When a 'Purge' Isn't a Purge

Permanent agency heads have power. Temporary ones don’t.

The Washington press corps is describing the ouster of top officials at the Department of Homeland Security as a “purge.” Over the last few days, the president has demanded the resignations of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and a bunch of her lieutenants. While “purge” does capture Donald Trump’s desire to get rid of people who, in his wor…