Understanding Trump's Behavior - Committing Crimes as a Demonstration and Insurance of Loyalty
What has struck me about Trump is how consistent he is in insisting that his appointees engage in criminal acts. Comey was hit up early on with respect to Michael Flynn. Jeff Sessions was berated for recusing himself and refusing to squelch the Russia investigation.
Yet, these are exceptions rather than rule. Instead, more often than not, Trump's appointees willing commit the crimes, thus demonstrating loyalty to Trump over any sense of duty to the laws or the Nation. By committing the crime, they gain acceptance into Trump's inner circle. In addition, having committed the crime, they cannot act against Trump without implicating themselves.
It reminds me of growing up and hearing about the initiation rites of local gangs. I always wondered why did a gang require initiates to commit crimes in order to join. It just seemed like a lot of bravado. Instead, it may just be a means of demonstrating and ensuring loyalty among the members.
https://www.godanriver.com/news/local/for-danville-gangs-crimes-are-part-of-initiation-to-show/article_98100ffc-8c70-11e8-bc8e-1bc80f41b829.html
These crimes, Virginia Gang Investigators Association President Randy Crank explained, are a show of loyalty to the gang, and can range from larceny to violence.
“Gang initiations include committing crimes to show their commitment to the gang, to show they have ‘heart,’” Crank wrote in an email. “They do it for monetary gain, to build reputation, move up in rank.”
The impetus for joining a gang, Whitley said, is often to fill a personal vacuum and gain respect and status.
“That lifestyle fills a void for young people,” Whitley said. “It’s not like they are getting into a gang for the criminal side. They do it for acceptance.”
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