President* Donald Trump abruptly fired FBI Director James Comey Tuesday, dramatically ousting the nation's top law enforcement official in the midst of an FBI investigation into whether Trump's campaign had ties to Russia's election meddling.And then there was this bullshit rationale:
In a letter to Comey, Trump said the firing was necessary to restore "public trust and confidence" in the FBI.Horseshit. And this part was about pure 100% triple-distilled bullshit:
In announcing the firing, the White House circulated a scathing memo, written by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, criticizing Comey's handling of the Clinton probe, including the director's decision to hold a news conference announcing its findings and releasing "derogatory information" about Clinton.Riiight. Trump cares about that as much as he cares about ethics or pollution. Without Comey's little "October surprise," Trump would now be living back in his home, giving brick-tossing interview to Fox News. Anyone with even a quarter of a functioning cortex is aware that Comey tipped the election.
Maybe Trump is mad about that, to some extent.
But more likely, the FBI was investigating internal links or leaks to the Trump campaign during the election itself. I have no doubt that that investigation will be squashed. As will the FBI's investigation of Trump's ties to Putin. The very last thing that Trump wants is anybody investigating his ties to Russia. Clearly, the House of Representatives isn't going to do it. Trump's allies in the Senate will ultimately make sure that investigation goes nowhere. All that was left to worry Trump was an independent FBI investigating him, and now he's taken that off the board. Somewhere in Hell, the spirit of Richard Nixon is smiling broadly.
Trump also wants his own puppet cop running the FBI. Trump, along with his staff of neo-nazis, is clearly frustrated that he cannot bend the Federal government to his will. But he can get a lot closer to what he wants to be, namely, a dictator, if he can put a compliant toady (like Rudy Giuliani) in as director of the FBI.
All hail El Generalissimo Trumpo!
You are mostly correct- except for clinging to the notion that Comey "tipped the election".
ReplyDeleteI did not change from a Hillary voter to a Trump voter because of his briefing Congress. Is there anyone on record who did?
If HRC wants to blame anyone not her, fine. The rest of us should know better.
Maybe the Democrats can find a decent challenger for the next election. Otherwise President Pence is in our future.
From the NYT:
ReplyDelete“Building a case
Senior White House and Justice Department officials had been working on building a case against Mr. Comey since at least last week, according to administration officials. Attorney General Jeff Sessions had been charged with coming up with reasons to fire him, the officials said.
— Michael S. Schmidt”
Perhaps someone should refresh Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III's memory as to the definition of the word "recuse" particularly as it applies to his relationship with the Clinton campaign and Russia investigations.
-Doug in Oakland
Well, pretty solid evidence of a 2+ percent swing in the last week after Comey's "revelations", seems pretty convincing, 3383.
ReplyDeleteThis actually strikes me as an own goal. A seasoned political team would use the injured Comey to their advantage, this simply amps up the focus.
There's a critical stage in an ascent to power, where the people helping you get there start to be a threat, and you shed them like a burned-out rocket booster. I won't godwin myself by citing examples...
ReplyDelete