There’s been a lot of discussion in America this week about the meaning of integrity.

You didn’t hear the word used directly; it was alluded to indirectly – in wondering whether Lindsey Graham was an immoral opportunist or clever pragmatist; in suspecting Todd Blanche of being more loyal to Trump than to the nation; in distrusting Erica Schwartz, Trump’s latest pick to lead the CDC, when she said she’ll never compromise on the science; in doubting Jay Clayton, his pick for director of national intelligence, will tell Trump anything he doesn’t want to hear.

The word integrity is rooted in the Latin word integer, meaning “whole” or “complete” – living by your principles, choosing honesty over opportunism, making ethical choices that may be inconvenient or unpopular, maintaining your moral compass.

Graham’s public record of denouncing Trump on the Senate floor after 6 January 2021, and then becoming Trump’s most loyal Senate apologist revealed someone who traded honesty for influence – a person with little or no integrity.

Blanche, in his hearing to be attorney general, said he........

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