July 30, 2009 12:01PM 

# Cult Watch: Obama’s “Chat” About Cambridge Arrest 

By [Tim Lynch](https://www.cato.org/people/tim-lynch) 

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So President Obama is going to host Professor Gates and Officer Crowley today at the [White House](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/29/AR2009072903273.html). Much has already been said about the controversial arrest for “disorderly conduct.” IMHO, it seems like a [false arrest](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_arrest). I wasn’t there, but it is not a crime for someone to be obnoxious to the police (and that is basically the cop’s version of the incident). For additional background, I recommend the columns by [Eugene Robinson](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/27/AR2009072701907.html), [Harvey Silverglate](http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/28/gates-crowley-arrest-first-amendment-free-speech-harvard-opinions-contributors-harvey-a-silverglate.html), and [Radley Balko](http://reason.com/news/show/135039.html).

But leave the arrest itself aside. Even more disturbing is Obama’s leap into this matter. It is yet another indication of the [Cult of the Presidency](https://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=10082) where the President sees a role for himself in just about any [aspect of life](https://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=9615). The news media covers the event as if it is pretty much ordinary business. What’s next? Will Mr. Obama try to help the [Gosselins](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/30/earlyshow/leisure/celebspot/main5197370.shtml) out by having Jon and Kate over for tea? Obama could bring in the best counselors in the world while Michelle takes the kids on a helicopter ride to Camp David for the afternoon.

##### Related Tags 

[Constitutional Law](https://www.cato.org/constitutional-law), [Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies](https://www.cato.org/robert-levy-center-constitutional-studies) 

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