Michael Hayden: When Trump's Washington starts to resemble Nicaragua

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/the-administration/332696-michael-hayden-when-trumps-washington-starts-to

Michael Hayden: When Trump's Washington starts to resemble Nicaragua
By Gen. Michael Hayden, opinion contributor - 05/10/17 08:30 AM EDT

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One hopes that that investigation goes forward unimpeded. It is being run by FBI career professionals and they should demand and expect to get all the resources, focus, priority and attention they need from a new director. Comey was interested enough that he reportedly received routine, personal updates on the investigation.

Tuesday’s firing, though, will shake public and Congressional confidence in that effort and will light the fuse for a special prosecutor. I generally oppose those in favor of regular order, but today's events may prove the exception. I certainly have a more open mind about it than I did at lunch.

There is also the question of truth to power and the effect this whole episode will have on the bureau and the rest of government. A lot has been made about the role of career professionals — what I call the permanent government, what Steve Bannon might label the deep state — in helping an impulsive, inexperienced, often fact-free, tweet-driven president to govern effectively. Today's events suggest that may require more bureaucratic courage than we may have anticipated, indeed perhaps more bureaucratic courage than the bureaucracy can routinely muster.

In 110 days of governing, the Trump administration has fired a national security advisor, an acting attorney general, and an FBI director. The last two were let go shortly after publicly opposing an administration position. And in both cases they were proven right. The courts agreed with Sally Yates’ opposition to the immigration ban, and no one (except maybe Sean Hannity) believes that the FBI wiretapped Trump Tower.

With three high profile firings in quick succession, it's beginning to feel a little bit like Nicaragua around here. A very pro-American European friend weighed in with me by email shortly after the White House announcement: “Astonishing. Your institutions appear to be in meltdown.”

He has a point.