Is It OK For a US President to Demand Personal Loyalty?
By Thom Hartmann A...
Former FBI director James Comey has exposed Donald Trump for what he really is: a wannabe mob boss masquerading as a president.
In the introductory statement he prepared for his testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, fired FBI Director James Comey says that Donald Trump demanded his personal loyalty during a dinner at the White House back in January.
Comey describes a scene straight out of the Godfather:
The President said, "I need loyalty, I expect loyalty." I didn't move, speak, or change my facial expression in any way during the awkward silence that followed. We simply looked at each other in silence. The conversation then moved on, but he returned to the subject near the end of our dinner.... He then said, "I need loyalty." I replied, "You will always get honesty from me." He paused and then said, "That's what I want, honest loyalty." I paused, and then said, "You will get that from me."
Trump clearly wants to run the country like an autocrat or a mob boss. Is that acceptable in a Democratic Republic?
Comments
#2
Donald John Trump is a thug. It is important for a president to have people working for him/her who can be trusted to obey the law and be loyal to the Constitution. Our elected representatives swear to be loyal to the Constitution not to the person in the White House. Donald John Trump is my president, that is true, but he is not the leader of the free world. Trump earned the presidency by winning the election but to serve as leader of the free world you must first establish your credentials as a leader. Trump has failed to show himself anything but a thug, a liar, and a fool. His constant twitter messages in the middle of the night are the results of a foolish mind out of control.
#3
I think Trump's idea of loyalty is that you will lie for him and support his every position however ridiculous.
Marty
#4
Comey seems to be the personification of that old saying, "no good deed goes unpunished."
If by loyalty…Trump means abetting in treason...? I'll take my answer off the air.
#5
PhilipHenderson -- I do not think the word is winning.
Quote Philip:Trump earned the presidency by winning the electionI think the word is stealing. Watch Greg Palast DVD "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy".
#6
The comparison of Trump's "managemant style" to that of a mob boss is dead nuts on. Trump made James Comey an offer he couldn't refuse (and remain FBI Director). This was and remains a clear signal to all those that would hold fast to their commitment to upholding the Constitution, including the Judiciary. Cross "the boss" at your own peril. God help us if Trump skates on this one!
#7
Loyalty demanded from an FBI Director seems contrary to established Governmental Ethical standards in that the Director of FBI is sworn into office to protect the Constitution implying a "loyalty" to the people, not a would-be dictator. Trump's demand for loyalty was in keeping with his demand for his presumed absolute authority as a CEO, not the President of the US.
#8
Please try to understand that Donald has no experience so he does not understand "ways" of the establishment... aaah!
#9
Classy! Paul Ryan, the House harlequin!
And now comes the second act following Comey's debut as the Snidely Whiplash villain in Trump's great tragicomedy: a coterie of Republican troubadours singing off-key excuses and shamelessly rallying around their dimwitted fool in a flamboyant postiche, while he prances around the stage bellowing out poorly-delivered lines and lies to an over-stimulated audience seeking cheap thrills. What next -- a bare-chested Putin riding a unicorn, the King of Saudi Arabia powdered in gold dust orchestrating pyrotechnics? Welcome to the American theater of the absurd!
#10
deepspace: And all of this coincident with the final Barnum and Bailey circus performance! Tell us, does this imply a new and more invigorating phase of entertainment for the the masses? (I personally favor the optics of Ivanka riding in front of Vlad, full gallop .... :-)
#11
I bet there are many more Reality Winners out there, and I'm sure some work at much higher levels than her. Our Putin wannabe won't be able to stop these patriots. Exposure of the truth is driving Trump and the Teabaggers insane....just listen to the right-wing propaganda machine, holy crap.
When our intelligence agencies refuse to do anything about fraudulent elections, then leaking the truth about them is the only option left. Resist Fascism now!
#12
This sick feeling in my stomach won't go away until this freak is impeached.
#13
Outback.
...as Lady Godiva. Maybe that would help boost her taxpayer-funded commercial brand with the Chinese. (8P)
#14
What Democratic Republic? We haven't had that since they assassinated Jack Kennedy.
#15
While this is distracting us the Senate is ready to take healthcare away from 24 million.
#16
While the leftie/socialists are whining over the anonymous, unnamed sources leaking non stories to the fake news media, behind the curtain where real shit goes down,
the first one is especially for legend.
Trump to Announce Slate of Conservative Federal Court Nominees
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/07/us/politics/trump-lower-court-nominee...
House Passes Bill Aimed At Reversing Dodd-Frank Financial Regulations
http://www.npr.org/2017/06/08/532036374/house-passes-bill-aimed-at-rever...
McConnell Backs Obamacare’s Pre-Existing Illness Protection, Source Says
https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-06-07/mcconnell-said-to...
Oh well, back to the "Russians"
#17
Of course it's wrong for Trump to demand loyalty. Our elected officials and Trump himself swore an oath to uphold the constitution not any specific individual. We are a democratric republic not an autocracy.
#18
We are SUPPOSED to be a democratic republic. In reality, America is a violent empire that is raping the world for its dwindling resources, an evil oligarchy controlled by the greediest and most immoral klan of white men ever to breathe our air since the dark days of slavery. Trump, McConnell, Ryan, their congress of constitutional traitors, and the false-religious corporatists on the Supreme Court are nothing but wooden puppets on strings.
The world is burning, and our new slave masters are responsible. Rather than being a beacon of hope for the downtrodden, we have become the United States of Billionaires and the tip of a bloody sword, exporting weaponry and hate to everyone everywhere.
#19
well said
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Yes it is acceptable. Nixon did it. Reagan did it. Bush did it. The Democrats need to focus on economics. Social Security has been decimated. You don't talk about this, but consider. My benefit is say 1300 a month. No Cola. Same this year as last year. But lst year I paid, 300 for Medicare, now 315, 55 per month all these for the drug plan part F, this year $87, that is a 50 percent inrease. And my companion poilcy? Yearly increase by second increase because I am 67. Another 50 a month. So in fact the Medicare cost have driven the SS take home down by nearly 10 percent in one year. That is what we need to talk about. Oh good news for the diversities, the bathrooms in the bay area are all going gender neutral.