- No, this is bullshit, & your own work shows this. Pruitt’s actions were corrupt even without an explicit qpq—they had implicit qpq. & fer chrissakes, reread the NYT ethics guidelines.
- Corruption requires explict quid pro quo. It is not corrupt to take an action that aligns with the interest of a person who gives you a gift, unless the official action was in direct response to that gift--a bribe. Terms matter. Accuracy and fairness matters. Regardless of what social media wants.