The Loyalty Oath

Fandango

“Tell him no,” James Freeman, the prospective nominee for the cabinet-level role said. “I can’t take a loyalty oath to the man. I can only be loyal to the Constitution of the United States.”

“But he won’t put your name forward unless you agree to take a loyalty oath to him personally,” the presidential aide said. “Look, the fact is that he’s been dilatory in filling this position and you’ve come highly recommended. Please just get with the program and agree to signing the loyalty oath. Oh, and also the nondisclosure agreement.”

James bristled. “Wait, you want me to agree to a loyalty oath and to sign an NDA as well?”

“I’m afraid that’s what he requires. He will accept no excuse for not agreeing to those terms,” the aide said. “So I’ll ask you once again, will you agree to the oath and the NDA?”

“No, I won’t,” James said. “I’m not in the habit of pledging my loyalty to a man above my country. And I certainly won’t sign an NDA. In fact,” he added,” I’m going to go to the press and tell them that I’m turning down his nomination because of these unscrupulous demands.”

“Go ahead,” the aide said, “but be forewarned that between the President’s Twitter account and the way the folks at Fox News will rake you over the coals, your professional and personal reputation will be ruined. And you might get a visit from the FBI, as no doubt the Attorney General will open an investigation into you at the President’s bidding. The President can be very vindictive toward those who show disloyalty toward him.”

“Take your best shot,” James said. “I’d rather suffer Trump’s slings and arrows than sell my soul to the devil.”

Written for these daily prompts: Your Daily Word Prompt (loyal), Word of the Day Challenge (dilatory), Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (excuse), Ragtag Daily Prompt (again), and The Daily Spur (habit).

17 thoughts on “The Loyalty Oath”

  2. slmret September 4, 2020 / 12:42 pm

    With all the investigations on-going, it will take forever to get to a small one like James!

    Liked by 1 person

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      • Mister Bump UK September 4, 2020 / 10:54 pm

        Trump doesn’t seem to have much success with his NDAs, but I’m sure you’re right that he must try to use them. It sounds like a very “Trumpy” thing to do.

        Liked by 1 person

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    • Fandango September 4, 2020 / 3:24 pm

      Thanks. Too bad few people will actually read it or care.

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      Reply
      • Marleen September 4, 2020 / 4:47 pm

        People need to be very clear on the threat of NDAs, as well as loyalty oaths to tyrannical people.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  8. willowdot21 September 4, 2020 / 11:42 pm

    This only fiction about this is James , Trouble is too many seem to like Trump and defend him to the hilt I just cannot see why! That aside nice piece 💜

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. leigha66 September 10, 2020 / 7:46 pm

    Can we clone James and his intelligent decision making skills? And then scatter him around DC?

    Liked by 1 person

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