Donald Trump began his early morning tweeting on Wednesday by attacking Attorney General Jeff Sessions calling him “DISGRACEFUL” all caps. Trump tweeted:
Donald J. TrumpVerified account @realDonaldTrump
Why is A.G. Jeff Sessions asking the Inspector General to investigate potentially massive FISA abuse. Will take forever, has no prosecutorial power and already late with reports on Comey etc. Isn’t the I.G. an Obama guy? Why not use Justice Department lawyers? DISGRACEFUL!
Apparently, Sessions’ latest Trump problem was doing what Trump requested but not doing it in the manner that Trump deemed appropriate. Trump asked for an investigation into any potential FISA and surveillance abuse. Sessions called on the Inspector General to investigate as the independent body that investigates those who enforce the law to make sure they are following the law. Apparently, according to Trump, calling on the appropriate agency to investigate was “disgraceful.”
As the day progressed, White House Communications Director Hope Hicks, who testified before the White House Intelligence panel on investigating the Russian Trump possible collusion, offered her resignation. In testifying before the panel, Hicks admitted to sometimes telling “white lies” for Trump—while stating that none were major or substantial. I don’t know how Hicks was raised as a child. In my family, I was taught that a lie was a lie—white or otherwise. And I was punished for telling little white lies. I just hope she didn’t tell any “white Lies” when she testified before Special Prosecutor Mueller. If she did, she might find herself being punished in the same court room as Paul Manafort facing criminal charges. Of course, Twitter folks couldn’t resist with the hashtag #WhiteLiesMatter.
Before Hicks, there was Kellyanne Conway who stated there are alternative facts. Again, there are facts and anything less than a fact is fiction. The motto of the Trump administration is not I cannot tell a lie but one of lies and alternative facts are key. Beginning with former Press Secretary Sean Spicer lying about the size of the Trump inauguration size in comparison to President Obama’s inauguration crowd, the Trump administration has no understanding of truth telling. As the Trump administration continues to falter, here are ten things the Trump administration cannot tell the difference from:
- Fact versus fantasy
- Truth versus lies
- Alternative facts versus reality
- Disgrace versus honor
- Witch hunt versus special investigation
- President versus dictator
- Democracy versus plutocracy
- USA versus Russia
- U. S. government versus private sector
- Rule of law versus dictatorship
And if Trump cannot distinguish between these ten important issues, then Donald Trump is the real disgrace to our country. And I agree with Trump’s use of all caps—“DISGRACEFUL” but only as it compares to his presidency. Donald Trump is the real disgraceful one.
Washington, DC based Debbie Hines is a trial lawyer, legal analyst and former prosecutor.