Just the facts, please

On Tuesday, The Federalist ran an article by Jim Hanson titled “Alex Vindman Is Living, Breathing Proof That The Deep State Exists, And It Is Corrupt.”

The Federalist is a much-needed addition to the ranks of Beltway-based media organizations, and Jim Hanson is one of its reliable essayists. But it is crucial for conservatives to avoid the unforced errors Hanson makes in this piece.

First, Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman is a patriot, and while I believe he is very wrong about his understanding of how national security policy is made by the president in a “unitary executive” constitutional order, he is entitled to his opinion and to air it publicly, if in doing so he does not violate orders. Argue with his reasoning, not his person.

More importantly, there is not now nor has there ever been a “deep state” in the United States. Deep states exist in history in the fascist and communist regimes of the 20th century and continue today in North Korea, China, Cuba and Venezuela. Menacing security agencies exist in Russia and other states, including within the governments of some countries we call “allies,” such as Turkey.

Wherever politics is controlled by secret police and a secret security apparatus, there is a deep state. The rule of law is the only answer to the deep state, the writ of habeas corpus, the right to a speedy trial, the right to confront accusers—these are all bulwarks of due process, and we have them all in the United States as a matter of course. It is crucial for Republicans generally and conservative supporters of President Donald Trump specifically to stay far away from exaggeration during the impeachment process.

It also distracts from the need to drive home the more important point that House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) is denying the president and his colleagues in the minority due process as impeachment hearings opened Wednesday. Schiff has so far refused to allow the House Republicans to call the witnesses they want—especially Hunter Biden and the unnamed White House whistle-blower.

The Senate Republicans, I have argued, should refuse any article of impeachment birthed by this deeply broken “process.” But neither the president nor the country is helped by hyperbole.

Opportunities are lost every day when the president’s defenders overreach into conspiracy theory and refuse to wait upon the facts as they will inevitably emerge about the wrongdoings by government officials, if any. There is zero need to juice either the condemnation of Schiff’s hearings or to slag career military or diplomats who are in disagreement with the president or the administration. That way lies madness and hysteria.

Stick with the facts. They are with the president.