Letter: Unlike Eisenhower, Trump tolerates ethical misconduct
FILE - In this Tuesday, May 17, 1960 file photo, President Charles de Gaulle of France, left, Premier Harold MacMillan of Britain, center, and U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower leave a summit at the Elysee Palace in Paris. De Gaulle would veto Britain's application to join the then European Economic Community on two occasions that decade. Britain on Wednesday March 29, 2017 triggered the mechanism to leave the European Union. (AP Photo, File)
In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower immediately fired Chief of Staff Sherman Adams when it was revealed Adams had accepted gifts of an expensive vicuna coat and an oriental rug.
Presidential leadership was reflected in this quick response to ethical misconduct inside the White House.
In contrast, 10 days elapsed between Politico breaking the story and HHS Secretary Tom Price resigning as a result of the inappropriate use of expensive charter flights. Price had offered $52,000 restitution to the U.S. government for what he deemed was his share of the expenses for the $400,000 spent on chartered flights. Donald Trump never came to a decision about firing Price.
Eisenhower’s swift action demonstrated he would not tolerate ethical misconduct, in contrast to Trump who couldn’t decide.
Jack Dolcourt, Salt Lake City
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