Executive orders - Tom Clancy [345]
The people who wrote the Constitution, Ryan wondered to himself, were they politicians or something else?
And the rest? the chief of staff asked.
The CIA operations? Not even close to any sort of violation, but again the problem is one of politics. Speaking for myself-I used to run espionage investigations, remember-Mr. President, what beautiful jobs they were. But the media is going to have a ball, he warned.
Arnie thought that was a pretty good start. His third President didn't have to worry about going to jail. The political stuff came after that, which was, for him, a first of sorts.
Closed hearings or open? van Damm asked.
That's political. The main issue there is the international side. Best to kick that one around with State. By the way, you've got me right against the edge here, ethically speaking. Had I discovered a possible violation against you in any of these three cases, I'd be unable to discuss them with you. As it is, my cover is to say that you, Mr. President, asked me for an opinion on the possible criminal violations of others, to which inquiry I must, as a federal official, respond as part of my official duties.
You know, it would be nice if everybody around me didn't talk like a lawyer all the time, Ryan observed crossly. I have real problems to deal with. A new country in the Middle East that doesn't like us, the Chinese making trouble at sea for reasons I don't understand, and I still don't have a Congress.
This is a real problem, Arnie told him. Again.
I can read. Ryan gestured to the pile of clippings on his desk. He'd just discovered that the media graced him with early drafts of adverse editorials scheduled to run the next day. How nice of them. I used to think CIA was Alice in Wonderland. That's not even Triple-A ball. Okay, the Supreme Court. I've read over about half of the list. They're all good people. I'll have my selections this time next week.
ABA is going to raise hell, Arnie said.
Let 'em. I can't show weakness. I've learned that much last night. What's Kealty going to do? the President asked next.
The only thing he can do, weaken you politically, threaten you with scandal, and force you to resign. Arnie held his hand up again. I'm not saying it makes sense.
Damned little in this town does, Arnie. That's why I'm trying.
ONE CRUCIAL ELEMENT in the consolidation of the new country was, of course, its military. The former Republican Guards divisions would keep their identity. There had to be a few adjustments in the officer corps. The executions of previous weeks hadn't totally expunged undesirable elements, but in the interest of amity, the new eliminations were made into simple retirements-the departure briefings were forcefully direct: Step out of line and disappear. It was not a warning to be disregarded. The departing officers invariably nodded their submission, grateful to be allowed to live.
These units had mainly survived the Persian Gulf War-at least a majority of their personnel had, and the shock of their treatment at American hands had been assuaged by their later campaigns to crush rebellious civilian elements, replacing part of their swagger and much of their bravado. Their equipment had been