Michael Flynn was politically assassinated by the deep state. If you are concerned about the threat President Donald Trump and his dysfunctional White House pose to democracy, you should think very seriously before cheering that on.

The "deep state" is a term used by some security analysts to refer to the network of permanent officials who execute the orders of their elected, but more temporary, bosses. In theory, they should serve politicians – and, by extension, the people. But if they start to act for themselves, that is very dangerous. And Flynn's orchestrated downfall by unaccountable, shadowy agents entrusted with the country’s most sensitive secrets is not just bad news for the Trump administration. It raises serious concerns over the democratic nature of the US political system.

This is not how a liberal democracy is meant to function. You may be right in thinking that Michael Flynn was a disastrous choice as National Security adviser and that his questionable ties to high-ranking Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin and Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak, are compelling enough to withdraw confidence in him.