"defend the constitution" and "follow the constitution" are two completely different things.
Re:Trump Fires Acting Attorney General
by celticninja on Wednesday February 01, 2017 @02:24AM
(#13539014)
Perhaps uphold would be a better word.
Re:Trump Fires Acting Attorney General
by dethswatch on Wednesday February 01, 2017 @12:29PM
(#13542756)
>to give their independent legal advice to the president.
In private, and when he tells you that you're to carry out his wishes- since you're serving at his pleasure, then you go and do your job or you resign.
If you picked a public fight with your boss in the middle of the scrum and then refused to do what he wanted when you were overruled- how long would you last?
Also- let's not forget that Office of Legal Council had already said that it's perfectly Constitutional and legal.
"Do you think the attorney general has a responsibility to say no to the president if he asks for something that's improper...?"
Ms Yates replied: "I believe the attorney general or the deputy attorney general has an obligation to follow the law and the constitution and to give their independent legal advice to the president."
She was confirmed 84-12 so it seems that they were happy with the response. I would also note that any lawyer who is tasked to defend you also has an obligation to inform the client of poor chance of success, in this case the AG not only thought the chance of success was poor but it was unconstitutional also.