The basic assumption that someone will do the right thing depends on the character of the person and the situation. This also depends on what the right thing is, because not everyone has the same set of values. A bigot, for example, might feel that the right thing to do is prevent a person of color from getting a promotion . . so, to have them do the right thing is not the right thing given the current understanding of the constitution and internalization of the values of society as it is today.
However, anyone who does the right thing, whatever they believe that to be, should stand up and be proud and responsible for their actions. Despicable as it is, the ISIS fighters are fighting on principle and doing what they believe to be right in their world. And, they are proud to admit it and go to their deaths on principle.
This is the circumstance now for our Attorney General. He perjured himself to Congress and obstructed justice, for some principle . . whether it be believing that the president should be beyond the law or that he had some special duty to do something.
If he is doing this on principle, he should be proud of it. He should stand up for it. And, he should surrender himself to the authorities for breaking the law and go to prison for perjury, just as his Department of Justice requires of all law-breakers.
If he is not doing this on principle, he should just go to jail as an out-and-out criminal.
In any case, he will be enshrined at the Department of Justice right next to John Mitchell of the Watergate era.