# Ethical to screen out Trump supporters applying for a job? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 20, 2020, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467 "2020-12-20T17:48:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2021, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/281 "2021-01-08T19:29:23Z")
I guess there’s always [Argentina](https://www.history.com/news/how-south-america-became-a-nazi-haven). ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2021, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/282 "2021-01-08T20:13:25Z")
Y’know, I would not take it out on some mid/lower level civil servant staff for having worked during part of the Trump administration. On that front I would seek to make a distinction based on what was it they were responsible for and when/how/why it started and ended. > [@Akaj](#): > > But what if one of your employees posted Facebook messages supporting the rioters, or praising Trump for his response to yesterday’s events? Would you fire them? > > I would. Same here. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2021, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/283 "2021-01-08T20:39:34Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > Y’know, I would not take it out on some mid/lower level civil servant staff for having worked during part of the Trump administration. Yeah, I know a few “faceless bureaucrats” in various areas of the federal government, who are emphatically not Trump supporters, who still kept and did their jobs during the Trump administration, even if their nominal (acting) department heads were Trumpista appointees. I am heartily glad and grateful that they continued to conscientiously serve their country by doing their jobs, rather than just walking away and letting the clusterfuck spread unchecked even further. AFAIK, none of them was ever requested to carry out any specifically illegal or unethical act at the behest of a Trump appointee, and I haven’t asked what they would have done if they had been. So yeah, I think it would be entirely unrealistic to attempt a sweeping claim that “federal civil servant during Trump administration” = “Trump supporter”. As GreenWyvern’s linked article notes, the situation for Trump’s own appointees or hires, especially in national security, is something of a special case, particularly if they did in fact support Trump: > [@](#): > > Officials working in national security are particularly vulnerable to this challenge. Many are tied to controversial Trump policies and scandals, be it child separation at the border or the politicization of the military on display when top Pentagon leaders stood with Trump for a photo op after authorities forcefully cleared Lafayette Square of protesters. […] > > National security jobs are more difficult to get than most, as applicants need a security clearance and a specialized set of skills. […] > > While junior-level employees working on noncontroversial issues might not have problems finding new employment, anyone associated with controversial Trump policies, such as immigration, were blacklisted, Neumann said. […] > > While more senior officials may have strong networks and won’t have much trouble finding employment, the younger officials who have limited experience and no previous reputation are challenged, said one former defense official. > > “Some of these people are really smart, good and hardworking, but they are also strong Trump supporters, which is off-putting to many in the think tank community of D.C.,” the person said. […] > > But many Trump appointees who are now struggling to find jobs — everyone from junior staffers to Cabinet secretaries — are facing questions for not leaving sooner. Many of these officials are the same people who privately bemoaned Trump’s instability, but were “all too willing to enable it,” said another former senior official. > > “They are finding that staying silent had a cost: to their consciences and to their careers,” the person said. “People knew Trump would be toxic, yet they hedged anyway in hopes that they might get four more years of job stability.” ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2021, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/284 "2021-01-08T20:43:32Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > > Some of these people are really **smart** , **good** and hardworking, but they are also **strong Trump supporters** \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* ERROR! \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* ERROR! \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* Does Not Compute! ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2021, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/285 "2021-01-08T20:50:27Z")
Nah, it can be true. A friend of friend runs an extremely successful family business, and runs it well enough to compete against national chains. This person supports the arts, helps any charity he believes in, and has pitched in with volunteer work just for fun. My friend is slightly aghast that this person supports Trump. My friend thinks it’s motivated by Trump’s (or Kushner’s) support of Israel, and pro-business rhetoric. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2021, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/286 "2021-01-08T21:00:48Z")
The way Trump and the republicans warp reality make it much easier to be a good person who supports putting kids in cages. You simply don’t believe that kids _are_ being put in cages, or that crimes are being committed, or that Trump said the thing he said on camera yesterday. As far as you’re concerned these things simply aren’t happening. This clears the way for you to support him for the things you like about him (which in actual fact probably really _aren’t_ happening). ---
**Author:** ![songsearch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b77776/32.png) [@songsearch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/songsearch)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/287 "2021-01-09T01:04:10Z")
As far as I know, the rioters didn’t hurt anybody. 3000 people were killed on 9/11. ---
**Author:** ![slash2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@slash2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slash2k)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/288 "2021-01-09T02:24:55Z")
A Capitol Police officer was killed by somebody throwing a fire extinguisher at his head; does that count as “hurt”? A woman was crushed to death in the mob (probably by her own side, but still …). That’s not counting the woman shot to death, the two medical fatalities, and at least fifteen other cops hospitalized with various injuries. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/289 "2021-01-09T03:26:13Z")
I work in an immigration law practice. Hiring someone who openly supported Trump would be…problematic. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/290 "2021-01-09T04:23:42Z")
> [@songsearch](#): > > I dunno. It’s technically a public building and they vandalized it. Is that unconstitutional? I’m sure it’s against a law or two, but I don’t think I’ve seen anything in the Constitution that addresses vandalism to public buildings. A law or two? Check this out: [https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-protecting-american-monuments-memorials-statues-combating-recent-criminal-violence/](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-protecting-american-monuments-memorials-statues-combating-recent-criminal-violence/) > It is the policy of the United States to prosecute to the fullest extent permitted under Federal law, and as appropriate, any person or any entity that destroys, damages, vandalizes, or desecrates a monument, memorial, or statue within the United States or otherwise vandalizes government property. The desire of the Congress to protect Federal property is clearly reflected in section 1361 of title 18, United States Code, which authorizes **a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment for the willful injury of Federal property**. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/291 "2021-01-09T04:26:52Z")
Hiring someone who supports Trump, is like hiring someone who supports radical Islamic terrorism. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/292 "2021-01-09T05:20:49Z")
After recent events, any Chump supporter stupid enough to tell me that’s what he is when applying for a job would pretty much just get my boot up his ass. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/293 "2021-01-09T05:33:12Z")
You do know that while it’s technically a “public building”, it was closed to the public when the army of supporters that Trump mustered attacked it, right? It hadn’t been open to the public since March. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/294 "2021-01-09T05:41:25Z")
> [@songsearch](#): > > As far as I know, the rioters didn’t hurt anybody. 3000 people were killed on 9/11. I just now saw this. Then I double-checked the date. I’m sorry to divert the subject, but five people died during the insurrection, including a police officer. Maybe, to bring it back on subject, I expect the people that work for me to exercise discernment, and that includes discernment in the media they chose to consume. I expect them to be good at “knowing things”. I wouldn’t hire someone that consumes right-wing media, just like I wouldn’t hire someone than consumes heroin. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/295 "2021-01-09T18:06:36Z")
Yeah, though I’d probably couch it in wording about “we want a well-rounded candidate” when it comes to that bit. BTW on the issue of those who **were** more closely related to the actual policymaking leadership, there is this post from **mhendo** that appeared in another thread: > [@The Trump Administration: A Clusterfuck in the Making Part Deux (Part 1)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/8572): > > Interesting [editorial](https://www.forbes.com/sites/randalllane/2021/01/07/a-truth-reckoning-why-were-holding-those-who-lied-for-trump-accountable/?sh=7e5a215a5710) in Forbes magazine a couple of days ago by editor, Randall Lane, slammed the lies of the administration, and in particular called out Trump’s various spokespeople (Conway, Spicer, Sanders, Grisham, McEnany) for their roles in spreading disinformation. > > Then he issued a warning: > > > [@](#): > > > > Let it be known to the business world: Hire any of Trump’s fellow fabulists above, and _Forbes_ will assume that everything your company or firm talks about is a lie. We’re going to scrutinize, double-check, investigate with the same skepticism we’d approach a Trump tweet. Want to ensure the world’s biggest business media brand approaches you as a potential funnel of disinformation? Then hire away. THAT, to me, is a fair call for an individual outlet to make. And it does not preclude the potential employer saying “fine, I’ll take that chance, it’s my money.” ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/296 "2021-01-09T18:28:24Z")
Have you read the Constitution? Because it doesn’t contain laws - it contains principles that are implemented through laws. And vandalism of a public building is certainly illegal, and unless the Supreme Court were to say such a law is unconstitutional, it is constitutional. It is not that case that if it isn’t in the Constitution itself, its legal. The White House is a public building, but I double dog dare you to walk in to have dinner with the President this evening or show up uninvited to take a gander at the exceptional art (owned by the people of the United States) hanging on the walls. Argue with the Secret Service agents about it being a public building and it being your right to do so. For good measure, do so while exercising your Second Amendment right to carry. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/297 "2021-01-09T20:42:09Z")
> [@songsearch](#): > > As far as I know, the rioters didn’t hurt anybody. 3000 people were killed on 9/11. Passing over the already-noted error of fact in your claim that “the rioters didn’t hurt anybody”, what point do you think you’re making with this comparison? Did you imagine that the posters here who would want to screen out a Trump supporter (or worse, a Trump insurrectionist) job applicant would be just peachy-dandy A-OK with hiring a supporter of the 9/11 terrorist attacks instead? If so, you can quit worrying. Rest assured, if you are considering a job application from somebody who openly endorses radical-Islamist violent terror attacks on US soil (or any other kind of violent terror attacks anywhere, for that matter), everybody in this thread is completely fine with your refusing to hire that person. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/298 "2021-01-09T20:49:50Z")
> [@songsearch](#): > > As far as I know, the rioters didn’t hurt anybody. 3000 people were killed on 9/11. As pointed out, many will hurt this week. The other difference is that 9/11 was caused by foreign enemies. This is unfortunate, but a fact of life. The world is a dangerous place. This insurrection however, was caused by _American_ citizens and incited by the _American_ President. Much more frightening, in my mind at least. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/299 "2021-01-09T20:59:10Z")
> [@songsearch](#): > > As far as I know, the rioters didn’t hurt anybody. 3000 people were killed on 9/11 How isolated are you that you do not know about those that were killed or hurt in that coup attempt? ---
**Author:** ![songsearch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b77776/32.png) [@songsearch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/songsearch)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467/300 "2021-01-10T05:51:38Z")
Actually, fairly isolated. Haven’t had tv since 2008, but we do have mobile cellular for internet, no cable or dsl available here. At the time of the post, did not know of any deaths except the woman shot by the police. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-screen-out-trump-supporters-applying-for-a-job/928467.md?page=16)