Questions of ethics and politics have a long tradition in the classroom as well as the political world. Those who act in the political realm—including the media, political strategists and consultants, educators, and religious leaders—are in professions for which a clear code of conduct or an accepted set of ethical norms exists. By contrast, Donald J. Trump, as candidate and as President, has upended the political and ethical context in which he and others operate. This book explores emerging ethical questions that face professionals interacting with a new executive order. Some say the age of Trump is unique and that the norms of ethical professional behavior must be bent to meet this challenge. Others maintain that responding to someone like Trump is precisely why their profession has ethical norms, and that they must put their judgments on hold and respond in what has always been deemed the appropriate professional manner. Each chapter opens with an introduction setting the framework of ethical analysis for a particular profession, is followed by original contributions by notable practitioners, and concludes with a set of questions for students and other readers to ponder and discuss.

Praise for Trumping Ethical Norms

This nuanced and engaging volume brings together voices from a variety of professions to probe how ethical norms have been tested by the Trump presidency. Undoubtedly, the perspectives offered here will spark vigorous conversation in classrooms, at many levels of government, and in private businesses for years to come.

E.J. Dionne Jr., Brookings Institution; Co-author of One Nation After Trump

For those struggling to put the Trump presidency in context in the classroom, this timely and thoughtful book is a must-have. I found myself engrossed in analyzing the issues and effects of the campaign and first year of the Trump administration through the helpful lens of practitioners from media, consulting, education, and religion. Maisel and Dineen have crafted an excellent work that should be read by scholars, students, and those just interested in politics.

Mary McHugh, Merrimack College

L. Sandy Maisel is the Goldfarb Family Distinguished Professor of American Government at Colby College. From 2003–2012 he served as the founding director of the College’s Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement. Hannah E. Dineen is a graduate of Colby College and a producer at The Morning Report at Portland, Maine’s WCSH-6, an affiliate of NBC.