On sycophants, yes men and self-respect

Here is the recently released statement of Edward R. Martin, the new U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia:

 

“I want to thank President Trump for trusting me to re-establish law and order in Washington, D.C.  It is the honor of my lifetime to accept his nomination as Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.  I pledge to work as hard as he does for America, even though no one outworks him.  I want to thank my wife and family for carrying me to this day, and I pray to the Lord Jesus Christ for the continued wisdom and courage I have always found in Him.”

 

This is scary stuff.

 

It is not only that Martin shares Trump’s dystopian vision of “American carnage” — in this case, of the nation’s capitol requiring the “re-establishment of law and order.”

 

Are you kidding me?  I am a criminal defense attorney here.  I know of what I speak.  

 

It is not only that, in Martin’s mind, Jesus comes after Trump.

 

Or that Martin believed his personal religious beliefs were relevant to this professional setting.

 

Or that Martin speaks of Trump in the same reverential terms as he does of Jesus — so much so that if Martin referred to our Lord and Savior, you might not know to whom he was referring.

 

Or even that Martin was present at the J6 insurrection, comparing it to the fun of Mardi Gras.  

 

It is also that, in making the ridiculous claim that no one works harder than Trump, Martin is willing to debase himself. Pride, dignity and self-respect be damned.  He is willing to say anything to ingratiate himself with the supreme leader.  

 

Trump supporters say many positive things about him.  But this is the first time I have ever heard someone praise Trump’s work habits.  It reminds me of the hyperbolic way in which the Chinese government used to extol Chairman Mao’s physical and mental prowess.  Or the way the Italian fascists used to brag about the lights that were alway burning in Mussolini’s office.

 

Trump played 261 rounds of golf during his first term in office.  And his staff refused to release his personal schedule because they wanted to hide the fact that every morning was blocked off for “executive time” with Trump often not reporting to work until 11:00 am or noon.

 

These are the people who are now running our government.  These are people who are valued not for their competence but for their loyalty and devotion to the almighty commander-in-chief.  It is a kakistocracy.

 

I grit my teeth every time I need to pull up Martin’s name to file a document in Case File Express.