To the Editor:

“How Trump Co-opts Leaders Like Barr,” by James Comey (Op-Ed, May 2), should be required reading for every high school student.

Mr . Comey offers an important lesson on what happens when power corrupts and when bad leaders lead even good people astray. In explaining why and how the current attorney general could frame the Mueller report as a vindication for President Trump, Mr. Comey puts his finger on a human problem with enormous consequence: “Amoral leaders have a way of revealing the character of those around them.”

He cites the courageous behavior of James Mattis, the former defense secretary who resigned in disagreement with Mr. Trump, as opposed to those who refuse to call out his bad policies.

I resent what Mr. Comey did to Hillary Clinton in opening an investigation of her emails so close to an election. But Mr. Comey is speaking truth to power and warning all of us of the dangers of unchecked loyalty. That’s an important lesson.