Olivia of Troye - Hope in the Face of Authoritarianism
Danielle Sassoon's recent resignation is a reminder that true conservatives follow the rule of law, not authoritarian impulses. Sassoon resigned from her position as Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York on February 13, 2025, after refusing to comply with an order from Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove to dismiss federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Sassoon, a registered Republican and member of the Federalist Society, stated in her resignation letter that dismissing the charges for political reasons would violate principles of impartiality and fairness. She expressed confidence in the validity of the charges and highlighted concerns about a proposed quid pro quo (sound familiar?), where Adams would assist with federal immigration enforcement in exchange for the case's dismissal. Several other of her colleagues have also resigned, citing similar reasons. Bove accepted her resignation, citing insubordination and initiating an investigation into her conduct.
It reminded me of a former colleague, John Mitnick, who is also a true conservative, a Federalist Society member, and served as former Heritage Foundation general counsel. In 2019, Mitnick also refused to compromise his principles while serving as the General Counsel of the Department of Homeland Security during Trump 1.0, where he clashed with Trump hardliners over the legality of some of the immigration crackdowns. He was fired with the intent of replacing him with a more loyal enforcer at the time, Chad Mizelle—who is now serving as the Chief of Staff at the Department of Justice in Trump 2.0—while his wife Kathryn Mizelle, is serving as a Trump-appointed federal judge. Nothing to see here! Mitnick later went public and has continuously warned about Trump's disregard for the law and the dangers of his return to the Oval Office. He cited firsthand experience with the administration's efforts to erode legal norms.
Sassoon, the other prosecutors who resigned with her, as well as other conservatives such as Mitnick, underscore the power of individuals to resist by standing on the side of integrity. This choice—to reject participation in a system of lies, aligns with the core message of Václav Havel's The Power of the Powerless (more on this later) and is a testament to how individual acts of defiance matter. Standing firm despite the personal cost.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump's recent social media post, in which he openly mused about consolidating absolute power in his ongoing attacks against judges, is a stark warning. His words—brazenly laying out an authoritarian vision—reinforce why democratic institutions must be defended at every turn. When a leader openly threatens democratic norms, the response must be swift and resolute: refusing to accept lies, speaking out, and taking action before it's too late.
https://www.livingitwitholiviatroye.com/p/hope-in-the-face-of-authoritarianism