What happened
A recent opinion piece reflects on the importance of accountability in leadership and media, citing the Walter Reed scandal in 2007 as an example. The author notes that when leaders and media get consequential facts wrong, the public deserves an after-action review to understand what happened, why it happened, and what changes will be made.
The author applies this principle to recent events, including assurances about President Biden's capacity and the security of the US-Mexico border. In both cases, initial confident assertions were later proven false, and the author argues that a thorough review is necessary to establish what went wrong and how to prevent similar mistakes in the future.
The author emphasizes that accountability requires more than just an apology, and that the public deserves a detailed explanation of what happened, including records, testimony, and timelines. This is necessary to distinguish between honest mistakes and deliberate concealment, and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
The author concludes by arguing that voters should demand accountability from their leaders and that lawful investigations, public hearings, and the release of records are necessary to establish the truth. Ultimately, the author believes that accountability is essential for defending the country and that truth cannot be made optional.
