Robert Reich, former US secretary of labor, argues that a fundamental conflict exists for Donald Trump's latest nominees: they must choose between personal integrity and loyalty to the former president. This dilemma was evident during Senate confirmation hearings for Todd Blanche, Erica Schwartz, and Jay Clayton.
Integrity Defined
Reich notes that the word integrity, from the Latin 'integer' meaning whole or complete, involves living by principles, choosing honesty over opportunism, and maintaining a moral compass. He contrasts this with the behavior of Lindsey Graham, who denounced Trump after January 6, 2021, but later became his most loyal Senate apologist, trading honesty for influence.
Blanche's Slip
Todd Blanche, nominated for attorney general, stated he wanted to restore trust to the Justice Department but accidentally referred to himself as Trump's lawyer before correcting himself to say he 'was' Trump's lawyer. Reich views this as revealing a deeper conflict and lack of integrity due to unswerving loyalty to Trump.
Schwartz's Pledge
Erica Schwartz, Trump's pick to lead the CDC, undercut her pledge to follow science by expressing belief that Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would not implement harmful policies. This, according to Reich, casts doubt on her integrity.
Clayton's Refusal
Jay Clayton, nominated for director of national intelligence, repeatedly refused to acknowledge that Joe Biden won the 2020 election. Senator Jon Ossoff questioned him: '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?' Reich asserts that it is impossible to have integrity and be loyal to Trump, as the two are in direct conflict.
Havel's Insight
Reich quotes Czech poet and statesman Václav Havel: '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.' He concludes that a choice must be made between personal integrity and loyalty to Trump.
Trump's Preference for Loyalty
In The Art of the Deal, Trump praised his mentor Roy Cohn for loyalty over integrity, writing: 'What I liked most about Roy Cohn was that he would do just the opposite.' Cohn, known for ruthless bullying and lying, was disbarred for unethical conduct in 1986. Reich argues that integrity is more important than loyalty, as someone lacking integrity cannot serve the American people.
According to Reich, it is not possible for Blanche, Schwartz, Clayton, or anyone else in Trump's orbit to be loyal to Trump and maintain integrity. The conflict is irreconcilable.
