity...why is trying to put wrenches in the very institutions he represents...and finally...why is he in effect making news instead of staying quiet and letting the investigation take its course? The news is not fake...it is the creation of Trump's own mania...he relishes it when it agrees with and absolves him, and he abhors it when it makes him look guilty. It is Mr. Trump who is a fake, a superlative of a charlatan, leading the pack of ignorance guided by greed and power in this country. He is a combination of capitalist and lobbyist and now politician who has found his way to the top. Now the intricate web of corruption may be exposed...The silver lining is that better now than later.
9
His advisers are encouraging him to "deconstruct" our institutions. It's a windfall for Bannon .
No one knows, as yet, if there was collusion during the campaign, nor any crime did place. Yes there may not be any fire just because there is smoke. But cover up? Wow there is plenty. Isn't this what people say about Watergate: the cover up is worse than the crime?
5
Thank you to Mr. Shaub for his perseverance. I worry what will happen when his term ends in January. Then Trump will appoint his successor.
5
So so dirty,so so corrupt and so so saddening to me.
6
Please somebody send Mr. Mueller and Mr. Shaub homemade cookies or a pie. They are bravely and quietly doing the work of champions in the defense of the nation.
9
I think "insane" pretty well summarizes it.
3
President Trump and Steven Bannon do not want Michael Flynn to testify about hidden financial facts inside a court of law.
A dozen Russian intelligence officials who have murdered journalists and political opponents of Comrade Putin, cannot wait to assist General Flynn pass on to the Happy Hunting Grounds.
If the Department of Justice actually wants all the facts to be presented, General Flynn is going to require a great deal of protection to survive long enough to provide Americans the actual facts of the Russians violation of the 2016 election.
A dozen Russian intelligence officials who have murdered journalists and political opponents of Comrade Putin, cannot wait to assist General Flynn pass on to the Happy Hunting Grounds.
If the Department of Justice actually wants all the facts to be presented, General Flynn is going to require a great deal of protection to survive long enough to provide Americans the actual facts of the Russians violation of the 2016 election.
5
Speaking of ethics...let's take a look at how DJT shoved his way to the front of a photo with European leaders. Then fluffed out his coat and smiled really big for the camera.
Every day this man humiliates and embarrasses the U.S.A.
Every day this man humiliates and embarrasses the U.S.A.
9
Did he smile? Looked an "I'm the President of the United States, the most important and you lesser leaders must yield to me expression."
1
I am already exhausted by the insane clown posse that is the Trump administration. I thought Nixon was bad. I thought Reagan was bad. I thought Clinton was bad.
I thought Dubya was as bad as it could get.
I was wrong.
I thought Dubya was as bad as it could get.
I was wrong.
10
Yours is an excellent newspaper. The fact that it is more or less the same colour as my political beliefs does, of course, enhance the pleasure and sometimes even glee that I experience reading it. That you chose to run stories about the deadly Manchester bombing, stories that were informed by leaks of classified material, has knocked my confidence and trust in your editorial board's ethical decision considerations.
You must have had at your fingertips the informative and considered 'Interpreter' column by Amanda Tabu and Max Fisher you published yesterday. As I understood the article, the conclusion they drew is that there is no single cause of religious fanaticism and radicalisation.
Many, many events may take place, some tiny and unnoticeable, in the long or short path to the sort of extremism that can result in murderous suicide attacks such as that in Manchester.
To publish pictures of what remained of the device you may, perhaps unwittingly, have given information - or encouragement - to individuals who may, now or in the future, take steps toward another slaughter of innocents. Your decision must have been motivated by either the potential boost to circulation, or the desire to do what I consider you do all time, which is to provide your readership with a detailed and full report of any single event. I hope the latter.
You have regrettably gifted the fake president with the brickbats with which to beat you around the head. Very regrettably.
You must have had at your fingertips the informative and considered 'Interpreter' column by Amanda Tabu and Max Fisher you published yesterday. As I understood the article, the conclusion they drew is that there is no single cause of religious fanaticism and radicalisation.
Many, many events may take place, some tiny and unnoticeable, in the long or short path to the sort of extremism that can result in murderous suicide attacks such as that in Manchester.
To publish pictures of what remained of the device you may, perhaps unwittingly, have given information - or encouragement - to individuals who may, now or in the future, take steps toward another slaughter of innocents. Your decision must have been motivated by either the potential boost to circulation, or the desire to do what I consider you do all time, which is to provide your readership with a detailed and full report of any single event. I hope the latter.
You have regrettably gifted the fake president with the brickbats with which to beat you around the head. Very regrettably.
3
Wow, I hope Trump will try some more blatant moves like trying to remove Mueller. Eventually even his most diehard supporters will catch on.
Trying to get rid of Mueller? Trump must be really, really, really, really scared.
Trying to get rid of Mueller? Trump must be really, really, really, really scared.
48
I am sorry to disagree about his diehard supporters catching on. They know. They have always known. But they just don't care. They are living in Trump's reality of "alternate facts".
1
"We don't need no stinkin' ethics!" -- Donald Trump, November 9, 2016
47
The saddest part of it all is the total failure of the Republican Party to function as an honest sounding board for public policy. Instead the Party is reconstructing itself as a ultra right wing faction that puts Party and the creation of a capitalist police state modeled on Putin's Russia above dedication to America and the constitution. Trump was a racketeer in New York City and now is a mobster on the national stage. Republicans were once proud, but now "None Dare Call It Treason.........?" Thank God Trump isn't smart enough to be Hitler.
77
It's a matter of where the most pressure is coming from. The republican party is basically backed by corporate America...BIG bucks. That's a LOT of $$$ pressure there. If they can somehow keep their disbelieving/unknowing base with them and aren't afraid of losing an election, they will put ethics aside and swallow the bitter pill of backing the corrupt administration. What this country needs is to get the $$$ out of government, and perhaps we will then get some more ethical patriots in our leadership.
2
You make unproven accusations and then blame Trump for not immediately resigning. Maybe he thinks you're accusations are full of ...errors. Oh, and then you report on what Trump said or did, not citing anyone that was actually there in the room but an undisclosed official who is obviously full of ... hate for Trump. Your in bed with swamp creatures and you are trying to throw swamp mud at Trump. It's not going to stick and it smells like...fake news.
1
Lame. Try again. The topic is ethics, and the Trump administration's evident allergic reaction to the concept. And the consequences for Trump and his administration of his continued flouting of the rule of law. Mulvaney can stick his nose further into other people's ethical practices, and have it punched by the courts. Or maybe, Trump's new legal team will tell him he needs to at least pretend to be compliant with the law, or his woes will get much much worse for him, guaranteed.
1
Unproven accusations? Tell us why Flynn fled. Tell us why you think preexisting health conditions should not be covered. Give us some reason for trusting Trump with his long, well-established career of lies.
3
The White House's aversion to ethical scrutiny is set by " liar in chief" Trump. His whole team needs to be removed because of their failure to disclose Russian contacts. Trump needs to be impeached under the emoluments clause, for impeding an investigation, for hiding contacts with a foreign power. How about Trump's tax returns speaking of ethics? An ethical person would have released them, someone with something to hide, potentially pointing to wrong doings, does not reveal them.
Impeachement procedings need to start right now!!!! Trump fortunately has given law makers a variety of options to impeach him with.
Impeachement procedings need to start right now!!!! Trump fortunately has given law makers a variety of options to impeach him with.
36
We can only hope that the stink from this rotting administration goes with them when they do eventually leave office (as well as all the Republicans who purposely did nothing so they could get what they wanted)---or this country will have no credibility in the years to come.
41
Trump is an Ethics Textbook minefield. Is there an area at all where this man has not transgressed Ethics?
He regularly cheated on his first two wives and the evidence suggests he did the same with his third.
His business dealings are rife with Ethics transgressions.
His financing is likely to show Ethics, if not legal, transgressions. If he were only willing to open the books.
He has a myriad of conflicts of interest in his current White House position. Just one example being his putting his assets into a supposedly blind trust, but now his son is giving him info behind the (blind) while he remains able to tap the supposedly blind money.
He is in violation of the Emoluments clause.
I could go on. I could write that Ethics textbook! And I don't know the half of it.
He regularly cheated on his first two wives and the evidence suggests he did the same with his third.
His business dealings are rife with Ethics transgressions.
His financing is likely to show Ethics, if not legal, transgressions. If he were only willing to open the books.
He has a myriad of conflicts of interest in his current White House position. Just one example being his putting his assets into a supposedly blind trust, but now his son is giving him info behind the (blind) while he remains able to tap the supposedly blind money.
He is in violation of the Emoluments clause.
I could go on. I could write that Ethics textbook! And I don't know the half of it.
34
We've all been reading for months about the Trump Administrations violations of ethics and various other rules - like not divesting.
And after all of it, nothing has happened. Which just proves to the rest of us that the rules don't apply to Trump. He is so obviously above the law it's sickening.
Even if he gets impeached, he will undoubtedly walk with the billions he will make off the Presidency.
The lesson is clear: everyone pays - but Trump.
And after all of it, nothing has happened. Which just proves to the rest of us that the rules don't apply to Trump. He is so obviously above the law it's sickening.
Even if he gets impeached, he will undoubtedly walk with the billions he will make off the Presidency.
The lesson is clear: everyone pays - but Trump.
47
Based on Trump's overall life history both personally and professionally are we really surprised that his presidency is going to be one of the most unethical presidency's ever seen. The next president will end up cleaning up the mess left behind but that seems to be our cycle in this country.
Whatever credibility America had on the world stage that was developed in the aftermath of WWII has long been squandered. We're just too stupid to realize that we don't matter as much as we think we do.
Trump's presidency represents the rot and neglect that is what outsiders see when they come here. Who needs ethics when there's money to be made.
I commend the ethics office for standing tall and making every effort to do their appointed duty. At least they recognize that ethics matter. They may lose the fight but at least they are actually serving their country and not the almighty dollar.
Whatever credibility America had on the world stage that was developed in the aftermath of WWII has long been squandered. We're just too stupid to realize that we don't matter as much as we think we do.
Trump's presidency represents the rot and neglect that is what outsiders see when they come here. Who needs ethics when there's money to be made.
I commend the ethics office for standing tall and making every effort to do their appointed duty. At least they recognize that ethics matter. They may lose the fight but at least they are actually serving their country and not the almighty dollar.
40
Thank you for pointing out how we look on the world stage and to outsiders when they come here. I know there are Americans, many who have never left the country ( I learned, while on a trip to Turkey that only 30% of US citizens hold passports!) who think this doesn't matter. They are so, potentially damaging, wrong. We are in deep trouble.
3
Again, let's all be aware that the alternative, meaning Hillary, would have been up to her nose in ethical conundrums with her Clinton Global Initiative donations.
4
Her intelligence is so superior to the clown Trump we would be better off to have someone of her temperament in the Oval Office. No misuse of funds have ever been attached to the Clinton Global Initiative donations. Facts matter.
2
What might have occurred if HRC, were president doesn't matter; she would have been held to the same standard. Mr.Trump is president, as he is so fond of pointing out. Therefore, he, and his appointees, must comply with the ethics requirements.
3
Much of Hillary's "lack of ethics" was a construct of the Republican Party and the rabid right-wing media. They have their own ethics problems.
Red State voters need to be on the phone too their Congressional "representatives", demanding those waivers, and the *President's" tax returns, and any other evidence of corruption and collusion be turned over IMMEDIATELY, before it's all "lost", or otherwise compromised. Time is not our friend, here.
15
You forget the FBI and Federal Prosecutors are on the case(s) now, and Donnie's FinCEN records can't be deleted by Trump's cronies. He protests way too much to be innocent. Now that it is clear how far over every line Trump went trying to shut down investigations into him and his team of misfits/Russian stooges, he is done.
1
Trump gives new depth to the concept of unethical. He makes Nixon look like a boy scout by comparison.
2
This disregard for ethics in government by Trump and his minions are reason enough for removal of Trump and his government. These activities get more egregious in time as a laissez faire approach is continued without control of any type. This "anything goes" direction is destructive of proper government operation and breeds more incompetence and corruption.
18
There is nothing about the current White House that reflects American values. Trump is operating as president in the exact same ethically challenged manner in which he conducted his own private affairs. We all saw this during the campaign. Actually being president has given him the opportunity to adopt a set of values and principles, but he is sadly a one trick pony. He knows only how to be a thug. How many times can it be pointed out that he is only interested in what benefits him or his family or his peer group of wealthy elite?
I no longer recognize my government. I am ashamed of the level of corruption that emanates from the executive branch, the brazen disregard for the people we should be protecting, the empty rhetoric, the bizarre spinning of policies that are doing nothing but inflicting harm on our own citizens. I am shocked by the disrespect of our own institutions, the banning of our own press, the secrecy that surrounds how Trump conducts business. I am disgusted by the lack of experience and good judgment of our Secretary of State and the stupid policies and positions of the rest of the president's cabinet.
And most of all, the absolute un-American behavior of the Republicans in office. I am embarrassed for them. They have shown themselves as un-patriotic and uncaring. Their acceptance of a White House bereft of ethics, morality or shared values with the majority of Americans is shameful.
I no longer recognize my government. I am ashamed of the level of corruption that emanates from the executive branch, the brazen disregard for the people we should be protecting, the empty rhetoric, the bizarre spinning of policies that are doing nothing but inflicting harm on our own citizens. I am shocked by the disrespect of our own institutions, the banning of our own press, the secrecy that surrounds how Trump conducts business. I am disgusted by the lack of experience and good judgment of our Secretary of State and the stupid policies and positions of the rest of the president's cabinet.
And most of all, the absolute un-American behavior of the Republicans in office. I am embarrassed for them. They have shown themselves as un-patriotic and uncaring. Their acceptance of a White House bereft of ethics, morality or shared values with the majority of Americans is shameful.
48
Thank you. So very eloquently written. You have captured the essence of millions of commenters trying to express the same sentiment.
6
It seems to me that sleaze is a necessity to making scads of money and the Trump Family is about making scads of money. That it is now housed in the White House, which offers it its cover of "respectability," is what Americans should be concerned about.
The single most important factor that is the lifeline which allows this family to guzzle lucre and thrive is an army of lawyers.
Sleaze, unfortunately, has become an American institution.
The single most important factor that is the lifeline which allows this family to guzzle lucre and thrive is an army of lawyers.
Sleaze, unfortunately, has become an American institution.
22
The editorial writers note that the White House has exceeded all norms and bounds of ethical compliance in only its first 100 or so days. Trump's entire life has been spent in self-serving pursuit of personal gain, to the limits of decency, legality, and morality... so this must come as no surprise, only a further sad disappointment. Trump has danced along the dark gray edge of evil his entire personal and professional life, behaving in business and in public as though our nation's laws do not apply to him, behaving as if anything he can get away with is OK. He has surrounded himself with sycophants and enablers of the same flexible morality, the same missing integrity, and the same vacuous moral deficiency, which is entirely predictable, and entirely disappointing. Our nation's laws, which should apply to all, and be enforced equally for all, no matter the high office, must be blind to wealth and privilege; no matter how difficult this is to actually achieve we must strive, and we must expect and hold all of our high office holders to the highest standards. Trump's White House is not 'exempt from ethical rules', neither is Trump be exempt, even if the law doesn't explicitly call out the president directly, our national expectation and standard must be that any person fit to hold the office will comply with our ethical and legal standards even without legal compulsion. Trump fails in this, again a "loser".
18
In case you didn't get a chance to read through letter the Director of the Office of Government Ethics (W. M. Shaub, Jr.) wrote in response to Mick Mulvaney's request to suspend the ethics inquiry, I quote one sentence from the letter's fourth page: "For your edification, I have enclosed a sampling of materials that illustrate the OGE's authority to collect information and records from the White House during every Presidential administration since ... 1978 ... ."
I hope you get as much satisfaction from Mr. Schaub's implicit scorn for Mulvaney's deficiencies as Mr. Schaub must have had in writing "for your edification". Edification means more than merely offering "instruction". Edification is intended for the moral improvement of the person to whom it is given. (I certainly enjoyed the highly justified cut in the side of Mulvaney's bloated ego.)
I hope you get as much satisfaction from Mr. Schaub's implicit scorn for Mulvaney's deficiencies as Mr. Schaub must have had in writing "for your edification". Edification means more than merely offering "instruction". Edification is intended for the moral improvement of the person to whom it is given. (I certainly enjoyed the highly justified cut in the side of Mulvaney's bloated ego.)
2
And Trump ran against HRC corruption! The Republicans are unabashed Machiavellians who believe the end always justifies the means. The end is increasingly money in their pockets and the pockets of their donors.
19
Donald Trump and his cabinet filled with ex-business executives is just doing what businessmen and women do. There is little that is ethical in American business practices. If you doubt me, think about the golden parachutes CEO's are given after driving their corporations into the ground; or consider BP and its action in the Gulf.
Most business is about making the most money in the shortest time, and getting out while the getting is good. There are no other ethics involved. That we have elected to allow these people control of our government is frightening. I wish us good luck, and hope they come to realize that government carries a higher purpose than business. I doubt that they will.
Most business is about making the most money in the shortest time, and getting out while the getting is good. There are no other ethics involved. That we have elected to allow these people control of our government is frightening. I wish us good luck, and hope they come to realize that government carries a higher purpose than business. I doubt that they will.
16
Trump has used stonewalling and countersuits as tools to exhaust those with claims against him. But he's in a different place now, one where—we hope—ethics matter.
My hope is that even if direct violations are not found, that he's done enough to be convicted of obstruction of justice. He's certainly wasting the time, money, and patience of the American people.
You don't get elected to government to serve the interests of the people and then obstruct them and show contempt for their oversight every chance you get.
My hope is that even if direct violations are not found, that he's done enough to be convicted of obstruction of justice. He's certainly wasting the time, money, and patience of the American people.
You don't get elected to government to serve the interests of the people and then obstruct them and show contempt for their oversight every chance you get.
14
this is a businessman president. He doesn't care to know about legal issues. He only cares about, to quote Jack Sparrow, "what a man can do, and what a man can't do." This seems to be routine in the business world, where deals make the strong stronger. But of course it's no way to take care of your citizens and allies.
9
We have a lawless president. Evidence indicates he is also very likely at least compromised by the funding for his businesses from Putin and his friends.
There can be no surprise that Trump will regard an office performing a duty he finds unnecessary in the absolute dictatorship he wants to run as either a joke or an irritant.
The outrages just continue. The Richard Painter quote about Trump tactics: "That's insane." You can be certain that no Republican member of Congress will stand up and agree.
There can be no surprise that Trump will regard an office performing a duty he finds unnecessary in the absolute dictatorship he wants to run as either a joke or an irritant.
The outrages just continue. The Richard Painter quote about Trump tactics: "That's insane." You can be certain that no Republican member of Congress will stand up and agree.
40
Bad as all this is..the complicity of the GOP and far to many voters, bodes very badly for the future of the US..
41
Well, Trump promised to "drain the swamp;" he's accomplished that goal and now is demonstrating his commitment to conservation by creating a protected habitat for all the creatures that slithered into this administration!
28
Trump is running the White House just like it is an extension of his family business. He has put his kids in charge, he runs off to play golf at every opportunity, and he has absolutely no sense of business ethics. He has stiffed students, workers and investors all of his life. The saga continues.
Trump has even engaged the Republican Party leadership as part of his smarmy operations since they aid and abet his glaring conflicts of interest and his violation of the Constitution's emolument clauses.
Trump has even engaged the Republican Party leadership as part of his smarmy operations since they aid and abet his glaring conflicts of interest and his violation of the Constitution's emolument clauses.
47
This this administration is dripping with sleaziness, is unbelievable tacky and has such a total lack of character in so many ways. I have not been able to sense even for a split second that there is any real or authentic concern for the people of this nation (regardless of party affiliation) and their well being. This administration is totally driven by Self interest and the lack of any moral or ethical compass is exhausting to watch. The only light at the end of the tunnel for me is the fact that this behavior will not sustain itself, it will implode I just hope it's sooner rather than later.
50
"If the Bush administration had told him to concoct legal justifications for evading ethics rules and legal inquiries in this way, Mr. Painter said, “I’d have quit.” Unfortunately and unlike Mr. Painter, this administration has their eyes fixed on the money and will not back down until there's a few hundred billion funneled to the pockets of the very rich (also known as This Republican Administration). When they really think the game is up (if that happens) and that they may not get the money, they will start to peel off and quit and then pretend they never liked the guy or his ideas. It's a soulless party these days. And it's a real pity for this great nation.
31
I blame ignorant, uninformed Republican voters more than Trump and his cronies. Trump et al will be out within a few years; Republican voters will continue to vote against their and our nation's best interests for decades to come.
15
It's no accident that the most corrupt Presidencies have been Republican - Grant, Harding - but Trump is on course to dwarf those two. He is a snake oil salesman and conman, even by RepubliCON standards, and Americans who are interested on saving our republic can only hope that the Republican Congress finally does its duty and investigates Trump and his toadies thoroughly.
20
You might throw Nixon in there. We also had the Iran/Contra scandal under Reagan and the false narrative justifying the Iraq invasion under Bush. The Republicans are unabashed Machiavellians who believe the end always justifies the means. The end is increasingly money in their pockets and the pockets of their donors.
9
While those Presidents were involved in scandal, they were pikers compared to Grant an Harding, but of course they all have one thing in common: they're Republicans.
This White House has decided they are privileged and do not have to answer to anyone, have earned the right to cheat the existing system. They see ethics rules as just plain silly, they have never lived their lives adhering to any ethics or morality that restrict them in any way whatsoever. They aren't gong to start now. How to re-educate them? Can't be done - the best way to handle this is clear them all out of there.
24
we got snookered into "electing" a President with a long and "successful" track record as a businessman, partly on the assumption that the lessons and attitudes of business management would benefit the country in some magical way... somehow alligned with the concept that knowing nothing about government and governing would be better than being experienced, because your government is your enemy.
you know, just like in education or anything else where it's so much better to know nothing about what you're doing but to have the right, antiestablishment posture.
is it any wonder we have a crew in DC that doesn't know right from wrong and will try to get away with anything they can? those are the lessons from business that helped sell Trump & Co. to the marks and rubes.
now, let the embezzlement begin! now, let's concoct some high minded plans to squash the competition or even our own associates, a la the Charles Kushner plan.
call your broker and put in a sell order on this bunch before the American enterprise loses all value under their mismanagement.
you know, just like in education or anything else where it's so much better to know nothing about what you're doing but to have the right, antiestablishment posture.
is it any wonder we have a crew in DC that doesn't know right from wrong and will try to get away with anything they can? those are the lessons from business that helped sell Trump & Co. to the marks and rubes.
now, let the embezzlement begin! now, let's concoct some high minded plans to squash the competition or even our own associates, a la the Charles Kushner plan.
call your broker and put in a sell order on this bunch before the American enterprise loses all value under their mismanagement.
12
What were you reading? Successful and and long track record of being a scoundrel , a cheat that would hire polish workers to build those towers and golf courses , not to mention cheating on his wife, a long track record of bankruptcies , stiffing those same workers of their wages , stiffing NY state and the govt by not paying taxes by having his sleazy lawyers find loop holes , it was all in public just like his antics with women, he was the poster boy of the NY Post , could go on and on , he needs all those sleazy lawyers to find ways to stiff and cheat everybody , why does this not bother you ? Snookered? Don't think so.
7
The Trump administration appears to be composed of a few dozen disconnected self promoters whose only concern is "how can I most quickly enrich myself?" They do not appear to have any interest in protecting or advancing the United States. They are more like bank robbers trying to figure out the best way to escape with their haul than government leaders.
14
IS not appears , therein lies the truth.
2
let's face it, they want to act like the mob c 1958.
13
This administration is horribly corrupt that I have trouble keeping up with its misdeeds. I think we know Flynn said he was willing to testify before Congressional investing committees if they granted him immunity. He had something to offer: Trump and his Russian connections. Trump tried to brazen it out saying it was a good idea. But T must have been quaking in his boots. This sordid story is in fact worse than Watergate.
15
So where is the outrage?
1
The first move of the new Congress was an attempt to do away with the Ethics Committee. That alone should tell you all that you need to know.
You are being robbed.
These people are there to serve themselves, and they take you for fools.
It might be a smart bet.
You are being robbed.
These people are there to serve themselves, and they take you for fools.
It might be a smart bet.
27
Second paragraph... starts like this: "Take first the ethics issue. In January, Mr. Trump signed an executive order banning appointees who had been lobbyists or lawyers from working on policy or regulatory issues they were once paid to influence, for two years. Unfortunately, that order allowed the president or a designee to secretly waive these restrictions."
not the first. I disagree.
The FIRST ethics issue when Trump refused and continues to refuse to not release his Tax Returns. and it just continues on and on and on.
not the first. I disagree.
The FIRST ethics issue when Trump refused and continues to refuse to not release his Tax Returns. and it just continues on and on and on.
21
May 25, 2017
Talk about quitting - the entire Trump campaign was all about throwing out Washington's business as usual and would we believe a total deconstruction by the Trump candidacy - so the Times and people of the natural order of governing in all arenas from local to federal will have to 'reset' what ethics rules are in play - and so the lawyers and the journalist are in shock and awe and for how long - until this nightmare of the electorate is brought to a reality check by - yes journalist and politicians that will save us from ourselves and show the path to lean - do your job right, fair, and with justice for all and by the writ and common decency as mature citizens - exemplary.
jja Manhattan, N. Y.
Talk about quitting - the entire Trump campaign was all about throwing out Washington's business as usual and would we believe a total deconstruction by the Trump candidacy - so the Times and people of the natural order of governing in all arenas from local to federal will have to 'reset' what ethics rules are in play - and so the lawyers and the journalist are in shock and awe and for how long - until this nightmare of the electorate is brought to a reality check by - yes journalist and politicians that will save us from ourselves and show the path to lean - do your job right, fair, and with justice for all and by the writ and common decency as mature citizens - exemplary.
jja Manhattan, N. Y.
6
Trump has no ethics.
11
I'm less bothered by Trump's corruption & eager acceptance of Russia's aid in the election as I am by the Republican rank & file's continued accptance of Trump. If the election were held again today he'd still win--possibly by a wider margin.
They think he's the President of the People, a manly man who "tells it like it is," & a majority of GOP voters (by recent reputable surveys) believe the Russian ties investigation should be killed immediately. And they don't believe he's any more corrupt or any more of a liar than any other politician, despite abundant evidence that he & his peeps have brought corruption & lying to a qualitatively different level.
In other words, this con artist seems to be getting away with it. One astute GOP strategist calls elections "promise auctions." Trump clearly won that auction. What remains to be seen is whether Trump's Chumps, as I call his voters, will still believe in him as none of his promises come true for them where they most want it.
Though those promises came in 2 flavors: out in the open, he promised them middle class jobs for high school graduates--something that will never happen again--& better healthcare for less--something that also won't happen. All countries with better healthcare pay for it with higher taxes, & that's heresy to Republicans.
But he also promised them, in the shadows, to return America to around 1955, when white men ruled the roost & wimmen & cullud folk & foreigners "knew their place."
Also not likely.
They think he's the President of the People, a manly man who "tells it like it is," & a majority of GOP voters (by recent reputable surveys) believe the Russian ties investigation should be killed immediately. And they don't believe he's any more corrupt or any more of a liar than any other politician, despite abundant evidence that he & his peeps have brought corruption & lying to a qualitatively different level.
In other words, this con artist seems to be getting away with it. One astute GOP strategist calls elections "promise auctions." Trump clearly won that auction. What remains to be seen is whether Trump's Chumps, as I call his voters, will still believe in him as none of his promises come true for them where they most want it.
Though those promises came in 2 flavors: out in the open, he promised them middle class jobs for high school graduates--something that will never happen again--& better healthcare for less--something that also won't happen. All countries with better healthcare pay for it with higher taxes, & that's heresy to Republicans.
But he also promised them, in the shadows, to return America to around 1955, when white men ruled the roost & wimmen & cullud folk & foreigners "knew their place."
Also not likely.
22
It's only reasonable for citizens to ask them, "If you did nothing wrong, why not discuss it?" This is awfully suspicious.
15
It was widely known that the orange one was ethically and morally challenged during the election which many people openly spoke about, some hinted that his cognitive functions and moral compass were inoperative. As the days and weeks churn on it is becoming clear that the latter group were spot on and those that he chooses to serve under him suffer the same affliction.
21
People who aim to win at all costs cannot be counted on to be ethical. Trump is no different. Not in his youth, school years, and certainly not in his professional life. Ethical people don’t brag about sexual assault.
He files for bankruptcy with astonishing frequency and has been sued how many times for breaking contracts and stiffing contractors? Then there is that disastrous stint as CEO of Trump Casino when he filed for bankruptcy and still made millions.
And since this highlight reel just keeps getting longer, we shouldn’t forget the lies about the inauguration crowd, false claims about being wiretapped by the previous president, and firing the FBI director because he was “grandstanding.”
He files for bankruptcy with astonishing frequency and has been sued how many times for breaking contracts and stiffing contractors? Then there is that disastrous stint as CEO of Trump Casino when he filed for bankruptcy and still made millions.
And since this highlight reel just keeps getting longer, we shouldn’t forget the lies about the inauguration crowd, false claims about being wiretapped by the previous president, and firing the FBI director because he was “grandstanding.”
41
We can only imagine, how wannabe king Trump is going to behave, after the reception he received from King of Saudi Arabia? He believes we are his subjects and he can do with us as he pleases.
20
A meeting in which he took a shot at the US press. I can only imagine the many times Trump spoke of being jealous of the control the Sauds have on their press. Or asked for some pointers.
5
Mr. Trump wishes to deal from a "star chamber" where events unfold with no challenge.
8
Our laws will surmount the "the Aversion to Scrutiny". Trump and friends can stonewall only so long, then, like all people, they will need to face their accusers. This administration is destined to fall, its underpinnings nonexistent.
21
Unfortunately, laws are only effective when they are enforced, and the current Republican-majority Congress has demonstrated no interest in doing so. From Winston Churchill: "America will always do the right thing... after it has exhausted every other available option".
4
I wish it were so. The failure of the majority in congress to exercise control prevents the operation of separation of powers. Now the United States is in the same position as Germany in 1933 even though we do not have an emergency powers provision as did the Weimar constitution.
5
To repeat - Jared Kushner is the person of interest in the Russia election influence scandal according to WGBH Boston.
Are you on this?
Are you on this?
26
Mr Ivanka has been on my radar since the campaign launched. His RE dealings nearly mimic his dad in laws, in needing to be bailed out. He was also meeting with convicted Russian spies who now work for Putins bank, during the transition. I think he's what is called the "bag-man" in organized crime circles.
12
Elect a shady businessman and expect some shady business. He has surrounded himself with kleptocrats and sycophants, all of whom mirror his greed and immorality. They have no fealty to the American people. Rather, they know it can't last so they want to get all they can while the getting's good.
27
The Trump motto: Ethics are for losers.
35
Mulvaney is quickly becoming the biggest jerk in an Administration full of jerks.
39
He was the jerk of the day...yesterday. Then today we have "poverty is a state of mind" Carson, attempting to wrest the title. But, ethically speaking, Mulvaney takes the prize for lining up the "undesirables". We've seen this before.
26
It's really a sad state of affairs when the governing body of our federal government, while pounding their message to Americans for decades about the "moral rot" going on in our country, the undermining of "family values" and "atheists" ruining our children by not believing in a Christian God, are actually the ones who have caused all of the above and more. I truly believe that the GOP in Congress and most certainly those in the White House have no souls, no consciences, no heart, and no brains. All I see is GREED at the expense of everyone else, to hell with what their constituents want and what's best for our country. I have never cried after an election result and I've been voting since 1984, but 11/9 brought me sobbing to my knees at the havoc I knew would be wrought on our country because of 62 million Americans and an Electoral College putting party over country. The wholesale sell-out of our democracy by the GOP has stunned even me at how fast they have managed to violate every "ethic" and "moral" they claim to have. The rapid slide to fascism scares me to death and the Democratic Party, my lifelong affiliation, sits back and says wait and see, take our time, don't get too excited. Rome is burning, Democrats, it's time to scream, holler, and raise hell. No more of this lofty "we go high when they go low." It got us nowhere, literally.
37
One has to wonder who Trump has introduced some in the GOP to...in regards to RE investments, etc...?
It's hard to credit that Donald has any understanding of the protocols and priorities of his office -- he doesn't seem to, in any case. But his Chief of Staff and White House legal counsel are derelict. If they are not screaming at him, they should be. and if he doesn't listen, they should resign.
Meantime, Donald hires his old bankruptcy lawyer -- who happens to represent a Russian oligarch -- in response to the investigations of Russian interference. Is he that tone deaf?
Nevertheless, he gets no slack for being inexperienced. He ran for office and he took the Oath. He is responsible for everything that happens.
Meantime, Donald hires his old bankruptcy lawyer -- who happens to represent a Russian oligarch -- in response to the investigations of Russian interference. Is he that tone deaf?
Nevertheless, he gets no slack for being inexperienced. He ran for office and he took the Oath. He is responsible for everything that happens.
43
This is not surprising, given what we have witnessed so far. It will be interesting to see what happens when push comes to shove.
8
What is ethics? They are not laws. You either are fools for being ethical in America or you believe in a self-regulation that does not exist. Ethics did not bring down McCarthy before he could damage many lives. Another Republican in the time of moral fantasies by the Right - the 50's. Not only did we have him, but the entire Nuclear nightmare was beginning and went on as if it was not only ethical, but 'Right!'
2
I guess, like locks, ethics are for the honest.
6
In Trumpworld "Ethics" are for "the little people" - always have been, always will be.
9
Ethics and working within the Constitution are "inconvenient" for Trump and his cabal of Thugs.
6
Trump and his clan are an unsavory bunch. They want to operate in an unfettered way...like a dictatorship. I
5
Talk about cleaning up the Augean Stables.
7
There is a mistake in the title of this editorial. It should read:
"The White House's Aversion to Ethics"
"The White House's Aversion to Ethics"
13
DT administration is the most corrupt and amoral in American history- this incudes violation of the US Constitution, obstruction of justice and outright treason in addition to profiting from the presidency. It should come as no surprise to anyone that they eschew scrutiny of any kind.
It is clear DT has no regard for our system of government, i.e., a democracy and would love to see our form of government devolve into a dictatorship.
He needs to be removed from office immediately. He is mentally and morally unfit to be POTUS.
It is clear DT has no regard for our system of government, i.e., a democracy and would love to see our form of government devolve into a dictatorship.
He needs to be removed from office immediately. He is mentally and morally unfit to be POTUS.
17
Yes, anyone who cared whether they looked like a traitor would be leading the investigation into Russians messing with their staff (campaign and governing) and would summarily fire any staffer who had ever talked to a Russian agent.
Trump thinks he can just bully his way though hiring a bunch of people that take money from foreign governments.
The man is a walking constitutional crisis.
Trump thinks he can just bully his way though hiring a bunch of people that take money from foreign governments.
The man is a walking constitutional crisis.
7
The Trump administration is averse to all scrutiny including the normal scrutiny by the Media that every administration is subject to. Trump is ably abetted in evading scrutiny by the House and Senate Government Oversight Committees who don't ever seem to see anything in a Republican Presidency that might need to be investigated. Even the two Intelligence Committees are "slow walking" their investigations of Russian interference in our electoral process. Russia? Russia? Nothing to see here. Let's get down to the real problem -- leaks! Bengazi! Bengazi! Emails! Servers! Besides it's all Obama's fault!
9
That's a really good word to describe what is surrounding the Trump presidency: Abetting.
Mr. Trump's mentor was Roy Cohn. To paraphrase the Army-McCarthy hearings:
"Until this moment, Mr. President, I think I never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness. . . . Let us not assassinate the Constitution further, Mr. President. You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency?"
"Until this moment, Mr. President, I think I never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness. . . . Let us not assassinate the Constitution further, Mr. President. You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency?"
16
I don't know how Trump even sleeps at night...oh wait, he dosesn't.
4
The worst bunch in the history of the country.
8
Yet another white-is-black claim by our president--at the same time he gives true black a secret whitewash to run our regulatory agencies. I feel as though I have fallen even further down Alice's rabbit hole.
6
I seriously doubt that trump could provide anyone with an accurate definition of ethics.
8
We knew all about Mr. Trump's ethics during the election campaign. It is hypocritical to complain now.
3
You could shorten that to 'aversion to ethics'.
4
This administration reacts to any sort of scrutiny the way cockroaches react to light.
They make a panicked rush for the shadows.
And just like cockroaches, for every one you actually see, there are far more in, behind, and around the cabinets.
They make a panicked rush for the shadows.
And just like cockroaches, for every one you actually see, there are far more in, behind, and around the cabinets.
10
Despite the growing mountain of evidence that the Trump White House is a criminal enterprise, corrupt to the core even before it took office, Conservatives like Thomas Edsall, and career politicians like Nancy Pelosi and Dick Durbin, are telling us, no, Impeachment is NOT an option, at least at this time. If the ship is rapidly taking on water, WHEN is it NOT time to beach her and patch the holes???
The number and depth of Trump associates connected with Russia continues to grow, including the personal lawyer Trump hired (different from the WH Attorney, who advises the President, not the person holding the title). Trump's lawyer, represented a major Russian bank against charges here in the US.
We now know the Russians planned to influence Trump through Flynn and Manafort (the only surprise is they admit it).
Trump's partners in many enterprises, like Trump SoHo, are Russian or Russia-connected, including convicted thug Felix Sater.
Trump has attacked EVERY honest Federal Government worker who challenged him, including judges who ruled against him personally and as POTUS, the entire 9th circuit, Councilor Muellor, Director Shaub, and fired Sally Yates and Preet Bharara (after asking both to stay), and, of course, Jim Comey. He's tried to stymie those that remain. And broke his promise to release his tax returns.
In the midst of all this, he or his administration has wantonly released top secret info to our foes.
He will destroy our Republic if we let him.
The number and depth of Trump associates connected with Russia continues to grow, including the personal lawyer Trump hired (different from the WH Attorney, who advises the President, not the person holding the title). Trump's lawyer, represented a major Russian bank against charges here in the US.
We now know the Russians planned to influence Trump through Flynn and Manafort (the only surprise is they admit it).
Trump's partners in many enterprises, like Trump SoHo, are Russian or Russia-connected, including convicted thug Felix Sater.
Trump has attacked EVERY honest Federal Government worker who challenged him, including judges who ruled against him personally and as POTUS, the entire 9th circuit, Councilor Muellor, Director Shaub, and fired Sally Yates and Preet Bharara (after asking both to stay), and, of course, Jim Comey. He's tried to stymie those that remain. And broke his promise to release his tax returns.
In the midst of all this, he or his administration has wantonly released top secret info to our foes.
He will destroy our Republic if we let him.
12
Um....if you were Donal Trump or worked on his behalf, wouldn't you have an aversion to ethical scrutiny too? In fact, I can't believe, "Are you bothered by ethics?" isn't the first question on an application to work for Trump.
4
The pervasively corrupt Trump administration is a purulent, festering lesion on our government and our country, and they and the Republicans are trying to cover it up. Meanwhile, the infection rages on and the sepsis spreads. It's time for an amputation.
5
Flow will be(and is approved by 63MM of Americans including Mitch & Ryan)
- Lie with tooth and nail.
- Find issue in process and continue to lie
- Take argument to Hillary and continue to lie
- Take argument to any where but the core issue and continue to lie
- And .. if this doesn't work; BODY SLAM the questioner...
- And .. then put them in jail(this one is coming from Lying Sessions)
- Lie with tooth and nail.
- Find issue in process and continue to lie
- Take argument to Hillary and continue to lie
- Take argument to any where but the core issue and continue to lie
- And .. if this doesn't work; BODY SLAM the questioner...
- And .. then put them in jail(this one is coming from Lying Sessions)
6
Trump is a chancre on the political body of America: An ugly, painful, embarrassing sore indicative of the illness of the whole system.
1
Mr. Painter sums it up in a nutshell; "that's insane." Truly.
5
There is no job in this world that can be performed properly without personal ethics.
9
I think Mr. Shaub can expect to be fired very soon, and replaced by someone with no concern for ethics. Nearly all of Trump's appointees represent exactly the opposite of the qualifications needed for their post. Betsy DeVos is a prime example.
8
Trump is doing everything possible to obstruct any investigation into Russian ties with his administration, including the rapid firing of "unloyal" individuals, while backing off the US commitment for NATO defense: Why would anyone think he has something to hide?!
3
I am disgusted by this duplicity, insolence, and abuse of power. #45 can't be deposed soon enough.
6
Mick Mulvaney, a mediocre Trump shill if ever there was one, has already demonstrated his slavish adherence to hurting the American people by his obscene and cruel budget proposals. In this example, his running interference with the OGE is way out of his jurisdiction, and should, in a normal presidency, get him promptly fired. No doubt with Trump, he'll be rewarded, with more malign effects on the electorate.
6
Mr. Trump's presidency is a comic version of the tragedy of Oedipus Rex where Oedipus claims he alone can solve the plaque destroying the country. He alone will seek out the culprit who leaked classified information and hold him accountable. When the NYT brings the message that Mr. Trump is the very culprit he seeks, the comic Oedipus cries, "FALSE NEWS!"
3
To this Editorial: aversion to ethical scrutiny is a clear sign of a "fox having feathers on its snout", after visiting a chicken coop -- i.e., GUILTY.
To the next Editorial, citing 'a legislator says those who bring down Confederate memorials should be “lynched”', no, I do not for a moment think of lynching, but the Confederate memorials should staqy, where they are. They are part, for good or bad, of the history of the third oldest democracy in the West. (I am not sure, whether Iceland or Switzerland is the oldest).
To the next Editorial, citing 'a legislator says those who bring down Confederate memorials should be “lynched”', no, I do not for a moment think of lynching, but the Confederate memorials should staqy, where they are. They are part, for good or bad, of the history of the third oldest democracy in the West. (I am not sure, whether Iceland or Switzerland is the oldest).
1
The statues are "bad". Period.
And anyone with half a conscience, who has the slightest idea of one of the darkest chapters in American history, should be glad to see them go.
And anyone with half a conscience, who has the slightest idea of one of the darkest chapters in American history, should be glad to see them go.
4
Trump and his stooges will apparently go to any lengths to attempt to hide, obfuscate or cover up their corruption. Is anyone surprised by this ?
3
Perhaps this is another example of taking candidate Trump too literally. Maybe when he spoke of cleaning up the swamp, what he really meant was "clean up in the swamp."
3
Mr. Trump continues to act like a wannabe king who is above the law and whose sole concern seems to be increasing his family's wealth and power.
Mr. Schaub is right in asking for sunlight on many of the backhand deals Trump and associates have been doing in the shadows.
Mr. Schaub is right in asking for sunlight on many of the backhand deals Trump and associates have been doing in the shadows.
2
This White House will try to evade accountability with every legal maneuver and subterfuge imaginable. This White House places its trust, not in other branches of government or the wisdom of the people, but in the lawyers assigned to air out the stench emanating from this presidency. From Trump's viewpoint, this should work out nicely, just as it did during his sordid business career. He may be surprised to learn that the business world and the political one operate according to different sets of rules.
2
Although I did not miss the satiric tone of the editors' words "excess loyalty to the law," we need to keep in mind that ethics rules are not simply some grey area between minimal compliance with the law and full, willing compliance with it. The fact that we have had immoral laws (slavery and Jim Crow come instantly to mind) means that law and ethics are distinct, but we hope not disparate, categories. We should insist on personal and administrative integrity--transparency, full public disclosure, of waivers and any other matter that generates ethical concerns. For these times, this is a crucial editorial with wide-ranging application.
5
Mr. Trump has never spent a day in jail. He consults lawyers and tries to follow the letter of the law just adequate to stay out of jail without any attention to the spirit of the law. He has never recognized any ethical constraints or considered the consequences of his actions for any other humans over and above what keeps him out of jail.
32
Sure hope Mr. Painter won't quit his mission prematurely, as his honest appraisals of Trump's insolence in trying to put himself above the law are required reading and, hopefully, the kernel of truth the rest of us require to oppose the current 'abuse of power', and the hiding of possible treason, and the need for impeachment. Ethics is not in Trump's, and for that matter, in Trump's enablers' lexicon. That Trump is trying to cow the independent ethical branch of government into submission is despicable, an institutionalized violence we must fight strenuously against. This current administration is a joke, a cruel one at that, given it does not know what it's doing...other that enrich themselves at our expense. Clearly wolves in our chicken coop. The question that still lingers is, "Who let them in to begin with"? And once in, why are we letting them loose, with no ethical constraints?
11
No principles. No moral compass. No sense of obligation to act with fidelity to the law. No shame. That fairly characterizes Trump and many (not all) in his administration.
I am not bothering to wait for those on the Right who brayed, "Tyranny," about President Obama to take note of what Trumpism is. Evidently, they rather like it.
I am not bothering to wait for those on the Right who brayed, "Tyranny," about President Obama to take note of what Trumpism is. Evidently, they rather like it.
33
Sadly, acquiring $$$ by any means, has diminished the value of ethics considerably in our society. The era of frowning on unethical behavior has all but vanished. Our present administration, for the most part, is heralded by many for boasting, lying, and using their position for personal gain...diminishing our country's standing around the globe. This administration is allying itself with other leaders whose ethics is also diminished or non-existent. Our only hope is that there are enough ethical individuals left in our society to expose this plague and shine a light on the corruption that has managed to infiltrate our government. Kudos to those who are diligently trying.
21
Ethics?
Do we even need an an editorial on this topic?
Ford pardoning Nixon, Oliver North taking the fall for Reagan, Clarence Thomas's appointment to the Supreme Court, the horrible rhetoric towards Obama during both his campaigns, McConnell's refusal to even acknowledge Garland (and Obama keeping quite), Trump and Birther-ism and in fact almost every action Trump has engaged in from the start of his campaign to 5 months in.
You're speaking about the White House's aversion to ethics...Now??
I'd say that Train left the station decades ago.
Do we even need an an editorial on this topic?
Ford pardoning Nixon, Oliver North taking the fall for Reagan, Clarence Thomas's appointment to the Supreme Court, the horrible rhetoric towards Obama during both his campaigns, McConnell's refusal to even acknowledge Garland (and Obama keeping quite), Trump and Birther-ism and in fact almost every action Trump has engaged in from the start of his campaign to 5 months in.
You're speaking about the White House's aversion to ethics...Now??
I'd say that Train left the station decades ago.
28
Contempt for ethical behavior, civility, and common decency has been a life-long hallmark of Donald J. Trump. Rather than the promised "draining of the Washington swamp," we have seen it filled to overflow by incompetence, malfeasance, and moral turpitude. Can anyone claim to be surprised?
13
What does it take to uphold the law? It feels we are free floating in a political quagmire that compounds the problem. Do these Republicans not have any sense of the danger that we face? Every day is impending doom. Having lived through the cold war, the viet nam war, joe mccarthy and the on going racial adversity in this country from then to now, this is a fiasco.
12
Republicans do not think totalitarian dominance of the country by them is a "danger." They think it is a desirable objective. Never forget, politics is fundamentally about the pursuit of power, the more the better, and for some, by any means possible. Not cynical, realistic.
3
Here's one possible way to force the hand of the administration. Use whatever enforcement means available to go after those who are in apparent violation of the executive order. Prosecute them to the highest extent possible, prevent them from violating this executive order, since they have no demonstrable waiver. For those who have a secret waiver, this will either force them out of the ethical bind they have inserted themselves into, or will force the waiver to become public.
Might be expensive and time consuming, but sunshine often is.
Might be expensive and time consuming, but sunshine often is.
9
How much more obvious can this administration make their attempts to be above the law? Every day you see and hear Republicans spouting the mantra "this is a country of laws". Yet they seem to be above the laws for one reason or another obvious only to them. The democracy of the republic is being undermined by the actions and goals of the Republicans. Somehow this must be stopped.
8
The current occupant of the White House is making us all aware of the fact that, while there are customs that Presidents will adhere to regarding ethics, there are no laws actually mandating ethical conduct on the part of the President, only on all other government workers and elected officials and cabinet members. Having had lawyers help him to skirt the boundaries of laws (I don't pay taxes!) all these years, Trump now has his minions researching how far he can go in office. And they've found he can go very far indeed. Then, we have a Republican Congress that hears no evil and sees no evil, I.e., complicit in these flagrant ethics violations.
What can we do?
Vote in 2018 to bring in common sense people not blinded by ideology or false loyalties to party over country. Get them to promise to pass laws governing presidential behavior and ethics lest we have another con man get into office and degrade our values.
I may not have liked the policies of Reagan and The Bushes, but this clown is an affront to common decency.
What can we do?
Vote in 2018 to bring in common sense people not blinded by ideology or false loyalties to party over country. Get them to promise to pass laws governing presidential behavior and ethics lest we have another con man get into office and degrade our values.
I may not have liked the policies of Reagan and The Bushes, but this clown is an affront to common decency.
12
"Since [Mulvaney's] office helps control the agencies’ funding, some interpreted that as an effort to intimidate them into keeping their waivers secret, too." This pretty much typifies the GOP response to anything it doesn't want to hear. I suppose Walter Shaub should be grateful that he wasn't physically manhandled as a reporter was by the GOP Senate candidate in Montana.
6
As someone who feels a need to adhere to ethical standards, it is disturbing, to say the least, that the Trump administration feels it can just make up its own rules as it goes along. That Trump feels no guilt about his behavior is pretty well established at this point. But where did he find so many underlings who are so loosely connected to truth and standards? That is truly mind boggling.
Perhaps that's why there have been so many leaks. There are certainly many who seem to be trying to undermine their boss. But why stay on in such a purgatory of lies? I could never imagine this for the country I have always been so proud of!
Perhaps that's why there have been so many leaks. There are certainly many who seem to be trying to undermine their boss. But why stay on in such a purgatory of lies? I could never imagine this for the country I have always been so proud of!
8
The current occupant of the Oval Office definitely is not a fan of ethical behavior and openness. He never has been, has no drive to be so, and will not change. He signs executive orders for two purposes: to further an extremist, law-diminishing agenda and to smile for the cameras while holding a fancy document in a gold-filled room.
He does not sign executive orders to make anything "better," no matter what definition is used.
He does not sign executive orders to make anything "better," no matter what definition is used.
7
nice to see the times step away from a "serious commitment" its own form of incompetence, blatant advocacy journalism, an ethical challenge in itself.
with the exception of the lede, the tone of the editorial is sober, focused on the issue, provocative of argument for or against, etc., etc.
the waivers and their secret exceptions are especially troubling, as with so much from both parties, the craft of the loophole denatures the stated intent of legislative or executive
processes...subversion is what it is.
mr shaub is right to insist on receiving the details of waivers, which should, (barring classified operations) be public documents.
the times, on the other hand is perhaps too cute by half in granting mr mueller its own form of waiver based on the size of his law firm and its battalion of lawyers...the firm represents the client, the firm's brand is on all of its efforts in behalf of them....muelller needs a waiver, not a pre-waiver waiver from DOJ or the times that confirms an acceptable disconnect (doubted here) from the affairs of those clients and, especially, access to "...information about their cases."
it does not seem unreasonable that any hint of conflict of interest to be pursued and resolved in a finding, a publicly available document, with the weight of testimony under oath.
with the exception of the lede, the tone of the editorial is sober, focused on the issue, provocative of argument for or against, etc., etc.
the waivers and their secret exceptions are especially troubling, as with so much from both parties, the craft of the loophole denatures the stated intent of legislative or executive
processes...subversion is what it is.
mr shaub is right to insist on receiving the details of waivers, which should, (barring classified operations) be public documents.
the times, on the other hand is perhaps too cute by half in granting mr mueller its own form of waiver based on the size of his law firm and its battalion of lawyers...the firm represents the client, the firm's brand is on all of its efforts in behalf of them....muelller needs a waiver, not a pre-waiver waiver from DOJ or the times that confirms an acceptable disconnect (doubted here) from the affairs of those clients and, especially, access to "...information about their cases."
it does not seem unreasonable that any hint of conflict of interest to be pursued and resolved in a finding, a publicly available document, with the weight of testimony under oath.
1
How long do you let a disease run rampant before it is surgically removed? Do not wait too long or the destructive damage the disease creates may be irreversible.
Any republican who supports President Trump needs to be thrown out of office. Any republican or democrat who does not actively seek his removal from office needs to be thrown out of office. DO YOUR JOBS, folks. Or resign from office.
Any republican who supports President Trump needs to be thrown out of office. Any republican or democrat who does not actively seek his removal from office needs to be thrown out of office. DO YOUR JOBS, folks. Or resign from office.
7
We need a running tally of the money Trump and his family are making by being in the White House. Shame and the possibility of losing votes might make the GOP in Congress do something.
As for ethical violations we might as well be living on the sun. I see no one in any position to do something being able to do anything. We are stuck with the Trumpian in your face 'so what'. Vote in 2018 and 2020. That is the only answer to this stinking pile.
As for ethical violations we might as well be living on the sun. I see no one in any position to do something being able to do anything. We are stuck with the Trumpian in your face 'so what'. Vote in 2018 and 2020. That is the only answer to this stinking pile.
10
Just the tip of a very large iceberg
5
Occam's razor. The Trump administration refuses to provide the waiver documents because the documents don't currently exist or exist in an embarrassing fashion. One side of the White House is furiously typing a reasonable ex post facto justification while the other side is desperately trying to find grounds for termination. I doubt either side can hit a June first deadline. Accusations of unreasonable timelines seem to have disappeared. The Justice Department apparently realized the documents are legally required to exist before the employee is hired. I don't think you can blame this one on the intern's bad filing practices.
Just to recap: You know things are bad when the chief ethics lawyer for George W. Bush is calling you insane. The White House has passed beyond the fringe my friends.
Just to recap: You know things are bad when the chief ethics lawyer for George W. Bush is calling you insane. The White House has passed beyond the fringe my friends.
10
Let the unraveling begin! The best part is that Trump and his loyalists will continue to be like ... Trump-like. That is the really good news because refreshingly, it is very consistent. If you were plotting a nautical course, you could use the prior to dots to draw a line to the destination.
And here I believe we, as a country will get there. This one is too easy. Simply put, there is not enough enough brain power between here and Trump's lips to suspend further plotting of ports of call that can surprise us. They are simply stops along a well predictable path of travel.
And the best part about all of this is that as easily as it will be to track his course forward, it is equally easy to backtrack his transgressions and wrongdoings. This captain is a careless navigator and one who does not take to heart warning calls from those close to him in the crew's-nest.
"Iceberg dead ahead" gets the strong affirmative of "increase speed to full". Stormy water warnings get a request for "Who's is at the captains table tonight". "Choppy seas notices" are answered by "relieve the radar man".
So it is high time we look at the cruise in its entirety. Luck for us, we can imagine the scope of what seas this commodore will take us through.
And here I believe we, as a country will get there. This one is too easy. Simply put, there is not enough enough brain power between here and Trump's lips to suspend further plotting of ports of call that can surprise us. They are simply stops along a well predictable path of travel.
And the best part about all of this is that as easily as it will be to track his course forward, it is equally easy to backtrack his transgressions and wrongdoings. This captain is a careless navigator and one who does not take to heart warning calls from those close to him in the crew's-nest.
"Iceberg dead ahead" gets the strong affirmative of "increase speed to full". Stormy water warnings get a request for "Who's is at the captains table tonight". "Choppy seas notices" are answered by "relieve the radar man".
So it is high time we look at the cruise in its entirety. Luck for us, we can imagine the scope of what seas this commodore will take us through.
3
Any ethics policy that allows those bound by it "to secretly waive these restrictions" is not a real policy. It is gross. It is like a slaughter house being in charge of a petting zoo... and the animals just keep disappearing.
11
It seems to be in plain sight that people who spend so much time trying to obstruct an investigation must be guilty, whether it's the Russia collusion or various ethics violations. We're all watching the administration's (failed) attempts at a cover up. Trump et al. clearly have plenty to hide. By obstructing Mr. Schaub, trying to quash the Russia investigation, pressure the investigators, and ultimately fire Mr. Comey, Trump and his cronies are trying to subvert or destroy the pursuit of justice in the US to hide their crimes. Because they have access to the highest offices that constitute justice, the damage they are doing is incalculable. Here you have a White House administration that stinks to high heaven with conflict of interest and unethical behaviour. And what are they trying to do? Block the ethics investigator. The Mafia wouldn't be allowed to get by with this.
5
There once was an unethical man
Who laid waste to the country he ran
Creating a question
In fact an obsession
Of whether we need a back-up plan
Who laid waste to the country he ran
Creating a question
In fact an obsession
Of whether we need a back-up plan
3
Great editorial. Thank you Mr. Shaub for standing up for what's right, holding your ground and refusing to back down from the corrupt white house and administration. The dumpster and his staff are trying in everyway they can to stymy the investigations taking place claiming innocence. Why would anyone go to all that trouble if they have nothing to hide and are as innocent as the claim to be? They maybe able to fool the foolish who voted for the dumpster but the majority of us who did not vote for him aren't fooled for a second.
6
When Trump promised to “_drain_ the swamp of government corruption,” he actually meant he would _hide_ the swamp behind an “impenetrable, powerful, beautiful wall” of government secrecy.
4
Trump's history and ethics have been evident since day one of his presidential campaign. That people voted for him anyway is the mystery.
Eventually his financial ties to Russia and other deplorables will be exposed, and still there will be many who will remain down in his bunker.
Bet the rent.
Eventually his financial ties to Russia and other deplorables will be exposed, and still there will be many who will remain down in his bunker.
Bet the rent.
4
You might have added Senator Hatch. No one has offered more pieties in defense of this amateur hour than he has.
3
Trump and his administration are a giant set of the nesting Russian matryoshka dolls that never disappoint by continually opening to offer more and more gifts of the swamp. But while the dolls get smaller, the surprises get bigger. The cake of the nation is being iced with sewage.
4
The Trump Ethics "policy" is to "Try and get away with as much as possible."
6
The needle in the haystack which needs discovering is anything ethical Trump has ever done. He can't apologize when he's wrong or has made a mistake and in fact tries to turn even those occasions into making himself the hero, like when he declared the birther issue closed and credited himself with closing it; his bogus charity; his bogus university; his vicious Tweeting at anyone who crosses him; his pathological and chronic lying; his associations with thugs and OC; his sexual assault and otherwise piggish treatment of women; his having mocked a disabled person; attacking the parents of a dead soldier...
I have never seen even an ounce of normal, decent behavior out of Donald Trump. Nothing. The only times he's uttered words close to it, he's been reading, haltingly, from a script, head down, dead voice, just saying what he's told to say but clearly with it having no real meaning to himself.
This man is devoid of any sense of or need for ethics, morality, decency, especially when it comes to other people.
I have never seen even an ounce of normal, decent behavior out of Donald Trump. Nothing. The only times he's uttered words close to it, he's been reading, haltingly, from a script, head down, dead voice, just saying what he's told to say but clearly with it having no real meaning to himself.
This man is devoid of any sense of or need for ethics, morality, decency, especially when it comes to other people.
7
If you love our country:
Protest and resist everyday in every way!
Protest and resist everyday in every way!
6
Paid lobbyists should be banned. They work for their special interests, the taxpayer pays and they are not in the public's best interest. The libs are quite quiet on the Russian collusion theory. There are no grounds for impeachment to the disappointment of the democrats.
Did Carl Ichan get a waiver?
Me thinks the White House probably doesn't have the waivers just like they probably don't have any vetting papers on Flynn. Just sayin'.
3
Donald Trump has no ethics.
2
As a child, I watched "The Three Stooges" on TV. "So vulgar!" my mom would exclaim. Their old movies were hosted by an old man, Andy Someone-or-other. Sitting in some kind of dimly lit living room--crumbling and decrepit furniture all around him. And the rug! My goodness, the rug!
See it in your mind's eye. It was three feet off the floor. Took me a while to get the joke--and of course I was eager for Mr. Andy to get off the air so I could turn my attention to Curly, Moe, and Larry. Why was the rug funny?
"Cause (supposedly) for most of his life, Mr. Andy had been sweeping dust and dirt and debris under it. "Sweeping under the rug"--hey! that's supposed to make the stuff inconspicuous so people don't notice it. In Andy's case, of course, it was anything but. You would notice that rug first thing! levitating as it were off the floor. Then you would notice the dust, dirt, debris underneath. Wasn't supposed to be noticed. It was.
You editors at The New York Times! Sound like anyone we know. Oh my goodness, Mr. President--give it up! Give it up! Tricks and dodges--impotent ploys of foiled mendacity! They're not working, sir. None of them work.
Take a job hosting "The Three Stooges." So we would all find ourselves saying--"Well, you know, it's SUPPOSED to be a joke . . . . ."
See it in your mind's eye. It was three feet off the floor. Took me a while to get the joke--and of course I was eager for Mr. Andy to get off the air so I could turn my attention to Curly, Moe, and Larry. Why was the rug funny?
"Cause (supposedly) for most of his life, Mr. Andy had been sweeping dust and dirt and debris under it. "Sweeping under the rug"--hey! that's supposed to make the stuff inconspicuous so people don't notice it. In Andy's case, of course, it was anything but. You would notice that rug first thing! levitating as it were off the floor. Then you would notice the dust, dirt, debris underneath. Wasn't supposed to be noticed. It was.
You editors at The New York Times! Sound like anyone we know. Oh my goodness, Mr. President--give it up! Give it up! Tricks and dodges--impotent ploys of foiled mendacity! They're not working, sir. None of them work.
Take a job hosting "The Three Stooges." So we would all find ourselves saying--"Well, you know, it's SUPPOSED to be a joke . . . . ."
3
Republicans are not Americans. They object to every important aspect of our government, law, and standards for work and behavior in public office and as a private citizen.
For the record here is a very good example;
I just saw a report about the CBO score on the healthcare law the GOP Congress just passed. Of course they are once again attacking and undermining another part of our government as illegitimate and to justify this they point to how there was what one congressman whose name I did not get, claimed was a 120% difference in the CBO numbers and the actual numbers of the ACA. That is true enough but here's the thing he left out the part where the GOP had gone to court after the law was passed based on those numbers to get changes in the law to force what happened during and after the roll out to happen.
That is the respect they have for you GOP voter, none at all. They cannot even admit to the facts of what they have done let alone tell the truth about what they are doing and trying to do.
To be a republican politician one must act as if there are no ethics.
For the record here is a very good example;
I just saw a report about the CBO score on the healthcare law the GOP Congress just passed. Of course they are once again attacking and undermining another part of our government as illegitimate and to justify this they point to how there was what one congressman whose name I did not get, claimed was a 120% difference in the CBO numbers and the actual numbers of the ACA. That is true enough but here's the thing he left out the part where the GOP had gone to court after the law was passed based on those numbers to get changes in the law to force what happened during and after the roll out to happen.
That is the respect they have for you GOP voter, none at all. They cannot even admit to the facts of what they have done let alone tell the truth about what they are doing and trying to do.
To be a republican politician one must act as if there are no ethics.
8
The Administration is not incompetent. It is their modus operandi. Please make that clear - these are not "mistakes" but considered policy and strategy.
5
Did we really expect any thing different? Trump’s business record speaks for itself from the “all sizzle and no Trump steaks” to the misleadingly titled “Trump University” – it’s been a long and winding trip down a “shady” road.
Ethics, like rules, are for the little people. Trump’s campaign was always about “do as I say, not as I do.” So, on the one hand, Trump can rant about China’s unfair playing field, while, on the other hand, Trump can manufacture in that same playing field – call it the ties that bind.
Now can a leopard change its spots just because it occupies the White House? In fact, Trump has unabashedly claimed that he is beyond reproach as president – even citing that legally as president, he has no conflict of interest – which, in of itself, is a morally unethical assertion. At the rate the Trump administration is going with respect to ethics, or lack thereof, Nixon must be turning in his grave.
Ethics, like rules, are for the little people. Trump’s campaign was always about “do as I say, not as I do.” So, on the one hand, Trump can rant about China’s unfair playing field, while, on the other hand, Trump can manufacture in that same playing field – call it the ties that bind.
Now can a leopard change its spots just because it occupies the White House? In fact, Trump has unabashedly claimed that he is beyond reproach as president – even citing that legally as president, he has no conflict of interest – which, in of itself, is a morally unethical assertion. At the rate the Trump administration is going with respect to ethics, or lack thereof, Nixon must be turning in his grave.
4
There are clearly different rules for the rich. Try getting away with any ONE of these things as a private citizen.
5
Trump and associates are acting exactly as they've always acted, and just as early observations indicated they would act if in office. Indeed, they can be expected to continue to act in the mode of relative secrecy, apparent cover up, and lying, thereby establishing a clear and growing image of engaging in the nefarious. An important, and directly related issue is how long, and to what degree, Republican members of Congress will sit quietly and look off into the distance. Surely, the concept of integrity must still exist, even if at a diminished level. Or maybe not.
4
We the American people under our election rules place Mr Trump in this position. Like it or not he won the election fair and square and now that he is in office he must follow the rules and not seek to change them.
There is nothing terribly complex about being honest.
There is nothing terribly complex about being honest.
1
Thank you, Teresa May, for the set up to help undermine U.S. democracy (t/i/c). See article about Ms. May's complaint regarding the release of intel. Either someone in the Admin got really smart, or May has decided to help the Trump Admin with cover to dampen Russia-influence, ethics-related, and other leaks necessary when democracy is being challenged.
1
I think comparisons to Watergate , Iran Contra or any other administration for that matter are pointless: we are in uncharted waters. The Russians saw what was possible amidst the craven partisanship and boundless avarice which have come to characterize American politics.
7
Mr. Trump seems to be headed for trouble, whether that will be impeachment or pressure to resign, but unfortunately a few good people's reputations are being soiled by him in the meantime.
4
Trump has now crossed the line. What he's doing is illegal yet is being supported by members of his Cabinet, even while not being supported by the Justice Department. I am at a loss as to why he is being allowed to get away with all of this. Is there no Republican in Congress with spine enough to stand up to him? This unethical behavior should be prominent in every newspaper and on every news program. And then Republicans should be asked: Why are you letting this happen?
17
Ethics and character matter. Unless you're in this administration.
55
Or in the GOP, along with faith. Then just saying they matter is all that matters.
4
It always boils down to which value will take priority over something else valued.
It's always about what we value. The Trump administration values...[fill in the rest].
It's always about what we value. The Trump administration values...[fill in the rest].
3
Trump has hired a lawyer to represent him in this Russian enquiry. It seems that Trump is using his staff to blunt the enquiry in every way possible. Is this Nixonian or is it my imagination? If Trump had nothing to hide he would just let things reveal themselves on their own. But Trump's efforts to squash the investigation, illegal in itself, only make him appear more guilty.
Trump has never respected the law or courts up to now manipulating them in any way possible. So here he is president and his power to do so abetted by his Republican majority in Congress doing it on a massive scale. We who say this are accused of a 'witch hunt' but the ethical future of our nation is at stake and who but us will speak out?
Trump has never respected the law or courts up to now manipulating them in any way possible. So here he is president and his power to do so abetted by his Republican majority in Congress doing it on a massive scale. We who say this are accused of a 'witch hunt' but the ethical future of our nation is at stake and who but us will speak out?
85
In his business and private life, Mr. Trump has followed very clear rules concerning ethics: 1) If something you want to do is not clearly and explicitly illegal, or can be made to seem legal, then ethics don't matter. 2) If something is legally questionable then, wherever possible, use ethics regulations to distort the matter, buy time, and generate deceptive PR. 3) Legal and ethical technicalities exist to be exploited to the maximum extent possible. (See Rule 2.) 4) There is absolutely no ethical dimension to stating falsehoods when not under oath.
Now we get to see what it looks like to run the government like a business.
Now we get to see what it looks like to run the government like a business.
41
Trump has had no ethical scruples during his entire 70 year life. The details have been spelled out endlessly. So why are we surprised when he has none now?
39
The only reason to block access to anything is if you have something to hide. PERIOD. End of story. And the Republicans in Congress just look the other way. Oh, yeah, isn't about time they closed their own ethics office like they tried to do at the start of the session. Hmmm. Oh yeah, Trump told them then to drop it and do it later when no one would notice. The Master Deceiver. His main skill. Braking the rules and avoiding the consequences.
15
I would ask the Congress to return the ACA to its original form and extend all support, monetary and legislative, until 2021. After that, I would ask they put a halt to legislation and appointments and do only the work needed to keep the country running. Mitch had the right idea. Let's wait until the election and let the American people decide.
18
The writing was on the wall about this administration before it even got into first gear.
Only a few days old, one of the first things it did was try to disband the Oversight Committee -- the bells should have started to go off at that point.
Since then, it's been one over-reach, and one flimsy excuse after another.
Donald Trump has never been a pinnacle of honesty in his life, so there was no real reason to expect that would change once he got into the Oval Office.
By now, his questionable acts are far too numerous to recount, but they're all starting to catch up with him.
They say there's no smoke without fire -- and something has definitely started to burn.
Only a few days old, one of the first things it did was try to disband the Oversight Committee -- the bells should have started to go off at that point.
Since then, it's been one over-reach, and one flimsy excuse after another.
Donald Trump has never been a pinnacle of honesty in his life, so there was no real reason to expect that would change once he got into the Oval Office.
By now, his questionable acts are far too numerous to recount, but they're all starting to catch up with him.
They say there's no smoke without fire -- and something has definitely started to burn.
16
Anyone who read the NYT over the past 5-10 years should have known what sort of person Trump is. Only one bank in the City of NY would lend him money because he had managed to leave the others short when repaying debts. Each time one of his enterprises failed (and there were at least 5) his co-investors and the employees of the business were left with nothing while he walked off with whatever could be salvaged from the business.
He is worse than Bernie Maddoff. At least Maddoff expected to be caught and finally was.
He is worse than Bernie Maddoff. At least Maddoff expected to be caught and finally was.
6
If a congressman or senator at this point doesn't see how unAmerican this administration is, they are living a lie. A position which comes easily to republicans. And why is this so? Politics is life's matrix for these legislators. The welfare of Americans does not even come close to second place.
Ben Carson in his latest remark says that poverty is a state of mind, which is how republicans see most Americans strapped with loan payments, or out of work. Americans on the street, homeless. Americans whose medical expense far exceed their income, if in fact they are employed at all.
Unfortunately, Americans put these people in place. So shall ye reap.
Ben Carson in his latest remark says that poverty is a state of mind, which is how republicans see most Americans strapped with loan payments, or out of work. Americans on the street, homeless. Americans whose medical expense far exceed their income, if in fact they are employed at all.
Unfortunately, Americans put these people in place. So shall ye reap.
10
This should be a singular reminder to all that think that "government should be run more like a business", that businesses are run as autocratic dictatorships and decisions are made selfishly for the bottom line over the value of and welfare of the people at the sharp end of the commercials.
27
Scammers gotta scam, con artists gotta con. It's what they DO. Expecting better from this Presidential Apprentice and his motley collection of unqualified, inept collaborators is fruitless and beyond frustrating. A random collection of citizens could, and would, perform better. Here's an idea: A new, exciting, huuuuge national lottery. With Tax-free prizes and an appointment to the Cabinet. Call it " Donald's Posse". Couldn't be worse, than now. Seriously.
4
It is said that at times a person's past practices can be and indication of future behavior. Trump reinforces that thought given his lack of ethics in his world of business. With that in mind, do rational people believe his administration and office would act in an ethical and transparent manner? Perhaps not as we see the unethical antics that are commonplace in our house on a daily basis as practiced by the administration.
4
What is being missed here is that President Trump doesn't care about ethics. This is how he ran his business; if you don't like what I've done...then sue me. Trump knows that the institutions we have to protect us from corruption and incompetence will not be able to touch him personally. If you follow all the ugly and despicable things he has said and done, the end result is nothing happens. Donald Trump hides behind the law (and the Republican Party). If you really want to affect Trump, you have to go after his business and his money. Money laundering, bribery, etc.....prove those things and he will resign. Ethics is just a nuisance to him.
26
The White House belongs to the American people. The barbarian House of Trump clan is merely the temporary elected/selected hired help of the executive branch of our divided limited power republic.
By refusing to disclose to the American people any information or documents regarding his emotional stability or mental or physical health Donald Trump has shown contempt for any scrutiny. Trump's refusal to disclose his personal, family and corporate income tax and business records shows contempt for any ethics regarding Trump's fulfilling his prime directive of 'preserving, protecting and defending the Constitution.'
Our White House has no aversion to ethical scrutiny. The Mar-a-Lago white house resents any scrutiny. Duke Donald Trump has contempt for any scrutiny and has no ethics. Trump is working for enhancing his personal, family and business wealth.
What will our Congress and our courts do to rectify Trump continuing his plundering and pillaging of Uncle Sam at the expense of the United States of America?
What will the American people do to force their hired help to do their job regarding the corrupt immoral Trump clans depredations on our real estate?
Should we ask Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin to please tell us what he knows about Trump's health and wealth?
By refusing to disclose to the American people any information or documents regarding his emotional stability or mental or physical health Donald Trump has shown contempt for any scrutiny. Trump's refusal to disclose his personal, family and corporate income tax and business records shows contempt for any ethics regarding Trump's fulfilling his prime directive of 'preserving, protecting and defending the Constitution.'
Our White House has no aversion to ethical scrutiny. The Mar-a-Lago white house resents any scrutiny. Duke Donald Trump has contempt for any scrutiny and has no ethics. Trump is working for enhancing his personal, family and business wealth.
What will our Congress and our courts do to rectify Trump continuing his plundering and pillaging of Uncle Sam at the expense of the United States of America?
What will the American people do to force their hired help to do their job regarding the corrupt immoral Trump clans depredations on our real estate?
Should we ask Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin to please tell us what he knows about Trump's health and wealth?
8
Until Republicans put aside their partisan mindset, we will continue to have ethics violations. Why? Because Trump knows the majority party will remain silent. Republicans overwhelmingly castigated President Obama for actions far less egregious and now they stand by without a peep as Trump makes a mockery of the presidency.
13
And yet we still have many apologists for the Trump administration. A "witch hunt", "undermining" the President, "hounding" the President...these and many other attempts to detract from what promises to be the most incompetent, ethically-challenged White House in memory. Whether or not Mr. Trump is impeached or resigns...or finishes his term of office, it is imperative that the dodges and manipulations of the government by unscrupulous individuals is forestalled in future administrations. The "swamp" is real and is in desperate need of draining. The problem is finding the right leaders to do the job.
5
We are reminded on a daily basis that Trump believes he is above the law; that normative behavior does not apply to him. While his aberrant behavior is troubling, his true intent is shocking and is reflected in his stated admiration of despots like Putin, Duterte, al Sissi: he wants to be their American equivalent.
So, it should come as no surprise the Trump administration demonstrates a level of duplicity unmatched in modern political history by failing to fulfill the ethics requirements under which it is is supposed to operate. To his mind, these ethics requirements are nothing more than an inconvenience, mere trifles The Donald need not be bothered with.
Rage as we will about his incompetency -- his ignorance about how government functions; his ignorance about international affairs; his complete indifference to the historical limitations placed upon the presidency by the Constitution -- it is clear, as some have previously postulated, that Donald Trump is dumb like a fox.
What we see taking place before us is not the result of incompetence. How often have you heard someone say 'Well, he just doesn't know any better'? Trump's actions are a deliberate, calculated, and very cunning way, to undercut the very foundations of our democratic institutions -- and of our society.
Trump knows every decent human being feels empathy for the bumbling incompetent; he uses that knowledge as his lever to nudge us closer to his desired position -- that of an American caesar.
So, it should come as no surprise the Trump administration demonstrates a level of duplicity unmatched in modern political history by failing to fulfill the ethics requirements under which it is is supposed to operate. To his mind, these ethics requirements are nothing more than an inconvenience, mere trifles The Donald need not be bothered with.
Rage as we will about his incompetency -- his ignorance about how government functions; his ignorance about international affairs; his complete indifference to the historical limitations placed upon the presidency by the Constitution -- it is clear, as some have previously postulated, that Donald Trump is dumb like a fox.
What we see taking place before us is not the result of incompetence. How often have you heard someone say 'Well, he just doesn't know any better'? Trump's actions are a deliberate, calculated, and very cunning way, to undercut the very foundations of our democratic institutions -- and of our society.
Trump knows every decent human being feels empathy for the bumbling incompetent; he uses that knowledge as his lever to nudge us closer to his desired position -- that of an American caesar.
7
President Trump believes himself a deity who no one is worthy of questioning. Add his complete lack of understanding of government, public and foreign policy, and you have the most perfect of unethical storms.
Dirty players in all areas of life play dirty to gain an edge, weather it be power, money, or simply bragging rights. Trump's obsession of winning at ALL costs is testament to his narcissist, unethical behavior.
He goes bankrupt, several times over. Ask him, and he didn't. He forms a faux university and gets sued for stealing people's money. Ask him, and he didn't do anything wrong. He gives classified information to our enemies. Ask him, and he arrogantly proclaims that it was well within his rights, not whether is was smart. His team is being investigated for collusion with the Russians, undermining the very platform of our democracy. Ask him, and it's fake news.
Welcome to Trumpland -- a fantasy of his own making.
Dirty players in all areas of life play dirty to gain an edge, weather it be power, money, or simply bragging rights. Trump's obsession of winning at ALL costs is testament to his narcissist, unethical behavior.
He goes bankrupt, several times over. Ask him, and he didn't. He forms a faux university and gets sued for stealing people's money. Ask him, and he didn't do anything wrong. He gives classified information to our enemies. Ask him, and he arrogantly proclaims that it was well within his rights, not whether is was smart. His team is being investigated for collusion with the Russians, undermining the very platform of our democracy. Ask him, and it's fake news.
Welcome to Trumpland -- a fantasy of his own making.
18
This is how trump has conducted himself his entire life. This is how his family of origin conducted itself. He knows no other way. His children know no other way. They think ethics, like taxes, are for the little people. It is pathetic.
12
The really frustrating part of all this is sitting and watching as this is all going down with the tacit approval of half the country and two thirds of elected officials and judges.
As a person with more than a bit of experience with law, government and the Constitution, I cannot stress strongly enough how serious this all is. How totally unique it is. How dangerous to the continuance of the democratic republic this is.
Checking and balancing is dead in 2017 as the righty DC ideologues rush to grab power as though it was in the bargain bin at a clearance sale.
And the Trump cultist out there -- the ones who just love rubbing our faces in the Second Amendment (apparently the only sentence in the document they have read but don't understand) -- are dancing around the bonfire, drunk on a cocktail of lies and hatred and vengeance.
2018 is coming. If turnout among those who think America is something more than a candy store for the super wealthy -- and we do have a large majority in our corner -- is not 85 percent or higher, then you will have to wonder if the country is worth saving.
As a person with more than a bit of experience with law, government and the Constitution, I cannot stress strongly enough how serious this all is. How totally unique it is. How dangerous to the continuance of the democratic republic this is.
Checking and balancing is dead in 2017 as the righty DC ideologues rush to grab power as though it was in the bargain bin at a clearance sale.
And the Trump cultist out there -- the ones who just love rubbing our faces in the Second Amendment (apparently the only sentence in the document they have read but don't understand) -- are dancing around the bonfire, drunk on a cocktail of lies and hatred and vengeance.
2018 is coming. If turnout among those who think America is something more than a candy store for the super wealthy -- and we do have a large majority in our corner -- is not 85 percent or higher, then you will have to wonder if the country is worth saving.
13
The more the White House tries to manipulate agencies to stop Mueller"s investigation, the more they incriminate themselves.At this point in the investigation of Russia Gate, it is getting closer to an indictment of Flynn. Comey’s appearance before the Senate committee, may spell the end of the Trump Administration.I take no pleasure in the demise of Trump, for I fear his replacement Pence is far worst.I remember and old Democrat telling me the Republicans are charlatans, these events have proven him right.
5
Like most of Trump's campaign promises, "draining the swamp" was just another lie. He has turned the swamp into a sewer with all the lobbyists, Goldman Sachs alumni and billionaires with dubious histories of how they made their billions. Greed has no ethics, and Trump, his family and his cronies epitomize greed.
9
Ethics what ethics? The POTUS proves ethics are not a required quality to rise to the top in the USA indeed ethics may be a liability that only get in the way. We've elected Biff from Back to the Future to run the country and not Marty McFly.
6
Isn't it obvious the Trump "administration" will simultaneously refuse to follow ethics rules for the swamp creatures it hires and use them as a pretext to fire the special prosecutor Mueller? Will the GOP Congress then finally wake up and impeach Trump or will the stay crouched in fear?
2
Unlike Flynn, Clinton showed up for every hearing held on Benghazi, about her email server, and she didn't take the 5th. She released her tax returns. Flynn, Trump, and the others who have not been truthful, refused to release their tax returns, and are refusing to testify ought to be, as they called for Clinton to be, locked up. The contempt this administration has demonstrated towards Americans is reprehensible. If they feel that they cannot release their tax returns, do not want to be transparent about why some people are granted waivers to work for government, prefer to lie about contacts with foreign countries where money and influence were involved, they do not belong in any branch of government.
People may have believed that electing Trump would end corruption. I think that we're going to see corruption in government like we've never seen it before. In the months since he's taken office we've been treated to one spectacle after another: firing the acting AG, firing Comey, being forced to fire Flynn, sharing highly classified information with the Russians, executive orders that discriminate against Muslims, and best of all, a president who cares more about how many people came to his inauguration than he does about working with Congress. What will the next 3.75 years bring us? A cup of chaos anyone?
People may have believed that electing Trump would end corruption. I think that we're going to see corruption in government like we've never seen it before. In the months since he's taken office we've been treated to one spectacle after another: firing the acting AG, firing Comey, being forced to fire Flynn, sharing highly classified information with the Russians, executive orders that discriminate against Muslims, and best of all, a president who cares more about how many people came to his inauguration than he does about working with Congress. What will the next 3.75 years bring us? A cup of chaos anyone?
10
On a related article today in the NYT's I quote: “The attorney general’s staff consulted with those familiar with the process, as well as the F.B.I. INVESTIGATOR HANDLING THE BACKGROUND CHECK, and was instructed not to list meetings with foreign dignitaries and their staff connected with his Senate activities.” Who was this FBI agent that advised him not to list these meetings? Why ask the question if you are told not to answer it? Is the FBI also compromised in this investigation?
4
Is there a legal basis to get the disclosure of waivers issue before the courts? It seems like the courts are the only branch of government that can look at a policy in anything other than partisan terms. While there are liberal and conservative judges, there is a rule of law, and writing a decision forces analysis.
2
I had read about the effort to shut down the Ethics Office, but now they're trying to weaken the special counsel? Before he's barely begun?
In business, Trump's methods were to push the boundaries of the rules, and the law, and hope not to get caught. When he was caught, he fought back and ultimately settled if the other party didn't drop the case. But the rule of law prevailed, eventually.
In government, especially as the Chief Law Enforcement Officer, Trump cannot behave this way. He swore an oath to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." Did he mean it?
In business, Trump's methods were to push the boundaries of the rules, and the law, and hope not to get caught. When he was caught, he fought back and ultimately settled if the other party didn't drop the case. But the rule of law prevailed, eventually.
In government, especially as the Chief Law Enforcement Officer, Trump cannot behave this way. He swore an oath to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." Did he mean it?
5
Elected officials (and the public) often express disdain for government bureaucrats as soulless automatons, incapable of independent thought or action. With respect to this White House, however, appointed officials have erected the only roadblocks to Trump's efforts to disregard the law. Sally Yates refused to enforce the travel ban; FBI Director Comey brushed aside requests to abort the Flynn investigation; and now, Mr. Shaub has rejected demands that he overlook ethics violations by the administration.
Republican leaders of Congress, on the other hand, have ignored or even abetted Trump's imperial disregard for limits on his own power. Shrugging off behavior that would have aroused them to file impeachment charges against Mrs. Clinton, most members of the GOP have formed ranks beneath the stained, foul-smelling banners of Donald Trump. If the president's carelessness ever forces them to abandon him, these politicians will undoubtedly seek to depict themselves as profiles in courage for daring to challenge the leader of the free world.
But anyone who has paid attention will know that the authentic red badge of courage belongs to a handful of appointees who told the president, no.
Republican leaders of Congress, on the other hand, have ignored or even abetted Trump's imperial disregard for limits on his own power. Shrugging off behavior that would have aroused them to file impeachment charges against Mrs. Clinton, most members of the GOP have formed ranks beneath the stained, foul-smelling banners of Donald Trump. If the president's carelessness ever forces them to abandon him, these politicians will undoubtedly seek to depict themselves as profiles in courage for daring to challenge the leader of the free world.
But anyone who has paid attention will know that the authentic red badge of courage belongs to a handful of appointees who told the president, no.
7
The Democrats have gone down the wrong path of chopping down each unethical tree in the Trump woods when they should have torched the forest first. Before taking office Trump defied convention by failing to disclose his tax returns and declaring that as President he could have no conflicts of interest. We have never had a chief executive who took office while benefitting from a multinational, opaque private business. The Democrats should have walked out of Congress en mass and stayed away until Trump disclosed his business arrangements so that conflicts could be determined and controlled for, and nepotism prohibited.
It would not have been easy, especially with the Republican salivating at the thought that they could now pass their regressive dream legislation. But the Democrats should have confronted Trump's refusal to comport with the norms expected for good governance. He steamrolled his way into the White House, leaving the Democrats to fight a hundred smaller battles.
The reality is that despite all of the ethical lapses and violations by Trump and his administration, no hard proof of collusion with the Russians in election interference will surface, Trump and his party will declare vindication,
and his reign of corruption will thrive. Just as Bill Clinton's popularity soared after the failed impeachment Trump will solidify the support of the GOP and his
base.
and just as Bill Clinton did after the failed attempt at impeachment,
It would not have been easy, especially with the Republican salivating at the thought that they could now pass their regressive dream legislation. But the Democrats should have confronted Trump's refusal to comport with the norms expected for good governance. He steamrolled his way into the White House, leaving the Democrats to fight a hundred smaller battles.
The reality is that despite all of the ethical lapses and violations by Trump and his administration, no hard proof of collusion with the Russians in election interference will surface, Trump and his party will declare vindication,
and his reign of corruption will thrive. Just as Bill Clinton's popularity soared after the failed impeachment Trump will solidify the support of the GOP and his
base.
and just as Bill Clinton did after the failed attempt at impeachment,
1
Excellent article. It's all rather endless, isn't it? The year started with Republicans taking a secret ballot to get rid of the Independent Government Ethics Board. It took watchdog groups + Democrats to intervene to stop this action.
Also significant---as Trump named staff, he and his team ignored contacts from this board as far back as November. Trump sent nominees for senate confirmation without having ethics forms completed, another outrageous development.
Trump’s hiring of his son-in-law + daughter violates the the nation's anti-nepotism statute. She gets a west wing office, security clearance---and magically gets approval for multiple trademark applications in China after joining a meeting with China's head of state and + father. And seen recently taking millions from the Saudis.
The son-in-law business conflicts + failure to report foreign government contacts on his national security questionnaire, his meetings with Russia's Sergey Kislyak--a known spy, his meetings with head of Russian state-owned bank during the transition period.
Both relatives possess zero policy making background or experience in government. As Richard Painter has brilliantly noted in his watchdog role:
by what standards can Ivanka or Jared be trusted to be guided by our nation's best interests or trusted with important matters related to this nation??
Also significant---as Trump named staff, he and his team ignored contacts from this board as far back as November. Trump sent nominees for senate confirmation without having ethics forms completed, another outrageous development.
Trump’s hiring of his son-in-law + daughter violates the the nation's anti-nepotism statute. She gets a west wing office, security clearance---and magically gets approval for multiple trademark applications in China after joining a meeting with China's head of state and + father. And seen recently taking millions from the Saudis.
The son-in-law business conflicts + failure to report foreign government contacts on his national security questionnaire, his meetings with Russia's Sergey Kislyak--a known spy, his meetings with head of Russian state-owned bank during the transition period.
Both relatives possess zero policy making background or experience in government. As Richard Painter has brilliantly noted in his watchdog role:
by what standards can Ivanka or Jared be trusted to be guided by our nation's best interests or trusted with important matters related to this nation??
11
While most eyes are on RussiaGate, it will be Trump's conflicts of interest, nepotism, self-dealing and ethical violations that will ultimately bring him down. No one this corrupt can remain in power for four years. Not in these United States.
74
Ethics is in the eyes of the beholder. It is not as clear cut as law even though the law is also not always clear cut and open to interpretation. Ethics have to be clear cut and the the appropriate punishment for ethics violation have to be crystal clear and any consequences for ethics violations should be uniform and non partisan. There should also be in-house ethics advisors in the white house not just in congress who can be consulted whenever the need arises for understanding complex ethics issues or whenever there are allegations of potential ethics violations. I am aware of that every Government Department has Office of Integrity to investigate ethics violations but these offices should include ethics advisors to prevent any ethical wrong doing. Many times there may not be any clarity in the so called ethics guidelines or rules.
There's no such thing as "Truth, Justice and the American Way" with this administration. They prefer to look the other way. So forget about ethics.
If Trump cared about ethics, most of his cabinet members wouldn't be in his cabinet.
The country is being run similar to the way Putin and his crony oligarchs run Russia.
Trump is a billionaire and most of his cabinet members are multimillionaires, with two of them, Ross and Tillerson, having connections to Russia.
Tillerson has no qualifications to be Secretary of State, other than his ties to Russia. If they could, the administration have done away with the sanctions on Russia, by now. Close scrutiny by the press and law enforcement and intelligence agencies are the only reasons they haven't done so.
Let's hope the administration's efforts to frustrate Mueller's investigations into the Russian interference in the US elections is not successful.
If Trump cared about ethics, most of his cabinet members wouldn't be in his cabinet.
The country is being run similar to the way Putin and his crony oligarchs run Russia.
Trump is a billionaire and most of his cabinet members are multimillionaires, with two of them, Ross and Tillerson, having connections to Russia.
Tillerson has no qualifications to be Secretary of State, other than his ties to Russia. If they could, the administration have done away with the sanctions on Russia, by now. Close scrutiny by the press and law enforcement and intelligence agencies are the only reasons they haven't done so.
Let's hope the administration's efforts to frustrate Mueller's investigations into the Russian interference in the US elections is not successful.
30
"If the Bush administration had told him to concoct legal justifications for evading ethics rules and legal inquiries in this way, Mr. Painter said, 'I’d have quit.'”
I suspect Mr. Painter will become more than just a minor irritant to the Trump administration as this insanity unfolds.
I suspect Mr. Painter will become more than just a minor irritant to the Trump administration as this insanity unfolds.
27
Simply remember that when Trump has referred to the Presidency, whether his or others, he has used words such as reign and rule to describe it. Ethics have little value those who reign and rule over others, whether in a corporate or governmental position, and is actually a hindrance to those exercise of power and accumulation of wealth. Trump never allows anything to stand in the way of power and wealth.
96
Using the words "Trump" or "Trump Administration" in the same piece as "ethics" is an oxymoron writ large. His whole adult life has been unethical. Why would he change now? To Trump, ethical behaviour is for losers.
80
This administration and an overwhelming majority of Republican officeholders across the nation are an affront to the very idea of democracy. For most of my lifetime they have exploited the ignorance and fears of a population they simultaneously seek to oppress. They have worked to undermine the very institutions designed to protect us from tyranny. They have not come to drain the swamp; they are here to drain the treasury.
79
Very well said, RESIST...RESIST....RESIST is our only option.
Like many commenters here, we are frustrated by the continual cover-up of illegalities by this administration. We understand the impeachment process is long and arduous and has need of exact measures, where thoroughness is applied, but what about Flynn? We've known for almost a year, that he was conversing with the Russians, and yet, a year later he is still being protected from the consequences of his breaking our laws. If it took this long for petty theft to be prosecuted, we'd have almost empty corner stores, where people would take what they wanted and leave the area or country before anything was done. Flynn is still having dinner with the President of the U.S. and he has stolen much more from us as Americans. If our laws can be violated so flagrantly from this administration in the White House, what credibility does our justice system hold? On NCIS, if they had someone of interest in relation to a criminal activity, they would pick him up for interview or interrogation, in handcuffs, if need be. Why is this so different? The crimes Flynn is being suspected of include treason. Shouldn't this be taken very seriously? Are we not right to be appalled by this cavalier attitude of this administration?
23
Donald Trump is a man who has relied on non-disclosure agreements, bullying and lawsuits, to do whatever he pleases, hide his actions. and bend/break the law.
Trump has always considered himself above the law and superior to others, and has spent his life surrounded by people paid to indulge this belief.
He's never had to answer to a board of directors or shareholders. Trump had been king of his world.
Now Trump is president. Not king. He does not own America. He works for it.
Trump is an employee of the United States and there are rules, regulations and oversight. He doesn't get wave his tiny hands and make them disappear.
Kudos to Mr. Shaub. This is what a principled government official looks like.
If only Republicans would heed his example. The Oath all of our politicians swear is to uphold the Constitution. Not allegiance to the president. Not allegiance to their party.
530 days to Election Day 2018. Vote.
Trump has always considered himself above the law and superior to others, and has spent his life surrounded by people paid to indulge this belief.
He's never had to answer to a board of directors or shareholders. Trump had been king of his world.
Now Trump is president. Not king. He does not own America. He works for it.
Trump is an employee of the United States and there are rules, regulations and oversight. He doesn't get wave his tiny hands and make them disappear.
Kudos to Mr. Shaub. This is what a principled government official looks like.
If only Republicans would heed his example. The Oath all of our politicians swear is to uphold the Constitution. Not allegiance to the president. Not allegiance to their party.
530 days to Election Day 2018. Vote.
114
The word ethics is one of many that the White House ignores and the meaning of conflict of interests is a foreign country.
The decent persons working for this Administration and the decent GOP Congress people running for reelection in Trump states should stand up for values and speak up. Is better to lose your job than to lose your soul. That is what leaders do.
The decent persons working for this Administration and the decent GOP Congress people running for reelection in Trump states should stand up for values and speak up. Is better to lose your job than to lose your soul. That is what leaders do.
12
A piece about the Russia connection draws thousands of comments while this less than 10.
Possible collusion with Russia is a bad thing that we will eventually get to the bottom of. Making pretzels out of ethics is a kind of cancer that will kill trust in government for generations.
Possible collusion with Russia is a bad thing that we will eventually get to the bottom of. Making pretzels out of ethics is a kind of cancer that will kill trust in government for generations.
62
As a former government employee, former service member, and one who has worked with government agencies virtually all my working life; I know that ethics training is a regular and repetitive part of government employment. The one thing that you'll always remember (if you have more than six fireflies whizzing around in your cranium) from ethics training is it's safest to avoid even the appearance of unethical behaviour. Even the appearance of unethical behaviour reflects badly on you and on your employer, and can lead to complications.
So why is the there anyone, especially the highest office, in our government exempt from ethics standards?
Me thinks that the garbage is over-ripe and should be removed from the building.
So why is the there anyone, especially the highest office, in our government exempt from ethics standards?
Me thinks that the garbage is over-ripe and should be removed from the building.
42
It would seem the Republican triumph of 2016 will become the great unraveling of the GOP as Americans, including those persuaded by false promises to vote for them, realize they were duped and turn vengefully against them. Some of us will marvel that they willfully denied the excess of evidence that these are not honorable people with the country's best interests at heart. However long their enlightenment takes, however, the anger of such obvious and frequent betrayal surely will keep former Obama voters who somehow trusted Trump & Co. from repeating their self-defeating mistake. Won't it? They aren't the brightest bulbs, but surely they learned SOMEthing by getting what they demanded?
6
The trouble with some of these policies, is that they take a long time to implement and the pain that we all know will be inflicted on the unwary public will not really start to bite until some while ahead...maybe even AFTER the next elections in 2018? This is how the unscrupulous count.....
1
Kudos to Mr. Schaub for standing his ground. Now we get a better picture of how Mr. Trump truly ran his businesses too.
My biggest issue with all of this is the continued deafening silence from the majority of the Republicans. Come on - time to man up!
2018 is right around the corner...
My biggest issue with all of this is the continued deafening silence from the majority of the Republicans. Come on - time to man up!
2018 is right around the corner...
25
Those who warned against the normalization of Trump's words and actions were right. Trump has admitted, in just a few words, that he tried to obstruct an investigation. Not only do HIS words and actions speak volumes, but those of his cohorts in crime do, also. In other times, he would have been impeached or in jail by now, but we have so normalized outrageousness that confessions, whether private or public, are ignored or batted away. All you need to do to prove this is to ask yourself where Hillary Clinton would be right now had she done even a smidgeon of what he has done and said.
31
To answer your question of "Why would White House lawyers pursue such a baseless line of attack?" It's "obstruction of justice" as it has been from the very start when Preet Bahrara was fired followed by Sally Yates and then Jim Comey. It's what Trump campaign aide and then head of the House Intelligence Committee, Devin Nunes, attempted to do in preventing Yates' testimony. It's what President Trump himself has admitted now on multiple occasions. Whatever the Russians did in infiltrating the Trump campaign, the pattern of obstruction is identical to that which forced the resignation of Richard Nixon. Meanwhile as the daily "drip, drip, drip" of additional toxic headlines flash across the media, the enabling Republican Congress continues to ignore it and go about the business of the "deconstruction of the administrative state" (aka, our democracy) with a callous greed to deprive the most needy among us of any semblance of a "social safety net" from health care to food stamps to meals on wheels to job retraining all for "massive" tax cuts for the Trump oligarchy. Perhaps this is what Putin really wanted: a Russia-style, and Russian-friendly, kleptocracy of oligarchs controlling the United States.
27
With the GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATE in charge of ALL branches of the government, why bother wasting time and money on investigating anything ethical as this bunch will never impeach one of their own?
Mr. Trump is a Republican and will not be tossed out just because of some silly, Russian influence accusations, true or otherwise.
So save your breath but, instead, hope for some changes next year as some of the 62 million who voted for "Twitler" start seeing the effects of their poor decision making.
Until then, let Mr. Mueller investigate but, really, I don't think we can expect very much at all to happen.
Mr. Trump is a Republican and will not be tossed out just because of some silly, Russian influence accusations, true or otherwise.
So save your breath but, instead, hope for some changes next year as some of the 62 million who voted for "Twitler" start seeing the effects of their poor decision making.
Until then, let Mr. Mueller investigate but, really, I don't think we can expect very much at all to happen.
9
"It takes a serious commitment to incompetence and deception to spawn as many ethical and legal concerns as the Trump Administration has..."
Well, yeah.
Trump demonstrated his commitment to deception during his campaign. Any challenges to his knowledge, his competence, his legal issues over Trump University, his ethical issues over bot paying contractors, his apparent comfort with sexual assault, were met with a barrage of outright lies, mixed with yelling and whipping the base crowd to a frenzy. Next came the distraction. - an attack on Clinton or Obama or Lyin' Ted and his Kennedy-killing father worked wonders.
Why would anyone think he'd change?
Some people voted for him because they think that the deception and shouting shows him to be independent. Some voted for him despite the obvious failings because they like what Congress wants to do. And the other 56% of us were appalled he was elected. We still are.
Well, yeah.
Trump demonstrated his commitment to deception during his campaign. Any challenges to his knowledge, his competence, his legal issues over Trump University, his ethical issues over bot paying contractors, his apparent comfort with sexual assault, were met with a barrage of outright lies, mixed with yelling and whipping the base crowd to a frenzy. Next came the distraction. - an attack on Clinton or Obama or Lyin' Ted and his Kennedy-killing father worked wonders.
Why would anyone think he'd change?
Some people voted for him because they think that the deception and shouting shows him to be independent. Some voted for him despite the obvious failings because they like what Congress wants to do. And the other 56% of us were appalled he was elected. We still are.
13
"Aversion to Ethical Scrutiny"? A very polite headline. It's like saying Al Capone was averse to mediation. We are now run by a criminal enterprise which acts (of course) only for their benefit. When the trump organization is not actively engaging in crime (using their positions for personal gain) they are undermining our government for the benefit of Putin or undermining our civil protections for the benefit of their greedy benefactors. There is nothing now good about our Federal government. Not that it cannot be reclaimed but now, nothing. Less than nothing, under trump it is a danger to us all.
24
Ethical, principled, moral, just etc. are words that are not in the vocabulary of our friend and his minions (i.e., Bannon, Sessions, Kushner) in the White House.
Obstruction, schmoozing, lying, cheating, bullying - the Trump credo, spawned by his father and Roy Cohen, has worked for him his entire life going back to adolescence so why should we expect anything different from this man. Thank God for the press and a handful of principled elected officials who have taken their vow to uphold the Constitution seriously and who continue to call this administration to task for their unremitting disregard for the law.
Obstruction, schmoozing, lying, cheating, bullying - the Trump credo, spawned by his father and Roy Cohen, has worked for him his entire life going back to adolescence so why should we expect anything different from this man. Thank God for the press and a handful of principled elected officials who have taken their vow to uphold the Constitution seriously and who continue to call this administration to task for their unremitting disregard for the law.
13
My minimal old mind (at 80) would appreciate a ruling that forced public servants to (at least for a time) to Have to write their Own public speeches.
8
I'd even settle for them having to READ them!
1
Ethics what do ethics have to do with any presidency or the way this country or continent has been ever been governed. Everyone is out for themselves or their respective tribe and they will do anything they can to secure their relative power and security. Of course, achieved through the rule of law, propaganda, deception and brute force.
Mr Shaub seems to have his finger in the dike, while legislators - GOP side - are pretending there is no flood. Is his office adequately staffed for this mission?
Trump shows that we are not prepared for a President who ignores all rules - who doesn't even care about the appearance of ethical behavior, solely about getting and securing power. What was unimaginable is in our face.
Trump shows that we are not prepared for a President who ignores all rules - who doesn't even care about the appearance of ethical behavior, solely about getting and securing power. What was unimaginable is in our face.
26
Pubic confidence in the government's integrity and expectation of transparency in the executive decision making are crucial to gaining legitimacy for any democratic dispensation. The brazen disregard to the ethical standards in the day-to-day governance by the Trump administration, and the shameful defiance shown by the White House officials to the routine inquiries about the conflict of interests by the Office of Government Ethics leave no doubt that the Trump administration is systematically undermining the legal and ethical standards associated with the high office of the US President, causing,in turn, a serious crisis of confidence in the system.
63
This is getting sick. Trump is pulling out all the stops to end the investigation and few have found the guts to bring it to a head. He seems to truly believe he is above the law and has no sense of decency to boot. Our country is run by a madman whose base has made everyone afraid of him, or worse, too many people still believe they can achieve their own goals out of this chaos.
Left to his own devices and those of his supporters we can look forward to the end of democracy. That, by all appearances, seems to be what they're trying to accomplish.
Left to his own devices and those of his supporters we can look forward to the end of democracy. That, by all appearances, seems to be what they're trying to accomplish.
187
I put the most blame on our Congress. Trump is one corrupt dishonest and possibly treasonous man; Congress is an elected body who by their JOINT actions are refusing to honor the Constitution and provide mandated oversight over a President unable to perform the duties of his office--while actively profiting by that office.
29
Susan, we elected these people. The blame belongs to the voters who decided that they wanted this group of Republicans in Congress and Trump in the White House. If America goes down the proverbial drain we have to look at ourselves, our priorities, etc. In short, as adults who can vote we are responsible for at least 50% of the mess we're in now.
2
Events every day underscore the critical importance of an independent judiciary. It's the only governmental entity placing any kind of limit on the so-called president's power, since the Republican Congress has completely abdicated that role.
109
And a free, honest, and open press. That and the judiciary are our last best hope.
18
The Times' Editorial Board rightly questions the glaring lack of ethics in the Trump White House. But, another important question is who among the Republicans in Congress has any ethics (or patriotism for that matter)?
What we have been witnessing since Trump began his occupation of the White House is nothing less than Republican complicity, duplicity, exploitation and traitorous party-before-country coverup.
If you are going to demand ethics in the Executive Branch you might need Congress and the Supreme Court to back you up. It appears that support is not forthcoming. In fact, Republicans in Congress should also be the subject of ethics investigations.
Following the shock and awe of the rise of the Trump regime, the American people took a collective deep breath, reminded ourselves of and took comfort in our Founding Fathers' wisdom in creating government checks and balances. Since the regime took control, it has become apparent that the Republicans in Congress have been all to willing to forget their oath to uphold the Constitution.
Trump and his Republican tribe are shaking the very foundation of our democracy. We are being overthrown by Russians who have presented America with a Trumpian Horse. At this point, would it even surprise Americans if Trump issues an Executive Order which suspends the 2018 congressional elections?
Was this how the Roman Empire fell? Is this how democracy ends? If we accept an unethical White House, Congress and Supreme Court, shame on us.
What we have been witnessing since Trump began his occupation of the White House is nothing less than Republican complicity, duplicity, exploitation and traitorous party-before-country coverup.
If you are going to demand ethics in the Executive Branch you might need Congress and the Supreme Court to back you up. It appears that support is not forthcoming. In fact, Republicans in Congress should also be the subject of ethics investigations.
Following the shock and awe of the rise of the Trump regime, the American people took a collective deep breath, reminded ourselves of and took comfort in our Founding Fathers' wisdom in creating government checks and balances. Since the regime took control, it has become apparent that the Republicans in Congress have been all to willing to forget their oath to uphold the Constitution.
Trump and his Republican tribe are shaking the very foundation of our democracy. We are being overthrown by Russians who have presented America with a Trumpian Horse. At this point, would it even surprise Americans if Trump issues an Executive Order which suspends the 2018 congressional elections?
Was this how the Roman Empire fell? Is this how democracy ends? If we accept an unethical White House, Congress and Supreme Court, shame on us.
181
JABARRY: now you are getting it. And yes, the undermining of ethics and morality, mostly in Senate governance is what allowed the "Caesar" to become the one man rule that eventually expanded the Army to untenable limits and undercut the trade system that fed the Empire and brought about its downfall.
3
Everybody who does unto others what they bawl to high heaven about when it is done to them is utterly unworthy of any position of public trust whatsoever.
3
Next step: France, 1789 redux.
Donald Trump isn't simply amoral, greedy, grabby, and dishonest. He's bizarre. Time and again he accuses his opponents of transgressions or crimes, then spins around and performs the same actions, at double speed, and more brazenly. So ... Obama played too much golf and spent taxpayers' money on vacations? Trump griped, but now out-golfs and outspends him. Hillary lacked the stamina to be President? Trump was reportedly exhausted after one day's travel. He railed against any Democrat who spilled national security secrets ... and now he's leaking like a sieve.
Trump accused the Clinton Foundation of crimes, while using his own "Foundation" to pay bribes to a Florida attorney general. He attacked the Clinton Foundation for accepting money from the Saudis and other nations "who want women as slaves and to kill gays." "Hillary must return all money from such countries!" he thundered (can a Tweet thunder?). Well now the vague Ivanka Foundation, allegedly dedicated to women's welfare, has accepted $100 million from the Saudis.
Then we have the incompetents, rigid Christians, racists, and destroyers he's recruited for his Cabinet. Pruitt, DeVoss, Sessions, Carson, Perry, and more.
I've never seen a nest of rattlesnakes, but did interview a few PA snake hunters who described the buzz you can hear under the big warm rocks. This rock is buzzing.
Trump accused the Clinton Foundation of crimes, while using his own "Foundation" to pay bribes to a Florida attorney general. He attacked the Clinton Foundation for accepting money from the Saudis and other nations "who want women as slaves and to kill gays." "Hillary must return all money from such countries!" he thundered (can a Tweet thunder?). Well now the vague Ivanka Foundation, allegedly dedicated to women's welfare, has accepted $100 million from the Saudis.
Then we have the incompetents, rigid Christians, racists, and destroyers he's recruited for his Cabinet. Pruitt, DeVoss, Sessions, Carson, Perry, and more.
I've never seen a nest of rattlesnakes, but did interview a few PA snake hunters who described the buzz you can hear under the big warm rocks. This rock is buzzing.
510
Trump's actions are simply acts of transference. He accuses his 'opponents.' whomever they are, of the actions of which he himself is guilty.
It's a commonplace ploy.
It's a commonplace ploy.
Yup. You can always tell what Trump has done/is doing/will do by the litany of wrongs of which he accuses others.
6
Ethics, honesty, curiosity and empathy are traits that most people are born with. As we develop and experience life the expression of them define us in human terms. Trump and each of his appointees seem devoid of one or many of these traits. Instead they appear to only have traits of indifference, intolerance and cruelty. The lack of willingness to follow rules, demand exceptions and ignore reason are hallmarks of this administration. Let's hope that this is the bottom of the barrel and Americans in future elections demand more of our elected officials as well as of ourselves. This will be the path to making America great.
29
This Administration's Justice Department has appointed a independent counsel within four months of taking office, something that the Obama Administration never did in eight years.
49
This is a gross simplification. We really need a fully independent special prosecutor, so trying to portray Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein as some kind of ethical hero is absurd. His dubious role in the Comey firing has yet to emerge.
You are also taking a gratuitous swipe at Obama for no reason. Your puerile deflection exposes you as a blind partisan.
You are also taking a gratuitous swipe at Obama for no reason. Your puerile deflection exposes you as a blind partisan.
2
"This Administration's Justice Department has appointed a independent counsel within four months of taking office, something that the Obama Administration never did in eight years."
You may not believe me but there is no law against presidenting while black, so no independent counsel was required.
You may not believe me but there is no law against presidenting while black, so no independent counsel was required.
1
That's because under Obama, there was no need for an independent counsel. The Republican Party has been hijacked by traitors and congenital criminals.
Even if Trump wins reelection, they're going to be back out on the street in seven years, why does that seem like such a long time to them?
I wonder why trump, his family and pals try so hard to appear guilty of something?
61
The question I ask myself when reading articles like this is, what of the citizens that voted for Trump? Granted a few million likely weren't observing him closely during the campaign, but 10's of millions did observe and still voted for him.
Trump's background and personality were on full display, his wheeling and dealing in real estate, bankruptcies, a pathological liar, and always changing his position to suit the circumstances, etc. That's the person I saw campaigning.
So why did 10's of millions vote for him? I can only come to one conclusion. They voted for him because they liked what they saw. A liar, unethical, incoherent, unstable, and misogynistic bully.
So, what does that tell you about our country and where we're headed?
Trump's background and personality were on full display, his wheeling and dealing in real estate, bankruptcies, a pathological liar, and always changing his position to suit the circumstances, etc. That's the person I saw campaigning.
So why did 10's of millions vote for him? I can only come to one conclusion. They voted for him because they liked what they saw. A liar, unethical, incoherent, unstable, and misogynistic bully.
So, what does that tell you about our country and where we're headed?
204
Trump enablers are juveniles who believe in the magic of fire. They want Trump to burn it all down so a wonderful phoenix will rise from the ashes.
4
Many, many voted for him because he put an R behind his name, and for no other reason. The country is full of people who believe that a D behind your name makes you worse than Trump as a human being. These people don't read, don't think, don't do anything except believe what they want to believe, and what Fox News tells them.
4
Exactly, exactly, exactly.
Looking at your elected officials behaviors is like looking in the mirror. This is our government. The one we created. Cringe all you like at the deeds of those in power, but remember: if we wanted better, all we'd have to do is vote it in, but we don't. We're too lazy and distracted to educate ourselves into an informed populace. Until we become that informed group of voters that demand better, we will continue to be fleeced by those that are willing to lie and deceive to enrich themselves at our expense.
And we will deserve it because we let it happen.
Looking at your elected officials behaviors is like looking in the mirror. This is our government. The one we created. Cringe all you like at the deeds of those in power, but remember: if we wanted better, all we'd have to do is vote it in, but we don't. We're too lazy and distracted to educate ourselves into an informed populace. Until we become that informed group of voters that demand better, we will continue to be fleeced by those that are willing to lie and deceive to enrich themselves at our expense.
And we will deserve it because we let it happen.
2
Anyone shocked, or mildly surprised?
NYT, lets see some articles tying up all the loose ends. The private and now public shenanigans of the Reump and Kushner empires. Start with CIM, the LA based bankroller behind both camps real estate deals in NYC.
NYT, lets see some articles tying up all the loose ends. The private and now public shenanigans of the Reump and Kushner empires. Start with CIM, the LA based bankroller behind both camps real estate deals in NYC.
23
Easier said than done, since the investigations are just starting, and who said anyone was surprised?
1
There are plenty of loose ends, that can be tied, spliced-in to others, to show a consistent, although still frayed line of behaviors.
Regretfully the press never spent enough space on all the Trump and later Kushner dealings.
The surprise Q was rhetorical...duh.
Regretfully the press never spent enough space on all the Trump and later Kushner dealings.
The surprise Q was rhetorical...duh.
Humpty Trumpty said "transparency" is opaque!
13
The Trump administration seems determined to set new standards for depravity and intellectual dishonesty.
I have to wonder if there is anything that will make Congressional Republicans finally stand up and say:"Enough is enough!" I have my doubts that there is.
I have to wonder if there is anything that will make Congressional Republicans finally stand up and say:"Enough is enough!" I have my doubts that there is.
140
“They’re trying to use the ethics rules to fire a special prosecutor,” Richard Painter, chief ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush White House, said. “That’s insane.” If the Bush administration had told him to concoct legal justifications for evading ethics rules and legal inquiries in this way, Mr. Painter said, “I’d have quit.”
Please Mr. Shaub and others overseeing White House ethics, don't quit! That only will only inspire our increasingly autocratic chief executive to appoint someone more to his liking.
I don't know why more people aren't upset about Mr. Trump's behavior. His supporters, those who voted for him, think he's doing a super job and that anyone daring to critique him is preventing the big man from making America Great Again.
But Mr. Trump is acting like he spent 3 years studying Russian Oligarchy 101 at Moscow University. He's blasting through our system of checks and balances unchecked. Nary a peep from Republicans about the egregious--and suspicious--moves he continues to make to suppress requests from Ethics Office regarding his noncompliance with conflict of interest laws and hiring of lobbyists that fly in the face of his campaign promises.
In four months, there's already enough ammunition to generate years of lawsuits over conflicts of interest and other ethics violations.
Donald Trump is acting above the law on so many fronts because so far he can.
Please Mr. Shaub and others overseeing White House ethics, don't quit! That only will only inspire our increasingly autocratic chief executive to appoint someone more to his liking.
I don't know why more people aren't upset about Mr. Trump's behavior. His supporters, those who voted for him, think he's doing a super job and that anyone daring to critique him is preventing the big man from making America Great Again.
But Mr. Trump is acting like he spent 3 years studying Russian Oligarchy 101 at Moscow University. He's blasting through our system of checks and balances unchecked. Nary a peep from Republicans about the egregious--and suspicious--moves he continues to make to suppress requests from Ethics Office regarding his noncompliance with conflict of interest laws and hiring of lobbyists that fly in the face of his campaign promises.
In four months, there's already enough ammunition to generate years of lawsuits over conflicts of interest and other ethics violations.
Donald Trump is acting above the law on so many fronts because so far he can.
315
Just as an aside, the Bush administration did seek out legal justification for torture.
7
That's his modus operandi and he has gotten away with it, he sits back and smiles because as appalling as his behavior is , all we do is wring our hands, not sure about the Republicans , maybe they're giving him enough rope to hang himself by or just enjoying the show.Everything has been throw out the window and suspect his followers approve because that's exactly what they want, blow it all up , don't want government, lets go back to the wild west when everyone pretty much did what they wanted , took what they wanted , and the biggest of all , paid no taxes.
8
Christine, you KNOW why Trump supporters are unmoved: the disorder is precisely why they voted for him. They sincerely want to blow up government because they believe that IT is the enemy, a la Ronald Reagan. And they will also love the anarchy that results because most of them live in sparsely populated areas where only their gun is necessary for "law and order."
6
While djt sees himself as operating with impunity, having declared a POTUS can't have conflicts of interest, such is not the case for his advisors - they would have to depend on his peripatetic self to issue blanket pardons, assuming he isn't impeached and those powers therefore stripped.
As an administration staffer, what to do, what to do ?
Prob'ly going to be lots more ' memos to file ' composed, #CYA.
As an administration staffer, what to do, what to do ?
Prob'ly going to be lots more ' memos to file ' composed, #CYA.
56
The Trump Administration refuses to cooperate with attacks on itself.
It gives far too much reason for such attacks, and ignores far too many basic rules. However, to expect it to cooperate with enforcement against itself for its own violations is just naive. Of course they won't. Nobody would.
They should behave better, but if they don't, it can't be expected they'll help attacks on themselves for it.
It gives far too much reason for such attacks, and ignores far too many basic rules. However, to expect it to cooperate with enforcement against itself for its own violations is just naive. Of course they won't. Nobody would.
They should behave better, but if they don't, it can't be expected they'll help attacks on themselves for it.
2
"The Trump Administration refuses to cooperate with attacks on itself."
And this resistance suggests innocence?
Robert Durst hasn't admitted to killing his first wife or his best friend. Shall we just set him free until the unlikely moment he decides to confess?
And this resistance suggests innocence?
Robert Durst hasn't admitted to killing his first wife or his best friend. Shall we just set him free until the unlikely moment he decides to confess?
And that's why the nation needs to attack it relentlessly until it is gone.
Granted that Trump’s aversion to ethical scrutiny is excessive, but my life so far has encompassed the administrations of a round dozen presidents, from Ike to The Donald, and I don’t remember a single one of them who welcomed such scrutiny – not even Jimmy Carter. They probably all realized at one point or another that such scrutiny too often is merely the excuse for “resistance” to an agenda a dedicated opposition deploys in an attempt to repeal the results of a legitimate election. Can’t say I blame them, Republicans OR Democrats. Or Trump.
Sometimes, though, and despite the given and accepted wisdom in Washington that no issue really ever dies so long as its championship still can provide the pretext for a political candidacy and Elizabeth Warren’s relevance, it’s nevertheless probably time that Trump and his people gave up on this one. Let the ethics people do their work, let Mueller root about in lives, let Sen. Warren continue to pretend to be relevant. In the absence of a smoking Kalashnikov, Kushner and Bannon will continue to be relevant to our governance while some Democratic senators will not. And, in time, the stars will die leaving us with an empty void … and Trump no longer will be our president.
But regardless of the passage of time and presidents, no doubt that whoever is in the wilderness will argue that the president is averse to ethical scrutiny.
Sometimes, though, and despite the given and accepted wisdom in Washington that no issue really ever dies so long as its championship still can provide the pretext for a political candidacy and Elizabeth Warren’s relevance, it’s nevertheless probably time that Trump and his people gave up on this one. Let the ethics people do their work, let Mueller root about in lives, let Sen. Warren continue to pretend to be relevant. In the absence of a smoking Kalashnikov, Kushner and Bannon will continue to be relevant to our governance while some Democratic senators will not. And, in time, the stars will die leaving us with an empty void … and Trump no longer will be our president.
But regardless of the passage of time and presidents, no doubt that whoever is in the wilderness will argue that the president is averse to ethical scrutiny.
1
EVERY president is averse to ethical scrutiny? Well, perhaps, but every president since Nixon with the present exception of Trump has made his tax returns public. Then, perhaps you missed the section where any waivers to the rules for government appointees during the Obama administration were made public with an explanation of why the waiver was granted. Just what is this weird hero worship you have for Trump? It certainly leads you to write absolutely nonsensical drivel.
248
Why is it that some people can see unprecedented corruption and still find it in their hearts to offer shelter for the corrupt?
76
I'm surprised, Richard, that you took the long cosmic view on this when I expected you to offer Trump the best advice he could get on this whole mess, namely hiring John Yoo to write all the memos, excuses, rationalizations, waivers and justifications for his agenda. On the other hand, there's some things even John Yoo won't do. Next best would be Sarah Palin, if only because it would be years after his second term before anyone could figure out what she was saying.
After watching Sessions, Gowdy and a host of other apologists/enablers this week, I was reminded of "Django Unchained", the scene where the mob of bad guys contemplates "well do we wear the hoods or not?". It's right up there with Slim Pickins and company singing "Camptown Ladies" in "Blazing Saddles". Both describe perfectly the inner working of our current administration. Meanwhile most of the rest of us are echoing a line Harrison Ford delivers in every film he's in: "I'm beginning to get a bad feeling about this". Of course, you seem to think everything will be great (again) if we just go along with Plan 9 from Outer Space, and follow this monster from the Id currently occupying the oval. Be careful what you wish for, lest you find yourself crying out "soylent green is people!".
After watching Sessions, Gowdy and a host of other apologists/enablers this week, I was reminded of "Django Unchained", the scene where the mob of bad guys contemplates "well do we wear the hoods or not?". It's right up there with Slim Pickins and company singing "Camptown Ladies" in "Blazing Saddles". Both describe perfectly the inner working of our current administration. Meanwhile most of the rest of us are echoing a line Harrison Ford delivers in every film he's in: "I'm beginning to get a bad feeling about this". Of course, you seem to think everything will be great (again) if we just go along with Plan 9 from Outer Space, and follow this monster from the Id currently occupying the oval. Be careful what you wish for, lest you find yourself crying out "soylent green is people!".
17
His pattern and practice is a non-compliance to all rules and promises; then to pick fights and use outrageous legal strategies to bolster preposterous legal claims. Too often it works! His leased hotel, ruled acceptable despite a government standard that clearly says elected officials can hold federal contracts from which they profit; his Florida club, where the government pays for his entourage; Ivanka's brands, hot in many countries, are funnels of fast accumulating cash.
His tax returns are off limits to public eyes. He engages in bellicose public ugly that violates standards of decency.
Add the cabinet: oligarchs marked by shady dealings, fixated on profits tied to greed that want to throw out the rules; add his own rule making, an executive order that exposes investors to advisors who are no longer legally compelled to put investor interest first (justified by a cabinet member as wider "choice"!); his healthcare will cost 14 million immediate coverage, raise elderly premiums, and give states the option to disqualify pre-conditions--he believes profit is more important than the air we breathe/the water we drink; he seeks to overturn new national monuments; his Ed Sec might fund discrimination.
The scales of justice are covered with slime and weighed with sleaze! His son-in-law sues former residents of properties he owns who were not residents when they were purchased. His people have no moral compass. They worship wealth, indifferent to its pain and waste.
His tax returns are off limits to public eyes. He engages in bellicose public ugly that violates standards of decency.
Add the cabinet: oligarchs marked by shady dealings, fixated on profits tied to greed that want to throw out the rules; add his own rule making, an executive order that exposes investors to advisors who are no longer legally compelled to put investor interest first (justified by a cabinet member as wider "choice"!); his healthcare will cost 14 million immediate coverage, raise elderly premiums, and give states the option to disqualify pre-conditions--he believes profit is more important than the air we breathe/the water we drink; he seeks to overturn new national monuments; his Ed Sec might fund discrimination.
The scales of justice are covered with slime and weighed with sleaze! His son-in-law sues former residents of properties he owns who were not residents when they were purchased. His people have no moral compass. They worship wealth, indifferent to its pain and waste.
406
Seems like Mr. Schaub is a lone voice in the wilderness trying mightily despite his only power being public outrage to rein in a white House whose name is now a byword for corruption--both fiscally and possibly treasonous. The GOP Congress should be greatly shamed by the sight of this one man doing THEIR mandated work of oversight while they collude with our dishonest President.
21
Does Attila the Hun come to mind?
2
They have no shame ! Hypocrisy and greed rules the GOP Congress , the old boy's club is still in place there . People were appalled by backroom deals now that's not necessary , it's out in the open and has been for sometime .
2
Trump's unorthodox style of consistently and willfully lying with his charges of fake news is escalating our slide towards fascism.
316
Past administrations have always had some ethical improprieties, but this administration is the worst and the man at the top is the king fish. The NY Times or the Pope talking at him will not change Trump, because this is who he is. The phrase "the fish rots from the head down" has been used so often with Trump it may be appropriate to nick name him President Rotting Fish.
438
In Trumpworld ethics don't exist,
What always counts is the mailed fist,
Always a surprise
With new tactics lie-wise
These Visigoths wouldn't be missed.
We're reliving old Roman times
With a ruler that's riddled with crimes,
Will strong midterm voting
Succeed in demoting
A crew that democracy slimes?
What always counts is the mailed fist,
Always a surprise
With new tactics lie-wise
These Visigoths wouldn't be missed.
We're reliving old Roman times
With a ruler that's riddled with crimes,
Will strong midterm voting
Succeed in demoting
A crew that democracy slimes?
116
The right wing Republicans for decades had Koch and other billionaires funding a whole range of activities, gerrymandering, investigating Clintons, so forth.
The Democrats and the left, have to step it up, play hard ball.
I don't even know what that means yet.
I think we're looking at oligarchy.
We're looking at fascism.
We're looking at military industrial complex.
Consolidation of wealth and power.
We have to hold our wits about us, and deal with it.