A Question of Character: Examining Trump’s Recent Appointments
Wanderstayfinder.com – Across the United States, a quiet conversation has emerged regarding personal character. While the term itself rarely appears in headlines, its essence permeates debates surrounding several prominent political figures. Observers wonder if Lindsey Graham represents a calculating realist or a morally flexible opportunist. Questions arise about whether Todd Blanche serves the country or merely his former boss. Skepticism surrounds Erica Schwartz, the newest candidate to head the Centers for Disease Control, particularly after her declaration that scientific principles would remain unshaken. Doubts also cloud Jay Clayton’s prospects as national intelligence director, with concerns about his willingness to deliver unwelcome truths to the president.
Understanding the Core Concept
The concept at the heart of these discussions traces back to the Latin term integer, which translates to “whole” or “complete.” Integrity means adhering steadfastly to one’s values, selecting honesty even when opportunism offers an easier path, and making ethical decisions that may prove unpopular or inconvenient. It involves maintaining a consistent moral compass regardless of external pressures.
Graham’s Evolution Reveals a Trade-Off
Lindsey Graham’s trajectory illustrates this tension clearly. Following January 6, 2021, he stood on the Senate floor criticizing the president. Yet his subsequent transformation into Trump’s most devoted Senate defender suggests a different motivation entirely. Critics argue he exchanged genuine honesty for political influence, demonstrating minimal integrity in the process.
Blanche’s Moment of Confusion
Todd Blanche encountered his own moment of revelation during his attorney general confirmation proceedings. He expressed a desire to restore confidence within the justice department, only to accidentally describe himself as Trump’s attorney. After a brief clarification that he “was” rather than “is” Trump’s lawyer, the slip exposed something more profound. His unwavering devotion to the president revealed an internal conflict that ultimately undermined his credibility.
Schwartz Undermines Her Own Pledge
Erica Schwartz faced similar scrutiny. Despite promising to remain guided by scientific evidence, she suggested that both Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would avoid enacting policies harmful to public wellbeing. This assurance, while seemingly supportive, weakened her commitment to pure science and raised questions about her independence.
Clayton’s Reluctance to Acknowledge Reality
Jay Clayton’s confirmation hearing proved particularly revealing. Multiple times, he declined to confirm that Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election. Senator Jon Ossoff pressed him directly: “You refuse to answer a basic question about who won a presidential election? But you ask to lead America’s intelligence community? Isn’t it humiliating to be unable to answer this question? To have to indulge the president’s delusions? We know, you know, everybody in this room knows the truthful answer to that question. Why can you not give it?”
The Fundamental Incompatibility
These cases collectively demonstrate an essential truth: integrity and loyalty to Trump cannot coexist. They pull in opposite directions. Within a system built upon persistent falsehoods, genuine honesty becomes nearly impossible. As the Czech poet, philosopher, and statesman Václav Havel observed: “If the main pillar of the system is living a lie, then it is not surprising that the fundamental threat to it is living in truth.”
Historical Precedent: The Cohn Model
Trump himself addressed this dilemma in The Art of the Deal, revealing his preference for loyalty over integrity. He pointed to his mentor, Roy Cohn, as the ideal example. History remembers Cohn for his aggressive bullying, crude boasting, opportunistic prejudice, and relentless dishonesty. Like Trump, Cohn possessed no fixed principles and prioritized personal power that could be converted into wealth, influence, and fame.
In 1986, New York disbarred Cohn for unethical behavior after he attempted to swindle a terminally ill client by compelling him to sign a will amendment bequeathing his entire fortune to Cohn. Cohn passed away five weeks later. Nevertheless, Trump celebrated Cohn’s devotion, contrasting him with “all the hundreds of ‘respectable’ guys who make careers out of boasting about their uncompromising integrity but have absolutely no loyalty … What I liked most about Roy Cohn was that he would do just the opposite.”
Conclusion: Integrity Must Prevail
Whether examining Blanche, Schwartz, Clayton, Graham, or any figure within Trump’s sphere, the choice remains binary. One cannot simultaneously honor personal integrity and maintain absolute loyalty to the president. Yet integrity holds greater value. As Trump repeatedly demonstrates, individuals lacking integrity prove fundamentally untrustworthy. Such persons cannot genuinely serve the American people.
Robert Reich, a former US secretary of labor, is a professor of public policy emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a Guardian US columnist and his newsletter is at robertreich.substack.com. His new book, Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America, is out now in the US and in the UK.
