President Trump’s outrage and accusations on Twitter blasting James Comey in the wake of the first publication of quotes from the former FBI Director’s new book, “A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership,” has sparked a response from former CIA Director John O. Brennan so pointedly smart, sharply observed and literate it no doubt sent many people scurrying to search their online dictionary for its meaning.
Your kakistocracy is collapsing after its lamentable journey. As the greatest Nation history has known, we have the opportunity to emerge from this nightmare stronger & more committed to ensuring a better life for all Americans, including those you have so tragically deceived. https://t.co/eC6LATH2Gd
— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) April 13, 2018
Brennan’s message is both upbeat in its belief America will survive and recover post-Trump and darkly downbeat in predicting the end approaches for Trump’s reign.
What those who searched learned is that a kakistocracy (/ˌkækɪsˈtɒkrəsi, -ˈstɒk-/) is a system of government run by the worst, least qualified, or most unscrupulous leaders.
It is a term that dates back to the 17th century when it was first coined by English author Thomas Love Peacock.
Brennan, who served as CIA Director under President Obama from 2013 until Trump arrived in 2017, has been a frequent Trump critic, and in this case, was reacting to the president’s two-part Tweet venting against Comey.
James Comey is a proven LEAKER & LIAR. Virtually everyone in Washington thought he should be fired for the terrible job he did-until he was, in fact, fired. He leaked CLASSIFIED information, for which he should be prosecuted. He lied to Congress under OATH. He is a weak and…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 13, 2018
Here is the second part of Trump’s tweet:
….untruthful slime ball who was, as time has proven, a terrible Director of the FBI. His handling of the Crooked Hillary Clinton case, and the events surrounding it, will go down as one of the worst “botch jobs” of history. It was my great honor to fire James Comey!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 13, 2018
Brennan has Tweeted about his disgust with Trump before.
I served 6 Presidents, 3 Rs & 3Ds. I directly supported Clinton, Bush 43, and Obama. While I didn't agree with all their policy choices, I admired and respected all of them, as they put country above their personal interests. Not so with you, as your self adoration is disgraceful https://t.co/A1brb0HW3V
— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) April 5, 2018
When Trump had Attorney General Jeff Sessions fire the long-serving, distinguished FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe one day before his pension was to vest, Brennan did not spare the president in his comment.
When the full extent of your venality, moral turpitude, and political corruption becomes known, you will take your rightful place as a disgraced demagogue in the dustbin of history. You may scapegoat Andy McCabe, but you will not destroy America…America will triumph over you. https://t.co/uKppoDbduj
— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) March 17, 2018
Comey’s book comes out on Tuesday, and his first major TV interview airs on Sunday, after which he will be on a book tour across TV and America, so it is a given that there will be more Tweets in the Twitter war by Trump, Brennan and from others for and against Comey.
In the weeks and months to come, Comey and how Trump fired him will also play a role in the ongoing investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, which is where the biggest battles in this war of words will explode, as it becomes clear who is telling the truth and who is hiding misdeeds and malfeasance in office.
To spare anyone who isn’t sure what malfeasance means, including the semi-literate president, here is the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition: “the commission (as by a public official) of a wrongful or unlawful act involving or affecting the performance of one’s duties.”
And no doubt Brennan will also have more to say as his prediction about the inevitable collapse of the Trump administration plays out on the media and burns a place in history.
