In 1993, the FBI laid siege to the “compound” (actually plywood shacks) of the Branch Davidians, a religious sect accused of owning illegal guns. In the end 84 people, including 26 minors who were by definition innocent hostages, were gassed and burned to death.

Attorney General Janet Reno tearfully “took responsibility” for the disaster. She didn’t retire from public life. She didn’t resign. She didn’t even receive a letter of reprimand. In fact, it was impossible to tell how “taking responsibility” was any different from “not taking responsibility.”

An unpopular religious group that observed the Sabbath on Saturday and did not eat pork was gassed and incinerated. If that doesn’t remind you of something, you need a history lesson – badly.

Now we have another example of the Janet Reno Method. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, formerly a Pepsi Cola executive, says she “takes responsibility” for allowing a man with  a rifle on a rooftop 140 yards from former President Trump with a clear line of sight. Even worse, the Secret Service allowed Trump to ascend the podium while this man and his rifle were still there.

But like Janet Reno, Cheatle did not withdraw from public life, did not resign, and did not even receive a letter of reprimand. Were she and her agents incompetent or malicious? From Trump’s point of view, what was the difference? But in any case, her “taking responsibility” was indistinguishable from her “not taking responsibility.”

So long as our top government officials cannot understand the concept of responsibility, we will continue to remain in deep doodoo.