The New York Times has obtained and published a memo from President Trump’s lawyers to Special Counsel Mueller essentially arguing that, well, he’s basically above the law. Among the arguments was this:
“The president’s prime function as the chief executive ought not be hampered by requests for interview,” [Trump’s lawyers] wrote. “Having him testify demeans the office of the president before the world.”
In my opinion, quite the opposite. If we wish to walk down the rather silly path of imputing dignity to offices, then we must first remember that the office and its occupant are two different entities. They are not inseparable.
So when we investigate the occupant on reasonable suspicion of some sort of malfeasance, it improves the dignity of the office to have been willing to make the effort to investigate, and clear the occupant of wrong-doing – or not.
Their objection is nothing more than rhetorical puffery.
