Years ago, I remember Nixon's Saturday Night Massacre. More recently, but still a while ago, I remember meeting the child of one of those fired that night. The daughter recalls her life being disrupted, from being happy in school, to suddenly moving across the country in ignominy. Her parents were able to rebuild, and her father did again serve in government. However, the daughter felt that the experience had influenced her politics and choice of career. Less than a year a year later, Nixon resigned. (My experiences at the time of Nixon's resignation are discussed in another post--All Politics is Personal.)
Recently, the United States has gone through another Impeachment, this time with a brief trial with preordained acquittal. And, shortly after the Senate returned the vote, the last few witnesses were forced out of their positions in apparent retribution for their testimony. The brother of LTC Alexander Vindman, LTC Yevgeny Vindman was also forced to leave the White House, though both continue to serve in other capacities (https://www.npr.org/2020/02/07/803904417/lt-col-alexander-vindman-escorted-out-of-the-white-house-his-lawyer-says).
Then four Justice Department lawyers resigned rather than agree to reduced sentencing recommendations for sentencing of Roger Stone (https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/justice-dept-to-reduce-sentencing-recommendation-for-trump-associate-roger-stone-official-says-after-president-calls-it-unfair/2020/02/11/ad81fd36-4cf0-11ea-bf44-f5043eb3918a_story.html).
This time, it seems that the "lesson" learned was not what Senator Susan Collins says she hoped had been learned because of the Impeachment. It is useful to compare Clinton's contriteness on acquittal to Trump's celebration (https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/following-impeachment-acquittal-trump-celebrates-no-regrets-n1132146). Perhaps other Senators thought there would be a moderation of behavior, like Senator Collins. Instead, it seems they have granted Carte Blanche to a more imperious President.
I don't know what the future holds, but my reading of the past concerns me.
Recently, the United States has gone through another Impeachment, this time with a brief trial with preordained acquittal. And, shortly after the Senate returned the vote, the last few witnesses were forced out of their positions in apparent retribution for their testimony. The brother of LTC Alexander Vindman, LTC Yevgeny Vindman was also forced to leave the White House, though both continue to serve in other capacities (https://www.npr.org/2020/02/07/803904417/lt-col-alexander-vindman-escorted-out-of-the-white-house-his-lawyer-says).
Then four Justice Department lawyers resigned rather than agree to reduced sentencing recommendations for sentencing of Roger Stone (https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/justice-dept-to-reduce-sentencing-recommendation-for-trump-associate-roger-stone-official-says-after-president-calls-it-unfair/2020/02/11/ad81fd36-4cf0-11ea-bf44-f5043eb3918a_story.html).
This time, it seems that the "lesson" learned was not what Senator Susan Collins says she hoped had been learned because of the Impeachment. It is useful to compare Clinton's contriteness on acquittal to Trump's celebration (https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/following-impeachment-acquittal-trump-celebrates-no-regrets-n1132146). Perhaps other Senators thought there would be a moderation of behavior, like Senator Collins. Instead, it seems they have granted Carte Blanche to a more imperious President.
I don't know what the future holds, but my reading of the past concerns me.
With repeated firings of Inspector Generals, this is becoming routine. People in government swear loyalty to the Constitution, not an individual. The United States has not been a dictatorship.
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