Dishonouring integrity & institutions

Shelley Walia

Any normal human being is likely to respond strongly to injustice, particularly unleashed due to settling some past scores because of a personal grudge. Faced with such a situation, you can either be angry and simply resign from the position you are holding, or alternately, go to the press and share your grievance with the public. Andrew McCabe has chosen to do the latter, resulting in his recent book The Threat.

Living in the age of terror and Trump, McCabe does not mince words in portraying government officials who remain dishonest and insincerely faithful to the President despite the multiple subpoenas and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act issued against him. The investigation into the Russian interference in the elections still arouses suspicion.  The minorities are continuously under threat and the detention camps for migrants from Mexico look more like the detention camps in Nazi Germany. In such a state when the President’s administration is in a disarray, his former aides are being sent to jail and he is under increasing threats of criminal investigation, a book as relevant as this draws attention to the very institutions which are evidently the “nemesis of criminals” but are now being put to blatant misuse.  

The provocation behind the book is apparently McCabe’s untimely exit orders from his post as the deputy director of the FBI 26 hours before his retirement was due. Having served in the post for over two years, he was given no reason for his dismissal while, on the other hand, Trump rejoiced at his termination terming it as “A great day for democracy” in his post-midnight tweet. Interestingly, Trump disregarded the fact that the FBI stands for protection of the rights of the people and the constitution within the spirit of law. Sorrowfully, the rule of law is now being overtly mutilated by both the President and the foreign elements: “Organized criminal networks from other countries target the United States. Hackers steal our data, violate our privacy, and undermine our institutions.” Terrorists, dirty money and the officials join hands to relentlessly use public offices to destroy the sanctity of the institute by undermining legal authority and denigrating law enforcement.

The account of the book, though born of a personal experience, gives due attention to the integrity of the institution of the FBI and its faithful agents. Qualified as he is with varied experience of the handling of Russian organised crime, the Boston Marathon bombing and the Benghazi attack and more notably, the email account of Hillary Clinton, McCabe is unsparing in his critique of the institution and the bad name that has imperceptibly grown around it.  However, he is full of commendation for the FBI agents and its officers for following the deeply embedded traditions of professionalism based on ethics. Apparently, it is this kind of commitment by Muller, Jim Comey and McCabe who, in spite of heavy odds, stand up for justice and the call of duty. The various charges against Trump have provoked him into accusing the FBI operations as complete “scam”.

If the President chooses to go after McCabe because the FBI opened the Russian case, he does not succeed in silencing an honest officer. To try to disparage the operations of the FBI only because its investigations have resulted in 30 indictments of individuals associated with Russian interference in the 2016 elections, is itself unworthy of a President. To try to discontinue the investigation against Michael Flynn and then fire Jim Comey because of his underscoring the truth about Hilary’s non-culpability is morally liable. And when McCabe independently testifies in support of Comey’s version, he is dishonourably discharged. According to Sessions, McCabe “made an unauthorized disclosure to the news media and lacked candor” during a review of the FBI and justice department’s handling of an investigation into the Clinton Foundation. This charge is denied by McCabe.

McCabe’s purpose is to hit out primarily against the recent politicising of the FBI and to emphasise the objectivity of its work ethics: “The purpose of the FBI is not to support one side.” This is exactly what the FBI wholeheartedly attempts in spite of the White House which, instead of giving direction and policy guidance to it, has unfairly interfered in its investigations in order the save the President’s skin. Reverence for the constitution, empathy, uncompromising personal integrity as well as exemplary leadership form the basis of its credo. Standing up for what you believe in is central to its character and to the people who man an institution that remains committed to fairness and courage. Heedless bullying and manufacturing of fake news and intolerance of any disagreement has undermined democracy as well as the “backbone of every institution” in the country. The meddling of the President is unwarranted. The book presents a critical counterpoint to this insane ecosystem that he has incubated.