The surveillance scandal forces a choice between institutional continuity (preserving executive capacity and avoiding destabilizing resignations) and public accountability (admissions, resignations, and structural reform). This arc traces the crisis as...

The surveillance scandal forces a choice between institutional continuity (preserving executive capacity and avoiding destabilizing resignations) and public accountability (admissions, resignations, and structural reform). This arc traces the crisis as it moves from internal White House alarm to public hearings, political bargaining, and the eventual tradeoffs that produce reform and personnel sacrifice.