Object

Seal of the United States

President Bartlet takes the Seal of the United States in the private room and presses it onto Will Bailey's commission certificate. Toby, C.J., and Leo watch as the seal formalizes Will's appointment to Deputy White House Director of Communications right before Bartlet orders troops to Khundu. The act caps the ceremony amid building tension over the crisis.

2 appearances

Purpose

Affixing the official seal to formal commissions and documents

Significance

Formalizes Will's promotion, linking personal achievement to the administration's sudden commitment of forces to Khundu and underscoring the shift from celebration to urgent action

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S4E15 · Inauguration Part II: Over There

From Doctrine to Deployment: Bartlet Announces Khundu Intervention and Commissions Will

The Seal of the United States is applied via a stamp by Bartlet to formalize the commission; symbolically it legitimizes the appointment even as the President issues a consequential military order in the same breath.

Before: In Charlie's hand or at hand, ready to be affixed to the certificate.

After: Affixed to the certificate, which Will takes away as a sealed instrument of office.

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S4E15 · Inauguration Part II: Over There

Commissioned and Charged: Will's Promotion Amid a Deployment Order

The Seal of the United States (applied via a stamp) is affixed to the commission to formalize and legitimize the appointment, transforming a spoken blessing into an official executive act.

Before: Held by Charlie, ready to be applied as part of the ceremony.

After: Stamped onto the certificate, visually affirming the commission's legal and symbolic weight; the sealed document is handed to Will.

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