And I'm just a sub. But, I'm still legally obligated.
Your point is solid.

If so, then Mattis would have a presser right now telling the press and the world what he privately tells people about how dangerous Trump and his minions are.

But,......no!

(as I'm sure you are aware) that there is a distinction between an unethical action and a clearly illegal one. The impeachment trial was a great illustration. And many times it is just this sort of situation, where it is the people on up the food chain, that are determining what is illegal and what is not. So it all sounds righteous and good in theory .....

"If certain things happen .." Yeah, but if your supervisor and their supervisor have full knowledge .. and say it's OK?

foot-holding. Of course it needs to be a BIG fire and we can act now. We don't have to wait...

I received a BA in education. In my first year as a public school teacher, forty-some years ago (DAMN, I'm old), a second grade student came to me in tears with a story which strongly suggested that she was being sexually abused at home. I was legally required to report this, and thank God I did.
I eventually found myself testifying under oath, and her father eventually found himself in prison for felony sexual assault on a minor child.
All in all, it was one Hell of an introduction to the profession which has become my life's work.
But as you said, I had an ethical and LEGAL duty to speak up.
Surely our nation's leaders should at least be held to the same standard as a fresh-out-of-school first-year elementary school teacher.