It appears the purpose of this is to sow discord. Putin must be laughing in Moscow.
9
Like Duh!!!!!
You saw it coming.
You saw it proposed.
You saw it put in place.
You saw it put into action.
Only now it becomes obvious?
38
There is an old saying, crash and burn!
11
Yes, the winning team and their followers drained the purported swamp;
and replaced it with a teenage werewolf who cannot pass security clearance.
24
Can you imagine all the reddish pasty conservative heads that would have exploded had Barack Obama done 5% of the things that Trump is doing?
76
As Louis XIV put it, "L'etat, c'est moi." (The state is me, or I am the state.) The Sun King was a man after Trump's heart.
21
I’m not suffering from TDS, Trump derangement syndrome, but TF , Trump fatigue.
Our president is using his buddy Putin’s blueprint for using a nation as his own.
37
Hey Republicans, anybody up for a profile in courage? Opportunity is ripe and your response is telling. When will enough finally be enough? Sad.
42
Washington is turning into "Pottersville!"
15
To more than a third of the US population, this logical, fact-based opinion piece is simply another example of fake news.
38
Kushner engineered his father-in-law's election by a successful strategy that outmaneuvered a very experienced Clinton machine. This was not a trivial accomplishment, all the more so precisely because he had no experience. He can't be stupid. At least in this respect, there is merit.
The NY Times' concern about nepotism is understandable but overblown. The real problem is: where's the beef? It's driving me crazy that his Middle East peace plan has not yet been revealed. Why is it taking so long? It'll either be the greatest thing since sliced humus or just another failed attempt like those that preceded it, or worse. If it lives up to its hype, I don't care even if Kushner is a pedophile. We can send him to jail later, but first let's see the plan.
5
I met a traveller from an antique land,
Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. . . . Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;
And on the pedestal, these words appear:
My name is Trump, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.”
With apologies to Shelley and Ozymandias
12
So we have the Clintons to thank for the Trumps, again. Ain't that just swell.
10
For once I agree with the NYTimes; DT should have never selected his son in law to a position of advisor in his administration. What's his claim to fame? Being in the 1% of rich folks? It sounds like a banana republic especially if the appointment gives no tangible results. This said, I am a Trump supporter and would have never voted for Hillary C. for she is as sulfurous as he is and a political mafia in their own right. Bottom line - stop hiring your family to public posts!!! We're not a third world country. Period.
4
Our White House and Oval office are not the property of one family, notwithstanding the incomprehensible adoration of their loyalists. political party sycophants, and the unlettered hoi polloi in their red Trump M.A.G.A. golf caps. America's House of Trump is a house of nepots. Period, the end.
19
Part 2 of this opinion is even more alarming. How can the majority leaders in the Senate and House put up with this reckless behavior by our President? Perhaps they have a secret agenda to get rid of him. The phrase " You dig your grave you lie in it " comes to mind.
14
And the Republicans love the looting.
26
Kushner's antics have turned the West Wing into the office of the BadaBing strip club in "The Sopranos." Blogger Charlie Pierce put it best re Jared" Slick, compromised and stupid is no way to go through life son."
15
"A legacy of family control... has never been embraced in public service by Americans, who...rejected a monarchy to form the United States."
Not just "monarchy" (rule of one!); the US rejected the peerage--class/caste system--political offices filled on the basis of family/class connections rather than knowledge and competence--aka "Aristocracy" ("aristos" meant best!!).
Rejected to establish"rule of law" and "natural authority" aka "meritocracy."
Knowledge/competence are the basis of natural authority--those with less defer/obey those with more--even paying for the privilege--in all professions--education, medicine, engineering etc--the crafts and arts.
"Bureaucratic authority" need not be natural--and thus is often galling. It's bureaucratic authority that corrupts absolutely. Nor is crony capitalism (rule of wealth/capital) based on law and competence
See Samuel Pepys (1660s) diary for bureaucratic corruption--
"...his illicit affairs...his friends, and his dealings...jealousies, insecurities, trivial concerns...fractious relationship with his wife....The juxtaposition of...politics and national events, alongside the very personal...
As secretary to the [Admiralty] board, Pepys was entitled to...various gratuities and benefits that came with the job–including bribes." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Pepys
Trumps and Trumpies are exceptions only as nouveau riche, parvenus--unable to coverup ineptitude with social grace and accents. Reagan was better.
2
Countries around the world see a For Sale sign on the White House with naive Jared Kushner at the ready. Why does H.R. McMaster allow this when he is head of National Security? The entire administration are a bunch of clowns driving the clown car into the ditch and creating a slow motion Saturday night massacre.
29
two things:
looking at the photos of these two who are both nearly 40 i can't help but wonder what sort of beauty aids they are engaging with
look at the skin - no wrinkles, no lines, - what's up with that?
would be interested in someone giving the low down on what exactly jk is up to - injections? botox? stem cells? blood of virgins? he looks strange and not real
is their some aging photo in the closet?
also why couldn't you work into this that they have both been reported to be dump as the day is long - and of course think of themselves and really smart
jared the D student whose dad bought his way into harvard - surely his harvard grades can be gotten - harvard employees, do some leaking
7
Kusther is a little boy with a little girl's voice. Incompetent, greedy, and ill-equipped. A know-nothing who can go nowhere. This is the Swamp. Republicans bought it, own it, and will lie and die in it.
26
But I bet Hillary and Rosalyn could both pass FBI background checks no problem!
16
Where were all the words when Ms. Clinton was equally nepotistically anointed?
1
Thanks for this soft-touch analysis. Please get the spine to call it what it is: treason.
25
Hubris, unbridled arrogance, disregard for law, ignorance, and increasingly placing this Country in great international peril - the twisted, tormented, inept and chaotic ride this disgrace of a POTUS and his incompetent cabinet are taking the American people on. Get out and vote in the midterm elections people unless you want this bloated buffoon and his band of robbers to stay the course.
10
Okay, okay, enough with the Trump analysis. We already know and have read countless articles on the Trump destruction of the presidency. The answer to a president out of control is Congress. When is the NYTimes going to begin hardhitting, in-depth, and sustained investigations into Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Devin Nunes, and the other key players that are just jaw-droppingly and blatantly abrogating their duty to stop this family? Something is not right! These key leaders in Congress are either already compromised by Russia or something else profound is happening behind the scenes. This Congress was ready to run investigations into a Clinton presidency fulltime as their professed congressional duty and suddenly they've been switched off like now inanimate rag dolls in the face of this ferocious, fast-moving cancer? Stop being mesmerized by the Trump shiny object and get cracking on his check and balances. Dig, dig, dig into Paul Ryan especially who won't even heed his fellow Republicans who are asking him to reign in Nunes et al. He's up to something; someone is pulling his strings. He must be made to feel the heat and harsh spotlight. Please expose him ASAP!
31
Note graph 4.
Hilary Clinton's policy and administrative ambitions are of more than parenthetical importance in an editorial about presidential nepotism.
2
Is this a real photograph? And if so where was it taken?
Hey Dems? GOTV. That is all.
P.S. Stay off Twitter and Facebook. Both novelties, like Cabbage Patch Dolls. Fun at first, but turn evil.
2
"Kushner...... a 2bit hustler" & his wife " Veronica Lake".... a couple of Candy store stick up artists........no more no less.......strictly nickel & dime!!!!..
5
If only House of Trump was like House of Cards... sexual misconducts and you are fired!
1
mafia crime families are much better at their jobs
3
At least JQ Adams and Robert Kennedy had some claim to competence. The Trump Family is a clown car of airheads and flim-flammers--thankfully. We can confidently expect that they'll be hoist with their own petard soon: you can be evil, or you can be stupid, but if you're evil AND stupid you'll eventually get caught. May it be speedily and in our days.
10
They are all crooks. Jail them all.
5
VOTE!!!
14
Lock 'em up!!!!
7
What makes Trump's nepotism appalling is that his daughter and son-in-law are palpably unqualified for any of the tasks they've been assigned. Indeed, as Trump packed one complex, sensitive international and national issue into Jared's portfolio, you wondered whether Henry Kissinger or James Baker (or even those two in tandem) would have been up to the task. We're now wondering how Trump will survive without Hope Hicks by his side, forgetting perhaps that like Ivanka and Jared, she is first of all a clothes horse that Trump felt comfortable with. She lacked experience, expertise and knowledge. But why should we be surprised by any Trump appointment's unpreparedness for the tasks he assigns? Anyone watching Trump embarrass himself during his DACA and gun control meetings can see the man simply does not know much about anything. He might even care less.
13
This is just the sort of thing that gives nepotism and cronyism a bad name.
6
President Trump's failure to disclose his tax returns speaks for itself. Strangely, this is no longer an issue - at least the NYT does not dwell on this in its nepotism series. If there is no collusion in the Russia affair, then let's see who have been the customers of the Trump organization over the years and how none of them are linked to the Kremlin...
9
Trump has redefined 'First Family.'
He puts his family first and America last.
8
How exactly did Clinton set a precedent for what Trump is doing? By charging the first lady with a social dossier (health care)? All first wives take on policy roles and causes. Was it nepotism when Ronald Reagan had his wife pursue a (misguided) anti-drug policy?
13
The Congressional Republicans know that in essence they are a minority party. They are never going to rock the boat. Like deer caught in the headlights -damned if they do act and damned if they don’t. They currently hold power because of an antiquated voting system. They won’t challenge a grossly incompetent President of their party. Why in this age when expediency is required in addressing major complicated issues do we end in gridlock where little or nothing positive is accomplished? A system that allows two senators from an underpopulated state such as Wyoming as much legislative voting power as the two senators from California. Hillary Clinton won the popular vote but loses the election because of an electoral college. Our Presidents should be elected on the basis of receiving the most votes. Perhaps the current system had some validity 200 years ago, it has very little today. So here we sit with a band of grifters and incompetents in the White House making critical decisions that effect us all. It could become worse before it gets better.
12
Trump family clan ? More like a family of grifters doing the old pay to play game . His supporters got what they wanted which shows where their values lie , but they will never admit to it . Explode Washington ways , in doing so they threw out every constraint that was placed there for a reason . Trump is only doing what he has always done , nothing new there but suspect they didn't think this one out or didn't care . Their folly will become evident soon enough because as they say , time really flies .
4
Wouldn't JFK also be the one who used nepotism? His brother was the attorney general
1
Things have to change. The president of the united states seems to be able to do anything he wants, same as Putin in Russia
6
There is a relevant distinction between the appointments of Secretary Clinton in President Clinton's administration and the Trump family members. Secretary Clinton was well qualified for the appointment. Trump family members are staggeringly not....to the point of jeopardizing national security.
Qualifications notwithstanding nepotism undermines confidence in the institution.
I must ask at this point what are the Republicans in congress waiting for? They are complicit in the dismantling of our democracy.
12
Is Donald Trump really Clinton's nemesis? Since I have such a hard time thinking of her as thinking much of him I also have a hard time thinking of her thinking much about him. Trump's gonna Trump; he never pretended to be anything other than the monster that he is. I would hope that Clinton's principal griefs and grievances are with the sixty-three million American voters who blessed Trump with their vote; I know mine are.
4
The House of Trump? Sounds like the House of Usher. Which, as we know, suffered a Fall.
Well, the sooner the better. For all of us, and not just in the U.S.
5
Donald Trump's lack of decency and morality was there to be seen by anyone who looked but those who voted for him didn't care - they just wanted change and closed their eyes and minds to the truth. I find it hard to believe that so many still think he's a decent president and would vote for him again!
5
Until we have more effective laws, it will be a noble gesture on the part of President Trump to CREATE groups of "SWAMP OMBUDSMEN/WOMEN" and appoint his supporters on them. This is a simple way to make America Great again! In fact, his supporters themselves should demand this. For generations to come, it will help prevent DESPOTIC NEPOTISM.
1
Introducing and passing laws with teeth to protect all the norms that Trump has broken should be at the top of the agenda for a Democratic Congress.
1
Imagine the hue and cry that would have risen from the republican rank (and I do mean rank) and file, the fundamentalist pulpits across the Nation, and the republican congress had either Clinton or Obama owned a property at 666 _________ (fill in the blank).
That tidbit about the address of the Kushner's is one of my favorite ironies in this whole soap opera.
5
The public sector is littered with nepotism, and suffering because of it. One only has look at university administrations across this country to see the damage it has caused, and the colossal financial heartache it creates for students because of un-fireable ineptitude. Hidden within these administrations this is one of the biggest scams in state governments, reaping gold-plated retirements for performing little to no valued work over 20 years.
1
On September 11, 2001 a group of Saudi nationals assembled by Osama Bin Laden crashed commercial jets into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The immediate result, killing over three thousand people and bringing the World Trade Center crashing to the ground, far exceeded Bin Laden's and his conspirators' greatest expectations. In 2016, the President of Russia, executed a plan ostensibly begun in 2014, if not in fact earlier, to effect the election of his chosen candidate to become President of the United States. Its purpose was to undermine American global interests, especially vis a vis Russia's and Putin's personal financial interests. The plan succeeded succeeded far beyond Putin's and his conspirators' greatest expectations. After November 2, 1941, one of Japan's Generals warned Japan's political leadership, "We have awoken a sleeping giant." Indeed. Again, after September 11th, Americans awoke. Now of course, after Tuesday November 6th, 2016, many of our fellow citizens remain asleep. As for the rest of us, we have awoke and have no hesitation to act on our country's behalf. Have no doubt: we will succeed.
3
What happens when investigations indicate a President's family members are guilty of a criminal offense? The President has to choose between duty and family, never a position our leader should be in.
2
Like so many things, the idea that the things that Trump does has precedents is thin at best. The Trump family has a long history of close business relationships with shady characters. They have continued those relationships in the campaign and in the White House. They are using the White House as an office for their businesses and profiting mightily from selling their hospitality services to the Secret Service. This is completely unprecedented. I remember the scorn that Hillary received right from the start in the health care debate. The Republicans have treated Ivanka and Jared as the crown prince and princess. Just because they look bright and shiny and not old and vulgar doesn't make them any more honest than the Con Artist in Chief.
6
Trump behaves like he is King. Kings surround themselves with loyal family and advisers. They enrich themselves and their friends. I'm grateful to the press and the courts to hopefully save us from an autocracy.
Meanwhile he scares me. I fear for my country.
7
There is no doubt that Trump has abused his position by placing his family into such high positions in the government. It is an obvious breech of the federal ethical laws prohibiting the selection of relatives & spouses to the civilian positions of the government. Why has nothing been done to enforce this law against Mr. Trump? Part of the reason for all of the chaos in the White House is due to the ineptitude of Trump's chosen staff members. Of course, Trump himself is at the center of the chaos with his constant tweets and ex tempera comments.
2
While Trump and his crime family syndicate were well known to certain parts of the country as grifters and con artists, the unethical and perhaps illegal shenanigans are not a surprise. What is absolutely shocking and untenable is the GOP Congress refusing to do anything or even say anything about them, and when they do, it's to cover for them. SAD.
8
The election of Trump was an exercise in fantasy by those who voted for him. They thought that if someone just stopped the way things were done and just allowed things to proceed from a new start, that it would all just work out fine. It just showed that half the voters had absolutely no clue about how the country in which they lived operated differently than all the other countries through out history. It has resulted in having a man in the Presidency who really never wanted it. He ran to win a popularity contest not to have one of the most consequential jobs in human history. He quite sensibly in his own mind felt that he would suffer great loss if he disassociated entirely from his businesses while in office, and indeed he continues to head his business enterprises. During all the time that he has been in office he has not learned either how to perform the tasks which Presidents must nor how to find expert help to enable him to do so. It's clear that he's bored to death with most of what Presidents do but he likes the spotlight, he likes pageantry, and he likes to be treated like the most powerful man on Earth.
2
I disagree that the Clintons opened the door to this sort of nepotism. Hillary was First Lady. Perhaps a role with no defined responsibilities, but part of what the American people got when they elected Bill. I think it is different than putting your children in a defined position. In fact, JFK's naming his brother, RFK, is exactly why the law was created.
3
So what should we be expecting next?
March -- Coinciding with Spring breaks and March Madness, demonstrations -- some of them violent -- will begin breaking out at liberal-leaning universities, colleges and high schools. Many of these will be led by women and young girls.
April -- Steve Bannon begins organizing a “Make America Great Again Party.” The Ku Klux Klan expresses its support for the party.
May – Trump announces he is joining the new party.
June – Alt-right groups and their opponents announce major demonstrations in Washington. Street gangs from Detroit, Chicago, Baltimore and elsewhere decide to join them. The resultant carnage is epic. Trump declares martial law and says he is suspending all constitutional rights for "the time being.”
July -- Mueller announces that “despite many creditable leads” he has been
unable to gather “sufficient hard evidence” to bring criminal charges against Trump. He refers the matter to Congress, which declines to act.
August -- A nationwide effort is begun to place a likeness of President Trump on Mount Rushmore.
September -- The U.S. government purchases large plots of land in very isolated parts of the country and surrounds the plots with electrified barbed wire.
October –- In conjunction with the upcoming holidays, alt-right organizations set up "kettle campaigns" inside shopping centers where they will sing Christmas carols, distribute their literature, gather new members and seek contributions.
3
It should come as no surprise that Trump would engage relatives in pursuit of his worldview that anything— including the presidency— can be monetized (and befouled). Indeed, he’d license and brand the very air we breathe if there was a way to do so, and considering his EPA appointee, perhaps he will.
4
Very good article. No Trump fan here but objective enough to appreciate your pointing out what damage the Clinton's did as well. They truly paved the way for Trump.
5
It's a difficult situation though, for presidential spouses. If you know much about Hillary Clinton's life before the White House, or if you consider her education and achievements, or those of Michelle Obama - it's a tough spot for women like them to be in. Should they really be expected to just stop being productive, to effectively end their own careers? I'm not sure it's practical or reasonable. Different for someone like Melania Trump, whose work life as a model had come to an end, or someone in a more traditional mold, like Laura Bush.
1
It was not the Clintons who set precedent for family employment, but rather the Kennedy's.
11
You are right. The author makes reference to 50 years ago anti-nepotism law being created. This law was created in response to JFK appointing his brother Bobby to the post of AG. Thus the precedent.
It should have been evident to the even most ardent Trump supporter that when he hired Omarosa, he was unfit to be president.
21
There is no one in the House of Trump with the intellect to engage in any intrigue. There is nothing curious nor arousing nor fascinating nor complicated nor surprising about the House of Trump's White House manufactured multiple machination, manipulation and mayhem. Donald Trump was always open and overt about his maddening methods.
What is intriguing is that 63 million Americans voted to install the House of Trump in the White House knowing exactly who Donald Trump was and still is. The real malign masters of intrigue are former FBI Director James Comey and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump exposed himself as a moral degenerate bigot money worshipper while hiding his personal and family income tax returns and business records from the business records from the American people.
The House of Trump has always been a Barbarian Organized Crime Family. There is intrigue in the House of Trump only if you think that the movement of an amoeba or the spread of a fungus is intriguing.
14
Trump and his family unethical? Imagine that.
7
How is it possible that the Trump Crime/Grifter Family is allowed to use our country to enrich themselves and their friends? How is it possible that we have come to this and that still 64,000,000 American citizens think this is A-OK?
A Con Man has captured our White House. A Con Man and his unethical, immoral family might actually destroy us as we also have a Congress, in total control by traitorous Republicans, who will do nothing about it. We who can see clearly and understand this to be a very major problem in our government are in agony and those 64 million who love Trump love it that he's 'sticking it to us'. It's really what they care about most. They don't seem to even understand the calamity that this long train wreck of Trump and his family bring.
So not only do we have a president who is easily manipulated and played by people much smarter than him, we have his son-in-law, The Prince, a man with no experience on the world stage who can also be easily played. He is in DEBT up to his eyeballs and he is using the White House to solve his own economic woes. His wife, also unqualified, is supposed to be the Daddy Whisperer and keep everything stable and happy. But all they do is hurt our country through these very wrong actions.
If Hillary had won the Electoral College (which failed this country) and had plopped Chelsea and her husband down right next to the Oval.....well, it wouldn't have happened.
These Grifters must be tossed out. Now.
27
Really - who cares if Jared accesses govt secrets. The person we should really be afraid of having access is trump
7
I wouldn't worry about that, he won't read them
3
The problem goes much deeper than nepotism in this White House. The entire staff are a bunch of neophytes incapable of learning anything. it's just one crisis after the next. And the American people are at their mercy.
17
Bone Spurs- the product of nepotism himself, is not, and never has been, a "businessman". He inherited his wealth and his lack of moral compass from his father - also a racist sleaze - and became a real estate developer. He followed the time-honored practice of many developers who make their money by intimidating zoning boards if they can and buying them if they have to.
22
If he'd been inclined to appoint family members qualified to fill the positions to which they've been appointed, it might be different, but this is a clown car. That having been said, it's also important to remember that Republicans in general don't value government, so qualification is always secondary to cronyism of one sort another.
14
There is no valid comparison whatsoever between the appointment of Hillary Clinton, whose education in law and career in public service before then to lead a single task force on health care, and the appointments of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, who have no relevant education, experience, or even demonstrated inclination toward public service, to staff positions with West Wing offices and access to classified information, and yet with no clearly defined portfolio or policy goals. The false equivalency drawn in this editorial is absurd “what-about-ism” unworthy of the New York Times.
25
The 45th is completely "out of phase" still living in the fifties. He is "busy" retrograding everything from trade accord to international policies. It is not surprising that nepotism resurface here. But there is more than that. Even the most ignorant president will at least ask the specialist for guidance. Well...It seems that Trump think he knows everything without informing himself. The result is chaotic, un-focus, irrelevant even dangerous! The common denominator in the Trump administration from the top is incompetence. I'm afraid it is hurting the US quite a lot.
10
About mid-way through "Fire and Fury" and it is a decent road map that connects the dots of the chaos.
5
at least RFK was competent and had the best interests of the country at heart. you cant say that about any of the trumpies
15
As I recall JFK named his brother Robert attorney general ( after this father paid off the mayor of Chicago to throw the election to him). Nepotism is ok as long as you keep it in the family.
2
Mr. Trump and his circus will be out of office one day. He, and his family, as he has suggested of Mrs. Clinton, will be investigated and if guilty charged for crimes well after they have left office and likely when a Democrat occupies the Oval and is disinclined to pardon. When all is said and done, every stone turned over, his and his family's crimes may set another American precedent: prison time and seizure of assets for a former president.
9
If I didn't find them all the very worst of people representing our human gene pool I would almost feel bad and sad about them all. They have great wealth but they have not evolved. They lack substance and character and are all one dimensional cardboard figures of corruption. They are walking billboards for corruption.
They are also a HUGE cautionary tale for America as far as how low does nepotism go.
13
It is obvious that the nepotism at the White House has had a corrosive influence since the very beginning. One official after another has left making the first year turnover in the Trump presidency unprecedented. I don't think anyone should be happy about the chaos this creates. But considering how destructive Jared and Ivanka Kushners' lack of experience and business dealings are, it might be best if the couple returned to New York City, where they might be happier anyway.
4
Did Trump not say he was exempt from conflict of interest laws during the campaign?
Did not Trump signal during the campaign that his family would be influential advisors?
Did Trump ever have any dealings with honest people?
Did not Trump become President anyway?
"A nation gets the government it deserves" and the United States as we knew it no longer exists.
6
I'd say I was flatly against nepotism in the White House but there's a night and day difference between Bobby Kennedy and Jared/Ivanka. Bobby was brilliant and totally dedicated to being a great top law enforcement officer in the land. Jared and Ivanka are privileged takers, arrogantly prancing about 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for no good reason other than their own aggrandizement. Not hard to see why. Look at their DNA. Jared, the son of a convicted felon, and Ivanka, the daughter of a soon-to-be convicted felon. I would actually have given Trump a pass for creating chaos in his first year based on the fact that he was totally in over his head. But no. He has created chaos deviously and willfully with his blatant chicanery and corruption. He's champing at the bit to eliminate Sessions, Rosenstein, and Mueller because in his tiny, twisted mind, it would extricate him from the mess he created, and that's the way he has always done business as the heir of a family-owned company. His legacy? Donald Trump broke the mold of the traditional presidency and ended up a broken man.
19
Why don't we hear from Republican stalwarts like Orrin Hatch, Grassley and Graham among many, on these appointments?
4
The Republican Party thought it was cool to nominate him, the voters and electoral college agreed too. So he has a lot of street credit now, and the majority of rust belters seem to agree. Besides a few New York Times critics, the public at large expects this nepotism as an acceptable part of the deal in stirring the swamp in D.C. The public at large may see the Trump administration as doing no wrong here because it takes what it takes to make changes in D.C. Keep in mind, anyone connected to the Trump White House is moneyed to begin with, so when they leave, they are much better equipped to make lots more money and/or become lobbyists of one sort or the other through their White House experience. There is a "Trump effect" in this that will be much longer lasting than the public anticipates. The public has accomplished one thing in this; building a more elitist lobbying platform going forward. Two things the public has embraced this week; love of assault rifles, and inbred self interest. They can't get enough of both.
2
I applaud The NYT Editorial Board for publishing this series of articles. They are not only timely and well-written, but can prove to be historic in their import.
As a grandfather, I become very concerned when I observe that the US is inching towards another war in Middle East. From recent terrorist attacks in Europe, it is clear that such wars no longer will be contained within borders of a single country. They can easily engulf the whole region, spill over into Europe and, with Russia getting involved, turn into WWIII overnight.
So, it makes me worried sick to see Mr. Trump to be under the influence of the most corrupt, most power-hungry, and most manipulative politician in the Middle East. The man who sees wars and occupation of other peoples' lands to be the solution to every problem his country has faced. A politician who has specialized in demonizing other ME countries for their human rights violations, but has little regards for human rights of his own minorities and those who are suffering under his country's control.
9
The really sad, and important, thing is that Trump does - not - care - one - iota. He has no understanding of history and government, he has no interest in understanding history and government, and he has no clue and doesn't care about the traditions and ethics of the office he occupies. He's is a profoundly anti-intellectual, shallow, narrow-minded person. To all you people out there who voted for him, if you happen to be reading the NY Times, this is the man you elected. He's rotting the country from the inside out.
12
Trump thumbs his nose at the establishment, discredits expertise, plays mister know it all and his base loves it. America suffers at the hands of Trumps guru dictator Vladimir Putin.
2
Any thinking person knew before Trump was elected, that both the Trumps and the Kushners are a family of shady characters, with paucity of morality and ethics and an innate ability to manipulate the laws! We have elected a leader (?) with no governing ability by a portion of the electorate who believe in No Government and a like-minded Congress.
10
To think that God sacrificed his only son. Blatant nepotism. Where is the outrage where it really belongs? Pales in comparison to putting up a young married couple with kids for the same though.
"Kushner’s family business has received loans from the companies of people with whom he met in the White House."
Is this anything like accusing a SoS of giving "access" for contributions to her foundation?
Oh, right—she doesn't personally profit from the foundation.
America will not function properly again until Trump and his entire gang of grifters, impostors, incompetents and fools is removed from power and made an example of. This will happen, exactly the way it is supposed to, despite the treasonous spinelessness of the GOP. I wonder if anyone, Trumpists or Trump haters, are fully prepared for what Mueller is going to say. The jig is nearly up for Trump and his pals. They are a legal pin-cushion. Prosecutors don't soft-ball and dither and present "both sides" like pundits do, they prosecute. And as the only non-partisan we can turn to for the truth, he will be listened to. Don Jr is up to his eyeballs in the Russia/Wikileaks theft and election meddling, Javanka has a slime trail, and there is no telling how many staffers will be facing charges of lying to the FBI, where there are no "white" lies. They will be throwing each other overboard as they claw for seats on the lifeboat, all while the ship goes down and the Captain jabber-tweets his almost-comic mixture of Fox baloney and pure, desperate panic.
6
"In a twist of history, the acceptance of Mrs. Clinton’s role handed her nemesis Donald Trump justification for putting his own relatives in power and running the White House like his private real estate business."
The view of Bill and Hillary as enablers of Trump is worthy of thoughtful consideration by all on the Left. Would it be surprising were we to learn that this was Mr. Putin's analysis all along?
We on the Left must meet our friends, countrymen, and fellow patriots on the Right and come together to save the Union. On this we must agree to agree, and to keep talking until we find common ground.
1
For all his faults, Joe Kennedy Sr. instilled in the Kennedy family the idea that the country had been very good to the Kennedys and they had an obligation to serve their country and, especially, those Americans who did not enjoy their wealth and opportunities. I doubt that kind of idea has ever crossed Trump or his families minds.
6
Special hiring authority? Then hire somebody for the special qualities they bring to the job, not because they're special to you.
1
I contend that being able to profit from being POTUS is WHY Trump pursued it with serious vigor. Sure, early on, he was just bashing Obama and being a windbag, but once he realized how much he and his family businesses could profit, he shifted gears, and really went for it. When he go on about 'I won' he means, he won the right to do anything he wants, including profiting from being POTUS. This, in his mind, is all part of winning.
And now, by extension, we're seeing the Trump effect with JAVANKA and his numerous cabinet appointees -- they supported Trump, they win too. From Kushner's pursuit of financing, to all the travel abuse, to Ben Carson, the guy overseeing low income housing, spending outrageous amounts on unnecessary furniture. And that's just stuff I know about.
These are disgraceful times, and this is what the voting electoral chose. Here's hoping we do better in the upcoming elections.
7
When the 2016 presidential election cycle started in earnest, I said -- loudly and often -- "anybody but a Clinton or a Bush (at the time Jeb and Hillary were the presumptive nominees). The country needs to move away from this whole royal family concept."
Never did I imagine that the alternative would be worse, and in the same way.
3
And that is why the rules cannot be bent. Because they will then be broken. Letting Clinton serve (even though she was actually qualified) leads to Kushner (who appears not be qualified to much of anything except father Trump's grandchildren)
3
The only way to stop this is to have a Democrat congress after Nov. 6, 2018. Nothing else will help. Mueller will try, but Trump is immune to prosecution until his term is up.
3
"[Trump's] behavior is a warning that ethical traditions and culture are not enough. Lawmakers need to harden some of these norms into law, to safeguard the executive branch and the public trust..."
Indeed, the need is clearly urgent to codify into law that every president-elect before assuming office must make public 5-10 years of their tax returns and put all their assets in a blind trust. And a law prohibiting family members from having any official role whatsoever in the executive branch. There are more than enough qualified and public-spirited Americans to erect a firewall between the president's family and the executive branch. Maybe the Trump nadir in good governance is a shock we needed to take action to reinvigorate our democratic traditions.
3
Cronyism? Nepotism? Let me start with the question, “Why are judges recused from certain cases?” It is not just that a judge might be biased or prejudiced one way or the other. It is that there is an appearance of that bias or prejudice.
So when we get to cronyism and nepotism, the case against these practices is similar. It’s not that a brother, sister, mother, etc might not be qualified to do a job, or even be highly qualified, it’s the appearance that they are in that position because of cronyism or nepotism. The pres will say something like, “I trust or know” these people. I feel what he means is, they will drive the correct direction down his one-way street of loyalty.
The pres, himself, has no experience running anything but a family business, regardless of its gross income, never mind net unknown profits.
So likewise, his son and daughter have that same limitation.
This country is not a family business, and it can’t be run like one.
Now, the pres considering his personal pilot as head of the FAA.
He knows the guy. Trusts the guy. Qualified?
How about the maître D or a busboy at the restaurant at Mar a Lago? I’m not saying that they would not be the most qualified people in the country to hold any position in this administration, however, based on what we see, I doubt it.
And beyond cronyism and nepotism, we have its cousin, rampant ‘conflict of interest.’
The pres is a drug addict. And his main drug of choice is chaos.
2
And we can publicize it on the front page of every newspaper and website and tv station, morning, noon and night. As long as ""Fix News .com keeps 97% of uninformed readers unaware of it nothing will happen.
It's been a year and three months and the right has done a good job of keeping their followers ignorant.
5
"Abandon all [rules], ye who enter here," might as well be painted above the doorway of the WH.
No one with a reliable moral compass dares affiliate themselves with Big Daddy T for the long haul except for family members who were lassoed in. Nepotism in this case was the only way to get the help he needed. "This job is harder than it looks."
His children are parenting him. His lawyers parent him. And the GOP keep daring him to moon the other kids on their playground of D.C.
3
The ascent of Donald Trump to the White House is the American manifestation of the current global spasm of autocratic and nationalistic conservatism. Brexit, Marine Le Pen’s National Front, Duterte, Erdogan, most (all?) of the Middle East (including Israel), Russia (well, nothing new there)...sometimes it seems like this scourge is everywhere. Call it facism, nativism, protectionism or what you will, one can only hope that, this time, these fear-based ideologies will be uprooted before they blossom into large scale armed conflict, as they did during the last similar spasm in the mid 20th century.
3
A ride through important cultural, and legal context for the incredible of running the the WH, and government as a family fife. A guy who gets his daily briefing from Fox and Friends, won't read written briefs, and now starting a trade war. Jeez, what's next? No sense that this offices are for the people, not him.
1
It is very troubling and reprehensible to see the very proud and nationalistic party(GOP) that shudder at the slightest thought of other country,especially ,one that has always has been adversary to the US would interfere in national election and not utter a single protest word. What happened to those,I am talking of the senate and house majority leaders who were only happy to waste time and money after made up scandal of’Bengazi’ and opposed appointment of Justice for SCOTUS. Very hypocritical and lacking even minimal moral and ethical standards of everyday live.
5
This article mentions 3 trademarks given to Ivanka trump. Why no mention of the 30 odd other Chinese trademarks granted to trump himself? trump spent 10 years fighting for a construction related patent in China and it was granted right after he became a presidential candidate. As soon as trump became president he pulled the US out of the Paris Accord and thus handed billions of dollars of green technology business to China.
3
Oh Jared, Jared, why art thou forsaken me!
For I so love my country, not that i love you less
If only this were a novel and not real life. If only it were a Greek Tragedy - pitiful and terrifying. If only it were a Canto from Dante’s Inferno, If only it were a Morality Tale meant to warn and prevent harm.
But it’s none of these. Instead a Crime Family is demonstrating that “Crime does not pay” - as the dirty laundry hangs out in full view - smelly and filthy and unclean to the point of rotten.
Trump keeps saying “no collusion” but the Triumverate of Trump, Jared and Ivanka is a Collusion of Criminals, so inexperienced in government that they are taking each other down, down, down.... the drain. These arrogant folks are turning out to be so clueless and stupid, that’s it would be laughable were it not so tragic. Because though they’re harming themselves, they have caused untold harm to the nation. And it will take generations and great suffering before we’ve been able to clean all the filth they’ve dumped on us.
Thanks to the Times for this (dreadful) series.
5
All correct . . . blah, blah, blah . . . it matters not one wit to Trump supporters and enablers, of which there are millions. And, so, the decline of America continues.
4
The nepotism is bad enough. But would it be too much to ask for just one of them to be even remotely competent?
Aside from inheriting a business from Daddy (a convicted tax cheat and witness tamperer) and wildly overpaying and over-leveraging to buy 666 5th Avenue, what exactly are Jared Kushner's main accomplishments in business? And what has he accomplished in his "special advisor" role? Can you name anything?
And Ivanka--like Jared, she used Daddy's money, and built a brand that is now, by most accounts, in shambles. And what has she accomplished in her "special advisor" role? Anything?
Donald Jr. and Eric--exactly what have they accomplished in business, aside from being born into the Trump Lucky Sperm Club?
Appointing Bobby Kennedy was wrong, and Bill's skirting of the law with Hillary was also wrong. But at least Bobby and Hillary had some qualifications and experience. The Trump crew is a bunch of poseurs and empty suits, long on genetic good fortune but short on qualifications or competence.
4
The goings on in the people’s White House does not intrigue me. It frightens me.
2
It is the political equivalent of gene splicing. Except that it a cancer gene being spliced into the DNA of the Body Politic.
1
No system - be it political, social, economic, religious, cultural or whatever - can be better than the people who control it.
The Founding Fathers were elitists who attempted to entrench power in the hands of an elite minority. Because they were not nearly as brilliant their descendents imagine, they created a deeply flawed system that has been usurped by a minority mob of white supremacists
Americans cannot get good laws unless and until we rid ourselves of Trump and his Russian-Republican co-conspirators who are treasonously warring against American democracy.
4
We keep hearing about what a bright guy Jared Kushner allegedly is, but his hubris and shameless exploitation of his connections to enrich himself - with no regard to who finds out about them and without any thought about the consequences for himself - reveal him to be a complete nitwit.
Jared's dad did time in a federal penitentiary for tax evasion and other white collar crimes. The apple sure doesn't fall far from the tree in the Kushner family. They're all awful people.
3
This isn't even an interesting reality show. Too bad the name "Honey Boo-Boo" was already taken.
But it was ok with the NY Times when Bill appointed his wife (with no experience in the field) to head health reform, giving her an office and staff in the West Wing.
1
It not " merely " the usual nepotism. Trump truly believes that by appointing these patently unqualified, incompetent sycophants and hacks to positions within his Regime, he is insulating himself. After all, who would jeopardize a highly visible, low work job??? This is throughout his cabinet AND the West Wing. Well, Donald. Most people really don't wish to go to Prison. Even for you, Dear Leader. Seriously.
1
Ivanka should be excluded from this analysis. Unlike her exceedingly incompetent husband, she has no portfolio, she only has pet projects (e.g., paid leave). Ivanka has taken on the role of First Lady, while Melania has been functioning as a school age daughter, and Jr. has been channeling his inner Billy Carter.
1
Not only has Trump chosen nepotism over patriotism, but he has put two corrupt incompetents in the White House. Kushner is so busy trying to salvage his real estate debacle with illegal loans from foreigners that he has no time to fix the Middle East- as if that were ever remotely possible. He is a dunce with money and no ethics. And he's repeatedly lied to the FBI about contacts with Russia and other foreign entities, before and after he came to the White House. And Ivanka thinks every event is an opportunity to sell her shoes and other knockoff "fashion." These two have no business being near the White House, let alone in it.
3
When are they going to build a Trump gift shop inside the White House so they can peddle their foreign made wares?
3
Yet another example of how the Clintons paved the way for the Trumps.
1
Of the Trumps, by the Trumps, for the Trumps....
127
Those that voted him into office expected him to break any and all traditions, but actually support and defend the constitution while putting our citizens first in all things. Not Hillary.
1
As an American, the most disgusting comment from this sleazy Trump administration has been President Trump's boast of how Ivanka and Jared are sacrificing by working for all of us for free.
Really?
Turns out, they are using their positions to enrich themselves far beyond a measly government salary.
Can we please remove these sleazy grifters from our White House?
24
There has never been a more corrupt, mendacious, greedy, and incompetent administration.
25
Well, actually there is a reason that trump hung the portrait of Andrew Jackson on the wall of the oval office.
1
These are a great set of article's. I knew the trump government was full of nepotism and very corrupt however the extent you describe surprised me. The GOP made such a overblown issue about HCs e-mails and BCs white lie how can they let trump stand. Trump runs a white house where half of the staff run around with no security clearance while the other half enrich themselves at taxpayer expense. I ask a simple question to the GOP in general and trump supporters. How would you react if President Obama or HC were doing the exact same things as trump???
23
I'm exhausted by the trump family saga along with the chaos in the West Wing. Electing a man with no governmental experience was bad enough, but he uses his lack of knowledge as a badge to his base. They see him as 'the Marlboro man' and Clark Kent combined (despite his bone spurs). It seems the only two not receiving compensation from the trump White House are Melania and Barron (both of whom would probably be happier in NY). Jared as an adviser to the Mideast is a joke. He has no more negotiating skills than DT (despite what DT thinks). Ivanka, selling her dress from the nomination win moment, and then going on to get Chinese business is no better. DT's sons have become richer by supplying wine to his hotels, including Mar-a-Lago. Everything has turned into a business venture making the trumps richer.
We have been duped by the Cabinet's expenditures from dining room tables to first class travel to quietly dismantling the organizations they are supposed to be leading and overseeing. Worst, though, is the chaos in the West Wing. People are leaving in droves- hint: trump's leadership ( or lack of) style. Why Jeff Sessions stays is beyond me. Like Melania, the public humiliation is hard to witness (let's not get into her 'she knew what she was getting into ). Why the Rep leaders fall into lock step is beyond me too.
He insults, belittles, flip flops and struts. Let's hope either the midterms clip his wings or Mueller finds something soon. Though, Pence no better.
17
"Why the Rep leaders fall into lock step is beyond me too. "
Because of the rewards($$$$) that the Koch Bros, Adelson, Mercers, etc... dangle before the ethically challenged zombie republicans.
Remember the $500, 000 that Koch Bros gave Paul Ryan, plus I'm convinced deposited several million in Ryan's offshore secret bank account.
3
The horrible tragedy of this whole Trump affair is that the accidental president is really and truly too ignorant to understand why why the restraint on nepotism is relevant and too stupid to understand how has painted himself into a corner that will likely take down his whole crime family.
What they are doing in public office is no different from what they have been doing in their corrupt personal businesses for decades. But doing it in the arena of public service is a mine field for which they are not prepared.
Make no mistake...even if Mueller fails to prove collusion (possible) he will not fail to prove obstruction (take it to the bank). Even with the pardon power in his hands, Donnie will not escape the myriad charges against him and his family members in state courts over which the president and his successor have no power. Trump & Co. have reached for a bridge too far.
You may corrupt the DOJ for a while...but you can't corrupt all the the states' attorneys general forever. "I fought the law...and the law won."
14
The saddest part of this horde of dunces is that Trump doesn't realize that he's the biggest one of all. He simply likes to install department heads that are like him because he feels superior to them.
11
First of all, the mini empire is failing to bring in enough cash to refinance all of their debt each time it comes due! This is really an inside track, into what those who were ignorant enough to vote for this man, will see after our own economy starts to hit the skids, like what he did to his own businesses for years. The daughter didn't marry far from her father's tree, when it comes to arrogance, and absolutely no financial acumen whatsoever, and is trying to hide his Russian connections.
5
Remember the calls for how we need a 'business man' to be President and that a woman President would be 'too emotional.' Yup, I rest my case.
23
Lyndon Johnson was criticized for selling a few cattle while sitting behind his Oval Office desk, but this situation today is ridiculous. If this is what 'Democracy' is about, then give me a 'benevolent dictator' like Ataturk any day.
For those unaware of the great Turkish leader's attributes, he forbade his family members from involvement in either economics or politics, and he himself died owning nothing more than a modest home. That is why his legacy survives even despite his brutal suppression of the Muslim clergy.
4
Millions of Americans are horrified at the damage The Grifter Trump Clan has done to our country. The Republicans will be remembered for their complicity in this travesty at the ballot box.
17
If Ivanka and Jared had a lick of patriotism (or common sense), they would both get out of the White House and return to New York immediately. Sadly, neither seems to understand that having a starring role in "As the World Turns: White House Version" may not be so lucrative in the long run.
2
It just goes to show how hypocritical and morally bankrupt the GOP has become. Oversight of this administration is a joke. They might as well disband the committee for all the good they’re doing. Of course we knew Trump would be like this, what still surprises is the total lack of a backbone by the GOP, even as Trump converts them to radical right wingers who will surely lose ground in the upcoming elections.
7
"It just goes to show how hypocritical and morally bankrupt the GOP has become. Oversight of this administration is a joke."
What is really shows is the extent to which the GOP is almost totally dependent on, and frightened of, Trump's base.
2
It was JEB!, yes that JEB!, that said in late 2015 during a primary debate that a Trump presidency would be chaos. JEB! returning to this theme that Trump could not be President because of the in JEB!’s word “chaos”. Meaning that this chaos would be a clear and present danger to America. JEB! was spot on, but what is interesting is just how the chaos has been manifested beyond the and the incomprehensible, inflammatory tweeting and constant lying. Specifically, Trump has also sewn massive chaos by his utterly corrupt and incompetent appointments. Trump is the Chaos President. JEB! warned us all.
5
My opinion is that I doubt the Trump/Kushner family thinks there is anything wrong with taking advantage of their position to personally profit. Being a con man does not mean you cannot be conned. The Trump/Kushner family's greed and avarice make them perfect marks for foreign governments to manipulate. Why would you not appoint those whose loyalty you can count on,and fire those who dare to question the greatest president (in his own mind).
8
So you are saying that none of them have a conscience, none of them know right from wrong, etc. They are all morally bankrupt.
2
The incompetence of the Trump Administration extends deep into its agencies, and not just on the senior levels. Some of my friends who have worked for the government for years in Washington under Democratic and Republican administrations are appalled by the caliber of professionals being installed into even mid-level political appointments by these clueless charlatans. The result is that the dedicated and knowledgeable professionals are leaving government in droves, creating a hollowed-out government I’ll-prepared to address the domestic and international challenges increasingly confronting our country, especially as a consequence of Trump’s own incompetence.
Without hyperbole, I am deeply frightened by what we have brought down upon ourselves by electing this man with no morals, no character, no ethics.
10
"The founders would have dreaded a president like Mr. Trump. His behavior is a warning that ethical traditions and culture are not enough. Lawmakers need to harden some of these norms into law, to safeguard the executive branch and the public trust from future presidents eager to use America’s highest office to benefit their families."
You think?
4
If there was a Performance Evaluation System for the POTUS, Mr. Trump would have failed, over and over again.
As pointed in this editorial, Mr. Trump has broken with so many conventions. Not only has he moved away from our rich traditions, he has no respect to our Rule of Law. In many situations, Mr. Trump wants to say, he is the POTUS, and therefore, the laws do not apply to him.
It is not fair to place all blame on Mr. Trump. He is a businessman, a realtor, and had confined all his knowledge and experience to his business. Mr. Trump is also a celebrated TV personality. A great marketer and salesman. He promoted himself, and was able to convince the people with his long list of promises. He did great at it. The people believed in him, and convinced that he is the right choice. The people voted for him, because, the people wanted a change. And, the republican party, proceeded with nominating Mr. Trump.
Now, whom do we blame? Is it the people who voted for Mr. Trump, Mr. Trump himself, the republican party, or even the system? Very complicated.
So you are saying that if you are a businessman or a realtor or a marketer or a salesman, chances are that you are corrupt and dishonest, a superb con man. In today's US, that may be more true than not, but it is nothing for any of us to be proud of.
"If there was a Performance Evaluation System for the POTUS, Mr. Trump would have failed, over and over again."
The only such system is the ballot box.
Mr Trump`s failure to grasp the differences between running a family business and running the US government stems from his extreme provincialism. He and his whole family have lived all their lives in the insulated, cocooned and narrow stratum of the very rich and very privileged. His time has been spent, up to now, in New York. His many trips involved private planes, fancy hotels and resorts, surrounded by lackeys, gofers, employees and other rich people. In terms of real life experience, of getting outside of his bubble, he is every bit as unschooled as the most isolated Appalachian "holler" dweller. Perhaps the whole Trump experience will teach us that not everyone can grow up to be President and that knowledge and experience actually count for something.
5
Does everyone in the US think family businesses should be run this way, and are they?
I agree on all points. But it's not too difficult to understand why Trump is restructuring the executive branch based on familial and crony nepotism. It is intended to be more in line with the model required by his boss, Mr. Putin.
3
It obviously is not "just the founders" who dread the trump presidency, but the PEOPLE!
1
One can hope when the lessons of this American folly are seen in its rear view mirror that the laws of regarding conflicts of interest and teeth to emoluments clause or at least more definition in law. Also that Presidential candidates to be place on a ballot must release their tax returns. A lesson learned in the here and now
2
Oh Jared, Jared, why art thous forsaken me?
For I love my country more than i love thee.
Indeed, the enormous attributes of power allowed to presidents till now, were given with the trust they will not be abused in such a crass and irresponsible way. Crooked lying Trump has destroyed that trust, by tramping on the rule of law, allowing nepotism to flaunt incompetent and corrupt family members, apparently immune to the usual checks and balances, so security and justice have a chance. This pluto-kleptocracy installed by the fraudster in the Oval Office is a true institutionalized violence, mafia-like, removing the necessary trust in all democratic institutions; thus, installing chaos and insubordination, even 'schadenfreude' about narcissistic Trump, a self-centered, insecure, and arrogant thug that didn't have a chance to grow up. Given that Trump is an old twisted tree, short of ousting him from public office, no remedy can be found.
1
Donald Trump is THE problem. Trump is a grifter, a con. He taught his kids everything he knows. And he gave them the silver spoon haughty entitlement that they all display. They don't quite have his amount of ego probably because they are not certified narcissists. Jared was a perfect match for the younger and prettier Trump. The Trumps operate as an isolated crime family where trust is limited to Trumps.
They all thought and continue to think that they Belong in the White House. They need to be together to continue the biggest con they have ever attempted.
They just see dollar signs. Jared is the most desperate and Daddy gave him an all access pass to the world of oligarchs, rich Saudis, billionaires and CEO's.
They use the office of the POTUS to flaunt their position and power to engage the world's money for their own private profit. And Trump gets to exercise his ego in a massive con of adulation. Policy is nothing but ratings gold by the TV minute for Trump. Who cares? He really does not have to remember from one day to the next. Just point the camera at him.
So they continue to con their way through the presidency not caring where the money comes from just as long as it comes their way.
9
Everyone Trump knows is corrupt in one way or another - or 100 ways. Family and non-family, who would a man like Trump know and attract? And the family/friend thread of Russian association - well, isn't that the stuff of bad dreams?
But the Republicans of Congress are still in a collective coma... a deep, deep sleep while we Americans are fully awake and horrified.
4
Former Mexican President, Vicente Fox, recently told Bill Maher that Latin American countries are quite familiar with presidents like Trump, but this is something new for Americans to deal with. Only time will tell if we learn from this experience, or descend further into the bowels of corruption and tribalism.
But our young people give me great hope: I see passionate, young voices championing belief in democracy and denouncing demagoguery. This gives me belief that that the American experiment is still alive.
5
As always with Trump, you never know when he is flaunting law and tradition with purpose in mind (i.e. family profit) or whether it is simple incompetence, laziness, and ignorance that govern his choices. That is probably a combination of the two is the worst possible scenario: he will eventually blunder into disaster.
2
And now watch:
After Trump, Dems are going to insist on making all kinds of rules and regulations on presidents and appointments, many of which will be restrictive.
Repubs will whine that the Dems are as usual making up too many rules, when they're the ones who behaved so terribly as to make rules seem necessary.
If Repubs were fulfilling their responsibilities right now instead of looting us for tax breaks and fancy furniture, no one would have proposed new rules.
3
Let's all vote, and hope that in 2019, all these ethical lapses will be challenged instead of tolerated by a new Congress willing to function as check & balance.
5
The protection of democracy by way of rules, laws and strict standards should always be first and foremost in the duties of congress and the executive. Trump nor any of the rest of his family seem to be aware that they are not bigger than the institution of democracy. That of course is the problem with putting people of extreme wealth in positions of power. Many of them follow in line with Trump's notion that they are simply better than those below them and therefore deserving of more. They look to capitalize on their position in order to build their personal empire. Meaning democracy takes a back seat to their personal agenda.
2
While I applaud the sentiment of this piece, the more important issue is that we never allow another person like this man into the Oval Office again. Yes, let's do put some safe guards in place for staffing that don't rely upon good judgment and ethics, but let's start with the Presidency itself.
We need to safe guard our highest office from fools and buffoons and craven usurpers. And we need to begin to think about this now. It's a probability the world may never see us in the same light again. We made fade into irreverence on the world stage because of this moment in time, but let us look to protect ourselves from the likes of another Trump. The next one might not be so inept and intellectually challenged and then where will we be?
2
No thanks to all my fellow Americans who thought it would be a good idea to elect an unprincipled New York real estate grifter to the highest office in the land. And worse yet, apparently a relatively high percentage of them still think it was a good idea.
1
We are living with a self-serving, incompetent and corrupt administration. They are dangerous people who act act in such a flagrant abuse of power it is astonishing. I hope the chaos is not sustainable and common sense and common decency will prevail for the common good.
1
Ivanka in Korea and Jared mediating the Israeli-Palestinian non-existent peace treaty...recently blown up by Daddy's incomprehensible decision to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel.
This is the beginning of the new Trump Family Department of State. Rex Who ? and the official Department of State having been disbanded in the interests of an America First initiative which exists mainly in the tiny mind of our deranged chief.
Each and every day we are confronted with either a simmering scandal or a new and outrageous attack upon the very foundations of this country in a futile attempt to escape the noose that the Mueller investigation is drawing tighter and tighter around the Trumpian neck.
Nepotism is hardly a fit description for the destruction of our government that is being wrought by the First Family and a Cabinet consisting of people specifically chosen to destroy the agencies that they now head.
We seem to be living a nightmare in which another Don is actually in the Oval Office. Not Trump , but Don Corleone. The epitome of a nepotism which is better known to us as La Familia.
Maybe Mr. Mueller should add Eliot Ness to his payroll.
3
Republicans will do nothing to correct this situation. They're spineless. We need more regulations and on everything. More laws, oversight and independent thinkers in government that understand nepotism, ethical violations, obstruction, lies, attacks on the institutions that made America great to begin with and complicit and or silent Republicans in the face of Trump's perfidy are all threats to our democracy.
We're getting close to meltdown. The fools that voted for Trump don't even know who Jared is nor do they understand the ramifications of pay to play, the very thing Trump used against everyone in the primaries.
I don't believe the Republicans or Trump supporters realize the danger the nation is in with a fool in the White House.
Scary.
There was a time when Kushner was described as Trump's most trusted advisor. Pundits and the public were amazed and puzzled by all of the sensitive matters assigned to Kushner.
In reality, Trump was holding his son in law out to the world as his most important advisor for Kushner's benefit. Trump likes to say his wall will have a "big, beautiful door" and Kushner was held out as a door to access to the White House. Trump's tactic was to make foreign leaders, banks and other companies believe that helping Kushner solve his financial problems
will result in favorable US policies.
Kushner tried to strike while he iron was hot during the transition but his attempts to get foreign bailouts were scuttled in the press spotlight. But he has had some success.
Trump loves "infrastructure" so there is a Kushy task. Bingo, his infrastructure meetings yielded Kush-bucks.
As top US negotiator for the Mid-east peace process Kush gave the Kush-push to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. NYT reported how that idea fit into Likud's plans to map Palestinians out of that holy city and otherwise solidify Israeli expansionism. Bingo- $30million loan from Israeli insurance company to JK.
Trump and Kush have played the game as far as they could. Trump now knows helping his son in law is a threat so he will push Kush out.
5
Why do people fail to understand that RFK didn't violate the not-yet-in-existence law. Ivanka and Jared are violating the law, RFK did not, notwithstanding their obvious lack of any abilities or experiences in government to qualify them for their position. P.S. RFK was a Great Man, did more for Civil Rights than anyone before him. If the law was in existence at the time - would he still have been AG? Non sequitor
"Lawmakers need to harden some of these norms into law, to safeguard the executive branch and the public trust from future presidents eager to use America’s highest office to benefit their families."
Yeah, that's not going to happen until we have a Democratic Congress. And Trump won't sign the bill (unless it doesn't apply to him), so unless Dems have a big enough majority to override a veto, it's not going to happen till after Trump is gone. In other words, we all have to tolerate this nonsense while he remains in office.
Once again, congratulations to Trump voters, whose massive ignorance and stupidity brought us to this chaos.
2
Imagine how conservatives would’ve reacted if Obama hired family members to the highest-level jobs in the White House. In fact, imagine if he did even a tenth of the stuff trump has done so far...
Trump really is a blatant illustration of white privilege.
1
"Mr. Kushner’s family business has received [half a BILLION dollars in] loans from the companies of people with whom he met in the White House."
The Trumps and their circle are without a moral center. Only the holy dollar matters in their world. Only the dollar.
3
These three editorials are why I still read the NYTimes. Thank you for the in-depth analysis.
1
Lawmakers need to enact a rule called the Obama Barometer. If every trump infraction, abuse, overreach, insulting tweet, and incoherent proclamation would have sent the GOP, gun enthusiasts, racists, conspiracy theorists, white nationalists, and Sean Hannity into a tizzy had they been uttered or proposed by President Barack Obama, then that trump infraction would constitute a violation of the Obama Barometer and would be subjected to congressional obstruction, censure, and impeachment.
This is all very true. However, I wish the Editorial Board showed the same concern regarding the almost 1 billion on pay per play donations to the Clinton foundation when they had the power, which all miraculously stopped when the Clintons lost Thrir influence and access. Had HRC won the presidency we’d have had even worse problems with nepotism and favors for the Friends of Bill who donated heavily to the so called charity.
1
We need to have some degree of standards for those people running to be elected to office at State and Federal levels. This Trump and gang nightmare get worse everyday.
"Lawmakers need to harden some of these norms into law, to safeguard the executive branch and the public trust from future presidents ...."
Lotsa luck with this cynical renegade Congress. Expecting this crowd, with their hands perpetually out for yet more dough, is like, well, expecting pigs to fly.
Putting an incompetent person in the countries top position just means he will surround himself with other incompetents. This is not rocket science my fellow Americans. How this ends well for any of us is a mystery to me.
2
Look at the involvement of the Clintons in this history of nepotism and the facilitation of Donald Trump and family.
Typical GOP response when all the Trump family ill-doings are exposed: oh, look at Bill and Hillary. The Clintons are novices compared to Grifter in Chief DJT.
The casual and shameless, chaotic and utterly disrespectful manner in which Trump has formed the team who closely advise him on all topics, be it economic, foreign policy, defense, domestic security, health, safety, environmental protection, and all other major topics of concern to the American public and the world, should give pause to anyone doing business of any kind with this White House. This includes congressmen and congresswomen; any executive department employee; the judiciary; state, local, community, and NGO elected officials, leaders and officials; industry leaders; and foreign officials and dignitaries.
Anyone doing any business with this particular White House should - indeed, must - be constantly wary of changing, blow with the wind agreements in principle, and protective of their backsides when making any decisions of consequence that involve the Trump administration.
Putting aside domestic policies, God help our respected military forces, and this world, in the days, months, and years ahead. With this President, acting upon advice from such a handful of unread, uneducated and inexperienced senior advisors, directing those who upon orders from the President must trigger our nuclear launch codes, we are all in harm's way and in for a very, very rough ride ahead.
It is now being reported that Ivanka is trying to get top secret clearance. Why? So that she can feed everything she learns to hubby, Jared, so that he can continue his nefarious affairs now that he no longer has a top secret clearance.
1
Jared Kushner was following his father's directive to get involved in the inner White House circle in order to protect the Kushner business ineterests, and Ivanka also followed suit, at the behest of her husband.
The first axiom of a politician, and 45 has been one most of his life, is "If it benefits me, how can it be wrong". We are currently witnessing this in spades. Keep your eye on the ball, as the republican overlords and 45, roll back all the policies and laws that have made us the envy of the world. Oh well....
I hope many Americans take the time to read and reflect upon the facts revealed by this NYT 3 part series. WE THE PEOPLE may not agree on many of the political issues facing our country but our opinions and beliefs on either side account for nothing within the "House of Trump" or "Trumptopia". The American Democracy is being destroyed by GREED, GREED, GREED. It is time for all Americans, those who are wealthy like Bill Gates and those who struggle to meet their monthly bills and health care costs to join together and say enough. The American Government is NOT part of the Trump Family Business. They were elected to SERVE THE AMERICAN People NOT to their insatiable egos and offshore bank accounts. Congressional Leaders and Senators need to be made accountable for allowing this all to take place. Thank god for Robert Mueller. It is time for Americans all over the country to let their political representatives know... loudly and clearly... that WE THE PEOPLE will not stand for this. It is time for us to not only run the Trump's out of Washington and into courtrooms to be made accountable for their pillaging of this country's assets. It is time to insist implementing TERM LIMITS in the House and Senate. WE THE PEOPLE, all generations, cultures must join together and insist that ALL of our government leaders serve us.
1
Robert Kennedy had much better qualifications in, and for, public service than Ivanka ever will. His education was better, his legal career was based in public service on House committees staff, he was a competent AG who understood the law and ran a tight ship.
But most of all he gave his brother, my President at the time, invaluable assistance, counsel and advice during the Missile Crises. It was Bobby, not Jack who ran the Excomm meetings. It was Bobby who pushed for a blockade, rather than an air strike. And it was Bobby who set up , and when the US received two contradictory cables, it was Bobby i think who said, “ We react to the positive cable and dont acknowledge the other” mi think he defused the war threar and we are alive today to watch the Kushners pimp the flag.
1
There are so many outrages to get worked up about, but the one that sticks in my craw most recently was seeing Ivanka Trump lead the US delegation that attended the closing ceremony at the Olympics.
Why is SHE representing US? Was she elected? No. A renowned former Olympic athlete? No. Involved in sports in any way (other than skiing in Aspen occasionally)? No.
Over dinner I asked some friends who they would have rather seen representing our country in this high profile position. Their responses: Billie Jean King. Michelle Kwan. Dick Button. Gabby Douglas. Eric Heiden. Nancy Kerrigan. Caitlin Jenner even got a vote (though we know Pence would never agree to that).
But instead it was Ivanka Trump our taxpaying money was spent on sending to South Korea to represent US, as if she couldn't afford the airfare herself. I felt heartsick that another Trump family member was handed a plum role on the world stage that could have gone to someone actually deserving of the spotlight, not someone preening herself in it.
1
Under Eisenhower, a Republican, Sherman Adams, his chief of staff, accepted a vicuña coat and oriental rug from from a textile manufacturer under investigation for FTC violations. None of that would happen today, from the firing of a public servant close to the President for accepting expensive gifts to investigating FTC violations of wealthy contributors. We need stronger ethics laws and voters who respect them.
1
"Lawmakers need to harden some of these norms into law, to safeguard the executive branch and the public trust from future presidents eager to use America’s highest office to benefit their families."
And pray-tell, Editorial Board, exactly which lawmakers might those be?!?! Paul Ryan-laughable, McConnell-really laughable.
5
Your discussion of the Hillary Clinton/Health Care debacle raises the question, yet again, of what America wants from its unpaid, throwback notion of what a First Lady's role should be. Carping about Hillary in that role was a Republican blood sport for years, and Democrats are now doing their best not to throw mud at Melania, who has--unlike the other Trump self-branders--chosen to slink under the radar and, to all evidence, see her role as First Lady as one long photo op to showcase her expensive clothes. So much for the anti-cyberbullying campaign.
Maybe in the wake of the Trump presidency and the MeToo Movement, we can at long last come to terms with what role(s) a wife of a president, or a spouse of a president, is expected to fulfill.
On another note, don't overlook the fact that Don, Jr. and Eric--although not unpaid advisors with jobs in the White House--are still very much in the loop. They tweet support of their father, they roam the world promoting branding and franchising opportunities for the Trump trademark and they are as much in the mix as the Gang of Two, Javanka. Remember that Trump said he would never speak to his sons after he fake handed over his business to them.
And since, with the Trumps, we're in the realm of trash TV and talking head pop psychology, and I remember so well my history lessons on the dysfunction of palace intrigue in the European courts, I do wonder what the Real Sons think of Jared becoming the Crown Prince?
6
The Founders would also be sickened by Citizens United, and tbe hijacking of the supreme court vacancy. Seared into my mind is McConnell on the day Gorsuch was sworn in. He was asked by a CNN anchorman via video feed about the apparent disregard for the Constitution. However, McConnell didn't answer. For the two minutes McConnell was on screen, he just giggled and burst out in escaping. His face was red from expending a bit of effort to contain himself. His eyes had a wild look to them, which further added to the grotesque surrealness of the moment.
That moment was more sickening than seeing Paul Ryan's insipid smile as he lies with bemusement. Even worse is seeing Trump matter-of-factly lie to his base on camera with hints of flippancy, defiance, and a self-satisfied smirk meant to taunt and rub the faces of everyone else in his vileness.
I doubt the Founders would have allowed trump to campaign as he did, I'm certain they would have further risked their lives to prevent trump taking the oath of office.
The Republicans, and their patrons, like the Mercer and Koch oligarchs, seem psychopathic and treasonous. The Koch's are reportedly funding an effort to get a sufficient number of states to allow a drastically changed Constitution to their personal liking.
Why didn't the Founders include sufficient constraints to prevent the tyranny of wealth? Was it because enough of them didn't want constraints on the use of their own growing fortune? An inevitable self-destruction.
8
The entire Trump clan has no loyalty to the US. To them, America is one big pocket to pick. And they're doing it right in front of our noses! Until Trump, we've relied on at least a facade of integrity and SOME restraint by gov't officials not to pick America's pockets ENTIRELY clean. Next president's administration is gonna have to enact a LOT of new laws to keep this from happening again.
9
2 Dilettantes. Fashionistas of nepotism fusing family, business, governance and loan acquisition. Pure hubris in running foreign policy as two ubiquitous stand-ins for a floundering father. It's unsettling, foolish, and--clearly--has been disastrous.
Since arriving, it was reported foreign ambassadors established quite the active back channels to the Kushners, which rendered futile an entire U.S. State Department, and instead courted a dynasty lacking sophistication, experience, or judgment.
Then the ambassadors uncovered seriously weak areas, including artless simplicity, gullibility, naiveté---and finances. To his detriment, rather than expertise, the father preferred loyalty. With nothing in his own background suggesting he was qualified to be president, he brought in the family.
As GOP strategist Steve Schmidt observed months ago, "This is what you see in some autocratic republic, where its the president's son-in-law and his son and the cousin and the uncle -- everybody feeding on the public trough, enriching themselves..."
8
The Roosevelts, Kennedys, Clintons, and Bushes are examples of families with White House occupants and relatives in the same political business, which was serving the nation. They contrast starkly with the Trump family members, who are evidently concerned with serving themselves.
Ivanka and Jared should follow the wisest of the Trumps, Melania, out of Washington and back to the private sector.
6
"Donald Trump has broken with so many conventions of the American presidency that it can be hard to track them all. Some of his supporters would argue that they elected him to explode outmoded Washington ways. But many of these conventions were meaningful curbs on presidential behavior and power."
I wonder, will the people who voted for Trump and supported his agenda acknowledge their ignorance of how a democracy works or will they double down? Ill informed, petty, clueless Tea Party republicans started this and are now looking for someone else to blame or heading for the exits.
The alarm bells were clanging when they wrapped themselves in the flag, our flag, and started the first of numerous Benghazi hearings.
It is absolutely hilarious to see "Trey" Gowdy go after Ben Carson for a 31,000. dining set after wasting millions of dollars on those hearings. It was interesting watching Gowdy being totally trashed by Hillary Clinton. She was calm, cool and collected. Gowdy, bathed in sweat, was desperate, fumbling and obviously outclassed. The investigations concluded that Clinton did nothing wrong. It was a classic example of a rank amateur being taken to school by a seasoned professional.
If somehow we could run Donald Trump against Hillary Clinton today, I wonder who would win. I wonder how the "drain the swamp" plan is working for them? I wonder how long we will be cleaning up the Tea Party mess.
3
The less trustworthy one is, the smaller one's circle of trust. That's why Trump has Jared and Ivanka in the White House holding such high and wide positions of responsibility for which they are unqualified and ill suited -- he can't trust anyone else because no one else can trust him.
5
The only people who can do anything about this disastrous Trump presidency are senate republicans. They will not do anything because they care more about preserving their power than the future of this country.
In order to get elected today one must have no problem trading the future of their constituents for the will of wealthy corporate ownership. If an elected official had any soul to begin with it has been completely sold off by the time they reach office.
Conclusion = we have no representation. We live in the facade of a democracy which is actually an oligarchy.
If you think this is bad, just wait, it will only get worse.
11
None of Trump's supporters either care about, or, even know about "Nepotism".
In those ranks, Nepotism is the normal method of hiring, standard approach. I worked at Kodak and Xerox and the main method of hiring at those companies was Nepotism.
In fact, it was at those companies that I came to understand that "nepotism" was really white affirmative action. Relatives who had zero qualifications for the job were routinely hired an promoted. The very few minorities that were hired at those companies came in bristling with experience and qualifications (like very high GPA from college). There is no "nepotism" for blacks and hispanics.....former generations were not hired...period.
So, don't think that Trump supporters think anything wrong with Nepotism. That has been the number one method of keeping unqualified white people in high paid jobs they cannot do for all of USA Capitalism's history.
4
The best place to find examples of blatant nepotism in corporations is the on the manufacturing/production floor and other menial jobs. At my company, there’s plenty of father-son, uncles, cousins, best buddies, etc.
I’m a black engineer, so my position typically requires a college degree and a level of qualification. Even so, I still see “connected” white folks getting hired with just a high school diploma in our department (drafting/design positions) and being given the chance to learn on the job.
Since friendships are still segregated by race in this country, “well-connected” white folks have a clear advantage on the job market.
Don’t call it “networking”, it’s white affirmative action.
2
By wanting to elect Hilary Clinton, America has long turned a blind eye to big influencers of power and politics plus wanted to create the same preconditions for nepotism. The two political candidates represented the same problems the country now finds disturbing. You reap what you sow over time.
1
Trump is totally unqualified to be president. Why is Congress to this day unwilling to tell Trump that all his family members need to end there cushy government jobs immediately?
4
Hillary Clinton led a committee to reform healthcare. Bobby Kennedy was the Attorney General. Putting family in power positions is not unheard of. It is unheard of to put a family member who has kept his business ties AND has no experience in politics, diplomacy, foreign affairs in charge of so much.
But Clinton was denigrated by the right for here role - she ought to have been doing something traditional as First Lady, and the right used her role as family to help kill any action on healthcare.
Where is Newt now? Because for all of it, Clinton had skills. And for all the charges of self-interest and self enrichment flung at the Clintons by the right, neither of them used foreign contacts to enrich businesses that they held onto once they got into the White House. They are held up to be the most corrupt in the White House - yest the emoluments clause might collapse under the weight of Trump's abuse.
Our problem is not just nepotism, it is using false outrage over nepotism as a reason to excoriate and undermine one Presidency while turning a blind eye to it on another, which is abusing it more. The different ways that Congress treated the Clintons vs Jared and Ivanka demonstrate the hypocrisy of the GOP.
Anything goes, as long as it is GOP running things.
4
It seems very unorthodox that the president would have someone like Kushner handling the country's sensitive material and making foreign policy decisions ... Kushner is very young, deeply in debt with his family's 666 Fifth Avenue building and its impending 1.2 billion loan due in early 2019 (which has to be a huge distraction), married to the president's daughter, working for no salary, meeting with banks and money people in the White House who have given his family huge loans around the same time, attempted to create a back channel to the Russians, and who has recently had his top secret security clearance taken away...of course he is not qualified to be in this position.
2
Thanks for this. I think shipping the Trumps, all of them, to Prussia is a splendid idea, don't you?
Well, that would be very unfair to the Prussians...
"He works for nothing. Nobody ever reports that. He gets zero. He doesn't get a salary, nor does Ivanka." ----President Donald Trump
Here is the stunning thing: These comments are sufficient to appease Mr. Trump's gullible base of support, as if Jared and Ivanka (and Trump himself) are selfless public servants who would never leverage public office for private gain. It is an indictment of the intelligence and rationality of a major segment of the U.S. electorate.
6
The Chinese have accurately summed Trump up: “to treat the state as your possession,” a feudal concept of governance that conflicts with basic American principles.
These are methods that were directly borrowed from the way Russia has operated historically, and still operates. They have not helped Russia; they have only enriched a few privileged insiders.
They lead to lawlessness, increasing totalitarianism, social calamity and economic ruin for everyone who is not at the very peak of extreme privilege.
Thank you for this series, New York Times Editorial Board.
1
At what point is someone in that god-awful family going to stand up at the gold-plated family dinner table and say, "I told you that this presidential bid thing was going to ruin our business"?
5
Why weren't these laws in place to begin with? It seems a president can do almost anything and the only things stopping him are norms and traditions? Let's add release of tax returns to the list of things that should be required by law.
4
How many of us still light our evenings with candles made at home by dipping threads into vats of melted tallow? This was the norm during and after the Revolutionary war. These dim sources of light, possibly aided by oil-filled lamps, illuminated the spaces in which the authors of the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers, and the Constitution of the United States.
The prescience of these men (and they all were men, though, as Chernow's biography of Hamilton illustrates, the women of their lives were not without influence) was neither crystal clear nor complete. (The 2nd Amendment clearly did not foresee the death-dealing capability of modern weaponry; the possibility of a Trump-like demagogue so beyond the pale it never entered the realm of imagination.)
The Washingtons and Hamiltons and Adamses and Monroes of that day would, in this --our-- moment of time, be in full-throated and -armored revolt, against Trump and his lick-spittle Republican Party, the villain[s] to be wrested from the throne, just as they did George III and his court.
The break with England of the 18th century was violent an bloody.
The upcoming conflict between Trumplicans and the believers in true democracy may easily surpass the carnage of the the Revolutionary and the Civil Wars, combined.
Disregard the warning above at your own peril.
1
This potboiler of a Presidency provides all the trimmings of a trashy paperback.
What makes a trashy paperback or a telenovela? The hyper aggregated drama theatrics and shallow plot lines. Characters that pantomime with the cheesiest expressions to portray their base motives.
These White House friends $ Family strapper on’s have one goal. Peddle influence into revenue generation.
The abbreviated spark notes for this story are Trump=FCPA + RICO.
1
I am thankful for the free press. Continue to air all of this corrupt behavior. Congress is increasingly becoming irrelevant in our democratic republic. It too is corrupt and serving. It seems that the Coutts, States and localities may be our answer st the moment. But we need to be careful observers and participants — right now, we must protect the sanctity of our vote and fight gerrymandering, corruption st the polls, and electronic voting systems that can be hacked and manipulated. Fight for paper ballots. Stay alert
2
Anyone who thinks a businessman can be a worthy President is a dupe. The last two businessmen presidents - W and Trump - should disabuse anyone who thinks otherwise. CEOs, for the most part, are smart in very narrow areas. Most of them are disasters - which is why is tech companies become dinosaurs. The rest are unethical in the extreme. All are used to getting their way - not because they're wise, but because they stuff their boards with back-scratching friends. It's time to dissociate money from politics.
2
Hillary Clinton and Rosalynn Carter were examples of the ambiguity of the position of First Lady. As modern women, they were not just extensions of their husbands, even though they were expected to be advisors to the President and to fulfill a host of obligations, with budget and staff.
The stresses of this ambiguity that arose in the Clinton case do not automatically imply that nepotism is now ok.
In any case, nepotism is only one symptom of many ill-advised appointments, Flynn and Pruitt among them.
But I fail t
Putting this question--of nepotism--into the large "what's wrong with this picture" current state of political life in America, it simply folds into the Trumpist attitude that laws don't apply. Of course, we life in a looking glass world at present: to cite just one example, the only part of the Constitution the GOP seems to be interested in upholding is the 2nd amendment (and of course they are much more interested in 'the right to life' of the unborn than the rights of living children to go on living).
No laws, as far is Trump is concerned, apply to him. In his world he can't break laws because he makes the laws. He is a child-like man, with no interest in American history, in our legal norms, nor in the Constitution, because he does not understand that being President does not mean being King. The Trumps operate in a world remote from the world most of the rest of us live in.
2
The law should go further in restricting control of the White House by one family: Family members of a president, including spouse, should be barred from future presidential candidacy. This would end the political domination of families like the Kennedys, Bushes, Clintons and — could it happen? — the Trumps, and open the field to fresh leadership. Such family dominance mimics monarchy, and takes advantage of the "cult of personality." Though such a law, in theory, each future president would rise to the position through his or her own political exceptionalism.
He can kick Ivanka and Jared to the curb now but the damage is done. How many usb sticks does Jared have, full of classified documents?
3
Ivanka already moved them to China via Korea. PLA Unit 61398 is in assessment mode. The Chinese will now complete the bridge loan to Kushner.Inc for the 666 fiasco.
Nepotism in government is a hallmark of dictatorial societies. Ever since Trump made the WH his family’s HQ I have been stunned that the US -a country that considers itself one of the great democracies (incorrectly so, I believe) - allows this to happen.
1
There is very little doubt that the President and his family have committed prosecutable offenses. Trump himself is immune, he'll pardon Jarvanka (Wolff's term) if they are charged and Republicans have a cruel plutocratic agenda to pursue that will be derailed if anyone in the White House is charged, so they won't participate.
Nothing of note will happen other than Robert Mueller's investigations; but, Mueller is the kingpin of our future hopes. Stuff is starting to hit the fan already.
In contrast to the whole Trump Administration, Mueller's accomplishments support his superb reputation. Mueller is certainly aware that charges against Jarvanka will be pardoned, so he will hold them for judicial effect. For example, a pardon of the children may be legal but possibly subject to obstruction charges and possibly best made public when Democrats control at the House. Articles of impeachment alone would certainly deflate the Trump ego just a bit.
According to Wolff's book, Jarvanka were running scared in the White House and they should be now if they have any common sense at all. If they didn't realize their inexperience and depth of involvement then, surely they do now. Demotion of security clearances and investigation of conflicts of interest surely must have them worried.
The 2018 elections will tell the tale. If Republicans hold the House after 2018, we can conclude that the American people just don't care. I'll look for a place to move.
4
” The analysis used an ancient Chinese expression meaning “to treat the state as your possession,”
This is exactly the problem. Trump thinks that when he won the election, he also won America and the country belongs to him now. He can do what he wants to with it.
Trump does not understand POTUS is a public servant and he works for We the People.
Trump has been Emperor in his family business and wants to be the same in the White House. His children are royalty, like him. His decisions should never be questioned, at least not in front of him. He's never actually worked or made any of the hard decisions. Hired lawyers and assistants did all that, correcting as necessary and giving Trump the constant praise and credit he so craves, as their salaries and jobs depended on his happiness. He's never had shareholders or a board of directors to answer to.
And Trump's disdain for the law is his standard pattern of business. Trump casually lies, scams, breaks contracts and fails in business, and relies on lawyers and non-disclosure agreements to hide his actions. It's why the only people Trump considers for government positions are people who have worked for him. He found out as president, he can't insist people sign NDAs anymore, so he uses people who have already signed them. Hiding Trump's misdeeds is the main job of any Trump employee, second only to complimenting Trump.
And vigorish must be paid to the boss, so Trump has every right, he believes, to profit from being in office.
1
"... ethical traditions and culture are not enough. Lawmakers need to harden some of these norms into law, to safeguard the executive branch and the public trust from future presidents eager to use America’s highest office to benefit their families." Yeah. Like that's going to happen.
Many Americans worship money, plain and simple. With Trump and Republican legislators having now fattened their paychecks, when it comes to ethics, they’ll look the other way.
I’m trying to remain stoical, but every day I wake up wanting to cry.
2
3 million fewer Americans voted for trump to explode outmoded Washington ways - like Constitutional norms and standards. Don't they need essentially the consent of 2/3s of the American citizenry and states to mutilate the Constitution as potus trump is doing right now? He's doing what he was elected to do by a minority of voters against the majority.
In addition to anti-nepotism laws, we need anti-lobbyists as heads or staff laws. We certainly need laws requiring cabinet members to be qualified and competent to head the organizations they are leading - and should be jailed if they do the opposite of the institution's purpose or try to sabotage it - it is the Environmental PROTECTION Agency, not the Environmental Pollution Agency after all.
No one will ever convince me that trump, jared or ivanka - consummate wealth accumulators - suddenly abandoned wealth accumulation to dedicate themselves to "Public Service." They only believe in public service TO the trumps and Kuschners. So far public service got Jared unfettered access to all the secrets of our country (to sell through his secret Russian communications channel) and a half billion dollar loan he couldn't get without daddy-in-law becoming POTUS. If I work unpaid, can Citi and Apollo lend me half a billion too?
Republicans will object to additional laws restraining their president, simply calling them new "regulations."
2
The lumpen Republican voters wanted Donald Trump to go to Washington and "smash all the furniture."
Now they (and all the rest of us) are seeing what happens when a man who appears to think he was coronated Emperor goes to Washington and "smashes all the furniture."
It is obvious to many that Emperor Donald treats not only the White House, but the entire US Government, as his own personal fiefdom. That is exactly how he and Jared Kushner have always treated their sole proprietorship companies, without benefit of either a board of directors or stockholders. The US Government has a "Board of Directors" called the Legislative Branch, and "stockholders" called US citizens.
It is obvious that the Republicans who control the “Board of Directors” are kowtowing to and fawning over Emperor Donald. Only the “stockholders” remain as a possible check on the Trump Administration.
We have several challenges before us. We must bring this era of scandalous and illegal activity performed in the name of “governing” to an end as soon as possible. We must pass laws that explicitly state that nepotism, failure to qualify for the minimum professional and/or security requirements, and ethical lapses are all bases for immediate disqualification and removal from any office in the US government.
We then need to rebuild the government structure that has been damaged, and reverse all of the EOs signed under the Trump Administration.
3
@Richard Luettgen: Richard, you bring up the point that the President can take advice anywhere he wants to, even if that advice is clearly designed to enrich his advisor at the expense of the country. If these machinations are kept quiet, the President might be able to keep this treachery from the public, although it clearly is not compatible with his oath of office. But it is treachery.
And if his advisors campaign for their interests by flaunting their capacity to influence the President? I don’t think the Country can allow such blatant public advertisement of corruption and turpitude.
The main problem with nepotism is that a lowers the standards for the entire government.
It's a terrible thing for a president to make a nepotistic appointment, and an even more terrible thing for a president to make a nepotistic appoint of someone with zero qualifications for his/her "job". If Jared and Ivanka weren't relatives, they'd be no nearer the Fauxtus than I am. The difference between them and me is that I know I don't belong there, and they either don't know or, more likely, know and don't care.
I don't know what it takes to prove the obvious in a way that Congress will act upon it, but the Trumps, with no history of or interest in public service, took up residence in the West Wing under the guise of government employment, but remain primarily for the grift. I'd love to know how much of Jared's and Ivanka's days is consumed with "the people's business" and how much is consumed with their personal affairs. Clearly they are where they are to benefit themselves and their enterprises (in Jared's case, his often under-water enterprises) with proximity to world's moneyed and powerful. Their "diplomacy" chores are clearly a sideline at best, and the fact that they take no official pay for their "services" to the U.S. government is no consolation at all. That would be small potatoes compared to what they rake in by running their "real" businesses from the White House.
4
if we assume that Barack Obama's daughter was married and that President Obama had just appointed his son-in-law to the post that Jared Kushner had, it would have been interesting to see the Republicans' reaction.
2
Maybe there is a weakness in the American system that has enabled Trump to act illegally for decades and get away with it. And if he wasn't president he would still be getting away with it and handing the enterprise to the next generation. He is only under scrutiny because he is a president who acts un-presidential. How much other corruption is there under the radar in the US.
2
Relatives may have exceptional abilities, but the nation has many women and men with outstanding talents. Some would not care to work in government while others would welcome the opportunity. Unfortunately, given the Trump administration's problems and its leader-over-all, Mr. Trump has not sought and employed a group of outstanding individuals, and many admirably qualified Americans would reject participating in the Trumpian Carnival.
Great leaders often owe their status to those who are chosen to advise and support them, just as a great jazz musician might choose top-flight players to join the band.
The next election has importance beyond choosing whom to elect.
Doug Giebel, Big Sandy, Montana
4
The Republican party has, for the most part, been complicit in all of Trumps upending norms. All government officials should be held to a higher standard. Instead we have a 'how low can you go' mentality that is doing serious harm to this country. I'm not sure that the Republican party would act against Trump even if he were found guilty of treason. We're in deep trouble and nepotism is just one of many factors.
7
King Donald uses the crown royals princess Ivanka, and princes don jr and Jared to run the country and boost the royal brand. We can cut the state department budget because baron adelson will pay for advancing associated brands. It was ever thus which is why the personal and the political are usually intertwined in royal governments. Occasionally you get a Henry V following Henry IV, but not often.
1
Other than himself and his extended family, who does Trump truly care about ?
NO ONE. He never has, and he never will.
5
None of this would have occurred if there was a reasonable Congress in place. But we have, instead, a bunch of toadys running things there that care little for what is good for America but what is good for them and their few friends-those with money. Unless some new rules are put in place, which is truly unlikely to happen, then things will simply keep deteriorating and America will not become great but weaker and weaker.
3
Bill Clinton's selection of Hillary Clinton to lead healthcare reform ended after protests by the public and lawmakers who were alarmed that a First Lady had inserted herself into a policy-making position. While Ms. Clinton's involvement was unprecedented, unwise, and unsuccessful, there was no doubt about her credentials: she held a law degree from Yale, had served as a congressional legal counsel, was a board member of the nonprofit Legal Services Corporation established to provide "equal access to justice" to low-income Americans, and had worked on improving healthcare during Bill Clinton's tenure as governor of Arkansas. Compare her credentials to those of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. How does his less-than-successful career in real estate and her career hawking dresses and accessories (made primarily by poorly paid workers in factories outside the US) qualify either of them to be "senior advisors"--and in Kushner's case tasked with a ludicrous portfolio of responsibilities that includes brokering peace in the Middle East? The flouting of all ethical norms by Trump and his relatives should serve as a basis for the immediate removal of this vile, dangerous demagogue. And when Trump declared yesterday while touting gun control that he has no compunction about actions taking precedence over due process, this precept should be applied to removing him from office even before Bob Mueller completes his investigation into the corrupt dealings of the Trump/Kushner clan.
5
I believe that Congressman John Lewis said it first and best. Donald Trump is not a legitimate president. This is not a real presidency in any historical sense so attempting to compare it to past presidencies is futile. His election victory was so tainted in so many ways that it cannot possibly be said to represent the will of the nation's voters. He has never established an actual stable presidential administration to deal with governing the country but rather has turned the executive branch into a family run criminal enterprise bent on self promotion and self enrichment. He has left policy to congressional Republicans while his rogue's gallery of appointees has set about corrupting or destroying the agencies they were hired to administer. He has systematically offended our allies and praised our adversaries. His attempts at involvement in policy decisions have been disruptive at best and display his towering ignorance. He has intentionally left us vulnerable to ongoing cyber attacks by Russia and has conspired with congressional republicans to obstruct investigation into past Russian election interference and his campaign's involvement in same. In the absence of effective checks on Trump, the so called "deep state" may be the only thing saving the nation from disaster. Nevertheless a lot of bad things can happen in the next three years.
2
The federal code includes an anti-nepotism law, which reads as follows:
A public official may not appoint, employ, promote, advance, or advocate for appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement, in or to a civilian position in the AGENCY in which he is serving or over which he exercises jurisdiction or control any individual who is a relative of the public official. An individual may not be appointed, employed, promoted, or advanced in or to a civilian position in an AGENCY if such appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement has been advocated by a public official, serving in or exercising jurisdiction or control over the AGENCY, who is a relative of the individual. 5 USC 3110.
It further provides that:
“AGENCY” means—
(A) an Executive agency; (B) an office, agency, or other establishment in the legislative branch; (C) an office, agency, or other establishment in the judicial branch; and (D) the government of the District of Columbia;
Kushner is a senor adviser to Trump. Ivanka is a special assistant to Trump. Neither heads or works for an agency. Whether their appointments are unethical, I do not know. But they are clearly not illegal.
Jared also contributed to Bannon’s departure.
Maybe that was an accomplishment?
Bannon was the only coherent member of the entourage capable of formulating policy and direction. So Bannon’s departure meant that there was no plan or focus left. Considering that lack of direction contributed to Trump’s ineptitude, Jared accidentally did a good thing.
Unfortunately, Trump’s dismantling of government by inappropriate appointments (accepted by the GOP) has proven pretty successful anyway.
2
The law should go further in restricting control of the White House by one family: Family members of a president, including spouse, should be barred from future presidential candidacy. This would end the political domination of families like the Kennedys, Bushes, Clintons and — could it happen? — the Trumps, and open the field to fresh leadership. Such family dominance mimics monarchy, and takes advantage of the "cult of personality." Through such a law, in theory, each future president would rise to the position through his or her own political exceptionalism.
Embarrassing. As I've told acquaintances, I was a proud Reagan republican ... and now am a prouder Trump democrat. It's just frustrating that we still have to wait 2.5 year for redemption. God be praised and fingers crossed that the mid-terms results in mild sanity.
Donald Trump and his family think that the federal government is there to run like their family businesses -- which by the way have histories of huge debt and bankruptcies. The Republican legislative branch says nothing about the executive abuse of power because it allows them cover for their own abuses. Shame on every American who allowed and continues to allow this to happen.
3
One has to wonder whether the election of Trump was actually the worst result for the Trump family and for Putin. Everything had been set up perfectly for hobbling a Clinton presidency with endless investigations, a hostile Congress, alternative news outlets spreading false claims, and legitimate news outlets primed to attack a favorite target. The Trumps could have continued their shady, mafia-like operations unfettered by legal scrutiny. Putin arguably could have continued to manipulate public opinion through social media without exposure. But, as ineffective as a Clinton White House may have been rendered, the basic rules would have prevailed, our institutions would have remained strong, our environment would not be threatened, and our allies would continue to trust us. In short: when Trump won, everyone lost.
3
I’ve followed the Trump Administration closely since Day 1. “Only The Best People” has turned out as hires and appointees best described as incompetent, bumbling and uninformed. So much for the American tradition of the “best and brightest” at the White House and top echelons of our government.
As the daily scandals unfold and pileup - I’ve come to believe that American institutions are stronger than than one very corrupt President and those that surround him. The Trump Presidency is a test, but do not forget our Republic has been tested before - the Civil War, World Wars & Watergate to name a few.
We will survive the Trumps - they will receive justice in either federal or state courts and our laws will be changed/updated to protect the American people from this kind of corruption, nepotism and foreign interference.
As they say, democracy is a messy business. But, I still have faith in America and our 242 year experiment - our best days may be yet ahead.
1
The standard for public servants has long been to avoid even the appearance of wrongdoing since even the appearance of wrongdoing necessitates thorough investigation and therefore the squandering of taxpayer dollars and human resources. By this standard, even if Trump and Co were operating within the law, it has already failed the American public, and failed it spectacularly.
4
If you want to cast fault-look not to Trump but to every member of Congress.
What he is doing can easily be prevented by passing a veto proof bill outlawing this practice. Time will come when Congress is control of the Democrats and responsible Republicans and a law will be passed. If any good can come from the Trump administration it is the lesson that we will learn when this type of person is elected.
1
What's more appalling--to me at any rate--than the president's appropriation of government resources for private gain is the deafening silence from the supposed "checks and balances," the national legislative branch. We may yet hear from the Supreme Court on this matter, but in the meantime, there has been no (as in none) public criticism of the president from either Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell or Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. Both men, who may disagree privately with the president, have, nevertheless, not broken with him publicly on this matter. One can fairly imagine the outcry if the Obama administration had been even thought to have used the executive to enrich family and friends. The Republican hypocrisy is stunning.
Way beyond the GOP's obeisance to wealth, privilege and power--and emboldened by a complaisant Supreme Court (Citizens United) is a party that seems determined to allow this president to go his own way--on pretty much anything--unless and until the country stands poised upon the brink of a catastrophe that may irreparably harm the Republic. In the meantime, Capitol Hill seems quite content to allow this president his indulgences. The optics are terrible, of course, but he's a man, he's a (nominal) Republican, and the wishes of the donor class await. They're all bought. And we paid them to do it.
4
Your last and very pertinent observation was what sprang to mind when reading the first sentence. If you rely on customs, traditions and conventions to prevent certain things from happening which everyone agrees would be detrimental to the public's general interest, you are only waiting for the person willing to break them. And when they do, nothing can be done about it. The thing pointed out to me at school about the American constitution was the system of "checks and balances". If all of these checks and balances are no hard enforceable rules, just customs and traditions, you have nothing. Just a lot of power and people who may or may not be willing to take advantage of it. At the moment, they seem to be willing.
Preventive action needs to include a constitutional amendment that disqualifies close relatives of a president -- spouse, siblings, children -- from holding the office. Otherwise we are subject to de facto third, fourth, or more presidential terms in contravention of the 22nd Amendment and to the appearance and/or reality of influence buying in anticipation of the family's return to the presidency. See the donations to the Clinton Foundation by foreign governments between 2009-2016.
Barbara Bush had it right in 2013: "We've had enough Bushes." The preferred Clinton outcome would have yielded the following roster.
1981-1989 Vice President George H.W. Bush
1989-1993 President George H.W. Bush
1993-2001 President Bill Clinton
2001-2009 President George W. Bush
2009-2017 President Hillary Clinton
When instead Obama held office 2009-17, both the Clinton and Bush families were at it again in 2016. With Trump in office, Jared and Ivanka were apparently agreeing between themselves which of them would run first for president.
All of this -- actual and planned -- is the stuff of banana republics!
1
The clan can conduct any sort of weak or shady action as these activities would be in contravention of FEDERAL law, which can pardoned away by Daddy, simply investigation of these actions is either fake news ( if done by the fourth estate) or deep state machinations (if by Justice).
Thank you for continuing to explain to the American public just how much danger the Trump family is putting our country into. We have never before had such a dictatorial regime attempt to destroy every single American value. It is high time we all were made aware of this nibbling away of our democratic government. I appreciate your efforts.
3
Nepotism is wrong, not only for Republicans, but for Democrats as well.
And so for Hillary Clinton: would anyone call her appointment in the government of Bill Clinton anything but nepotism?
Why did liberals give her a free pass?
It makes the current criticism of Kushner and Ivanka seem hypocritical. Which in fact it is.
2
It's truly ironic that people consider Trump to be a "CEO" president. There's not a Fortune 1000 company that would hire Trump and appoint him to their executive team, let alone let him get away with hiring his own daughter and son-in-law.
3
This is missing the forest for the trees, I’m afraid.
If it was just that Trump was relying on horribly unqualified family members, that would be bad.
But these family members have conflicts of interest that match Trump’s.
And that is much worse.
2
So, Xi awarded Ivanka Trump's company three trademarks for her business. It is my recollection that any such gift to a President is deemed public property and belongs to America.
Our special prosecutor should investigate this matter, in order to ascertain, if the three trademarks belong to the American people!
11
I think it’s more than 3. More like 19.
And yes, they should belong to America!
1
The reason nepotism and cronyism were so discouraged here, really after Grant’s administration in which the spoils system was deeply entrenched, although most if not all the corruption didn’t personally touch Grant himself, was the perception that those close to a president were paid by the people to do what they did. Neither Jared Kushner nor Ivanka Trump are paid public employees. Unless the innuendo regarding Kushner family interests overseas benefiting from his position can be proved, it’s hard to connect what they argue is public service to anything other than that, and not to true “nepotism”, which suggests a pecuniary interest, or a formalized power interest.
Beyond that, Kushner may have his security clearance downgraded, but the president still can make an exception by allowing Kushner to see “Top Secret” information generally, or selectively with respect to the responsibilities he’s been assigned. We’re about to see just HOW dependent he is on Kushner.
This editorial uncomfortably dances around the whole issue of the use to which presidents put the families and closest friends whom they trust above all others.
2
Apart from the generational family grip practiced at the New York Times, which isn’t a government entity but certainly portrays itself as a public trust, this practice is seen throughout our culture and almost always carries with it explicit financial interest and involves actual executive power of one kind or another. Yet neither Kushner nor Ivanka hold any explicit executive power, and neither are paid for their efforts – they’re merely advisors. It’s going to be hard for any external authority or influencing agent to argue successfully that a president may not be advised by anyone he sees fit to allow such access.
All of this foofaraw is occasioned by one act by Chief of Staff Kelly to downgrade the security clearances of ALL whose FBI clearances have not been completed – an act whose practical effect we have yet to see. We’ve never had a president like Trump, with vast global financial interests, and who manages extensively by the efforts and advice of others. Trump may make the argument to the people that he trusts these individuals to give him such advice in an atmosphere of profound demonization by his ideological adversaries, and trust the people to give him a pass on an unorthodox practice that suits his management style – when 85% of Republicans approve of his performance as president.
Adversaries will need to depend on law, and law doesn’t favor them.
The people may be a lot more interested in what Trump accomplishes than in the management style he employs.
2
Let us praise nepotism and cronyism?
Wouldn’t it be more accurate to say that Jared and Ivanka are not receiving federal salaries?
Their compensation comes in different forms - $500 million loans, investments, free advertising, pay for play, etc.
4
Rita:
My comment didn't praise nepotism or cronyism: it acknowledged the use of family and close associates by MANY leaders in different walks of life, and also acknowledged Trump's management style, which is different from that of most presidents. He remains accountable to the people, and we'll see what that means in November of this year and November of 2020.
As to your careless allegations of unlawful "pay-for-play" and the other alleged bennies ... prove it. Until and unless you (and Mueller) do, it's all ideologically self-interested twaddle.
1
If the constitutional checks and balances are falling short of action, the Republican party and the Republican controlled Congress is playing second fiddle to the President, voters seem content with the whimsical ways of Trump, who can reinin in the elaborate family patronage system that Trump has firmly laid down in the White House and administration? Its all in the family for Trump, be it his real estate business, public service, or the politics.
3
“Who can rein in the patronage?” At this point, only the Special Prosecutor.
1
Ron Chernow’s biographies of Washington, Grant and Hamilton clearly point out the challenges faced by our country and leaders throughout our BRIEF history as a nation. Many present challenges were also confronting these leaders. What makes this Trumpmania different is the possibility of nuclear war and/or economic collapse and/or permanent environmental degradation. The stakes are so much higher now and, it seems, the only “checks and balances” will come from Mueller, not Congress or the Judiciary. Citizens must pay attention and, hopefully, grasp the potential for national and international disaster from this corrupt administration.
16
I've long wondered how Donald Trump can get away with such flagrant abuse of the laws and norms, even if Clinton paved the way.
But more to the point, the only pushback seems to come from Democrats, and a few former Bush appointees, among them notably Richard Painter.
All of this is exploding in Trump's face of course. We keep reading at how "infuriated" the president is at all the chaos, which is vintage Trump--never owning up to his own role in creating chaos in the first place.
In addition to the financial profiteering, influence peddling and self-dealing rampant in this White House, the jealousies and turf battles stemming from hiring relatives are driving the few good people left to quit.
I'm glad the Board has finally raised this issue because, yes, strong laws are needed. It's sad that we can't count on the decency of those who run for office to respect laws and norms established over our history without resorting to strong legislation, but such are the tenor and morals of our time.
Wouldn't it be ironic if the final legacy of the most lawless president in modern history includes a set of airtight laws (mandated release of tax returns, no family hiring) all resulting from his flagrant abuse of public service?
345
this should have been raised 2 year ago by the Board. Trump was treated as a novelty act and never held to strict account by the Times or other "responsible" news outlets. His dealings with Russians could have been uncovered then, and his business practices and nepotism were out in broad daylight to expose and amplify to the electorate. Trump has never made any effort to cover up the criminal enterprise he and his family have used to shake us down - Trump University, bankrupt casinos and stiffed contractors on his development projects...
Clinton pave the way?!
To equate Hillary Clinton with Jared Fredo and Ivanka Connie Corleone Trump is absurd.
You ask: “Wouldn't it be ironic if the final legacy of the most lawless president in modern history includes a set of airtight laws (mandated release of tax returns, no family hiring) all resulting from his flagrant abuse of public service“?
No. It will be the logical outcome.
I see/ understand the nepotism instances in history. One difference you can see is the 'intent' of the positions chosen or held. It seems to me the positions filled with the Trump administration were exclusively targeting ones that their individual businesses have great opportunity to benefit from. A White House secretary, the head of a task force (health care), even an attorney general - there's certainly less opportunity for direct family business growth from those roles. Again, the con was played... and now the evidence is becoming obvious - I hope the supporters are satisfied.
30
Sadly, we have been headed here for years now. The GOP has been electing candidates who are neither wise nor experienced, but are, rather, simply pawns in a large corporate takeover of our government. Trump was the tipping point, but he was not even there at the beginning, when the GOP turned its back its constituents and began fighting this culture war. Jared and Ivanka are not the problem, they are the symptoms of the disease that the Republican party has spread through our once great land. Whether we will find the antidote remains to be seen.
154
I agree. The USA has become a corporatocracy, increasingly run and managed for the benefit of large corporate political donors aka puppeteers. It is the modern version of rule by the aristocracy from which the founding fathers sought to escape.
1
How do you measure nepotism? According to a survey which ranks countries on their levels of nepotism from seven (no influence) to one (enormous influence), the US has a score of 4.2, putting it in 63rd place out of 125 countries evaluated, behind Kazakhstan, Egypt and South Africa (to give just a few arbitrary examples) and way behind Germany and the UK (to give a few more). The Czech Republic, where Ivanka’s mother was born, received the same score as the United States. In America if your name is Ivanka, you are lucky, you get a job with your dad with perks to classified information from the US government. What is wrong with nepotism? Donald Trump is not the first president to practice nepotism, it looks like there were few other US presidents too according to this article.
Nepotism may not be illegal but it is unethical. Nepotism includes many of the basic government ethics issues: conflict of interest, misuse of office, preferential treatment, and patronage. Also, nepotism and corruption go hand in hand, many third world countries are good examples, China is no exception to nepotism either where children of powerful officials step into their parents' shoes.
12
Unethical? djt's avoidance in publishing his tax affairs, or any other affairs, is unethical. Sexual assault and rape is illegal and unethical. Lying about matters of State is unethical. Lying about numbers attending ones inauguration is childish and unethical. Lying 7.5 times a day on average on matters of State is pathetic, uninformed and unethical. Bullying, boasting of ones own untested bravery, and ones own sexual prowess is ...
I could go on and on and on, but just compiling this depressing list of inadequacies and worse of not just any old public figure but the purported leader of the Free World is nauseating me.
Can the current administration cite any one single day since his little inauguration, that djt hasn't flapped his little hands around like little bird's wings while he has lied, evaded, hedged, harangued, bullied, boasted, sneered, blamed, and shamed those who voted him into office by a minority and misused his authority in such a low down and unethical manner.
I expect he doesn't understand the word ethical, the man can't put a simple sentence together.
1
As the editorial suggests, throughout much of history the tribal principle of family rule prevailed. In the unstable environment that confronted most monarchs, family ties helped ensure that they could trust their subordinates.
The concept of a professional civil service, comprised of career public servants, achieved dominance in the 19th century, at least in the industrializing nations. The growing complexity of government's responsibilities required specially trained officials, who would devote their career to such service. The culture that permeated the bureaucracy required loyalty to the state, rather than to the leaders of political factions.
The civil service increased the competence of officials and improved continuity in the performance of the bureaucracy's functions. But the persistence of nepotism demonstrates that presidents sometimes prized personal loyalty over professionalism. In Trump, however, we have a president who values only loyalty in all his appointees. If the reaction against his abuses leads to enactment of a more effective law against family government, his term of office may achieve something useful, after all.
35
It is frightening to think about where this all may end. Never before has our government been staffed by so many unqualified, inept, greedy, and often venal individuals who are wreaking havoc upon our democracy. The sheer number of ethical lapses and breaches is unfathomable. I pray that Mueller's investigation will begin to rectify some of this horrendous mess but I fear that the feckless Republicans in the House, who appear to have abrogated their oath of office, will fail to act onthe legal findings.
1051
We need an independent mechanism to enforce the constitutional oaths taken by our elected federal officials. Waiting for the next election is clearly insufficient.
4
Right?
If only we lived in a divided limited power constitutional republic of sovereign united states under the control of 320 million Americans with a Bill of Rights.
It is really frightening to think that the American people are unable or unwilling to take control and make their elected and selected hired help do the right thing before it is too late. Praying to Mueller will not prevent Trump from firing and pardoning his way out of the Russian American conspiracy.
If you want to see the epitome of feckless you should look in a mirror.
3
You are easily afraid, I lived as a child through the Cuban crisis in Florida. That was a little scary for a child in middle school, just a little.
1
All of these laws and what President's can't do in office. Trump is doing it and getting away with it! He's law-less. Obviously, other branches and actors are as well. If laws work, why all of this talk more than a year after Trump took office and is enriching himself immensely-- the emoluments clause another aspect of the law broken... how does he continue to get away with this? Fear of his base running enraged to the WH to protests if someone -- it won't be Jeff Sessions-- decides to uphold the laws he is breaking everyday?
Something stinks in America. The odor is stifling. No one wants to get close to it. It is in the white house talking out the sides of his mouth, knowing nothing-- but he's the President. He is the worse President! How much longer must this nation endure him and his mess (that he claims was inherited)? He should do himself a favor an resign before he leaves the office totally disgraced.
118
Trump remains "law-less" because he has not been held accountable by our Democratic leadership. The Republicans have no incentive (other than moral) to confront Trump, but what's the excuse for the Democrats?
2
“America - the greatest country ever!” Really? Think about it. Sorry, I used the word “think.” My bad.
2
An excellent article from which those who need it most, Republicans, will not profit.
97
Mr.Trump did not get the memo that Americans defeated George lll during the revolutionary war.He pictures himself as lord of the House of Trump.There are luxurious mansions and a court of friends and relatives who will do his bidding and most of all who will be loyal to him.No need to find competent staff because he and his minions will make policy and deal with foreign leaders.The big problem-we have a constitution and he took an oath to uphold it.His family and loyalists are in trouble and deserting the ship of State because they ,too, forgot that we are a nation of laws and they in all their zeal have forgotten that.Mr.Mueller will lay out the big picture for us.
56
Not only did Trump not get the memo about George III, but I’m sure he’d have no idea who he was if he did.
And, lest we not forget - friends. Like the friend of Melania who charged $26M for her role in the inauguration. I still haven't figured out what work she did for that type of money, have you?
295
The only friends Donald Trump has are the ones he bought.
1
If Ivanka and Kushner had any shred of dignity or self-reflection, they would have turned down appointments that were clearly over their heads. They are like Stepford Children. In every photo, Ivanks and Jared look half-disassociated and half superior-to-everyone. There is no excuse for them (or Trump) to be anywhere near the White House. It is appalling and embarrassing. History books will not be kind.
391
You are correct.. Jared and Ivanka have no dignity, nor do they have integrity. I want to like them... they are young, they are attractive, they are relatively Liberal-minded, but then I am reminded they sit quietly while Trump slowly destroys our nation. Family ties should never absolve us from speaking out.
1
Russian history books will be gloating.
1
The entire miserable Republican Party shares the blame for Trump's offences. In complete opposition to the aggressive obstruction that they imposed on Obama, they are are taking a completely submissive approach towards Trump. They know what he is doing is wrong but choose to say nothing. Outside the occasional whimper of protest, probably just for show, they have let him do as he pleases.
282
The lack of principles and patriotism of the Republican Party is more abhorrent to me than the sociopathic Trump family of grifters. The Republicans in Congress KNOW what Trump is doing and don't love their country enough to stop him.
3
Hillary lost to James Comey, Vladimir Putin, Julian Assange and 58% of white voters including 62% of white men and 54% of white women.
1
Nepotism is truly insidious. Someone like Kushner or Ivanka need to do nothing to rake in the spoils. It comes to them as long as they hold their positions. Kushner merely needed to show up in China for his company to receive huge loans. He has the ear of his father in law in all sorts of matters that give him advanced knowledge that he can use to make a bundle and he needs no security clearance to pick the brains such as they are of his presidential father in law. And who knows what ideas he can plant in the head of his malleable patron. The fact that so many countries acknowledge this path way to the president and give Kushner special preference only shows that these countries are far ahead of us in the nepotism game, but the only way to stop this completely is to fire the Donald and until that happens the game will continue with a wink and a nod.
51
RFK was a trained and experienced lawyer who was qualified for the position. Hillary had a record of public service. What does Ivanka and Jared have to offer?
412
So, nepotism is OK in certain situations? Or for certain political parties?
Robert: Hillary was also was a trained and experienced lawyer who was qualified for the position. She had experience working on programs to improve health and other care for children. She also had a close view of government from living with a state governor for years as well as working for a Senate investigation committee for several years.
1
The anti-nepotism law enacted was anti-RFK. So you are correct. Nepotism is okay for the Trumpolites.
It is time for Ryan and McConnell to tell Trump to resign.
77
That will never happen. I truly believe those two men have insidious motives. Power has truly corrupted both of them. The voters in the states they "represent" need to open their eyes and see them for what they are.
1
"It is time for Ryan and McConnell to tell Trump to resign." Yes, we all know that. But Ryan won't even take Devin Nunes off the House Intelligence Committee and look at the havoc that he is causing! McConnell is just, plainly said, a traitor to this country. He showed us that during the obstruction of the Obama Administration. So we can't count on these two un-Americans.
Who can we count on? I call Senator Collins every week and demand she step into the shoes of Margaret Chase Smith and start the process of ending this nightmare. But she won't do it. No Republican will do it and no Democrat has the power.
IF we can hang on until the midterms and IF it is a 'clean' election (can we count even on that any more?) a Blue Wave can change the direction of the country. But that's a couple of big IF's.
I think it's time to start buying water and freeze-dried food because if somebody doesn't stop Trump and his Crime Family soon, we are headed into true crisis. He and Jarvanka do not belong in the White House. It's CHAOS all the time. It really can't continue to go on like this or I truly fear for our country - and world.
2
That will never happen. They sold their souls to the Kochs, Adelson, the Mercer's, and the NRA a long time ago.
1
I am appalled by the many conflicts of interest and use of the office of the presidency to benefit and reap financial gain, inexperienced family members sent on diplomatic missions, and clearly a son-in-law who is benefitting from his position. It is clearly a travesty however, I have no confidence in this Congress as they continue to do NOTHING. They can't even protect children from this mass epidemic of school shootings. On top of all this, and I predicted this; Trump has only appointed his inexperienced cronies to make them even richer and this in turn has eroded the foundations of our institutions.. We are all ideological thinking Congress is serving the American people. Congress cares nothing for us... Our public servants care nothing for our seniors and struggling families, and children. My only hope is that the American people rise up to affect change. This is indeed deplorable. If Congress can't represent the best interests of the American people, then move out of the way for those candidates who can and will protect our children..
62
Loyalty is really the only job requirement when you're up to no good. Anyone worth their salt would ask too many questions when they witness the goings-on.
75
Imposing laws upon the conduct of the President by Congress would tend to give Congress control over the Executive which would weaken the separation of powers. The willingness of Presidents to refrain from conduct which exploited their governmental authority to gain personally or to enable their friends and family really has saved the nation from considering many laws or Constitutional amendments to make Presidents not misuse the office in a corrupt manner. Trump has no convictions, no honor, no conscience and this makes him perfectly comfortable to exploit his authority for his own and his family's advantage. A Constitutional Amendment will have to be drafted which explicitly forbids Presidents form conducting their private business while in office and to prevent them from allowing family members or partners in business to have any role in government while they are in office.
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Thank you for this explanation. Nothing will happen. The people who should care, do not. The people who should make it stop will not. The knowledge provided will have zero impact. That is the "state of things" as they are now. It is distressing, but Trump has taken all of us down a dark tunnel and the GOP is happy to help him on his journey. No one cares and that's the problem,
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"The people who should make it stop..." are Congressional Democrats. And you are right, they will do nothing.
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Correction: People DO care. Unfortunately, none of us who are terrified by the abuses of the Trump family, by the undermining of our nation's values and principles, are in a position to curb these abuses. Only the GOP majority in Congress can curb the president. But to their eternal shame, this GOP majority has overwhelmingly chosen party over country.
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Tom, what exactly is it that you expect the Democrats to do? The Republicans control both houses of Congress and the Presidency. It's not that the Democrats are saying nothing or doing nothing, but all their efforts are pretty much blocked. A lot of Democrats are organizing on the ground. We'll see how that goes.
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Wait until a Democratic contender becomes president at which point all the egregious behavior tolerated in this administration will suddenly become a sky is falling event and what is accepted now will be considered criminal behavior. Only to be rolled back out the door when the next Republican contender becomes president? I have not a lot of faith in the corrective process. What's becoming normative today is truly appalling behavior and everyone is so sandblasted by it that we are numb. Thankfully we have passionate young people to take up arms for us and for common decency.
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It is hilarious that the GOP does not care if Trump abuses our system of government. Only matters when a Democratic officeholder is in power.
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Indeed. It is telling that they believe THIS is the norm. They're all criminals laundering money.
I'd laugh if I were not so busy trying not to cry.
It is incredible the toll and damage to our nation since the election (not by the popular vote plus outside machinations from Russia) of Trump. Every day I wake up think "Is he gone yet?"
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The daily tawdriness this White House so often takes our breath away that we haven't found the stamina to constantly question the ongoing corrosion of our democracy.
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Trump tries to get away with anything and everything that isn't technically illegal (and then some) only because our forefathers didn't presume anybody would rise to the level of the presidency so lacking in morals.
To add insult to injury, he is systematically dismantling regulations that can protect us from people like him and his cabinet.
The result: we'll need MORE laws and regulations after we pry him out of office.
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Politicians who practice nepotism steal power from the people. Alas, it's only one form of unethical self-serving. Others include, for example, tax cuts that help the the rich get richer and draft-avoidance that puts less "connected" people in harm's way.
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Yes, nepotism is to be avoided for sure. But the greater problem here is that Trump has installed greedy incompetents with numerous conflicts of interest who care nothing about public service, or the public for that matter, and who are granted carte blanche by Trump. If Jared or Ivanka had any competency in public policy, or even a moral compass, like a Robert Kennedy, there might be ways to make this work. But here, it's all about money and loyalty. Disgusting.
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these appointments that the president has made can only be stopped by the Russian inquiry that the FBI is involved with. as for his family being all of one mind, his nepotism looks rather smart. the lack of direction and refusal to admit needing help is worrisome for most americans. he is as he ran during the campaign. however, no one truly thought the GOP en masse would afford him carte blanch as he stumbles through the days. good job all around.
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Trump wants to run the White House like it was his business. Guess what? The White House is not a business. It represents our highest governmental office. It doesn't become to Trump personally.
The concept of a president's son-in-law, a man only in his thirties with no government experience, being named "Senior Advisor" defies reason.
Trump defended the arrangement by saying that Kushner doesn't draw a salary for his role. But he doesn't need to be on payroll to benefit. The clout and connections he is afforded more than compensate.
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Yes, Trump WANTS to run the country like his private business. But he's LOUSY at running a private business! Why is that always discounted? "Oh, he's a businessman, he'll know how to do it". Except all his businesses have failed. And THAT'S why he had to turn to the Russian Oligarchs, he's indebted to Putin and we are UNPROTECTED because of it.
And no one will acknowledge it. He's a failed businessman and the Russians bailed him out (and we all knew this before the election) and that's why we are in the deadly pickle we are in right now.
It's making me crazy. That no one in any kind of power will stand up and acknowledge that this Emperor is a very sick and naked man and somehow we are allowing him to make life and death decisions in his terrible 'policies', just shatters the mind.
I'm 66 years old and have lived through a lot as an American, starting with the fear as a child of nuclear war, through Viet Nam, Nixon, through Civil Rights, through burning cities, through assassinations (one after another!), through police shootings of unarmed black men and women, on and on......but the fact that no one is standing up to him, to removing him, is the worst thing I have ever experienced. And today seems to be the absolute worst I have felt since the Electoral College failed to stop this dictator wannabe and his Crime Family. The absolute worst.
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If this was the worst thing he did, I'd be relieved. Unfortunately, we are now also barreling towards nuclear war, environmental collapse, economic chaos, and dictatorship.
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Yes, and if that's what the Trumpsters want, we don't want them.
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The judicial appointments. You forgot the judicial appointments, likely to be the true long term damage tRump does.
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I believe that authority is a good thing - it doesn't need to be a dictatorhip necessarily. In my experience, too much talk makes things very complicated and time consuming. Look at France with its syndicates and rampant immigration. They are a cautionary tale in a lack of authority at the highest level. But hopefully this doesn't happen to the US... and that's why people voted rightfully for Trump.
His family appointments are a show of weakness rather than strength which global leaders find easy to exploit. However, it is the US who get a raw deal - poorly conceived decisions, internal tensions, decadence and reputational loss. No-one is willing to take this problem on, more's the pity.
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The focus of this article on nepotism throws us off the trail--the problem with the Kushners is not so much nepotism as all the other problems they bring, and this is particularly so for Jared.
Actually I think Ivanka is OK. Her role includes acting as a diplomat of sorts for her dad—who certainly needs all the help he can get in this area—and this tends to work. An example was her role at the closing ceremonies of the Olympics, where I think she did OK. But then there’s Jared. First thing, he has a ton and a half of baggage. And, what does he do? To the extent that his role includes giving advice, you’ve got to wonder about the quality of it.
The problems began on the first day of the transition, when he orchestrated the firing of Governor Chris Christie as payback for how the Governor had honorably done his job as U.S. Attorney in successfully prosecuting Kushner’s crooked father. Governor Christie had worked to set up a great start to President Trump’s transition. But the President allowed Kushner to undercut the Governor and have him fired as the transition director. Vintage Trump! Had Trump kept the Governor his administration might have become less of the disaster that it has.
So for a President who needs all the help he can get his son-in-law is a huge negative in the worst possible spot. Although the President continues to hemorrhage staff members it would be a blessing if he’d get his hand somehow forced and Mr. Kushner would be tossed out of the lifeboat.
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Trump likes to compare himself to Andrew Jackson and, in at least one aspect, he is correct, because it was Jackson who instituted the "spoils system". If we substitute "immigrants" for "native Americans" then we have another similarity. Additionally, if we consider the fact that Jackson had little respect for the existing government, especially the judiciary, then we have yet another. Jackson was also called "King Jackson" by his opponents...something I'm sure that Trump would very comfortable with.
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Trump is the perfect storm for the founders of the constitution, and as one branch of government won't do their constitutional duty and stop him, he is also a threat to the union and the world in ways previously unimaginable. A contract means nothing if not enforced. The founders surely knew that as well. No wonder they worried.
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Rules? Conventions? Laws? Aren't those for little people? Surely not for the Trumps.
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Maybe the worst is not what 45 does but what those coming behind will do given the legacy that will be established. Just like the ironic twist of Clinton precedent allowing Trump to bring in his relatives to power.
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At least Mrs. Clinton tried to get us universal healthcare. What have Trump's kids done for anyone but their businesses?
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Shortly after the inauguration, when Kellyanne Conway told TV viewers to “buy Ivanka’s stuff,” it was clear that the Trumps and their aides saw themselves as being above the law. They believed they could do or say anything that benefited their fiefdom. Ivanka would be daddy’s assistant. Her brothers would run the country while daddy made America great again. Her husband would single-handedly bring about world peace. Nobody told them they were no longer running a privately held family business. They’re now seeing the fallacy of their belief, and it’s infuriating to Trump. But the real tragedy is that the Republicans in Congress have done nearly nothing thus far to set this monstrous family straight.
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The Republicans in Congress have done nothing... and will do nothing. Do not waste your energy hoping they will turn around. Instead, focus on our Congressional Democrats. Where are THEY in the face of all this?
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NYCtoMalibu - there is someting to be said about running the country like a business - we need to set objectives and meet them by a certain deadline and if they aren't then heads should roll just like in a business. However, it is when the business becomes "family" that problems start especially when they have no experience in the business they are running. Again, Clinton did the same thing with his wife... so it's not a Republican thing.
Yes, the moral abdication of the Republicans is shocking and is endangering our democratic republican form of government.
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I love it when Trump brags that Kushner is working for ‘’free’’. Yeah, right, just like Manafort, that
turned out well.
The Republican Party will hopefully, eventually, come around to agree that their presidential candidate vetting system is a failure. Unfortunately, they’re slow learners, so it could take a few
elections before they come up to speed with the rest of us.
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Trump campaigned on the claim his business acumen enabled him to hire the best people. He hired Jeff Sessions, whom he realized was a Mr. McGoo before he hired him. So was his campaign pledge false? Of course it was, but the irony is that everyone Trump has hired was never the best FOR THE NATION, but the best for Trump. Meritocracy has never had a role in Trump's hiring decisions. His hiring decisions were based upon what would be best for Trump, his company, and his family to plunder the Nation. In the campaign, he claimed we would see more of Melania, that she would be a great First Lady, but instead of sending Melania to represent the country, he sends his daughter instead. Is Trump afraid Melania will seek political asylum if she goes overseas by herself?
The entire fiasco is tragic, but I suppose it could be worse: Trump could have sent Stormy Daniels to S. Korea.
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I just love saying things that irritate people. If Trump and his minions ever read my comments in these comment blogs I will say : I told you so!, and so did a half million other people. Neither one of them belongs in the White House, except maybe to have lunch once in a while, and then they can talk about what ever they want.
If they are ever pushed out they will still owe us, the American citizens and taxpayers, for all of the expenses they caused, like the extravagant Secret Service protection to show the world how important they are. They also owe us for the time and expense of doing their background investigations for a security clearance. They owe us for the surveillance expense as a result of the classified information they have seen and now know. They owe us for the risks to the national security as a result of their knowledge of the nation's secrets.
This isn't one of their businesses. Maybe one day they will realize what they have gotten into. So far I see no evidence of it. When they do they will be pale with terror.
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Aristotle, I honestly don’t think the lot of them are intelligent enough to be ‘pale with terror.’
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It has been apparent that Trump is completely unprepared and unsuited for the Office of the President of the United States. He is a weak leader, a serial liar, an untrustworthy politician, an unreliable ally to our friends around the world. He has violated multiple laws anyone of which could lead to his removal. At the same time he is unlikely to be removed. Because he is weak, he is being used by multiple groups to advance their agenda. Unfortunately, because he is so weak there is no 'Plan,' there is chaos at the White House as first one group and then another gain ascendancy. All of this aided and abetted by a President with the intelligence and attention span of a gnat, who has gained access to twitter. Until his failing about becomes so dangerous that even his supporters abandon him, he will remain President.
The Democrats are not helping themselves either. With a President who is practically handing them the election, they have no plan, they have no leader, they have no sense of direction. Their response to the chaos at the White House? They shut down the government, not once, but twice!! How can you expect people to hand you the reigns of power when you can't keep the government running?
Washington is a mess, all of it. Its time to throw them all out and start over from scratch.
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I had two top-secret security clearances: one military (with "crypto" clearance) and one State Dept. I had to decalre myself as an "agent" because I worked for a West-German governmment entity (a school district). In the State Dept. I had to inform my supervisors when working in a Communixst country where I went, when I went, and how I went. And Kushner doesn't understand the policies of security clearances? He couldn't pass muster with my Army colleagues. He does nor belong in the White House--nor does his father-in-law.
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Trump won the right to be in the White House.
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Trump has never experienced any working arrangement outside of a family business. He never worked for anyone but his father. He doesn’t understand any other operating model but complete, autocratic control carried out by relatives and loyal friends and associates. The man is not a deep thinker. It is no surprise that he is now treating the U.S. government as just his latest family firm. In the past when his businesses faltered, he could just declare bankruptcy (4 times), walk away, and hire the same people who got his company in trouble in the first place. But, now, whoa! Trump Hotel in DC, raking in the cash; Donald Jr. hawking real estate in India; Ivanka thinking she is a foreign policy genius because people fawn over her at the Olympics; Jared Kushner being connived by people far smarter than he is; and the list goes on. When will someone step up and say, enough?
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When will someone step up and say, enough? When Republicans lose control of Congress.
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It is tough to step up because a minority of Americans - aka the Base - is holding the rest of us hostage to the Family Trump and their whims.
If anyone stands up to Jared or Ivanka, they will simply run to daddy.
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Agreed. It's sad that Democrats, as well as ANYONE in D.C. who feels this way, stays silent because it's the smart thing to do STRATEGICALLY. To me, that doesn't bode well for things changing much, regardless of who's in office.
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too bad this piece did not appear over a year ago. the same problems were evident then. sadly our nation is suffering from the inept and corrupt leadership of this trump clan. even worse, no one in congress or the judiciary has had the courage or patriotism to stop their greedy nepotism.
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Has a single Republican in the House or the Senate commented publicly on the gross abuses that have arisen from the president's nepotism?
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I am more disturbed there hasn't been a chorus of Congressional Democrats speaking out. I have no expectations from the Republicans, but as a Democrat I'd like to think my party has my back.
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I believe the answer to that would be no.
Write on! Sunshine is the best disinfectant, a free press our only hope.
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America was born in revolution and saved by civil war. We may need more than a disinfectant to have any hope.
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None of this is a surprise? Soon after the election, there was coverage of how inappropriate it was for Trump to appoint Jared and Ivanka to his inner cabinet... but where were the Congressional Democrats then? So many of these "failings"... e.g Neil Gorsuch, Ben Carson, Betsy DeVos... the list is LONG... might have been prevented, had our Congressional Democrats demonstrated BOLD and effective leadership. Instead, what we got (and still have) is complacency on their part... and the resulting nightmares we endure.
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The GOP simply knows how to gimmick the system better than the Dems. They counted correctly on a racist electorate knowing that stopping Obama from acting presidential would fly.
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I'm sorry, how were the Dems (in the minority) supposed to prevent Gorsuch, et al.?
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A thoughtful history, decade by decade, family by family, on the use of power. I like the part where a president's son shows five years of tax returns to show that he had not benefited from his position.
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The House of Trump? A flimsy thing
On false premises built,
On bankruptcies, not paying debt,
Bound up in strands of guilt.
A slumlord son-in-law your choice
For delicate diplomacy
Using his nepotistic ties
For bank loans ill aromacy.
This House of Cards is tumbling down
A Humpty Dumpty Wall
May end its sole accomplishment
As Trumpty takes his fall.
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Almost as bad as JFK appointing his brother Robert to the neutral law enforcement post of Attorney
Almost as bad as JFK appointing his brother Robert to the highly sensitive and supposedly neutral legal post of Attorney General. What would you say if Trump appointed Ivanka Attorney General?
g]
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Don't necessarily agree with your premise but that's why the law was passed.
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Me thinks not. RFK did not have the conflicts of interest, failure to divest, financial ties to Russia, etc., that these people have, and also was able to pass a background check for a top secret security clearance. None of the Trumps has any business being anywhere near the White House.
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"It was John F. Kennedy’s appointment of his brother Robert as attorney general that led to the first antinepotism law, in 1967. It prohibited presidents and members of Congress from appointing or promoting relatives and spouses “in or to a civilian position in the agency in which he is serving or over which he exercises jurisdiction or control."
-- from the article.
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