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Quote of the Day: “Trust, but Verify”

Politics, That Washington   April 28, 2010 at 12:40 pm Josh Feit

PubliCola’s LawNerd, aka Advokat, is pouring over the transcript of Rob McKenna’s hearing in front of the U.S. Supreme Court today—where Republican McKenna went up against the anti-gay rights group, Protect Marriage Washington,  arguing that initiative signatures musts be part of the public record.

But for now, this exchange is emerging as the quote of the day.

JUSTICE SCALIA: It may be an issue in which his administration has taken a particularly firm stand and the public may not trust the job that the Secretary of State does.

GENERAL McKENNA: That goes to the heart to the Public Records Act, Justice Scalia, trust but verify. The people did not leave to the State the idea that, well, we will let you know what you need to know.

JUSTICE SCALIA: Trust but verify, I like that.

McKenna’s office sent out a press release after the hearing repeating the sound bite:

“Access to government information, including referendum petitions, allows Washingtonians to trust – but verify – their government’s work,” McKenna said. “The public’s right to government records is an overriding state interest and shouldn’t be pushed aside because of one controversial ballot campaign.”




  • Miles

    I recall Reagan using the “trust but verify” language to talk about an arms treaty with the USSR.

  • sarah68

    I do too. This isn't a McKenna-authored comment. Reagan said it in context of armament relations with the Soviet Union and claimed it was a translation of a Russian saying. Maybe Scalia was being sarcastic, since apparently after Gorbachev said to Reagan, “You say that a lot”, Reagan said, “I like it.”

    But McKenna probably wouldn't recognize the possible sarcasm.

  • jeffw66seattle

    Scalia made some other good comments, most notably that the democratic process often requires a bit of courage.

    Odd to be hearing such sensical stuff from Scalia.

  • http://peacetreefarm.org N in Seattle

    I that the actual, official transcript? Calling the AG “General”???

    If so, I am truly, truly saddened at the bastardization of our language. How can the transcribers at the Supreme Court not know that “General” is an adjective that modifies the noun “Attorney”?

    Do we call Mariners/Seahawks/Sounders GMs Jack Zduriencik, John Schneider, or Adrian Hanauer “General”? Or Ban Ki-Moon, for that matter? It's the same thing.

  • sarah68

    That's standard usage. Just means the attorney appearing is the attorney general. It doesn't affect the whole English language.

  • TValley

    Of course Scalia likes the Reagan catchphrase. Maybe the way to win arguments in front of the Supreme Court now is to tie your argument to one of the Commandments of St. Ronald.

  • http://twitter.com/reifman Jeff Reifman

    Apparently, this doesn't apply to tax records. The DoR and McKenna pretty clearly say the opposite: “Trust us!”
    http://microsofttaxdodge.com/2010/04/trust-but-…

  • http://peacetreefarm.org N in Seattle

    Alas, I know it's standard. It's still absolutely incorrect.

    I first heard the usage during the Watergate hearings. When G. Gordon Liddy called John Mitchell “General”, his tone screamed out an unspoken “Herr” or “Mein”. The usage still screams that for me, no matter who it's applied to.