The most memorable scene in the 1960 Stanley Kubrick epic Spartacus occurs when Roman general Crassus (Lawrence Olivier) offers clemency to any of the rebel gladiators captured during their attack on Rome if they will identify their leader Spartacus (Kirk Douglas).  Instead, each responds by shouting, “No, I am Spartacus,” sharing responsibility for the insurrection, knowing they would be punished–death by crucifixion–for their insolence.  The words have come to be a powerful metaphor for camaraderie and loyalty.

The phrase has also become a popular and somewhat humorous meme.  The Urban Dictionary presents the following example.

Person enters chat room and types “I am Spartacus.”
100 other people in the chat room then respond with “No, I am Spartacus!”, “I am Spartacus!”, etc.

Yesterday, we observed an “I am Spartacus” moment following Donald Trump’s revocation of former CIA director John Brennan’s security clearance in a cowardly (unwilling to announce the action himself) and pitiful manner.  After directing communications shill Sarah Huckabee Sanders to inform the White House press corp the action was based on Brennan’s erratic behavior and threat to national security, Trump confessed to the Wall Street Journal it was really because Brennan had dared challenge the White House view of the investigation into Russian interference during the 2016 election.

I think that whole – I call it the rigged witch hunt – is a sham. And these people led it!  So I think it’s something that had to be done.

The first “gladiator” to come to Brennan’s defense was retired Navy admiral William McRaven, who oversaw the 2011 Navy SEAL raid that took out Osama bin Laden.  In a public statement akin to “I am Spartacus,” McRaven addressed Trump in a Washington Post opinion piece.

I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency.

Last night, 12 additional senior intelligence officers joined the chorus, issuing a joint statement characterizing Trump’s action as follows.

…the president’s action regarding John Brennan and the threats of similar action against other former officials has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances — and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech.

The signatories included six former CIA directors, five former deputy directors and former director of national intelligence James Clapper, all of whom served in both Democratic and Republican administrations.

Compare these comments to those of Republican Louisiana Senator John Neely Kennedy, who has no military or intelligence experience and does not sit on either the Armed Services Committee or the Select Committee on Intelligence.

I think most Americans look at our national intelligence experts as being above politics. Mr. Brennan has demonstrated that that’s not the case. He’s been totally political. I think I called him a ‘butthead’ and I meant it. I think he’s given the national intelligence community a bad name.

I, for one, will not be surprised if, in the coming days, there is a cacophony of Trump apologists who start a new meme, ” NO, I AM JUDAS!”

FOOTNOTE:  The screenplay for Spartacus was penned by  Dalton Trumbo, one of the Hollywood Ten, among others who were blacklisted during the McCarthy era.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP