Where have all the standards gone?

When will they ever learn?

So, the standard when I was a member of the White House staff was that we were forbidden to engage in any conduct that could be perceived as a conflict of interest. This gave every individual a pretty clear basis for making a binary decision, to any offer: say “yes” or “no.” And, it was pretty clear that “no” was the right answer almost every time!

People were indicted for making the wrong choice in accepting meals and favors. They were investigated for attempting to influence a decision from the White House that was by statute assigned to a federal agency as a favor to a friend.

There were laws, rules and other edicts. But, the clearest was the standard of doing nothing that could be perceived as a conflict.

How in the world does the President of the United States, enabled by White House staff and Justice Department officials, reach a conclusion that accepting a $400 million aircraft from a foreign government is OK?

It’s not!

Think about discovering that a foreign government had slipped a suitcase with $400 million into the First Family’s luggage. Might that present the perception of a conflict.

I think my favorite words of wisdom from a commentator today came after playing the clip of President Trump asking if he “should be stupid and not accept the aircraft.” The news commentator said, “…or, maybe he should be ethical and decline.”

Good grief!