James Comey drew plenty of criticism from all quarters over the last several months, and with good reason, but his abrupt firing today from his job of FBI Director is noteworthy for a few things:
1. Comey has been a thorn in Trump's side on repeated occasions. Though arguably his announcements that Clinton was back under investigation for email stuff (sigh) just weeks before the election had some incremental effect to elect Trump, his failure to turn up a major smoking gun or to push for Clinton's prosecution always seemed to stick in Trump's craw. [1]
On the other hand, that's largely old news. Trump has already kept Comey on after the election. Nothing in particular about the email thing has changed since then.
2. More importantly, Comey was unwilling to back up Trump's accusation that he had been wiretapped by Obama during the election, and though he didn't go out of his way to mess up Trump's narrative, he basically denied it when asked.
3. And, of course, the FBI is leading the counter-intelligence investigation into Russian interference with the US election and, as part of it, the Trump administration / campaign involvement in same. Including the shenanigans of Mike Flynn, as we were reminded during the Yates testimony yesterday.
What happens next with that investigation? Who knows? All we know is that the next FBI Director will be a Trump appointee.
What could possibly go wrong?
4. And then there's how it was done — while Comey was in Los Angeles, speaking at the FBI office staff there, to learn that through the news he had been fired immediately.
While the President has the right to fire the FBI Director, it's not something that's been done for anything trivial, let alone in this fashion.
While I've had my own irk at Comey, this stinks on ice.
——
[1] https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/859601184285491201
F.B.I. Director James Comey Is Fired by Trump
President Trump abruptly terminated Mr. Comey, who was leading an investigation into whether Mr. Trump’s advisers colluded with Russia to influence the election.
Almost Nixonian one would say…
+Nyneve D The Clinton released their own taxes. However, I'm sure that Trump is afraid that Comey will do to him what he did to Hillary.
Going..going…gone!
The look President Trump had when he told Comey…"Your Fired"☞
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EYaZO9bO0USb-DvJ4bxX22iK9UdVB_HwW4W3gIpwRu1d22UfjqqjV-W2L8W2nWnMlygOGM6YOQ
+Alfred E Newman(null) Did you see any of the supporting documents for Trump's tax return? His Schedule A for instance? You know the one used for itemizing your tax deductions. The release of his 2005 tax return was a half-assed disclosure at best.
Unless you have proof that will stand up in court that Bill's sexual indiscretions were not consensual you're guilty of slander and/or libel. And now that Hillary isn't running for office I'm sure they will have plenty of time to see you in court.
PS. Your account has been reported for violating the G+ TOS.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/L3dHK4QJshhryoO6OfD8gKlnoReGUrgCrTUqOpLi8X5IYt4ti0IWyX1z4KWqCGaP3RMWKF4_q8A
Dumb ass liberals…
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/na03ZMRt7p37dalxC4zWoFmuwlNMMr3N5wlQTai4fALSkn-pqfwe75H1GNqwia9n7ulamfBIR8M
Draining the Swamp!
Fucking liberal idiots I thought it was his fault Hillary lost hahahaha fuck you suck
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DdaVWxO5QvTKmQKfQmEomny807WmtYGuAFKAA2i_1nkS4MO1KECRNnDZMUSP_WwQLJMBWSyC3lo
If there's nothing there, let an independent investigator review it.
+Alfred E Newman Rarely has one been self-named so well.
+Linda Tewes that's what I meant. He released her emails so well, let Comey show the same respect.
An Administration that is under investigation being able to fire the investigator is beyond insanity and is a sign of totally out of this stratosphere level internal corruption…
If America's law makers have any scruples at all they will not stand by and let such an ultimately damning thing happen…
+Dave Hill He's misappropriated a copyrighted image and name.
+Dave Hill Danniel Mark is a bot and has been reported for spam several times.
Why don't you just spill the beans on trump just say what happened
+Linda Tewes Well, he's blocked here, at least. (On both parts.)
+Brad N Comey is still restricted by classified material laws. There's no reason to think he will (or legally can) spill the beans (in public) any more than Yates can. And rightfully so.
It's a shame that Comey dishonored the hard work of many FBI agents. Now they can continue to do their work without his big mouth spoiling future investigations.
Comey dishonored no one, he is gone, you honestly think anything will change except the FBI going after Trump with a vengeance, and finding what we all suspect is there?
+Stan Pedzick almost nixonian? I'd say Trump has outdone Nixon hands down! This is the futile flailing of a guilty conscience before the fall.
+Brian K Mcclung if that's what you believe then you should surly be capable of changing your mind on Trump when they find nothing, Right?
+लहरों पैस्ले What makes you think that they'll find nothing on Trump?
+Linda Tewes I'm making a point Linda. If people are going to say that now for sure the FBI is going to catch Trump (doing what is limited to anyones outlandish imagination), then if they don't catch him will they change their anti Trump view?
But to be honest I think the FBI has had more than enough time to conclude their investigation.
+लहरों पैस्ले And you're an expert on how long it takes to perform a thorough and legal investigation with an understaffed and underfunded DOJ and FBI? Riiiight.
+Linda Tewes
You missed the point tho lol. I think since they already made some of it public then that shows it's coming to an end. This is not an unusual assumption.
Fact is at this point in time they don't have anything on him and anyone who's imagination says otherwise is simply being unamerican.
+लहरों पैस्ले
There's 4 types of information that needs to be gathered and analyzed:
1) what we know we know
2) what we know we don't know
3) what we don't know we know
4) what we don't know we don't know
You're basing your assumption on item number 1 and ignoring 2 – 4. I'm going to guess that the investigation is going to take at least 3 times your estimate.
That is fine +Linda Tewes. Im not the one in denial about any crooked politicians at the moment.
You're right +Linda Tewes I'm only paying attention to number 1.
Here is what I do know and it's all that I need to know for now regarding this topic.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WfXyHNKYJL91JZnxFU-fRFMJvvMtvqLoIzRUUYddBSPMo935JrX4SZeoSr8GiEt4u2NVv8r2jA
Well… it was kind of pathetic that the FBI had to send over "corrections" for Comey's testimony to Congress. I mean WTF was that?
+लहरों पैस्ले Oh puleez. Never attribute to malice or corruption what can be explained by pure stupidity.
Grow up. The world isn't black and white. It has infinite shades of grey which even people like yourself move through daily.
+लहरों पैस्ले Did you vet each and every headline in that meme? Did you vet the sources for bias? Did you read the articles the headline belong to?
Where are your critical thinking skills?
+लहरों पैस्ले I would change my mind on one aspect of my objections to Donald Trump.
+Dirt Juice Have you compared Comey's testimony to the FBI's latest interpretation of events?
+Relaxation Station I suppose that's why the Grand Jury just sent out multiple subpoenas.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/09/politics/grand-jury-fbi-russia/index.html
James Comey fucked himself when he didn't indict Hillary Clinton because of her "intent". She broke the law but it was not her "intent" to break the law. Since when is that grounds for no charges filed? His credibility went down the toilet, as did Loretta Lynch's when she had her tarmac meeting with Bill Clinton in the middle of the investigation.
+Linda Tewes what's funny about this is the real question is going to be why isn't Hilary in jail? If you thought it was on the table before well then just wait see.
Even Bernie said comey needed to resign. You liked Bernie didn't you?
+लहरों पैस्ले Is that what this is about, Hillary isn't in jail?
And when she still doesn't go to jail, who will you fire then?
That's not even half of it, HAVE YOU GUYS NOTICED THAT THE CIA HAS SAID NOTHING? TALKED AT ALL??? THEEEE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE!!!
YOU WONDER WHY????
Because they are behind all the wire tapping and they are involved in "high level" illegal activity. This sneaky ass agency are always hiding behind in the shadows acting like nothing is happening. Dude THE CIA was into all that hacking THEY BEEN INVOLVED and they THREAT EVERYONE that investigates them EVEN A PRESIDENT. Dude the CIA and the NSA are soo currupted bro, WHY DOESNT ANYONE INSIDE THE CIA say anything in this matter?????
Dude they are sneaky ass FUCKERS.
+Leman Bennett those came out before the firing. FBI is getting close to proving collusion.
+Linda Tewes I gave up. I believe very little from the govt. anymore.
I give this current administration about another 6 – 8 months before it all falls apart. Here it is only 100 + days into this administration and the President, some of his family members and members of his handpicked staff are being investigated by congress, the senate and the FBI. Smdh
+William Wallace The FBI doesn't bring charges. The DOJ does when there is evidence that meets the legal definition of a crime. And yes, intent is required for the legal standard to be met.
+Muhammed Lawson That's more than twice as long as Squiggy thinks is necessary for a full investigation. I think you might be on to something.
+Brian K Mcclung no, I just think it's funny when ppl say that Trump is about to get caught when the pendulum can swing the other way and land on Hilary.
I can appreciate that we have due diligence in this country and the investigation is taking place. This is why I think People need to shut up already. People are not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation on trump so they act as if there is no investigation at all.
+GHOST SIDE OF THE LION'S EYENIGMA Being sneaky is their job.
They don't talk because its illegal for them to talk. If they talk it's grounds for prosecution. Do you see how Edward Snowden is being treated?
+लहरों पैस्ले Hillary is innocent until proven guilty. Just like you.
If you really think you have enough evidence that meets the legal standard for prosecution you really need to take it to some who can do something. May I suggest you contact the Attorney General in the state where the alleged crimes occurred. Yammering on about it here is nothing but hot air.
+Linda Tewes even so, is intent to commit a crime not proven by withholding evidence and/or destroying evidence?
+Linda Tewes dont put words in my mouth. I never said how long an investigation should take and I don't have any problem if it goes on for 8 whole years. I just don't waste my time with outlandish conspiracys as you are. I was simply asking Brian if he would change his stance if Trump was innocent but you failed to comprehend that or you are just simply a liar.
This is like firing your HR rep, then hiring a buddy of yours that will never question anything you do at work.
+लहरों पैस्ले Remember this?
"But to be honest I think the FBI has had more than enough time to conclude their investigation."
Did you say that or are you a liar?
+Linda Tewes omg wow. I know we are all innocent until proven guilty, including President Trump. This is why it's time for you to get over it and shut up already. There is a big difference between Trump and Hillary, Trump won. He is only doing his job. If you are gonna say that there is no evidence against Hillary then it's time you say the same about your president.
+Linda Tewes I still never said how long an investigation should take. You are the one making the claims he is guilty without evidence. The burden of proof is on you. I think they have had enough time for you to be able to say that with some merit to it but you don't have any.
+Linda Tewes the difference between you and me is, if some how Hillary was able to win the election. I'd still be defending my president when you are making false accusations.
+लहरों पैस्ले So you thought they should be done without any knowledge of when they started or what they've uncovered so far.
Trump is just doing his job? He doesn't even know what his job IS? And apparently neither do you. Go pick up a copy of US Government for Dummies.
+Linda Tewes so I thought they should be done without any knowledge of what they uncovered so far???
No, I thought they should be done before you started assuming he is guilty.
Trump is just becoming pathetic now…
#Trump doing the same as Turkish pres. #Erdogan …
Soon USA will need bigger prisons.
+Linda Tewes Our country and freedoms are at stake. Nobody gives a fig about stupid taxes.
+लहरों पैस्ले Exactly. Even Clapper said there is nothing.
+Linda Tewes Because there is nothing.
+लहरों पैस्ले That's what I was going to say. These are the same dolts that were screaming for his resignation last year.
+Leman Bennett CNN??? Seriously???
+Karen Carter Our country and freedoms are at stake.. right about that…. That's about the only thing you got right. But Donnie is running scared its only a matter of time now. :o)
L'etat c'est mo I am the state.
It's about time Comey went!
+Hunter Seeker Scared of what? President Trump has been doing everything he said he would. He's created jobs, the debt is already dropping, the stock market is the highest in history. He's taking ISIS out. He's getting illegals out of the country. He appointed a Constututionalist to the Supreme Court. And with Kennedy and Ginsberg retiring, there will be two more. Rioters are finally seeing consequences for their actions. That's what true Americans care about. America, not this petty nonsense that the Democrats and MSM is spinning.
another obama appointee gone
I just want to say Comey brought this on himself. Why? Because Mrs. Lynch told this dumb-ass not to go before Congress with that letter. With that being said, everything that Trump does at this point in relation to this investigation will seem like he's trying to wipe clean all traces. Problem is, there are too many sources saying the same thing from different sides. Can't get them all.
+Karen Carter True America will never be about hate and people like you. And Donnie is terrified. Its why he took such desperate action.
+Karen Carter Clapper said there was nothing included in the joint Intelligence Report at the time it was issued. He did not say there was nothing, and both he and Yates declined (correctly) to speak about anything that has come out since then as part of ongoing investigations.
+Karen Carter Trump's taxes potentially speak quite loudly to his personal conflict of interest in the actions his administrations take. They also speak to his truthfulness as to his net worth and to where he gets his money from. And that he continues to conjure excuses why not to share them as other major presidential candidates did for decades simply fuels speculation as to what he's hiding.
+Karen Carter Trump's list of "accomplishments" you rattle off are either rhetorical illusions to date or just the sort of thing that "true Americans" (see, I can appropriate the title, too) worry about.
+लहरों पैस्ले 'Fact is at this point in time they don't have anything on him and anyone who's imagination says otherwise is simply being unamerican.'
The "fact" is at this point we don't know what they have on him, or his campaign staff, or his administration team (where that differs from the previous). That's why it's an ongoing investigation. We have a lot of smoke, if no actual fire as of yet (aside from all the folk who have ostensibly recused themselves, who denied chatting with Russians but then had to correct their story, or who were forced to resign).
Concluding that Trump is guilty as a legal matter is unfounded. Speculating that he is based on his actions and reactions, and based on all that smoke, seems completely natural, and hardly "unamerican."
So several times over the past few years Trumps sons have said in interviews that they get lots and lots of money from Russia.. Trump refuses to release his tax returns that could clear this up… During the primaries he and his minions cant help but boast about info the Russians were going to leak.. BEFORE they leaked it… Many of his personal team lied/ falsified legal papers about meeting with Russians. At least 4 other countries who monitor Russia for their own reasons intercepted info between Trumps people and Russia… After the election Trump spends weeks practically blowing Putin on TV and Twitter..He has made personal deals after the election with Russian steel and oil that only benefit him and his friends.. And as the info grows about what he has done he is actively fighting any investigation into the matter….. Why I dont see anything there…. * face palm
+Dave Hill Nope. All fact. Research it for yourself.
+Hunter Seeker What hate? There's never been hate. And President Trump isn't afraid of anything. He has no reason to be.
+Hunter Seeker So. That was business while he was a private citizen. Many countries do business. Plus, people from other countries live and work abroad.
Unlike Hillary Clinton selling Russia our uranium while she was Secretary Of State, and took campaign donations from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, (which by the way is a federal offense), and the other middle eastern countries that treat women no better than slaves. The countries from which ISIS is coming into America.
Nice try Scooter, but no enchilada..
+Hunter Seeker Which four countries were supposed to have "intercepted" communications between President Trump and Russia? What are your sources that he made deals with Russia?
+Dave Hill True Americans care about protecting America and our freedoms, not this petty crap that Democrats enjoy spouting off with no proof. We have bigger worries here than you people's nonsense..
+Karen Carter
1. Hillary Clinton did not sell Russia anything. Her department was one of several government departments that reviewed the acquisition of a Canadian company that owned Uranium reserves in the US by a Russian company.
2. Where is ISIS "coming into" America? No, really, what sort of awful terroristic attacks on the US by ISIS are occurring from people coming from any of those countries — three of which, I'll note, were mysteriously not on Trump's Muslim-ish ban to protect us from ISIS (and one of which will be Trumps very first foreign visit this month).
3. If Hillary Clinton received election funding in violation of US law, I would certainly expect the FEC (at the very least) to be filing charges, especially under the Trump Administration. I guess i missed the headline about that happening.
+Karen Carter The quickness of the Right to assume that they are the One True and Only Americans® is one of their less endearing traits.
Frankly, Karen, I find that offensive.
+Dave Hill The only people supporting Trump now are the ones getting paid to or the mentally ill.. I would put Karen in the latter. :o) I love the fact that even Spicer reached his Bull shit level and had to go hide in the bushed from reporters.. Now he is grounded by Trump and we get crazy cat lady. If it wasn't real life it would be a great TV show.
no big loss to anyone