Famous Last Words

"You're fired!" -- Donald Trump as reality show host.

   That's easy to say when you're hosting a fake business on television. But when a government official under investigation in the real world wants to fire the investigator, there is no script that would pass even a brief look by a lawyer editing such a potential conversation.
   The government of the United States is not a TV show. It is not fake. The people in major and supporting roles do not get to write their own laws and follow their own rules on what is appropriate behavior.
   In short, no one is above the law, not even the president.
   Yet that seems to be the attitude of the current occupant of the Oval Office, who demands loyalty, if not adulation, from everyone else in government and law enforcement.
   He fired James Comey, the head of the FBI, because the agency was getting too close to pinning down a presidential aide on legal charges. The Department of Justice then appointed a special counsel to investigate allegations of foreign interference in a national election and possible collusion with American officials.
   He then tried to order the firing of that same special counsel, but was prevented when his aide threatened to quit instead.
   The scenario is reminiscent of the brouhaha when President Richard Nixon ordered the firing of an investigator probing the president's behavior. Instead, two senior Justice Department officials resigned rather then carry out such an order.
   Eventually, the investigation detailed so much illegal activity that Nixon resigned the presidency rather than face almost certain impeachment, conviction and removal from office. And rather than see an ex-president be indicted and taken to criminal court, the new president issued a pardon for any crimes that Nixon may have committed.
   A similar drama is taking place in America today. So far, no charges have been made against Donald Trump for illegal activity. But evidence is being gathered, and the special counsel wants to question Trump about recent events.
   Trump's lawyers, however, are trying to negotiate the terms of the interview or even delay it or terminate it. Since the president cannot fire the investigator who is investigating him, the next best strategy might be to control the investigation.
   Prosecutors in criminal case are not known to talk over in advance of a questioning just what questions they will ask the subject of the investigation.
   That's not what they do. And if the target of the probe refuses to cooperate, he is subject to a subpoena to appear before a grand jury.
   No one is above the law.
   Not even a president of the United States.
   Not even, and especially, if he tries to shut down an entire federal law enforcement agency in an effort to save his own skin.