Think about how you’d have felt if a scientist you respected had joined the RJ Reynolds tobacco research institute. Would their prior achievements overshadow a gross ethical failure?

This administration is worse, both because of the wholesale gutting of the American scientific research establishment and all of the various corruption issues on display. As General Morrison put it, “The standard you walk past, is the standard you accept.” Anyone who signed up knew who they’d be working for and has to accept that will be a major part of their reputation.