Yes, there are countless ethical differences between the Trump and Biden “Classified Capers.” And in many ways, they do matter. Intent. Transparency. Admission of improper possession. Chain of custody. Cooperation with law enforcement.
But ultimately, these contrasts won’t matter. Biden’s “unforced error” is a windfall for Trump and his Congressional Cronies, who now have a gaping opportunity to do what they do best—dodge, deflect, delay, deny and dissemble. Like Jim Jordan needs an excuse to bray? But now he has one, however disingenuous it might be.
“Unforced error,” indeed.
I’m in no way giving Biden a pass. But I’m also in no way giving Trump a way out, politically, morally or legally.
As we approach 2024, the best thing for America would be for both the former president and the current one to be marginalized and nudged into irrelevance by their respective parties and escorted into their dotage.
It’s the only chance this country has to hit something even resembling a “reset” button.
George Santos lied about essentially everything. But Santos continues to insist he is guilty of no “ethical violations,” and under no obligation to resign. And he says it with a straight face. While Santos is the most egregious current example of this mindset, he is by no means its sole proponent. Culturally, we have decided that lying has nothing to do with ethics. We have normalized lying. We have accepted lying. We have in many cases celebrated lying.
Our national rot will continue until we recognize that lying is the foundational ethical sin. Telling the truth is the nucleus of ethical conduct, in both the public and private realms.
We have de-stigmatized lying.
We must now re-stigmatize it.