All my life I have been taught that all Americans are equal under the law. This was taught in my Civics class, Social Studies, History, and a multitude of other classes as I was indoctrinated into American society as a child, then teen, a member of the U.S. Navy, and then finally in college. The idea is one which permeates throughout most courses dealing with the description of American society. There are classes I took, people I engaged with, and even events in the nation which have made me question this idea of equality under the law.

From a relatively few number of people who aided (directly and indirectly) in the 2008 financial crisis (CNN, NYTimes, and TheAtlantic) have been held accountable. In fact, several of these leaders were given raises, or ended up being able to advise the current administration at some point, men like Steve Mnuchin. All of this is old information, so where is this thought process going?

Well on May 8, 2017 Donald Trump did something unthinkable. He fired the Director of the FBI James Comey. This comes as the FBI is investigating ties of the administration to Russia. Even though Director Comey had been supported by President Trump when investigating Hillary Clinton:

Oct 28, 2016 08:30:55 PM “@piersmorgan: BOMBSHELL: FBI reopening its investigation into HillaryClinton’s email server after new discovery! [Twitter for Android]

Oct 30, 2016 09:04:06 AM Hillary and the Dems loved and praised FBI Director Comey just a few days ago. Original evidence was overwhelming, should not have delayed! [Twitter for Android]

Oct 30, 2016 09:26:30 AM Wow, Twitter, Google and Facebook are burying the FBI criminal investigation of Clinton. Very dishonest media! [Twitter for Android]

He eventually would slam the former Director for his investigation when he was being investigated.

May 2, 2017 09:51:07 PM FBI Director Comey was the best thing that ever happened to Hillary Clinton in that he gave her a free pass for many bad deeds! The phony… [Twitter for iPhone]

May 9, 2017 09:42:52 PM Cryin’ Chuck Schumer stated recently, “I do not have confidence in him (James Comey) any longer.” Then acts so indignant. #draintheswamp

Since the investigation of Trump’s advisers, both during the election and since his election win Trump’s tone on the former Director changed. The question is why. According to this NBC News timeline, there is an appearance of correlation between President Trump’s change in attitude with the former Director and his public announcement of an investigation into Trump’s campaign and its connections to Russia. And then he fires him. In my mind this is suspicious. In 1974 then President Nixon fired a special prosecutor who had submitted a subpoena for the audio tapes that would eventually lead to Nixon’s resignation…does something like this exist in this case for President Trump? Especially seeing who the President has fired to this point, less than 5 months into his presidency; Sally Yates, many of the State Department’s officials, former US Attorney Preet Bharara, and now James Comey. All Senators should look into what is happening in regards to this firing as all who investigate Trump seem to be fired. An independent investigator should be designated, after all a resignation occurred around the same time as the Census director resigned over a funding issue. Are the two related? I doubt it, but the timing will become suspect as the Senate goes forward if there are more resignations or firings.

If the President is not held to account for his firing of the man who is investigating him, then I am ashamed to be a US Navy veteran…the values I served as a young man would no longer be in effect in my country if there is no inquiry at the least, special prosecutor and legal charges at the most. The rule of law would be fractured in my mind as would be my confidence that the US could exist as the beacon of fairness in government. And if President Trump, or someone from his team is found guilty of collusion, conspiracy, or another crime in relation to this Russian investigation they deserve to go to jail. Without this prosecution the faith many have in our system of governance and its checks and balances system will be forever shaken. The core of what it is to be American will no longer hold confidence in a world where we need confidence in our systems of government more than ever. We must progress past our inability to hold those in positions of power and wealth accountable. We cheered the Bernie Madoff conviction in 2009, now the Senate must send the message to the American people that if a government official is involved in something illicit, they will answer for their actions. We must become a nation where people in positions of great power are held to account for the usage of said privilege regardless of where that power comes from.

Please leave thoughtful comments. Let me know what discussion you would like to start.