The Oxford Dictionary defines “vindictive” as “having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge”. When I read that Attorney General Jeff Sessions had fired former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe — a little more than 24 hours before Mr. McCabe was set to retire — the first word that came to mind was “vindictive”. Mr. McCabe had spent more than 20 years at the FBI and was well respected by his colleagues and previous administrations. This firing comes days just after the President suddenly fired his Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, using of all things a tweet to inform everyone. Although not totally unexpected, Mr. Tillerson proved not to be the “yes man” desired by this President. Again, the manner and speed in which his dismissal was carried out could be described as being “vindictive”. After all, this was the same person that was rumored to have referred in private to Trump as being a “moron”, which I’m sure was never forgotten.
One again, following the earlier firing of former FBI Director James B. Comey, Mr. McCabe’s firing appears to be one more vindictive attack on the FBI. Remember that Trump’s administration has carried out an ongoing war with the FBI due to the agency’s work for special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s probe into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia. The FBI has also been alleged by the administration of improprieties in the handling of the Clinton email case, despite a lack of evidence supporting the allegations. Mr. McCabe’s attorney noted that the intervention by the White House in the Justice Department’s disciplinary process is unprecedented, deeply unfair, and even dangerous. Moreover, Mr. McCabe was a frequent target of criticism from Trump. In addition, it was asserted by his lawyer that Mr. McCabe had not been given an adequate chance to respond to the Justice Department’s allegations. It definitely appears that this may be a good case for a “wrongful dismissal” suit, and if won will no doubt tarnish the President’s and Attorney General’s reputations.
What’s even more troubling in recent weeks is the ongoing loss of Whitehouse staff who have either resigned or been dismissed. As one Political Scientist noted, to date there has never been so much staff turnover and turmoil occurring so early in a first Presidential term. Way back in February 2016 I published a blog about “Donald Trump and Extreme Narcissism” (https://froliticks.wordpress.com/2016/02/29/donald-trump-and-extreme-narcissism/). In it, I noted about extreme narcissists that: “If challenged, they often will bully and disparage those who would dare criticize them.” For the sake of all Americans, I sincerely wish that I had been wrong in my earlier prognosis!
FROLITICKS 