New reporting indicates that Special Counsel Jack Smith granted immunity to Mark Meadows and compelled him to testify in a federal grand jury about the crimes of his former boss, Donald Trump.

On the one hand, Meadows likely has some of the most directly incriminating evidence against Trump. On the other hand, immunity is the opposite of accountability. The preferred method of obtaining evidence from a guy like Meadow is to charge him with his crimes (assuming Smith's investigation developed enough evidence to indict Meadows) and negotiate a guilty plea that requires Meadows to testify truthfully against others.

As Chief of Staff, Meadows had the responsibility - the sworn duty - to protect the nation, the Constitution, and We The People from Trump's democracy-busting crimes. And he refused to do so. For that, Meadows should be held accountable, not given the pass that is represented by immunity.