America is a land of liberty guided by laws that safeguard civilized conduct. Americans can call 911 if they see problems and help will come. After the 9/11 attack on the United States, the New York Transit Authority issued an advisory. “If you see something, say something.” Public safety was worth every effort.
The complex US government does not have such useful tools for reporting problems. Instead, it has the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 that calls on federal employees to report suspected misconduct.
Those in government are elected, appointed, or dedicated as career professionals. The elected reflect the voice of the people in theory. In reality, they are chosen based on the money raised for the campaigns. That works in conjunction with visibility in the air and in appearances. Appointees are chosen by the elected based on campaign donations, often through mutual contacts. Instead, career professionals entered the government to develop skills at the service of the country.
The ingenious US Constitution entrusted government to three equal powers to act as checks on the others. The Congress makes the laws, the Executive puts them into practice, and the Judiciary decides the course of action in case of conflict between the other two. If the president wants a program that Congress doesn’t want to fund, the courts will decide the matter in a sequence of legal steps. That established procedure is now altered by Donald Trump as head of the Executive Branch.
Donald Trump entered office as a maverick. He was already known as a risky business tycoon known for skirting the law. He channeled that skill into entertainment as a media celebrity who called the awful verdict “You’re screwed!” about the contestants on his show. He carried that brand to the White House and beyond, particularly after he removed an Attorney General who headed the judiciary and replaced him with one who viewed presidential powers as unlimited.
Thus, two branches of government have committed to a widely contested position that has led to an impeachment process complicated by a Trump base that applauds Trump’s brazen style of defying constitutional laws and regulations. That view seems to hold that anything goes. Trump was elected as a businessman. He now he has the highest powers in the country and has the right to take advantage of every opportunity.
The American majority claims that America’s great presidential powers were meant to be used in the service of public foolishness. They were not to be wasted for personal gain.
Half of Congress agrees with the majority opinion. The Chamber maintains that, in accordance with the Constitution, the presidential powers are subject to the supervision of the other two branches of government. However, the Senate and the other two branches of government are biased toward the Trump-led Executive. That makes the road ahead bumpy, especially since the Trump brand is virulent.
Donald Trump embarrasses, lies, threatens and acts in secret. With the help of the judiciary, Trump has extended his stranglehold on the abuse of US presidential powers to the world at large. His response to legal proceedings to control him, he simply states that he will not cooperate. His tweets and position changes have led to chaos that is released in leaks to the press. In exchange, he threatens polygraph tests for everyone in his administration. The only way out of the quagmire is for whistleblowers to say what they see regarding the rule of law.
Even in less virulent times, whistleblowers go through agony before acting. They observe, question their perception, and ponder the wisdom of revealing what they suspect. They take a step, maybe hit a snag, step back, reconsider, and then act according to every dictate of life they have committed to.
That decision must be unbearable. Whistleblowers have nothing to gain and everything to lose by coming forward with what they know. The exact reward comes at a high price. They help the country and destroy themselves.
Protected by law, whistleblowers may have little recourse with a president who blindly vilifies them and who has declared that he will not obey the law. When they show up en masse, the rule of law will be restored in America and Trump whistleblowers will be awarded the Medal of Honor for valor in battle.
