I think the truly frightening aspect of this whole situation is that the U.S. is having an existential crisis, a crisis that the Constitution cannot protect us from and an all out war with guns and cannons and millions of deaths cannot resolve. We are at war with each other and with the truth and in this war, we use words to kill hope, to wound pride, to destroy dignity. Something within a few of us led us down this path and something within a few of us willingly followed. We have begun this war and there is nothing in the Constitution, in the laws, in the integrity of the individuals who now hold power in Washington D.C. that can stop this war. The report of this investigation will find its way to the dustbin of history pretty quickly because there is nothing Mr. Horowitz can discover, nothing Mr. Horowitz can do to undo the damage that has already been done to the integrity of our belief in our country, our nation's future, our nation's identity, our nation's story.
19
The impact of his questionable conduct would not have been as significant if the media - including the Times - had not bought into it. His questionable announcement was treated in the media as if it had merit, when it was patently obvious that it was part of a smear campaign against Mrs. Clinton. The same media outlets were also saying that it had been proven that Trump had no ties to Russia. And they were treating Wikileaks as a credible news source, just as they continue to reprint Trump's tweets, regardless of how stupid and/or infantile they have become. When will you STOP playing his dangerous little game?
18
Although I am No fan of Trump We Democrats should face some facts.
When Hilary got basically a slap on the wrist from Comey on the first go around for a situation that a "regular" staff person would have been sentenced for, Hilary and all Dems. praised Comey. Suddenly things didn't go Hillary's way and now Comey is the devil. Wake up. She lost the election because many people voted for Trump who never admitted they were going to do so.
When Gore lost the election, did he start a major campaign against Ralph Nader for selfishly staying in election and taking votes from him in Florida?? Hillary lost, and now the decent thing to do is to figure out how the democrats can
come back strong!
When Hilary got basically a slap on the wrist from Comey on the first go around for a situation that a "regular" staff person would have been sentenced for, Hilary and all Dems. praised Comey. Suddenly things didn't go Hillary's way and now Comey is the devil. Wake up. She lost the election because many people voted for Trump who never admitted they were going to do so.
When Gore lost the election, did he start a major campaign against Ralph Nader for selfishly staying in election and taking votes from him in Florida?? Hillary lost, and now the decent thing to do is to figure out how the democrats can
come back strong!
14
Comey knew what effect such lies would cause, he did it as a way to get even, for whatever reason, with Clinton or was urged to do so by opposition low life's. This is a man who loves the fact that he destroyed Hillary's chances of becoming president, she, a breath of fresh air compared to the 12 year old Narcissist soon to occupy the Oval Office. There he will tweet lies, mock, insult, humiliate, and commit questionable acts that will eventually lead to disastrous effects, hopefully for he who causes them, or be given a playpen to entertain his five year old emotional level. This is insane. Animals don't change their "stripes". For him to look serious, Trump, not Comey, is hilariously farcical, or would be were it not for his mental challenges. A nut case is going to command our world, but of course he won't. It's delusional nonsense and little more.
11
I imagine the Times may not appreciate the gist of this comment but don’t believe, for a second, that the electoral college effect of Comey’s actions are somehow “unquantifiable” or "unknowable" as has been put forth by otherwise serious media outlets. Maybe the effect of the Russian hacks are tough to quantify but not so with Comey.
It’s a easy as this:
Get the State by State polling numbers (not the “national” poll numbers, as I have seen put forth, which are meaningless) in the few days before Comey’s announcement. Subtract the applicable margins of error, then add up the delegate count based upon her winning those respective States. Folks with good memories and those not easily distracted by the “common wisdom” du jour will recall that Clinton was somewhere between 320 and 330 and was campaigning in Arizona and Texas trying to boost down ballot candidates and expand a national footprint at the time of the press conference.
Now, get the State by State polling numbers (and applicable delegate counts) the day Comey announced that there was, in fact, no “there” there. She had fallen below 270. Did either candidate make gaffs or pronouncements that might explain any movement in polling numbers of that magnitude? No.
Therein lies the supposedly “unquantifiable” Comey factor.
It’s a easy as this:
Get the State by State polling numbers (not the “national” poll numbers, as I have seen put forth, which are meaningless) in the few days before Comey’s announcement. Subtract the applicable margins of error, then add up the delegate count based upon her winning those respective States. Folks with good memories and those not easily distracted by the “common wisdom” du jour will recall that Clinton was somewhere between 320 and 330 and was campaigning in Arizona and Texas trying to boost down ballot candidates and expand a national footprint at the time of the press conference.
Now, get the State by State polling numbers (and applicable delegate counts) the day Comey announced that there was, in fact, no “there” there. She had fallen below 270. Did either candidate make gaffs or pronouncements that might explain any movement in polling numbers of that magnitude? No.
Therein lies the supposedly “unquantifiable” Comey factor.
23
In this article you've completely avoided any mention of why Comey wouldn't answer any questions about whether the FBI is looking into Trump's alleged ties with Russia and if this involvement led to Trump being elected. John McCain obtained this information that he passed on to the FBI. Members of congress were infuriated that Comey refused to answer any questions on this issue. Not newsworthy to the NYT?
10
I do believe that every mature person can clearly see that many of the male plutocrats and shady characters in the USA would prefer to control all the rules in this Nation's 'business."
"The better to Eat You, my Dears!"
"The better to Eat You, my Dears!"
6
His picking and choosing between disclosing possible investigations between Hillary (investigation yielded zero) and Trump (investigation now yielding evidence of extensive ties to Russia by Trump surrogates; Russian hacking of emails, e.g.) and then NOT disclosing this much more explosive and important investigation, is something that really bears the closest scrutiny.
14
The editors-writers of the Times acting as if there will not be a changing of the guard down in Washington, and they ignore the fact that congress is an all GOP operation, now. They gnore and their own headline from this week to the effect that Trump's voters don't care a hoot, even if he had murdered Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy, as long as they get their man in the big chair Obama has so kindly warmed for 8 years.
ANy investigation now would possibly affect transient members of the FBI and not the effect of the political outcome of their actions. Hooray.
I only hope that the Paper and other media oputlets begin to pick up and explain on the real reason for the"surprise" GOP win in this election-that the vote turnout was lower than in 8 years and that for various reasons, when every pfredictor assumed it would be similar to 2012-overwhelmingly Blue. But Democrats and independent voters who might otherwise have voted for a Democrat, became convinced that Mrs Clinton was too unsavory, possibly a criminal and far too close to social circles which many on both sides of US politics , consider too interested in only that class of citizens with the most money. If Mr Comey's actions aided that perception, he ought to be made to pay somehow but what can be done, now?
ANy investigation now would possibly affect transient members of the FBI and not the effect of the political outcome of their actions. Hooray.
I only hope that the Paper and other media oputlets begin to pick up and explain on the real reason for the"surprise" GOP win in this election-that the vote turnout was lower than in 8 years and that for various reasons, when every pfredictor assumed it would be similar to 2012-overwhelmingly Blue. But Democrats and independent voters who might otherwise have voted for a Democrat, became convinced that Mrs Clinton was too unsavory, possibly a criminal and far too close to social circles which many on both sides of US politics , consider too interested in only that class of citizens with the most money. If Mr Comey's actions aided that perception, he ought to be made to pay somehow but what can be done, now?
5
Even if Comey resigns nothing will happen, he will have a 6-7 figure salary at some Law firm.
3
Either Comey is incompetent or he is pro-trump. In both cases he has no business being head of the FBI.
15
Who says conspiracy theorists are all on the right?
5
Director Comey, you're fired. You mishandled information that affected the outcome of the presidential election. It matters not that you were duped into releasing misleading, and ultimately false, information. It was your responsibility as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to safeguard such information until you and the President of the United States were absolutely certain of its content and importance with regard to Ms. Clinton's e-mails. You falsely implied that there were new "revelations" to come when in fact the large majority of those e-mails were duplicates of ones you already had reviewed and the remainder were irrelevant. You are a disgrace to the American people and to your President, Barack Obama.
16
What should be investigated is the public appeal, last July, by president elect Donald J Trump to Russian hackers. He asked them on the record to spy for his campaign into the emails of his opponents. If this isn't plain and simple treason I do not know what would be.
19
THE CIA, with unprecedented clarity, overtly threw its weight behind Hillary Clinton’s candidacy and sought to defeat Donald Trump.
Cheering for the CIA and its shadowy allies to unilaterally subvert the U.S. election and impose its own policy dictates on the elected president is both warped and self-destructive. Empowering the very entities that have produced the most shameful atrocities and systemic deceit over the last six decades is desperation of the worst kind.
Cheering for the CIA and its shadowy allies to unilaterally subvert the U.S. election and impose its own policy dictates on the elected president is both warped and self-destructive. Empowering the very entities that have produced the most shameful atrocities and systemic deceit over the last six decades is desperation of the worst kind.
3
Can someone explain why Obama would put a Republican in charge of the FBI? There has never been a permanent head of the FBI that was a Democrat and therefore the FBI has become a Republican organization. This is extremely dangerous and leads to outcomes where the Director of the FBI decides to tip the election in favor of his party (technically he was un-affiliated as of the election, but Comey admitted this summer that most of his adult life he was a member of the GOP). I guarantee that Trump is going to clear house and not attempt to let the Democrats retain a shred of power. It is time that the Democrats learn how to use power like the GOP does.
19
Too little, too late. I would like to see him lose his job. So much of the looming disaster rests on his smug shoulders.
9
This is only relevant in the context of why Clinton's potential investigation was exposed but not Trump's. Solution: let's hear about the Trump investigation. Now.
18
What's outrageous here is that AG Lynch isn't under investigation for her (attempted) secret meeting with Bill Clinton before the investigation about the emails was completed.
17
Lynch meeting Clinton was not secret it was done in plain sight.
15
Lynch meeting Clinton was not secret it was done in plain sight.
==================
The intent was for it to be a secret meeting but they were found out.
==================
The intent was for it to be a secret meeting but they were found out.
13
If the intent was to be secret it would not have been done on the tarmac at an airport but in private somewhere. Your theory makes no sense.
9
To me, the question becomes did Mr. Comey plan to subvert the Clinton campaign from the outset.
Last July, it was been reported, that FBI was investigating both Mrs. Clinton for her email situation and Donald Trump for his too close ties to Russia. By tradition Mr Comey was forbidden from commenting on either case AS LONG AS THE CASE REMAINED OPEN. Curiously, Mr. Comey decided to close the Clinton case, leaving him the possibility of future discussion and reporting. He kept the Trump case closed, so no comments were permitted.
The FBI chief was too clever by half.
He was then permitted to comment on the Clinton case and did so right before the election. Shameful. Whatever crises befall us over the next four years fall right at his doorstep.
Last July, it was been reported, that FBI was investigating both Mrs. Clinton for her email situation and Donald Trump for his too close ties to Russia. By tradition Mr Comey was forbidden from commenting on either case AS LONG AS THE CASE REMAINED OPEN. Curiously, Mr. Comey decided to close the Clinton case, leaving him the possibility of future discussion and reporting. He kept the Trump case closed, so no comments were permitted.
The FBI chief was too clever by half.
He was then permitted to comment on the Clinton case and did so right before the election. Shameful. Whatever crises befall us over the next four years fall right at his doorstep.
17
Truth will out.
But what do you do with someone who flipped the table on a U.S. presidential election?
Try him for treason?
But what do you do with someone who flipped the table on a U.S. presidential election?
Try him for treason?
18
You know who should be tried for Treason? Donald Trump who publicly called for the hacking of Clinton's email's and they were hacked.
17
I think it would be the Hatch Act in this case.
9
What was his warrant for describing Clinton's behavior as “extremely careless”? (Comey sounded like a fundamentalist preacher intoning from a pulpit.) Is such a pronouncement a legitimate/ethical function of an FBI Director?
7
This is a last ditch effort by Loretta Lynch, Clinton and Obama. They are grasping at thin air. There are no straws left. Comey was in the right and has an impeccable record.
11
Thank the Lord it's about time! Investigation should have started Monday after his last announcement that there was nothing found... on a Sunday!! He should be fired for tampering with election and I don't think anyone cared about his personal opinions. Especially after the times today and Republicans told Hillary that she had to have a private server!
8
When you read the career history of the former MI6 agent who compiled the Trump dossier, you become more and more confident that the information is accurate. It's mind-boggling that FBI director Comey chose to hush up these allegations in advance of the election, while insinuating that Hillary was the one jeopardizing national security. Perhaps Comey was/is being blackmailed. Please President Obama, declare a state of emergency and stay in office until this is sorted out.
hhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/11/former-mi6-officer-produced-d...
hhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/11/former-mi6-officer-produced-d...
20
It goes on and on. I said that after 19 months in attack mode during the long election cycle, the Clinton supporters would have a problem letting go after the election.
Now, with every excuse many demand a scrapping of the election as they call for doing it over.
They have become addicted. They just cannot put the cork in the bottle.
It is over.
These trapped people remind me of a John Cheever character, the type of person who had some minor success in school as an athlete and simply will not stop re-living that great moment, even into late middle age.
What will become of them after the inaugural? How will his addiction get fed?
It is too bad for all of us if they persist in this pipe-dream instead of working to fight the coming neo-Reagan agenda.
Sadly, I hear from Clinton supporters who are eager for Trump to damage us all - so they can shout "we told you so!"
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
Now, with every excuse many demand a scrapping of the election as they call for doing it over.
They have become addicted. They just cannot put the cork in the bottle.
It is over.
These trapped people remind me of a John Cheever character, the type of person who had some minor success in school as an athlete and simply will not stop re-living that great moment, even into late middle age.
What will become of them after the inaugural? How will his addiction get fed?
It is too bad for all of us if they persist in this pipe-dream instead of working to fight the coming neo-Reagan agenda.
Sadly, I hear from Clinton supporters who are eager for Trump to damage us all - so they can shout "we told you so!"
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
10
Another thriving "spy" best seller...
Being wrong is not in the job description most bureaucrats hold themselves up to. Always right is the moto of the "in charge"
Being wrong is not in the job description most bureaucrats hold themselves up to. Always right is the moto of the "in charge"
The timing of Mr. Comey's damaging announcement, just days before Election Day, was so monumentally heavy-handed that one must ask the simple question: what could possibly provoke a high-profile political official such as the FBI Director to so desperately insinuate himself into the election process, at the eleventh hour, no less?
Now, I am far from being a conspiracy theory buff. But I'm willing to go out on a limb here and say that I believe it is possible that Comey's hand was forced somehow, perhaps by a person or persons possessing incriminating dirt on the FBI Director that could damage him professionally and/or personally. He was given a Sophie's choice: EITHER play along, OR we'll get someone else (probably via a leak emanating from within the FBI's anti-Clinton faction) to do the dirty work for you.
Now, I am far from being a conspiracy theory buff. But I'm willing to go out on a limb here and say that I believe it is possible that Comey's hand was forced somehow, perhaps by a person or persons possessing incriminating dirt on the FBI Director that could damage him professionally and/or personally. He was given a Sophie's choice: EITHER play along, OR we'll get someone else (probably via a leak emanating from within the FBI's anti-Clinton faction) to do the dirty work for you.
8
The old switch-er-rooney: Take the attention away from CLINTON'S criminal behavior [Okay, "almost" criminal behavior--same thing] and put it on Comey. This is the trick: Take the attention away from the Clinton campaign and what was discovered by Wikileaks, and put the attention, instead, on Russia.
And EXPECT, even, that we citizens are going to FORGET what the REAL DEAL is about. No, I won't forget. The REAL criminal is Hillary Rodham Clinton. SHE'S the criminal. And the issue is what SHE did, not what Comey did. SHE should continue to be investigated.
I hope citizens remember that.
And EXPECT, even, that we citizens are going to FORGET what the REAL DEAL is about. No, I won't forget. The REAL criminal is Hillary Rodham Clinton. SHE'S the criminal. And the issue is what SHE did, not what Comey did. SHE should continue to be investigated.
I hope citizens remember that.
13
I remember that certain FBI director opened his mouth with no follow through. I remember Powell, Rice using the same type of email server. I remember the Republican party making a stink over nothing important, ie the email story, a certain sexual act. I remember the Democrats letting a certain Republican, who couldn't recall, get away with murder. I remember a certain general openly lying to the UN to justify an unjust war. So tell me who are the real criminals? One who used a private server? Or an entire party that has lied to make us go to war, that has smuggled drugs to buy weapons for the Contras? I hope that you will remember that your champion will divide our country, how he will leave an economic disaster behind him, how he has refused to release his tax documents, how he has degraded woman and the handicapped, how he has refused to abide by the basic rules of ethics. So again who is the real criminal?
6
I remember Powell, Rice using the same type of email server.
===================
No they did not. Rice never used email. Powell used a commercial email service for a few emails that weren't classified
===================
No they did not. Rice never used email. Powell used a commercial email service for a few emails that weren't classified
5
Hillary Clinton was not found guilty of ANY criminal behavior, but I can tell you the the donald is guilty of plenty. Not paying your workers is fraud, and theft of services. Inviting Russia to hack Mrs. Clinton's computer is treason. Heaven knows what else will turn up.
2
Inaugural Closing Music: Goodbye Blue Sky, Pink Floyd/The Wall. Not surprisingly, the band saw this coming.
It is ironic that the thrust of Mr. Trump's campaign was HRC's (perceived) malfeasance and criminal behaviour, a clever smoke screen that--somehow--distracted the electorate from questioning just how he was going to run the country if chosen Commander in Chief.
Now, we have an incoming administration characterized by blatant nepotism, ethical breaches, trigger-happy social media rants and unqualified picks for cabinet secretaries, etc. We can blame for Trump for only so much before we turn the focus on ourselves and share some of the blame, too. After all, we elected him and are only now realizing the error we made as a nation.
Now, we have an incoming administration characterized by blatant nepotism, ethical breaches, trigger-happy social media rants and unqualified picks for cabinet secretaries, etc. We can blame for Trump for only so much before we turn the focus on ourselves and share some of the blame, too. After all, we elected him and are only now realizing the error we made as a nation.
6
James Comey is the Teresa Le Pore of the 2016 election. Two inconsequential little people who had the audacity to change history. Shame on them both!
8
James Comey is the Teresa Le Pore of the 2016 election
======================
Everyone seems to forget Teresa Le Pore was a Democrat.
A serious case of an own goal
======================
Everyone seems to forget Teresa Le Pore was a Democrat.
A serious case of an own goal
The Deep State works with establishment media to turn people into credulous zombies, willing to accept even the most preposterous lies, half-truths and narratives. As well as to create Russia as the Supreme Villain in the political landscape, who is responsible for Hillary Clitnon’s failure to take the crown, as well as the Zika virus, and teenage acne.
Which is worse -going to war with Iraq on fake intel, or going to war with Russia on fake intel?
Which is worse -going to war with Iraq on fake intel, or going to war with Russia on fake intel?
7
What's the point other than a dog and pony show to appease the critics. The damage has been done and it will be devastating. 4 Years of Trump and his cronies will imperil this country in ways we cannot have imagined. Human rights will be a thing of the past.
We call ourselves a democracy but between Comey, and Trump's relationship to Putin and the latter's spying, an election was stolen AGAIN, we are not much better than a banana republic. This is horrifying yet no steps are being taken to reverse it.
We call ourselves a democracy but between Comey, and Trump's relationship to Putin and the latter's spying, an election was stolen AGAIN, we are not much better than a banana republic. This is horrifying yet no steps are being taken to reverse it.
12
The Myth of the Stolen Election: In their rage and heartbreak, so many Democrats are desperately seeking an answer that will vindicate HRC, despite the actual outcome. Commonly cited villains include:
-- Vladimir Putin
-- Shadowy Russian hackers
-- State and local election boards
-- Viter suppression
-- Director Comey
-- The news media
-- The evil authors of our Constitution and its Electoral College
-- Dark money malefactors
-- Misogynist, racist, xenophobic, homophobic Midwesterners
-- Even President Obama himsel (for not stopping Comey)
Could it possibly be that HRC was simply the wrong candidate in a time of worldwide populist anger against the Establishment?
The Democratic Party desperately needs a reformation. It has been absolutely crushed at the state and local levels in most regions. But as long as it holds to conspiracy instead of reality, it will keep losing. Quo vadis?
-- Vladimir Putin
-- Shadowy Russian hackers
-- State and local election boards
-- Viter suppression
-- Director Comey
-- The news media
-- The evil authors of our Constitution and its Electoral College
-- Dark money malefactors
-- Misogynist, racist, xenophobic, homophobic Midwesterners
-- Even President Obama himsel (for not stopping Comey)
Could it possibly be that HRC was simply the wrong candidate in a time of worldwide populist anger against the Establishment?
The Democratic Party desperately needs a reformation. It has been absolutely crushed at the state and local levels in most regions. But as long as it holds to conspiracy instead of reality, it will keep losing. Quo vadis?
14
Whatever. Mrs. Clinton won the popular vote by almost 3 million votes. All those other things that you mention did contribute to her losing the electoral vote. Tragically (not SADLY, but TRAGICALLY) a lot of people fell for a bunch of lies and bizarre behavior from a pathological liar, and he will be our next President, barring a miracle. Those that fell for the snake oil salesman will be the worst impacted by his and his administration's policies.
3
Hillary Clinton did not lose the election to Donald Trump because of either the FBI or Russians, not even if Vladimir Putin personally ordered the email hacks and himself submitted the trove to Wikileaks: 1. She lost to Donald Trump!! A man who, going into office, has historically low approval ratings and sky high negatives, and 2. The Democratic Party is in the toilet at all levels, federal, state and municipal, which is no one’s fault but the Democrats themselves.
Looks like you are waking up (that’s great) and tell Edward Snowden the corrupt establishment do not want anyone to expose and denounce their secret wickedness modus operandi of the novus ordos seclorum (to hack any person private details) which is repugnant as they are cloaked in democracy and chanting the land of the free while subverting it in a free an open society.
Looks like you are waking up (that’s great) and tell Edward Snowden the corrupt establishment do not want anyone to expose and denounce their secret wickedness modus operandi of the novus ordos seclorum (to hack any person private details) which is repugnant as they are cloaked in democracy and chanting the land of the free while subverting it in a free an open society.
9
I have no faith that under Trump anything will be investigated that might find fault with anyone in his administration. No faith at all. He has earned zero trust from us.
14
And Clinton has?
8
This last, well, probably not the last, grasp at pettiness by Obama is only further tarnish on his questionable legacy. Comey should resign, but just as much for the politcalization of his office for many actions favorable to Democrat witch hunts as his last minute antics with Hillary Clinton. Along with him, Loretta Lynch deserves just as much blame and, perhaps, her partisan antics pushed him to make this last minute flub.
7
Nothing to do with obama, the justice department is initiating this.
5
Mr. Comey has harmed the United States of America by ignoring laws within the Justice Department, a department he has sworn to serve.
11
What is the hoped for outcome of the inspector general investigation? Should we enact a statue prohibiting federal agencies from revealing investigatory information that compromises a presidential candidate during an election year? If the FBI decides to arrest a candidate on felony charge, should it be forced to wait until after the election or after the inaugural to the handcuffs on?
4
Mr. Case, it is already a law/statute that Comey broke when he made these public statements about Mrs. Clinton before the election. It is called The Hatch Act. If they decide to arrest him, I don't see any reason to wait until after the inaugural.
5
In retrospect, Comey's remarks were especially disturbing in the light of his silence on the alleged connections between Russia and the Trump campaign. David Corn of Mother Jones first reported on the matter back in October, though the story didn't attract much attention at the time.
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/01/spy-who-wrote-trump-russia-m...
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/01/spy-who-wrote-trump-russia-m...
14
Mother Jones? Now there's a credible, unbiased source.
4
Comey was definitely working with Rudy Giuliani and Trump to sabotage Hillary Clinton! On October 26th, while appearing on FOX and Friends, Giuliani stated that there was a "big October surprise that Trump is going to release on Hillary very soon" that would "FINISH" her chances of winning! Then, in the next couple of days Comey released that statement about reopening the email investigation. How would Giuliani know about that...since no other supposedly "big" surprise came out in October?? It's also a fact that Comey used to work closely under Giuliani. In addition, Giuliani has always bragged about his "close" connections to agents in the FBI.
14
Lest you forget, Giuliani was the U.S. Attorney responsible for bringing down the Mob in New York. Feel free at anytime to take off your tin hat
3
Well, you know what's going to happen. After Jan. 20, the entire thing will fade away. Comey should have been worried, but now I don't think he will be.
2
Yeah, kind of like Watergate starting out as a "third rate burglary."
3
Being the head of the FBI is a big deal and Mr. Comey with his Republican beliefs made sure that Donald J. Trump became president. He wasn't going to let Hillary Clinton off the hook, because she used a private email server, which by the way was never hacked. Basically, who cares that Clinton used a private server and no one was hurt by the use of that server. She wanted privacy. The Republicans were just looking for anything that would discredit Clinton and they found it in the email server. They tried with Benghazi but could never make anything stick. For his loyalty to his Republican beliefs Comey should get what he deserves. He should be fired by Trump. After all Comey is a guy who can't be trusted.
9
Show me the proof that it wasn'the hacked. Don'the tell me "because the Russians said so."
He wasn't going to let Hillary Clinton off the hook, because she used a private email server, which by the way was never hacked. Basically, who cares that Clinton used a private server and no one was hurt by the use of that server. She wanted privacy.
===================
Actually the NY Times was pretty certain her server was hacked
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/07/us/hillary-clintons-email-was-probabl...
And you don't get to have "privacy" when you are engaged in government business that we taxpayers pay you to do
===================
Actually the NY Times was pretty certain her server was hacked
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/07/us/hillary-clintons-email-was-probabl...
And you don't get to have "privacy" when you are engaged in government business that we taxpayers pay you to do
1
Where's your proof that it was hacked? I hope you enjoy four years of a chaotic administration.
1
Honestly, Comey was damned if he did damned if he didn't. Prior to this, politicians from both sides praised him and said he was a career employee widely recognized for his exercise of good judgment. I suspect he made the best decision he thought he could make based on the information at hand.
10
"...the best decision he thought he could make based on the information at hand." He had no right to this, however, as it violated the law.
1
Maybe the Russians had some dirt on Comey, too.
10
There is one piece of uncontroverted evidence that justifies this investigation of Comey's actions in violating the Hatch Act.
Is it what Comey and the FBI did a year before when they given evidence of a crime against the DNC and refused to do a proper investigation. Some agent sat at his desk and left a message on a subcontractor's IT help desk? That's how the FBI investigates Russian interference in US elections?
Of course it isn't how a non-corrupt FBI would investigate. So when Comey got even MORE evidence of Russian hacking the next summer, he kept hidden the investigation - it's unclear that the FBI even DID much of an investigation when they realized the Russian crimes were helping their candidate.
That's 2 times the FBI covered up Russian crimes helping Trump. And 2 times the FBI implied illegal actions by Clinton that didn't exist. Comey's denial that he didn't intend to imply Hillary Clinton had broken the law when he twice smeared her publicly is belied by the fact that every person that he gave an advance copy to interpreted it that way and Comey remained silent because he INTENDED his nasty words about Hillary to be used that way.
That isn't a coincidence. Four separate times Comey was guilty of down playing Russian/Trump collusion and up playing Hillary is a crook, the FBI says so that his best friends kept saying while he silently acknowledged it was true.
Is it what Comey and the FBI did a year before when they given evidence of a crime against the DNC and refused to do a proper investigation. Some agent sat at his desk and left a message on a subcontractor's IT help desk? That's how the FBI investigates Russian interference in US elections?
Of course it isn't how a non-corrupt FBI would investigate. So when Comey got even MORE evidence of Russian hacking the next summer, he kept hidden the investigation - it's unclear that the FBI even DID much of an investigation when they realized the Russian crimes were helping their candidate.
That's 2 times the FBI covered up Russian crimes helping Trump. And 2 times the FBI implied illegal actions by Clinton that didn't exist. Comey's denial that he didn't intend to imply Hillary Clinton had broken the law when he twice smeared her publicly is belied by the fact that every person that he gave an advance copy to interpreted it that way and Comey remained silent because he INTENDED his nasty words about Hillary to be used that way.
That isn't a coincidence. Four separate times Comey was guilty of down playing Russian/Trump collusion and up playing Hillary is a crook, the FBI says so that his best friends kept saying while he silently acknowledged it was true.
8
I don't understand what is meant by "the FBI says so that his best friends kept saying while he silently acknowledged it was true".
Is that some kind of secret code?
Is that some kind of secret code?
1
It's fascinating to me that the Trumpsters writing comments here have no understanding of the actual facts that have prompted the investigation of the FBI/Comey's actions.
All they can say is that it's Hillary's fault.
They don't understand that the FBI policy is to never publicly discuss any investigation that results in no charges being brought - yet Comey held a press conference to announce exactly that in July. They don't understand that it is also long standing precedent that the FBI has a commitment to not "interfere" with elections and make no public announcements within 60 days of an election - yet Comey made his announcement of new emails being found 11 days prior to the election - when he had not seen the emails because a search warrant had not even been obtained.
They also don't understand that both Republicans and Democrats have asked for this investigation as the actions of Comey are inexplicable.
I almost (but not really) feel sorry for people who are either grossly misinformed or willfully ignorant.
All they can say is that it's Hillary's fault.
They don't understand that the FBI policy is to never publicly discuss any investigation that results in no charges being brought - yet Comey held a press conference to announce exactly that in July. They don't understand that it is also long standing precedent that the FBI has a commitment to not "interfere" with elections and make no public announcements within 60 days of an election - yet Comey made his announcement of new emails being found 11 days prior to the election - when he had not seen the emails because a search warrant had not even been obtained.
They also don't understand that both Republicans and Democrats have asked for this investigation as the actions of Comey are inexplicable.
I almost (but not really) feel sorry for people who are either grossly misinformed or willfully ignorant.
22
He reported it to Congress. Do you really think it would have been OK for him to conceal the information until after the election?
2
They don't understand that the FBI policy is to never publicly discuss any investigation that results in no charges being brought - yet Comey held a press conference to announce exactly that in July.
==================
YOU don't seem to understand that the DOJ policy is that the Attorney General shouldn't have a secret meeting with the husband of a woman who is under investigation by the FBI.
When word got out about the secret Clinton & Lynch meeting, she should have recused herself but didn't.
Somebody at DOJ had to say something about the investigation. It fell to Comey because it was obvious Lynch was compromised
==================
YOU don't seem to understand that the DOJ policy is that the Attorney General shouldn't have a secret meeting with the husband of a woman who is under investigation by the FBI.
When word got out about the secret Clinton & Lynch meeting, she should have recused herself but didn't.
Somebody at DOJ had to say something about the investigation. It fell to Comey because it was obvious Lynch was compromised
2
@Fern
They've concealed information that they have been investigating contacts between people around Trump (Stone, Manafort) and people in the Russian government. See Comey being questioned by Wyden during the Intelligence Committee meeting this week. That is part of the reason this investigation is taking place. The candidates were treated very differently by the FBI - one treatedby the long standing rules of the FBI - the other not.
But more important - there was no information to conceal. The emails, as Comey announced after making is public announcement - and prior to even seeing them - were duplicates of emails they had already looked at - but more were personal correspondence that had nothing to do with government. Again - there was nothing to conceal. Do some research.
They've concealed information that they have been investigating contacts between people around Trump (Stone, Manafort) and people in the Russian government. See Comey being questioned by Wyden during the Intelligence Committee meeting this week. That is part of the reason this investigation is taking place. The candidates were treated very differently by the FBI - one treatedby the long standing rules of the FBI - the other not.
But more important - there was no information to conceal. The emails, as Comey announced after making is public announcement - and prior to even seeing them - were duplicates of emails they had already looked at - but more were personal correspondence that had nothing to do with government. Again - there was nothing to conceal. Do some research.
2
When will the Democrats acknowledge Hillary Clinton lost due to her lack of appeal and wooden attempts to understand the concerns and motivations of all voters? While it would of been uncomfortable and perhaps difficult for her to do so; listening to, understanding and making a sincere attempt to work for the voters would have been the preferable path. Instead, Hillary ran a feeble campaign of status quo and took the nomination for granted.
11
And to think, at the same time Comey was re-inserting himself into the election over a silly email infraction, he had in his possession the information about Trump's love of golden showers and his campaign's violations of the Logan Act by communicating with the enemy, Russia. Great public servant? Hardly.
15
Thank God we are finally focusing on this story. Comey's letter, more than any other example of "fake news", had a profound effect on the election, including the clumsy efforts of Russian hacking and trolling. Now that we know the FBI and the Republican Party were fully aware of Donald Tchump's suspected association with Putin and Russia, it becomes even more critical to expose the back door machinations that injected the unfounded speculations of the FBI Director into the campaign.
7
Only one thought here. Mr. Comey should be fired. Whether he meant to or not, he may well have had a direct effect on the outcome of the election. Reason enough to fire him. President Obama???
4
He needs to be properly investigated as does the FBI. Firing doesn't get out the rot. Bringing corruption to light is the only way to end it.
7
Good old Obama put this right wing zealot into office. How about that. As a so called socialist you don't appoint the enemy unless of course you are not a progressive, which Obama is certainly not.
2
Long before the first primary vote was cast, I thought surely the Democrats would be smart enough to force Hillary Clinton out of the race. Her email/server problems were known as far back as March 2015. The FBI started investigating soon afterwards. It was obvious to everyone that Clinton was a flawed candidate with a huge cloud hanging over her head. She wasn't forthright about her emails and she avoided press conferences because she didn't want to be asked about them. So my question is - What were the Democrats thinking when they went ahead and nominated her anyway? Comey didn't make her a loser. She did.
14
The Democrats were thinking the same thing that they were thinking when they nominated George McGovern to run against Richard Nixon.
Too bad Richard Nixon and "all the Presidents' men" didn't trust themselves to win using legal means and broke the law. Too bad Trump's men and the FBI did the same thing. Maybe in both cases they should have trusted the American people to vote for their guy without illegally influencing the election. And certainly it was vital to American democracy that Nixon's crimes were revealed. By putting the people involved under oath to answer questions or plead the 5th to cover up their crimes. I'm sure there is an ethical John Dean among the many in the Trump campaign.
Too bad Richard Nixon and "all the Presidents' men" didn't trust themselves to win using legal means and broke the law. Too bad Trump's men and the FBI did the same thing. Maybe in both cases they should have trusted the American people to vote for their guy without illegally influencing the election. And certainly it was vital to American democracy that Nixon's crimes were revealed. By putting the people involved under oath to answer questions or plead the 5th to cover up their crimes. I'm sure there is an ethical John Dean among the many in the Trump campaign.
2
Again, the answer is:
• Do what I say not what I do.
• Don't ever underestimate the power of denial.
• No Gonads.
• Do what I say not what I do.
• Don't ever underestimate the power of denial.
• No Gonads.
2
An expected outcome for someone who mishandled classified material the way that HRC did: plead guilty to a misdemeanor, no prison sentence, pay a fine, loss of security clearance. Amazing to me how the Democratic Party has morphed into the party of privilege for its well-heeled insiders.
5
What choice did he have? We see what is happening as a result of what he did. what would be the reaction if he did not investgate and later something came up that could have made a difference?
He made the right decisions based on the information he had. He is to complimented for completing the investigation prior to the election. Clinton should be getting the heat for using servers that were not properly secured. Further, the Obama administration should be critisized for not having the proper safeguards in place to minimize the possibilities of computer espionage.
The Director is either being used as a scapegoat or he is at fault for not doing his part to presvent such a problem in the first place.
He made the right decisions based on the information he had. He is to complimented for completing the investigation prior to the election. Clinton should be getting the heat for using servers that were not properly secured. Further, the Obama administration should be critisized for not having the proper safeguards in place to minimize the possibilities of computer espionage.
The Director is either being used as a scapegoat or he is at fault for not doing his part to presvent such a problem in the first place.
8
This election is beginning to look a lot like Nixon’s re-election: Lots of late breaking monkey business from Comey, the Russians, and cyber criminals and the like. Add to that Trump’s refusal to follow basic ethical norms or release his Tax Returns. And after that, rumors of Trumps long time ties to Russian Oligarchs, and other mystery investors in Trump’s Real Estate ventures, and thousands of fraud lawsuits and stiffed creditors. And there are lots of sexual peccadilloes hanging from low branches, ripe for the picking. We are surely in for a bumpy ride, followed by another disgraced President’s resignation.
11
And it took public Watergate hearings to learn of the extent of the crime and cover up. No doubt there is a John Dean in the Trump campaign willing to spill the beans to protect the country he loves.
4
Like Yogi Bera said, It is Deja Vu all over again.
3
One other comment not completely related to Comey: I read the Dossier that Steele put together on the Kompromat Russia has on Trump. The salacious events referred to are not only salacious, they belie a form of mental illness. Apparently, the salacious act referred to Trump hiring prostitutes to urinate on eachother on the bed that the Obamas slept in in a Russian hotel. We know the guy is completely unfit to hold the office of POTUS generally. But this shows that Trump is simply unfit mentally. Period.
4
It "shows" nothing as these reports have not been verified.
4
Exactly. The reports have not been verified. And the contents of Anthony Weiner's computer had nothing to do with the Clinton emails. Which is why neither of them should have been brought up.
4
No matter. Steele's reputation as a competent agent is well known. Sure, evidence would be great to have. Why don't we just ask the Russians for it? Seriously, we'll never get to the bottom of this. At least not before Trump drags us into a war with (INSERT COUNTRY NAME HERE) and turns this government into a private sector kleptocracy. I see Carson, in his hearing yesterday, refused to tell Sen. Warren that HUD grants would not go to Trump properties. The stealing has already begun! I'm sure in a year you'll feel even better about your vote for Trump.
2
This is just a last effort to show the people the democracy we are about to loose. Comey reacted to political pressure but in keeping with how a Trump administration will run things. After Jan. 20th all political opponents will be fair game and there will be no such thing as a bipartisan (unbiased and non-political) bureaucracy.
4
Everyone on the left and MSM needs to take a deep breath -- their collective hissy-fit is impugning their credibility, and, to a degree, 'gumming up the works.'
Director Comey's entire life, amongst other highly-admirable qualities, has been a display of impeccable ethical, moral and legal standards. He did exactly and precisely the correct thing in timely notifying congress of the investigation, and, once the investigation was concluded (swifty, considering the high volume of emails,) (and before the election was held,) notifying congress no charges would be filed against HRC. More so, the conventional-wisdom is HRC has been shown extraordinary-lenience by the law-enforcement community, considering her decades of scandal. As a side-note, I've seen reports and comments stating the Director is a Republican. He is NOT a Republican.
Inspector Horowitz is also a person of the highest legal, ethical and moral character. It's unfortunate he's been forced into a compromised position of having to investigate the matter, that will, in likewise swift conclusion, reveal the absurdity of the exercise and the acutely-obvious innocence of the Director.
Further, is there any doubt in anyone's mind that this investigation would never have been conducted had HRC won?
Isn't this matter MOST reflective of the dysfunction, corruption, scandal and malfeasance so prevalent within the Clinton criminal-conspiracy?
Director Comey's entire life, amongst other highly-admirable qualities, has been a display of impeccable ethical, moral and legal standards. He did exactly and precisely the correct thing in timely notifying congress of the investigation, and, once the investigation was concluded (swifty, considering the high volume of emails,) (and before the election was held,) notifying congress no charges would be filed against HRC. More so, the conventional-wisdom is HRC has been shown extraordinary-lenience by the law-enforcement community, considering her decades of scandal. As a side-note, I've seen reports and comments stating the Director is a Republican. He is NOT a Republican.
Inspector Horowitz is also a person of the highest legal, ethical and moral character. It's unfortunate he's been forced into a compromised position of having to investigate the matter, that will, in likewise swift conclusion, reveal the absurdity of the exercise and the acutely-obvious innocence of the Director.
Further, is there any doubt in anyone's mind that this investigation would never have been conducted had HRC won?
Isn't this matter MOST reflective of the dysfunction, corruption, scandal and malfeasance so prevalent within the Clinton criminal-conspiracy?
8
What Clinton did was wrong, perhaps even illegal. What Comey did was wrong, and perhaps illegal. What Donald Trump has done and is doing is wrong, and likely illegal. Am I wrong in thinking this this country being governed by organized crime?
5
A little too late don't you think?
“The inspector general, Michael E. Horowitz, will not look into the decision not to prosecute Mrs. Clinton or her aides.” Maybe he should, while he’s at it.
5
Comey is just the fall guy. This all happened right when there was real concern that the Democrats might take the Senate as well as the White House. My money is on Mitch McConnell being behind it all. "Lose the Senate on my watch? Not on your life." I mean, he's practically running the country from the Senate floor, right? No confirmations hearings for Merrick Garland, the legitimate Supreme Court nominee; trying to push through Trump's nominee without appropriate vetting; etc. Has anyone looked at this man and his agenda? Hiding in plain sight.
14
Mr. Comey was doing his duty, and doing his job, when he informed the Justice Department that there indeed was new information that needed investigation. To not have looked into Huma Abedin & Anthony Weiner's laptops would have been a crime.
Hillary WAS "extremely careless" about her use of a private email server. She also knew, by State Department rules, that such private email server use was 100% illegal. She used it anyway.
Mr. Comey's investigation didn't "cost Hillary the election". Hillary dug her own grave on that. The way she and the DNC monkey wrenched the Sanders campaign showed her true stripes. Her pandering, "I've-already-won" attitude, her double dealing with donors to the Clinton Foundation while she was serving as our Secretary of State, THAT is what cost her the election. If the DNC had given the Sanders campaign a level playing field, Mr. Sanders would have won the Democratic nomination, and I'm betting would have strongly beat Trump for the office of President of the United States.
Leave Mr. Comey alone. The man was doing his job.
Hillary WAS "extremely careless" about her use of a private email server. She also knew, by State Department rules, that such private email server use was 100% illegal. She used it anyway.
Mr. Comey's investigation didn't "cost Hillary the election". Hillary dug her own grave on that. The way she and the DNC monkey wrenched the Sanders campaign showed her true stripes. Her pandering, "I've-already-won" attitude, her double dealing with donors to the Clinton Foundation while she was serving as our Secretary of State, THAT is what cost her the election. If the DNC had given the Sanders campaign a level playing field, Mr. Sanders would have won the Democratic nomination, and I'm betting would have strongly beat Trump for the office of President of the United States.
Leave Mr. Comey alone. The man was doing his job.
11
That's what Richard Nixon said. Leave the people at CREEP alone. They were just doing their job.
No doubt if Putin had control of the FBI and the Republican Party, Nixon would have had his wish to be "left alone" to break the law as he pleased.
No doubt if Putin had control of the FBI and the Republican Party, Nixon would have had his wish to be "left alone" to break the law as he pleased.
8
This makes sense. A situation in which a law enforcement agency appears to have attempted to manipulate an election should be taken very seriously indeed.
7
For the first time in my life I am embarrassed and ashamed to admit I am an American. Mr. Trump and his sycophantic acolytes have turned our government into a mad house side show, overrun with freaks, clowns and wild-eyed barkers.
Watching Kellyanne tell Anderson Cooper we would not pay attention to anything Trump says no matter how cruel or lunatic, we should "look at his heart" is so shockingly idiotic it defies description.
My country is under attack as I have never seen in my life, and the madness spirals more and more out of control with every Tweet. We have elected a unstable and unfit sociopath to the highest chair in the land, and he has soiled it beyond repair. The shame and humiliation is almost unendurable.
Never did I think it was
Watching Kellyanne tell Anderson Cooper we would not pay attention to anything Trump says no matter how cruel or lunatic, we should "look at his heart" is so shockingly idiotic it defies description.
My country is under attack as I have never seen in my life, and the madness spirals more and more out of control with every Tweet. We have elected a unstable and unfit sociopath to the highest chair in the land, and he has soiled it beyond repair. The shame and humiliation is almost unendurable.
Never did I think it was
28
He is inept and corrupt. Double winner.
6
Before you all call for Comey's head, remember that the most likely replacement would be Rudy Giuliani. Maybe Chris Christie if you were lucky.
I'm completely serious here.
Comey is a Bush guy who is probably as appalled by Trump as he was Hillary. I'm way more willing to believe that he will be tougher on Trump than anybody Trump hand picks.
I suppose he will quit anyhow. There will be so much money thrown at him by people with ties to Trump that he won't be able to refuse.
You heard that one here first.
I'm completely serious here.
Comey is a Bush guy who is probably as appalled by Trump as he was Hillary. I'm way more willing to believe that he will be tougher on Trump than anybody Trump hand picks.
I suppose he will quit anyhow. There will be so much money thrown at him by people with ties to Trump that he won't be able to refuse.
You heard that one here first.
26
So Comey had a secret paymaster and should be fired. Of a more pressing nature is how the British Ambassador to Russia passed information to Senator McCain last year he was certain the Russians had compromising material on Trump and their goal was to help him into office and blackmail him. I'd be more interested if Comey was in on quashing this information.
3
If the truth were ever actually revealed, what possible punishment would be appropriate for a man who delivered his country into the hands of a mentally ill monster?
I think we know that James Comey will come out of this smelling like a rose instead of what he really is, the rotting corpse of our Democracy. But in a fantasy world where justice still abides, what does justice look like for a traitor of this magnitude?
I think we know that James Comey will come out of this smelling like a rose instead of what he really is, the rotting corpse of our Democracy. But in a fantasy world where justice still abides, what does justice look like for a traitor of this magnitude?
11
Let us stop trying to find or place blame elsewhere other than Hilary Clinton herself. It was her own actions that lost her the election not just now but since she has been in public office. She has been proven to be a liar and a cheat all the way back to Watergate. She knew that handling of classified emails on unclassified networks was wrong any person with information like that knows that basically fact. Therefore, she could not be trusted and James Corey's actions were spot on. She can be happy that she truly has not been put in prison which she deserves and other lesser ranking people would have received or have received in the past! Place the onus on her where it lies! We all must take responsibility for our own actions and not try to pawn them off on others to save ourselves.
12
Trump, of course, has to chime in with a tweet. Will this inflated ego ever learn that old chestnut. It goes "It is better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt".
The GOP Congress wasted millions of dollars investigating this episode and found nothing. Comey should be fired in President Obama's last act in office. Enough.
The GOP Congress wasted millions of dollars investigating this episode and found nothing. Comey should be fired in President Obama's last act in office. Enough.
6
I believe that resurrecting this situation (which Mr. Trump will keep interpreting to mean his legitimacy is being challenged) and which going deeper to the core reflects his massive self-doubts and insecurities is going to keep him perpetually stirred up. Like already he's again focusing on demeaning Hillary which is his favorite tactic whenever he's feeling his top dog winner status (with which he's obsessed) is being challenged by anyone or any group. It's apparent that this man's mind is so consumed with ego protection in the form of retaliation and getting back at, which he has no control over, how in the world is he going to find the time and energy to take care of the serious business of running our country. Hopefully, he will turn over that task to his more reasonable, responsible cabinet members who, when push comes to shove, might make decisions that stem the tide of potential disruptions and disasters. Is this real????
5
If we do not rid our government of the likes of Trump and his sycophants, we can say goodbye to American democracy. We are entering "The Garden of Beasts", the title chosen by best selling author Erik Larson for his novelistic history of the Third Reich. The parallels are astounding, and disturbing.
6
Why couldn't a man in such a high position feel the weight of responsibility and behave in an ethical manner?
Here's a comparison: Shortly after 9/11, Senators Hatch and Leahy appeared on PBS. Hatch said the CIA was monitoring bin Laden's cell phone so he expected them to catch him soon. Leahy's jaw dropped because Hatch had revealed EXTREMELY classified information on national TV. So bin Laden quit using the phone and got away. Was anything done to Hatch? No, of course not. By contrast, Clinton had a few emails in chains that were labeled as the lowest level of classification -- and she was crucified. Of course.
Fox News ran a nearly continuous headline before the election saying 'FBI sources say Clinton will be indicted before election'. The connections between Fox and FBI agents should also be investigated.
The FBI's reputation has been ruined by Mr. Comey. I doubt that even an honest investigation will restore it any time soon.
Here's a comparison: Shortly after 9/11, Senators Hatch and Leahy appeared on PBS. Hatch said the CIA was monitoring bin Laden's cell phone so he expected them to catch him soon. Leahy's jaw dropped because Hatch had revealed EXTREMELY classified information on national TV. So bin Laden quit using the phone and got away. Was anything done to Hatch? No, of course not. By contrast, Clinton had a few emails in chains that were labeled as the lowest level of classification -- and she was crucified. Of course.
Fox News ran a nearly continuous headline before the election saying 'FBI sources say Clinton will be indicted before election'. The connections between Fox and FBI agents should also be investigated.
The FBI's reputation has been ruined by Mr. Comey. I doubt that even an honest investigation will restore it any time soon.
10
This changes everything.
Now the new administration has no choice but to lock Hillary up to save face. If they announce an indictment, the IG has no leg to stand on.
If the IG is getting too close to any damaging information, that's all that needs to be done to stop him.
Now the new administration has no choice but to lock Hillary up to save face. If they announce an indictment, the IG has no leg to stand on.
If the IG is getting too close to any damaging information, that's all that needs to be done to stop him.
4
Maybe Comey was already on Trump's payroll? I use to believe judges, law enforcement and other agencies were supposed to be non biased politically. At least that is what were led to believe. To me, Comey's action was an all political assault on Clinton. When I see Comey, I think alt-right!
9
Comey is a GOP operative who has completely destroyed any semblance of impartiality that the FBI may have possessed. He's a felon and should be in jail.
7
Too little too late, don't you think? Let's hope the "witch hunt" into TRUMP's salacious behavior and influence peddling, (what? Lies, not true, I'll sue them!) are attacked with the vigor!!
4
Better late than never.
3
Comey should have been fired exactly one day after the election.
6
I disagree.
The damage is done and Comey is more a Bush guy who hated Hillary than a Trump guy.
I'd rather have Comey in there than a Trump replacement.
The damage is done and Comey is more a Bush guy who hated Hillary than a Trump guy.
I'd rather have Comey in there than a Trump replacement.
2
You'd rather have a guy you know is corrupt because you are certain the very corrupt Donald Trump will appoint a Putin-friendly FBI director who will do Putin's bidding?
Sorry, the answer is not to say "let's let this lawbreaker stay". The answer is to have TRANSPARENCY so these kinds of manipulations by the FBI/KGB can't happen again.
Sorry, the answer is not to say "let's let this lawbreaker stay". The answer is to have TRANSPARENCY so these kinds of manipulations by the FBI/KGB can't happen again.
2
This is result of past Clinton hubris and miscalculations.
How come Bill and Hillary didn't warn Obama? Incredible!
Here's how Washington politics works:
Bill Clinton, nearing the end of his term, pardoned Mark Rich.
Remember him? He was tried and found guilty of federal crimes of tax evasion, wire fraud, racketeering, and trading with Iran during the oil embargo. Rich fled to Switzerland and never returned to the U.S. to answer the charges. Rich's companies eventually pleaded guilty to 35 counts of tax evasion and paid $90 million in fines. In return, Clinton's critics alleged that Rich's pardon had been bought, as Denise Rich had given more than $1 million to Clinton's political party (the Democratic Party), including more than $100,000 to the Senate campaign of the president's wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and $450,000 to the Clinton Library foundation during Clinton's time in office.
Whew!
Former President Jimmy Carter, a fellow Democrat, said, "I don't think there is any doubt that some of the factors in his pardon were attributable to his large gifts. In my opinion, that was disgraceful."
Federal Prosecutor Mary Jo White was appointed to investigate Clinton's last-minute pardon of Rich. She stepped down before the investigation was finished and was replaced by JAMES COMEY, who was critical of Clinton's pardons and of then-Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder's pardon recommendation.
Always the same faces!
And this was the smartest woman in politics?
How come Bill and Hillary didn't warn Obama? Incredible!
Here's how Washington politics works:
Bill Clinton, nearing the end of his term, pardoned Mark Rich.
Remember him? He was tried and found guilty of federal crimes of tax evasion, wire fraud, racketeering, and trading with Iran during the oil embargo. Rich fled to Switzerland and never returned to the U.S. to answer the charges. Rich's companies eventually pleaded guilty to 35 counts of tax evasion and paid $90 million in fines. In return, Clinton's critics alleged that Rich's pardon had been bought, as Denise Rich had given more than $1 million to Clinton's political party (the Democratic Party), including more than $100,000 to the Senate campaign of the president's wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and $450,000 to the Clinton Library foundation during Clinton's time in office.
Whew!
Former President Jimmy Carter, a fellow Democrat, said, "I don't think there is any doubt that some of the factors in his pardon were attributable to his large gifts. In my opinion, that was disgraceful."
Federal Prosecutor Mary Jo White was appointed to investigate Clinton's last-minute pardon of Rich. She stepped down before the investigation was finished and was replaced by JAMES COMEY, who was critical of Clinton's pardons and of then-Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder's pardon recommendation.
Always the same faces!
And this was the smartest woman in politics?
11
So you say Comey decided to tamper with the election with a fake scandal because of something Bill did that nobody cares about.
"Bill got away with something, stupid voters won't hold that against Hillary, looks like I have to use my office to FIX that with a little fake scandal."
Isn't that pretty much how democracy dies, when someone breaches his duty in order to keep the voters from making the "mistake" of voting the wrong way?
What part of that isn't evil?
And to blame Hillary for somehow underestimating how far Comey/Putin/Fox News would go....like there's something she could have done....or there was some other possible nominee that would not have been lied about and that somehow Putin and Fox would have sat this one out.
Here's a better suggestion: blame the people who did bad things, not the victims. Thanks.
"Bill got away with something, stupid voters won't hold that against Hillary, looks like I have to use my office to FIX that with a little fake scandal."
Isn't that pretty much how democracy dies, when someone breaches his duty in order to keep the voters from making the "mistake" of voting the wrong way?
What part of that isn't evil?
And to blame Hillary for somehow underestimating how far Comey/Putin/Fox News would go....like there's something she could have done....or there was some other possible nominee that would not have been lied about and that somehow Putin and Fox would have sat this one out.
Here's a better suggestion: blame the people who did bad things, not the victims. Thanks.
2
Time to Retire Mr. Comey! Time to golf and sit on the porch and ponder why you were sent out to the pasture!
3
Comey's actions were not the reason the I, as a Democrat, did not support Hillary Clinton. My prayer is my party stops trying to deflect blame from a flawed candidate who did not resonate with working class America and instead works to strengthen those ties.
10
Well, are you happy with the results from your (and all the apathetic who did not vote) non support of Hillary?
4
You, as a Democrat are responsible for the donald. Period.
6
Well whatever comes of this investigation, the election is over. Hopefully for the future. Whomever you voted for, No one wants any agency of the government to impact the election. It's a two way street.
1
That's what Richard Nixon said. Stop investigating me because I won.
No doubt there were fans of Putin who don't understand how democracy works who are saying "the Senate should have helped Nixon cover up his crimes not bring them to light". It sounds as if you might be one of them - hopefully not.
No doubt there were fans of Putin who don't understand how democracy works who are saying "the Senate should have helped Nixon cover up his crimes not bring them to light". It sounds as if you might be one of them - hopefully not.
3
She lost because she has spent the last 30 years as a lying, conniving politician who has no position on anything but rather what would get her votes. Nobody forced her to set up the private server except her desire to hide what she was doing. Tell me one policy she came up with during her inept campaign to appeal to the common people; not her Wall Street cronies. How much did she pocket for her speeches to them to tell them how she would help them if only they would support her Presidential ambitions. She played the woman card constantly and perhaps she actually believes she lost solely because she is a woman. Everybody knows she should have been indicted but high powers that be scuttled that. Unfortunately, her ineptness and the stupidity of the Democrats to nominate such a totally unqualified person led us to another unqualified person. But none of that excuses what she spent all those years trying to acquire power. And now there are some who think she is qualified to be mayor of NYC. Please. Hillary, the sooner you get out of our lives, the better off we will all be.
12
Wow, I never thought I'd see ALL the Russian troll propaganda in a single comment.
I'm especially fond of Trump trolls who say the following: "the stupidity of the Democrats to nominate such a totally unqualified person..."
I love how the Republicans were NOT stupid for nominating the totally unqualified Trump. It's all Hillary's fault. Just like Trump telling the American people for five years that he had clear evidence that Obama was born in Kenya. Just like Trump telling the American people that Ted Cruz' dad killed JFK.
It's all because of the Democrats -- and Hillary -- that all those things happen. Republicans and the FBI are completely blameless when you are a troll and you can't wait to see Donald treat America the way he has treated every single person in his life except his daughter Ivanka. As if they existed only for his own pleasure.
I'm especially fond of Trump trolls who say the following: "the stupidity of the Democrats to nominate such a totally unqualified person..."
I love how the Republicans were NOT stupid for nominating the totally unqualified Trump. It's all Hillary's fault. Just like Trump telling the American people for five years that he had clear evidence that Obama was born in Kenya. Just like Trump telling the American people that Ted Cruz' dad killed JFK.
It's all because of the Democrats -- and Hillary -- that all those things happen. Republicans and the FBI are completely blameless when you are a troll and you can't wait to see Donald treat America the way he has treated every single person in his life except his daughter Ivanka. As if they existed only for his own pleasure.
6
if bubba didn't meet with the AG on the tarmac...just another self inflicted, badly handled, Clinton misstep for which we're all paying the price.
13
Under oath he says he can't comment about an on going investigation. Except that he did during the election. Shady hypocrite! Double standards all around. Un-American.
7
Wow an article about Hillary Clinton's election debacle that doesn't have a single mention of Putin. Comey certainly showed glaring obtuseness in openly doing something that could not do anything but damage Clinton's campaign. My feeling is that Comey thought the Justice Department should have indicted Clinton for mishandling sensitive material when she decided to use a private e mail server rather than the required one provided by the State Department. The Kadzik leak is another example of the Clinton campaign having disturbing insider information from the Justice Department. But the mother of them all was Bill Clinton visiting the Attorney General at the airport at the critical moment she was deciding whether to indict his wife.
6
Where is the anger against the Clintons for what they have done?
13
You can find the anger you are searching for in all the Russian troll posts here.
1
It's easy for victors to be gracious. If the Clintons managed to get Hillary elected there would surely be some outrage (well deserved, IMO).
The Clinton foundation did it for me.That and the DNC ,s hatchet job on Bernie Sanders .I'm not alone in this regard .No, I didn't vote for Trump .the democratic party is still using their elte sycophants ..Pelosi , Schummer and ignoring the progressive wing of the party .Of course , they only represent a small entitled group .
3
I hope the IG reviews the entire Clinton email investigation by the FBI, and not just the pre election letter to Congress. There were many aspects of the investigation that didn't follow normal FBI protocol, including not interviewing Clinton until the end of the investigation rather than at the beginning, and allowing witnesses to destroy evidence (their computers). Even the fact that Comey was tasked with making the decision (or maybe announcing a decision made by others) violated normal protocol.
4
How about not following up when Comey found those same "classified documents" on many Republican's private e-mail accounts ? Was Comey's insistence that whether all those Republicans broke the law didn't matter politically motivated? Did Comey know that if he found that Republicans had thousand of classified e-mails when Hillary had a dozen, his claim that she had been "extremely careless" would have to be changed to "extremely careful"?
I agree -- they should all go under oath with politicians on both sides free to ask questions about every single part of the investigation choices. Nothing is off limits, including getting the FBI agents talking to Giuliani and Giuliani himself under oath to explain why he was announcing this investigation before Comey supposedly knew about it.
I agree -- they should all go under oath with politicians on both sides free to ask questions about every single part of the investigation choices. Nothing is off limits, including getting the FBI agents talking to Giuliani and Giuliani himself under oath to explain why he was announcing this investigation before Comey supposedly knew about it.
7
The article fails to mention what Jeffrey Tobin writes in The New Yorker:
namely that the Inspector General can be fired by the President.
That it is only by tradition, since the aftermath of Reagan's mass firing and subsequent uproar, but not by any law.
Also the AG or Deputy AG if Sessions doesn't want his fingerprints on it, can shut down the investigation.
http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/how-trump-could-kill-the-investi...
namely that the Inspector General can be fired by the President.
That it is only by tradition, since the aftermath of Reagan's mass firing and subsequent uproar, but not by any law.
Also the AG or Deputy AG if Sessions doesn't want his fingerprints on it, can shut down the investigation.
http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/how-trump-could-kill-the-investi...
2
Too little, too late. Should have started this the day after Comey pulled his trick.
5
When Comey made his first public statement saying there was not a crime committed, but condemned Clinton for her emails, I felt it was blatant effort to influence the election. When Comey again opened the investigation just before the election, I thought then and now that he was guilty of treason. He deliberately made public his ongoing investigation of materials that were already declared lacking in evidence for any conviction.
Recently Comey met with Trump to smooth over the effects of the Russian connection. This dead fish is really starting to stink.
Recently Comey met with Trump to smooth over the effects of the Russian connection. This dead fish is really starting to stink.
14
Between James Comey summoning the FBI legacy of J. Edgar Hoover and Vladimir Putin resurrecting the NKVD memory of Lavrentiy Beria we have had the worst of both world threats to preserving, protecting and defending our Constitution by interfering in our recent Presidential election.
6
Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, there will be no justice.
2
Hopefully this will uncover details of the full fiasco. We need to question why individuals who previously held top clearance still apparently have access to it. Weren't Guilliani and the old boys FBI network involved in this also? I vaguely remember pressure from the Republican party pushing Comey on to publicly report "a renewed investigation." Aren'the the old birds ever unvetted?
4
Director Comey after he issued his report on Hillary Clinton's private email servers in July should've kept quiet.
Instead he tried to sit on a fence - although he didn't indict her, but made abundantly clear that she should've been indicted.
Grandstanding wasn't his job. He should be fired.
Instead he tried to sit on a fence - although he didn't indict her, but made abundantly clear that she should've been indicted.
Grandstanding wasn't his job. He should be fired.
13
I hope the Inspector General's investigation looks into the partisan internal discussions and possible interference by members of the FBI's New York office, who reportedly traded in anti-Clinton literature and may have let political bias direct their recommendations.
6
Our tax dollars will be funding this disgraceful scam by the democrats
to make "Dishonest Hillary" into a victim! She and her groupies lied
so many times, even on the media stations that support her! The emails
exposed dishonesty and deceit! No matter who did what with the leaks,
the corruptive practices within the democratic party and their nominee!
This has to stop! Politicians line their pockets with our tax dollars in many
ways and this is just one of them! While on the subject, Loretta Lynch should
question herself and her ethics. She should of step down after the tarmac incident. Bad people don't go away! They just multiply!!!!!!!
to make "Dishonest Hillary" into a victim! She and her groupies lied
so many times, even on the media stations that support her! The emails
exposed dishonesty and deceit! No matter who did what with the leaks,
the corruptive practices within the democratic party and their nominee!
This has to stop! Politicians line their pockets with our tax dollars in many
ways and this is just one of them! While on the subject, Loretta Lynch should
question herself and her ethics. She should of step down after the tarmac incident. Bad people don't go away! They just multiply!!!!!!!
6
"Our tax dollars will be funding this disgraceful scam...."
You mean like the tax payer funded Benghazi Hearing fiasco?
You mean like the tax payer funded Benghazi Hearing fiasco?
10
So Benghazi is worth a dozen investigations, but why Comey violated the Hatch Act must be covered up because it is "too expensive"?
I'll make you a deal: We'll stop the "Comey/FBI/influence election by smearing Hillary and refusing to properly investigate Trump's ties to Russia" investigation after only 5 or 6 investigations instead of having the dozen or more that were necessary for "Benghazi!". That should make you happy.
I'll make you a deal: We'll stop the "Comey/FBI/influence election by smearing Hillary and refusing to properly investigate Trump's ties to Russia" investigation after only 5 or 6 investigations instead of having the dozen or more that were necessary for "Benghazi!". That should make you happy.
9
The Inspector General - What do you think his tenure will be after Jan 20th? Directly after repealing Obamacare He will fire the IG and appoint Comey Director-for-Life.
The least He could do.
The least He could do.
1
Are you old enough to remember Richard Nixon appointing J Edgar for life? Slime protects slime, but Nixon was still chased out of DC.
2
It always depends if Republicans like Susan Collins love their country or are profiles in cowardice.
2
This is too little, too late. Mr. Comey has clearly shown his colors by his double standard. In regard to Mrs. Clinton, he felt obliged to publicize on-going investigations and recommendations against all prior precedents. He then has the gall to declare during the hearing this week regarding the Russian hacking and attempts to influence the outcome of the election that he would never comment on such things. It's really a disaster. He is shameful and should resign, although the investigation should continue. Mr. Comey cannot be trusted to act in a non-partisan manner at this point.
16
If anything, this proves what we already know about career politicians. Politics as a career and lifestyle is the real problem. Normal people could not operate on the same level and not face jail time...We need more senators and representatives who truly would rather be farming or something else but who also have a strong sense of duty and responsibilty.
When the election polarizes two separate groups of people like an NCAA championship something has to chance. Its not like we werent given an instriction manual...
Making america great should NEVER be about what party is in the white house or holds a majority. It is repugnant to me that the underlying issue of this article is indeed treason and malfesance but lets all ignore that so we can find someone or something else to blame for Hilary's loss.... sad thing is....there is the answer. THAT is why she lost and we elected yet another outsider. America is not interested on 8 more years of finger pointing and cut throat politics and desmantling the constitution.
When the election polarizes two separate groups of people like an NCAA championship something has to chance. Its not like we werent given an instriction manual...
Making america great should NEVER be about what party is in the white house or holds a majority. It is repugnant to me that the underlying issue of this article is indeed treason and malfesance but lets all ignore that so we can find someone or something else to blame for Hilary's loss.... sad thing is....there is the answer. THAT is why she lost and we elected yet another outsider. America is not interested on 8 more years of finger pointing and cut throat politics and desmantling the constitution.
3
That's what the Watergate burglars and Richard Nixon and "All the Presidents Men" at CREEP said! "America isn't interested - let's move on".
It turned out America WAS interested when people in positions of power illegally abuse it in order to thwart democracy. And unless you are looking for America to become exactly like Putin's Russia, where lawbreaking by Putin and his pals goes uninvestigated but political opponents are thrown in jail for no crimes, then why are you advocating that we model ourselves on Russia instead of on the Americans of the 1970s who returned ethics to our government?
It turned out America WAS interested when people in positions of power illegally abuse it in order to thwart democracy. And unless you are looking for America to become exactly like Putin's Russia, where lawbreaking by Putin and his pals goes uninvestigated but political opponents are thrown in jail for no crimes, then why are you advocating that we model ourselves on Russia instead of on the Americans of the 1970s who returned ethics to our government?
5
The inspector general, Michael E. Horowitz, will not look into the decision not to prosecute Mrs. Clinton or her aides.
--------------------------------
Of course he won't. He better hurry though he won't have a job very long. I don't recall this much activity during the waning days of the Bush administration. But I must be wrong because you know, Bush.
--------------------------------
Of course he won't. He better hurry though he won't have a job very long. I don't recall this much activity during the waning days of the Bush administration. But I must be wrong because you know, Bush.
2
And, we know Trump even better. But, don't take my word for it. One week from today, you, and the rest of America are about to find out the hard way, what New York, New Jersey, and Southwestern Connecticut havve known about "The Donald" for over 30 years.
8
You don't know Trump at all. You are blinded by your own political bias. Remember the Wolman skating rink. The man gets thins done and he is not beholden to any existing politics.
2
Trump's going to learn about the US Constitution's limits on the power of the POTUS.
3
The FBI became the Official Propaganda Division of the GOP in 2016. This is troubling, and the results are, as we have seen, a threat to our nation. I'd like to see an investigation of any leaks made to Giuliani, as he foreshadowed Comey's last and most damaging utterance.
10
Yes but Giuliani has been appointed to lead Trumps cyber security team!
4
Hillary made a mistake setting up the private email.
Not even close.
She got away with amassing hundred of millions for herself and additional hundreds of millions, possibly billions, in a foundation she controls.
Foundations do not pay taxes and often the required annual distribution is less than earnings.
Founders set up control structure which survives their death.
So, through a couple of unforeseen turns she loses Presidency.
Was it worth it to set up the email.
Is that even a question.
Not even close.
She got away with amassing hundred of millions for herself and additional hundreds of millions, possibly billions, in a foundation she controls.
Foundations do not pay taxes and often the required annual distribution is less than earnings.
Founders set up control structure which survives their death.
So, through a couple of unforeseen turns she loses Presidency.
Was it worth it to set up the email.
Is that even a question.
4
Better work on those observational skills. Ms. Clinton set up her email in the same way as her two predecessors at the State Dept., and did so on the advice of non other than General Colin Powell himself.
3
Findings: Jim was sensitive to Obama, Lynch, administration..
Reacted to FBI staff...
Wash pushed at both ends...
Filtered the evidence, set parameters...
Ducked...
Then surfaced with ambivalence...
Ducked again...
Rose at last...
Damage done..
Retreated..,
No longer ambivalent..
Understands criminal elements of Clinton Inc., Bill and Hillary...
Understands Obama, Jarrett, all that...
Fed up...
Will respond..
Mea culpa..
A good man messed over by ...
Long list ...
A lust list..
Power corrupts..
In Moscow.. DC..
NYC.
Reacted to FBI staff...
Wash pushed at both ends...
Filtered the evidence, set parameters...
Ducked...
Then surfaced with ambivalence...
Ducked again...
Rose at last...
Damage done..
Retreated..,
No longer ambivalent..
Understands criminal elements of Clinton Inc., Bill and Hillary...
Understands Obama, Jarrett, all that...
Fed up...
Will respond..
Mea culpa..
A good man messed over by ...
Long list ...
A lust list..
Power corrupts..
In Moscow.. DC..
NYC.
1
The American people still voted. Comey didn't tamper with the will of the voters. If he did anything he simply reminded those who were interested of what was established already, that Clinton was extremely careless with our national security. He didn't publish the letter. People in Congress did.
6
This is absurd. As a former AUSA I can assure you that Clinton should have been indicted. Comey gave her a get out of jail card. Now the Democrats are complaining.
7
Conmy was in a no-win situation based on either outcome of the election: scrutinized if he didn't pursue (Republican loss) and scrutinized if he did pursue (Democratic loss). The timing is the unfortunate thing and I wonder whether the person who presented him the additional information timed it according to their own agenda, thus putting Conmy in this situation. I would dig into the timing of the discovery of the additional information and by whom it was first presented to Conmy. Conmy must act on information he receives, no matter the timing of that receipt and insiders know that.
1
But Comey did not act when he received evidence of Russia's involvement.
1
It is not small wonder that Americans are losing faith in law enforcement. We have a president who embraces Russia and the highest ranking official in the federal crime prevention agency acting like the KGB. What's next?
8
Why did the FBI leak every innuendo about Clinton and nothing about Trump?
James Comey knew of negative allegations about Trump before August while he was leaking information on the Clinton investigations.
The FBI under Comey has been the leakiest in FBI history. Under Comey's directorship the FBI is selective about what investigations it leaks.
Is Comey the most inept director in the history of the FBI or is he the most politically corrupt?
Under Comey the FBI is no longer the untouchable arm of law enforcement.
James Comey knew of negative allegations about Trump before August while he was leaking information on the Clinton investigations.
The FBI under Comey has been the leakiest in FBI history. Under Comey's directorship the FBI is selective about what investigations it leaks.
Is Comey the most inept director in the history of the FBI or is he the most politically corrupt?
Under Comey the FBI is no longer the untouchable arm of law enforcement.
10
The FBI did not leak innuendos in this case - it released findings. The only reason Comey went beyond that last July and opined that the facts were insufficient to warrant prosecution is because AG Lynch compromised herself. Comey took the fall because his boss' impartiality was tainted.
3
Comey presided over the leakiest FBI investigations in the history of the FBI.
Comey’s actions just 11 days out from a presidential election were extraordinary.
It is preposterous to lay any blame on AG Lynch. Lynch took every step to remain impartial, while Comey’s actions were blatantly politically motivated.
Comey’s actions were purely partisan and intended to harm Clinton’s campaign.
Comey’s actions just 11 days out from a presidential election were extraordinary.
It is preposterous to lay any blame on AG Lynch. Lynch took every step to remain impartial, while Comey’s actions were blatantly politically motivated.
Comey’s actions were purely partisan and intended to harm Clinton’s campaign.
1
"Lynch took every step to remain impartial..."
Did you forget? Lynch had to recuse herself from the DOJ decision-making on the case after the uproar over her meeting with Bill Clinton on the tarmac in Phoenix.
"Comey's actions were blatantly politically motivated... purely partisan and intended to harm Clinton's campaign."
Ironically, Comey mentioned the difficulty of proving intent as a reason not to prosecute Hillary. Yet you are quick to ascertain and fully certain about Comey's intent here?
Did you forget? Lynch had to recuse herself from the DOJ decision-making on the case after the uproar over her meeting with Bill Clinton on the tarmac in Phoenix.
"Comey's actions were blatantly politically motivated... purely partisan and intended to harm Clinton's campaign."
Ironically, Comey mentioned the difficulty of proving intent as a reason not to prosecute Hillary. Yet you are quick to ascertain and fully certain about Comey's intent here?
2
Forget the private server.
Forget the election.
Remember only that the FBI does not comment on an ongoing investigation -- ever.
Nor do they characterize the actions or motives of those they investigate.
They merely indite or walk away.
The fact that Comey trashed the agency's procedures is the reason an investigation -- and explanation -- is necessary.
Forget the election.
Remember only that the FBI does not comment on an ongoing investigation -- ever.
Nor do they characterize the actions or motives of those they investigate.
They merely indite or walk away.
The fact that Comey trashed the agency's procedures is the reason an investigation -- and explanation -- is necessary.
15
He should resign. His actions crossed the line in every possible way. He should be prosecuted if it's at all possible.
1
The number, quality and seriousness of these comments on the daily multiple NYT articles about the various problems with the about to be president have been increasing, and more eloquent that my own incoherent babbling. Clearly, there is something very wrong here whether the FBI business, the Russian business, and on and on. Except for that minority that will stick with him no matter what, the American people don't want this man to become president. They voted against him by a surplus of 3 million votes. The electoral college, which was designed in part to protect against the election of a faulted president, ended up doing the opposite of that. The man is dangerous, abberant, an admitted sexual assaulter, observably mentally ill or impaired. Someone, somehow has to raise their hand and say "Stop." The election was a fraud compounded by malfeasance or misfeasance by agencies and laws of the government that are supposed to protect us. This man must not become the president of this nation.
6
"...the American people don't want this man to become President."
Yep, that's why he carried 30 states and won 304 electoral votes.
Yep, that's why he carried 30 states and won 304 electoral votes.
1
And that's why Comey's violation of the Hatch Act when Clinton was winning in order to smear her to help Trump needs to be investigated.
Comey violated a law and so did the people in the FBI feeding Rudy Giuliani lies about how there was evidence to indict her that he repeated on national tv BEFORE Comey wrote the letter.
So did the FBI agents who refused to do a proper investigation when evidence of Russian hacking at the DNC was brought to their attention. You don't leave a voicemail on a subcontractor's help line when you investigate crimes unless you are trying not to investigate said crime.
Just like you don't refuse to follow up evidence of Russian/Trump campaign collusion when it is handed to you and insist that it must be covered up until AFTER the election.
Comey violated a law and so did the people in the FBI feeding Rudy Giuliani lies about how there was evidence to indict her that he repeated on national tv BEFORE Comey wrote the letter.
So did the FBI agents who refused to do a proper investigation when evidence of Russian hacking at the DNC was brought to their attention. You don't leave a voicemail on a subcontractor's help line when you investigate crimes unless you are trying not to investigate said crime.
Just like you don't refuse to follow up evidence of Russian/Trump campaign collusion when it is handed to you and insist that it must be covered up until AFTER the election.
2
It would be extremely naive to say Mr. Comey's actions were done without intent to damage Mrs Clinton's presidential run, the timing, the language all patently harmful but there is no way to prove that. The investigation will probably fault Mr. Comey with using poor judgment and perhaps reprimand him for failure to follow established protocol but since no crimes were committed Mr. Comey will soldier on with a pat on the back from a grateful Mr. Trump.
4
Hillary needed a private server to keep it safe from Americas enemies. I.e. Republicans.
6
So let's just set a precedence now that for every individual that is brought up on potential charges that they have not formally been charged with; yet local law enforcement releases a public statement of intent to investigate for discovery of any crimes.... they can go after that agency because someone saw it and now they might not get a job... unhireable... Hilary is crying foul for her actions as a representative of the people that she shpuld be held accointable for and yet once again both her and her groupies obviously believe she is above laws that we as everyday citizens are held subject to. Move on people.
3
At the time that he did this, we now know Mr. Comey had as much information about Trump and the Russian dossier as he did about Clinton emails that proved irrelevant, but Comey chose not to say a word about any investigation of Mr. Trump and his admiration of and connections with Mr. Putin.
That is the thing that makes me believe he was wearing his Republican loyalty hat in support of Donald Trump as President of the United States. Comey and the Russians will have their man in the White House.
Add Podesta's stupidity and you have the male triumvirate that can claim credit for preventing the United States from the horror of having a qualified leader. History will remember you.
That is the thing that makes me believe he was wearing his Republican loyalty hat in support of Donald Trump as President of the United States. Comey and the Russians will have their man in the White House.
Add Podesta's stupidity and you have the male triumvirate that can claim credit for preventing the United States from the horror of having a qualified leader. History will remember you.
5
History will remember them AFTER the full investigation of their actions are brought to light. AFTER he answers questions under oath and so does Giuliani, Manafort, FBI agents who were supposed to investigate Russian hacking of the DNC and instead left a voice mail on a help line.
The news we did hear in October was that Clinton emails were being investigated by the FBI. The news we did not hear was that the FBiI was investigating Trump and his teams connections with Russia. Now which information do you think was most important for the American public to know?
11
Forgive me for stating the obvious, but...
If hundreds of thousands of HRC's emails hadn't ended up on the laptop of Anthony Weiner (also known as "Carlos Danger"), it would have been unnecessary to check out those emails.
The real question, for me, always has been:
How in the world did hundreds of thousands of HRC's emails end up on the laptop of Anthony Weiner (also known as "Carlos Danger")?
If hundreds of thousands of HRC's emails hadn't ended up on the laptop of Anthony Weiner (also known as "Carlos Danger"), it would have been unnecessary to check out those emails.
The real question, for me, always has been:
How in the world did hundreds of thousands of HRC's emails end up on the laptop of Anthony Weiner (also known as "Carlos Danger")?
6
They didn't. there were some that landed there, work related copies sent home by his wife work was a Clinton aide. This is a non-issue. Copies of emails that were already viewed by the FBI which had no classified info at all to them.
3
Thanks to the irreverent Clinton controlled Democratic party we now have Trump. It's time to take start building a progressive party and learn the right (left) lessons from the past.
2
That investigation will end the day after Jeff Sessions takes over.
2
What was it that Rudi Guilliani promised as a big surprise (which he
was not willing to talk about) just days before Comey announced (without
having looked at the emails in question) and days before the election?
I would appreciate a time line from the NYT on this.
Then I think the Justice Department should question Gilliani about what information he was getting from the NY office of the FBI.
was not willing to talk about) just days before Comey announced (without
having looked at the emails in question) and days before the election?
I would appreciate a time line from the NYT on this.
Then I think the Justice Department should question Gilliani about what information he was getting from the NY office of the FBI.
12
So...let me get this straight, Comey also knew about Donald's dossier, and though this too was under investigation he did not let the American people know, because "the FBI does not comment on open investigations" ....really? However, Comey felt compelled to let congress and all of us, know that they had found some of Sec. Clinton's emails on Weiner's laptop....which was an open investigation!
Is it any wonder why p, We, the People feel cynical about the elections?! Why the one two million who voted for Sec. Clinton will not go "quietly into the night" and support Donald's presidency?! Comey will get away with his ploy to derail Sec. Clinton's campaign, to mar her name and throw suspicion at her, but I for one, know full well that what Comey did was purposeful and meant to do harm to Sec. Clinton!
Shame on Comey and his Republican handlers!!!
Is it any wonder why p, We, the People feel cynical about the elections?! Why the one two million who voted for Sec. Clinton will not go "quietly into the night" and support Donald's presidency?! Comey will get away with his ploy to derail Sec. Clinton's campaign, to mar her name and throw suspicion at her, but I for one, know full well that what Comey did was purposeful and meant to do harm to Sec. Clinton!
Shame on Comey and his Republican handlers!!!
6
Comey let Hillary off the hook in July
Dems loved him them
Dems loved him them
4
For all those who think it will change the election,no it will not. But we have to start somewhere. For Mr. Come to investigate Clinton & reveal information ,then when there is information on Trump,he goes silent,a BIG NO! He broke his vow of fairness! He must pay for it. It does not matter which political viewpoint you may have,just because your candidate won, people HAVE to held accountable. We need to stop writing laws with escape mechanisms & show we can equitably apply the law to all. Comey must resign!
4
When Donald Trump said that Republicans were so stupid they would believe anything he says he must have been speaking directly of James Comey. He's either totally stupid are totally partisan.
6
Hillary was stupid to have secret server
2
It was smart. Didn't get hacked. And kept it safe from enemies of America. The Republicans.
2
Why You Should Not Vote For Hillary Clinton ... Part 1
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump admitted -- even bragged about -- committing sexual assaults.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump committed charity fraud on several occasions.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump calls for nuclear proliferation.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump has been sued numerous times over Trump University fraud.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump bribed a Florida DA.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump falsely claimed Muslims in New Jersey cheered when the World Trade Center came down.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump hasn't paid Federal income taxes for 20 years.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump has called for banning an entire religious group from entering the U.S.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump has lied about his support for the Iraq War over and over again.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump boasted that he would date his daughter, if only ...
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump was unaware that Russia has occupied the Crimea.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump was unaware of the circumstances of the civil war in Syria.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump was penalized for racist housing discrimination.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump has filed for bankruptcy six times ... he brags that it was a "business strategy."
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump went 0-3 in debates with Hillary Clinton by showing scant knowledge of world politics.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump slammed people for being POWs ... and, in particular, he did so to John McCain.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump admitted -- even bragged about -- committing sexual assaults.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump committed charity fraud on several occasions.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump calls for nuclear proliferation.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump has been sued numerous times over Trump University fraud.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump bribed a Florida DA.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump falsely claimed Muslims in New Jersey cheered when the World Trade Center came down.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump hasn't paid Federal income taxes for 20 years.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump has called for banning an entire religious group from entering the U.S.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump has lied about his support for the Iraq War over and over again.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump boasted that he would date his daughter, if only ...
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump was unaware that Russia has occupied the Crimea.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump was unaware of the circumstances of the civil war in Syria.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump was penalized for racist housing discrimination.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump has filed for bankruptcy six times ... he brags that it was a "business strategy."
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump went 0-3 in debates with Hillary Clinton by showing scant knowledge of world politics.
Clinton’s e-mails.
Trump slammed people for being POWs ... and, in particular, he did so to John McCain.
17
But what about Clinton's private email server?
3
The investigation should also encompass AG Lynch's improper tarmac meeting with Bill Clinton.
4
Coney hated coney hated Hillary way back when investigating on some charge or another that she was innocent. He is worse the Hoover!
5
His motivation was transparency and being forthcoming. Probably would have been better to investigate a bit more before deciding to send the letter. He seemed to be swayed by the Republicans who hauled him in after no charges were filed, and wanted to go the extra mile to display evenhandedness. He did come forward with a second letter that made clear that his (rapid) investigation had found nothing new against Clinton and closed the case (again).
The Clintons lost the election. The Big Dog on the Plane. And Hillary was shrill, dishonest, defensive, and detached. And visionless. Her screaming into the mic was its own dog whistle that gave people pause re 4 years with "that woman."
Comey appears to be a good man, who did too much in a tense situation. In hindsight he likely would not have done it. But also in hindsight, Joe Biden would have run and maybe won, Bernie Sanders would not have run, all the Nader-left-green-dopes who stayed home would have come out and we would not have this Embarrassment-in Chief tweeting like a fool. Oh, well. . .
The Clintons lost the election. The Big Dog on the Plane. And Hillary was shrill, dishonest, defensive, and detached. And visionless. Her screaming into the mic was its own dog whistle that gave people pause re 4 years with "that woman."
Comey appears to be a good man, who did too much in a tense situation. In hindsight he likely would not have done it. But also in hindsight, Joe Biden would have run and maybe won, Bernie Sanders would not have run, all the Nader-left-green-dopes who stayed home would have come out and we would not have this Embarrassment-in Chief tweeting like a fool. Oh, well. . .
3
I wonder what Putin has on Comey?
16
The story left out the most damning point - that Comey took unprecedented measures to reveal a renewed investigation of Clinton but said nothing, and still says nothing, about Trump allegations that his agency was reviewing and is now investigating. This discrepancy alone gives the impression of partisan favoritism and should lead to his resignation.
16
The job was done well and the intervention was effective. Everything else is mere literature.
1
The political corruption of this administration is really incredible. If this were a republican administration I am betting the headlines would be different.
1. Clinton was guilty and ineligible to run for president in the first place.
2. Obama did nothing to deserve a Nobel Peace Prize.
3. The administration prevaricated on Benghazi.
In the end these are the truths that history will record, as opposed to the incredibly biased and slanted "news" reporting of the NYTimes, et al.
1. Clinton was guilty and ineligible to run for president in the first place.
2. Obama did nothing to deserve a Nobel Peace Prize.
3. The administration prevaricated on Benghazi.
In the end these are the truths that history will record, as opposed to the incredibly biased and slanted "news" reporting of the NYTimes, et al.
7
Benghazi?
There a dozen investigations into Benghazi which amounted to nothing.
And you oppose even ONE investigation of Comey's violation of the Hatch Act and the cover up by the FBI of illegal Russian hacking and communications between the Russians and members of Trump's entourage?
There a dozen investigations into Benghazi which amounted to nothing.
And you oppose even ONE investigation of Comey's violation of the Hatch Act and the cover up by the FBI of illegal Russian hacking and communications between the Russians and members of Trump's entourage?
9
Why keep trotting out the old GOP talking point lies?
1. No guilt - but a terrible need by the GOP to pretend that the most qualified person ever to run for the White House was corrupt - we are already seeing immense corruption in the Trump team, Cabinet candidates and GOP behaviors. The smokescreen is no longer hiding the rot.
2. The Nobel Peace Prize is not determined by the GOP - thank heaven!
3. The GOP in Congress voted "no" to increased spend on embassy security world wide, including in Libya. Why? They are again working to cut security funding - why?
History will see the immense propaganda machine that the GOP has used in the 2016 election - in collusion with Vladmir Putin - to destroy democracy. The trials for treason that will start soon will be epic - but will restore the US as the leader of the free world once more, rather than the puppet nation of a foreign despot. WE will take our country back from Putin - and we will strengthen our democracy based on this unprecedented, hostile attack.
1. No guilt - but a terrible need by the GOP to pretend that the most qualified person ever to run for the White House was corrupt - we are already seeing immense corruption in the Trump team, Cabinet candidates and GOP behaviors. The smokescreen is no longer hiding the rot.
2. The Nobel Peace Prize is not determined by the GOP - thank heaven!
3. The GOP in Congress voted "no" to increased spend on embassy security world wide, including in Libya. Why? They are again working to cut security funding - why?
History will see the immense propaganda machine that the GOP has used in the 2016 election - in collusion with Vladmir Putin - to destroy democracy. The trials for treason that will start soon will be epic - but will restore the US as the leader of the free world once more, rather than the puppet nation of a foreign despot. WE will take our country back from Putin - and we will strengthen our democracy based on this unprecedented, hostile attack.
5
I want to see more reporting on why this investigation is happening NOW. Why not before the election? The article notes that "the Clinton investigation was politically fraught from the moment the F.B.I. received a referral in July 2015 ..." so waiting till a few days before inauguration is puzzling at best. Commenter Michjas says that the decision is political and that the IG is "clearly a liberal." It is certainly not clear, but the unexplained timing clearly invites cynicism.
7
Who says no one person can change history? James Comey has.
If Comey truly possesses a moral underpinning, he should resign before Trump fires him, repair to a dank cave and spend the next years contemplating his sins.
What on earth possessed this man that enabled him to do what he did!
If Comey truly possesses a moral underpinning, he should resign before Trump fires him, repair to a dank cave and spend the next years contemplating his sins.
What on earth possessed this man that enabled him to do what he did!
9
Comey can't resign or get fired........
Why?
Then guilliani, who is almost as unhinged as trump would be the replacement......
God help us all if that occurred
Why?
Then guilliani, who is almost as unhinged as trump would be the replacement......
God help us all if that occurred
Nobody seems to want to say it in public:
Anthony Weiner & Huma Abedin were the chink in the Hillary's armor that let the gOP throw the election.
Of Course Comey abused his influence unfairly against democrats, he's a Republican, that's what they do. If you appoint republicans, expect this kind of shenanigan.
So with that given assumption, & with all the hubbub about emails, & knowing Weiner was an uncontrollable pervert, & knowing he was directly linked to HRC's closest inside circle, & knowing the campaign was utterly clueless about email privacy, then that entire vulnerability was entirely the campaigns fault, almost suicidally.
But in reality, was it Huma's fault? Well, sort of, what in heck was she doing campaign business on a phone, let alone forwarding to a laptop that Weiner's sexting sickness could possibly have been near?
Or was it the fault or failure of the Democrats to hire even the most rudimentary tech to make sure leaks in emails were all plugged after all that? Definitely.
But in the end, I blame Weiner. Regardless of his sex problem, he's smart, he's a democratic partisan, he should have realized that he was jeapardizing the entire nation by using Huma's computer to do his weirdness, that he was being watched, & that the GOP would look for any possible vulnerability.
But then, weiner's an addict, addict's are out of control that way.
But I can't t blame Comey, he's just a cog in the republican election-rigging machine, that's what they do.
Anthony Weiner & Huma Abedin were the chink in the Hillary's armor that let the gOP throw the election.
Of Course Comey abused his influence unfairly against democrats, he's a Republican, that's what they do. If you appoint republicans, expect this kind of shenanigan.
So with that given assumption, & with all the hubbub about emails, & knowing Weiner was an uncontrollable pervert, & knowing he was directly linked to HRC's closest inside circle, & knowing the campaign was utterly clueless about email privacy, then that entire vulnerability was entirely the campaigns fault, almost suicidally.
But in reality, was it Huma's fault? Well, sort of, what in heck was she doing campaign business on a phone, let alone forwarding to a laptop that Weiner's sexting sickness could possibly have been near?
Or was it the fault or failure of the Democrats to hire even the most rudimentary tech to make sure leaks in emails were all plugged after all that? Definitely.
But in the end, I blame Weiner. Regardless of his sex problem, he's smart, he's a democratic partisan, he should have realized that he was jeapardizing the entire nation by using Huma's computer to do his weirdness, that he was being watched, & that the GOP would look for any possible vulnerability.
But then, weiner's an addict, addict's are out of control that way.
But I can't t blame Comey, he's just a cog in the republican election-rigging machine, that's what they do.
2
As many comments on here are correctly pointing out, the real villain in this sordid mess is the group of rogue, anti-Hillary agents in the NYC FBI office, who were continuously leaking inside info on the e-mail investigation to Rudy Giuliani and the conservative and (sadly!) mainstream media.
The only explanation we were ever given for Comey's inexcusable "empty bombshell" letter was that he felt he had to disclose the existence of the Weiner laptop before the NYC agents selectively leaked it themselves to Giuliani and the media.
If nothing else, this entire affair reveals that Comey has no control over his own agency, that his agents would feel free to free-lance and violate internal procedures without any fear of disciplinary action. No investigation will be complete unless it addresses the unusual behavior inside the FBI NYC office.
The only explanation we were ever given for Comey's inexcusable "empty bombshell" letter was that he felt he had to disclose the existence of the Weiner laptop before the NYC agents selectively leaked it themselves to Giuliani and the media.
If nothing else, this entire affair reveals that Comey has no control over his own agency, that his agents would feel free to free-lance and violate internal procedures without any fear of disciplinary action. No investigation will be complete unless it addresses the unusual behavior inside the FBI NYC office.
9
At minimum, Comey's Letter did not help Clinton. Worse, however, is the collateral damage the letter caused to the Intelligence Community.
Although Trump never called out the Letter (it helped him, after all), he has wasted no time in delegitimising the IC given the threat they represent in exposing the unsavoury truths between him and Russia.
Comey's lack of judgement gives people reason to doubt the FBI's integrity and unfortunately, gives credibility to Trump's claims, particularly his supporters.
Trump's imminent coronation, without anyone's knowledge of his ties, debts or dealings, is even more alarming given the agencies we look to for protection against madness of this sort are themselves tainted by Comey's incompetence.
He may not have handed Trump the election, but he's certainly given Trump heavy ammunition in his quest to bring down the establishment.
Although Trump never called out the Letter (it helped him, after all), he has wasted no time in delegitimising the IC given the threat they represent in exposing the unsavoury truths between him and Russia.
Comey's lack of judgement gives people reason to doubt the FBI's integrity and unfortunately, gives credibility to Trump's claims, particularly his supporters.
Trump's imminent coronation, without anyone's knowledge of his ties, debts or dealings, is even more alarming given the agencies we look to for protection against madness of this sort are themselves tainted by Comey's incompetence.
He may not have handed Trump the election, but he's certainly given Trump heavy ammunition in his quest to bring down the establishment.
5
The House and then the Senate are poised to undo Obamacare and imperil insurance coverage for those with preexisting conditions. The DACA beneficiaries in particular and the illegal immigrants in general are spending sleepless nights about their future here.
And we are talking about "Crooked Hillary's" email shenanigans. All over again?
What does this news tell us about our priorities about moving forward?
You lost. You have gone through your four stages of grief including denial and revenge. NOW, MOVE ON.
And we are talking about "Crooked Hillary's" email shenanigans. All over again?
What does this news tell us about our priorities about moving forward?
You lost. You have gone through your four stages of grief including denial and revenge. NOW, MOVE ON.
5
Move on and ignore wrong doing?
That's what Nixon said. No need to investigate Watergate. Let's enable all my men to do what they did whenever they want, knowing that they will never be investigated.
You WON. You WANTED insurance coverage to be imperiled for people with pre-existing conditions. If that includes any friends, family, or young children, that's what YOU voted for.
And unless we bring illegal actions into the light, they will continue to happen so that next time it is social security and medicare and your grandparents find are no longer there.
That's what Nixon said. No need to investigate Watergate. Let's enable all my men to do what they did whenever they want, knowing that they will never be investigated.
You WON. You WANTED insurance coverage to be imperiled for people with pre-existing conditions. If that includes any friends, family, or young children, that's what YOU voted for.
And unless we bring illegal actions into the light, they will continue to happen so that next time it is social security and medicare and your grandparents find are no longer there.
4
It was partisan, expressly prohibited by law, untruthful, and possibly swayed the election. What's to investigate? That the election was "rigged" might have been the only truthful thing Trump has said.
4
Gosh, a lot of people spread the truth about Hillary Clinton, and it was painful.
First it was the Russians, allegedly leaking to the world factual information about how the DNC got things done.
And then it was Mr. Comey, head of our own FBI, who truthfully revealed the latest twist in the convoluted nvestigations into the illegal email server Mrs. Clinton choose on her own to set up (I seem to remember that the existence of the email server was first publicized by this very New York Times; said paper having done more than anyone else, FBI, Russia, or media, to keep the server's existence in the public eye).
Apparently, insight into the truth is the sort of thing likely to sway Democratic voters, which is a bad thing, so this has gotten everyone upset.
There were also lot of inconvenient truths revealed about Mr. Trump, the curiously timed leak of 11 year-old tapes of Mr. Trump making misogynist comments on a bus being but one example. But Republican voters are less likely to be swayed by the truth, so this was not nearly as worrisome. Or something.
"And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free". Or not.
First it was the Russians, allegedly leaking to the world factual information about how the DNC got things done.
And then it was Mr. Comey, head of our own FBI, who truthfully revealed the latest twist in the convoluted nvestigations into the illegal email server Mrs. Clinton choose on her own to set up (I seem to remember that the existence of the email server was first publicized by this very New York Times; said paper having done more than anyone else, FBI, Russia, or media, to keep the server's existence in the public eye).
Apparently, insight into the truth is the sort of thing likely to sway Democratic voters, which is a bad thing, so this has gotten everyone upset.
There were also lot of inconvenient truths revealed about Mr. Trump, the curiously timed leak of 11 year-old tapes of Mr. Trump making misogynist comments on a bus being but one example. But Republican voters are less likely to be swayed by the truth, so this was not nearly as worrisome. Or something.
"And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free". Or not.
5
Overall, it all showed the FBI's ineptness - having found no basis for any criminal wrongdoing and then coming up with yet more irrelevant material, while claiming the material newly-found evidence, the public should have come to the right conclusion. If vorers are persuaded by headlines, well...
2
"...As part of the review, the inspector general will examine other issues related to the email investigation that Republicans have raised. They include whether the deputy director of the F.B.I., Andrew G. McCabe, should have recused himself from any involvement in it..."
___
Recusal? Nevermind Mr. Horowitz worked previously in the I.G. office from '99 - '03. Character and integrity are also at issue here.
https://www.ignet.gov/content/michael-e-horowitz
1/13/14
9:50A CT
___
Recusal? Nevermind Mr. Horowitz worked previously in the I.G. office from '99 - '03. Character and integrity are also at issue here.
https://www.ignet.gov/content/michael-e-horowitz
1/13/14
9:50A CT
In the balance Comey and Putin got Trump elected...Trump is sweating bullets, lashing out, trying to deny it...trying to convince himself and the rest of us that he did it on his own... The day he finally realizes that he did not he will collapse.
Watch out for a breakdown.
Watch out for a breakdown.
12
I trust the IG investigation will reveal the immunity agreements given to Clinton aides for them to produce files under FOIA they were already sworn to produce, and which enabled them to destroy documents and devices. The Director and the State Department and intelligence community indicated that the laptop of Anthony Weiner and Huma Abedin contained classified documents. We deserve to know if she was tendered such an immunity process, or why she was not charged with mishandling classified information, and at least lose security clearance.
3
Let's not forget that Guiliani was salivating on TV to announce that something was coming. Who in the FBI told Guiliani? There seems to be a one way open door policy towards one party only. As it became clear yesterday through the Buzzfed release, the FBI was also informed by Steele, yet decided to do nothing. As of yesterday, he has not even the guts to open his mouth in this regard to the S.I.Commitee. In hindsight to investigate Clinton on "reckless disregard for national security" must be total irony, given their complete sellout to Russia.
11
What has happen to the investigation of A. Weiner. All of a sudden no one, the MSM or anyone else is writing about this. It was front page news before the election. Come on New York times we want to know.
4
President-elect Trump is reeling in the outer orbit of sanity. He just can't give up. He tweeted that Hillary Clinton was "guilty as hell" this morning. Comey's actions are being investigated, not Clinton's. Trump's pronouncement is of course utterly irrelevant to Comey's actions. Whether Ms. Clinton was "guilty" or not, Comey violated protocol in announcing an ongoing investigation 11 days before the presidential election.
12
The reason Comey and the FBI's integrity needs to be examined is because their actions BEFORE this letter was released showed a clear intent to manipulate the election.
When the FBI learned of illegal hacking at the DNC, they didn't notify DNC officials. They didn't get up and travel a few minutes across town to talk to the officials in charge of the place where the hacking took place. They left a voice message on the Help Desk of a low-level IT subcontractor. When he didn't believe them, they figured their job was done and refused to notify the people they should have called in the first place.
When they learned of hacking at the RNC and any other pro-Republican organization, what actions did the FBI take to stop it? Did they limit their calls to IT subcontractors at the lowest level -- the ones who respond to messages on the help desk?
Comey was in charge when the FBI chose to investigate a serious attempt to thwart the democratic process by leaving a message on a help desk. There is no doubt his letter 11 days before the election came from the same mind set that the FBI he oversaw had: Anything done to help Clinton lose should be given the most cursory examination. And anything - no matter how small - that gives the FBI the opportunity to imply she is a crook is what interests the FBI.
When they are all under oath, there will be a John Dean among them who brings light to the corruption within.
When the FBI learned of illegal hacking at the DNC, they didn't notify DNC officials. They didn't get up and travel a few minutes across town to talk to the officials in charge of the place where the hacking took place. They left a voice message on the Help Desk of a low-level IT subcontractor. When he didn't believe them, they figured their job was done and refused to notify the people they should have called in the first place.
When they learned of hacking at the RNC and any other pro-Republican organization, what actions did the FBI take to stop it? Did they limit their calls to IT subcontractors at the lowest level -- the ones who respond to messages on the help desk?
Comey was in charge when the FBI chose to investigate a serious attempt to thwart the democratic process by leaving a message on a help desk. There is no doubt his letter 11 days before the election came from the same mind set that the FBI he oversaw had: Anything done to help Clinton lose should be given the most cursory examination. And anything - no matter how small - that gives the FBI the opportunity to imply she is a crook is what interests the FBI.
When they are all under oath, there will be a John Dean among them who brings light to the corruption within.
5
It feels as if the wheels of democracy have come to a screeching halt in this country. Comey should be held accountable for his unprofessional behavior.
I'm glad someone in Washington is paying attention and will actually do something about the mess that was this election. This is a start.
I'm glad someone in Washington is paying attention and will actually do something about the mess that was this election. This is a start.
Hirowitz needs to go after Loretta Lynch, not Comey. It was HER decision whether to prosecute!
5
We must absolutely respect the ability of the FBI and other intelligence agencies as well as the Ethics Committees to do their jobs.
I lay awake, night after night, hearing outbursts by the incumbent. The tweets, the shouts, the screams. We are in serious trouble. His extraordinary ability to see everything as a reflection of himself is jaw dropping. I find myself being driven further and further away. Ethics committees, etc. are our only protection from fascism. Did I not hear reentry that Trump wants to get rid of those protections? I am not sure that Mr. Comey intentionally sabotaged Mrs. Clinton. It seems he did his best to find space for her. Perhaps he had information that hit a nerve with him morally or otherwise but that did not rse to criminality. But that is water under the bridge. All of that dims now. We are faced with a personality that is so dangerous, all should be on guard. I hope Mr. Comey did what was in his 'heart' and that his heart isn't as contorted as the incumbent's. Perhaps Carson is hanging around for a reason: emergency surgery.
I lay awake, night after night, hearing outbursts by the incumbent. The tweets, the shouts, the screams. We are in serious trouble. His extraordinary ability to see everything as a reflection of himself is jaw dropping. I find myself being driven further and further away. Ethics committees, etc. are our only protection from fascism. Did I not hear reentry that Trump wants to get rid of those protections? I am not sure that Mr. Comey intentionally sabotaged Mrs. Clinton. It seems he did his best to find space for her. Perhaps he had information that hit a nerve with him morally or otherwise but that did not rse to criminality. But that is water under the bridge. All of that dims now. We are faced with a personality that is so dangerous, all should be on guard. I hope Mr. Comey did what was in his 'heart' and that his heart isn't as contorted as the incumbent's. Perhaps Carson is hanging around for a reason: emergency surgery.
1
Obviously you don't retain what you read. Trump doesn't want the government agencies governing themselves. That's what they're trying to pull right now. He wants an outside source watching ethics and lawmakers. I would have to agree considering the condition our government is in. My opinion right now is money drives everyone in gov. This is wrong. It should be whatever is good for the country not the lawmakers pockets. If you look back at the majority of the lawmakers who enter finacially modest, they always exit wealthy. Hmm wonder why.
2
I am a Clinton supporter, and yet I think this investigation at this time is ill-advised. At a time when our intelligence agencies are coming under attack by Trump, the last thing this country needs is an investigation that will, in the end, do nothing. Sure. Mr. Comey may lose his job. But he may be losing his job anyhow because Trump can replace him.
All this investigation will do is further divide our already divided nation. If they prove Mr. Comey acted inappropriately, the people who don't agree aren't going to change their opinions. If they say he acted appropriately, the people who don't agree aren't going to change their opinions. That's where we stand right now.
So all this has done is given Trump another chance to declare Secretary Clinton 'guilty as hell'. Great....except not. If he gets pushed too far, I expect to see him bring back the idea of investigating and jailing her again. And in a country where a congressman has said he wants to investigate the Office of Government Eithics for being public about Trump's potential ethics issues, I am convinced no one would stop Trump from going after Mrs. Clinton. We lost our checks and balances in this election. It wouldn't be a giant leap to start jailing political opponents.
All this investigation will do is further divide our already divided nation. If they prove Mr. Comey acted inappropriately, the people who don't agree aren't going to change their opinions. If they say he acted appropriately, the people who don't agree aren't going to change their opinions. That's where we stand right now.
So all this has done is given Trump another chance to declare Secretary Clinton 'guilty as hell'. Great....except not. If he gets pushed too far, I expect to see him bring back the idea of investigating and jailing her again. And in a country where a congressman has said he wants to investigate the Office of Government Eithics for being public about Trump's potential ethics issues, I am convinced no one would stop Trump from going after Mrs. Clinton. We lost our checks and balances in this election. It wouldn't be a giant leap to start jailing political opponents.
6
I've been worrying about the same thing. No one is safe in a totalitarian government and this is fast what the US is becoming. No voices of dissent being allowed under t's reign. Anything that shows him for what he is, attacked for being fake news while at the same time creating fake news.
2
Your logic is off.
You are afraid of Trump acting like Putin or Hitler. So you are saying that we should not call out corruption for fear that the Republicans will be so determined to cover up corruption that they will act like Putin or Hitler.
Thus did democracy die.
You are afraid of Trump acting like Putin or Hitler. So you are saying that we should not call out corruption for fear that the Republicans will be so determined to cover up corruption that they will act like Putin or Hitler.
Thus did democracy die.
2
Too little, too disastrously late. There should be another judicial inquiry into the lack of airing of the investigation into the "Russianness" of trump and his staff. I, too, like the reader from Oslo, have run out of pejoratives to describe my feelings over this entire fiasco which is the US election (and, as a Canadian, I'm sorry that I feel this way).
5
I guess if she were in jail the NYT would report on the quality of her daily meals. God, I am so sick of hearing her name! She is not going to be President so why keep her name alive?
8
Chris, Trump said republicans are so stupid they'll believe anything he says. Do you believe him? I do. Your proof.
2
Comey is a disgrace to the FBI and a laughingstock to the country. Comey crossed several lines with his outrageous mishandling of the Clinton email case and his writing those letters to the Congress. Comey timed and wrote those letters with malice toward Hillary Clinton's political campaign just days before election day. Comey's conduct was unbecoming of a Federal Official and the Director of the FBI. He deserves to lose the Director's job.
4
It is hard not to demand his resignation. His timing was terrible and he should leave office. The bigger question is who might replace him.
The walls keep tumbling down.
The walls keep tumbling down.
2
The lesson to be learned here is that republicans will never play by the book. It was Obama's mistake to rely on the good in people and show bipartisanship by placing Comey. Republicans are, as it is even more evident now, reptile creatures who serve nothing but their own predatory instincts. If they have to sell the country to a foreign power to do so, they do it as well. If it means to hand the presidency to the most unqualified mental case, they do it as well. I hope that with as little time there is, Comey will be the first to be held accountable to bring this excuse of an human creature into the oval office. How a man like him can look into the mirror everyday without feeling nausea is a bewilderment, then again, he is a republican with a reptile brain....
8
Comey is a Republican stooge who should be arrested and thrown in jail with the rest of the party of seditionists and traitors. Obama should never have appointed him in the first place. Democrats have to wake up from their kumbaya stupor and realize they and the country are dealing with a criminal cabal of neo-fascists who respect neither law or tradition and have no shame, no values, no morals, no ethics, and no principles other then lust for power, expediency, naked opportunism, self aggrandizement and slavish service to their one percent puppet masters. They need to wake up, drop their ridiculous "bipartisan" illusions and fight. No compromise with Republican neo-fascists.
One may look no further then California to see what happens when Republican criminals and thieves are eliminated from a government they so profess to hate and work assiduously to make fail:
http://www.newsweek.com/2016/04/22/jerry-brown-saves-california-447559.html
It's called: PROGRESS.
One may look no further then California to see what happens when Republican criminals and thieves are eliminated from a government they so profess to hate and work assiduously to make fail:
http://www.newsweek.com/2016/04/22/jerry-brown-saves-california-447559.html
It's called: PROGRESS.
3
How about an investigation of the many truly unique immunity agreements granted by the DOJ in a case where no criminal charges were filed, including agreements to destroy evidence (Clinton aides laptops)? What gives?
3
This is Obama going full birther on Trump for Trump's role in questioning his Americanness.
Reality catching up with Obama, as his mother would have said.
Reality catching up with Obama, as his mother would have said.
6
Have we foxes and coyotes in the hen house? What was Comey's motivation? Why would he leak information regarding Sec. Clinton's emails and not inform the public regarding a more problematic issue, i.e., Trump et al's Russian ties? I'm not entirely sure that it's all just partisan behavior. I just hope there is nothing going on here that will eventually prove to be more harmful to our nation.
7
Isn't it sadly ironic that there is all this fuss about HRC's use of a private email server as Sec of State...yet as far as we know it remained safe from hacking, while the DNC's and Podesta's emails were hacked.
4
During these sensitive times with Russian hackings, Wikileaks, tempering, wtc. the FBI can only restore some of its reputation if they follow through a rigorous and just investigation into "Comey's drastic deviation from Justice Departments's protocol", as a member of the current inspector general noted.
But the Repaublican strongarms, esp. UTAH Rep Chafitz (the one who is a leading voice of the anti-Clinton march) is already bullying and threatening to shut down the ethic/investigating procedures.
What does this guy having to hide???
Taxpayers spent millions for investigating Clinton for Benghazi and email probes and came out EMPTY handed.
But now, when our Constitutional right to a free election is in jeopardy, they want no investigation????
But the Repaublican strongarms, esp. UTAH Rep Chafitz (the one who is a leading voice of the anti-Clinton march) is already bullying and threatening to shut down the ethic/investigating procedures.
What does this guy having to hide???
Taxpayers spent millions for investigating Clinton for Benghazi and email probes and came out EMPTY handed.
But now, when our Constitutional right to a free election is in jeopardy, they want no investigation????
10
7 days left? A day late and a dollar short! Just 7 days left. Seems like mere theater - and there is already too much of that around. Headlines. Pundits. Signifies nothing. Trump gives Comey a new condo in the Trump Towers Moscow and free passes for life to all the Trump golf courses and the American People can continue to say "aint it awful about all the bad stuff Trump did." Lee Atwater Awards all around for Trump people. Special mention to Roger Stone.
2
I want to know how Rudy Giuliana knew about the FBI Director's action on the Hillary emails before it happened. Giuliana bragged about something big was going to happen and then Comey sent the letter to Congress. This is all so fishy.
7
can't wait to see Giuliani put under oath with people other than partisan right wing hacks in Congress allowed to ask him questions. Will he take the 5th?
It is about time. This man crossed the line under pressure from Republican lawmakers. He released Hillary's info but not of pervert Trump.
At least there are few honest, hardworking, patriotic still around who do not serve themselves and an ego as big as Mt. Everest.
At least there are few honest, hardworking, patriotic still around who do not serve themselves and an ego as big as Mt. Everest.
3
Anyone who thinks the last minute investigation did not have an impact is delusional. I am a Hillary supporter and have been a life long democrat but when I heard about the re-opening my heart sank and I thought how can we possibly handle 4 more years of investigations into her every last move (a la Benghazi). The relentless political campaign against Clintons is completely exhausting to the general public. Nobody wants to be subjected to four years of pointless and grueling investigations. It was a not so subtle reminder of what the next 4 years would be like....
5
If you think the next 4 years is going to be better, who's delusional?
2
The law is the law.......You have already seen the first glimpse of
what lawlessness is and a disregard for voluntary protocols in
place for many decades......
Re-read Nixon
what lawlessness is and a disregard for voluntary protocols in
place for many decades......
Re-read Nixon
1
Long past time for him to resign.
1
I do believe the government has already wasted enough time and money on all the election issues including this one. We all know Clinton has lived above the law for many years. Nothing had happened to date to correct it. So get on with all of your jobs and do something constructive. Stop wasting tax payers money on something that's of no interest of getting this country back to the country or ancestors were proud of.
2
I think you meant to say Trump lived above the law.
We all wonder how he was able to use charitable donations to bribe the Florida Attorney General to drop an investigation into Trump University. When Trump U was so corrupt that Trump settled with all the veterans and students he cheated instead of having to go to trial where his lies couldn't be offered as evidence.
We all wonder how he was able to use charitable donations to bribe the Florida Attorney General to drop an investigation into Trump University. When Trump U was so corrupt that Trump settled with all the veterans and students he cheated instead of having to go to trial where his lies couldn't be offered as evidence.
1
Think they would be proud of that news conference?
1
Forget the law.?...Hc Florida.....Pretty sloppy about
upholding the Constitution aren't you?
upholding the Constitution aren't you?
Comey has already done the damage. But one can hope that investigating him and possibly charging him will deter future FBI directors from weaponizing their investigative powers.
Taking a step back, let this be a lesson for Democrats not to appoint a former Republican for an important position like the FBI director. Obama made an egregious error in appointing Comey. Appearing to be bipartisan was Obama's weakness, which came back to bite the Democrats. They should learn from Republicans to be ruthless in exercising their power and promoting their partisan ideology by all possible means, including administrative appointments. I squarely blame Obama for appointing Comey and thus causing downfall of Democrats in the recent election.
Taking a step back, let this be a lesson for Democrats not to appoint a former Republican for an important position like the FBI director. Obama made an egregious error in appointing Comey. Appearing to be bipartisan was Obama's weakness, which came back to bite the Democrats. They should learn from Republicans to be ruthless in exercising their power and promoting their partisan ideology by all possible means, including administrative appointments. I squarely blame Obama for appointing Comey and thus causing downfall of Democrats in the recent election.
7
The Dems should also learn to get way ahead of the curves when the witch-hunters are afoot. When Weiner got caught the last time, his wife and the Clinton campaign should have thrown him under the bus, taxis and Citi-bikes! Hired an investigator, etc, to get ahead of the effects he'd eventually have on the campaign/election. But like always they did what children do, sit tight and hope nothing comes up to bite them.
The whole of the Democratic party, with but a few exceptions, need to grow-up and enter the "adult" modern world of politics run amok.
The whole of the Democratic party, with but a few exceptions, need to grow-up and enter the "adult" modern world of politics run amok.
2
Chaffetz and Sessions should be the first on the list to be interviewed by the Inspector General. Both were reportedly applying as much influence as they could to get Comey first to lecture Hillary Clinton about her "irresponsible" behavior" and then to release his last minute letter re-opening a never-closed -in- the -first-place investigation. Will the IG dare to enter those treacherous shoals? Probably not before Trump fires him.
9
We have politicized everything... After seeing Comey grilled in the Senate hearings it is very clear that he is a rare truly honest bureaucrat who is dedicated to serving the American people.
Given what has just happened with the Russians hacking the private servers of DNC officials we now have a much better understanding of just how irresponsible Hillary Clinton was to put highly sensitive information on her home network.
The Republicans made a mess by politicizing everything during the Obama administration now it looks like the Democrats will try to return the favor. Fortunately the Democrats don't have the votes to obstruct much of anything. Just wish they would focus on improving the legislative process...
This does not bode well for American politics....
Given what has just happened with the Russians hacking the private servers of DNC officials we now have a much better understanding of just how irresponsible Hillary Clinton was to put highly sensitive information on her home network.
The Republicans made a mess by politicizing everything during the Obama administration now it looks like the Democrats will try to return the favor. Fortunately the Democrats don't have the votes to obstruct much of anything. Just wish they would focus on improving the legislative process...
This does not bode well for American politics....
1
There was no "highly sensitive" information on her home network.
In fact, Comey discovered even MORE "highly sensitive" information in the private e-mails of many Republicans. He shut that investigation down immediately instead of thoroughly examining whether it was 100 times more sensitive that the few Hillary had, or 1,000 times more sensitive.
Comey said that the reason he felt fine about allow Powell to keep as many "highly sensitive" e-mails on AOL as he wanted without anyone knowing whether they held serious state secrets is because they were NOT "highly sensitive". Neither were Hillary's -- and she had a tiny fraction of the ones the Republicans had. How do I know that? Because Comey ACCIDENTALLY found the Republicans classified e-mails because there were so many of them. When it came time to see how many and look at the other 90% of their e-mails, he said no.
In fact, Comey discovered even MORE "highly sensitive" information in the private e-mails of many Republicans. He shut that investigation down immediately instead of thoroughly examining whether it was 100 times more sensitive that the few Hillary had, or 1,000 times more sensitive.
Comey said that the reason he felt fine about allow Powell to keep as many "highly sensitive" e-mails on AOL as he wanted without anyone knowing whether they held serious state secrets is because they were NOT "highly sensitive". Neither were Hillary's -- and she had a tiny fraction of the ones the Republicans had. How do I know that? Because Comey ACCIDENTALLY found the Republicans classified e-mails because there were so many of them. When it came time to see how many and look at the other 90% of their e-mails, he said no.
The guy had the nerve to say in his hearing that the FBI can't
comment on on-going investigations.......What????
Someone wake you from your dream......Now I've heard everything....
probably not
comment on on-going investigations.......What????
Someone wake you from your dream......Now I've heard everything....
probably not
2
James Comey is a modern day Javert who is obsessed with the Clintons. He has been on the hunt for them in various capacities since the 1990s. That obsession pushed him to violate the rules and ethical standards of the Department of Justice, politicize the FBI's work, and sway enough swing votes in key industrial states at the last minute to get Donald Trump elected.
A thorough investigation by the Justice Department's Inspector General is to be applauded. The report can serve as a civics lesson, and warning, for our Justice System for decades to come.
Now, the nation needs a bi-partison, independent investigation, akin to that of the 9/11 tragegy, to analyze and report on Russia's hacking of the U.S. election and verify or rebut claims that the Trump Campaign colloborated in that assault on U.S. Democracy.
A thorough investigation by the Justice Department's Inspector General is to be applauded. The report can serve as a civics lesson, and warning, for our Justice System for decades to come.
Now, the nation needs a bi-partison, independent investigation, akin to that of the 9/11 tragegy, to analyze and report on Russia's hacking of the U.S. election and verify or rebut claims that the Trump Campaign colloborated in that assault on U.S. Democracy.
3
What happens if the investigation turns up previously undisclosed information that forces the new attorney general to prosecute HRC and or Huma? I think dems have more to lose by having this can opened.
4
There is no "can" to open! Hillary has been vetted, we know most everything about her! However, Donald is a mystery! And as the old saying goes the truth always, surfaces! I predict impeachment for Donald, and a huge embarrassment for the GOP!
1
Let the chips fall where they may......We either TRY to be a
democratic country or we don't......
democratic country or we don't......
1
Socrates, the point is that the FBI could not ascertain that "all of the Weinerschnitzel emails were duplicates and triplicates....that had already been reviewed" until after the original investigation was re-opened. It was the court that made the decision, not FBI Director Comey, that the original case should be opened once again.
Director Comey ordered massive FBI investigative resources be assigned to the investigation in order to complete the task as soon as possible. Would it have been better for Comey to have ordered fewer investigators be assigned and thus delayed the determination clearing Hillary Clinton until the night before the national election? Then, the situation would have been somewhat like when the Associated Press announced the night before the Democratic Primary in California on June 6, 2016, that Hillary Clinton suddenly had enough committed superdelegates to be declared the Democratic Party nominee for President. Bernie Sanders was counting upon a very good turnout by his supporters the next day in order to challenge Hillary for the Democratic Party nomination at the national convention in Philadelphia the next month.
Director Comey ordered massive FBI investigative resources be assigned to the investigation in order to complete the task as soon as possible. Would it have been better for Comey to have ordered fewer investigators be assigned and thus delayed the determination clearing Hillary Clinton until the night before the national election? Then, the situation would have been somewhat like when the Associated Press announced the night before the Democratic Primary in California on June 6, 2016, that Hillary Clinton suddenly had enough committed superdelegates to be declared the Democratic Party nominee for President. Bernie Sanders was counting upon a very good turnout by his supporters the next day in order to challenge Hillary for the Democratic Party nomination at the national convention in Philadelphia the next month.
5
When your a democratic president you can't have Republicans anywhere around you. Remember Linda Trapp?
2
There is a big lie being posted by the fake news trolls who have come to dominate the comments section at the NY Times.
Democrats did not praise James Comey in August when he made a point to smear her with all kinds of innuendo while playing down all the exonerating evidence he accidentally found, and all the exonerating evidence he refused to look at. We knew then that there was something wrong with him. He obviously hated Hillary Clinton and showed it. Democrats pointed out that even a hater such as Comey found no evidence of a crime.
Russian and right wing trolls pretend that anyone believed Comey was upright and honest in August. Unless the troll definition of upright and honest now covers people like Ken Starr who was also treated as "upright and honest". His cover up of campus rapes finally put that lie to rest.
Democrats did not praise James Comey in August when he made a point to smear her with all kinds of innuendo while playing down all the exonerating evidence he accidentally found, and all the exonerating evidence he refused to look at. We knew then that there was something wrong with him. He obviously hated Hillary Clinton and showed it. Democrats pointed out that even a hater such as Comey found no evidence of a crime.
Russian and right wing trolls pretend that anyone believed Comey was upright and honest in August. Unless the troll definition of upright and honest now covers people like Ken Starr who was also treated as "upright and honest". His cover up of campus rapes finally put that lie to rest.
6
Shoddy, despicable ploy by this man who works in the mindset of J.Edgar Hoover. Why weren't we told about the dossier on Trump? Don't bother to answer, we already know.
5
This is a joke. The first thing trump will do after being sworn in is replace the inspector general. Bye bye. Investigation over. Cut to a shot of that wonderful smug smile of Comey's. Anyone who asks about it will be called fat, crooked, evil and a Hillary lover. Kellyanne Conway will go on TV and lie like a machine about it and we will move on to the subject of Ivanka's hunt for a house in DC.
4
Yes, lets look into Hillary's emails even further.
2
Comey was thrust before the klieglights only because AG Lynch had to recuse herself from the case in the aftermath of the ill-advised meeting on the plane with Bill Clinton as the FBI investigation was under way and winding up. So, any inquiry into Comey's conduct MUST include investigation into the role - rather unseemly one - played by Lynch in this saga.
The best way to get to the bottom of this email shenanigan is to appoint, as Trump threatened, a special prosecutor and go where the chips may lead. If Hillary committed a crime, she must face the brunt of justice.
The best way to get to the bottom of this email shenanigan is to appoint, as Trump threatened, a special prosecutor and go where the chips may lead. If Hillary committed a crime, she must face the brunt of justice.
5
Someone other than Lynch could have stepped forward.......
I am curious. Why did this Inspector General wait so long to say or do anything. Trump will be in Office long before this can go anywhere. So what is the point? What is his motive? He has one, you know that. He is not doing this for no reason. Looks mighty suspicious to me!
2
I have the same question!
1
Socrates, the point is that the FBI could not ascertain that "all of the Weinerschnitzel emails were duplicates and triplicates....that had already been reviewed" until after the original investigation was re-opened. It was the court that made the decision, not FBI Director Comey, that the original case should be opened once again.
Director Comey ordered massive FBI investigative resources be assigned to the investigation in order to complete the task as soon as possible. Would it have been better for Comey to have ordered fewer investigators be assigned and thus delayed the determination clearing Hillary Clinton until the night before the national election? Then, the situation would have been somewhat like when the Associated Press announced the night before the Democratic Primary in California on June 6, 2016, that Hillary Clinton suddenly had enough committed superdelegates to be declared the Democratic Party nominee for President. Bernie Sanders was counting upon a very good turnout by his supporters the next day in order to challenge Hillary for the Democratic Party nomination at the national convention in Philadelphia the next month.
Director Comey ordered massive FBI investigative resources be assigned to the investigation in order to complete the task as soon as possible. Would it have been better for Comey to have ordered fewer investigators be assigned and thus delayed the determination clearing Hillary Clinton until the night before the national election? Then, the situation would have been somewhat like when the Associated Press announced the night before the Democratic Primary in California on June 6, 2016, that Hillary Clinton suddenly had enough committed superdelegates to be declared the Democratic Party nominee for President. Bernie Sanders was counting upon a very good turnout by his supporters the next day in order to challenge Hillary for the Democratic Party nomination at the national convention in Philadelphia the next month.
2
So all week we've been upset about Trump's lack of respect for the FBI and their investigations, but today, the FBI is bad because? Is there any critical thinking that happens today?
2
I do not know whom you are talking about, but at our house we have been upset with the FBI all along. Ever since Rudy was on Faux News, joking that he knew something was coming against Mrs. Clinton, which clearly points to people in the NYC FBI office cozying up to the Trump campaign! Be,i.e. E me, the over two million American voters who gave Mrs. Clinton the popular vote know that Comey purposefully put out that suspicion about her emails just before the election to hurt Mrs. Clinton!
Trump supporters will try desperately to turn this back onto Sec. Clinton, but this was bad behavior at the FBI that is being investigated. His obvious effort to aid the Trump campaign was a violation of the job he was sworn to do. Of course it influenced voters, just look at the polling data and the number of times the Trump campaign used the FBI comments in their campaign.
4
It's about time he is investigated for blatantly political behavior. Between him and the Russian hacks, the whole thing stinks to high heaven.
1
What is to prevent Trump from closing the investigation by month end?
So we've got 17 intelligence agencies and the FBI and Justice Department today to protect the American democracy that was disenfranchised by our own shadowy unelected during the 1960s.
All of today's presidential nonsense is just a bunch of self important gaslighters doing a Punch and Judy show for public consumption enabled by a media working for the moneyed and not for the people! Bernie not Hillary or Trump was the nominee for the people and he got waylaid by the same gaslighters who play the public like fiddles!
All of today's presidential nonsense is just a bunch of self important gaslighters doing a Punch and Judy show for public consumption enabled by a media working for the moneyed and not for the people! Bernie not Hillary or Trump was the nominee for the people and he got waylaid by the same gaslighters who play the public like fiddles!
1
Maybe if she hadn't set up that secret server in the first place...
2
Will the FBI also investigate the inside info that Rudy got from the New York FBI branch?
2
What does any of this matter, anyway? Too late. yet again, an election is stolen from the Democrats, first, when Al Gore won, and the supreme court gave the presidency to bush, and now. Nothing will happen, nothing will change, and surely elections in the future will be stolen out from Democrats in the future, and they'll once again, roll over and whimper. It's what we do, I guess.
3
Stop pedaling FAKE NEWS that Al Gore won. He lost even when a complete recount was conducted.
1
The FBI director will have no trouble defending himself against charges he sought to damage Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. People forget that Hillary Clinton used remarks the FBI director made at his news conference to proclaim she had been cleared of any wrongdoing. Although the investigation proved she had mishandled classified information, Comey recommended that she not be indicted because he found no criminal intent. Since the statue requires no evidence of criminal intent, he could easily have recommended she be indicted. He can also point out that in his testimony he carefully avoided using the phrase “gross negligence” because the statue refers to “gross negligence.” Instead, he used the term “extreme carelessness.” As for motivation for sending the letter updating members of the oversight committee, the videotape of his testimony before the committee shows it asked him to keep committee members updated.
5
For all of those who have cognitive skills beyond the 3rd grade, it did not take the FBI investigation to fully understand that HRC and The Clinton Foundation were inept, crooked and pathological in their use of lies. So please Liberals, stop the hand wringing, crying, destruction of property, disruption of commerce and filling the social media with 'threats to leave the USA' because you lost. We will reverse the damage caused over the past 8yrs to race relations, gender relations, relations with our friendly nations around the globe and put an end to the 'you can keep your Dr and get $2500 cheaper insurance' by repealing obamacare.
The sun continues to come out and shines brighter!
The sun continues to come out and shines brighter!
5
comey did nothing wrong. had he not said anything it would have leaked, and been worse. he got out in front of it.
chin up, comey..! we get it. (Even if the liberals are irate...and irate...and irate...that we don't think them all wise.)
chin up, comey..! we get it. (Even if the liberals are irate...and irate...and irate...that we don't think them all wise.)
8
How long can an FBI investigation of a politician remain open and active? That's a key question I want answered. If the Justice Department orders an investigation of, say, a powerful Senator suspected of taking a bribe, can it go on for five years right into his re-election campaign, with the FBI director issuing public announcements about "new evidence" every few months? Would that be considered a non-political investigation? Wouldn't this be a clear danger to our democracy?
Annie,
Fair question. Here's the answer: No FBI investigation is ever formally "closed." Many go nowhere, of course, and the FBI simply moves on to other things. But if something comes up 3 years down the road, or 5 years down the road, the FBI may once again focus on the abandoned investigation -- which, again, will never have been formally "closed."
Just like real life, in other words.
Fair question. Here's the answer: No FBI investigation is ever formally "closed." Many go nowhere, of course, and the FBI simply moves on to other things. But if something comes up 3 years down the road, or 5 years down the road, the FBI may once again focus on the abandoned investigation -- which, again, will never have been formally "closed."
Just like real life, in other words.
A woman applies for a job which has never been given to a woman, but one for which she is the most qualified person. A man who is unqualified, but really wants the job, has their friend call the hiring committee and warn them that she may be a careless person, but there was not enough evidence for dismissal from her previous job. Some people in the hiring committee trust the friend, so they recoil from the woman's application. Then, two days before they vote on her application, the friend calls the hiring committee and tells them that he found no new evidence that she is careless. Some members of the committee have already voted in absentia, and some others are biased irretrievably about her application. She just barely does not get the job, the unqualified man does. Then it turns out that she was not careless at all, but had followed precedence and advice from earlier occupants of her previous job, but this does not matter anymore. Of course, the unqualified person completely botches the job, and the company incurs many losses, and fails.
3
And the "friend" who called the hiring committee to mislead them about the candidate is now the subject. Why did he mislead him? What is his relationship to the unqualified person who was given the job after he smeared the qualified one?
The hiring committee realizes that if they don't bring what happened into the light and punish the wrongdoers, this will keep happening again and again and their company will be kaput.
A few members of the committee are getting big favors from the unqualified candidate getting the job. Sure he is running the company into the ground, but they will be very rich by then and don't care. Some other members of the committee are being paid by a rival company to do whatever it takes to put the company out of business. Those members keep insisting that we need to "move on" and keep the unethical actions of the "friend" who lied to their committee quiet.
Fortunately, the majority of the hiring committee believe in honesty and doing what is best for the company. The investigate exactly what happened and the "friend" who provided false information is prosecuted and the bad hire trying to destroy the company is fired before he can do more harm.
The hiring committee realizes that if they don't bring what happened into the light and punish the wrongdoers, this will keep happening again and again and their company will be kaput.
A few members of the committee are getting big favors from the unqualified candidate getting the job. Sure he is running the company into the ground, but they will be very rich by then and don't care. Some other members of the committee are being paid by a rival company to do whatever it takes to put the company out of business. Those members keep insisting that we need to "move on" and keep the unethical actions of the "friend" who lied to their committee quiet.
Fortunately, the majority of the hiring committee believe in honesty and doing what is best for the company. The investigate exactly what happened and the "friend" who provided false information is prosecuted and the bad hire trying to destroy the company is fired before he can do more harm.
Best description, by far, of what happened. Many of us women, especially of a certain age, have seen this kind of thing happen, over and over and over again. And sadly, most Americans seem to be completely oblivious to this.
1
So - days from the inauguration, an investigation of Comey's letters is launched, to further entangle the new President. It would be MUCH more helpful to investigate why he did not prosecute, rather than to try and insulate Hillary even further - unless, of course, that is the purpose.
3
Note that James Comey also had the unsubstantiated dossier that showed Trump was possibly being blackmailed by Putin. Comey sat on that intel.
5
It's about time. I've wracked my brain over this and still cannot find any legitimate reason for Comey to have ignored decades of protocol to give a public opinion on the Clinton case (that was the responsibility of the AG), and then to do that two letter dance within less than two weeks of the election. If I remember correctly, Clinton was planning to devote those days to strengthening her policies message and destroying Trump's; instead, she was back to handling EMAIL again. She may even have had a chance to cement support in those swing states she lost, but for that October surprise.
Even more telling, Comey has followed established protocol in other matters during this same time frame even up to recently, the FBI citing policy not to discuss ongoing investigations. Huh? So, the only time policies are broken are to aid attacks on Hillary Clinton?
Investigate, please. And I have a feeling the problem is SO not just Comey.
Even more telling, Comey has followed established protocol in other matters during this same time frame even up to recently, the FBI citing policy not to discuss ongoing investigations. Huh? So, the only time policies are broken are to aid attacks on Hillary Clinton?
Investigate, please. And I have a feeling the problem is SO not just Comey.
106
Right. Except that violating protocol does not mean he violated the law. Good luck with that.
Well said!
It's about time! Not that it will do any good. After January 20, the Justice Department will be shut down and its furniture auctioned off to the highest bidder. Trump -- ahem -- Trump's sons will keep the proceeds in their little "blind" trust and have promised Daddy that they won't tell him a thing about it at the dinner table. Where's Jason Chaffetz when the country needs a real investigation? Oh, out threatening the Ethics Committee.
11
FBI keep secret of investigation, till results come out for sure. Comey did exactly opposite. That is for politics. He was going to loose his job under anyone, but Trump. Main compelling reason. He has to pay prize sooner or later.
4
Comey should send a bill to the Trump campaign -- free advertising of fake news.
6
When will the sore losers move on. The only people who seriously damaged Hillary Clinton's chances of being elected President were Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Stop the witch hunt and move on.
6
Naturally, the Obama DOJ's action here elicits squeals of vindication and "proof" of Comey's guilt.
The only thing we're truly all in for during the Trump Presidency is the unwavering, childish refusal to accept American democracy. No single Trump action or comment escape the insulting scrutiny of his opposition that was, golly gee, somehow handing out passes to nearly sink our country at every incompetent turn the past eight years.
The only thing we're truly all in for during the Trump Presidency is the unwavering, childish refusal to accept American democracy. No single Trump action or comment escape the insulting scrutiny of his opposition that was, golly gee, somehow handing out passes to nearly sink our country at every incompetent turn the past eight years.
5
As Trump takes the American people further into the abyss, we will remember who helped put him in the presidency.
11
We still need to know who hacked into and obtained Clinton's e-mails from her private server. That is where the focus should be. Whose hands have these e-mails gone through? What classified or sensitive information was lost as a result of Clinton's carelessness? Those are the important questions.
2
Although Mr Comey's treatment of the Hillary Clinton investigation was probably not illegal, it was extremely careless!!!
4
Trump is not the ideal president. However, compared to the deceit and back door activities of the current democrat administration the intelligence community has evidently been politicized. Whether this is due simply to Trump's refusal to roll over and acknowledge the CIA as the alpha-male of the pack; or if the ties to the Clinton's and the rest of the Washington swamp we don't yet know. I do know that the white-wash (pun intended) of president Obama during this war between the current president elect and the CIA is incredibly apparent.
3
What an idiotic attempt to blame Clinton's loss on the FBI.
The reason Clinton lost is that people feared her as a President.
Trump may not be a saint, but Clinton is simply bad.She and Ira Magaziner tried to take over the medical sector during Bill's tenure as President. She abandoned the heroes of Benghazi because she did not want to disturb her sleep. Americans decided she was no bloody good. And they were right.
The reason Clinton lost is that people feared her as a President.
Trump may not be a saint, but Clinton is simply bad.She and Ira Magaziner tried to take over the medical sector during Bill's tenure as President. She abandoned the heroes of Benghazi because she did not want to disturb her sleep. Americans decided she was no bloody good. And they were right.
8
I guess you are overlooking the FACT that she won the popular vote by 3 MILLION. You have spent too much time listening to Faux News.
1
Benghazi! But of course! If 10 investigations didn't prove wrongdoing, let's get the FBI to investigate why Clinton followed Powell's advice to keep her e-mails off the state department server as he and many other high ranking Republicans did. Since the FBI is in the Republican's pocket, we are secure knowing that even when they find that Republicans did the same thing as Hillary, they will ignore it and cover it up.
The days of Loretta Lynch and her ilk at the "Justice" Department, the witch hunts involving police departments and officers, the protection of Hillary, are over in a very short while. A new broom will sweep clean. How the progressives clapped in glee when Comey announced no charges against Hillary despite listing a catelogue of wrongdoing. P.S. I always thought that intent was a jury question. Correct me if I'm wrong.
2
In addition to Comey, the investigation must look at those who may have pressured Comey, possibly threatening to embarrass him by leaking the information, and any connection between them and the Trump campaign (phone records are essential). Giuliani specifically said he had no contacts among *active* FBI agents. A denial like that is often a red flag indicating the contrary.
6
I think Mr. Comey's motive for putting out the letters just before the election is quite obvious and it was successful. The horrors that it cost the American people cannot even begin to be calculated at this point. Mr. Comey has earned his rightful place in history.
5
At the time, I imagine that the Trump team was telling Comey that he was earning a future nomination to be the AG, or possibly to the SCOTUS if Trump won.
Pretty clear to me.
One rule for the Clintons, another for everyone else.
I'm looking at you, NY Times.
One rule for the Clintons, another for everyone else.
I'm looking at you, NY Times.
11
Hmmmm...Seems to me that rules and laws are for Democrats to follow, but not for Republicans, especially trump. The Republicans made a circus out of this e-mail thing with Hillary Clinton, which was not illegal, and they LIED about Benghazi...and Trump commits one immorality and illegality after another, and all the Republicans put their fingers up to their lips, and say "shhhhh," and wink, wink. Believe me, everyone is not stupid, and does not buy into the baloney.
1
I reviewed the Clinton email issue on the net and STILL can't come up with one clear explanation! If she did not get "Classified" emails on her home server, then where did she get them?! She MUST have had a second, secure server in the DOS, but she NEVER said so, which would have put the whole issue to sleep immediately. Whatever happened to investigative journalism?!
2
Investigative journalism died when journalists at the NY Times suffered Clinton derangement syndrome and headlined every charge against her as if it was a high crime. It's a reboot of what happened during the Ken Starr investigation when their reporters were stenographers of leaks from the Clinton haters and Starr's office. Years of Ken Starr's ultimate power to turn over every leaf and the only thing he could find was an extramarital affair that happened years after the "crimes" he was supposed to be investigating.
More than 10 Benghazi investigations to find something to allow the FBI to play the Ken Starr role and "get" Hillary for something - anything - to smear her. Keeping e-mails on a private server wasn't a crime - Powell, Rove, Rice, Cheney, et al did it and one of them specifically advised Hillary to continue his practice. Perusing every e-mail finds a few marked with a little "c" confidential. Comey knows that he found that kind of e-mails in almost EVERY private e-mail account of high ranking Republicans, but he shuts down any further look so that he can pretend that Hillary's tiny number were "extremely careless". What if he had found that Powell and Rice had 1,000 times as many? That's why Comey immediately stopped looking closely at Republican's private servers - he couldn't smear Hillary if it turned out she had been extremely CAREFUL compared to all the Republicans with those e-mails. That's why we need a real investigation of his corruption.
More than 10 Benghazi investigations to find something to allow the FBI to play the Ken Starr role and "get" Hillary for something - anything - to smear her. Keeping e-mails on a private server wasn't a crime - Powell, Rove, Rice, Cheney, et al did it and one of them specifically advised Hillary to continue his practice. Perusing every e-mail finds a few marked with a little "c" confidential. Comey knows that he found that kind of e-mails in almost EVERY private e-mail account of high ranking Republicans, but he shuts down any further look so that he can pretend that Hillary's tiny number were "extremely careless". What if he had found that Powell and Rice had 1,000 times as many? That's why Comey immediately stopped looking closely at Republican's private servers - he couldn't smear Hillary if it turned out she had been extremely CAREFUL compared to all the Republicans with those e-mails. That's why we need a real investigation of his corruption.
2
How Comey still has a job is beyond me. He should be drawn and quartered.
8
Donald Trump is a cesspool of scandal.
Yet his supporters are in knots about an e-mail server.
Yet his supporters are in knots about an e-mail server.
11
Check his phone records, both public and private. You'll find what your looking for.
4
The article says there is no suggestion of any criminal actions by Comey. Sounds like Harry Reid accusing him of violating the Hatch Act was just another Harry lie on the Senate floor.
3
Comey did indeed violate The Hatch Act.
Not only should Comey be investigated for meddling in the election to help Trump, any ties between him and Trump campaign officials like Giuliani need careful exploration. Combined with Russian espionage, it's getting more and more apparent that the election was stolen and Trump is illegitimate.
3
While they're at it in this long overdue investigation, why not examine why Comey chose, that same week in late October, to release files about President Bill Clinton's pardon of Mark Rich. A sleazy pardon, no doubt -- in 2001! That release was the most politically motivated of all Comey's illegal actions. Prosecute him under the Hatch Act.
5
I realised something yesterday: I have run out of vocabulary. Out of words to describe just how awful all of this has become. At stake, the unravelling of American and global institutions. Hostage to angry whims, Tweets and fake news. Propose the NY Times assist readers by inventing some new vocabulary.
4
James Comey will go down in history as the man who succeeded in throwing the election to Donald Trump by providing a false narrative of "Clinton corruption" despite intense investigations coming up with no crimes.
James Comey will go down in history as the man who is trying hard to cover up lawbreaking by Republicans. No subpoenas for Powell, Rice, or Rove's private e-mails. No real investigation of Trump campaigns dealings with Russia and the movement to illegally hack the election and create false news. What did the Trump campaign know and when did they know it? Comey doesn't care.
If the FBI was run by Comey during Watergate, he would have insured Nixon never was investigated while conducting endless years of investigations to prove that Humphrey, McGovern and Muskie were all crooks.
Ken Starr could not have done it better.
James Comey will go down in history as the man who is trying hard to cover up lawbreaking by Republicans. No subpoenas for Powell, Rice, or Rove's private e-mails. No real investigation of Trump campaigns dealings with Russia and the movement to illegally hack the election and create false news. What did the Trump campaign know and when did they know it? Comey doesn't care.
If the FBI was run by Comey during Watergate, he would have insured Nixon never was investigated while conducting endless years of investigations to prove that Humphrey, McGovern and Muskie were all crooks.
Ken Starr could not have done it better.
7
----
A noble gesture, but it will come to nothing, and this whole episode only proves that the GOP plays fast pitch while the Dems play Tee-ball.
A noble gesture, but it will come to nothing, and this whole episode only proves that the GOP plays fast pitch while the Dems play Tee-ball.
4
What does the FBI have on Donald's Russian connections? That is the real question here.
She had a problem with servers.
Trump has a problem with whom he serves.
She had a problem with servers.
Trump has a problem with whom he serves.
3
Can't wait to see all the names responsible for his action 10 days before the election....
Let's see how these people sink in the swamp.....
Let's see how these people sink in the swamp.....
2
Time to move on, people...
2
Oh hardly, Ray from TEXAS. It's time to start digging deeper but they won't because of the Party-faithful tool who will be the next AG.
Time to grow up, Ray.
Time to grow up, Ray.
You go...move on. We will keep the fire to the feet of crooks, thugs, and gangsters.
I hope this investigation will be inclusive enough to include whether there was any effort on the part of the GOP to thwart the protocol usually used by the FBI in such cases. Unfortunately you have to consider the fact that Comey is a Republican and may have been unduly influenced by the party to do what he did.
3
It still isn't clear why Hillary's emails ended up on Weiner's computer.
3
Long overdue and about time! What are the chances orange man will try to derail this whole process by simply telling the Inspector General; "You're fired!"
Drumpf has no clue how to execute the duties of his office but it looks like his plans to execute our republic are humming along nicely. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Drumpf has no clue how to execute the duties of his office but it looks like his plans to execute our republic are humming along nicely. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
2
Late, but let the chips fall where they may. Barring some revelation about some kind of grand collusion or malfeasence this will be mostly just going through the motions.
I love it ! The DOJ investigating Comey's handling of the new email discovery. Wow talk about the pot calling the kettle black. How about we just reopen the meeting between Loretta Lynch and Bill Clinton.
The hypocrisy in DC is just astounding.I used to watch Seinfeld for entertainment but this is just as funny if not better
The hypocrisy in DC is just astounding.I used to watch Seinfeld for entertainment but this is just as funny if not better
2
The FBI director did not decide there was not sufficient evidence that Hillary Clinton had mishandled classified information to prosecute her as the article asserts. He decided she had mishandled classified information. Comey said, "there is evidence that they [Clinton and her team] were extremely careless in their handling of very sensitive, highly classified information." However, he recommended that Clinton not be indicted because he said the investigation disclosed no criminal intent, even though the statue against mishandling classified information does not require evidence of criminal intent. It against the law to carelessly mishandled classified information regardless of intent. If Comey’s intent were to damage Clinton campaign, he would have recommended she be indicted.
3
One simple very multi-part question. Assuming that Comey is found to have acted in a partisan manner and that his actions did have an effect on the election outcome, what difference does it make? Can the now "proven" damage be undone? Can the results be overturned?
This is simply another exercise in the machinations of DC -- full of sound a fury signifying What?
This is simply another exercise in the machinations of DC -- full of sound a fury signifying What?
I think it's pretty classic and telling of these times that during the Russian Hacking hearing earlier this week he testified that he, Comey, would never announce an investigation publicly and our good Senator vocally called out this pathetic hypocrisy and irony.
It's time to start playing very hardball against Republicans. It's the only thing they understand. They've been doing it since Reagan but really throttled up in the Clinton years and went into hyperdrive during Obama's tenure.
They lie through their teeth about the economy; it's doing well by the way.
They lie through their teeth about the military; it's very well funded by the way.
They lie through their teeth about everything; and even their supporters know it.
By all means go after Comey. Start knocking the Republican house of cards to the ground before our schools are turned into pay to play, we are at war with Iran, our climate decimates the planet and not one last needy person has any medical care.
It's time to start playing very hardball against Republicans. It's the only thing they understand. They've been doing it since Reagan but really throttled up in the Clinton years and went into hyperdrive during Obama's tenure.
They lie through their teeth about the economy; it's doing well by the way.
They lie through their teeth about the military; it's very well funded by the way.
They lie through their teeth about everything; and even their supporters know it.
By all means go after Comey. Start knocking the Republican house of cards to the ground before our schools are turned into pay to play, we are at war with Iran, our climate decimates the planet and not one last needy person has any medical care.
9
"My people will have a full report on hacking within 90 days!" (DT)
His people vs everyone who is not "his people.
His people vs everyone who is not "his people.
3
I guess it was a big mistake for Obama to keep Comey on. The GOP rarely, if ever, have appointed or permitted a Democrat to stay on in a high position. Was this blunder as bad as Bill Clinton's chief of staff permitting Linda Tripp, a low level clerical worker, to stay on because he felt bad because she was a single mom. He probably figured "what could go wrong?
1
How ironic if DT fired Dir. Comey after all the help he received from him.
I know two people who changed their minds about voting for Clinton after the perfectly timed Comey letter hit the news. It added more "evidence" that she was not to be trusted. There may have been many undecided voters who were influenced by his comments. We don't know.
This type of political influence happens because of instant dissemination of possible "news", even if it's just smoke, no fire. Often, we find the "news" is simply someone's opinion, and nothing is proved. Timing is everything.
There is a lesson here. Tampering with the election process by any individual has long term consequences.
This type of political influence happens because of instant dissemination of possible "news", even if it's just smoke, no fire. Often, we find the "news" is simply someone's opinion, and nothing is proved. Timing is everything.
There is a lesson here. Tampering with the election process by any individual has long term consequences.
95
Can we move on? What good does picking the scabs on this bring us? At this point, it just feels like scapegoating. Sure, Comey's October and November announcements in the email case contributed to votes against Mrs. Clinton, but he made a reasonable choice but about how best to pursue the newly discovered emails. Anything other than the choice he made would have led to charges from the other side of a "cover-up" that just as easily could have contributed to votes against Mrs. Clinton. Comey made a tough call in a highly-charged situation, but he made a reasonable one. After Comey's dramatic stand-off to defend the rule of law against illegal warrantless wiretapping in 2004, I believe Mr. Comey is a man of unusual strength of character and integrity. Considering where government is today and how desperately we need talented people who believe in the missions of the departments they serve, the nation is lucky to have Mr. Comey where he is.
19
No, Comey did not make a reasonable choice. He violated an important rule of the Justice department, advice from superiors, and common sense any 10 year old should possess. An election to the US presidency has consequently been stolen. Your recommended response is 'Nothing to see here, move on'! I think many Republicans are truly showing their loyalty to party above country this time.
If Mr. Comey were indeed "a man of unusual strength of character and integrity", he would have waited until after the election, at the very least.
1
Are you American? Do you have any knowledge of Watergate when the American public did not listen to people like you and "move on" when election tampering needed to be thoroughly investigated with high ranking officials put under oath in hearings and forced to answer questions about their actions, plead the 5th, or commit perjury.
When we see all the Trump campaign and FBI officials and Giuliani explaining how this was done, we will all be better off. The only people worse off will be Putin and his desire to see America as a Russian satellite, with the same "no laws for the powerful" philosophy that you are spouting.
When we see all the Trump campaign and FBI officials and Giuliani explaining how this was done, we will all be better off. The only people worse off will be Putin and his desire to see America as a Russian satellite, with the same "no laws for the powerful" philosophy that you are spouting.
She had no chance of winning. You can blame a hundred things but in this case we had the most misfit candidate in HRC to ever run for Presidency.
3
Indeed. That explains the almost 3 million more votes she received than Heir Trump. His "landslide" amounted to about 80k votes over 3 states. Impressive.
1
McGovern had no chance of winning. Good thing Americans didn't say "therefore any crimes committed by Nixon and his men get a pass".
Personal, not Political - A patient and perfectly timed strike at the Clinton's..
Sixteen years ago this month, on Jan. 20, 2001, his last day in office, Bill Clinton issued a pardon for international fugitive Marc Rich who had significantly contributed to the Clinton Foundation. Federal prosecutor, James Comey who was about to capture Rich could find no illegality on Bill Clinton's part to reverse the pardon. It was the most condemned official act of Bill Clinton's political career. A New York Times editorial called it “a shocking abuse of presidential power.”
Sixteen years ago this month, on Jan. 20, 2001, his last day in office, Bill Clinton issued a pardon for international fugitive Marc Rich who had significantly contributed to the Clinton Foundation. Federal prosecutor, James Comey who was about to capture Rich could find no illegality on Bill Clinton's part to reverse the pardon. It was the most condemned official act of Bill Clinton's political career. A New York Times editorial called it “a shocking abuse of presidential power.”
3
So your point is that it was fine for the FBI and James Comey to internally break the law and violate the Comey Act and selectively prosecute Hillary for the exact crimes that they refused to investigate when committed by Powell, Rover, Rice, et al? Because they were mad about a pardon?
You just provided evidence for exactly WHY this needs to be investigated. You don't get to break the law and use the powers of your office to "get" the wife of someone you are mad at, and when you can't find any evidence of a crime you smear her anyway. That's the kind of thing they do in Russia.
Oh yes, maybe that's why you think it's okay. If Russia does it, it's all fine.
You just provided evidence for exactly WHY this needs to be investigated. You don't get to break the law and use the powers of your office to "get" the wife of someone you are mad at, and when you can't find any evidence of a crime you smear her anyway. That's the kind of thing they do in Russia.
Oh yes, maybe that's why you think it's okay. If Russia does it, it's all fine.
Comey needs to be prosecuted and serve jail time for felony election tampering. His punitive experience should serve as a cautionary tale for those government employees who may be tempted to do similar tampering in the future.
8
Maybe we'll find out whether Comey is a stooge or an idiot.
6
Comey has proven to be inept in both his handling of the Clinton emails, and the "unverified" Trump dossier. He should do the country and himself a favor and resign with whatever reputation he has left.
2
For the good of the country, will someone please release Trump's tax returns?
10
I'm so glad it's over - let the investigation do whatever it does - it will not change the outcome. I'm embarrassed by the amateurish way the candidates have managed the media. My two children behave and act more mature than either Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. I really don't care if Comey influenced the election - what happened, happened. Let's move on already - there will be nothing positive coming out of this investigation. The Democrats won't give up.
2
why do you call yourself "Objective Opinion"?...Just asking
1
Are there criminal penalties for throwing an election?
8
Does this mean no Medal of Freedom from Obama for Comey?
3
This election will be forever tainted.
16
If anyone reading this article thinks that Comey will be found guilty of anything, then they also believe that Donald Trump will not continue to run his business interests. PT Barnum was right - and the sucker is half the American population.
As I sat listening to his lawyer spout off all the legalese about his business interests, all I could think of was all the lies he has already told the American people. Tell me lies Donald, but don't think I'm stupid.
As I sat listening to his lawyer spout off all the legalese about his business interests, all I could think of was all the lies he has already told the American people. Tell me lies Donald, but don't think I'm stupid.
11
Since the Justice Departments IG "will not look into the decision not to prosecute Mrs. Clinton" when it should, the partisan fix is in.
6
Investigate Comey? Too little, too late.
2
Trump was right, the election was rigged...against Clinton.
9
Where is this investigation going under Jeff Sessions--- nowhere.
3
Wasn't there a time when a reporter might include "for example..." to this sentence: "The inspector general’s office said that it was initiating the investigation in response to complaints from members of Congress and the public about actions by the F.B.I. and the Justice Department". Which members of Congress, members of the public? Can you narrow that down?
4
This is a huge FBI/DOJ/POTUS sting operation. Comey is an actor, albeit a principal actor, in a huge sting. Comey is a good guy. There's no way he would undermine an election. Think about it; do you really think that the Director of the FBI would flush his entire career down the toilet for a Republican payoff of some sort? He's not that old! He still has many years left. Then again....
2
It is over. Let it go. Take a pill. Walk around the block. This isn't good for your blood pressure, Dems. Next time get a real candidate.
3
A real candidate........like you had?........fasten your seatbelt
this is only the beginning.......and he won't be able to take it.
The American people are revved up and there will be a daily bombardment...
and then Duh..nald will collapse under the tsunami of his life being re-visited
upon him.
this is only the beginning.......and he won't be able to take it.
The American people are revved up and there will be a daily bombardment...
and then Duh..nald will collapse under the tsunami of his life being re-visited
upon him.
2
Most of these articles do not acknowledge causality. Had Secretary Clinton not set up an unauthorized server and email system, there would not have been an investigation. This is like saying an egg got fried because somebody turned up the heat, without acknowledging the egg would not be in the pan had somebody not decided to crack open the egg.
I have many problems with Mr. Trump, but if one fails to acknowledge that Secretary Clinton has some culpability here, the lessons of good governance and integrity are lost.
I have many problems with Mr. Trump, but if one fails to acknowledge that Secretary Clinton has some culpability here, the lessons of good governance and integrity are lost.
40
One never hears a peep about Colin Powell doing it. The official State Department portals are constantly probed by hackers and often unavailable. This is a work-around.
Had Colin Powell not advised Sec. Clinton SPECIFICALLY to keep her e-mails off of the state department server, there would not have been an investigation only of Hillary while covering up that Powell, Rove, Rice and many other top ranking officials used private servers (newsflash: AOL and the RNC are not "government servers").
Had James Comey made any attempt to investigate ALL officials who committed this terrible crime, we might believe that it is a crime instead of something that apparently is only a problem when Democrats do it. "I will politely ask Powell and when he says no, I will drop my investigation" is how Comey deals with this "crime" when a Republican commits it.
Had James Comey not SHUT DOWN the investigation into Rice, Rove and Powell's private e-mails and instead subpoenaed them, we might all believe that his witch hunt was all about "good governance and integrity" and not about how long he could smear Clinton with innuendo while covering up the FBI's evidence of Trump's connections to Putin and hacking.
Had Hillary Clinton understood that Comey's "integrity" ends when a Republican is involved, then we would not have had this problem. How awful that Hillary didn't realize that just because Comey says something is okay for Republicans, she should not think it is okay for her. If Comey can smear her with innuendo, he will do it. How awful she didn't understand that.
Had James Comey made any attempt to investigate ALL officials who committed this terrible crime, we might believe that it is a crime instead of something that apparently is only a problem when Democrats do it. "I will politely ask Powell and when he says no, I will drop my investigation" is how Comey deals with this "crime" when a Republican commits it.
Had James Comey not SHUT DOWN the investigation into Rice, Rove and Powell's private e-mails and instead subpoenaed them, we might all believe that his witch hunt was all about "good governance and integrity" and not about how long he could smear Clinton with innuendo while covering up the FBI's evidence of Trump's connections to Putin and hacking.
Had Hillary Clinton understood that Comey's "integrity" ends when a Republican is involved, then we would not have had this problem. How awful that Hillary didn't realize that just because Comey says something is okay for Republicans, she should not think it is okay for her. If Comey can smear her with innuendo, he will do it. How awful she didn't understand that.
1
By the same token you disregard that there would have been no "investigation" at all if it were any other SoS as is proved by the fact that SoS's (yes plural) before her did the same thing.
1
This is the last gasp for democrats and Hillary Clinton supporters. If anything occurs, it will be a pyrrhic victory at best. But they will be able to say that if Comey had refrained, Clinton would have won. That, and $2.75, will get you a subway ride in New York City.
5
The US is finished if it can't throw out the Electoral College after this display of its toxic effects.
1
We'll be able to say Comey violated the Hatch Act and the FBI conspired with the Trump campaign to leak fake innuendo of criminal activity of a candidate 11 days before the election.
Just like we needed an investigation to learn of Nixon's crimes. There are certainly Nixon lovers who believe it would have been better if they had remained covered up so the Republicans were free to continue all those dirty tricks again and again. Instead, Republicans had to wait 40 years to use similarly questionable tactics that we will not learn the full extend of until Comey, FBI officials who leaked, and Giuliani and others are put under oath to testify as to what they knew and when they knew it.
Just like we needed an investigation to learn of Nixon's crimes. There are certainly Nixon lovers who believe it would have been better if they had remained covered up so the Republicans were free to continue all those dirty tricks again and again. Instead, Republicans had to wait 40 years to use similarly questionable tactics that we will not learn the full extend of until Comey, FBI officials who leaked, and Giuliani and others are put under oath to testify as to what they knew and when they knew it.
1
Isn't it interesting how we have shifted the responsibility for this mess from Hillary Clinton to James Comey? He was simply doing his job. She obstructed justice with her lies, deceit and dishonesty. Except for token responses, she did nor cooperate with either the Justice Department or the State Department. Put the blame where it belongs, on Hillary Clinton. Stop blaming James Comey for her mess!
9
Colin Powell, Rice, and Rove obstructed justice when they outright refused to hand over their private e-mail accounts where they kept government e-mails. In fact, despite claiming they had deleted everything in violation of the law, the FBI apparently thought it was fine to give them a pass.
Meanwhile, Hillary is the most cooperative of anyone, handing over all work product (not claiming she deleted years of it as Rove and Powell and other Republicans did). But since Comey's job, like Ken Starr's, was to find something to attack her with, and he was frustrated he couldn't, he smeared her not once, but twice. All while giving Republicans a pass for doing far, far worse.
Interesting how trolls on here think that we should overlook that crime. This is America - the country that held Watergate hearings to learn of the crimes of a sitting President elected by the largest margin in recent history. Our country "blamed" Nixon and his men for their crimes and cover up.
You'd almost think the trolls are Russian, since in Russia, once the candidate wins, he is above the law and can jail or apparently even kill his enemies with impunity. And blame his enemies as he does it.
Meanwhile, Hillary is the most cooperative of anyone, handing over all work product (not claiming she deleted years of it as Rove and Powell and other Republicans did). But since Comey's job, like Ken Starr's, was to find something to attack her with, and he was frustrated he couldn't, he smeared her not once, but twice. All while giving Republicans a pass for doing far, far worse.
Interesting how trolls on here think that we should overlook that crime. This is America - the country that held Watergate hearings to learn of the crimes of a sitting President elected by the largest margin in recent history. Our country "blamed" Nixon and his men for their crimes and cover up.
You'd almost think the trolls are Russian, since in Russia, once the candidate wins, he is above the law and can jail or apparently even kill his enemies with impunity. And blame his enemies as he does it.
While part of that may be true, the question here is not Clinton's culpability, rather whether or not Comey made the Clinton investigation public while suppressing the information about Trump's dealings with Russia in order to influence the election.
A day late and a dollar short, as my mama used to say. Worst case scenario: Comey gets relieved of his post and lands some cushy job at a conservative think tank. I believe the Japanese call this Kabuki.
5
"She was cheated!!"
Shoe. Foot. Other. Not an ounce of sympathy for you.
Signed,
Sanders Supporter
Shoe. Foot. Other. Not an ounce of sympathy for you.
Signed,
Sanders Supporter
8
Since Hillary is a saint, perhaps Weiner's emails should just be released do we all know what was there.
3
The ethically challenged, hateful, hypocritical GOP has been trying for years to get anything to stick on the Clintons. Well, this Swiftboat attack succeeded. They never run on the issues. Just smear campaigns. They got what they wanted, and their hatred is already costing America and the world greatly.
7
So we have a president installed by a foreign power, with collusion from within through the FBI and the Trump campaign and it's ok to just let this go forward?
7
What took so long?
1
Comey gave the world the Trump problem.
5
NOW ??? NOW it is time to look into motivation and and the resultant questionable actions / [dreadful] result ?? How impressively ill-timed.
If Mr Comey really had any personal doubt of his actions, patience and more deliberation then would seem to have been a prudent choice. He could have waited ... it would only have taken 24 - 48 hours to change the election results. Mr. Comey had plenty of time !!
If Mr Comey really had any personal doubt of his actions, patience and more deliberation then would seem to have been a prudent choice. He could have waited ... it would only have taken 24 - 48 hours to change the election results. Mr. Comey had plenty of time !!
2
Be careful what you wish for!! The review of Mr. Comedy's actions will bring the entire e-mail issue back into focus. Hillary and company may not fair as well the third time around. It's Deplorable to keep harping on this when the end result benefits no one.
3
To little, to late.
Dear James,
Fret not. The DOJ inquiry into your Hillary letter is a nothingburger.
In a town where hypocrisy rules, your consistency is a breath of fresh air.
Last July, as we were poised to celebrate our independence from monarchical oppression, you set us straight about the Crooked Queen. "Notwithstanding her crimes," you told us, "she had no intent, no mens rea—no 'mens' at all, in fact—malicious or otherwise."
And on the Sun before the first Tues after the first Mon in Nov, as we were set to exercise said independence via the franchise, you stuck to your guns. Good going!
"As for all that evidence of intent," you told us, "the deleted 33k subpoenaed emails, the BleachBitted illicit server, the endless string of false exculpatory statements, the repeated statements against interest, absolution w/o investigation, aliases & emails & top secrets flying to and fro—wipe them all, like with a cloth."
"Ditto her FBI interview. So what if HC was a Martha-Stewart sitting duck but for her 'I don't recall' functional 5ths & FBI follow-up failures. No biggie."
"And ditto Marina the maid. She was simply a Clinton staffer doing her job—cleaning up the mess. And HC was just another equal-opportunity employer. Marina is entitled to equal access to the same classified docs & SCIFs as the rest of the HC staff. Jim Comey is no Jim Crow."
Thx for your consistency, James… The soon-to-be Prez can learn a thing or two from you.
Cheers,
A fan
Fret not. The DOJ inquiry into your Hillary letter is a nothingburger.
In a town where hypocrisy rules, your consistency is a breath of fresh air.
Last July, as we were poised to celebrate our independence from monarchical oppression, you set us straight about the Crooked Queen. "Notwithstanding her crimes," you told us, "she had no intent, no mens rea—no 'mens' at all, in fact—malicious or otherwise."
And on the Sun before the first Tues after the first Mon in Nov, as we were set to exercise said independence via the franchise, you stuck to your guns. Good going!
"As for all that evidence of intent," you told us, "the deleted 33k subpoenaed emails, the BleachBitted illicit server, the endless string of false exculpatory statements, the repeated statements against interest, absolution w/o investigation, aliases & emails & top secrets flying to and fro—wipe them all, like with a cloth."
"Ditto her FBI interview. So what if HC was a Martha-Stewart sitting duck but for her 'I don't recall' functional 5ths & FBI follow-up failures. No biggie."
"And ditto Marina the maid. She was simply a Clinton staffer doing her job—cleaning up the mess. And HC was just another equal-opportunity employer. Marina is entitled to equal access to the same classified docs & SCIFs as the rest of the HC staff. Jim Comey is no Jim Crow."
Thx for your consistency, James… The soon-to-be Prez can learn a thing or two from you.
Cheers,
A fan
5
He won, so it was worth it. Maybe Comey will lose his job, but Trump won't. And when we pull off another stunt like this in 2020 with our hand picked replacement, we'll get away with it again. And we'll keep doing it until you find a way to stop us. Good luck with that, now that you control NOTHING and we control EVERYTHING.
The courts are ours too, so it's all legal.
The courts are ours too, so it's all legal.
It is odd that this comes out AFTER the Electoral College was certified.
Would a Senator have stepped up to question the results if this investigation been announced two weeks ago ?
Would a Senator have stepped up to question the results if this investigation been announced two weeks ago ?
3
Trump has made himself a spectacle. But the white bread bland mike pence is every bit as dangerous as trump, hiding in that blandness. It's time to put as much attention on him as trump, as the unvetted unknown who could take trump's place who is as machivellian as he is ignorant and stupid, blinded and exploitive of religious extremes to do his dirty work to serve bigoted, cruel goals crammed down on anyone he can get the upper hand of.
NYT: Do your work and consider what might happen if trump is defeated.
NYT: Do your work and consider what might happen if trump is defeated.
11
This was a travesty and unequaled in modern times. Why is he still head of the FBI? Whether this caused HRC to lose will remain an unknown but we can safely assume it had an influence. There were many reasons HRC lost including mistakes made by the Democratic Party, but this is above and beyond what our system should tolerate. There was no smoking gun and it was clearly known by the FBI, but they went ahead anyway with the story.
81
We have become a banana republic. The way Trump ran his campaign and the way the FBI helped him along paved way for his administration, which completes the process of turning the nation into Banana Republic of America.
5
Trump won. Story over. Sad. Now watch the power grab.
Comey's handling of Hillary's illegal server and the cover-up surrounding it was a net POSITIVE for her campaign. Many people here do not seem to recognize how fortunate she was in NOT getting indicted. Julian Assange did exactly what he had announced by releasing fully-accurate, insider information donated to his organization in weekly installments during the month prior to the election. When he did something similar to Busch it was widely lauded and not criticized. Any Hillary supporter who has read the seriously damaging emails, not the pseudo-damaging ones, will likely find Comey's actions very reasonable.
2
For Mr. Trump, it's a good thing there was no other known reason not to vote for him, before Mr. Comey's announcement came along.
If one believed the cooked polls, I would agree. But in the light of day with the curtain pulled back, not even the five states hacked by Homeland Security and tossed to Hillary could save her.
1
For the many here who seem to believe that HRC's pish-poshing around with classified information was innocuous, you might want to read the following article from the rabid right-wing press:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/5/28/1532113/-Who-Gets-Prosecuted-for...
It's a good article, surpisingly so for The Daily Kos. You might want to note recent cases where the perp had the misfortune of not belonging to the Brahmin political caste. No big deal really, they didn't go to prison, just pled guilty and paid fines. But it's still a criminal record for them. Why for them and not for HRC?
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/5/28/1532113/-Who-Gets-Prosecuted-for...
It's a good article, surpisingly so for The Daily Kos. You might want to note recent cases where the perp had the misfortune of not belonging to the Brahmin political caste. No big deal really, they didn't go to prison, just pled guilty and paid fines. But it's still a criminal record for them. Why for them and not for HRC?
What a shameful thing happened! I saw Comey when it took place and I knew it!
What a tragedy when a man single handed destroyed one candidate.
I would do to him what they would wanted to do to Hillary.
" Luck him up"
What a tragedy when a man single handed destroyed one candidate.
I would do to him what they would wanted to do to Hillary.
" Luck him up"
2
" Lock him up " And throw away the key.
4
The Clintons ran a feckless campaign starting in the primary against Bernie. HRC was never going to win the general despite the propaganda spread here and elsewhere. She was a deeply flawed candidate and deservedly lost in the end. Time to move on folks and leave Comey alone.
2
Class! CLASS! You're missing the point. The Inspector General has no intention of re-litigating any of your political issues or determining any influence the FBI actions may have had. He intends to examine YOUR FBI, its director, and its agents to determine if there were actions taken against protocol, such ask speaking, leaking, and tweaking. The Inspector General's investigation is to protect the American people, their constitution and democracy.
2
It not against the law to break protocol. Protocol isn't law. If the attorney general thinks the FBI director broke protocol, she could fire him, but not indict him.
2
Oh swell. We get a rigged election. We get a sociopath for a president who will set this country back at least a generation. And we get faux justice in form of an investigation into the self evident FBI manipulation of the outcome of the presidential election. Talk about rule of law! Why, we must be a pretty darn Great Country, gosh darn it!
6
Historians will not be kind to Comey for aiding and assisting a corrupt, narcissistic, disturbed person to be President.
Trump's presidency will be forever tainted, so is Mr.Comey's name
Trump's presidency will be forever tainted, so is Mr.Comey's name
18
He failed to serve his country well, everything he had accomplished before this and everything afterwards will be tainted by this political subterfuge.
7
It is probably pointless to insist on a probe of possible Comey contacts with the Trump campaign since Sessions will shut it all down as soon as he can. Obama was naive to appoint Comey in the first place-he should have known that a hand extended to Republicans in a bipartisan spirit will be bitten.
10
How many days are left to carry out this investigation before the Trump administration begins? Isn't it likely that Trump's new Attorney General will stop the investigation -- and fire Comey?
4
'The inspector general, Michael E. Horowitz, will review actions Mr. Comey took that Mrs. Clinton and many of her supporters believe cost her the election.'?
Seeing how Trump continues to angrily defend his "huge victory" from all hint of taint and other asterisk-inducing scandals with everything from outright lies to bright shiny news stories about nothing, I expect Trump to replace Inspector General Horowitz very quickly and this whole investigation to be quietly buried in some handy Washington swamp...
Seeing how Trump continues to angrily defend his "huge victory" from all hint of taint and other asterisk-inducing scandals with everything from outright lies to bright shiny news stories about nothing, I expect Trump to replace Inspector General Horowitz very quickly and this whole investigation to be quietly buried in some handy Washington swamp...
5
Comey, Putin, and Assange - a trifecta that sucker punched Hillary.
10
Time to move on. This is a dead horse.
Yes. Michael. A dead horse.
A bloated, reeking, pestilent, rotting infectious, equine corpse.
A bloated, reeking, pestilent, rotting infectious, equine corpse.
1
No good deed goes unpunished. President Obama appointed Comey to head the FBI, in the spirit of bipartisanship, knowing Comey was a Republican, and that Comey had tried to prosecute Clinton for Whitewater years earlier.
I wonder if Obama regrets this now.
Guess the old folk story about picking up the snake and getting bit applies here. Obama should have remembered the ending, where the snake says "You should have known what I was when you picked me up".
Trump is not making that mistake. His picks for the most powerful cabinet positions are all Republicans and cronies. Democrats should learn the lesson well for next time.
I wonder if Obama regrets this now.
Guess the old folk story about picking up the snake and getting bit applies here. Obama should have remembered the ending, where the snake says "You should have known what I was when you picked me up".
Trump is not making that mistake. His picks for the most powerful cabinet positions are all Republicans and cronies. Democrats should learn the lesson well for next time.
108
Completely disagree. Cronyism is what got this country to the extreme state of divisiveness between parties, which has sadly trickled down to every Main Street throughout the country. I applaud Obama's gesture to work together with Republicans. Any of them who took advantage of this commendable and gracious gesture is the one in the wrong, not Obama. Uniting, working together to overcome differences, finding common ground is what is at the root of this once great country. We desperately need it back.
LOL, juanita, talk about snakes...
Well said, but it also raises a more immediate question: are we talking here about James Comey, or are we discussing the buyers' remorse many are now feeling about having voted for Donald Trump?
Comey is nearly as duplicitous and double dealing as McConnell. How either man can openly contradict themselves with a straight face is beyond me.
9
Is there no end to this madness? This is like the guy who has received his last eviction notice and will soon be out on the street so he decides to trash the apartment he's lived in for the last eight years. Good bye and good riddance.
2
Trump tried to make himself sound super-sophisticated about avoiding spying while he has been in Moscow, but, remember that this is the same sophisticate that got caught with an open mike on his lapel in that Hollywood bus!!
11
The horse is out of the barn.
So it seems if the FBI gets new information they must keep it quiet until after the election?
2
Comey didn't hack the voting machines so it is OK.
Comey should be dismissed, and the inauguration POSTPONED. This is critical. Obama should request the Congress to join with him and finalize the investigations regarding Hilary and Trump. You cannot wait until Trump presides or there will be chaos. [email protected]
3
She LOST.
It doesn't matter if if was stolen, or if there was cheating. It doesn't matter. She lost and there is no remedy.
Trump knew this and now he is YOUR king. Get over it. Don't be rude.
It doesn't matter if if was stolen, or if there was cheating. It doesn't matter. She lost and there is no remedy.
Trump knew this and now he is YOUR king. Get over it. Don't be rude.
1
WRONG ... so we the people make the remedy!!!
1
I agree, she did lose. But I'm not going to "get over" the fact that Trump is president. I don't care that a "Republican" was elected president (and I use that term loosely for Trump, as I think he would go whichever way the wind blew as long as it benefitted him), or that a man was elected president, or that someone I didn't vote for was elected president. I care that a narcissistic egomaniac with the temperament of a toddler, a shocking lack of filters, and a seeming inability to be coolheaded, diplomatic, and reasonable in a position that requires those traits will soon assume the highest office in the land. If the FBI director helped, in even the smallest of ways, to undermine Trump's political opponent in the days leading up to the election, then his actions should be investigated, despite the fact that the hour is no doubt a late one.
These are unprecedented times, and it does matter if the election was stolen or if there was cheating. Just like Trump's inauguration will go forward next week, so should the queries into this matter. As for your comment about being "rude" - allow me to remind you that Trump was rude, often appalling so, throughout his entire campaign, and Mitch McConnell and company were no better for the past 8 years. Why are they not held to any kind of standards, but the rest of us are? And for God's sake, Trump's nobody's king. But he thinks he is, and that's the - dare I say it - huge problem we're all facing.
These are unprecedented times, and it does matter if the election was stolen or if there was cheating. Just like Trump's inauguration will go forward next week, so should the queries into this matter. As for your comment about being "rude" - allow me to remind you that Trump was rude, often appalling so, throughout his entire campaign, and Mitch McConnell and company were no better for the past 8 years. Why are they not held to any kind of standards, but the rest of us are? And for God's sake, Trump's nobody's king. But he thinks he is, and that's the - dare I say it - huge problem we're all facing.
2
Comey is a traitor to the democratic process. His meddling, combined with Russia's (still no word yet on whether the two were coordinated), with support from the right wing fake news machine, cost Clinton the electoral college. All three should be held to account for their anti-democratic, and anti-American, actions.
10
If nothing was done immediately after the election, which should have been since it was outright Collusion, nothing will be done now. This is just a sideshow pretending to have teeth.
5
Let's continue the blame game and witch hunt. Maybe Comney should resign to get out of the cesspool we call Washington. Trump was right about one thing; it is a swamp; like Jamaica Bay or the East River once was before the EPA.
The Democrats will never admit that they forced into nomination a person who was so elitist that she thought she can get away with anything. She flaunted the law, with her personal e-mail server. They flaunted ethics by rigging the nomination processes.
And through all of this, the so called "party of inclusion" has been playing the sore loser card. They have been blaming everyone, but the 50 or so million people who voted fro Clinton. Never the mind that some of those people voted GOP down ballot. They were so sure Clinton would win, that they were willing to do anything to get her into power. She lost because of her entitlement and elitist attitude. She ran a tottally negative campaign which turned off voters. She wanted to keep the status quo, which was not helping many Americans. And she resorted to name calling; "bucket of deplorables".
Everything with e-mails was secondary, except she never came forward to offer an explanation or apology, but to blame others for her issues.
And the Democrats cannot admit what is in the e-mails and offer their own apology. They just continue to do witch hunts; fine, they just continue to damage themselves in doing so.
Mr. Comney resign; get out of the cesspool.
The Democrats will never admit that they forced into nomination a person who was so elitist that she thought she can get away with anything. She flaunted the law, with her personal e-mail server. They flaunted ethics by rigging the nomination processes.
And through all of this, the so called "party of inclusion" has been playing the sore loser card. They have been blaming everyone, but the 50 or so million people who voted fro Clinton. Never the mind that some of those people voted GOP down ballot. They were so sure Clinton would win, that they were willing to do anything to get her into power. She lost because of her entitlement and elitist attitude. She ran a tottally negative campaign which turned off voters. She wanted to keep the status quo, which was not helping many Americans. And she resorted to name calling; "bucket of deplorables".
Everything with e-mails was secondary, except she never came forward to offer an explanation or apology, but to blame others for her issues.
And the Democrats cannot admit what is in the e-mails and offer their own apology. They just continue to do witch hunts; fine, they just continue to damage themselves in doing so.
Mr. Comney resign; get out of the cesspool.
1
Actually you are wrong. Clinton did apologize for the email server. That is a fact, if you still believe in those or have just done away with them because they are inconvenient to your world view. And your hypocrisy in saying she ran a negative campaign is really galling. Clearly you never watched any of her speeches, rallies, or the convention.
1
Actions by the F.B.I. and Justice department during the campaign could be seen as politically motivated?
Honestly, I fail to comprehend how a rational mind could view them any other way.
Honestly, I fail to comprehend how a rational mind could view them any other way.
12
This is so laughable. Now they are going to investigate the investigation.
2
Who watches the watchers?
It would be interesting to hear from someone who wasn’t going to vote for Trump but then did after Comey’s intervention.
4
Why don't they also investigate Bill Clinton's improper bullying of the Attorney General for 50 minutes by boarding her plane.
1
FBI has lost all credibility. Putin puppet Donald Trump cares more about his business than our country and will prove to be a bigger crook than Dick Nixon and his Watergate breakin. Eventually we will find out what the Russians had on Trump and the stink will surround these coconspirators in the so-called intelligence community.
12
Inspector Generals are presidential appointments and traditionally do not have to resign when a new POTUS takes over, but no law says they cannot be kicked out by the new President. Regan did it but retracted after loud objections. Just how long does one think Mr. Horowitz will be on board to conduct the investigation after Trump takes over.
2
Imagine you're the FBI chief. A few days before the election you discover that Clinton's chief of staff lied to you when she said she had given you all the data she had concerning the Clinton emails investigation. Agents found hundreds of thousands of "Clinton emails" on another computer in her house as a result of a separate investigation of her husband. Would there be a suspicion that this data was hidden from investigators? Obviously. Could it contain compromising information? Perhaps, and a review would take some time. Lying to a federal officer is an offense with actual jail time. He was supposed to sit on this information until after the election?
4
Imagine you're the FBI chief. You have gone over Hillary Clinton's e-mails with a fine tooth comb and the ONLY thing that is at all an issue is that there were a handful of "little c" classified e-mails among tens of thousands. When you do an extremely cursory look at other state department officials' personal e-mails, you find that Colin Powell, Rice, and pretty much every Republican staffer had some of those e-mails on private servers at AOL, gmail, the RNC, etc. You also learn that Powell advised Hillary not to put her e-mails on the state department server. But when you have a chance to examine Powell's or Rove's or Rice's e-mails, you refuse to issue a subpoena and just ask them for permission. They all say "Nope" and since they are Republicans, you say "no problem, I'm shutting down the investigation of all of you anyway. I'm not here to find any evidence to exonerate Hillary and we all know if you have hundreds of classified e-mails while she just has a few, it will look bad that I am attacking her and giving you a pass."
Imagine that? Actually, you don't have to imagine since that was exactly what Comey did. Shut down any investigation into whether Republicans had 1000 times more classified emails on private AOL servers. I guess he didn't want to know -- apparently the lies that national security issues were at stake because of them were just that -- lies.
Imagine that? Actually, you don't have to imagine since that was exactly what Comey did. Shut down any investigation into whether Republicans had 1000 times more classified emails on private AOL servers. I guess he didn't want to know -- apparently the lies that national security issues were at stake because of them were just that -- lies.
4
And yet, we have all this explosive stuff about Trump & Putin and the election right now, and yet somehow, despite all these questions, which could most likely be answered by looking at the tax returns, the donald stomps angrily towards inauguration. This is like a train wreck which no one is trying to stop. And byw, the majority of Americans voted against the donald, which does not mean that some who were on the fence weren't influenced by Comey's letters.
2
That's the whole point. There was no information.
In fact during the weekend when the computer was, gasp, discovered, the FBI scurried around trying to get an actual warrant.
Had a review of all the data on the computer revealed that crimes had been committed, then a letter to Congress might have made some sense. But no investigation was completed. No conclusions reached.
In short, Comey openly contradicted the policy which he claimed to be following the other day when he incredibly said that he couldn't comment in an open forum on an investigation that was currently underway. Yet he could send a letter to Congress 11 days before an election? A letter which for many would have simply validated the Trump stump speech ranting about Clinton's email server.
Obama should have never permitted it, and forced the Director's resignation if he had insisted on sending the letter. End of story.
Except the story of the Trump presidency has only just begun. Believe me.
In fact during the weekend when the computer was, gasp, discovered, the FBI scurried around trying to get an actual warrant.
Had a review of all the data on the computer revealed that crimes had been committed, then a letter to Congress might have made some sense. But no investigation was completed. No conclusions reached.
In short, Comey openly contradicted the policy which he claimed to be following the other day when he incredibly said that he couldn't comment in an open forum on an investigation that was currently underway. Yet he could send a letter to Congress 11 days before an election? A letter which for many would have simply validated the Trump stump speech ranting about Clinton's email server.
Obama should have never permitted it, and forced the Director's resignation if he had insisted on sending the letter. End of story.
Except the story of the Trump presidency has only just begun. Believe me.
2
The FBI consists of stupid and bigoted white males of a certain heritage. They don't want women or blacks telling them what to do. I was shocked when I first worked with the FBI agents because I loved the Elliott Ness shows on tv. OK not the same, but if thought federal agents were smart. I was wrong. They, like Comey, will not take orders from women or blacks. I dealt with the feds a couple of times a year for decades, bank robberies, car jackings, etc., and they were consistently bad. I had to rework every one of their cases that rookie atlanta cops routinely handled with great work when they got them. The secret service is even worse.
7
This stupid white male finds the irony of posts like this in articles pertaining to Trump's political ascendancy rather entertaining to read.
I watch President Obama and I watch President Elect Trump and I weep for America.
22
How can such a tainted election be allowed to stand? If Comey's moves were anything but political, the timing of his statements to the public is the coincidence of a lifetime. Between this and the Russian hacking, the American people deserve a do-over.
12
But Hillary won the popular vote so none of it had any impact, did it?
DO OVER!!! And until then he's not b our president.
A Do Over would help to dispel the doubts about Trump's legitimacy. And just think, he could campaign all over again. If he really won fair & square, BIGLY IN A LANDSLIDE AS HE SAYS, he has nothing to worry about because he'll win again.
DO OVER - start screaming this from the rooftops.
A Do Over would help to dispel the doubts about Trump's legitimacy. And just think, he could campaign all over again. If he really won fair & square, BIGLY IN A LANDSLIDE AS HE SAYS, he has nothing to worry about because he'll win again.
DO OVER - start screaming this from the rooftops.
1
Hillary Clinton goes to DC for a ceremonial reason and twists arms to waste taxpayer dollars for an investigation into why an honorable man did his job in a way that displeased her.
She and her so-called surrogates are perfectly willing to demoralize the FBI at time when FBI is the only thing standing between citizens and a terrorist succeeding in hurting them. But hey, this is how the Clintons roll and this is why they lost.
She and her so-called surrogates are perfectly willing to demoralize the FBI at time when FBI is the only thing standing between citizens and a terrorist succeeding in hurting them. But hey, this is how the Clintons roll and this is why they lost.
1
Honorable man?
The FBI gave Rudy Giuliani -- who was a top advisor to the Trump campaign -- confidential information about an investigation. They were COLLUDING with Giuliani and the Trump campaign for weeks.
Giuliani went on national television and TOLD America that he knew! That the FBI had told him! And Comey helped Giuliani by issuing a letter implying he had new evidence of corruption when he had no such thing.
The FBI gave Rudy Giuliani -- who was a top advisor to the Trump campaign -- confidential information about an investigation. They were COLLUDING with Giuliani and the Trump campaign for weeks.
Giuliani went on national television and TOLD America that he knew! That the FBI had told him! And Comey helped Giuliani by issuing a letter implying he had new evidence of corruption when he had no such thing.
2
The only one else demoralizing the FBI is the Orange One!
1
Eliminate the Electoral College and outlaw gerrymandering and James Comey's interference would have been inconsequential.
10
Even the Russians couldn't make that happen.
At this point, why would a new system of government in the U.S. be so bad?
As part of Mr. Horowitz's investigation into Mr. Comey's conduct, he should also look into The AG's "ethical lapse". A clandestine meeting with the subject of a DOJ investigation who just happened to be the spouse of a subject of another Federal investigation violated legal ethics even if the meeting was to discuss golf or grandchildren. As a graduate of an Ivy League law school, Lynch was woefully ignorant about "the appearance of impropriety".
After being exposed, AG Lynch had no choice but to recuse herself. She took the only way out and let Mr. Comey run the show.
The timing of this "investigation" raises serious questions about its efficacy
After being exposed, AG Lynch had no choice but to recuse herself. She took the only way out and let Mr. Comey run the show.
The timing of this "investigation" raises serious questions about its efficacy
The public deserves to learn the results of this investigation.
5
There have been suggestions that Hillary was not selected by the electoral college simply because she is a woman. If this is in fact the reason, our country is fast becoming a banana republic, much like the one shown by Woody Allen's film "Bananas".
3
Director Comey's claim before Congress that no reasonable prosecutor would bring charges should also be investigated ..especially after he had outlined five reason any reasonablr pepson is would prosecute.
3
Exactly and you support prosecuting Trump's National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, too. In his case, he not only mishandled classified information, but LEAKED it! Funny how the FBI didn't care. I guess prosecuting a Republican is NOT reasonable ever. That's why we will ask Comey why he shut down the investigation into Rice, Powell, and Rove's e-mails as soon as he learned there was classified material on them.
And now Jason Chafetz is intimating that the ethics committee can expect trouble if it pursues these investigations... We've come back to a Nixonian universe of backroom treasonish deals and enemies lists. Before the country once again finds its moral center, we're in for a bumpy time and some very powerful people are going to prison.
5
The Comey letter was the end of the campaign but not the reason for her defeat. The real reason was a staff that was not competent enough to realize they needed the supporters like me who supported Bernie Sanders a whole lot more than they needed the Trump people. That along with the attitude she originally went along with G W Bush in the Iraq and thought she could effect regime change. Ignoring history is the death of any idea.
3
And yet with those flaws and errors, she is still infinitely more qualified and prepared to be president tan the man baby tweeting in Trump tower. Shame on those who could see that but couldn't get past their grudges. They helped to give us a truly dangerous president.
She didn't need you. Hillary won Massachusetts in a landslide. In fact, she won the popular vote by a landslide.
She only needed the uneducated voters who heard Trump, Giuliani and especially James Comey using innuendo and slurs to imply that Hillary Clinton "broke the law" when in fact Comey knew that Powell and Rice had broken that same law but he refused to find out how flagrantly by shutting down any investigation into THEIR e-mail or the e-mails of any Republicans who had kept it on non-government servers. Obviously, Comey knew there was no crime to investigate when he refused to pursue any look at Powell and Rice's private accounts after learning for a fact that both had at least some classified e-mails there. You don't shut down that Powell/Rice/Rove investigation if you truly believe there was any crime in having those classified e-mails.
She only needed the uneducated voters who heard Trump, Giuliani and especially James Comey using innuendo and slurs to imply that Hillary Clinton "broke the law" when in fact Comey knew that Powell and Rice had broken that same law but he refused to find out how flagrantly by shutting down any investigation into THEIR e-mail or the e-mails of any Republicans who had kept it on non-government servers. Obviously, Comey knew there was no crime to investigate when he refused to pursue any look at Powell and Rice's private accounts after learning for a fact that both had at least some classified e-mails there. You don't shut down that Powell/Rice/Rove investigation if you truly believe there was any crime in having those classified e-mails.
1
Besides the point.
Too little, too late. Trump will Trump this investigation. Comey himself should probably be in jail, or at least fired (if that is possible). Comey will go down in history as an Enemy of the People.
13
Funny how the D's thought Comey a god when he didn't indict HRC. Prior to the HRC investigation he was admired by all. Now YOU indict him as an enemy of the people. All this for following his conscience. What a world you levelers hath wrought.
1
"Comey’s Handling of Clinton Email Case to Be Investigated" - is the front page headline, and
"Comey Letter on Clinton Email Is Subject of Justice Dept. Inquiry" - is the header for the story.
I have a real problem with this. The front page headline leads one to believe that Comey didn't fairly investigate Clinton the first time, when in fact, as the actual story says this is not going to be part of the investigation.
Now Trump is pushing this false story this morning.
"Comey Letter on Clinton Email Is Subject of Justice Dept. Inquiry" - is the header for the story.
I have a real problem with this. The front page headline leads one to believe that Comey didn't fairly investigate Clinton the first time, when in fact, as the actual story says this is not going to be part of the investigation.
Now Trump is pushing this false story this morning.
4
If Clinton had used the proper email protocol of ALL State Department employees, we wouldn't be having this conversation. However, the Cliton's consider themselves as elitist's and not subject to the same rules.
1
She did as Colon Powell and Condi Rice did.
You know that don't you?
You know that don't you?
Clinton used the proper e-mail protocol of all REPUBLICAN state department employees. She used the protocol of Rove, Powell and Rice.
With one difference. The Republican's "protocol" was to delete all their work e-mails and entire months of correspondence when the state department was pretending Saddam had WMD are missing. Clinton preserved her work e-mails. There aren't months missing as there are under the Republican state house and no doubt will be allowed when Trump's men take over.
With one difference. The Republican's "protocol" was to delete all their work e-mails and entire months of correspondence when the state department was pretending Saddam had WMD are missing. Clinton preserved her work e-mails. There aren't months missing as there are under the Republican state house and no doubt will be allowed when Trump's men take over.
How Hum... just lkie Colin Powell, Condi Rice, GW BUSH et al. Yah investigate them ALL!!!
Since the Obama is so intent on selectively reviving the issues of the 2016 election, the Republicans should now call for a renewal of the investigation Hillary's emails.
1
Even though he probably should have been, if Comey is forced to resign now, Trump will appoint a rich flunky to fill that position, and we will be stuck with him for 10 years.
2
But comey is clearly a bought and paid for flunky so what's the difference?
If anything tipped the scales in Trump's favor it was the reopening of the investigation into Clinton's emails. However I think she was already done and even the NBC tape of Trump could not turn the tide. The obviously undemocratic measures the DNC took to assure her nomination over Bernie was what closed the deal. This activity on the part of the DNC is a greater threat to Democracy than anything the Russians could have done including fake news.
Hardball politics inside a political party is more threatening to the country than the actions of an enemy to subvert our entire election in their favor? Russia is well positioned now to do even more damage via their pal Trump. Bernie didn't like the ugly politics but even he admits he lost fair and square at the ballot box. I am sure he sees Russia as a bigger threat to the country than DNC politicos.
Thank you, Mr. Horowitz. While investigation will not repair the damage done by Mr. Comey, perhaps it will answer the questions raised by his extraordinarily unprofessional and ill-advised conduct prior to the 2016 election. His rogue behavior, despite receiving contrary advice from his superiors, seemed calculated purely to create damage to Mrs. Clinton and publicity for himself. His fifteen minutes now drags on and on in ways he no doubt never intended but surely deserves.
1
I don't think there's any doubt that James Comey's actions, in the last 11 days of the campaign, influenced the election. It may have given the election to Donald Trump
1
Mr. Comey irrelevant and inappropriate announcement before the election by a couple of days is a politically motivated and a partisan action. I like the Laws and I like when there is an independent organization take a vigorous investigations against those who conducting either wrongdoings or unforgiving crimes.
3
Mr. Comey irrelevant and inappropriate announcement before the election by a couple of days is a politically motivated and a partisan action. I like Laws and I like when there is an independent organization takes a vigorous investigations against those who conducted either wrongdoings or unforgiving crimes.
2
Time, energy, money toward an official pronouncement of wrongdoing that few will have confidence in and many will have scorn for. I would think a salve too late to be worth the price, even to Ms. Clinton. Another governance loss to politics.
1
Trump will fire the inspector general and this mess will finally be over. After all, he's only investigating as an act of political confrontation and to try to keep pressure on the notion that Trump's win was illegitimate. Obama appointed the IG, and a Democrat senate confirmed.
There's an irony in all this for all of us (myself included) who wish Comey to pay a price for his actions: We should watch what we wish for. If he's forced out or resigns, someone appointed by Trump will be even worse.
1
The cat is out the bag. The horse has left that barn. We will never be able to quantify the destruction of Clinton's candidacy by Comey's outbursts. Comey will at worst only be censured for his indiscretion.
To continue on this road just keeps open wounds from healing. Any resolution in Clinton's favor would be meaningless. Stop the inevitable "it's your fault"!
To continue on this road just keeps open wounds from healing. Any resolution in Clinton's favor would be meaningless. Stop the inevitable "it's your fault"!
1
Comey violated the Hatch Act. That gets investigated no matter who wins.
That's why Nixon had to resign. Winning doesn't allow you to break the law, at least until Putin's puppet Trump "re-invents" the US to have a judicial system that models itself after Russia. Prosecute your enemies and allow friends to break the law to enrich themselves.
That's why Nixon had to resign. Winning doesn't allow you to break the law, at least until Putin's puppet Trump "re-invents" the US to have a judicial system that models itself after Russia. Prosecute your enemies and allow friends to break the law to enrich themselves.
DOJ's inspector general should also look at the deleterious pace of the investigation. Given the presidential stakes involved, there was no excuse for the FBI to drag its feet on its "investigation." It took the FBI twelve months to conclude that there was no criminal case against Hillary Clinton. But in the meantime, by allowing her opponents to repeatedly insist that Hillary was under "investigation," much damage was done. Comey should have ensured that the investigation was wrapped up in three months, not twelve. (Likewise, how much longer will it take the IRS to audit Trump's taxes?)
1
Democrats at their hypocritical best: They trash Comey and the FBI while being incredulous that Trump questions the partisan behavior of the CIA.
Aren't Democrats worried about the morale of the poor, hard working souls at the FBI? They sure worry a lot about the morale of the patriots working at the CIA and the effect Trump's tweets have on them. Wonder what effect investigating their director will have on the rank and file at the FBI.
This is all much like when Hillary expressed outrage in the third debate when Trump equivocated about accepting the results of the election. She then joined the recount in Wisconsin, blamed Comey and the FBI for her loss, stood by and watched her followers beg electoral voters not to vote for Trump, and finally tried, and is still trying, to delegitimize Trump's electoral victory with Russian hacking.
Democrats continue to further alienate those they lost the election to. Waiting for blacks and other minorities to breed in sufficient numbers for them to win the presidency may take longer than they think. Besides, most minorities are not fans of duplicity either. Identity politics is the problem: we are Americans period. There are no black Americans here; only American blacks. And the same for all other identity groups. People need to stop glorifying their differences and focus on what we have in common.
My best to all.
Aren't Democrats worried about the morale of the poor, hard working souls at the FBI? They sure worry a lot about the morale of the patriots working at the CIA and the effect Trump's tweets have on them. Wonder what effect investigating their director will have on the rank and file at the FBI.
This is all much like when Hillary expressed outrage in the third debate when Trump equivocated about accepting the results of the election. She then joined the recount in Wisconsin, blamed Comey and the FBI for her loss, stood by and watched her followers beg electoral voters not to vote for Trump, and finally tried, and is still trying, to delegitimize Trump's electoral victory with Russian hacking.
Democrats continue to further alienate those they lost the election to. Waiting for blacks and other minorities to breed in sufficient numbers for them to win the presidency may take longer than they think. Besides, most minorities are not fans of duplicity either. Identity politics is the problem: we are Americans period. There are no black Americans here; only American blacks. And the same for all other identity groups. People need to stop glorifying their differences and focus on what we have in common.
My best to all.
1
So in 18 months, by which time all this is forgotten anyway, the SG will come out with a report concluding that Comey should not have sent the letters until his investigation was complete, but he broke no laws, and there is no evidence that he tried or did in fact interfere with the elections.
Then what?
Then what?
2
Maybe it will prevent another FBI director from doing something similarly stupid in the future. That's good enough for me.
Secret police tamper with elections. Aspirant to strongman position denies this. Separate branch of secret police withholds information about foreign oligarch's involvement in election takeover. "I'd like to punch him in the face," the dictator shouts during rally, referring to dissenting voice in the roiling crowd.
Mrs. Clinton and her Democratic party "leaders" (followers?) cheated Bernie Sanders, who could have beaten Trump. Therefore they cheated the voters and the United States. I do not have any sympathy for Mrs. Clinton and her cronies. I feel sorry for all of the Bernie supporters who believed the primary was fair when it was rigged for Hilary.
I feel sorry for the country. By the way, even Bernie says the votes were not rigged. She beat him at the ballot box fair and square.
There's no doubt that Comey played a pivotal role in derailing Mrs. Clinton. That was clear by the dramatic drop in her poll numbers following his statement. It's both sad and scary that this one man may very well have completely reset the trajectory of this country, as it feels like we're headed for very dark days under this new leadership. He should have resigned, but unfortunately it wouldn't even matter since the damage was done. Once released, there was no way to put that genie back in the bottle. I find myself wondering what he was promised in exchange for his credibility and integrity.
2
Comey was and is in a tough position, I don't envy him. But regarding those emails, he went with the option that he had to know would hurt Hillary Clinton. Keeping his mouth shut during the closing weeks of the election - which would have been what the occasion/history called for - would have been the easier option. As an American citizen, I would like to hear his reasonings.
3
http://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/01/12/eight-days-could-shake-worl...
"...the news media covers every aspect of a momentous political event except the constitutional law that makes it a national crisis."
"President Barack Obama is the one person who could file a “public interest” lawsuit to enjoin Trump from taking office. The key to opening the door for the Supreme Court to confer standing on Obama can be found in the unique responsibility imposed on the Chief Executive by the so-called “Take Care” Clause of the Constitution which requires the president to “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.” This constitutional duty is undertaken by the President on Inauguration Day when he takes the oath set out in Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution:..."
"America cannot be defeated, President Obama said in his last national address, “unless we betray our Constitution and our principles in the fight.” So, please, Mr. President, do not betray our Constitution. As your final act, fulfill your duty to take care that the laws are faithfully executed."
"Paul Savoy is a former prosecutor in the New York County District Attorney's Office and a past dean of the John F. Kennedy University School of Law"
"...the news media covers every aspect of a momentous political event except the constitutional law that makes it a national crisis."
"President Barack Obama is the one person who could file a “public interest” lawsuit to enjoin Trump from taking office. The key to opening the door for the Supreme Court to confer standing on Obama can be found in the unique responsibility imposed on the Chief Executive by the so-called “Take Care” Clause of the Constitution which requires the president to “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.” This constitutional duty is undertaken by the President on Inauguration Day when he takes the oath set out in Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution:..."
"America cannot be defeated, President Obama said in his last national address, “unless we betray our Constitution and our principles in the fight.” So, please, Mr. President, do not betray our Constitution. As your final act, fulfill your duty to take care that the laws are faithfully executed."
"Paul Savoy is a former prosecutor in the New York County District Attorney's Office and a past dean of the John F. Kennedy University School of Law"
If Hillary Clinton had lost every state and every electoral vote in the landslide Donald Trump believes he got, it would still be a legitimate and vital investigation. Its purpose now is to determine if the political views or machinations of any federal employee in the FBI or any pressure applied from outside the agency motivated the last-minute public statements of Dir. Comey. It is also to put the FBI and Justice Department on notice that its duty is to the country and not to any elected official, including the president, or any political party or ideology.
So even in the potential end - Comey leaves or gets fired, rides off into the sunset, but the country gets stuck with Donald Trump for at least four years.
Big price to pay if Comey did interfere to upset the election. Not even inaugurated yet, and look at the chaos and commotion. Not to mention threat to the nation's safety, integrity, and health.
Big price to pay if Comey did interfere to upset the election. Not even inaugurated yet, and look at the chaos and commotion. Not to mention threat to the nation's safety, integrity, and health.
Why did the emails take so long to get to the FBI? They are not just a couple. There are hundreds of thousands and would have never seen them if they hadn't looked on Huma's husband's laptop. Trump would have won regardless. What if Comey had waited until after the election when all the Clinton folks were touting the popular vote? There hasn't been one study that shows how this information would have changed the election. The only person that lost the election for hre was herself. Even on the day before the election the news agencies were touting how she would have a landslide victory and carry with her bothe the House and Senate. They were also claiming the early voting would carry her. No one can claim the house and Senate went to the republicans because of the letters Comey wrote. Even one of her own staff was warning that she needed to pay more attention to the middle america and especially Michigan. She thought they were a lock for her and brushed them off. In the end, she lost an election that should have been in the bag for the democrats to a reality show host who practically handed it to them with all his campaign words and antics, and none of the unsubstantiated trash or Comey letters will change that
There have been studies that show it. There have been studies that 60% of voters think Hillary broke the law.
The person who broke the law is Comey - he decided the Hatch Act was something he was too powerful to have to follow.
During Watergate, crimes to influence the election were investigated. It doesn't matter how bad the other candidate was. It didn't matter that Nixon won by the largest margin in history. That's how America works.
Only Russian trolls say "don't investigate crimes by the winning candidate". That's what they do in Russia. Not America. If Comey wants to run the FBI of Russia, I'm sure he'd be great at it. But not here.
The person who broke the law is Comey - he decided the Hatch Act was something he was too powerful to have to follow.
During Watergate, crimes to influence the election were investigated. It doesn't matter how bad the other candidate was. It didn't matter that Nixon won by the largest margin in history. That's how America works.
Only Russian trolls say "don't investigate crimes by the winning candidate". That's what they do in Russia. Not America. If Comey wants to run the FBI of Russia, I'm sure he'd be great at it. But not here.
This would not have been as grave an issue if we in America voted on party platforms and not candidates.
It would then be far easier to have a party reject and accept a leader. With Hillary being damaged the Democrats could have put someone else in her place - maybe Sanders.
It is therefore doubtful we would be dealing with a Trump presidency right now. After all, he had no platform but narcissism.
It would then be far easier to have a party reject and accept a leader. With Hillary being damaged the Democrats could have put someone else in her place - maybe Sanders.
It is therefore doubtful we would be dealing with a Trump presidency right now. After all, he had no platform but narcissism.
1
Dudley Do-Right was a dim-witted, but conscientious and cheerful Canadian Mountie who frequently was seen mounted backwards on his horse. Comey has absolutely zero political sense. His self image of integrity cost Hillary the election. He was warned by the Justice Department not to release a statement on the ongoing investigation on Weiner's server, so close to election day, because anyone with the slightest iota of sense would realize the impact it could have. He ignored it. When the investigation was put on super charge to wrap up, it revealed nothing was there. I can no longer look at his face but to think of the naive boy scout he is. Trump, Putin and Comey will be linked forever in the history books.
One COULD argue either side: that Comey was deliberately trying to undermine Clinton's candidacy or that he felt it was his solemn duty to inform Congress of the extension of the investigation into her emails--an extension that turned out to be utterly lame.
However, when one also considers Comey's total silence on an investigation into Trump's ties to the Kremlin--ties that could render him vulnerable to blackmail and other forms of exertion--is there more than one possible conclusion to an unbiased, objective investigation of Comey?
My only questions is "Will the American people get that unbiased, objective investigation?"
However, when one also considers Comey's total silence on an investigation into Trump's ties to the Kremlin--ties that could render him vulnerable to blackmail and other forms of exertion--is there more than one possible conclusion to an unbiased, objective investigation of Comey?
My only questions is "Will the American people get that unbiased, objective investigation?"
It is impossible to scientifically determine if Mr. Comey's actions directly caused Hillary Clinton's loss. It is also intellectually dishonest to insist that they had absolutely no effect. Mr. Comey needs to resign in order to begin the process of restoring fifty percent of the country's confidence in the FBI. His personal needs, reputation and feelings are all secondary to the needs of the country.
2
He does not "need to resign". He needs to be investigated and put under oath, along with all the FBI staffers who conspired with Rudy Giuliani -- as Giuliani himself has acknowledged on national tv that he knew this was coming.
Giuliani under oath. Comey under oath. Everyone in the FBI NYC office under oath. Who will be the John Dean with some ethics left?
Giuliani under oath. Comey under oath. Everyone in the FBI NYC office under oath. Who will be the John Dean with some ethics left?
Maybe too much to hope for, but I hope it is a truly fair and impartial investigation that follows only one trail--where the evidence leads. Some of those trails will be dead ends, some will create surprises, some will produce what each side (or various sides) expect, but if we get it all in the open and can say that a truly impartial investigation produced these verifiable facts, this timeline, proved these allegations, disproved these allegations and after all investigative techniques and leads have been pursued cannot conclude the truth or falsity of these allegations--and based on this makes solid recommendations for turue improvements--it will be worthwhile.
The Federal Records Act requires agencies hold onto official communications, including all work-related emails, and government employees cannot destroy or remove relevant records. And Section 1924 of Title 18 has to do with deletion and retention of classified documents. "Knowingly" removing or housing classified information at an "unauthorized location" is subject to a fine or a year in prison (NPR).
Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell used their personal computers for work. Colin Powell is on record for not retaining all of his emails. Where were the email police then?
The laws that reinforced how email was to be handled and what computer to use was reinforced (code for made specific to prepare for a witch hunt) in 2014, a year after Clinton's departure as Secretary. In April 2015, Clinton announces her bid for President. In April 2015, suddenly the Republican's decide there's an email scandal. This was clearly a partisan set-up and attack against the next President to be Elect, Secretary Clinton.
A year later, Comey determines there's no reason to indict Clinton. Was Comey under fire from the Republicans because he provided the wrong answer? Is that why he made the attack against Clinton?
In July 2016 trump invites Russia to find/release Clinton emails. In August 2016 Paul Manafort retires after his ties to Russia are public. And the FBI knew about it and didn't do anything? I guest that was the right answer to the Republicans, then.
Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell used their personal computers for work. Colin Powell is on record for not retaining all of his emails. Where were the email police then?
The laws that reinforced how email was to be handled and what computer to use was reinforced (code for made specific to prepare for a witch hunt) in 2014, a year after Clinton's departure as Secretary. In April 2015, Clinton announces her bid for President. In April 2015, suddenly the Republican's decide there's an email scandal. This was clearly a partisan set-up and attack against the next President to be Elect, Secretary Clinton.
A year later, Comey determines there's no reason to indict Clinton. Was Comey under fire from the Republicans because he provided the wrong answer? Is that why he made the attack against Clinton?
In July 2016 trump invites Russia to find/release Clinton emails. In August 2016 Paul Manafort retires after his ties to Russia are public. And the FBI knew about it and didn't do anything? I guest that was the right answer to the Republicans, then.
2
Comey had the chance to subpoena Powell's AOL account to see all those missing e-mails. He refused to do so. Even though he had - in his investigation of Hillary -- learned that classified e-mails had been sent to it. Same with every top ranking Republican who Comey learned had classified e-mails on their private accounts. He immediately shut down the investigations into them. And then he had the chutzpah to re-open it for Hillary 11 days before the election with no evidence whatsoever of any crime but he sends a letter implying there is?
The man needs to be put under oath.
The man needs to be put under oath.
My children, my grandchildren and my great grandchildren and everyone one on earth's children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will pay for the damage done by one man in the midst of a critical election. James Comey must suffer the loss of reputation and freedom. His letter has stole democracy and it put a madman in the White House. No punishment, no shame will be enough.
I learned during the Nixon era that the Republican party cared for no one but themselves. Nixon was willing to sacrifice tens of thousands of my generation to get the Presidency. Today's Republican Party has proved it is willing to sacrifice the world for power.
I learned during the Nixon era that the Republican party cared for no one but themselves. Nixon was willing to sacrifice tens of thousands of my generation to get the Presidency. Today's Republican Party has proved it is willing to sacrifice the world for power.
1
"has stole democracy"? Hope you're not the English teacher for all those begats.
Yup, the supreme leader of the nations police that serve those with money that shipped the jobs out of the country contributed to electing a billionaire who supports jobs outside the country and nominated a bunch of rich people to help him run the oligarchy we will have in which the poor unemployed have their votes and hopes.
Yeah, we sure need better education in America, apparently for the Whites who claim to own the country and want to deport the hard working immigrants that pick the harvest that feeds them. Not only are they dumb, but they are going to be hungry because food is going to get real expensive.
Yup, even Goldman Sacks, America will be back in power with control over the White House and a direct link back to Wall Street, home of the Oligarchy that sends workers pension money overseas to build new factories that take those workers jobs.
I wonder what Director Comey thinks of himself after throwing the election just before election day so the bad news about Clinton would be fresh in the voters mind and vote for Trump? Is he happy now that the rich bought the government and do anything they want with impunity with crime inc running the country?
Yeah, this is a Capitalist country alright, especially for the rich that don't need more money and destroy our economy to save a few bucks.
When the law of the land helps the lawless moral less leaders win power, we all lose. Except the law of the land that is reinforced to head off impending violence. Thanks Comey.
Yeah, we sure need better education in America, apparently for the Whites who claim to own the country and want to deport the hard working immigrants that pick the harvest that feeds them. Not only are they dumb, but they are going to be hungry because food is going to get real expensive.
Yup, even Goldman Sacks, America will be back in power with control over the White House and a direct link back to Wall Street, home of the Oligarchy that sends workers pension money overseas to build new factories that take those workers jobs.
I wonder what Director Comey thinks of himself after throwing the election just before election day so the bad news about Clinton would be fresh in the voters mind and vote for Trump? Is he happy now that the rich bought the government and do anything they want with impunity with crime inc running the country?
Yeah, this is a Capitalist country alright, especially for the rich that don't need more money and destroy our economy to save a few bucks.
When the law of the land helps the lawless moral less leaders win power, we all lose. Except the law of the land that is reinforced to head off impending violence. Thanks Comey.
1
These 1825 comments, so far, dissect this catastrophe every which way from Sunday, but one underlying question remains. How can all this be made right? No good answer to that question is popping up. A start would be for the public's only real firewall to institutional disarray, the press, to step up and aggressively cover this future president in an unprecedented manner - as is dictated. It certainly will require a suspension of business as usual, which has not yet emerged, but maybe if Trump continues his wanton disregard for the press, as he did in his so-called press conference Wednesday, it will inspire enough outrage that the news media just might momentarily set aside its horse race for ratings and scoops to remember their actual role is to look out for me and you.
2
In 1973 and 1974 the Senate held Watergate hearings. The people who tried to thwart democracy to elect a President were put under oath and their crimes revealed for the public to see.
With what happened with the DNC and Debbie Wasserman Shultz being ousted by Democrats because of suspicion of favoring Hilary Clinton over Bernie Sanders. I strongly believe that with the election and the outcome that maybe indirectly James B. Comey may have decided that if Donald Trump was gong to win anyway then someone from the Intelligence Community had to step up. To say one way or the other that without the Media it would have came out that the Russians did influence the election. This is what the Department of Justice of the Office of Inspector General needs to investigate. Now that President-elect Donald Trump did not win the popular vote. This may change not only the electoral college but also the Intelligence Agencies. And bring about a Constitutional Convention. Just check and see how the Democrats and Republicans support President Donald Trump once in office.
Good, he should be investigated. The damage he has done to this country is incalculable. We are now stuck with the mess of Donald Trump, someone who really should have been investigated along with his tax returns and global conflicts of interests. The fact that Mr. Comey is a former registered Republican could also be seen as a motive for his abuse of power with Hillarly Clinton and her campaign. He owes her and this country a huge apology and at the very least resignation for his abuse of power is indicated, no matter the circumstances. The idea that other FBI agents put pressure on him to release his damaging letter does not hold water, the bottom line is, he held the power and he abused it. For the sake of this country, I hope it all comes out including the Russian hacking but this should not take away from the crime that Comey committed.
1
I wish it had been made much more clear in the press coverage that Mr. Comey was heavily involved in the White Water investigation, and while no charges were ever brought, he made public his own opinion that Mrs. Clinton had been dishonest and possessed bad character, So his amazing press, conference to which the American public was treated during the last Presidential election was truly an encore performance of Mr. Comey's unethical behavior.
When an investigation ends up recommending no charges to a prosecutor (in this case Ms. Lynch) it is irresponsible at best and possibly criminal for the investigator to sling mud, for the "defendent" (who is infact not being indited) has no practical means of rebutting this kind of reprehensible, one-sided slander. I hope that now, we can all say goodby and good riddance to Mr, Comey, just as we are also saying goodby to our embrionic universal health care system and to a sane governmental approach to global warming.
When an investigation ends up recommending no charges to a prosecutor (in this case Ms. Lynch) it is irresponsible at best and possibly criminal for the investigator to sling mud, for the "defendent" (who is infact not being indited) has no practical means of rebutting this kind of reprehensible, one-sided slander. I hope that now, we can all say goodby and good riddance to Mr, Comey, just as we are also saying goodby to our embrionic universal health care system and to a sane governmental approach to global warming.
1
When first hearing of the Comey findings days before the election, my heart dropped. First thing that came to mind was the GOP will do anything to prevent Hillary Clinton from becoming the first female President of the United States of America.
That's why they let Donald Trump,who in my opinion is no where near a conservative, much less a Republican, represent their party.
They saw someone who was going to win at all costs.
They also saw he was uninformed and unqualified. He, Donald Trump was the Republican's patsy.
When he revamped his campaign strategy, brought in a new campaign manager the tides were changing. Clinton didn't see it coming.
So now we have a big mess in America. The big cry baby's of the GOP,
who resisted Obama at every turn, can ultimately have their cake and eat it too.
Donald Trump could care less about the American people. He lives a sheltered life in a gilded cage surrounded by wealth and fame. He sees himself as bigger than the presidency and is every bit a narcissist.
How did we let this happen? Fear. People feared there was something lurking in cyberspace that was going to destroy us.
The truth of the matter is that the jokes on us. America elected what they feared most a crook and a liar.
Stay tuned.
A.L.
That's why they let Donald Trump,who in my opinion is no where near a conservative, much less a Republican, represent their party.
They saw someone who was going to win at all costs.
They also saw he was uninformed and unqualified. He, Donald Trump was the Republican's patsy.
When he revamped his campaign strategy, brought in a new campaign manager the tides were changing. Clinton didn't see it coming.
So now we have a big mess in America. The big cry baby's of the GOP,
who resisted Obama at every turn, can ultimately have their cake and eat it too.
Donald Trump could care less about the American people. He lives a sheltered life in a gilded cage surrounded by wealth and fame. He sees himself as bigger than the presidency and is every bit a narcissist.
How did we let this happen? Fear. People feared there was something lurking in cyberspace that was going to destroy us.
The truth of the matter is that the jokes on us. America elected what they feared most a crook and a liar.
Stay tuned.
A.L.
1
Clinton's case would not have been made public if it were investigated by a grand jury. Rule 6(e) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure provides for secrecy of all matters occurring before the grand jury. The use of a grand jury would have covered virtually everything Comey said. But Comey never insisted upon a grand jury nor did Lynch. The same goes for all of Clinton's five lawyers. But virtually every FBI agent who worked this case disagreed.
As a former federal prosecutor, I think it was a colossal error not to treat this case as secret. The email investigation was designed to determine whether Clinton mishandled classified information. Petraeus got a grand jury for his similar case as did Chelsea Manning for her classified information case. Possible disclosures of classified information go hand in hand with secrecy. I don't know what all the prestigious attorneys were thinking.
As a former federal prosecutor, I think it was a colossal error not to treat this case as secret. The email investigation was designed to determine whether Clinton mishandled classified information. Petraeus got a grand jury for his similar case as did Chelsea Manning for her classified information case. Possible disclosures of classified information go hand in hand with secrecy. I don't know what all the prestigious attorneys were thinking.
They were thinking that Petraeus and Manning investigations were about officials LEAKING classified material intentionally. Crimes.
The Clinton Starr Chamber was to smear her. Comey knew that those little "c" "confidential" e-mails were on nearly every top ranking Republican official's private e-mail accounts. He knew that having so few among tens of thousands when even his cursory glance at Republican's e-mails were finding just as many was clear proof that those weren't considered top secret by anyone. But since, like Starr, his goal was not an investigation but a smear attempt, he kept on and on. Just like Ken Starr.
The Clinton Starr Chamber was to smear her. Comey knew that those little "c" "confidential" e-mails were on nearly every top ranking Republican official's private e-mail accounts. He knew that having so few among tens of thousands when even his cursory glance at Republican's e-mails were finding just as many was clear proof that those weren't considered top secret by anyone. But since, like Starr, his goal was not an investigation but a smear attempt, he kept on and on. Just like Ken Starr.
Like so many, this is only one more issue that leaves me thoroughly disgusted and concerned by the behavior of people running this country. There seemed to be no reason for Comey's (non) announcement 11 days prior to the election. Yet there were very toxic stories floating around Intelligence communities concerning Trump - but no one wanted to release them for fear it might impact the election. Please explain this to me.
Trump now scoffs at and insults our Intelligence organizations whenever they say something he doesn't like (no different than how he treats others). He claims -0- NO business connections to Russia yet his own son stated that they have significant commitments and dealing with Russia. It was blatantly obvious that wiki leaks and other information was favoring Trump - "leaks" encouraged by Trump - until now leaks that incriminate Trump surface and the man scoffs. The GOP lead congress is the last hope this country has to prevent Trump & his special interests from making a mockery of this once great country.
Trump now scoffs at and insults our Intelligence organizations whenever they say something he doesn't like (no different than how he treats others). He claims -0- NO business connections to Russia yet his own son stated that they have significant commitments and dealing with Russia. It was blatantly obvious that wiki leaks and other information was favoring Trump - "leaks" encouraged by Trump - until now leaks that incriminate Trump surface and the man scoffs. The GOP lead congress is the last hope this country has to prevent Trump & his special interests from making a mockery of this once great country.
1
The Presidential Election was rigged? 'You talking to me', to coin an American movie? This citizen does not know and went to the voting polls on November 8. Never was nothing complex, and nothing unclear about casting my preference for Mrs. Clinton. To the honest, I never paid much attention to the email debacle and it was when The Comey Letter surfaced conveniently less than two weeks before the election that I smelt a rat.
Acquaintances in other countries were also wondering about this rancid political cheese. But I believe in Democracy, or I did at the time, and now we may be watching it take a big fall.
Russian balalaikas playing in the air? Pull a stunt like this two decades ago and a lot of powerful Americans might find themselves in the cooler. No emails for Trump, no phone log, no tax returns, this must suit the President-Elect and incoming Administration to a tee.
A meeting of lawyers visit your boss, a public official and investment banker. and they ask for the phone log. You were on vacation during the Deal they wish to discuss and the pages are blank. 'This will not do', says your supervisor in disgust 'of course, it suits me, but never let this happen again'.
If someone pipes up and reveals that a Third Political Party is taking rank in the US of A., I will not be surprised in the least.
Acquaintances in other countries were also wondering about this rancid political cheese. But I believe in Democracy, or I did at the time, and now we may be watching it take a big fall.
Russian balalaikas playing in the air? Pull a stunt like this two decades ago and a lot of powerful Americans might find themselves in the cooler. No emails for Trump, no phone log, no tax returns, this must suit the President-Elect and incoming Administration to a tee.
A meeting of lawyers visit your boss, a public official and investment banker. and they ask for the phone log. You were on vacation during the Deal they wish to discuss and the pages are blank. 'This will not do', says your supervisor in disgust 'of course, it suits me, but never let this happen again'.
If someone pipes up and reveals that a Third Political Party is taking rank in the US of A., I will not be surprised in the least.
From Andrew McCarthy former US Atty --no mention of the Justice Department’s decision not to open a grand-jury investigation, despite significant concrete evidence of criminal wrongdoing – the decision that deprived the FBI of the use of subpoenas to compel the production of evidence. Neither will the IG be reviewing the multiple irregular immunity agreements granted by the Justice Department in a case in which no criminal charges were filed, including agreements that reportedly called for the destruction of evidence (laptop computers of top Clinton aides) after a strangely limited examination of their potentially incriminating contents. There will similarly be no inquiry into why the Justice Department allowed subjects of the investigation (who had been granted immunity from prosecution) to appear as lawyers for the main subject of the investigation – despite ethical and statutory prohibitions on such conduct. Nor, evidently, will the IG be probing why the attorney general furtively met with the spouse of the main subject of the investigation – the spouse who just happens to be the president who launched the attorney general to national prominence by appointing her as a district U.S. attorney in the Nineties – on an airport tarmac just days before Mrs. Clinton submitted to a perfunctory FBI interview, after which came Comey’s announcement that charges would not be filed.
These need to be looked into so it will not be a "Fake Investigation" by Obama appointed IG.
These need to be looked into so it will not be a "Fake Investigation" by Obama appointed IG.
1
How's this for the plot of a new movie "The Crimean Candidate:"
The Russian president interferes in the US Presidential election to support the election of a weak, ill-informed, thin-skinned, divisive, narcissist bully who admires said Russian. Then, after the Russian choice wins, the Russian President leaks through back channels rumors that the Russians have sex tapes of said weak, ill-informed, thin-skinned, etc, President, and secret financial dealings, and the CIA is looking into it.
The President becomes increasingly distrustful of the CIA, publicly expresses no confidence in the agency, and avoids their efforts to keep him informed of world political/military developments threatening national security; he fears the Russians may in fact have such tapes and could release them (he knows what he did); he continues to praise the Russian in hopes of keeping his support; and he begins losing his remaining supporters among his own Party leaders and the American public, both weak to start with, and is increasingly regarded as a danger and a fool by leaders of allied nations, and a buffoon by adversaries. Party Congressional leaders pooh-pooh it all, hoping to "ride it out," and thinking that if the truth gets out they'll be discredited for generations...
It's not about national security. It's about them.
Sorry, I don't want to give away the ending.
Hello, Hollywood, anybody want to buy a script? Or is it just too farfetched for the audience to take it seriously...
The Russian president interferes in the US Presidential election to support the election of a weak, ill-informed, thin-skinned, divisive, narcissist bully who admires said Russian. Then, after the Russian choice wins, the Russian President leaks through back channels rumors that the Russians have sex tapes of said weak, ill-informed, thin-skinned, etc, President, and secret financial dealings, and the CIA is looking into it.
The President becomes increasingly distrustful of the CIA, publicly expresses no confidence in the agency, and avoids their efforts to keep him informed of world political/military developments threatening national security; he fears the Russians may in fact have such tapes and could release them (he knows what he did); he continues to praise the Russian in hopes of keeping his support; and he begins losing his remaining supporters among his own Party leaders and the American public, both weak to start with, and is increasingly regarded as a danger and a fool by leaders of allied nations, and a buffoon by adversaries. Party Congressional leaders pooh-pooh it all, hoping to "ride it out," and thinking that if the truth gets out they'll be discredited for generations...
It's not about national security. It's about them.
Sorry, I don't want to give away the ending.
Hello, Hollywood, anybody want to buy a script? Or is it just too farfetched for the audience to take it seriously...
1
IIf there was any sense of honor in the man he would have resigned before the election in protest of how Trump used his statement to villify Clinton as one of history's great criminals (and of curse once elected considered General Petraeus whose mishandling of classified information was far worse).
I don't buy the line that Comey "was in a difficult position." There is a clear policy at the FBI about interfering in elections. That he personally or the Bureau might have suffered reputational harm is not relevant. If he had evidence Clinton had committed a crime--fine. But he had, as was demonstrated, nothing. That's why the policy exists. He ignored the direction of his superiors on this point and his action--at a minimum helped--change the fate of the world.
I don't buy the line that Comey "was in a difficult position." There is a clear policy at the FBI about interfering in elections. That he personally or the Bureau might have suffered reputational harm is not relevant. If he had evidence Clinton had committed a crime--fine. But he had, as was demonstrated, nothing. That's why the policy exists. He ignored the direction of his superiors on this point and his action--at a minimum helped--change the fate of the world.
1
Director Comey deserves the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his courage in the face of naked government corruption and pay for play Clinton cronyism, not a belated investigation by the democrat IG who is beholden to Obama and Lynch. Comey's decision to speak truth to power, to expose the putrid stench of Clinton greed at all costs, to point the finger at her illegal private server and reprehensible conduct, and her penchant for secrecy at all costs, most likely tilted the election to our new leader, President Donald Trump. For that courage Mr. Comey will go down as a courageous man, a principled man, and a role model for all of our children. Thank you director. Stay strong.
The Democrats are opening up a can of worms they are going to regret. For one it will become clear now that there is definitive evidence that Clinton's server was hacked by the Russians and they did get classified information that was shared in emails with Mr Blumenthal. This will require them to reopen the investigation. If proven that's a felony offense Hillary won't be able to slip out of this time. I think Sessions knows this is going to happen that's why he promised to recuse himself.
In addition it's going to show that Comey was forced to act because of the obvious attempt to influence the justice department by Bill Clinton when he walked uninvited into Loretta Lynch's plane. I can only imagine what was discussed but it's clearly a violation of law if Lynch goes on to be the one to not indict Hillary. She was forced to protect herself after that., and stayed out of the fray. Comey did nothing wrong, he knows they'll come up empty on him. It's going to backfire big time though. Maybe there's still a subplot involving Anthony Weiner!! Like I said they are going to regret going down this path.
In addition it's going to show that Comey was forced to act because of the obvious attempt to influence the justice department by Bill Clinton when he walked uninvited into Loretta Lynch's plane. I can only imagine what was discussed but it's clearly a violation of law if Lynch goes on to be the one to not indict Hillary. She was forced to protect herself after that., and stayed out of the fray. Comey did nothing wrong, he knows they'll come up empty on him. It's going to backfire big time though. Maybe there's still a subplot involving Anthony Weiner!! Like I said they are going to regret going down this path.
1
Question for Mr. Comey: When did Mr. Comey know about this potentially explosive information contained in the dossier Sen. John McCain gave him? If it's true Mr. Comey knew about the allegations made in the dossier at the same time as he made public comments about Mrs. Clinton--his behavior looks highly suspicious. And if knew, he clearly tipped the election jeopardizing not only Mrs. Clinton's chance--but putting the country at risk. Some would call that treasonous.
19
That the DoJ Inspector General, Michael Horowitz takes the complaints from the public seriously and has launched an investigation into actions taken by the FBI during the election campaign will not repair the political damage, because it helped elect somebody who will guarantee do more harm than good to the country.
Comey's two interventions close to election day cost Hillary Clinton's the presidency. It certainly dominated headlines and made an impact on undecided voters, allowing Trump - who had been dogged by sexual harassment allegations - to regain his footing.
Comey's two interventions close to election day cost Hillary Clinton's the presidency. It certainly dominated headlines and made an impact on undecided voters, allowing Trump - who had been dogged by sexual harassment allegations - to regain his footing.
21
Watch that Utah Congresscritter Jason Chaffetz try to pull the plug on Mr. Horowitz.
1
She was cheated!! The loss of the election was as crooked as a WWE wrestling championship lost when the referee was distracted and the heels cheated.
Talk about not accepting the outcome of an election. Maybe she should have better understood that working peoples lives matter, that campaigning in areas where you are not the most popular may at least cut the vote deficit from that area.
And the DNC should understand that e-mails can be hacked and are forever, and the Super Delegates should have figured out by now that declaring a winner for the nomination before everyone has had a chance to enter the race is a formula for a lost general election.
Talk about not accepting the outcome of an election. Maybe she should have better understood that working peoples lives matter, that campaigning in areas where you are not the most popular may at least cut the vote deficit from that area.
And the DNC should understand that e-mails can be hacked and are forever, and the Super Delegates should have figured out by now that declaring a winner for the nomination before everyone has had a chance to enter the race is a formula for a lost general election.
6
That's right. And you can't do a single thing about it. So why don't you just get used to it. He's your hashtag President. Get over it.
It actually feels BETTER knowing that you know how we did this.
It actually feels BETTER knowing that you know how we did this.
Let's be honest here. Bernie was cheated not Hillary. He probably would have won. The DNC needs to clean house.
Nixon won. He offered American voters exactly what they wanted.
But his campaign broke the law and covered it up.
Everything else you wrote in irrelevant in America. Covering up the illegal actions of a winning candidate's supporters is what happens in Russia.
But his campaign broke the law and covered it up.
Everything else you wrote in irrelevant in America. Covering up the illegal actions of a winning candidate's supporters is what happens in Russia.
It's about time that this matter is thoroughly investigated. Although it is too late and in my opinion, changed the outcome of the most important election in 16 years since Bush v Gore, the outcome of which, was wrong, as well.
This investigation should have been undertaken before the election, because Comey's wrongful actions and statements, which should not have been made, pursuant to established prior procedure six months prior to a Presidential election, intentionally and wrongfully, was the catalyst that negatively impacted the outcome of this Presidential election.
Comey, who heretofore had, but lost my total respect, as a subordinate should have gone to, and obtained clearance from Loretta Lynch, the sitting Attorney General. We need to ascertain whether he was either intentionally complicit or not, for whatever reason, with others in the FBI, inappropriately trying to influence the election.
Further, prior to the election, Rudolph Giuliani stated on television that he had spoken to current FBI agents and they had apprised him that information would be forthcoming which would impact the election, which would be illegal. He immediately denied that shortly thereafter, and the interviewer played back that statement. Finally and ironically, Angus King's questioning of Comey, which I saw on television yesterday, Comey declined to answer, because to comment on a pending matter would be inappropriate, which King noted.
This investigation must be completed.
This investigation should have been undertaken before the election, because Comey's wrongful actions and statements, which should not have been made, pursuant to established prior procedure six months prior to a Presidential election, intentionally and wrongfully, was the catalyst that negatively impacted the outcome of this Presidential election.
Comey, who heretofore had, but lost my total respect, as a subordinate should have gone to, and obtained clearance from Loretta Lynch, the sitting Attorney General. We need to ascertain whether he was either intentionally complicit or not, for whatever reason, with others in the FBI, inappropriately trying to influence the election.
Further, prior to the election, Rudolph Giuliani stated on television that he had spoken to current FBI agents and they had apprised him that information would be forthcoming which would impact the election, which would be illegal. He immediately denied that shortly thereafter, and the interviewer played back that statement. Finally and ironically, Angus King's questioning of Comey, which I saw on television yesterday, Comey declined to answer, because to comment on a pending matter would be inappropriate, which King noted.
This investigation must be completed.
30
Facts. Facts get in the way of your reality. Huma had told FBI agents she had given them all data in her possession regarding the Clinton email investigation. Later other FBI Agents, investigating her husband's improprieties, find a shared computer with 650,000 emails relevant to the Clinton investigation. 18 USC 1001 is a criminal statute with serious jail time for those who lie to federal officers. Could she have forgotten all of this these? Could they be relevant? To sit on such explosive information would not serve democracy. In any case, it was Clinton's "laws are for common folk" attitude which started the whole thing.
1
You can rest assured that hypocritical slugs like Giuliani do exactly what they prosecute or persecute others for doing. Giuliani and Christie are the kind of bent people who get appointed US Attorneys by Republican administrations.
1
No, made up laws are for Democrats only. Colin Powell, Rice, Rove all destroyed their e-mails and months of their conspiracy to mislead Americans into believing Iraq had WMD were erased. When Comey learned that all of them had classified material in their private emails, he shut down the investigation. He didn't care.
When the FBI selectively prosecutes low-level carelessness instead of high level malfeasance by Republicans, then something is wrong. This isn't Russia, as much as the trolls posting wish it were.
When the FBI selectively prosecutes low-level carelessness instead of high level malfeasance by Republicans, then something is wrong. This isn't Russia, as much as the trolls posting wish it were.
I wrote a definition of "the Comey effect" shortly after the election because I was dismayed by the utter silence on the subject. I'll share it again here (originally commented on WaPo):
the Comey effect (noun): 1. a blow to the momentum of a political campaign days before an election caused by damning yet unsubstantiated disclosures by a government entity, esp. those sworn to electoral neutrality; 2. the resulting but unquantifiable loss of votes for the affected campaign; 3. the difficulty of polls to capture voter sentiment days before an election after an unprecedented and disorienting event; 4. the tendency post election to dismiss the effect of electoral interference when it doesn’t fit beliefs or because of an effort to normalize; 5. acute mental exhaustion caused by trying to understand something inexplicable
the Comey effect (noun): 1. a blow to the momentum of a political campaign days before an election caused by damning yet unsubstantiated disclosures by a government entity, esp. those sworn to electoral neutrality; 2. the resulting but unquantifiable loss of votes for the affected campaign; 3. the difficulty of polls to capture voter sentiment days before an election after an unprecedented and disorienting event; 4. the tendency post election to dismiss the effect of electoral interference when it doesn’t fit beliefs or because of an effort to normalize; 5. acute mental exhaustion caused by trying to understand something inexplicable
50
Brilliant. I hope this new term makes it into Webster's.
1
The Republican party has spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to pin something - anything - on the Clintons. The closest they got was catching Bill in some not-so-savory infidelities. Are the Republicans so inept that they can't find anything or is there nothing to find???
39
Focusing this inquiry narrowly to what might have cost Clinton the election and not including the decision not to prosecute makes the entire inquiry suspect. Looks like a political parade to excuse the failures of the Clinton campaign. The longer the Democrats stay in denial about why they lost the election the more likely they are to repeat the same mistakes.
11
That is a truly bizarre interpretation and analysis. It is Director Comey whose unethical actions taken specifically to hurt Secretary Clonton as a candidate who needs investigation - and has for many, many months. He should have been fired by Oresident Obama in early Fall. But Obama, ever overly cautious and kind, failed to do so. Comey must go. Although heaven only knows what awful replacement the incoming potus will appoint. Probably some commercial real estate broker pal. Or Joe Arpaio.
Trump's presidency will always be under this cloud and he will exacerbate the damage by tweeting, grimacing, grunting and sneering over it's implications forever ... and then there's the 3 million popular votes !
The cynic in me sees this belated exercise an excuse fro Trump to fire Comey and pack the FBI with more partisan hacks. This is the corrupt agency that jumped with both feet into investigating the Clinton emails exhaustively and ad nauseum, and barely dipped its toes into the Trump Russian dossier that it received from multiple sources. So much so that the ex-MI6 investigator came to the conclusion that they were not interested in investigating what he had uncovered, no matter how infinitely more serious this was to national security than that ridiculous email server, and forced him to leak this to several news outlets in hope that word would get out before the election. Shockingly criminal behavior by Comey and his bureau that borders on treason! And now comes the grand cover up by kicking up more dust over the emails.
29
@SS. Thank you, SS. I have only one quibble--I would say the behavior of Comey and his bureau doesn't border on treason but IS treason.
There is still time for Obama to fire Comey.
22
You don't get fired when you break a law. You get investigated. You are called to testify under oath and you are free to take the 5th if you are afraid your words will incriminate you.
That's what Comey, Giuliani, and the Trump campaign need.
That's what Comey, Giuliani, and the Trump campaign need.
reader:
If he can do that with a drone!
If he can do that with a drone!
In 2000 when the Supreme Court inserted itself into the elections and essentially delivered the presidency to George W. Bush, we did not know at the time the consequences and the cataclysm that decision would unleash on the world. Now we can only pray that Comey's ill conceived decision to insert himself into this election and help Trump win won't have equally dire consequences.
301
Re: "Now we can only pray that Comey's ill conceived decision to insert himself into this election and help Trump win won't have equally dire consequences." It already has, and will.
Guy: It's already dire.
@Guy. More dire, I expect.
traitor comey should have been indicted, tried and jailed by now. What he did was clearly politically motivated and was in abject violation of the Hatch Act. Lock it up NOW!
79
While I agree that Comey's action was a clear violation of the Hatch Act, the Hatch Act is not a criminal statute. (In other words...Not punishable with imprisonment) In my opinion, Comey should be terminated.
Comey goes under oath. Either he commits perjury, or he tells the truth about why he refused to investigate Colin Powell and Rice and other Republicans when he learned that everything that Hillary was charged with doing was committed by them far more frequently and flagrantly. And those people that Comey refused to investigate did one thing Hillary did not do -- destroy every single work e-mail sent over a period of many months in the lead up to the Iraq war and the illegal firing of US Attorney's who wouldn't selectively prosecute Democratic candidates for non-crimes.
1
I hope Mr. Horowitz has his resume out there and is ready to relocate. His job security looks pretty shaky to me right now.
8
This is totally, totally wrong: "Senior F.B.I. officials believed there was never going to be a good outcome..."
This is Washington at its worst - there is a false equivalency here between a correct, proper, justifiable determination of whether a prosecutable crime may have been committed vs. the political fallout. When such officials say this, they are putting their personal political positioning on par with properly prosecuting alleged crimes. This is unambiguously and seriously wrong and these people should be run out of town on rails. Their job is properly pursue crimes, political consequences be damned.
Please find and fire these people, they cannot be trusted to fairly enforce the law.
This is Washington at its worst - there is a false equivalency here between a correct, proper, justifiable determination of whether a prosecutable crime may have been committed vs. the political fallout. When such officials say this, they are putting their personal political positioning on par with properly prosecuting alleged crimes. This is unambiguously and seriously wrong and these people should be run out of town on rails. Their job is properly pursue crimes, political consequences be damned.
Please find and fire these people, they cannot be trusted to fairly enforce the law.
12
FBI is political because it has always been right wing political. Consider how resolute the FBI was about Clinton. Now also consider this same organization botched the investigations of the Boston bombers, botched also tips on the San Betnadino and Orlando terrorists. FBI great at PR, great at sucking up to Republicans, pretty useless at fighting terrorism. Obama should have fired Comey over Boston, but he never really understood ehat the FBI IS.
37
The real transgressions took place in the NYC office of the FBI; its biggest office outside Washington. It was rogue agents in NYC that were out to get Clinton any way they could. They found the communications on Wiener's laptop and were going to go public whether the Director approved of it or not. It is the slimy NY FBI agents that need to be exposed and prosecuted. Comey was just a dupe in this process.
44
Let's stick to some facts. Anthony Weiner emailed inappropriate pictures to a female minor and in the course of the FBI 's investigation emails from Clinton to her aide Huma Abedin were found on Weiner's laptop. The FBI could not review the emails without a warrant. The receipt by Huma Adedin of classified emails from Hillary Clinton gave the FBI probable cause to justify their review of the emails on Anthony Weiner's laptop. Comey had no choice but to disclose it. If there is anyone to blame for this second round on the emails it lies squarely in the Clinton Camp. How do you blame the FBI for Weiner's actions? The only rogue in this entire saga is Weiner.
1
James Comey is a traitor to his oath to uphold the US. Constitution.
He acted contrary to his own comments days ago to the US Senate regarding a possible investigation by the FBI into russian connections to the Trump administration (even after it is now KNOWN that the FISA Court issued warrants for phone taps on some of these people).
He acted contrary to the standing orders of the Justice department as regards a 60 day quiet period before an election.
James Comey should be FIRED for cause, stripped of his returement, and prosecuted for tampering with a US election.
He acted contrary to his own comments days ago to the US Senate regarding a possible investigation by the FBI into russian connections to the Trump administration (even after it is now KNOWN that the FISA Court issued warrants for phone taps on some of these people).
He acted contrary to the standing orders of the Justice department as regards a 60 day quiet period before an election.
James Comey should be FIRED for cause, stripped of his returement, and prosecuted for tampering with a US election.
73
Well said,so true. Should election tampering be investigated see Comey.
Comey deserves criticism for two reasons, both of which happened in July:
1. He should have skipped the editorializing: Just say the FBI wasn't going to prosecute HRC, thank everyone for showing up at the press conference, and head back to the office.
2. He shouldn't have said the FBI investigation of HRC was "closed." No FBI investigation is ever formally closed. Had he not said that, there'd have been no reason for Comey to comment on the emails found on Weiner's laptop. (I'm not sure his reasons were good enough as it happened, but they sure would have been lacking if he hadn't mistakenly said the HRC investigation was "closed" in July.
I'm really not all that concerned about Comey. I'm greatly concerned about Trump's mishandling of his business holdings. His "solution" is absurd, and his lawyer's mention that conflict-of-interest rules don't apply to the President or VP is insulting. I couldn't care less whether rules formally apply. The President of the US should do everything possible to eliminate conflicts and the appearance of conflicts. What Trump has proposed falls so far short that one hardly knows where to begin. The idea of a "blind trust" is pretty simple and clear, and that's what Trump should do. He can't force his kids to change their behavior, but he can and should change his own.
1. He should have skipped the editorializing: Just say the FBI wasn't going to prosecute HRC, thank everyone for showing up at the press conference, and head back to the office.
2. He shouldn't have said the FBI investigation of HRC was "closed." No FBI investigation is ever formally closed. Had he not said that, there'd have been no reason for Comey to comment on the emails found on Weiner's laptop. (I'm not sure his reasons were good enough as it happened, but they sure would have been lacking if he hadn't mistakenly said the HRC investigation was "closed" in July.
I'm really not all that concerned about Comey. I'm greatly concerned about Trump's mishandling of his business holdings. His "solution" is absurd, and his lawyer's mention that conflict-of-interest rules don't apply to the President or VP is insulting. I couldn't care less whether rules formally apply. The President of the US should do everything possible to eliminate conflicts and the appearance of conflicts. What Trump has proposed falls so far short that one hardly knows where to begin. The idea of a "blind trust" is pretty simple and clear, and that's what Trump should do. He can't force his kids to change their behavior, but he can and should change his own.
45
The FBI tracks us for life, Three Cents. Put your thumb on the sensor and the computer pulls up your records as easy as activating your iPhone.
2
If Comey wanted to harm Clinton why he let her go in July?
12
Because he couldn't find any evidence whatsoever of wrongdoing. His out-of-line personal criticism of Hillary was a testament to his frustration at not being able to smash her.
34
Because the charges would have been laughed out of a grand jury. He knew that there was no case. Didn't you hear him ? Or do you think he was lying ?
24
Dear areader:
"He let her go" as you so eloquently put it because as you will see Republicans never had anything of substance. Unless you are well-versed in law and the machinations of political power at the highest levels you will never understand what is happening in your government. The government is merely a reflection of yourself. What you decide to believe in is based upon preconceived prejudices. If you support Trump you will see those whom criticize as wrong or liars, and vice versa when it comes to Hillary.
As a lifelong Democrat since 1960 (JFK), I favor a pragmatic progressive approach to politics. I do so because even though I am close to being in that 1% income range, I am someone who is positive I did not accomplish all I did on my own. I adhere to the philosophy of Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. My wife and I have more than enough wealth to last us and our progeny for the rest of their lives. It is the folks in the middle and lower class who were somehow bamboozled into thinking Trump is looking out for them. As someone well acquainted with Trump and his Father I can state with certainty these men care for no one but themselves and their family. You soon will see the error of your ways. Don't worry about me, I will do just fine. As a neighbor west of Trump Tower it is not I who will feel the pain. I will try to feel yours but excuse me if I'm not too sympathetic with your plight.
DD
Manhattan
"He let her go" as you so eloquently put it because as you will see Republicans never had anything of substance. Unless you are well-versed in law and the machinations of political power at the highest levels you will never understand what is happening in your government. The government is merely a reflection of yourself. What you decide to believe in is based upon preconceived prejudices. If you support Trump you will see those whom criticize as wrong or liars, and vice versa when it comes to Hillary.
As a lifelong Democrat since 1960 (JFK), I favor a pragmatic progressive approach to politics. I do so because even though I am close to being in that 1% income range, I am someone who is positive I did not accomplish all I did on my own. I adhere to the philosophy of Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. My wife and I have more than enough wealth to last us and our progeny for the rest of their lives. It is the folks in the middle and lower class who were somehow bamboozled into thinking Trump is looking out for them. As someone well acquainted with Trump and his Father I can state with certainty these men care for no one but themselves and their family. You soon will see the error of your ways. Don't worry about me, I will do just fine. As a neighbor west of Trump Tower it is not I who will feel the pain. I will try to feel yours but excuse me if I'm not too sympathetic with your plight.
DD
Manhattan
1
I still believe that if Hilary Clinton had won, which we all thought she was going to, then Mr. Comey would have done her a favor. The news of the additional Weiner sourced emails would have come out eventually. By having crossed every "t" and dotted every "i" he would have rendered moot any subsequent complaints by the Republicans in Congress that he had conducted a less than thorough investigation. And with that issue effectively settled Mrs. Clinton would be less encumbered as President, at least until the Republicans found something else about her to investigate.
But (despite my vote) she didn't win. And whose fault was that? James Comey's? Give me a break. Given his history and his record I have complete confidence in his integrity. I almost wish he'd run for president himself. No, Hilary Clinton lost because she ran a bad national campaign. And because she ignored excellent advice by people who had her best interests in mind when they told her not to have a private email server at her house.
So everyone please stop blaming James Comey. I have no idea why the Justice Department is investigating this.
But (despite my vote) she didn't win. And whose fault was that? James Comey's? Give me a break. Given his history and his record I have complete confidence in his integrity. I almost wish he'd run for president himself. No, Hilary Clinton lost because she ran a bad national campaign. And because she ignored excellent advice by people who had her best interests in mind when they told her not to have a private email server at her house.
So everyone please stop blaming James Comey. I have no idea why the Justice Department is investigating this.
26
Comey probably blames not being president on his failure to pin anything on the Clintons in the Whitewater investigation.
2
There should be no doubt that Comey's actions were intentional and politically motivated. Put it in the headline.
Otherwise one must assume that he is unbelievably politically naive. An FBI director who is incredibly naive? Does the NYT buy that?
I don't think so.
Otherwise one must assume that he is unbelievably politically naive. An FBI director who is incredibly naive? Does the NYT buy that?
I don't think so.
49
I think everyone who believes nature has a human personality is naive.
1
I am a big fan of Trump's
He called for an investigation into the investigators, so I applaud this move
Trump also told me that the election was rigged, so I'm looking forward to finding out how exactly he did it
He called for an investigation into the investigators, so I applaud this move
Trump also told me that the election was rigged, so I'm looking forward to finding out how exactly he did it
24
I did not think it was important when someone mentioned he was a Republican; I did not think it was important when Comey started investigating the emails from Anthony Weiner, who seems to want to be the center of attention. The issue I find glaring and troubling is how close to the election Comey decided to look into these emails and how close to election day he pronounced them inconsequential. Do you remember what happened in the interim? Donald Trump weighed-in on them and acted as he does, like he was privvy to some inside information that no one else knows and he will tell us later. He said this was going to be big; this was going to be a blockbuster and blow the whole election wide open. The blockbuster was how many people believed this or were willing to believe. But remember this: Hillary got nearly three million more votes than her opponent, who is the oldest president, ever and was elected with the highest negatives of any president in history. Take that, President Trump.
49
Maybe, Trump should keep his threat that he will appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Hillary's "extremely careless" handling of top-secret and classified emails, and get to the bottom of this nonsense.
If Hillary did not try to be secretive, and want to have her cake and eat it too, she would not be in this mess and could have won the electoral majority.
Why is she and Why is Obama loath to own up to their foibles and screwups?
Classless.
If Hillary did not try to be secretive, and want to have her cake and eat it too, she would not be in this mess and could have won the electoral majority.
Why is she and Why is Obama loath to own up to their foibles and screwups?
Classless.
7
To think people cheered when Chris Christie stuck it to Marco Rubio over his so-called canned responses during the GOP debates. People on this website cheered. Rubio would be a godsend right now. Trump and his slime make me ill.
23
After doing what he did and the consequences of that Comey should be gone. Whether he understood how consequential his actions would be or not Comey, for no good reason, probably got Donald Trump elected.
Comey should not be allowed to hold any public office. He gave up that right when he acted in such a partisan fashion and in doing so besmirched the office of the FBI.
Comey should not be allowed to hold any public office. He gave up that right when he acted in such a partisan fashion and in doing so besmirched the office of the FBI.
27
Incorrect:
"Now if having a private server had been a crime, then we would have expected Colin Powell and Condi Rice to have been harassed to the extent that Hillary was."
Big difference: Neither Powell nor Rice ever had a private email server. Many people SAY they did, but they didn't. No dispute there, just misinformation.
"Now if having a private server had been a crime, then we would have expected Colin Powell and Condi Rice to have been harassed to the extent that Hillary was."
Big difference: Neither Powell nor Rice ever had a private email server. Many people SAY they did, but they didn't. No dispute there, just misinformation.
12
Is Horowitz also going to investigate AG Lynch for privately meeting with Bubba Clinton for 45 minutes when the FBI investigation was actively underway?
Trump's DOJ could fire Horowitz and shut this nonsense down. And it should.
Trump's DOJ could fire Horowitz and shut this nonsense down. And it should.
7
She recused herself immediately and never commented on the case.
There is nothing to investigate, she did it exactly by the book.
Get over it, Trump cheated.
If you thought Lance Armstrong had it tough ...
There is nothing to investigate, she did it exactly by the book.
Get over it, Trump cheated.
If you thought Lance Armstrong had it tough ...
8
Indivisible. Now we become the Tea Party with an agenda of decency not discrimination and anger.
8
When Comey wrote that the newly discovered emails could change the outcome of the FBI investigation, he knew full well that instead his preposterous claims would change the outcome of the election. He has a direct responsibility in handing over the election to Trump as does Vladimir Putin. Until both of their actions are thoroughly investigated, the results of this election are invalid.
42
Have we had another election stolen from the Democrats?
34
Obviously, yes. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (s)elected BushJr with one vote and FBI traitor James Comey crowned the UNfit Trump with three unethical actions. He should be prosecuted but obviously, won't be. Not with Jeff Sessions as the U.S Attorney General.
And you wonder why 49% of the country doesn't vote?
And you wonder why 49% of the country doesn't vote?
Yes.
Yes.
Why is Attorney General Loretta Lynch being let off the hook?
Clearly, the nation's chief law enforcement officer, who should know better, violated Canon 9 of the attorney's Canon of Ethics.
Canon 9 of the Model Code, provides: "A lawyer should avoid even the appearance of professional impropriety."
It seems to me that a so-called chance meeting on the Tarmac of an airport in Arizona to discuss "grandchildren", with the influential spouse, Bill Clinton, of a person whom you are investigating, Hillary, falls under this rule, especially since Comey, whose boss is Lynch, announced about three days later, that there would be no prosecution of Hillary. Grandchildren. Right.
Lynch is a lawyer in New York State. One of the State's Departmental Disciplinary Committees needs to launch one of their sui sponte investigations into this.
Clearly, the nation's chief law enforcement officer, who should know better, violated Canon 9 of the attorney's Canon of Ethics.
Canon 9 of the Model Code, provides: "A lawyer should avoid even the appearance of professional impropriety."
It seems to me that a so-called chance meeting on the Tarmac of an airport in Arizona to discuss "grandchildren", with the influential spouse, Bill Clinton, of a person whom you are investigating, Hillary, falls under this rule, especially since Comey, whose boss is Lynch, announced about three days later, that there would be no prosecution of Hillary. Grandchildren. Right.
Lynch is a lawyer in New York State. One of the State's Departmental Disciplinary Committees needs to launch one of their sui sponte investigations into this.
13
Lynch recused herself and never commented on the case.
She's the example of how you are supposed to do things.
He cheated, get over it. You can admit it now, or keep insisting he was clean like A-Rod ...
She's the example of how you are supposed to do things.
He cheated, get over it. You can admit it now, or keep insisting he was clean like A-Rod ...
14
Yep, you're mistaken:
"Funny how HRC's private emails were not hacked or am I mistaken?"
Actually, we just don't know. Nobody's ever said they hacked HRC's private server, but hackers usually don't announce their success to their victims. My very strong hunch is that she was. Some 14-year old kid figured out when was using a private server (that "clinton.net" email address was a dead giveaway, no?) and managed to piece together about 17 minutes of free time to hack every email sent or received by her on that server.
"Funny how HRC's private emails were not hacked or am I mistaken?"
Actually, we just don't know. Nobody's ever said they hacked HRC's private server, but hackers usually don't announce their success to their victims. My very strong hunch is that she was. Some 14-year old kid figured out when was using a private server (that "clinton.net" email address was a dead giveaway, no?) and managed to piece together about 17 minutes of free time to hack every email sent or received by her on that server.
7
How can the New York Times publish this lengthy and comprehensive article without mentioning one name? Anthony Weiner.
6
"In the end, the emails that the F.B.I. reviewed — which came up during an unrelated inquiry into Anthony D. Weiner, the estranged husband of a top Clinton aide, Huma Abedin — proved irrelevant to the outcome of the investigation."
16
Yes...but it was the investigation into Weiner's sexting that put the computer into the hands of the FBI.
No Weiner sexting, no investigation, no letter from Comey.
No Weiner sexting, no investigation, no letter from Comey.
People like Comey corrupts politics. Comey paid back Obama's bipartisanship with vicious and foolish partisanship. This is the reason why politics has always been irrational, partisan, idiotic, fractional, dirty, and corrupt enterprise. All those politicians (except for maybe Trump because he does not read) must have heard of Rawls' idea of 'the veil of ignorance.' Its main idea is not that we can or should be ignorant of our interests and partisanship but that we should try to go beyond them as much as possible. Hence, it is the major conceptual machinery of Rawls' theory of justice as fairness.
Nobody practices Rawls' idea in 'politics'. So, politics does not have to be fair or just? Well, that's why we have Trump here now.
Obama was one of those rare, very rare, politicians who tried to practice Rawls' idea of 'the veil of ignorance' IN POLITICS. Obama upgraded American politics, which, sadly was rarely appreciated by unfairminded political aficionados. Comey is one of them. He paid back Obama's generosity and fairness with narrow minded selfishness. How idiotic! How pathetic! How despicable!
Nobody practices Rawls' idea in 'politics'. So, politics does not have to be fair or just? Well, that's why we have Trump here now.
Obama was one of those rare, very rare, politicians who tried to practice Rawls' idea of 'the veil of ignorance' IN POLITICS. Obama upgraded American politics, which, sadly was rarely appreciated by unfairminded political aficionados. Comey is one of them. He paid back Obama's generosity and fairness with narrow minded selfishness. How idiotic! How pathetic! How despicable!
24
Mr. Horowitz said that he would also investigate whether the Justice Department’s top congressional liaison, Peter Kadzik, had improperly provided information to the Clinton campaign. A hacked email posted by WikiLeaks showed that Mr. Kadzik alerted the campaign about a coming congressional hearing that would likely raise questions about Mrs. Clinton.
-----------------------------
It would seem that the myrmidons at the DOJ and at DNC were actively working to help Hillary by alerting them about potential probes and about debate questions.
And,yet, she lost. She has only herself to blame.
All this nonsense about the department investigating itself is political kabuki theater.
Obama is kicking and screaming as he is made to leave the WH.
Adios.
-----------------------------
It would seem that the myrmidons at the DOJ and at DNC were actively working to help Hillary by alerting them about potential probes and about debate questions.
And,yet, she lost. She has only herself to blame.
All this nonsense about the department investigating itself is political kabuki theater.
Obama is kicking and screaming as he is made to leave the WH.
Adios.
4
But we ALREADY know the FBI leaked to Rudy Giuliani and the Trump campaign. Rudy announced his knowledge in interviews days before the letter came out.
FYI - Congressional hearing? Are you talking about him warning about one of the dozen or more Benghazi investigations all of which were designed to raise questions about Hillary Clinton. Newsflash: everyone already knew that the Congressional investigations were designed to raise questions. That's why Congress didn't stop at 5 or 10 Benghazi investigations -- they kept going and going until they decided that the FBI could help them smear Hillary even better. Suddenly, no more Benghazi!
FYI - Congressional hearing? Are you talking about him warning about one of the dozen or more Benghazi investigations all of which were designed to raise questions about Hillary Clinton. Newsflash: everyone already knew that the Congressional investigations were designed to raise questions. That's why Congress didn't stop at 5 or 10 Benghazi investigations -- they kept going and going until they decided that the FBI could help them smear Hillary even better. Suddenly, no more Benghazi!
19
Comey, Russia, Stein recount, "fake news", Hamilton electors, Comey again...when will the whining cease. Hillary Clinton was a poor candidate, she had no message, and saddled herself with vulnerabilities -- her email server and the Foundation.
She rightly or wrongly had a longstanding image of shadiness, and if felt she should run again, she should have been above reproach. She and she alone was responsible for the underlying root cause of the Comey/Lynch fiasco, Her campaign team missed the boat by allowing the rust belt to go red for the first time since the 1980s.
She rightly or wrongly had a longstanding image of shadiness, and if felt she should run again, she should have been above reproach. She and she alone was responsible for the underlying root cause of the Comey/Lynch fiasco, Her campaign team missed the boat by allowing the rust belt to go red for the first time since the 1980s.
12
And George McGovern was responsible for his own bad campaign in which he lost in a landslide to Richard Nixon. So what? Nixon's crimes got found out in the subsequent Watergate hearings. He resigned before he could be prosecuted. Only a Russian troll would say that Nixon won so it was fine that laws were broken.
Thankfully, in America we don't give people who win elections a pass on their crimes. At least we haven't until Trump and his "let's be like Putin and jail our opponents" philosophy took over.
Thankfully, in America we don't give people who win elections a pass on their crimes. At least we haven't until Trump and his "let's be like Putin and jail our opponents" philosophy took over.
7
Too little too late and essentially impossible to prove or disprove nefarious motives on the part of FBI director, Comey. I've always maintained Mrs. Clinton's use of a private email account and server were wrist-slapping insignificant offenses but Republicans, especially the highly offensive, vulgar and thuggish Trump campaign, succeeded in branding her as some treasonous spy. The Clinton's have been targets of "swift-boating" for their entire life in politics by Republicans. Even Bill Clinton's adultery as President pales in comparison to the ethically and morally bankrupt behavior of Trump, the most vile and least qualified president in American history.
The stars were apparently not aligned for Mrs. Clinton. The deplorable Trump and his supporters who are either clueless about American government and the geopolitical order of things or incapable of empathy beyond their own living room walls, deserve each other. A prickly and bitter Bernie Sanders, along with the vulgar Bernie Bros, wrote the prelude to the Clinton campaign, Trump, Comey, the Russian government. the fake news of social media & a mainstream media giving inordinate headline space to the Trump team slanders of Hillary Clinton, all conspired in the final act, to deliver the illegitimate election of fake candidate, Trump.
I couldn't be sicker about this outcome. Trump will NEVER be my president and I will return to him the same respect he showed to Mrs. Clinton, women, minorities and the handicapped.
The stars were apparently not aligned for Mrs. Clinton. The deplorable Trump and his supporters who are either clueless about American government and the geopolitical order of things or incapable of empathy beyond their own living room walls, deserve each other. A prickly and bitter Bernie Sanders, along with the vulgar Bernie Bros, wrote the prelude to the Clinton campaign, Trump, Comey, the Russian government. the fake news of social media & a mainstream media giving inordinate headline space to the Trump team slanders of Hillary Clinton, all conspired in the final act, to deliver the illegitimate election of fake candidate, Trump.
I couldn't be sicker about this outcome. Trump will NEVER be my president and I will return to him the same respect he showed to Mrs. Clinton, women, minorities and the handicapped.
30
He may never be YOUR president but he's the pres none the less. Bernie got screwed by the DNC and HRC finally reaped hat she had sown for so many years. Like her husband she tried to never admit anything and in the end nobody bought it. Oh yeah she won the pop vote in some major population centers where handouts are king, but elsewhere she lost because of her lack of character and the tiresome 8 years of Obama that are finally over. Who wanted more of that politically correct garbage being shoved down our throats every day by a guy who made race relations worse than they have been for years. He was the Great Divider.
Just beware if Trump is impeached we get Pence. He's scariest of all.
Comey threw the election. Just like Trump said "It's a rigged system"
Now they are going to in do what Obama did and waste 4 year's doing it.
Can't let that happen people. Stand strong and stay involved.
Comey threw the election. Just like Trump said "It's a rigged system"
Now they are going to in do what Obama did and waste 4 year's doing it.
Can't let that happen people. Stand strong and stay involved.
James Comey took his actions willfully and maliciously. Comey knew exactly what he was doing. James Comey kept quiet about Trump's possible collusion with Putin and the extent of the Russian hacking. But with Clinton, Comey perfectly timed his insinuations about the Weiner laptop, eleven days before the election, to inflict maximum damage. Then Comey covered himself, like a weasel, three days before with a letter stating there was nothing there. Not enough time for the Clinton campaign to properly right Comey's wrong. Yes what James Comey did was plotted, planned and fully intentional, for heavens sakes wake up people.
40
Comey also kept quiet about the fact that he found these kind of classified e-mails on the private e-mail accounts of nearly every Republican he even gave the most cursory examination to. He refused to do a thorough examination of Republican officials e-mails because he didn't think those classified e-mails were important or any signs of "extreme carelessness".
His FBI - under his oversight -- conspired with Giuliani to give him access to investigations to smear Hillary. While he claimed that he couldn't tell anyone about all the evidence of Trump campaigns contacts with Russia.
His FBI - under his oversight -- conspired with Giuliani to give him access to investigations to smear Hillary. While he claimed that he couldn't tell anyone about all the evidence of Trump campaigns contacts with Russia.
8
Yes, I guess people need to wake up and put their tin foil hats on so they can receive the same brain waves you are gettting. That must be how you know these things.
Lock him ( the IG ) up !!
4
I've long been puzzled by this: Comey's people quickly reviewed the emails on Weiner's laptop and concluded they shouldn't change their conclusions (not to prosecute Clinton) because:
1. They already had most of the emails. OR
2. The new emails weren't a big deal.
What's puzzled me, though, is this:
Wasn't it kind of a big deal that those emails -- even if the FBI already had all of them -- managed to end up on the laptop of Carlos Danger?
What if Carlos had passed them on to some 13-year old girl he met on the Internet? Would that be OK too?
1. They already had most of the emails. OR
2. The new emails weren't a big deal.
What's puzzled me, though, is this:
Wasn't it kind of a big deal that those emails -- even if the FBI already had all of them -- managed to end up on the laptop of Carlos Danger?
What if Carlos had passed them on to some 13-year old girl he met on the Internet? Would that be OK too?
5
What's puzzled me:
In Comey's investigation of Hillary he learned there were dozens, maybe hundreds, maybe thousands of classified e-mails on AOL accounts of top Republican operatives. He found a few and then refused to subpoena Powell's PRIVATE AOL e-mail account or the RNC's or any other Republican's private e-mail to learn if it was thousands or tens of thousands of e-mails. For all Comey knew they weren't just marked with a "little c" that signifies they are only classified temporarily. For all Comey knew, the Republican state house had e-mails with the most top secret classifications. Once he accidentally found a few of Powell's that were classified, he immediately shut down the investigation. Why?
Either Comey knew that Hillary Clinton's "little c" classified e-mails were no big deal but he wanted the public to think they were, or Comey intentionally allowed serious national security breaches to go unexamined because they were committed by Republicans and would have served to exonerate Hillary.
We'll find out when he is put under oath, along with the NYC FBI agents who were illegally conspiring with Giuliani who somehow knew before anyone else what was coming.
In Comey's investigation of Hillary he learned there were dozens, maybe hundreds, maybe thousands of classified e-mails on AOL accounts of top Republican operatives. He found a few and then refused to subpoena Powell's PRIVATE AOL e-mail account or the RNC's or any other Republican's private e-mail to learn if it was thousands or tens of thousands of e-mails. For all Comey knew they weren't just marked with a "little c" that signifies they are only classified temporarily. For all Comey knew, the Republican state house had e-mails with the most top secret classifications. Once he accidentally found a few of Powell's that were classified, he immediately shut down the investigation. Why?
Either Comey knew that Hillary Clinton's "little c" classified e-mails were no big deal but he wanted the public to think they were, or Comey intentionally allowed serious national security breaches to go unexamined because they were committed by Republicans and would have served to exonerate Hillary.
We'll find out when he is put under oath, along with the NYC FBI agents who were illegally conspiring with Giuliani who somehow knew before anyone else what was coming.
18
How do we know WHO put them on Carlos's computer? Yeah, it WAS kind of a big deal that they ended up there. I am sure that Hillary didn't send them there. So, just WHO DID?
America has always given the FBI far too much credit for being a premiere independent agency when in fact it's been more than sleazy, from a cross dressing gay dictatorial director who accrued illegal secret files on his political enemies and torpedoed investigations into southern state lynchings to agents as enablers of mob murderers like Whitey Bolger. Is Comey in the employ of the KGB or just a useful idiot? I think both. We need to find out. Fourth estate, earn your keep.
17
Got it, Comey BAD... Now that we've all agreed, let us not forget one fact which seems sorely missing from all of the hoopla: he has a boss, the Attorney General. Why didn't she stop him? She WAS consulted prior to the letters going to the Hill and could have put the brakes on the whole mess, and yet, she didn't. Why not? If Comey's actions threw the election one way or the other, the DOJ senior leadership knowingly and willingly sanctioned Comey's actions.
4
Well she kinda blew it when she had a talk with Bill Clinton on the plane, didn't she. Not very smart,
Hillary is the president. She should just set up shop and start giving orders. She can count me in.
19
I second that with all my heart. Motion passes! First order of business, Madam President is to revoke US citizenship of Donald Trump and deport him to Russia
15
"Wait! James Comey is to blame for Hilary Clinton's loss? I thought Vladimir Putin was... or was it the Electoral College?"
I think Moammar Qaddafi and Saddam Hussein and the Ayatollah Khomeini had something to do with Clinton's loss too. They may be dead, but that doesn't make them entirely powerless.
One thing for sure: Hillary Clinton herself had nothing whatsoever to do with her loss.
I think Moammar Qaddafi and Saddam Hussein and the Ayatollah Khomeini had something to do with Clinton's loss too. They may be dead, but that doesn't make them entirely powerless.
One thing for sure: Hillary Clinton herself had nothing whatsoever to do with her loss.
9
she may have been a lousy candidate, but that does not excuse comey's efforts to throw the election to trump.
8
Putin is winning chess. He is chewing up Trump's pieces.
4
my question is, what did Giuliani know, who told him, and when did he know it?
18
While we cannot change the end result now, this investigation helps future leaders in similar predicaments a way to manage the process better - thus a decent fact finding Root Cause investigation rather than a witch hunt would be preferable. Comey misjudged the situation but many years ago he had acted with courage when Cheney was changing into a tyrant. So we cannot vilify him now because of the elections. This election stressed our nation in many ways - some held true to their convictions and others made some bad decisions. I hope the FBI director gets a fair investigation.
2
Do people really believe that this investigation will last beyond the end of the month....
5
Since one does not have to prove intent in violations of 18 U.S. Code § 793 (f) Comey should be hailed as a hero to the Democratic Party and to candidate Clinton. He and he alone added the "missing intent" which he used as a disqualifier of charges during his first news conference concerning Clinton's emails. As for his second news conference he may have been trying to make up for his ethical lapse contained in the first conference.
4
But then Michael Flynn would be in jail, too, and not available to help Putin destroy our country as Trump's #1 advisor.
1
RJ - Non sequitur! Flynn did not have emails containing classified information "leaking" out of his electronic devices! But you didn't read 18 USC 793 (f) did you?
Clinton investigation . . . That's all we've been hearing about for years. Suppose it means anything?
3
All this embarrassing hoopla to give our sickening government the patina of legitimacy. These "hearings" are an utter farce. Corporate, CIA, FBI, Pentagon, Wall Street, Senate and Congressional filth are completely above the law and have been for 50 years.
12
The fact remains that Clinton had a private server in her basement which is about the dumbest move I have ever seen. Then, on top of this dumb mover she participates in an even dumber set of moves including lying to all of us. Comey was doing his job in fact he probably wanted to indict her but was ordered to stand down. To this day the state dept has still not handed over all of the email materials in their possession. Clinton has no one to blame but herself. Another poster pointed out that a more robust and honest dem primary would have vetted all of this way before the general election. Alas Crooked zHillary, all of her super delegates and the DNC were not going to let that happen. Hillary was a very weak candidate, no real accomplishments in any job she had ever had and a disaster in her most recent SOS job. She lost and she is the reason.
13
Somehow the legitimacy of Trump's presidency will dog him until he either resigns or is unceremoniously impeached. These are not good times for america.
20
That's what they said about Bush, right up until 9/10
1
Better to ride it out.Impeach Trump we get Pence. That's even worse.
Didn't Comey- just tell congress that he could not comment on an ongoing investigation when asked about Trump and the Russians? Rules change, I guess.
20
My oh my, dear Mr. Comey, what a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive.
Of course I believe you, Mr. Comey. You are a man of honor, whose word is your bond.
Whereas with Hillary you, and your man you got elected, have a seething distaste for. You both share that hatred with your Russian counterpart, Vlad the Impaler.
That hate has been dispersed throughout our once great nation, a country borne of slavery, yet could elect a Black man President; astounding. Yet somehow we the people could not see through the blatant misogyny which runs rampant when it came to discerning if a certain woman was competent enough to lead us.
Who are Hillary's haters? You won't believe this but guess who? It is White folk who found Hillary completely "untrustworthy", a label which FOX "news" permeated for years into the ether, and eventually caught fire.
When Hillary left State she had one of the highest approval ratings ever. She was a valuable asset to President Obama, worked well with others, was a team player. Hillary could never be accused of not knowing her job and doing her best.
But all that changed. Eight committees were convened concerning (all together now): BENGHAZI. Then came the e-mails, and more e-mails right up to Election Day.
The problem with our politics lies with we citizens. When minds can be turned around by electioneering propaganda and we are not savvy enough to recognize it, we will stay mired in ignorance.
DD
Manhattan
Of course I believe you, Mr. Comey. You are a man of honor, whose word is your bond.
Whereas with Hillary you, and your man you got elected, have a seething distaste for. You both share that hatred with your Russian counterpart, Vlad the Impaler.
That hate has been dispersed throughout our once great nation, a country borne of slavery, yet could elect a Black man President; astounding. Yet somehow we the people could not see through the blatant misogyny which runs rampant when it came to discerning if a certain woman was competent enough to lead us.
Who are Hillary's haters? You won't believe this but guess who? It is White folk who found Hillary completely "untrustworthy", a label which FOX "news" permeated for years into the ether, and eventually caught fire.
When Hillary left State she had one of the highest approval ratings ever. She was a valuable asset to President Obama, worked well with others, was a team player. Hillary could never be accused of not knowing her job and doing her best.
But all that changed. Eight committees were convened concerning (all together now): BENGHAZI. Then came the e-mails, and more e-mails right up to Election Day.
The problem with our politics lies with we citizens. When minds can be turned around by electioneering propaganda and we are not savvy enough to recognize it, we will stay mired in ignorance.
DD
Manhattan
22
Doesn't " when first we practice to deceive" apply to Hillary and her server?
Get this straight. They, both sides, picked terrible candidates, and many of us knew that. Given a choice we would have selected "none of the above." IMHO
8
In America, the people pick the candidates in a protracted series of primaries and caucuses. The electorate have no one to blame but themselves.
Comey belongs in prison - not at the head of the F.B.I. He is as corrupt and transparently partisan as J. Edgar Hoover and is using his position in exactly the same way: to politicize the F.B.I. and to use it as an agency devoted not to law enforcement but to political repression. Let there be no mistake: Comey, with Putin's help, pulled off a fascist coup d'etat in the United States of America. It wasn't merely Clinton who was vanquished last November but our system of democratic rule itself.
21
Could it be that Russia has some kompromat against James Comey as well? It could explain his behavior.
11
Exactly. I was going to write this and saw that you already had. I had those exact sentiments when it happened.
4
I would like to know how much the GOP pushed the FBI on this matter. Remember the zeal and zest that Rep. Gowdy's showed during the hearings on Benghazi.
8
This is ridiculous. the DOJ, already tainted by its race-based actions, is now responding to the Hilary and DNC calls to investigate the FBI?
This is pure politics. We are now in the precarious position of having everyone in the country distrust the DOJ. I can't wait for the new head to come in. It can't be any worse.
This is pure politics. We are now in the precarious position of having everyone in the country distrust the DOJ. I can't wait for the new head to come in. It can't be any worse.
3
I don't trust Trump, and I think his whole entourage is a pack of fools.
11
What's what's the point now, Putin will be running our country.
7
What's most interesting is that leaders on the left have been quick to chastise Donald Trump for undermining intelligence agencies by his questioning of their findings on Russian hacking, which the president-elect claims are politically motivated. Yet there seems to be little backlash from either party, so far, regarding this investigation in to Comey, which, according to early reports, amounts to what is essentially the same accusation of the same intelligence organization.
It is glaringly clear how hypocritical the leaders of both parties are at this point, and also how little concerned they seem to be with maintaining even the semblance of respect for our nation's security, intelligence, and political process.
It is glaringly clear how hypocritical the leaders of both parties are at this point, and also how little concerned they seem to be with maintaining even the semblance of respect for our nation's security, intelligence, and political process.
2
Get a clue. None of these gerrymandered-district parochials cares about or represents any "national interest".
7
It's all so politically charged regardless of an FBI IG probe, a Justice Dept probe., or some other review. Anything done by or under the current Obama administration will be suspect. The one single event that could definitively settle all this - and it would be a huge political gamble - would be for Obama to officially pardon HRC of all present and future crimes against the US. That may happen on his final day in office. If yes, it will haunt Obama until his death.
2
If you actually read the limits of the IG task, you will see that he will not revisit substantive decisions made about investigations. They are focused on process.
3
Obama already knows he should have let the lady go first.
I cancelled my voter registration after the election. If the FBI is mingling in our presidential election I am finished voting . Now Russia intervening ? I'm done!
5
How do you "cancel" a registration, doesnt it simply lapse?
3
If you're a Democrat, your vote never mattered in Indiana.
3
Please don't. Your vote counts.
Not mentioned is another element of the investigation - an FBI twitter account came alive days before the election, releasing archived information about Bill Clinton pardoning Mark Rich and some positive info about Trump's father. It was bizarre. Then the account went quiet.
11
What a pity that George H. W. Bush had forgotten to pardon Marc Rich with all the other Iran-Contra conspirators.
1
Why is it a conflict of interest if the deputy director's wife is running for Congress as a Democrat? That seems like a stretch.
5
All it takes is dark money and volunteer political operatives materializing miraculously out of thin air to run as a Democrat.
It's pay back time in Washington! Apparently there's no reason to wait the traditional hundred days for the new administration to demonstrate policy direction. After all the "Birthers" and "Crooked Hillary" gang tried desperately to delegitimize and humiliate the Obama administration within minutes of his taking office. Even as they labored to repair the extraordinary damage to the nation by Bushes inept wars and economic mismanagement. After Mr Comey is dragged through the sewer we can then move on to the Sponsors of the Russian hackers. But the best is yet to come with President Trumps sex-tape revelations, denigrating personal attack style, invisible tax returns and glorious business flubs followed by multiple multi-million dollar Whitewater model investigations.
When you wrestle with pigs they get happy and you get dirty.
When you wrestle with pigs they get happy and you get dirty.
8
With eight days remaining, there will no doubt be additional expenditures of government resources to dissipate energies better spent elsewhere, say, for example, in governing the country. We have the malodorous "dossier," a name far too dignified for its contents and intent, and we have today's announcement of an investigation into an investigation, an insider's dream if ever one there were.
It is clear that the political zeitgeist demands that no slight be forgotten. Each insult must be met with revenge. Whether this is the best way to create a legacy will be history's tale to tell. For now, however, these calculated maneuvers do serve to remind all, of whatever persuasion, how unattractive bitterness is.
It is clear that the political zeitgeist demands that no slight be forgotten. Each insult must be met with revenge. Whether this is the best way to create a legacy will be history's tale to tell. For now, however, these calculated maneuvers do serve to remind all, of whatever persuasion, how unattractive bitterness is.
1
Trump happens to be an exceptionally insecure guy. A better adjusted person lets social gaffes of others slide like water off a duck's back.
6
I was devastated when I found out that Hillary didn't win the election. But, let's face it, no matter how many investigations we hold over Comey's letter or Russia's hacking, or whatever else is brought to light, we're stuck with HIM. In the light of the day, it's horrific.
17
James Comey will go down in history. And the story will not be pretty.
He will be the example held up to one and all as how to shoot yourself in the foot.
Sic semper the ill advised politico.
Of course, it was a political blunder.
He will be the example held up to one and all as how to shoot yourself in the foot.
Sic semper the ill advised politico.
Of course, it was a political blunder.
7
Utter fools do something when nothing is the wisest thing to do.
2
Where is that Senator that will stand up and say, "Have you no shame sir?"
12
Someone wrote that he is a good man who made a boneheaded error. That is the same truth for Hillary's e-mail server, which Comey called "extremely careless."
6
Sounds like there was a major element of "payback" in Comey's actions. Funny how HRC's private emails were not hacked or am I mistaken? The rest was disproved Republican hyperbole.
5
Comey's letter and Putin's hacking, impossible to determine the damage done to this election. But they will alway loom large in the annals of history as determining factors that changed the landscape of American politics.
6
Bernie Sanders too -- don't forget him! And the Pope -- he was involved too, I have no doubt!
In fact, pretty much everybody and everything conspired to defeat Hillary Clinton, with only one exception: Hillary Clinton herself. Ironically, she's the only person on the face of the planet who had nothing to do with her loss.
In fact, pretty much everybody and everything conspired to defeat Hillary Clinton, with only one exception: Hillary Clinton herself. Ironically, she's the only person on the face of the planet who had nothing to do with her loss.
4
Speaking of damage and history, make sure you include Hillary's idiotic use of personal server.
1
My only hope is that the people who voted GOP suffer the most consequences with what will surely follow with the disastrous trifecta. Mean of me? Yep.
15
Do you really think the people mooching off the taxpayer by getting Obamacare subsidies are Republicans. They're 90% Democrats.
3
You're wrong. The majority of the moochers live in red states.
It's really time to move on, people...
5
Oh, we will be ...
No. Its corruption and in a real democracy it needs to be fully investigated.
13
To what? Does anyone even remember what's supposedly important anymore? After a year's worth of vicious campaign lies and scandals and all the preoccupation with obsessing over ever bit of it, who even remembers why we're here, if that's all that mattered? Maybe some have found a way to exist eating nothing but politics. Fortunately I throw up every time I try and am now content with only bread and water.
4
He should have left the FBI in shame. If not for the erroneous information or non-information he falsely, the horrendous ignorance of good timing. Regardless of his service he will only be remembered for his last gaff. A true shame ALL the way around.
6
Comey was placed in a very difficult position, and has been a good and hard-working director.
Mrs. Clinton, of course, brought the "email" mess upon herself.
Mrs. Clinton, of course, brought the "email" mess upon herself.
3
This move is coming surprisingly late. Comey's actions did not make sense by any standard, and tho I am the farthest thing from a conspiracy theorist, it would not surprise me in the least to find out that he was being blackmailed or otherwise pressured or rewarded into his actions prior to the election. He is a man with no ethics.
14
Where will this lead? Yes, he needs to be brought to task and perhaps serve some time in prison. But the damage is done and huge damage it is.
Is there any recourse for the maligned? Are there any laws that would allow the election to be recast?
We were railroaded and continue to be by an emerging evil empire.
Is there any recourse for the maligned? Are there any laws that would allow the election to be recast?
We were railroaded and continue to be by an emerging evil empire.
8
Only a vast consensus of common sense can recast this election.
2
Ever head of closing the barn doors have the horses have bolted?
Too little. Too late. The FSB and their rogue FBI allies have succeeded.
All this will do is get the Inspector General fired by the Republican Congress and Comey the Order of Lenin or whatever US President Designate V. Putin calls it today.
Thank you all for serving your country. the Russian motherland.
Too little. Too late. The FSB and their rogue FBI allies have succeeded.
All this will do is get the Inspector General fired by the Republican Congress and Comey the Order of Lenin or whatever US President Designate V. Putin calls it today.
Thank you all for serving your country. the Russian motherland.
9
Was Comey (F.B.I.'s boss) so dense when he interfered with the presidential elections, 11 days before the vote, in making public further Hillary's e-mails on swine Weiner's computer, to escape the ire of republicans; or, a direct attempt to swing the election results towards crooked lying Trump? Although we may not find out, Comey remains highly suspicious of graft; after all, he is a republican; and he turned down the Justice's Dpt. counsel to hold off in publicizing a pending investigation (that turned out to be negative), as was the usual procedure. Quite frankly, with the specter of interference, Comey should be investigated thoroughly, and sent packing.
14
There was a double standard applied by the FBI in this last presidential election. In the weeks before the election Comey notified the public that the FBI was re-opening its investigatiion of Clinton regarding e-mails found on the Mr. Weiner's computer even though it was unsubstantiated that the e-mails were evidence of wrong doing by Clinton. At the same time the FBI was investigating the dossier asserting unsubstantiated allegations of improper actions of Trump and his campaign's involvement with the Russians. However these allegations and the FBI's investigation of them were withheld from the public in the final weeks of the election.
19
Since when does the FBI broadcast "XYZ is being investigated by the FBI"? If the FBI develops a case, a US attorney announces that XYZ has been charged with ABC.
2
Oh that letter definitely changed the tide of the election. I remember it vividly -- Trump was reeling from more and more lurid news about his treatment of women and his connection to Russia, and the polls were rising for Clinton. And then suddenly Comey comes out with this vague letter and he riles up the Trump supporters and the anti-Clinton voters, just days before the vote. The polls start going down rapidly. His little "oops" email two days before the vote did nothing to change it.
It was the first time I ever thought to distrust a national intelligence and law enforcement agency like the FBI. Now I see them as politicized and untrustworthy, possibly corrupt, as I would the KKK.
It was the first time I ever thought to distrust a national intelligence and law enforcement agency like the FBI. Now I see them as politicized and untrustworthy, possibly corrupt, as I would the KKK.
20
@Lorrae,
but you blame Trump for his distrust of the national intelligence?
but you blame Trump for his distrust of the national intelligence?
Comey brought up Anthony Weiner and Huma Abedin.
It really was personal to Comey.
It really was personal to Comey.
5
It's a little weird to distrust an agency that actually took unethical steps in YOUR FAVOR -- but I get your point :) However, Comey's actions were internally political, and I'm concerned about any President who doesn't want to at least hear what the international intelligence investigators have to say, even if he wants to reserve judgment. I don't hold ALL of the FBI and NSA and CIA accountable for the political actions of a few officials.
Of even more concern to me than Comey's failure to report the material from the Russian spy is the fact that ** before ** Comey announced that he was investigating Hillary a second time due to the Wiener case, Rudy Gulliani announced to the world that something big would come out in a day or two. Apparently Guilliani knew in advance of the announcement by Comey that Hillary was under investigation. Leaking internal details in advance to Hillary's opponent is totally biased -- whether he did it or some one on his team. I hope this knowledge by Guilliani is investigated as well.
15
DOJ is going to start an investigation based on what? FBI conducted the investigation in an impartial manner when he cleared Hillary away, but James Comey is a Republican lackey when there is investigation on Hillary. The latter is the basic logic for the liberal lackeys. If James Comey wanted to destroy Hillary, then he would have just called her a "criminal" and recommended criminal prosecution to DOJ. However, this new case will not only make FBI a laughing stock, but also will question the integrity of the intelligence agency. I don't know what is the real motive behind the investigation, because I don't see anything other than question Comey just because he said something and Hillary lost. Yesterday news leak of fake story about Trump, and then today about this is only making Trump stronger than anyone. He can very easily claim that media and the present establishment as corrupt and lying and the people will believe that becuase both the media and some government agencies have acted like that. I am deeply disappointed with the agencies having partisan attitude and the democrats are bringing the worst from them.
"Yesterday news leak of fake story about Trump,"...Nice try, but it is not a fake news story. The FBI really did investigate a dossier of information that Russia had salacious information on Trump; and the Dossier really was compiled by a former intelligence officer who was regarded as a reliable source; and the news story did report accurately that the FBI could not verify the validity of the information. So please tell us what is false about the story.
6
Keep believing that is the motto of the conspiracy theorists. That will definitely apply to the liberals now.
Yes indeed, Clinton haters in the FBI hijacked the election using, Russian espionage and totally false conclusions about "emails and DNC secrets." Of course Putin and Trump were in on it. It's a conspiracy for and by idiots. Bottom line is this: Donald Trump is a traitor. Every reaction by Trump reflects guilt upon him and his minions.
8
Good, the tables have turned. I hope they go through his record with a fine tooth Comey.
8
To have a private server in her basement is about the dumbest thing I have ever heard of.Even dumber is her series of lies and misdirections for the last 2 years. Dumb and Dumber is the reason she lost the election period.
5
But she outfoxed the Russians, who didn't hack her server or block it with denial of service attacks.
3
Right, Steve Bolger! Her e-mail server was the only one not hacked!
Sorry Steve, she gets 3 D's:
Deceitful
Dishonest
Dumb
Deceitful
Dishonest
Dumb
Comey should be vigorously prosecuted under the Hatch Act. He should be indicted and forced to resign.
10
Let's back up here just a moment. First, having a private email server is not a crime. It's the great Republican spin machine that made it appear to be a crime because the Senate Committee on Benghazi couldn't pin anything on Hillary. If you look at it, the DNC server was hacked, Podesta's server was hacked, Julian Assange and other hackers were leaking information left and right, but apparently Hillary's server was the safest place since it never was hacked. So Hillary actually did a smart thing by having her own private server. Now if having a private server had been a crime, then we would have expected Colin Powell and Condi Rice to have been harassed to the extent that Hillary was. So yes, Comey's actions were not just "extremely careless" but intentional and despicable. And treasonous since he swung the election to someone who was not fit to be president and is actually a threat to our security.
So great that he's being investigated, but the shame of the matter is that even if he's found to be guilty, the American people will have to suffer 4 years with a man who will destroy the very essence of democracy that this country stands for. And just as in 2000, the course of history has been changed, and the great United States of America had the opportunity to have a very intelligent and motivated president, but instead has opted for the lowest denominator of intelligence. American exceptionalism? No, the dumbing down of America. Sadly.
So great that he's being investigated, but the shame of the matter is that even if he's found to be guilty, the American people will have to suffer 4 years with a man who will destroy the very essence of democracy that this country stands for. And just as in 2000, the course of history has been changed, and the great United States of America had the opportunity to have a very intelligent and motivated president, but instead has opted for the lowest denominator of intelligence. American exceptionalism? No, the dumbing down of America. Sadly.
17
Lucy bringing up Sec Powell and Rice is quite a deflection. They did not have private servers in the basement of their homes. They did not continually lie about the server, the emails et al. Having a private server located in her basement is about the dumbest thing I have ever seen.
2
It was all perfectly OK when Colin Powell did it and everybody knew the State Department servers were subject to denial of service attacks.
5
Perfectly stated - wish I could recommend 100 times.
3
This can be easily avoided in the future by the FBI use of a Press Secretary, or liaison. One would think the Director of such an organization might find a better use of his time, while he is working for the Nation, then pursuing his own celebrity, by always seeking the cameras.
3
Inspectors General are political appointees that serve at the pleasure of the President. Trump will fire Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz and that will be the end of the investigation. Spineless Democratic leaders will whine and moan a little, the Republicans will get Propagandist In Chief Kellyanne Conway to charm and silence the feeble corporate media, and the "story" will quickly fade away.
7
I would rather listen to chalk screeching across a blackboard than Kellyanne Conway.
14
A day late and a dollar short. This seems to be our MO, whether in reacting to Trump's lies and peccadillos, Russia's election meddling, or the FBI's hand on the scales. Incompetence at best, otherwise a criminal conspiracy.
8
The moment of opportunity is over before the US realizes it was real.
2
What happens if they find out it was politically motivated? Does the election result get nullified? What if they even find out he kept the allegations about the Russians hacking the DNC under wraps? Aside from justice and vindication, how exactly are Americans supposed to find satisfaction? Comey will go down in history as a fraud and traitor. How will that undo the damage that he's contributed to?
12
What if it is personal? Comey came up empty investigating Whitewater. He might blame Hillary for setting back his career.
2
@Steve Bolger,
And why then he let her go in July?
And why then he let her go in July?
1
So he felt compelled to speak up about Clinton right before the election but not Trump?
He needed to either speak up about both or keep quiet about both.
He needs to resign immediately.
He needed to either speak up about both or keep quiet about both.
He needs to resign immediately.
24
I'm not vindictive, I don't need criminal actions, I just want the truth.
5
With thin skin and prone to vengeance, I suspect we will see a lot more of these intimidation/smear activities by various federal agencies against anyone or any organization that criticizes Trump.
5
I can't find anything on the NYT website about this, but apparently several days ago, the FBI released more than 300 emails, some with state secrets, that HRC had sent from her private email server to a colleague (Blumenthal?), and they were hacked by intelligence from foreign governments. Sessions just stated that he would steer clear of any further investigation of HRC. Does that imply that there will be one? I don't know if this is true or not, but it sure does speak to Mr. Friedman's piece yesterday about considering the source and the angle of the news you read.
As far as Mr. Comey, after Mr. Clinton met with Ms. Lynch, I think he was between a rock and a hard place and tried his best to do the right thing, which was going to be condemned no matter what.
As far as Mr. Comey, after Mr. Clinton met with Ms. Lynch, I think he was between a rock and a hard place and tried his best to do the right thing, which was going to be condemned no matter what.
5
"apparently several days ago, the FBI released more than 300 emails,"...If you can't identify the source why would you repeat it?
6
Didi - So at what website did you find this astonishing "information"? This was revealed several days ago? And the Trump team didn't use this to deflect from the Russian dossier and his embarrassing press conference performance? Fake news can be an addiction, you know.
4
Why do some of us expect a whitewash?
4
You mean Whitewater? It doesn't ever end, does it?
Here is the first question James Comey should be asked under oath:
When you found the same kind of supposedly "classified" e-mails in Rice and Powell and other Republicans private e-mails after the most cursory investigation, why didn't you subpoena their private e-mails to see how extensively US security had been compromised and what secrets were now out there? Why did you shut down any investigation of Republicans once you learned that Powell and others had these same confidential e-mails that you said you were so concerned about that you needed to re-open the investigation 11 days before an election?
Will Comey answer: "I wasn't concerned because I knew those kind of e-mails didn't endanger anyone so I didn't even bother to follow up to see if there were thousands of them in Rice and Cheney's AOL emails" ..... Or will he say "They were Republicans and I don't investigate Republicans even when I accidentally learn that they are committing the same "crimes" I smear Democrats with committing."
What is Comey's excuse for violating the Hatch Act when he shut down any attempt to subpoena Powell and Rice's private e-mail accounts that both used for state department business? Because Comey's insistence that he HAD to announce he was re-opening the investigation of this great crime 11 days before the election falls apart when you see that he shut down such an investigation when it was high ranking Republicans' private e-mails.
When you found the same kind of supposedly "classified" e-mails in Rice and Powell and other Republicans private e-mails after the most cursory investigation, why didn't you subpoena their private e-mails to see how extensively US security had been compromised and what secrets were now out there? Why did you shut down any investigation of Republicans once you learned that Powell and others had these same confidential e-mails that you said you were so concerned about that you needed to re-open the investigation 11 days before an election?
Will Comey answer: "I wasn't concerned because I knew those kind of e-mails didn't endanger anyone so I didn't even bother to follow up to see if there were thousands of them in Rice and Cheney's AOL emails" ..... Or will he say "They were Republicans and I don't investigate Republicans even when I accidentally learn that they are committing the same "crimes" I smear Democrats with committing."
What is Comey's excuse for violating the Hatch Act when he shut down any attempt to subpoena Powell and Rice's private e-mail accounts that both used for state department business? Because Comey's insistence that he HAD to announce he was re-opening the investigation of this great crime 11 days before the election falls apart when you see that he shut down such an investigation when it was high ranking Republicans' private e-mails.
13
"Investigate the (arguably) politically motivated actions I don't agree with (ignore the ones I like)."
Yes, fine, but where does this leave the U.S.A? Stuck with the weirdo guy we saw ranting at his "press conference" yesterday?
How do we undo this mess? So much damage could be done in four years, we really shouldn't do nothing but endure. This is wrong!
How do we undo this mess? So much damage could be done in four years, we really shouldn't do nothing but endure. This is wrong!
11
Why do I think this investigation will mysteriously stop on Jan. 21?
4
Would Michael Horowitz want to have an investigation about the FBI and the email situation if Hillary Clinton had won the presidency. Back in July the Democrats seemed pleased with the results by James Comey and praised him highly. When he reopened the case against the emails in October, the Democrats were very upset. He became the enemy and they hurled many insults at him. If it makes them feel better, have an investigation. It would not have changed the election results and Donald Trump would still be our next president. Mrs. Clinton was a flawed candidate and people just did not like her.
5
WMK, except that nearly three million more people voted for the "disliked" Clinton than voted for Trump. Trump is obviously MORE disliked than Clinton! And, by the way, please let me know who all the unflawed candidates are -- I've never yet seen one. Unless "unflawed" actually means "has a Y chromosome."
4
Comey's statement last July and his letter 10 days before election were borne of the fact that too many of his subordinates share too much info with members of the press. Just last month a federal judge in NY instructed a criminal defense attorney to file a motion to dismiss a criminal case based upon the admission of an FBI agent that he had invited two reporters to join him for lunch to discuss a criminal investigation in order to "turn up the heat" on his bosses who he deemed to be ignoring the case. The Bureau has become politically infected with the partisan bug. There needs to be a real house cleaning conducted.
6
Let's not forget that Comey tried twice to sabotage Clinton. The first time was in his unprecedented and unwarranted reprimand in July at the close of his investigation. The second was the partisan inspired comments about the emails on the laptop days before the election which in fact proved to only remind us of the bogus investigation his agency conducted. So instead of emails on a server we now have Donald Trump being offered bribes of $2B in a secret meeting by a UAE developer. Not to mention the involvement of Russia who wanted Clinton out and Rex Tillerman in so that US sanctions against Russia could be lifted and the Exxon oil deal could start to pump oil out of the Russian owned part of the Arctic. Comey disgraced himself and his office. And to those here who write that his actions did not decisively change the outcome of the election I am posting links to two informative analyses which show that he did. (1) https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-much-did-comey-hurt-clintons-ch... and (2) http://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2017/1/11/14215930/comey-email-election-....
7
Wait! James Comey is to blame for Hilary Clinton's loss? I thought Vladimir Putin was... or was it the Electoral College?
At what point will Democrats stop the pointless witch hunt (or warlock hunt given Comey and Putin are guys) and simple accept voters did not like Hilary Clinton.
Your cognitive dissonance is getting tiresome folks. Time to love on.
At what point will Democrats stop the pointless witch hunt (or warlock hunt given Comey and Putin are guys) and simple accept voters did not like Hilary Clinton.
Your cognitive dissonance is getting tiresome folks. Time to love on.
7
"... voters did not like Hilary Clinton."
Reminder: she got 3 million more votes.
Reminder: she got 3 million more votes.
5
Dr. M, your argument about voters "not liking" Clinton would have more weight if Trump had not lost the popular vote by a margin that has historically accompanied serious defeats in the EC... Or to paraphrase your own words, 2.8M more voters did not like Donald Trump.
And you do understand that defeats can have multiple causes? Comey, Putin and fake news all played a part. Those factors amplify, not contradict, one another.
And you do understand that defeats can have multiple causes? Comey, Putin and fake news all played a part. Those factors amplify, not contradict, one another.
4
...except the majority of voters DID like Hilary Clinton. Time to get a grip on reality.
4
Comney's name belongs right up there with J E Hover's on the 'Wall of Shame', a federal, tax-supported offical, using his office to further a personal policical agenda.
8
At the very least he should be jailed along with his Trump.
9
In December 2000 George W Bush was handed the Presidency by the United States Supreme Court because the "selective" recount of some counties in Florida violated George W Bush's right to equal protection under the constitution. Doesn't anybody think the action of FBI Director Comey in leaking that a "new" investigation of emails possibly concerning Hillary Clinton violated her equal protection rights? Seems also that the warrant to access these emails was improper and invalid.
12
At the very least Comey should be jailed with Trump and Giuliani.
10
Comey's letter is a stain on Obama's legacy.
It ranks right up there with the decision not to go after the executives at the i-banks who knowingly bundled garbage mortgage backed securities and sold them to unsuspecting buyers. How do we know they knew? Because the i-banks took out credit default swaps against those very same securities as soon as they sold them. They knew they were going to fail.
Why Obama didn't intervene in the Comey matter by either 1) stopping the letter in its tracks, or 2) swamping the story with a rebuke of his FBI Director and putting the Russian hacking front and center. Including the part about how the FISA applications had been submitted to investigate members of the Trump team.
I'm a big fan of Obama. In my lifetime he ranks as perhaps the best president I have seen in office. But his tone deafness on this matter is beyond the pale. In his parlance, he "did stupid stuff."
I cannot understand why our intelligence agencies, since they had the Trump dossier for some time, didn't advise the president on whether or not crimes were committed.
The stench that hangs in the air on this one smells. Big time.
It ranks right up there with the decision not to go after the executives at the i-banks who knowingly bundled garbage mortgage backed securities and sold them to unsuspecting buyers. How do we know they knew? Because the i-banks took out credit default swaps against those very same securities as soon as they sold them. They knew they were going to fail.
Why Obama didn't intervene in the Comey matter by either 1) stopping the letter in its tracks, or 2) swamping the story with a rebuke of his FBI Director and putting the Russian hacking front and center. Including the part about how the FISA applications had been submitted to investigate members of the Trump team.
I'm a big fan of Obama. In my lifetime he ranks as perhaps the best president I have seen in office. But his tone deafness on this matter is beyond the pale. In his parlance, he "did stupid stuff."
I cannot understand why our intelligence agencies, since they had the Trump dossier for some time, didn't advise the president on whether or not crimes were committed.
The stench that hangs in the air on this one smells. Big time.
10
It would be very interesting to learn how witnesses to the meeting between Bill Clinton and AG Lynch would, under oath, describe the discussion that took place. Hopefully the IG will pursue this.
5
Bill did not run for president.
2
Gee, maybe, hi and how's the family. If they really wanted to conspire, I bet they are smart enough to figure out a way to do it without being in an airport tarmac.
7
J. Edgar Comey helped Trump get elected. He's a partisan hack who has hated Hillary since he investigated her in the 1990s.
18
The fact remains that Comey was way out of bounds and he knew it. HIs action had nothing to do with justice or law enforcement. It was a political move and in time I am quite certain we will find out in time that Trump* and the GOP knew about it long before it was launched. How many undecided voters were bumped off the fence into the Trump* swamp by this last minute slander? My guess: all that were needed to prevent Hillary Clinton from easily taking the election and all that Trump* needed to win.
13
And while you are thinking about a conspiracy how does anyone know that there were any Clinton e-mails on Weiner's PC? Or even if there were, that the FBI already knew they were irrelevant duplicates, before Comey sent his first letter to Congress.
2
Loretta Lynch meet Bill Clinton.
If people are looking for partisan corruption start here.
Comey did what he did because he didn't want to be accused of a coverup of Clinton won. Ooops - she lost. Coneys motivation was completely reasonable.
If people are looking for partisan corruption start here.
Comey did what he did because he didn't want to be accused of a coverup of Clinton won. Ooops - she lost. Coneys motivation was completely reasonable.
3
So was Putin's motivation.
3
Comey's "motivation" should have nothing to do with the matter. Following the laws, following proper protocols, being above partisanship, and making eithical decisions are all that should matter. If Comey did these things to protect his own reputation, then he acted inappropriately, and should be fired.
And the American people (especially Trump and his minions) need to know the truth about what transpired and WHY it transpired. If we find out that Comey did what he did because he wanted to support Trump, or because the Russians have something on him, then we need to know that.
And if this delegitimizes Trump's "victory" in the election, then we all need to know this as well. (Especially the ego-maniacal Trump.)
And the American people (especially Trump and his minions) need to know the truth about what transpired and WHY it transpired. If we find out that Comey did what he did because he wanted to support Trump, or because the Russians have something on him, then we need to know that.
And if this delegitimizes Trump's "victory" in the election, then we all need to know this as well. (Especially the ego-maniacal Trump.)
5
Are all of these too little, too late pronouncements and investigations the result of Obama not wishing to rock the boat? If so I have just stopped being a fan of Obama, and I seriously thought he was one of our best presidents. So much for defending our Constitution and representing the will of the people.
9
You forget that all the polls said that Clinton would win anyway, and Trump had already declared that the elections was rigged against him. If Obama believed the polls, why would he unnecessarily hand Trump ammunition?
2
I used to think it was just another conspiracy theory, but I'm coming around to the idea that Putin or someone in Trump's campaign has something on Comey. I'm also beginning to believe that someone in Trump's campaign had direct contact with Putin or one of his stooges. The only good news is that Trump is so stupid that he keeps making war with the intelligence agencies, and we might get to the truth. The bad news is the best we are going to do is a Mike Pence Presidency and a Republican Congress, which makes my head hurt almost as much.
23
This is only going to politicize the FBI further. We need to get a grip on the fact that HRC lost because she was a mediocre candidate that won the primary by rigging it along with her pals at the DNC. Furthermore, she ran a mediocre general election campaign. She made the race tight when it need not have been. This should have been a slam dunk win against a buffoon.
4
She lost because of the stupidity and the laziness of the American voting cattle who either didn't turn out, or didn't take a look at the platforms of the candidates.
4
I'm startled that the list of subjects for investigation doesn't include politicized leaks from the New York office of the F.B.I., which Rudy Giuliani was gloating about, on television, in the days before Comey's announcement. Without that illegal possible violation of F.B.I. rules, Comey wouldn't have come under whatever political pressure he has claimed to feel to publicize finding the laptop, in terms that inevitably made it sound as if Clinton should be considered something close to a criminal.
Just in time to send Clinton's pre-election polls into a dive. And despite, like clockwork, the eventual re-announcement of No Criminal Behavior After All.
A much better label than one can put on secret contacts between the Trump campaign and the most adversarial foreign government to our country.
Just in time to send Clinton's pre-election polls into a dive. And despite, like clockwork, the eventual re-announcement of No Criminal Behavior After All.
A much better label than one can put on secret contacts between the Trump campaign and the most adversarial foreign government to our country.
9
The Purloined Letter.
Abedin did not turn in the laptop because it belonged to Weiner.
So far, so good. Nothing criminal.
Except, she hid the 600,000 emails under a filed labelled home insurance.
Perfect crime.
Except, FBI was investigating a different crime and stumbled on the emails.
Abedin did not turn in the laptop because it belonged to Weiner.
So far, so good. Nothing criminal.
Except, she hid the 600,000 emails under a filed labelled home insurance.
Perfect crime.
Except, FBI was investigating a different crime and stumbled on the emails.
1
Hid? Do you have access to Obama's emails? Trump's? How about mine?
2
A bit late isn't it? Don't worry this will all go away once trumps cronies are in place.
3
The first mistake was when Director Comey announced no prosecution of HC. That is when the FBI injected itself in the campaign. He was lauded by Democrats at that time. He had for all intents and purposes cleared HC. Had his boss AG Lynch not met privately with BC on a plane and had she then not recused herself, Comey would have said nothing. Did he act without some prodding? There is a suspicion at least that he was urged to say what he did so HC would not have a cloud over her. But, then when the emails were found on the lap top, it seems his conscience required him to say, other evidence was found. It was quickly looked at, and Comey announced, same conclusion. Now the Democrats vilify Comey, but he did not cause HC to lose nor did Putin. HC lost because she ignored the rust belt. I voted for HC. I blame her bad campaign for our present horrendous situation. And, is it any wonder now that many distrust the FBI or CIA? Now we have the Justice Department IG looking at Comey! And, we have the FBI and CIA publicizing unverified material on DT! For what earthly reason? Both the FBI and CIA looked like keystone cops. And, we also have President Obama saying he was given bad intel on Isis, hence he called it the JV team.
3
It is a bit of karma that Comey is being investigated on Clinton's emails. To paraphrase Trump, lock him up.
18
Here are the facts that Comey's 100-agent, year-long investigation uncovered: She was copied on messages originated by career civil service professionals who had handled classified information their entire careers, had ready access to a classified messaging system, and didn't use this system because they did not believe the discussions to be classified. They only became so when the FBI shopped four years of State Department emails to bureaucratic rivals in the intelligence agencies.
In short, an inter-agency squabble unrelated to Clinton in particular being Secretary of State. Some "scandal!"
That Comey spun this as misconduct, albeit non indictable, is itself gross official misconduct.
In short, an inter-agency squabble unrelated to Clinton in particular being Secretary of State. Some "scandal!"
That Comey spun this as misconduct, albeit non indictable, is itself gross official misconduct.
21
Mr Obama is the one who appointed Comey FBI director. President Obama wanted to show how bi-partisan he was.
President Obama could have gone strongly after Putin, when Putin decided to intervene in american elections. Instead, President Obama was too cautious . Obama cautiousness in foreign affairs was one of the reason his supporters loved him.
If Comey and Russia hacking are 2 of the main reasons why Clinton lost, cautiousness and bi-partisanship, two of Mr Obama most celebrated leadership qualities could also be the reasons why one of his most important achievement (Obamacare) will go down in flames.
President Obama could have gone strongly after Putin, when Putin decided to intervene in american elections. Instead, President Obama was too cautious . Obama cautiousness in foreign affairs was one of the reason his supporters loved him.
If Comey and Russia hacking are 2 of the main reasons why Clinton lost, cautiousness and bi-partisanship, two of Mr Obama most celebrated leadership qualities could also be the reasons why one of his most important achievement (Obamacare) will go down in flames.
6
Clinton lost 'cause she was an awful candidate.
2
Oh please. Obama was cautious because Trump was already complaining about a rigged election and all the polls said Clinton would win anyway.
2
Hillary Clinton created her own problems....when will the Democrats realize that? They'll start this investigation now, but come January 20th, it will be taken over by different people, and may take a turn for the worse for Hillary, not better.
3
Nope, decades of character assassination created the problems for Hillary Clinton.
3
This is good all around.
Because it is good for our democracy.
Because it is bad for politicization of our intelligence agencies.
Because it is good for hardworking agents who are being made to look foolish by poltical leaders.
Because it will vindicate Comey (who was just doing his job), since it appears he was made the fall guy by someone higher up.
The investigations must be allowed to proceed free and apolitical.
Where it leads may surprise us all, and may even be disconcerting to many.
Because it is good for our democracy.
Because it is bad for politicization of our intelligence agencies.
Because it is good for hardworking agents who are being made to look foolish by poltical leaders.
Because it will vindicate Comey (who was just doing his job), since it appears he was made the fall guy by someone higher up.
The investigations must be allowed to proceed free and apolitical.
Where it leads may surprise us all, and may even be disconcerting to many.
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