In the Nation’s Service

Published online Oct. 23, 2017

The phrase “Princeton in the nation’s service” has again resurfaced. In October 1973, Richard Nixon fired both Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus ’55 when they each refused to fire Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox. Now, 44 years later, Donald Trump is apparently considering firing Robert Mueller ’66 as special prosecutor. He would be wise to recall that Nixon’s demise arguably began with the “Saturday Night Massacre” and if he fires another Princetonian in “the nation’s service,” he does so at his own peril.