an appearance that shattered a decades-old norm designed to insulate the department from political interference—a safeguard established in response to President Richard Nixon’s abuses of power.

So was it an actual law to be enforced or just a norm that can be “shattered” without consequence? How can it be a safeguard against abuse of power if it does nothing to stop this power abuser?

The people rejecting a rightful claim to the throne is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a pure bloodline and a big sword, not from some farcical democratic ceremony.