Trump's Officials Embrace 'Never' as a Defense of Conduct

In a striking display of loyalty, Attorney General Todd Blanche has asserted that he will never act against President Trump's wishes, even if such requests were to cross ethical or legal boundaries. During a recent appearance on NBC's Meet the Press, Blanche confidently stated, "The president will never ask me to do something unethical or illegal. He never has. He never will." This declaration aligns with a growing mantra within the Trump administration.

Last month, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly echoed similar sentiments regarding conflicts of interest, insisting, "Neither the President nor his family has ever engaged—or will ever engage—in conflicts of interest." The administration's pattern of claiming invulnerability to legal scrutiny raises eyebrows, especially when juxtaposed against Trump's history of ethical breaches.

Such claims often ring hollow. For instance, Trump has previously pressured former Attorney General Pam Bondi in a public social media post, seeking charges against political adversaries. Similarly, Blanche has faced requests for investigations based on dubious claims, such as the case against David Hearn over a Reflecting Pool incident, despite the Justice Department’s concession of lacking evidence.

The stark contrast between Trump's conduct and traditional norms is evident. While past presidents have placed their assets in blind trusts to avoid conflicts of interest, Trump has maintained control over a sprawling business empire, making decisions that directly benefit his financial interests. His history is marred by legal controversies, including a settlement with the Justice Department over housing discrimination and a conviction for falsifying business records.

The audacity of the administration's “never has, never will” defense lies in its sweeping absolution of any wrongdoing. Rather than defend specific actions, it broadly asserts that all dealings are beyond reproach. This strategy reflects Trump’s broader tendency to disregard established norms, as seen in the contrasting approaches of his former attorneys general. Jeff Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation due to potential conflicts, a decision Trump has never forgiven, while William Barr cautioned against public directives that could compromise the integrity of legal processes.

Under Trump's second term, the administration has seemingly shed all pretense of restraint. Now, any demand made by Trump upon the justice system is considered entirely appropriate, and all his business dealings are deemed free from ethical conflict. This doctrine, which Trump articulated early in his presidency, suggests a radical redefinition of legality and ethics in governance. Blanche's assertions signal that within this administration, the very notion of Trump acting unethically is regarded as preposterous.

Source: www.theatlantic.com