Chapter 9 · 15 entries

Check Your Lens

Fifteen actions to judge before you learn who took them.

The Switch Test 15

W-1Switch Test A president’s Justice Department opens a criminal investigation of a private citizen who won two jury verdicts against him. A president’s Justice Department opens a criminal investigation of a private citizen who won two jury verdicts against him. Who did it?… The Switch Test
W-2Switch Test A president, weeks before leaving office, pardons his own son after saying repeatedly that he would not. A president, weeks before leaving office, pardons his own son after saying repeatedly that he would not. Who did it? Joe Biden, December… The Switch Test
W-3Switch Test A president, on his last morning in office, issues preemptive pardons to members of his family and to officials who investigated his political rival. A president, on his last morning in office, issues preemptive pardons to members of his family and to officials who investigated his… The Switch Test
W-4Switch Test A president’s Justice Department indicts a former FBI director and a state attorney general, days after the president publicly urges his attorney general to act. A president’s Justice Department indicts a former FBI director and a state attorney general, days after the president publicly urges his… The Switch Test
W-5Switch Test A president’s Justice Department, through a special counsel, indicts the leading candidate of the opposing party. A president’s Justice Department, through a special counsel, indicts the leading candidate of the opposing party. Who did it? Joe Biden’s… The Switch Test
W-6Switch Test A president pardons about 1,500 people charged in an attack on the Capitol, including some convicted of assaulting police. A president pardons about 1,500 people charged in an attack on the Capitol, including some convicted of assaulting police. Who did it?… The Switch Test
W-7Switch Test A president federalizes a state’s National Guard over the governor’s objection. A president federalizes a state’s National Guard over the governor’s objection. Who did it? Donald Trump, 2025. But Dwight Eisenhower did… The Switch Test
W-8Switch Test A losing presidential candidate calls the winner “an illegitimate president.” A losing presidential candidate calls the winner “an illegitimate president.” Who did it? Hillary Clinton, about Donald Trump, in 2019.… The Switch Test
W-9Switch Test A president, after Congress declines to provide the money he requested for a project, declares a national emergency so he can redirect military construction funds to it. A president, after Congress declines to provide the money he requested for a project, declares a national emergency so he can redirect… The Switch Test
W-10Switch Test A president, after Congress does not act, has his administration use a 2003 law to try to cancel about $430 billion in student loan debt on its own authority. A president, after Congress does not act, has his administration use a 2003 law to try to cancel about $430 billion in student loan debt… The Switch Test
W-11Switch Test A presidential campaign, through its lawyers, pays for research on its opponent that is gathered by a former British intelligence officer relying on anonymous sources. A presidential campaign, through its lawyers, pays for research on its opponent that is gathered by a former British intelligence officer… The Switch Test
W-12Switch Test Senior campaign officials take a meeting after being told a foreign government wants to provide damaging information about their opponent. Senior campaign officials take a meeting after being told a foreign government wants to provide damaging information about their opponent.… The Switch Test
W-13Switch Test A president fires the FBI director whose agency is investigating the president’s own campaign. A president fires the FBI director whose agency is investigating the president’s own campaign. Who did it? Donald Trump, May 9, 2017,… The Switch Test
W-14Switch Test A president commutes the prison sentence of a longtime adviser, shortly before he was due to report to prison, after the adviser was convicted of obstructing a congressional investigation, lying to Congress and witness tampering. A president commutes the prison sentence of a longtime adviser, shortly before he was due to report to prison, after the adviser was… The Switch Test
W-15Switch Test A Senate majority confirms a Supreme Court justice eight days before a presidential election, four years after refusing to consider a nominee in an election year because “the American people should have a voice.” A Senate majority confirms a Supreme Court justice eight days before a presidential election, four years after refusing to consider a… The Switch Test