Rosenstein and Wray have only one real weapon: Resignation (WashPost)

[kentuck]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/rosenstein-and-wray-have-only-one-real-weapon-resignation/2018/05/25/0a19e03e-5f83-11e8-a4a4-c070ef53f315_story.html?utm_term=.6e2e7bdeda6f

<snip>
Ultimately, however, Rosenstein and Wray have one weapon and one weapon only here, and it can be deployed only once, at very substantial cost: They can resign their offices.

Two of Trump’s recent affronts to the Justice Department and the rule of law illustrate this excruciating dilemma. Trump began the week proclaiming that he “hereby” demanded an investigation into “whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes.” The next day, he summoned Rosenstein, Wray and Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats to the Oval Office and essentially ordered them to share with Republican members of the House Intelligence Committee confidential information on a criminal probe into, among other things, the president’s own conduct.

Rosenstein and Wray could credibly have chosen to resign rather than carry out either of these outrageous demands. Resignations are a time-honored response for executive-branch officials and Cabinet members — think Attorney General Elliot L. Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William D. Ruckelshaus in the Nixon administration — confronting orders that violate their consciences or oaths of office. We take it as not only permissible but also commendable, and at times morally necessary, for senior officials to resign rather than comply with objectionable presidential directives. Their actions are widely seen as a matter of higher duty, and an expression of fealty to law over men and office over officeholder.

Which leads to an important corollary: The theory of the unitary executive is wrong.

Trump famously averred that he has an “absolute right to do what I want to do with the Justice Department.” As a theory of raw power, this is dubious; but as a theory of constitutional order, it is bankrupt. The case for resignations demonstrates the political culture’s acceptance of the principle that Trump’s overreaches are both dangerous and lawless; otherwise, it would not be justified, much less commendable, for executive-branch officials to stand up against them.

....more at link

[Cartoonist]

1. I don't get it

Other people have resigned from this administration. Nothing resulted. Trump would love to replace them.

[NCjack]

6. There best weapon is to not resign. Go as far, as long as possible, until 45

terminates them.

[unblock]

2. Jedi mind trick attempt. "Your best weapon is the white flag!

[NightWatcher]

3. Maybe they thought of the greater good and dying on that hill wasn't worth it.

They didn't have any damning info to share, as there was no spy in the campaign. They refuted the claim and kept their jobs to fight another day.

[vlyons]

4. I hope that they don't resign

After the Nov elections, the landscape will dramatically change. Dems will most probably take the House, and we'll see remaining Reps scurrying for cover. I just hope that Trump doesn't start a war between Nov and Jan to disdtract from his inevitable impeachmment.

[HopeAgain]

5. They have another weapon...

Leaking after they resign.