The President of the United States is in Gotham City giving a speech as part of his campaign for re-election. Batman is at the event to provide extra security for the President.
As the President begins his speech, Lex Luthor calls Batman and informs him that he has abducted Alfred, Robin, and Batgirl. Luthor provides footage of his friends trapped inside a cage made of indestructible metal...much like adamantium. The cage is dangling from a rope over the caldera of an active volcano somewhere in the world. Luthor informs Batman that he will lower the cage into the pool of lava below if Batman does not kill the President during this speech.
With the speech already underway, Batman does not have time to search for his friends. Luthor wants Batman to perform a brutal public slaying of the President. He wants Batman's reputation ruined...and he wants Batman to become a hunted criminal for the assassination of the President.
This is Batman's dilemma. Does he kill the President to spare his friends....or does Batman allow his friends to die in order to spare his reputation as a hero? Of course...afterwards....Batman will hunt Luthor down for revenge.
Based on what we know of Batman's integrity...and personality...what do you think he will do in this situation.