As we pass the 101-day mark of the Trump administration’s second term, I found myself reflecting on the question of moral leadership. After attending the funeral of a dear friend and former FBI colleague, I was reminded of the quiet power of those who lead by example. In this moment of legal and constitutional strain, it felt right to pause and honor the people—both well-known and unsung—who are showing courage, integrity, and resolve. From figures like Zelensky and Navalny to everyday citizens and dedicated lawyers fighting for the rule of law, this reflection is a tribute to those who continue to light the way forward.
–Andrew
P.S. You can watch the video on YouTube, here.
TRANSCRIPT
I wanted to reflect on where we are at 101 days.
I was at a funeral yesterday of a wonderful, wonderful man who had served in the military. He had served at the FBI as the head of compliance—a wonderful, moral, upstanding individual who led by example. And it caused me to think about all of the wonderful role models that we all have to guide us through this moment.
None of us asked to be in this situation, but there is a question of how we’re going to respond—what is the right way to act—and it is really helpful to have role models. I thought about that yesterday during the funeral service, about how much this gentleman was a real role model and remains a real role model for me.
And, you know, I was thinking about the role models that are very public—the sort of great heroes of our time. The president of Ukraine, Mr. Zelensky, is a hero, is somebody who rose to an occasion in a remarkable way. He could have fled his country, as other leaders have in situations like that, and instead is risking his life.
Mr. Navalny, who paid with his life—who is a well-known and respected dissident and opponent of the Putin regime.
Those are very public figures, but there are many quieter people. I was talking about Mr. Jackson just now, who is a role model. There are people in everyday life—some have gotten attention, some not. There’s the president of Princeton, Mr. Eisgruber. There’s Rachel Maddow, who has been doing a remarkable series of shows that—even given her high standards—the last hundred days, I have just been in awe of how great she is.
Obviously, Nicole Wallace and Lawrence O’Donnell have been both mentors to me, but also have set an incredible example.
But it also occurs on a quieter level—the lawyers who are standing up for the rule of law. The plaintiffs’ lawyers who are bringing cases challenging what the government has been doing. Many times they are winning, but not always. And the thing is, they are bringing good-faith litigation—whether they’re at Protect Democracy, whether it’s the ACLU, whether it’s Paul Clement, who is a very well-respected conservative lawyer who has represented now Wilmer Cutler in connection with the executive order targeting that law firm.
He is reported to now be on the defense team for Judge Dugan—that is, the state court judge who was arrested apparently for having a defendant in her courtroom not use a back door where the public goes in and out, but instead a side door. And the claim is that obstructed the ability of ICE agents to arrest him—and that was her intent. So we’ll see how that case goes. It’s one that Mary McCord and I talked about on our Main Justice podcast.
Speaking about Mary McCord—that is another person who is a hero at this moment. She and her institution, ICAP, have been bringing litigation challenging, among many other things, the government’s position on birthright citizenship, and is soon going to be arguing that case before the Supreme Court. ICAP will.
And there are many, many others—big and small—who provide us role models and courage and backbone, which I think is really needed and is something that’s being tested.
And those are just people during our lifetime. Obviously, you can go back through history. I think of my parents and my grandparents, many of whom were involved in various ways in different wars and military service. The people in World War II who formed part of the resistance to the Nazi regime.
There are so many ways in which there are many, many role models for us. And again, none of us—I think—asked to be in this position. Many of us, like me, aren’t seeking to be thrust into this role. But sometimes, as I think it was Benjamin Franklin said, sometimes the times find us. And the question is: What are we going to do during these times?
And again, I think that it’s very useful for each of us to look in our heart, to think about the people who we most respect and who we want to be like.
Having been at a funeral service, I really thought a lot about who I want to be, and what I want to stand for while here on this earth. And it’s a reminder—and also an homage—to those people, in terms of what I owe to them.
And I think that’s a question for all of us in these very, very trying times—for this country, for democracy, and the rule of law here and across the globe.
Thanks so much for listening.
Take care.
Stay engaged.
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