Conflict Zone

   Donald Trump has a habit of firing people he doesn't like, who are not sufficiently loyal, who don't jump when he whistles, or who don't do their jobs in the way he wants.
   Never mind that the ethics of their jobs may require that they maintain some semblance of independence and legality.
   Now there's talk of the president terminating Bob Mueller, the special counsel appointed to track potential wrongdoing in the 2016 election, possible Russian tampering, and even whether there was collusion between the Trump campaign team and Russian computer hackers.
   This week, a meeting called by the president with members of his Cabinet resulted in a praise-a-thon in which the subordinates competed to see who could be more obsequious in pledging their loyalty and praise of the president.
   "It's been an honor and a privilege to serve with you," said the lead-off praiser Mike Pence, the vice president. Dutifully, every other member of the cabinet followed in the display of virtual ring-kissing.
   To many observers, the display was embarrassing, especially to Americans who believe that all are created equal, as specified in the Declaration of Independence.
   But can Trump fire Bob Mueller, as he did James Comey, who had been director of the FBI until he sparked Trump's displeasure over the Trump-Russia collusion issue?
   Technically, perhaps not, since Mueller was appointed by the attorney general. But the attorney general, a Trump loyalist, was himself named by the president. Will he follow the president's wish?
   Historically, when Richard Nixon ordered his attorney general to fire the special counsel investigating the Watergate scandal, the attorney general refused, and resigned in protest, followed by the deputy attorney general, who also refused and resigned.
   As it turned out, Nixon himself resigned, rather than face impeachment, which almost certainly would have resulted in conviction and removal from office.
   Nixon was notorious for becoming furious when things didn't go his way. Trump has a similar reputation. The question now is whether the nation is watching a replay of a similar conflict.
   Meanwhile, another example of Trump's spin cycle is the report that he may not visit the United Kingdom, after all. His excuse seems to be that he doesn't want to go where he isn't welcome, and unless the Brits display a welcome mat, he'll stay home.
   Nyah, nyah.

   Actually, the formal invitation hasn't been made yet, and isn't likely after Trump's recent comments about the mayor of London's attempts to reassure people that security forces are determined to maintain the peace after the recent terrorist attack in Manchester.
   Another sign of an upcoming clash is the likelihood that the Federal Reserve Board will boost interest rates this week to prevent the U.S. economy from heating up too quickly. The recovery from the Great Recession of the previous decade has been progressing reasonably well, but not at the gangbuster pace the president seems to want.
   So will another fit of pique prompt Trump to try to fire Janet Yellen, chair of the Federal Reserve Board?
   An extreme view is that Trump is trying to dismantle the entire federal government. As it is, he has failed to fill hundreds of key government positions, and is trying to cancel dozens of educational and health aid programs and dissolve various regulatory agencies.
   All this even as opposition builds up in Congress and the courts as representatives and citizens challenge a budding Trump dictatorship.
   For starters, the attorneys general of Maryland and the District of Columbia have filed lawsuits against the president, alleging he is breaking the law and the Constitution for not disconnecting himself from his business interests.
   In the past, America has survived presidential corruption and law-breaking. With luck, hard work and an independent Congress and Judiciary, we will again.