Thank you for writing this piece.
305
Keep up this very necessary work, Mr. Blow.
While it's awful that this country, indeed the world, has to go through all of this in order to catch the nefarious culprits who helped this narcissistic Aberration-in-Chief illegitimately enter the White House, your work, in addition to other tenacious journalists and what's left of our FBI and CIA, will surely shine a light on their criminality. And then real justice will be served.
While it's awful that this country, indeed the world, has to go through all of this in order to catch the nefarious culprits who helped this narcissistic Aberration-in-Chief illegitimately enter the White House, your work, in addition to other tenacious journalists and what's left of our FBI and CIA, will surely shine a light on their criminality. And then real justice will be served.
339
Thank you for writing this piece. It helps to enlighten the course of events. Well done. Thank you again, Mike
178
Regrettable poetry: "The Trump presidency is a corruption that flows from corruption. It is damned by its own damned lies."
Two of the biggest truths ever told in this country Charles.
Two of the biggest truths ever told in this country Charles.
161
Comey himself is being investigated by the Inspector General for issuing the letter 10 days before the election, and for the press conference he had when he announced there will be no charges against Hillary.
So the investigator is being investigated.
We really need a special prosecutor to do and impartial investigation.
"Justice Department inspector general to investigate pre-election actions by department and FBI"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/01/12/justice-de...
So the investigator is being investigated.
We really need a special prosecutor to do and impartial investigation.
"Justice Department inspector general to investigate pre-election actions by department and FBI"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/01/12/justice-de...
123
Charles, you owe us an apology...though we should never expect it...for your consistent Trump hatred and bashing, evidence to the contrary. The investigation is not even over, and already we hear that Obama was monitoring people, Trump "incidentally."
To demand an apology from Trump to Obama is absurd.
To demand an apology from Trump to Obama is absurd.
32
Comey goes out of his way to throw needless suspicion on Clinton before the election; Nunes runs to Trump to warn him that yes, he was swept up in an FBI investigation, but then keeps the news away from the public and the committee gathering evidence. Is there a pattern here?
167
Nixon
Reagan
Clinton
Bush
Trump
Anyone see a pattern emerging here?
Reagan
Clinton
Bush
Trump
Anyone see a pattern emerging here?
36
"He seems constitutionally incapable of registering what others would: shame, embarrassment, contrition. Something is broken in the man — definitely morally and possibly psychologically."
Hmm...lacking a conscience.
Do you mean like a sociopath? Aren't sociopaths also adept at deflecting blame?
Hmm...lacking a conscience.
Do you mean like a sociopath? Aren't sociopaths also adept at deflecting blame?
227
Feel free to call him President Thumbs.
57
I think someone needs to revive those Trump campaign ads - with "Clinton" crossed out and replaced by "Trump". Sauce for the goose...
213
Donald J. Trump is a Russian mole. Period, full stop.
226
I had to look up ''vituperative''. I like it when I am challenged daily and learn.
Having said, that this administration and its leader are being viperous.
Having said, that this administration and its leader are being viperous.
84
When something is morally broken it means something is psychologically broken.
63
trumped up:
Invented as an excuse or a false accusation.
Source: OED
Invented as an excuse or a false accusation.
Source: OED
84
Those emails seem so quaint in hindsight .(actually most reasonable people knew they were nothing)
116
One of the most effective ways for a thief to deflect attention is to be the first to yell, "thief!"
104
The only way to get this president out of office before 2020 is to make his life so miserable with head games that he will finally make up a health lie and quit.
112
Trump's incapability of registering shame is part of his psychopathy.
106
In Capitalism, the right price is what the market will bear.
In our current political environment, "truth" is what the Republican and Trump voters will tolerate. And these voters tolerate anything Trump and the right wing media tell them.
"Lie" is simply obsolete.
In our current political environment, "truth" is what the Republican and Trump voters will tolerate. And these voters tolerate anything Trump and the right wing media tell them.
"Lie" is simply obsolete.
75
Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green Party, Independent: we cannot allow this behavior to continue. The world laughs and will leave us behind, with China filling the void he is creating. Four years is too long to wait to replace the Liar in Chief. Contact your representatives in Congress and your Governors to put pressure on Trump the Chump to resign!
166
Your column underscores the fact that as nation we have been had. Even some who voted for Secretary Clinton say that we should accept Trump as a legitimately elected president. "Birth of the Biggest Lie' proves without a doubt that he is not!
85
Comey's decisions both about the Clinton and Trump investigations won Trump the election. He should be prosecuted under the Hatch Act.
155
Sometimes I wish that we could just redo the election with the facts known. In the English Parliamentary System, they would simply have a vote of "no confidence".
The effects of the election fraud is government-wide. Pence, Supreme Court nominee, legislature, etc. So, merely getting rid of Trump does not remedy the damage caused. That is, assuming a link with Russia that did throw the election to Trump. If Trump is removed, then Pence would be there under a cloud as well. Therefore, the adequate remedy could never come about.
I think that there should be a move to permit a new election, if adequate links are shown. The constitution would have to be amended to permit new election, if the winner is treasonous in the election process.
The effects of the election fraud is government-wide. Pence, Supreme Court nominee, legislature, etc. So, merely getting rid of Trump does not remedy the damage caused. That is, assuming a link with Russia that did throw the election to Trump. If Trump is removed, then Pence would be there under a cloud as well. Therefore, the adequate remedy could never come about.
I think that there should be a move to permit a new election, if adequate links are shown. The constitution would have to be amended to permit new election, if the winner is treasonous in the election process.
46
I watch "The Fog of War", the documentary on Robert McNamara, to remind myself of the real priorities we Americans should be paying attention to. MacNamara's preoccupation was a possible nuclear war that we fail to predict, prevent, or prepare for.
Our obsession with the latest Twitter post from Trump and the one up man ship of Washington players are the last things that matter in today's world. The incompetence and pettiness of our elected officials could easily translate to inattention that leads to MacNamara's worst nightmare.
My greatest fear is that we Americans and the world are in no way behaving in a manner to fend off mistakes by heads of states that will accidentally start a nuclear exchange of weapons.
We've lost our perspective!
Our obsession with the latest Twitter post from Trump and the one up man ship of Washington players are the last things that matter in today's world. The incompetence and pettiness of our elected officials could easily translate to inattention that leads to MacNamara's worst nightmare.
My greatest fear is that we Americans and the world are in no way behaving in a manner to fend off mistakes by heads of states that will accidentally start a nuclear exchange of weapons.
We've lost our perspective!
38
The questions I have, and have not seen any answers to, are...why did Comey choose to make public a flimsy and ultimately unfounded charge about Clinton's emails just a week before the end of the campaign?
And further, why did he choose not to disclose the far more serious charges he was investigating about Trump and his involvement with Russian interference in the election?
Until we hear from Comey under oath about these questions, the entire election is squirrely and illegitimate, in my opinion.
And further, why did he choose not to disclose the far more serious charges he was investigating about Trump and his involvement with Russian interference in the election?
Until we hear from Comey under oath about these questions, the entire election is squirrely and illegitimate, in my opinion.
109
What we have produced for ourselves, especially with the rise of the extreme right in America, is a political system on the bedrock of blatant mendacity. In the worst possible construction of Hillary Clinton's email misadventure, it was an error blown obscenely out of proportion by figures whose own dealings were near or over the boundary of treason, which side to be determined.
Regardless of what James Comey is saying or doing now, his misguided and unbalanced role in the campaign was pivotal. He may well go down in history as the head demolition man in the destruction of the world's most venerated constitutional democracy. If he cares, he'll sleep restlessly for the remainder of his nights.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
Regardless of what James Comey is saying or doing now, his misguided and unbalanced role in the campaign was pivotal. He may well go down in history as the head demolition man in the destruction of the world's most venerated constitutional democracy. If he cares, he'll sleep restlessly for the remainder of his nights.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
72
Context might have been a bigger problem for any of us ordinary citizens to know back then. If the FBI and Intelligence community truly define and perceive election-centric cyber-attacks on our democracy as war, then, why they conducted themselves the way they did, including Comey's unusal behavior pre-election, might indicate that that branch of government took actual premeditated treason (Trump bunch), rather than reckless irresponsibility (Clinton carelessness), more seriously than we thought. The larger purpose of the investigative branch's inquiries is to protect and perserve our country from invasion, foreign or domestically triggered. Either way, we need to fix our problems, including germimandeering and voting rights' rules, to ensure our country and democracy survives, whatever party is in power. The majority should count for more is an opinion I am not the only citizen holds to be a consideration when repairing the problem.
36
Hopefully Lin-Manuel Miranda of Broadways, Hamilton fame or the three authors of South Park and creators of The Book of Mormons are working hard to follow their successes by producing a new show on "donald". It would certainly help to break the psychosis thats presently enveloping the nation by donalds theatrics which certainly do not belong in Washington DC but up in the fantasy world of Broadway. Maybe a Putin like character playing the part of donald.
23
Si not fall into the abyss
I wish I never had a pain and not aches in my soul,
But I learn and learned simple to know that I burn
And only ashes in my wishes from the fire unfold
If uttered sentences that cried, oh my lord.
Oh my beautiful lord! Oh my lord!
And do not think this is natural or fortuitous thinking
In time of lies, alternatives facts, bloody confusion.
It is our souls that is being cut deeply inside, sinking
This ship and putting our heart to bleed in profusion.
Do not leaves in fears, keep your illusions.
And for those who are promoting the rip and torn,
Leading the country into an nonreturnable abyss
By simple promoting your own confusion and storm
You eating, by fear, the confidence in your eyesight.
And do not read blind, stop the lie! Stop the crime!
Enrique Anico
I wish I never had a pain and not aches in my soul,
But I learn and learned simple to know that I burn
And only ashes in my wishes from the fire unfold
If uttered sentences that cried, oh my lord.
Oh my beautiful lord! Oh my lord!
And do not think this is natural or fortuitous thinking
In time of lies, alternatives facts, bloody confusion.
It is our souls that is being cut deeply inside, sinking
This ship and putting our heart to bleed in profusion.
Do not leaves in fears, keep your illusions.
And for those who are promoting the rip and torn,
Leading the country into an nonreturnable abyss
By simple promoting your own confusion and storm
You eating, by fear, the confidence in your eyesight.
And do not read blind, stop the lie! Stop the crime!
Enrique Anico
7
I would characterize this new administration to be a "House of Lies". It's the "Pinocchio" story all over, cloaked in "The Emperor's New Clothes" and compounded by "corruption that flows from corruption". It is good to see that the NYT is up and running with commentary that calls this story as it really is: An unprecedented and ongoing series of prevarications on top of prevarications, with all of the dancing around the most important fact: Donald J. Trump is in no way qualified on any level to be holding this office. His dishonesty is the blackest of marks on our country, and until his constituency, and more important the Congress, admit this, the road going forth will be difficult. Of course the discovery of certain damning facts to prove the wrongdoings to be factual would help a great deal. Only then would we have to put up with more deflection and lies until DJT faces the fact of his ineptitude and malfeasance. This he will never admit, but let's hope he doesn't have a choice and must accept the inevitable and make a Nixon-like exit.
47
As investigations of the Trump kleptocracy move forward, the IC must always keep in mind that projection is his most-favored defense. Anything he accuses someone of, start looking into that aspect of his own conduct.
38
I suppose that he's not legally obliged to do so, but in the face of this ongoing investigation into the possibility that at least some of the President's men have colluded with the Russians in order to ensure a Trump victory, shouldn't Trump step down as your president until you have the results of the investigation? Otherwise, well, you might have handed the keys to your country to a criminal.
At the very least, the confirmation process for Judge Gorsuch should be suspended until you can be certain that Trump's entanglements with Russia are proven to be entirely benign. No president under active investigation for improprieties should be permitted to nominate anyone to the Supreme Court.
At the very least, the confirmation process for Judge Gorsuch should be suspended until you can be certain that Trump's entanglements with Russia are proven to be entirely benign. No president under active investigation for improprieties should be permitted to nominate anyone to the Supreme Court.
73
Colluding with Russians to affect public opinion in an American election isn't very nice, but what's the crime? Except for the hack, itself, which Russia apparently did on its own, I would like to know what the prosecution would be for. Lord knows, I would like to see Comey "lock them up" and throw away the key, but where's the crime? I hope somebody knows.
6
I don't expect much from a Putin or a Trump, but there's something especially irritating about a hypocritical goodie two shoes like Comey.
53
Just checking my math here.
Hillary had a private email server, something not inconsistent with behavior of other high-ranking public officials. FBI launched a criminal investigation that resulted in no charges. Yet we heard about this 3 times during the presidential campaign, including a week and half before the election.
At the same time, Trump's campaign was under FBI investigation for colluding with Russia to compromise the free and fair nature of the presidential campaign. We heard nothing about that.
Okay, story checks out.
Hillary had a private email server, something not inconsistent with behavior of other high-ranking public officials. FBI launched a criminal investigation that resulted in no charges. Yet we heard about this 3 times during the presidential campaign, including a week and half before the election.
At the same time, Trump's campaign was under FBI investigation for colluding with Russia to compromise the free and fair nature of the presidential campaign. We heard nothing about that.
Okay, story checks out.
97
Thank you for putting all of this out in one place. What the Republicans have done to Hillary Clinton over the years is despicable. The October pre-election attacks were just the culmination of years of falsehoods perpetrated against her leaving much of the public with distorted views of her.
99
The legitimacy of Trump's presidency is in question. He and his minions are under criminal investigation, while we as a nation spend million and millions of tax payer dollars to prop up and protect this "family of grifters".
I have never seen the likes of this in American politics. The blatant hypocrisy of this so-called president and the Republican party that stood mostly silent despite what they knew to be the truth about the presumed leader of their party, is astounding. To recall that barely half a year has passed since this man and his surrogates were screaming to anyone who would listen that Clinton made an unsuitable candidate for the presidency because the FBI was investigating her - a slur they continued to trumpet long after the FBI and other intelligence sources admitted they had no reason to continue such investigations - while Mr. Trump's own campaign was (and still is) under investigation for possible collusion with Russia in an attempt to influence the presidential election.
The hubris is breathtaking. I am sure there are others who, with me, cannot wait until the day when this poser is publicly escorted out of the White House along with his family. Only then can we can begin the real work of installing a government that remembers it's purpose is to serve the people of this nation, and create a society that protects and respects us all - not just those that seek to elevate and enrich themselves at the expense of others.
I have never seen the likes of this in American politics. The blatant hypocrisy of this so-called president and the Republican party that stood mostly silent despite what they knew to be the truth about the presumed leader of their party, is astounding. To recall that barely half a year has passed since this man and his surrogates were screaming to anyone who would listen that Clinton made an unsuitable candidate for the presidency because the FBI was investigating her - a slur they continued to trumpet long after the FBI and other intelligence sources admitted they had no reason to continue such investigations - while Mr. Trump's own campaign was (and still is) under investigation for possible collusion with Russia in an attempt to influence the presidential election.
The hubris is breathtaking. I am sure there are others who, with me, cannot wait until the day when this poser is publicly escorted out of the White House along with his family. Only then can we can begin the real work of installing a government that remembers it's purpose is to serve the people of this nation, and create a society that protects and respects us all - not just those that seek to elevate and enrich themselves at the expense of others.
115
Is there anyone alive who has been more investigated than Hillary Clinton?
Trey Gowdy couldn't get her to perjure herself during that marathon questioning session. People who are lying can't keep track of the facts well enough to do that.
Trey Gowdy couldn't get her to perjure herself during that marathon questioning session. People who are lying can't keep track of the facts well enough to do that.
34
Republican friends of mine think it is no big deal even if Trump himself colluded with the Russians during the election. The end result was the defeat of the vile Mrs. Clinton. They see no harm in working with our enemies as long as Clinton was kept from the presidency.
Folks..... when a sizable group feel that treason is a reasonable tactic then we are finished as a nation. The majority better rally soon or it may be too late.
Folks..... when a sizable group feel that treason is a reasonable tactic then we are finished as a nation. The majority better rally soon or it may be too late.
193
These folks are absolutely desperate to prevent anyone from demonstrating that competent government is even possible, much less beneficial. They fear Hillary because she has seriously prepared to do the job like nobody else before her.
26
I totally agree with your second paragraph, we have a serious issue as a nation when treason is an acceptable tactic to win an election. Thank You for your comment.
47
so much more than policy divides the parties, they could not be further apart in their core motivations. No I am not calling one good and other evil but: In watching this closely for 30 yrs as your republican friend said anything that gets the job done is allowable. I have seen that same willingness in certain cults, "anything that helps our cause, because we know we are right"
I remember being sick over all the plays with 2000 election while al gore presided over his own burial. Time after time dems voted in ,they have goods on gop iran contra etc but like Bill Clinton did he did the were all friends here no need to prosecute, then in 94 they crushed him and any agenda. Democrates have surely done wrong but they are more concerned with policy that helps people rather than "screw policy we crush the enemy and reward friends"
I remember being sick over all the plays with 2000 election while al gore presided over his own burial. Time after time dems voted in ,they have goods on gop iran contra etc but like Bill Clinton did he did the were all friends here no need to prosecute, then in 94 they crushed him and any agenda. Democrates have surely done wrong but they are more concerned with policy that helps people rather than "screw policy we crush the enemy and reward friends"
13
trump (v.2) from etymology dictionary:
"fabricate, devise," 1690s, from trump "deceive, cheat" (1510s), from Middle English trumpen (late 14c.), from Old French tromper "to deceive," of uncertain origin. Apparently from se tromper de "to mock," from Old French tromper "to blow a trumpet." Brachet explains this as "to play the horn, alluding to quacks and mountebanks, who attracted the public by blowing a horn, and then cheated them into buying ...." The Hindley Old French dictionary has baillier la trompe "blow the trumpet" as "act the fool," and Donkin connects it rather to trombe "waterspout," on the notion of turning (someone) around. Connection with triumph also has been proposed. Related: Trumped; trumping. Trumped up "false, concocted" first recorded 1728
"fabricate, devise," 1690s, from trump "deceive, cheat" (1510s), from Middle English trumpen (late 14c.), from Old French tromper "to deceive," of uncertain origin. Apparently from se tromper de "to mock," from Old French tromper "to blow a trumpet." Brachet explains this as "to play the horn, alluding to quacks and mountebanks, who attracted the public by blowing a horn, and then cheated them into buying ...." The Hindley Old French dictionary has baillier la trompe "blow the trumpet" as "act the fool," and Donkin connects it rather to trombe "waterspout," on the notion of turning (someone) around. Connection with triumph also has been proposed. Related: Trumped; trumping. Trumped up "false, concocted" first recorded 1728
53
We shall see eventually but I had this thought: Comey did not reveal the Russia/Trump team investigation for a few reasons: They didn't want anyone to suspect they were being investigated for potential treasonous activity (that's what I call it) and, as stated in the hearings, identities must be redacted unless and until the FBI has reason to reveal them even internally. In order to understand how and why names were internally revealed we would need a very specific timeline of what was discovered when. Of course we still do not know what the FBI and NSA know. All we know is they are investigating ties of Americans to Russia to influence our American elections. It's a shame they had to say even that much. I don't equate the Clinton inquiry with the Trump inquiry. It may be that the FBI and NSA determined that the Trump Team situation was just too important to reveal. We can't know everything and expect intelligence to do their jobs. We may not want to but we must trust our intelligence services. If you wish to get to the truth on this matter taking the pressure off the intelligence agencies and letting them do their work is better than "demanding" half baked partial truths which compromise investigations and tell us nothing. Comey is under enough pressure from Herr Trump.
23
Yes, well, giving in to his baser instincts and his decades long pursuit of the Clintons didn't turn out well, did it? He had no business saying anything about Clinton 11 days before the election. That will forever brand him a partisan, that he revealed the less serious and in the end incorrect condemnation while hiding the more serious likelihood of real treachery.
A private server continues to be a non-crime and the labeling of Hillary Clinton was pure and simple trolling. Fact is, the trolls won. Now we have a monstrous dangerous antihuman in the driver's seat.
A private server continues to be a non-crime and the labeling of Hillary Clinton was pure and simple trolling. Fact is, the trolls won. Now we have a monstrous dangerous antihuman in the driver's seat.
71
Intelligence professionals can only gather information. Elected politicians with security clearances must set policies and make decisions based on the information they have access to.
18
A few words of advice, Mr. Trump. The next time you tell a lie, which of course, is often, remember what Martin Luther King, Jr. said. "Because no lie can live forever........".
27
The CIA has evidence, as does the FBI.
Flynn expressed concern regarding the Edward Snowden leak and what intelligence Russia could obtain from those documents.
Watch all the president's men fall one by one. Carter, Manafort, Stone, Flynn,
J. D. Gordon, Jeff Sessions...maybe Ivanka, who vacationed with Putin's girlfriend.
There's Trump Vodka, Palm Beach mansion sale to a well-heeled Russian.
In 2008, Donald Trump Jr. said Trump's businesses "see a lot of money pouring in from Russia."
Trump partnered with the Bayrock Group, run by Soviet immigrants, and according to a lawsuit filed, financed by Russian and Kazakhstan cash. Together, they developed Trump properties in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and New York.
Trump's in a big Russian mess. And we better check on people joining Mar-a-Lago, where he's held national security meetings in front of patrons as North Korea was launching a missile. Everyone could hear everything, and a patron posted a photo of the guy Trump had carrying the nuclear codes.
Crazy, and going down.
Flynn expressed concern regarding the Edward Snowden leak and what intelligence Russia could obtain from those documents.
Watch all the president's men fall one by one. Carter, Manafort, Stone, Flynn,
J. D. Gordon, Jeff Sessions...maybe Ivanka, who vacationed with Putin's girlfriend.
There's Trump Vodka, Palm Beach mansion sale to a well-heeled Russian.
In 2008, Donald Trump Jr. said Trump's businesses "see a lot of money pouring in from Russia."
Trump partnered with the Bayrock Group, run by Soviet immigrants, and according to a lawsuit filed, financed by Russian and Kazakhstan cash. Together, they developed Trump properties in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and New York.
Trump's in a big Russian mess. And we better check on people joining Mar-a-Lago, where he's held national security meetings in front of patrons as North Korea was launching a missile. Everyone could hear everything, and a patron posted a photo of the guy Trump had carrying the nuclear codes.
Crazy, and going down.
70
There is no Russian conspiracy. Just curious why you are so willing to believe all these accusations re: Trump. Were you as skeptical of Obama? Hillary?
6
Perhaps Comey should be investigated, not for ties to Russia but for possible conspiracy with mainstream Republicans to take out Clinton, and now to take out Trump and install Pence and Ryan. I know it sounds crazy but so did the election of Trump and even more surreal are all his administration's and campaign's ties to the Kremlin.
69
You're right. It does sound crazy. So how many explanations of legal protocol for the handling of classified info that Hillary violated do you need to see before you admit she was wrong and behaved in a criminal matter up to and after - in not turning over everything (including the bathroom server). Do you keep a server in your bathroom, too? And how many studies and polls do you need to see about the election before you believe that Hillary would have lost whether or not Comey made the announcement he made? She was a bad candidate. She called half the Dem electorate deplorable. The Foundation fundraising activities cast a huge shadow on her credibility and ethics. And her health issues were apparent - but lied about to the public. Even with Hollywood and the main stream media behind her, she couldn't carry states the Dems had carried for the last 3 or 4 elections. She was not inspirational nor transformative - representing the continuation of what her own party base believed was negative policy. Comey had absolutely nothing to do with her losing.
8
I hope Mike Pence isn't dancing a jig in anticipation that he will soon be president after Trump gets impeached. Pence should not benefit from Trump's treason.
104
Pence is a real piece of work. All he does is smile, look adoringly at Trump and shake his head in agreement with everything he says. From what I hear, Pence has done his share of lying as well.
34
I have not seen this question asked/answered anywhere else: Why did Comey make an unnecessary statement about Hillary Clinton, just prior to the election and during Early Voting for many states when it was clear she had done nothing of consequence wrong -- yet Comey saw no reason to inform the American people of an ongoing investigation of significant personal and financial connections between, at a minimum, the Trump Campaign and Russia whose actions were in fact an act of war against America?
I suspect that Comey, colluding with the Trump campaign and unable to stop the ongoing investigation of significant personal and financial connections between the Trump campaign (maybe even Trump, himself) and Russia, decided to continue throwing unfounded suspicion on Clinton in an effort to help Trump get elected. I believe Comey should be held as accountable as any of the other corrupt players involved in Trump's election.
I suspect that Comey, colluding with the Trump campaign and unable to stop the ongoing investigation of significant personal and financial connections between the Trump campaign (maybe even Trump, himself) and Russia, decided to continue throwing unfounded suspicion on Clinton in an effort to help Trump get elected. I believe Comey should be held as accountable as any of the other corrupt players involved in Trump's election.
103
My benign theory is that he too expected Hillary to win (despite his unprecedented letter to the Congress) and didn't want the investigation to be active after the election.
9
Why do you say it was assumed Hillary had 'done nothing of consequence wrong' when the material found on Weiner's laptop included emails and other communications that Hillary had not provided the investigators when asked and these were found after she insisted everything relevant had been turned over. There was nothing 'unfounded' in the suspicious ongoing discovery of new and more revealing communications Hillary had not shared.
There are people who have paid significant fines and/or served or are serving jail time for using unsecured communication devices with much less critical information than Hillary did. What she did was wrong and, under the law, criminal. She cannot be defended on this nor can her irresponsibility be deflected with baseless conspiracy theories about Comey and the Republicans. She was wrong. Comey was made aware of more hiding of emails and wrongdoing via an online porn investigation which netted Weiner. Comey had to reveal it or look like a chump for the Dems. Now you call him a chump for the Republicans. He did his job.
There are people who have paid significant fines and/or served or are serving jail time for using unsecured communication devices with much less critical information than Hillary did. What she did was wrong and, under the law, criminal. She cannot be defended on this nor can her irresponsibility be deflected with baseless conspiracy theories about Comey and the Republicans. She was wrong. Comey was made aware of more hiding of emails and wrongdoing via an online porn investigation which netted Weiner. Comey had to reveal it or look like a chump for the Dems. Now you call him a chump for the Republicans. He did his job.
5
What a great editorial! It really brings home the fact that there are many facets to this behavior.
10
One candidate was a congenital liar and a crook. The other candidate was a congenital liar, a crook, and a Russian agent.
I voted (by write-in) for McMullin, and hope for President Pence.
I voted (by write-in) for McMullin, and hope for President Pence.
4
Mr. Blow has a particularly naive view of the modern world. Let me put this as plainly as Snowden did - anyone and everyone is 'wiretapped' - by whom is almost inconsequential as it's merely a function of access to software that's readily available through non official channels. What's next Mr. Blow defending that Obama didn't wiretap Angela Merkel?
10
Incidental information picked up by software is in no way akin to wiretapping a telephone illegally to obtain information - something Obama did NOT do. You're creating a false equivalent here.
27
Donald Trump does not owe Barack Obama an apology for anything, and certainly not an apology to the American people. The American people are ignorant and deserve everything they get thrown at them (Clinton, Bush, Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Ryan, etc).
9
What makes a comment like this so laughable, is the double- standard it exemplifies -- Because we all know if Obama said or did HALF the things that Trump is saying and doing, we'd never hear the end of it.
27
And now that these lies have been revealed and and investigation is ongoing about Trump's campaign colluding with Russian agents, where are the angry mobs chanting "Lock him up!" about Trump? The hypocrisy of both the government and the American people is staggering.
Donald Trump should be impeached. He is not fit to govern.
Pence should not assume the mantle of president. He is too tainted by the Russian collusion, and it is impossible that he could have been completely ignorant of what was going on.
All of Trump's cabinet should be removed and his nominations withdrawn. Having be proposed/placed by an illegitimate president, they cannot be allowed to retain their positions.
Sadly, this would leave us with President Paul Ryan. One might cynically wonder if that is the real goal of the Republican Party.
Donald Trump should be impeached. He is not fit to govern.
Pence should not assume the mantle of president. He is too tainted by the Russian collusion, and it is impossible that he could have been completely ignorant of what was going on.
All of Trump's cabinet should be removed and his nominations withdrawn. Having be proposed/placed by an illegitimate president, they cannot be allowed to retain their positions.
Sadly, this would leave us with President Paul Ryan. One might cynically wonder if that is the real goal of the Republican Party.
49
Another "odd" (read: hypocritical) spin on this ball of Russian wax: the GOP repeatedly say, Well you're just speculating. Let's not jump to conclusions. Smoke, maybe, but no fire. And so on.
Then you have Nunes saying THEY DID SPY -- um, on Russian agents. And Spicer, THERE ARE STORIES -- um, that don't prove what I'm saying. And Trump, of course: A VERY WELL PLACED SOURCE -- um, who worked on my campaign and is now employed by Fox News.
Maybe the craziest thing is that their DEFENSE is hey, stop listening to our private conversations -- with Russian spies. During a presidential election. Won by .001%. That US intel agencies confirm was under attack by, er, Russia.
Then you have Nunes saying THEY DID SPY -- um, on Russian agents. And Spicer, THERE ARE STORIES -- um, that don't prove what I'm saying. And Trump, of course: A VERY WELL PLACED SOURCE -- um, who worked on my campaign and is now employed by Fox News.
Maybe the craziest thing is that their DEFENSE is hey, stop listening to our private conversations -- with Russian spies. During a presidential election. Won by .001%. That US intel agencies confirm was under attack by, er, Russia.
17
Though Comey gives the appearance of pursuing an investigation, I don't trust him. After his disclosure and too-late undisclosure about Hillary just before the election I wonder what's going on behind the scenes. It looks to me as if trump and Comey have some powerful blackmail material on each other.
38
I don't trust him either.
13
Transacting government business and exchanging confidential government information on a private server is illegal, period. Hillary Clinton knew this, Mr. Blow knows this, you know this, I know this, and a large majority of American voters know this. It cannot be sugarcoated.
Hillary Clinton has long believed that she is at least somewhat above the law. And in fact she is. I wouldn't want to see her prosecuted; but if an ordinary government employee did what she did, I would want him or her brought to the dock.
Hillary Clinton has long believed that she is at least somewhat above the law. And in fact she is. I wouldn't want to see her prosecuted; but if an ordinary government employee did what she did, I would want him or her brought to the dock.
7
You're commenting about the wrong article. The Comments topic is about the Russian mole currently serving as President of the United States.
18
A special prosecutor is needed. If this election was polluted by Russian collusion with the Trump team, then not only the presidency but all down ballot nominees were compromised. Winning members of the House and Senate are well aware of this, and are therefore in the position of passing judgement upon the legitimacy of their own elections. We must have an independant special prosecutor now. Otherwise this will all disappear into the mists of bushwah: like Nixon in Saigon, Reagon in Iran Contra, Bush's 'election' enabling Halliburton's profiteering in Iraq.
These were all treasonous acts that cost hundreds of thousands of lives including those of our Americans in uniform, and left our nation trillians in debt--enriching the oligarchy at the expense of everyone else.
Treason is not a victimless crime. Congress cannot judge itself. A special prosecutor must be appointed now.
These were all treasonous acts that cost hundreds of thousands of lives including those of our Americans in uniform, and left our nation trillians in debt--enriching the oligarchy at the expense of everyone else.
Treason is not a victimless crime. Congress cannot judge itself. A special prosecutor must be appointed now.
69
Anything that Trump continues to bang on regarding an opponent or something that is detrimental to his deconstruction administration is pretty much a guarantee that Trump (and his administration) are guilty of said offense.
Nearly everything Trump said about Hillary Clinton (temperament, stamina, [mental] health, lies) was a highly polished reflection of himself.
At this point, the pattern has been validated. Trump couldn't telegraph it better than if he said it himself... ;-)
Nearly everything Trump said about Hillary Clinton (temperament, stamina, [mental] health, lies) was a highly polished reflection of himself.
At this point, the pattern has been validated. Trump couldn't telegraph it better than if he said it himself... ;-)
43
What Mr Blow seems so exercised about was clear in June and July of 2016. Nevertheless, instead of worry that the US was allowing an unbalanced and probably senile Trump to run as a legitimate candidate; the newspaper's writers and commentators merely joked about him and the improbability of his election.
The paper and it's writers concocted the most absurdly bad and incorrect predictions concerning Mr Trump's chances of election, completely ignoring all of the propaganda that the Times itself published like heaped and bundled cord-wood around the pyre of Mrs Clinton, and helped ignite the flames of suspicion and insinuation of criminal or unethical behavior on her part. Not until the last 2 months before the election did the editors and writers begin to take seriously the possibility that their own reporting was actually affecting her ability to be elected. Millions of Democrats,(some have called asking me for money) admitted refusing to vote for such an ethically inferior candidate, especially as they preferred Sen. Sanders. Until the election was over, the Times predicted an easy victory for Mrs Clinton and thereby seriously aided Mr Trump by encouraging many voters to not vote, out of anger and resentment, especially after reading all about the terrible things hackers and Trump accused Mrs Clinton of doing, in the NY Times.
This is the third time in this century that Democrats have shot themselves in the foot. Our aim is getting better.
The paper and it's writers concocted the most absurdly bad and incorrect predictions concerning Mr Trump's chances of election, completely ignoring all of the propaganda that the Times itself published like heaped and bundled cord-wood around the pyre of Mrs Clinton, and helped ignite the flames of suspicion and insinuation of criminal or unethical behavior on her part. Not until the last 2 months before the election did the editors and writers begin to take seriously the possibility that their own reporting was actually affecting her ability to be elected. Millions of Democrats,(some have called asking me for money) admitted refusing to vote for such an ethically inferior candidate, especially as they preferred Sen. Sanders. Until the election was over, the Times predicted an easy victory for Mrs Clinton and thereby seriously aided Mr Trump by encouraging many voters to not vote, out of anger and resentment, especially after reading all about the terrible things hackers and Trump accused Mrs Clinton of doing, in the NY Times.
This is the third time in this century that Democrats have shot themselves in the foot. Our aim is getting better.
8
Partial truths written to weave "fake" news. Actually Blow could be right, the chances are almost infinite he is not, but he could be. We know that FBI was investigating Russia and was listening in to their conversations, which were sometime from Trump tower. The investigation could have nothing to do with those in Trump tower, or it could have a lot. It is not something Comey let out and Blow does not know. The Obama whitehouse said there was no evidence of collusion. Why Blow choose not to believe them is pure politics.
4
Mr. Blow, please return to writing about racism, a subject about which you are insightful, passionate, and versed. Your continuous and unrelenting outrage of Trump is trite, banal, and borders on uneducated, emotional, nonsense. Your criticism is completely predictable and as such offers little to your readers.
9
Gosh. I thought it was spot on, JDL. Charles Blow knows how to get to the heart of the matter. Do you still have confidence that Trump is an honest, intelligent, factual, and compassionate person? If so, please give examples of this.
34
I disagree completely. Mr. Blow is not a "racism" writer, he is an edtiorial reporter. To suggest he return to writing about racism displays a bias.
His columns on Trump are illuminating, concise, and an appropriate response to America's collective outrage.
His columns on Trump are illuminating, concise, and an appropriate response to America's collective outrage.
21
Why? Why should he stick to topics of racism? Your opinion that his writings on other topics, especially the problems caused and surrounded by Trump, are banal, etc., is just your opinion. As far as I have read, Mr Blow is an eloquent and keenly insightful commentator, period.
20
Nice Work Mr. Blow! With sooooooo many opinions out there right now it is critical that the facts (as detailed in your timeline) are constantly at the top of the page. These are not "alternative facts". This is another example where the truth is stranger (and possibly more treasony) than fiction. Keep focusing on the facts keep printing the truth and we will not need help determining right from wrong.
33
Now would be the dandy time to appoint a special prosecutor and a bipartisan select committee to investigate our President, this spineless fraction of a man.
42
It's going to be a pleasure seeing the Fascist Obama arrested and imprisoned for his blatantly illegal wiretapping and surveillance of President Trump. The fascist Democrats will of course defend the fascist police state they created, but We The People are horrified and repulsed by the criminal actions of the fascist Obama
11
Dear Chicago Trump supporter:
I was a college professor of history for 39 years. I know the historical meaning of the word Fascism. Trump meets six criteria of being a Fascist. I would not get paid for defining them to you so I won't bother but I can't resist pointing out one to you. Hitler lied a lot and once said that if you get caught in a lie tell a bigger one. That is what Trump does. You use the word fascist quite loosely to smear someone whose policies and person you don't like. Some critics of Trump are guilty of the same error. I could define in historical detail why I think Trump is a Fascist but it doesn't really matter. If the FBI investigation shows that he colluded with the Russians, the House should impeach (which is like an indictment.) Then he should be tried in the Senate. If two thirds of the senators say he is guilty then he will be forced to leave office. He won't be tried for being a Fascist but for being a traitor,
I was a college professor of history for 39 years. I know the historical meaning of the word Fascism. Trump meets six criteria of being a Fascist. I would not get paid for defining them to you so I won't bother but I can't resist pointing out one to you. Hitler lied a lot and once said that if you get caught in a lie tell a bigger one. That is what Trump does. You use the word fascist quite loosely to smear someone whose policies and person you don't like. Some critics of Trump are guilty of the same error. I could define in historical detail why I think Trump is a Fascist but it doesn't really matter. If the FBI investigation shows that he colluded with the Russians, the House should impeach (which is like an indictment.) Then he should be tried in the Senate. If two thirds of the senators say he is guilty then he will be forced to leave office. He won't be tried for being a Fascist but for being a traitor,
44
How to guarantee continued disenfranchisement of the Democratic party, and increase party losses both at the federal, state and local government levels:
Double down on the cudgeling of "old white males" with racial politics. Assume that the evident white guilt complex exhibited by so many in the coastal Law/Media/Academia/Corporate upper crust will somehow translate into political support where Democrats most need it, the hinterlands between California and New York.
When that doesn't work, fall back on Russothropy and misdirection/narrative spinning about the escalation of a new "Cold War", which nobody (other than those dumbfounded by last year's election results) has asked for or believes is warranted.
Said differently, keep relying on Charles Blow as the mouthpiece of the Democratic party and "progressive" movement. Continue looking for external factors to blame (The 3 R's: racism, rednecks, Russia) and avoid introspection of the Democratic party leadership at all cost. Let's see how that works out.
Double down on the cudgeling of "old white males" with racial politics. Assume that the evident white guilt complex exhibited by so many in the coastal Law/Media/Academia/Corporate upper crust will somehow translate into political support where Democrats most need it, the hinterlands between California and New York.
When that doesn't work, fall back on Russothropy and misdirection/narrative spinning about the escalation of a new "Cold War", which nobody (other than those dumbfounded by last year's election results) has asked for or believes is warranted.
Said differently, keep relying on Charles Blow as the mouthpiece of the Democratic party and "progressive" movement. Continue looking for external factors to blame (The 3 R's: racism, rednecks, Russia) and avoid introspection of the Democratic party leadership at all cost. Let's see how that works out.
5
One of two things will happen. Over the next few years, the oligarchs of the world, led by Vladimir Putin, will fully assume control of a puppet US government--or--in a Constitutional crisis of unprecedented proportions, the Trump administration's existence will be entirely expunged after treason has been exposed and successfully prosecuted. Life or death for the Republic. That's what it comes down to.
10
With a "Fake President" under FBI investigation, a seemingly illegitimate election rife with possibly treasonous acts, and a constitutional crisis at hand, the Supreme Court nomination process must be put on hold! Only a legitimately elected President should have the power to nominate a Supreme Court justice. Not to mention that it is a stolen seat to begin with. It has been Trump's tactic all along to accuse his opponents of the very crimes of which he is guilty. Thanks, Mr. Blow, for pointing that out. Now let's get this done-- call our reps, hit the streets, demand the truth, show our (non-violent) outrage. Where are the consequences?
13
Nothing surprises me anymore concerning the duplicity of the GOP. Nunes is just another empty soul trolling for relevance in an administration and party devoid of said relevance. That a large part of the electorate will buy this non-sensical deflection goes without saying. The brutality and cruelty exhibited by this party and this administration seems to go unchecked by the majority of the 62 million who gave them the political cover to use democracy to destroy democracy.
It is not surprising, either, that those who voted for Trump live lives of despair, poverty, and encroaching drug addiction. Their lives are shortened do to a failure of imagination and in their desperation buy the lies and deceits of a snake oil salesman who is a master of bait and switch, yet they still take the bait as they switch on Fox News, or click on Breitbart or turn the dial to Rush as they plow forward into oblivion and irrelevance, while dragging down the rest of the nation with them.
It is not surprising, either, that those who voted for Trump live lives of despair, poverty, and encroaching drug addiction. Their lives are shortened do to a failure of imagination and in their desperation buy the lies and deceits of a snake oil salesman who is a master of bait and switch, yet they still take the bait as they switch on Fox News, or click on Breitbart or turn the dial to Rush as they plow forward into oblivion and irrelevance, while dragging down the rest of the nation with them.
12
I think it's time we consider a National Civics Day where adults re-learn our learn about democracy and personal responsibility. Part of the day is hands-on learning, part volunteer. work. It won't correct this mess but it could be a powerful tool for engagement with our rights and obligations as Americans. I'm sure the president will be busy golfing that day.
13
Don the Con lied about President Obama not being qualified to be President because he wasn't born in this country. He lied about his "investigators" finding things "you wouldn't believe" in Hawaii. He helped convince most Republicans that President Obama was a Muslim born outside the US, and challenged the President's legitimacy. He never produced any evidence supporting these lies, and when running for President, the con man said he didn't want to talk about it anymore. His outrageous lie that President Obama tapped his phones has no support either, but his base still believes it. He says the evidence will come out, just as he did with his other lies. Trump is a serial liar and a master con man who plays on the ignorance of his base, aided by the Republican propaganda machine and the alternative universe it has created.
22
Every Republican member of Congress who supports Trump and any of his appointments is equally culpable and should be held accountable. These congressmen/women are enabling the corruption by their actions.Voters should be reminded of this on a daily basis, week after week, until a reckoning is achieved at the next election. Town meetings should be filled with angry citizens demanding an answer to the question--"Do you support Trump and his corruption and the dishonest way he won the Electoral College?" Most will run for the hills to avoid the wrath of voters.
16
If Trump doesn't apologize for his cowardly libel, Obama should sue him for a billion dollars to go to food banks and homeless shelters. In assessing damages Obama could subpoena Trump's complete tax records which will probably show that the fake president was deeply indebted to Kremlin kleptocrats.
24
Damned and yet more damnable. The Trump campaigners and now WH & government staffers and office holders, should they prove perpetrators of these acts, as now seems probable, must be indicted for high crimes and misdemeanors and yes, for treason against the USA. The penalty for these crimes are indeed dire. Our constitution will survive this national shame. Let's hope the perps do not. One can take the latter exhortation figuratively, as well as literally, as the law provides.
11
Trump's health care plan will not pass the Senate. His tax breaks for the rich probably will pass. There will be no infrastructure plan. Trump's business will boom because of position. Congress will further defund the arts and sciences making us dumber. For those who voted for this maniac, you will suffer the most. There is no defense in voting for man so full of greed and paranoia.
24
Regarding Comey's action, we must remember that the FBI had concluded its investigation of the Clinton email issue and the case was closed with plenty of time for the campaign to recover prior to the election.
Who would have ever believed that another computer owned by a disgraced former Congressman being investigated for underage child pornography would be discovered to contain tens of thousands of emails relating to the Clinton e mail issue?
Hollywood couldn't make that up.
Who would have ever believed that another computer owned by a disgraced former Congressman being investigated for underage child pornography would be discovered to contain tens of thousands of emails relating to the Clinton e mail issue?
Hollywood couldn't make that up.
6
@Jim
Regardless, it is not why Clinton lost. Liberals will harp until eternity that it is and one day a full paragraph is sure to be dedicated to the subject in Comey's obit, but the fact remains Ms. Clinton ran a terrible campaign in so many ways. She was, in a word, not electable. Watching the reality unfold that the media failed to reach its non-subscriber base was outright comical.
I won't argue with you on thet point of the disgraced contgressman and his PC containing 4,000 emails which needed to be reviewed for potential security violations, but I will add that it was the NYP that uncovered the emails and made a point to the FBI and it was their forceful push that contributed to the outcome as much as annyone's.
Regardless, it is not why Clinton lost. Liberals will harp until eternity that it is and one day a full paragraph is sure to be dedicated to the subject in Comey's obit, but the fact remains Ms. Clinton ran a terrible campaign in so many ways. She was, in a word, not electable. Watching the reality unfold that the media failed to reach its non-subscriber base was outright comical.
I won't argue with you on thet point of the disgraced contgressman and his PC containing 4,000 emails which needed to be reviewed for potential security violations, but I will add that it was the NYP that uncovered the emails and made a point to the FBI and it was their forceful push that contributed to the outcome as much as annyone's.
3
Comey? Again? Ad nauseam?
Talk of the Comey reminds me of some of my fellow Atlanta Falcons fans complaining about passing on 2nd down at the NE 23 when they could have run the ball two more times and kicked the field goal that probably would have won the SB. They are obsessing over 1 play out of over 140+ plays of that game merely because it happened near the end, never realizing that it should not have even come down to that play.
From the moment she was nominated her campaign had 102 days to win the nomination. Ms. Clinton was running against the least popular presidential candidate in history with a large section of his own party wavering against him. She had a large, talented campaign staff to work with. She was somewhat more popular than Trump. She even had the fact she would be the first woman president on her side. She had all the advantages so if they had run a half-way competent campaign she should have won easily, especially after that tape demonstrating Trump's misogyny was released.
Yet, here you are, bitching about a single play near the end of the 4th quarter of the campaign.
Sad and pathetic.
Talk of the Comey reminds me of some of my fellow Atlanta Falcons fans complaining about passing on 2nd down at the NE 23 when they could have run the ball two more times and kicked the field goal that probably would have won the SB. They are obsessing over 1 play out of over 140+ plays of that game merely because it happened near the end, never realizing that it should not have even come down to that play.
From the moment she was nominated her campaign had 102 days to win the nomination. Ms. Clinton was running against the least popular presidential candidate in history with a large section of his own party wavering against him. She had a large, talented campaign staff to work with. She was somewhat more popular than Trump. She even had the fact she would be the first woman president on her side. She had all the advantages so if they had run a half-way competent campaign she should have won easily, especially after that tape demonstrating Trump's misogyny was released.
Yet, here you are, bitching about a single play near the end of the 4th quarter of the campaign.
Sad and pathetic.
5
@S.Lesue
Clinton was only electable in the eyes of liberals and the liberal media. Her character as a public servant was highly questionable, as was her capability to lead. People across the board were willing to take the risks of Trump versus endorse a DOA president, which Clinton would have been for certain.
Clinton was only electable in the eyes of liberals and the liberal media. Her character as a public servant was highly questionable, as was her capability to lead. People across the board were willing to take the risks of Trump versus endorse a DOA president, which Clinton would have been for certain.
6
Our president a liar? what a embarrassing shame for the citizens of our country. It is everyday clown show in Washington DC in White House and in House and Senate. Shame on the politicians who put the interest of their party above the interest of the country.
21
@Asharaf - The interest of their party is the interest of the country, that's how a polarized two party system works, or should I say doesn't work. It's not the least embarassing, it's just a fact. Now that the Republicans hold the majority in the House, Senate and WH their interest is how they believe the country should be run. By the way, at least things are getting done. If Clinton were president nothing would be happening.
3
What a success! It always seemed to me that dt had as his foremost goal to make more money. He is doing so with his properties and his moneywad will increase with the legislation he proposes. His foreign Maralago workers won't benefit here. Neither will the environment with the scorched earth poison the pookie out of us policy. He is saving bucks on travel and security now that we are paying for it.
And soon the Ivanka Pennsylvana Avenue Shoe Store will open in the West Wing.
Wealthcare at its best.
And soon the Ivanka Pennsylvana Avenue Shoe Store will open in the West Wing.
Wealthcare at its best.
14
I'm one of many voters who didn't support Clinton or Trump for president. Neither of these two deserved to be president. I do believe, however, that Comey hurt Clinton's election chances. But, on her own, there were enough negatives to preclude her election. In short, a large number of voters literally hated her. The Democrats traveling on their single-minded track, bet it all on Clinton - it was time for a woman president. It didn't matter that there were better choices, only that her time had come. As for Trump, like millions of others, I knew for certain that he could never be elected. Well, you know the rest. It's either four years of alternate facts, or, dare I say it, impeachment.
11
There's this narrative of Clinton as a "flawed" candidate. Besides Fox News and right wing media hammering her for twenty years, what are the actual facts that make her so bad and undeserving of the presidency?
She was the most qualified person to run for president in a hundred years. Please tell me the "negatives".
She was the most qualified person to run for president in a hundred years. Please tell me the "negatives".
34
"Depending on the outcome of this investigation, we could be facing a constitutional crisis."
This is far too generous to President Donald J. Quisling. The fact is, we're already facing a constitutional crisis. For starters, we have an Attorney General who lied under oath about meetings with the Russian Ambassador, a man who doubles as the head of Moscow's espionage operations in the US. We also have an American President who extols the brutal tactics of foreign dictators, condemns federal judges for following the Constitution and accuses former presidents of committing treason without evidence. The fact that Trump and his campaign may have colluded with the Russians to steal the election is obviously a looming crisis. But in many ways it's a crisis that is already upon us.
This is far too generous to President Donald J. Quisling. The fact is, we're already facing a constitutional crisis. For starters, we have an Attorney General who lied under oath about meetings with the Russian Ambassador, a man who doubles as the head of Moscow's espionage operations in the US. We also have an American President who extols the brutal tactics of foreign dictators, condemns federal judges for following the Constitution and accuses former presidents of committing treason without evidence. The fact that Trump and his campaign may have colluded with the Russians to steal the election is obviously a looming crisis. But in many ways it's a crisis that is already upon us.
13
Oh, the irony, which would be laughable if it were not so serious. Trump spent a lot of the last part of his campaign insisting that Clinton would be under criminal investigation while a sitting president. Now it's Trump and his cronies under criminal investigation.
I can recall elections going back to age 5, in the 1950s and sitting presidents from Eisenhower. With the exception of Nixon, we have never had such a divided nation caused by a sitting president. Mr. Trump has serious problems and I can only hope they lead to his impeachment and conviction or worse for him. Meanwhile we will be stuck with possible crooks when he is replaced.
I can recall elections going back to age 5, in the 1950s and sitting presidents from Eisenhower. With the exception of Nixon, we have never had such a divided nation caused by a sitting president. Mr. Trump has serious problems and I can only hope they lead to his impeachment and conviction or worse for him. Meanwhile we will be stuck with possible crooks when he is replaced.
15
Serious thanks to Mr. Blow and many others who have built up the evidence and continue to fight for the soul of my country. This is only the tip of the iceberg; reporters are digging up new facts and likely treasons every day. McClatchy, The New Yorker, Rachel Maddow, Politifact, and others are building up a staggering gobsmacking story of betrayal. Translated into policy, we are looking at a collapse of civilization if we don't find a way to put the brakes on it!
For decades, and with increasing intensity, observers and scientists have been watching their words and work twisted into anti-reality propaganda. Practice makes perfect, and it is easier to destroy than to build.
The generosity and complexity of human life and history is at risk from people who only want to win, to profit, to exploit, and to bully.
It is so very easy to create a meme - the alternative to a fact is a lie or a fiction. But my friends and colleagues, every time you repeat the two words together - alternative and facts - you reinforce the big lie.
Reality is hard, honesty is hard. Cheating and lies are easy.
So please stop repeating the lies, even to discredit them.
For decades, and with increasing intensity, observers and scientists have been watching their words and work twisted into anti-reality propaganda. Practice makes perfect, and it is easier to destroy than to build.
The generosity and complexity of human life and history is at risk from people who only want to win, to profit, to exploit, and to bully.
It is so very easy to create a meme - the alternative to a fact is a lie or a fiction. But my friends and colleagues, every time you repeat the two words together - alternative and facts - you reinforce the big lie.
Reality is hard, honesty is hard. Cheating and lies are easy.
So please stop repeating the lies, even to discredit them.
49
People do all sorts of stupid things, driven by resentment of their own shortcomings and the inevitability of death. Living people are vessels of the souls of our ancestors. How utterly pointless to break the chain.
2
To the contrary, lies are much more difficult than the truth. Hillary's attempts to lie and obfuscate her private server issue sunk her campaign. And her haughty disregard for the law too. I remember when at one of her rallies she said "wipe the sever, how, with a cloth, ha ha ha ha ha." She was a deeply flawed candidate, not to say that Trump wasn't.
I think you need to examine your own biases, Stew R. Hillary was just the last of series of Secretaries of State who used private servers because the official portals are frequently under hacker attack. Nobody screams "Jail Colin Powell!". He told her about this problem and how he dealt with it. Everything connected with official secrecy leaves the involved people tongue-tied.
12
Bravo Mr. Blow for reminding us so meticulously of the sequence of events that led to placing someone so manifestly unfit into the White House. The question that we face now is whether we have a constitutional means for getting the country out of this unprecedented mess!
37
I think the US tends to revere precedent too much to change it. Look at the reverential paean to precedent Gorsuch used to deflect inquiry into his thinking processes. When they don't claim to read the mind of God, they will claim to know the minds of the dead.
1
The volitional ignorance of the Trump supporters commenting on this piece is literally paralyzing my thoughts. Hypocrisy has truly been brought to a professional level.
38
"I know who you are, but who am I?"
It is still grade school level material.
It is still grade school level material.
1
@ X.Guerrero - its actually the failure of the liberals to appreciate Trumps success. I don't see any Hypocrisy - America elected a business man that is doing exactly what he campaigned for. It's much better than the empty promises from democrats that have bankrupted the country for years. The irony is this has very little to do with Trump the man, he's just a callous greedy businessman that happens to be a heavyweight when it comes to one upsmanship.
1
People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones . . .
2
These folks say they do unto others as they want others to do unto them. I don't think they quite understand what this means.
4
The United States is in the grip of a national emergency. We have a President who is a malignant narcissist at best and a petulant egomaniac at worst. When the definitive story on Donald Trump is written in the years ahead, it will be shown that any ethical lapses of the Clintons will pale in comparison to those of Mr. Trump and his minions.
70
What ethical lapses? Adultery? Being paid for a speech? Using the wrong email account? Trump is a mad sadist.
7
They already do.
3
Isn't it true that our so-called President can pardon everyone involved, nullifying a constitutional crisis? I'd rather have the crisis than the pardons.
5
Wasn't Hillary Clinton leading in the polls up to election day by 4 to 5 points? She ran a terrible campaign, ignoring white working class voters in states that thought were in the bag. Her emails were baked in the cake. Americans just did not want her to become president. It's pretty simple.
8
And Trump lost the election within the margin of error for those polls. Americans just did not want him to become president. It's pretty simple.
2
Not true. Clinton won the popular vote. And if you look at what white working class voters are exposed to in the media, it's no wonder they were scared. In the end, they will probably be the ones to suffer most as Trump slashes vital programs and services.
1
Hillary won the popular vote by 3 million people.
FBI James Comey destroyed her election chances.
11 days before election day he said he was re-opening his investigation on her emails. And the weekend before the election he said nothing was found, and she was in the clear. Busy people don't really follow news on the weekend.
Comey was at the same time, investigating Trump--but never told the public that.
Comey was the culprit and facts back me up. Russia was the culprit and facts back me up.
Russia and Trump worked together, along with affiliate Roger Stone, to spring Wikileaks against the Clinton campaign. This is part of the current FBI investigation. Ongoing right now. As we type.
Get over your self.
She did not ignore working class voters. As she was delineating policies to help the working class, instead the media repeatedly showed Trump rallies, hoping he'd say something outrageous to build their ratings.
FBI James Comey destroyed her election chances.
11 days before election day he said he was re-opening his investigation on her emails. And the weekend before the election he said nothing was found, and she was in the clear. Busy people don't really follow news on the weekend.
Comey was at the same time, investigating Trump--but never told the public that.
Comey was the culprit and facts back me up. Russia was the culprit and facts back me up.
Russia and Trump worked together, along with affiliate Roger Stone, to spring Wikileaks against the Clinton campaign. This is part of the current FBI investigation. Ongoing right now. As we type.
Get over your self.
She did not ignore working class voters. As she was delineating policies to help the working class, instead the media repeatedly showed Trump rallies, hoping he'd say something outrageous to build their ratings.
6
Why did Nunes run and tell the White House before telling his own committee? The only reasonable conclusion is that he tipped them off so they could start destroying evidence before a subpoena is called.
36
Nunes is their lap dog. He was told to release the nothing information to distract from the Comey testimony on Monday. As Schiff said, he either needs to be the chairman or a surrogate for the WH, he cannot do both. At this point, Nunes needs to recuse himself. He has tainted the House investigation, perhaps beyond repair. Make no mistake, this was no mistake. Bannon knows how this all works, and he wants to tear down our government. What better way than to poison the well? Trust no government institutions, including Congress. I see Bannon's fingerprints all over this.
6
Please add Azerbaijan Trump business to the list of things to investigate.
22
I've been following politcs for 50 years and I have never seen anything like this except Watergate. This truly frightening. For the country's sake I hope Trump is not guilty of treason. If he is, God help us all.
16
Watergate is small potatoes compared to this.
5
People who help themselves help themselves.
2
This is why Trump is justified to tweet his belief that Obama wire tapped him and demanded an investigation by Congressional committees: Why anybody would wiretap another, to get information. If you can get the same information through legal means, why you would use illegal means. Smart people in Obama administration used legal surveillance of foreigners to tap information, and then it was illegally leaked to discredit Trump and his associates. The effect of getting information through wiretapping and using information illegally that was got legally is same. Everybody knows that there were illegal leaks. Revelation by Intelligence Committee head confirms that there were surveillance. Pundits in rage may not understand this game, but people with common sense understand how the game is played here.
Regarding collusion between Trump campaign and Putin, FBI is investigating whether there was one. So far FBI has presented no evidence. If there is evidence, then the law has to take its course.
Regarding collusion between Trump campaign and Putin, FBI is investigating whether there was one. So far FBI has presented no evidence. If there is evidence, then the law has to take its course.
5
Except Obama cannot and could not order someone to be "wiretapped". Nor did Obama order "the Russians" to be wiretapped in order to try and snare DT and his band of Russophile's. Out of millions of Russians, how would Obama know to wiretap the Russian ambassador and just wait for Trumps people to come calling? Just as Obama's Mother did not publish his birth announcement, so he could, one day (50 years later), "run for President" as a "Kenyan".
So it is rather hard to justify, except if one is completely devoid of a fact based model.
So it is rather hard to justify, except if one is completely devoid of a fact based model.
3
There was no evidence on Anthony Weiner's computer, but it sure was useful to smear Hillary by association with it.
5
Certainly no fan at all of the current administration, and didn't vote for any of that! However, if the Dems believe they lost the election because of the FBI director's comments, they will never regain power. Serious, honest soul-searching and self-examination is the only way the Dems have any hope of turning things around. Crossing my fingers they will take the right steps, but also not holding my breath.
11
Elections in our highly tribal society are decided at the margins. One or two percent or less can make the difference.
But there are other factors that can tip the scales in a close election.
Usually they cancel each other out. But in 2016, they were additive. The Benghazi hearings, the constant innuendo about emails. Fake news on Facebook and the Alt Right. Russian hacking. Any one or two of these factors could have made a difference. Clinton won by 3 million votes, and she lost the electoral college by very small margins in three states. Exit polls show that the number of voters who decided at the last minute more than offsets the margin of difference in these three states. Add to this the baked-in 'gerrymandering' in the Electoral College, whereby urban areas are grossly underrepresented.
So, yes, any these factors, alone, or in combination with others, would have tipped the scale. The timing of Comey's revelation, alone, is probably more than sufficient to tip the scale away from Clinton.
But there are other factors that can tip the scales in a close election.
Usually they cancel each other out. But in 2016, they were additive. The Benghazi hearings, the constant innuendo about emails. Fake news on Facebook and the Alt Right. Russian hacking. Any one or two of these factors could have made a difference. Clinton won by 3 million votes, and she lost the electoral college by very small margins in three states. Exit polls show that the number of voters who decided at the last minute more than offsets the margin of difference in these three states. Add to this the baked-in 'gerrymandering' in the Electoral College, whereby urban areas are grossly underrepresented.
So, yes, any these factors, alone, or in combination with others, would have tipped the scale. The timing of Comey's revelation, alone, is probably more than sufficient to tip the scale away from Clinton.
5
They got 3 million more votes. That's a start. Plus, we can now see the "repeal Obamacare" was nothing more than a 7 year cudgel. Maybe Republican, rural, out of work, no healthcare folks, will wise up next time.
3
Best blow from Blow I've read. Now if we were to insert "Crises to Democracy" for "Constitutional Crises" I'd have said, "That ship sailed long ago."
6
"...a corruption that flows from corruption." Truer words were never spoke.
I shall leave it to historians to try to winnow out the vectors causing the unconscionable actions Mr. Comey took in October, which arguably may have precipitated this nightmare. The kindest explanation might eventually be that Mr. Comey, despite being a good man, made one catastrophic error of judgement; and now (understandably) he is trying to salvage the perceived integrity of the FBI. As for Mr. Nunes' collusion, it is contemptible, and I should leave to the constitutional lawyers whether this is criminally actionable.
But what is clear is that this **is** a constitutional emergency, a crisis of the first order. This is not a situation that "may evolve in the future." This is not even an unusual escalation of partisanship.
This is an imminent, immediate existential threat to the survival of our Republic, and unless the Democrats treat this as such, and act accordingly, the concept of a liberal, pluralistic representative democracy may very well "perish from the earth."
I shall leave it to historians to try to winnow out the vectors causing the unconscionable actions Mr. Comey took in October, which arguably may have precipitated this nightmare. The kindest explanation might eventually be that Mr. Comey, despite being a good man, made one catastrophic error of judgement; and now (understandably) he is trying to salvage the perceived integrity of the FBI. As for Mr. Nunes' collusion, it is contemptible, and I should leave to the constitutional lawyers whether this is criminally actionable.
But what is clear is that this **is** a constitutional emergency, a crisis of the first order. This is not a situation that "may evolve in the future." This is not even an unusual escalation of partisanship.
This is an imminent, immediate existential threat to the survival of our Republic, and unless the Democrats treat this as such, and act accordingly, the concept of a liberal, pluralistic representative democracy may very well "perish from the earth."
21
Of course the USA is the center of earth if not the center of the univers...
What is happening in the US is terrible, no doubt ! But be reassured, there are still other democracies around on earth that will make sure that those central values that seem to be in peril in the US at the moment persist!
What is happening in the US is terrible, no doubt ! But be reassured, there are still other democracies around on earth that will make sure that those central values that seem to be in peril in the US at the moment persist!
4
Thank you, Charles, for this enlightening review of how corruption of the candidate Trump, and elected Trump (I still can't call him "President") have so violated our fragile democracy, we clearly have a madman at the helm of the Ship of State. Many mental health professionals have written about the sociopathic mind of Trump. As a business fraud, narcissist, and sexual predator, his fan base forgave him for all of that simply on the basis of slanderous attacks on HRC from conservative media gasbags. The corrupt GOP only sees Trump as part of their toolbox for authoritarian rule. That toolbox uses lies, slander, and rigged gerrymandering at local levels, all meant to reduce or eliminate voters who would likely cast their ballots for Democrats.
So the faux election of Donald J. Trump has become the culmination of GOP destruction of democracy for the past 35 years and more.
IN a memoir by the late Senator, Tip O'Neill, he described the presidents he had worked with including: Nixon: the most corrupt; Carter: the most honest and kind; Reagan: the dumbest (perhaps I am paraphrasing here), ... If Sen. O'Neill were alive today, how would he rate Mr. Trump? Mr. Geo. W. Bush, Mr. Obama?
I suspect Mr. Trump would beat out Nixon as the most corrupt. Mr. Trump's father trained him to be merciless. The infamous Roy Cohn took over as chief advisor to the young Trump thus creating a sociopathic and autocratic liar and bully beyond his father's wildest dreams.
So the faux election of Donald J. Trump has become the culmination of GOP destruction of democracy for the past 35 years and more.
IN a memoir by the late Senator, Tip O'Neill, he described the presidents he had worked with including: Nixon: the most corrupt; Carter: the most honest and kind; Reagan: the dumbest (perhaps I am paraphrasing here), ... If Sen. O'Neill were alive today, how would he rate Mr. Trump? Mr. Geo. W. Bush, Mr. Obama?
I suspect Mr. Trump would beat out Nixon as the most corrupt. Mr. Trump's father trained him to be merciless. The infamous Roy Cohn took over as chief advisor to the young Trump thus creating a sociopathic and autocratic liar and bully beyond his father's wildest dreams.
26
I hope that someone enjoys his nice retirement. Most of us don't have an offshore, FOREIGN, bank account waiting for us. Just saying.
8
Thank you for the clarity with which you outline Trump's need to apologize to the American people and the need for an independent investigation into the apparent Russia-Trump campaign collusion. I am disheartened but not surprised by Trump supporter comments to your column, however, one would hope that their cognitive dissonance would be fast approaching a break point.
10
The price of electing a president with obvious personality defects of the highest order has now been made profoundly clear. Unlike Nixon, Trump's warped thinking patterns have been on open public display for decades. Desperate for a win at any cost, even well informed republicans still actively chose to look the other way. Trump is unfixable, it is all the republicans who knew better and still voted for him that owe the rest of America an apology.
26
Representative Nunes has irreparably damaged the bipartisan prospects of the congressional committee. The FBI investigations of Secretary Clinton found nothing. The charges by President Trump of criminal behavior by Clinton were lies. The charges by Trump that President Obama wiretapped him are lies. An actual FBI criminal investigation of Trump and his associates was already in place before the general election, and continues now to uncover additional damning evidence. We may confidently hypothesize that treason occurred.
This according to the Constitution which reads:
"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort."
Though "levying war" is not required for a finding of treason, we are in fact involved in a new kind of war: cyber-war.
It has been established that Russia is our enemy in this cyber-war. Beyond a shadow of a doubt they have tried to influence our elections and undermine our democracy.
It is indisputable that Russia is our enemy in general. Take, for instance, Crimea, The Ukraine and Syria.
The Trump team has assisted the Kremlin in any number of ways. They helped the Kremlin irreparably damage Secretary Clinton. They modified the policies of their party and the country.
Time and again this administration and its party have put their own concerns and those of Russia ahead of the interests of Americans and the country.
This according to the Constitution which reads:
"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort."
Though "levying war" is not required for a finding of treason, we are in fact involved in a new kind of war: cyber-war.
It has been established that Russia is our enemy in this cyber-war. Beyond a shadow of a doubt they have tried to influence our elections and undermine our democracy.
It is indisputable that Russia is our enemy in general. Take, for instance, Crimea, The Ukraine and Syria.
The Trump team has assisted the Kremlin in any number of ways. They helped the Kremlin irreparably damage Secretary Clinton. They modified the policies of their party and the country.
Time and again this administration and its party have put their own concerns and those of Russia ahead of the interests of Americans and the country.
16
We have an abundance of shame and corruption to cope with and the grand makings of constitutional crisis. The question is, what can be done about it.
While Trump was making his pronouncements about HRC's guilt I was thinking this is projection and he is accusing her of everything he's likely guilty.
Turns out this was likely a well conceived plot aided by Comey inadvertently I suspect.
We have the least qualified POTUS ever. We have a possible coup of our government, not so much by the Russians who are vested in this, but by a group of people who are completely out of their depth to govern.
We will survive this, one way or the other. I do not believe Trump will. He is on the collision course of self destruction.
If Trump won't apologize to Obama then I think each of us who supported Obama's presidency should take a moment to acknowledge our sadness that it has come to this and promise to end Trump before his first term ends.
While Trump was making his pronouncements about HRC's guilt I was thinking this is projection and he is accusing her of everything he's likely guilty.
Turns out this was likely a well conceived plot aided by Comey inadvertently I suspect.
We have the least qualified POTUS ever. We have a possible coup of our government, not so much by the Russians who are vested in this, but by a group of people who are completely out of their depth to govern.
We will survive this, one way or the other. I do not believe Trump will. He is on the collision course of self destruction.
If Trump won't apologize to Obama then I think each of us who supported Obama's presidency should take a moment to acknowledge our sadness that it has come to this and promise to end Trump before his first term ends.
10
This is the strangest, saddest, weirdest situation. I worry that cretinism is the new normal, and we'll all stop noticing the more minor transgressions that would have been big news in the good old days of 2016. Maybe that is Pres. Bonkers long game.
8
Hard to see what the future will bring. In the Roman Republic this period led to the Empire which eventually disintegrated under a series of incompetent emperors. We seem to be telescoping the whole series, but things do happen more quickly with modern technology, and we have some serious external competition which the Romans did not.
4
And it isn’t just Trump but his spawn who are bringing down our country. His eldest Don Jr writes the most horrible tweets every day even tweeting against the Mayor of London yesterday WHILE the terrorism killings were still occurring.
Lil Donny tweeted horrible anti-semitic comments during the campaign and continues unabated.
What a rotten family this is and that includes “complicit” Ivanka who now has her very own office in the WH next to daddy. No official position--just there to advertise the companies that she still owns and manages.
I guess no one cares about the Trump family’s business interests anymore as they rack up the coin!
Lil Donny tweeted horrible anti-semitic comments during the campaign and continues unabated.
What a rotten family this is and that includes “complicit” Ivanka who now has her very own office in the WH next to daddy. No official position--just there to advertise the companies that she still owns and manages.
I guess no one cares about the Trump family’s business interests anymore as they rack up the coin!
20
It is said that those killed or injured by a bomb never hear it. That's the case with the "bomb" dropped by Devin Nunes. It would seem to include the NYT as well, as its initial response was barely above a whisper, penned by the same reporters who have bee pushing the narrative that Trump colluded with the Russians. It was a reassuring reticence to those who believe that the political witch hunt directed at President Trump is running out of steam. That Trump was at least "surveilled" by the Obama administration is no longer in question. Forget about the comical literalness with which the president's words were treated. And, we are told, that these intercepts were not even related to what the FBI has been investigating for almost 7 months, and presumably for a considerable time longer. Democrats have pinned their hopes that Comey's probe will delegitimize the president. If that fails, one can only wonder what other insinuation the Trump-haters will invent.
5
Not all of us on THIS planet, in this country, can willfully mistake belief of the improbable and demonstrably false, with fact. The FBI is investigating possible collusion between a sitting president of the USA and a foreign government. Hopefully this lengthy and expensive investigation will find the president's role was limited to self-serving negligence and indifference. But on THIS planet, in this country, neither result is particularly appealing.
There is no dispute within our intelligence agencies that Russian government hackers were the source of the hacked DNC and HRC campaign emails. On THIS planet, the foundations of our democracy were attacked. The means and object of this attack is something that needs to be investigated so that it is not repeated and so that those responsible are held accountable.
On this planet, in this free country, "leaks" provide a necessary check on government. One may not aways agree with the leakers' motivations but often leaks open the door to policy changes or exposure of malfeasance. But the story here is not the leaks because the truth of the leaks isn't being questioned. The story is that the leaks have so far proved true.
So believe what you really, really, want to believe. But for those of us on THIS planet, in this country, stuck with this president, we're going to have to wait for a thorough investigation and hope for the best.
There is no dispute within our intelligence agencies that Russian government hackers were the source of the hacked DNC and HRC campaign emails. On THIS planet, the foundations of our democracy were attacked. The means and object of this attack is something that needs to be investigated so that it is not repeated and so that those responsible are held accountable.
On this planet, in this free country, "leaks" provide a necessary check on government. One may not aways agree with the leakers' motivations but often leaks open the door to policy changes or exposure of malfeasance. But the story here is not the leaks because the truth of the leaks isn't being questioned. The story is that the leaks have so far proved true.
So believe what you really, really, want to believe. But for those of us on THIS planet, in this country, stuck with this president, we're going to have to wait for a thorough investigation and hope for the best.
5
This is no witch hunt. That would imply charges against trump would need to be drummed up when there are plenty of charges to be held against the World's Most Dangerous Mammal.
I will point out there could be no media bias when it comes to our Commander in Tweet's twitter feed. He alone (and/or Bannon) control that feed. Media did not cause him to spout off an incredible claim against Obama when he had zero evidence to support that specific claim nor did media cause him to inexplicably and recklessly (his typical M.O. in all matters) grab at a straw that poked, mystified and angered GCHQ.
But let's assume trump was wire tapped (w/ or w/out quotations). Would it be a witch hunt to pursue his many blatant personal business conflicts of interest? Would it be a witch hunt to demand he produce proof of the 3-5 million (results may vary) illegal voters he bellows about? Would it be a witch hunt to demand his taxes? I could go on at length w/ other examples.
It is beyond me how his followers insist on perpetrating a battered wife syndrome, whereby the abused forever make excuses and rationalizations for the behavior of the abuser...until the abused goes missing...or ends up on a train...
I will point out there could be no media bias when it comes to our Commander in Tweet's twitter feed. He alone (and/or Bannon) control that feed. Media did not cause him to spout off an incredible claim against Obama when he had zero evidence to support that specific claim nor did media cause him to inexplicably and recklessly (his typical M.O. in all matters) grab at a straw that poked, mystified and angered GCHQ.
But let's assume trump was wire tapped (w/ or w/out quotations). Would it be a witch hunt to pursue his many blatant personal business conflicts of interest? Would it be a witch hunt to demand he produce proof of the 3-5 million (results may vary) illegal voters he bellows about? Would it be a witch hunt to demand his taxes? I could go on at length w/ other examples.
It is beyond me how his followers insist on perpetrating a battered wife syndrome, whereby the abused forever make excuses and rationalizations for the behavior of the abuser...until the abused goes missing...or ends up on a train...
3
What is comic is your notion that we should be satisfied with anything other than "literalness" from the President of the United States.
I can't help but believe there is more than one "smoking gun" that will be discovered, revealing incontrovertible evidence of the corruption of the electoral process via collusion with the Russians by the Trump campaign. Trump is a con man on a colossal scale, who will do or say anything to burnish him image or achieve his goals. His hijacking of America, installing his family in the White House and his conspirators in positions of making policy will go down as the biggest con in history. The 60 million people who voted for him in hopes of bettering their lives will discover that his campaign is no better than the notorious Nigerian email scam. Except the deprivation of health care will cost many of them their lives.
17
If the GOP were still a responsible political party, serious people in Congress would be deliberating invoking the 25th Amendment, thereby putting in place the constitutional means by which this incompetent and potentially dangerous man could be removed from office. As it is, we are adrift. God help us.
14
Trump operates on what's known as The Law of Logical Argument. It states that no matter what you utter, you can engage anyone in an argument if you don't know what you're talking about.
9
And the corollary; if you don't know anything about anything, there is no single subject or group of subjects you shouldn't be talking about.
2
The president need only shelter suspicious characters from inquiry and we got ourselves an impeachment proceeding. That's Madison talking.
5
Bottom line Wealthy White Men can do what they want, but Women irrespective of race, Blacks, Latinos, and individuals who are Muslims are believed to be horrible. It was said by a CNN commenter that the election was a "white washing", but I respectfully disagree. It was a stamp of approval for wealthy white men who think they are above reproach. Unfortunately, there will never be a ransom they can pay for their souls....it will all eventually come out in the wash and sadly many good people will go down too because they have put party over country and Mr. Trump before Jehovah.
4
Hilary Clinton should be handed the presidency as we throw this cad out.
She won the popular vote, letting us know that (for those who care about who we elect) she is the choice the voters really wanted.
She won the popular vote, letting us know that (for those who care about who we elect) she is the choice the voters really wanted.
17
As the scope and magnitude of the Trump-Russia connection slowly emerges, Charles Blow does us all a service by recalling in real time the damage done to Hillary Clinton by the Comey letters.
In addition to the hypocritical comments by the Trump team that Mr. Blow notes in his column, we also need to recall the near-hysterical reaction by the news media to the Comey letter. In the few hours after the letter was released on Friday, before it was later revealed that the letter concerned Anthony Weiner's laptop, there were hours of wild, damaging speculation on cable news as to what the letter meant.
All that weekend long, the media relentlessly hammered Hillary, including the NYT, which according to Media Matters, published five "above-the-fold" news stories in large headline-type on the Comey letter.
Recall also that Clinton was way ahead at the time of the letter's release, on the verge of a blowout. Thus the Comey letter also served the media's critical institutional need at that time to create a close election "horse race" in order to boost ratings and advertising revenue for its election-night coverage.
Also in real time, it was Harry Reid who finally stanched the Clinton bleeding on that Sunday night by issuing his blistering letter to Comey, in which he blew the cover on the FBI's Trump investigation, even disclosing the existence of the FISA warrant, as a way of highlighting the FBI's double standard between Clinton and Trump.
So once again, "Thanks, Comey!"
In addition to the hypocritical comments by the Trump team that Mr. Blow notes in his column, we also need to recall the near-hysterical reaction by the news media to the Comey letter. In the few hours after the letter was released on Friday, before it was later revealed that the letter concerned Anthony Weiner's laptop, there were hours of wild, damaging speculation on cable news as to what the letter meant.
All that weekend long, the media relentlessly hammered Hillary, including the NYT, which according to Media Matters, published five "above-the-fold" news stories in large headline-type on the Comey letter.
Recall also that Clinton was way ahead at the time of the letter's release, on the verge of a blowout. Thus the Comey letter also served the media's critical institutional need at that time to create a close election "horse race" in order to boost ratings and advertising revenue for its election-night coverage.
Also in real time, it was Harry Reid who finally stanched the Clinton bleeding on that Sunday night by issuing his blistering letter to Comey, in which he blew the cover on the FBI's Trump investigation, even disclosing the existence of the FISA warrant, as a way of highlighting the FBI's double standard between Clinton and Trump.
So once again, "Thanks, Comey!"
12
Trump loves big and in his plan we could become the largest province in Russia.
11
In response to too many commentators on the Blow pages - Kurt Tucholsky said it best - "The cruelty of most people is lack of imagination, their brutality is IGNORANCE!"
10
Then Secretary Clinton's use of private e-mail for official purposes was a monumental blunder. Giving speeches to the Wall Street banksters at $250,000 a piece, coddling them in private while bad mouthing them in public was deliberately lying. Not choosing Bernie Sanders as her running mate, despite their differences, was a decision which created the condition to elect the toxic agent orange as the President. Yes, the Russians did play a key role in interfering with the 2016 Presidential election, but the actions of the former Secretary of State did not help the Democrats' cause.The Democrats can do far better, and hopefully they will pay more attention to the real working class instead of the corrupt Wall Street cabal.
22
The "real working class" are the people who gave us Trump. Why should Democrats pander to the dying group of rural whites, infected by misogyny, racism, ignorance and xenophobia? I was totally opposed to Sanders because I saw him as Trump lite. If the Democrats nominate somebody like him, they may get some of Trump voters but they'll lose educated, well-off, upper middle class support.
1
NAFTA was passed under Democrat President Clinton. President Obama excluded working class when formulating the foundations of TPP. De-industrialization of the country accelerated after China was accorded most favored nation in 2000. The result: Closure of more than 100,000 factories, and the loss of not only millions of direct but indirect jobs. None but Sanders has been articulating this situation for more than 30 years. If rural and white working class' aspirations and fears are not addressed, the Democrats will stay a minority party in future.
Great summary. thanks or putting it into simple English that even I can understand...A few things that I have figured out over these past month, admittedly after thousands of repletes:
If Trump says it is true, It is more than likely that it is a lie.
If Trump were Pinocchio we would have a whole new Avenue of the Giants.
If Trump says he did not do it, he probably did.
If Trump says he will do it he probably wont.
If Trump says "He is a great guy" it means that the guy/girl will do what Trump wants.
If Trump says he is an awful person or "sick" he is probably talking about President Obama,or someone who did not do what Trump liked.
If Trump says the he does not know Putin, Putin is probably his best friend or co-criminal.
If Trump says he is going to make America Great again, he means great like it was in 1300 where there were two classes, People of Quality and the mob or serfs or slaves.
I have not as yet been able to figure out why Trump has put his daughter in a White Office. Any thoughts on that?
If Trump says it is true, It is more than likely that it is a lie.
If Trump were Pinocchio we would have a whole new Avenue of the Giants.
If Trump says he did not do it, he probably did.
If Trump says he will do it he probably wont.
If Trump says "He is a great guy" it means that the guy/girl will do what Trump wants.
If Trump says he is an awful person or "sick" he is probably talking about President Obama,or someone who did not do what Trump liked.
If Trump says the he does not know Putin, Putin is probably his best friend or co-criminal.
If Trump says he is going to make America Great again, he means great like it was in 1300 where there were two classes, People of Quality and the mob or serfs or slaves.
I have not as yet been able to figure out why Trump has put his daughter in a White Office. Any thoughts on that?
25
I think he's putting Ivanka there so she can interpret the meaning of things for him and help reign him in a bit. He seems more connected to her than anyone else. He's pretty far gone IMO and needs her steadying hand. Of course, there are benefits to her interests by being there.
No boundaries.
No boundaries.
1
Well written.
I think that installing his daughter in the White House maybe important for one reason.
She may be the ONLY person who can rein him in. They are, reportedly, very close. Maybe he seeks her counsel occasionally, (we know he seeks no other counsel from anyone). Maybe she has the ability to soothe his more conspiratorial nature, his fear, his quick anger, and lack of understanding of the world he now inhabits. Maybe she is just beautiful and he needs a shiny feminine object nearby.
I think that installing his daughter in the White House maybe important for one reason.
She may be the ONLY person who can rein him in. They are, reportedly, very close. Maybe he seeks her counsel occasionally, (we know he seeks no other counsel from anyone). Maybe she has the ability to soothe his more conspiratorial nature, his fear, his quick anger, and lack of understanding of the world he now inhabits. Maybe she is just beautiful and he needs a shiny feminine object nearby.
Having grown up in Brooklyn and Queens I was aware of Trump's silly behavior and personality weaknesses from the time I began reading newspapers. It seems he did not have the strength of character to change and mature into a caring adult. Real estate and financial transactions were games where lies were paramount other's losses were inconsequential. Now we are faced with an adolescent as President. A working system of checks and balances is needed now more than any time since Nixon administration. My hope that individuals and government institutions will rise to the times is strong. However, I do not see any Lincolns, Roosevelts, or Trumans on the horizon right now.
20
Well that's part of it. The NYC area, home of Democrats, knew of Trump as the NYC village idiot for 50 years now, while the Red States got their impression of him via The Apprentice, which portrayed him as competent and moral but iconoclastic, like all Americans view themselves.
1
This ought to be simple for persons who trust The God of The Bible, who honor truth: the President who tweeted "Bad (or sick) guy!" in referring to his immediate predecessor owes his predecessor an unconditional apology immediately. Else they have adopted a position they once denounced—that truth is relative.
10
True justice would be for Donald Trump to be taken down in a humiliating fashion and to have to endure the hatred that he has fomented against others.
25
Mr. Blow, I remind you that Putin's agents were not present at polling places in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. There are other, objectively obtained reasons for why these States turned Red, but Russian influence is not one of them.
10
No one has claimed vote hacking. The issue is that Russian agents hacked into both the DNC and the RNC, releasing emails from only the former. The used WikiLeaks and Assange as a laundering agent. They did so most likely with the collusion of Trump's inner circle, and possibly Trump himself. The president is on tape inciting Russian agents to "find" missing Clinton emails. They removed anti-Russian language from the RNC platform, most likely at the instigation of the Russian Ambassador who was present in Cincinnati. Clearly, several associates met with the ambassador and communicated with him in inappropriate ways.
Lies turned blue states red. Misinformation campaigns instigated and paid for by Putin and his government.
All Russian influence. All of which will be evident in future elections, should we not take steps to stop it now. You want Russia choosing future presidents? Keep ignoring this.
Lies turned blue states red. Misinformation campaigns instigated and paid for by Putin and his government.
All Russian influence. All of which will be evident in future elections, should we not take steps to stop it now. You want Russia choosing future presidents? Keep ignoring this.
4
I get it. To influence a vote you need to be in the booth with the voter.
There are obvious clues out there. I suggest you get one.
There are obvious clues out there. I suggest you get one.
1
So the FBI says no surveillance but the NBA says yes and the info was passed around to the WH and other security agencies.
No apology needed or forthcoming from Trump.
No apology needed or forthcoming from Trump.
8
Wrong, diane. Trump was not surveilled. The Russian crooks and spies living and working in his tower were. And, surprise, surprise, the Russians had a lot of communication with people tied to Trump and his campaign, perhaps even Dirty Don himself. You're totally wrong to say "no apology needed". Tons of apologies are needed from Trump for the tons of lies he tells every day. However, you're totally correct that none will be forthcoming. The Con-mander in Chief, the BLOTUS, never admits being wrong about anything; his mental disorder prevents him from even believing he's capable of a mistake.
8
I never realized the basketball connection! However, Mark Cuban is threatening to run and Ted Cruz's father killed Kennedy, so I am starting to see your point. Yes, it all makes sense now.
5
National Basketball Association?
1
So, having a sitting president been investigated is a serious constitutional crisis. Imagine a vice president turn president, after openly conspiring with politician members of the opposition to impeach the president, is cited at least 43 times in plea bargains of criminal known to be involved in one the biggest scandals of corruption ever, in any country. Imagine that six of his secretaries (out of 32!) are been legally charged by the attorney general for corruption in the same corruption scheme and that the processes are now at the supreme court of justice. Imagine that the majority leader of the senate and the house are also legally charged by the AG. Imagine that a seventh secretary was caught (in a legal wiretapping) while speaking to a person and suggesting easing the animal protein inspection and that this person is now in prison accused of being involved in a second corruption scandal which has become a major national and international scandal of sanitary problems of animal protein companies. Now imagine that this team is still the government and has made multiples legislative reforms including in economy, in education, approved a reform that allows tercerization of all sort of jobs of all sort of companies and is going to pass a retirement pension reform. Imagine a country with no free press. This is Brazil.
13
I'm not sure why we are depending so much on James Comey's investigation when his own credibility in this past election is so completely compromised. There is plenty of corroborating evidence of Charles Blow's opinion that there is no need to have this corrupted official "directing" anything. Thank you Mr. Blow for tying the loose strings together. Now, may be finally have some valid independent investigations? Is there no one who can start to lead us out of this very long, dark tunnel of meanness and evil? Is there not one courageous, independent Republican who can speak out against Trump's villainy? Where are the Christians who spouted honesty and "family values" the last few decades? This is a horror film that promises disastrous consequences that no sane audience could believe. Only it's unfolding in our front yards.
5
Sometimes one lies when one says nothing at all.
If Trump knew about some of these nefarious activities coordinated with Russia, his failure to report them could be construed as misprision of treason.
If Trump knew about some of these nefarious activities coordinated with Russia, his failure to report them could be construed as misprision of treason.
Trump's MO is that whatever he and his minions accuse other's of doing, having done, or planning to do is EXACTLY what he/they have already done, are doing, and will do again on a larger, meaner scale.
44
It is called 'projection' when someone with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) puts their sins/crimes onto another innocent person. In their faulty reasoning, they become innocent of the crimes they committed, and the person they 'projected' the sins onto is now the guilty party...only in the narcissistic personality disordered individual's mind, not is reality. If you look at Trump, this is exactly what he has done with Clinton.
14
Bart is spot on with this. It's his tried and true tactic. He's the biggest liar and probably the most corrupt person to ever run for president, and by calling everyone who opposes him liars and crooks he makes any accusations against him look like simply tit for tat. What's lost in the back-and-forth is that his accusations are almost always phony, when the claims against him are true.
5
Why don't the GOP want to sanction Nunes for revealing his knowledge of intelligence reports he claims are out there, yet the president is ignorant? Just because he's the unmasked does not make him the Lone Ranger!
12
Trump goes around claiming he is a legitimate President. But the fact that his victory in the elections is so mired in controversy, lies, deception, fraud (possibly), and confusion, lends a great deal of illegitimacy to this President. As it is, he did not win the popular vote, but won the Presidency on a mere technicality. Director James Comey is guilty of an error in judgement vis-a-vis the Clinton emails, but he needs to be appreciated for standing up and saying the President and his associates are under a criminal investigation now. Yes, it would have been a lot better had he announced it before the elections, but as we know very little about the investigation thus far, it would be unfair to make a comment on Comey's judgement on this one. But having said that, the American people are now possibly stuck with a President who happened to win the election because the electorate was confused about the reality portrayed to them and chose to vote for Trump or simply abstain. My question now is: given what we know now, what are the chances that the American people are going to be sure that the all the possible links to Russia are going to be investigated in a fair manner and the truth will be told to them? Given the way Chairman Nunes went to brief the President on classified information, makes the investigation covertly political. I think it is time to set up an independent commission to look into the matter. I believe public pressure and media scrutiny could ensure that.
20
Judgment. It's spelled judgment. No e!
1
Sun, are you saying that the Constitutional for the United States is a mere technicality?
1
Please. Check your dictionary. Both judgment and judgement are considered correct.
Possibly psychological? Trump is the walking definition of a sociopath. He is a egomaniacal sociopath.
As Al Franken has said, no one has ever seen Trump laugh. You cannot trust someone who can't laugh; who finds no humor in life.
As Al Franken has said, no one has ever seen Trump laugh. You cannot trust someone who can't laugh; who finds no humor in life.
31
And...no pets! No dog, not cat not even a goldfish! This also says loads about his character.
5
Poor Al Franken laughs much less since he entered politics.
3
I've seen him make an attempt at a laugh, but it came across as a smirk.
4
Huge mess. Amateurish executive branch. Challenged by the courts.
A pro-Russian president, and all the president's men.
An administration's foreign policy of insult, and run --and counter-narratives.
Republicans too weak and threatened to make a sound. Their intelligence chair in the House runs to save a doomed administration, instead dooming democracy and rule of law.
A pro-Russian president, and all the president's men.
An administration's foreign policy of insult, and run --and counter-narratives.
Republicans too weak and threatened to make a sound. Their intelligence chair in the House runs to save a doomed administration, instead dooming democracy and rule of law.
29
Mr. Blow, thank you. You made up my mind. Trump 2020....
7
Good luck with that.
10
Let me repeat: "willfully blind"
4
I doubt it.
1
We capture everything, and our apps send multitudes of the same signals to others for extracting value from them. Nothing online comes for free. If you should connect with a target of investigation, you are incidentally collected, too.
Does the GOP prefer we ignore those connected to our enemies or criminal suspects? To what extent, as far up as the president?
Just because Murdoch can show it to you does not make it legal to spec on, Nunes!! THAT's the illegal part. PU!
Does the GOP prefer we ignore those connected to our enemies or criminal suspects? To what extent, as far up as the president?
Just because Murdoch can show it to you does not make it legal to spec on, Nunes!! THAT's the illegal part. PU!
2
Spot-on , Charles Blow.
We do indeed now have a constitutional crisis, with a president under criminal investigation by the FBI for possible collusion to influence our election, and absolutely no checks and balances from the Republican-dominated Congress.
We do indeed now have a constitutional crisis, with a president under criminal investigation by the FBI for possible collusion to influence our election, and absolutely no checks and balances from the Republican-dominated Congress.
28
And the FBI Director leading the investigation pulled a singularly ill-advised direct intervention into the campaign in the week before the election that can only be construed as a torpedo aimed to sink Hillary.
8
The only real threat the USA faces is cynicism.
It was 25 years ago that Canadian Socratic philosopher, historian, writer and freedom of the press advocate John Ralston Saul sounded the alarm and today I think that my chances of ever seeing a united United States of America are slim indeed.
I watched the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings and other than Ted Cruzs' alleged intellect being put to the sword the quality of the deliberation was top notch.
Sadly Lindsey Graham failed to understand that this hearing is not about Neil Gorsuch who may be the best Supreme Court Nominee of my 69 years but is the victim of being nominated to an open seat that should never existed. Thank you , Senator Leahy.
It is the search for truth that is the basis of Western Civilization. It was that search that commanded Socrates to drink that Hemlock. For me the belief in the United State of America ended on Monday when Congressman Trey Gowdy told us that truth is subjective.
The Declaration of Independence is one of my fundamental documents and the originators all read Socrates. For the USA in 2017 that document is little more than ass wipe. Truth has become an inconvenience and winning is everything and that is not the America I was taught to believe in by my America loving father.
Maybe it is time to again teach every student before they leave High School Keats' Ode on a Grecian Urn.
"Beauty is truth, truth beauty,-that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."
It was 25 years ago that Canadian Socratic philosopher, historian, writer and freedom of the press advocate John Ralston Saul sounded the alarm and today I think that my chances of ever seeing a united United States of America are slim indeed.
I watched the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings and other than Ted Cruzs' alleged intellect being put to the sword the quality of the deliberation was top notch.
Sadly Lindsey Graham failed to understand that this hearing is not about Neil Gorsuch who may be the best Supreme Court Nominee of my 69 years but is the victim of being nominated to an open seat that should never existed. Thank you , Senator Leahy.
It is the search for truth that is the basis of Western Civilization. It was that search that commanded Socrates to drink that Hemlock. For me the belief in the United State of America ended on Monday when Congressman Trey Gowdy told us that truth is subjective.
The Declaration of Independence is one of my fundamental documents and the originators all read Socrates. For the USA in 2017 that document is little more than ass wipe. Truth has become an inconvenience and winning is everything and that is not the America I was taught to believe in by my America loving father.
Maybe it is time to again teach every student before they leave High School Keats' Ode on a Grecian Urn.
"Beauty is truth, truth beauty,-that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."
22
If one cannot live under civilization, what is the point? Socrates had no answer.
Truth often is hard to ferret out, especially with people's motives. That said blindly accepting opinions and refusing to challenge one's biases will not help. Closing one's mind to inconvenient facts is truly drinking the kool-aid of self- delusion. After all, none other than John Adams said, "facts are stubborn things." Although only the courageous and enlightened are capable of successfully separating the wheat from the chaff, the rest of us COULD ASPIRE to do so. Americans are increasingly unwilling, thus deepening our tribalism (and ignorance). I happen to know Canada is no utopia, but every day it looks better and better.
3
Thanks J,
I am glad we got in the enlightenment because as the nation that was given birth by the enlightenment the search for truth was in the USA DNA. The USA has abandoned its raison d'etre .
For me the 2017 USA is the mirror image of what was. Scalia murdered America.
I am glad we got in the enlightenment because as the nation that was given birth by the enlightenment the search for truth was in the USA DNA. The USA has abandoned its raison d'etre .
For me the 2017 USA is the mirror image of what was. Scalia murdered America.
2
There are many ponderables here. How did the repubs became to party of hate, ignorance and intolerance? Is the bottom line money? Is Citizens United to blame for this infusion and take over? I can only hope that people continue to be angry and eventually, the bums are thrown out
15
The fact that both commrade putin and commrade trump both hate Secretary Clinton makes me love her all the more.
43
it was shocking to live through what "Birth of the Biggest LIe" recounts. Many of us saw the witch hunt by Trump Team against Secretary Hillary Clinton unfold after Mr. Comey's opening to Trump Team.
Many of us watched in horror as our democracy was eroding away and felt
we could do nothing to save that democracy. Now, we can and should. We must all speak out if we care about our democracy and the real true possible constitutional crisis that appears to be looming.
Many of us watched in horror as our democracy was eroding away and felt
we could do nothing to save that democracy. Now, we can and should. We must all speak out if we care about our democracy and the real true possible constitutional crisis that appears to be looming.
19
There is other questions here. Where are the adults in the GOP? If Obama were doing these things would they tolerate it? What kind of Christians are they? Who are they representing now that they are in the majority?
Last but not least: Can we trust them do anything on our behalf?
Last but not least: Can we trust them do anything on our behalf?
27
Remind me, what is the penalty for treason?
13
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2381
CORNELL UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL
LEGAL INFORMATION INSTITUTE
"Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States."
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 807; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(2)(J), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2148.)
We already know exactly who it is that "adheres to the enemies" of the United States.
CORNELL UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL
LEGAL INFORMATION INSTITUTE
"Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States."
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 807; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(2)(J), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2148.)
We already know exactly who it is that "adheres to the enemies" of the United States.
3
I hope the FBI gets him on Money laundering through Russia.
What else could be the reason he won't release his tax returns (oh yeah - 2005 - big deal - meaningless). That would be more than enough "high crime and misdemeanors" to remove him from Office.
What else could be the reason he won't release his tax returns (oh yeah - 2005 - big deal - meaningless). That would be more than enough "high crime and misdemeanors" to remove him from Office.
22
You seriously think a form 1040 will show money-laundering?
No, but it will show deductions and have to document whatever deductions are taken. That will show who owes money to whom.
1
President Trump will say something that you elite media types will go nuts over and then, after you've had your fun, it will turn out he was essentially correct. Yep, he was spied on by the Obama administration. That's pretty big, Charles. How petty does the one have to be to dismiss that story and complain that the waters are now muddied. You mean the waters of the anti-Trump narrative? Or, in your case, anti-Trump over-the-top mindless rage-infused series of rants?
But take a breath and focus, Charles. Waters at not being muddied; they are being made more clear. Not only are you missing the point, but more covert shenanigans may yet come to light implicating your idol Barak, and you'll look increasingly foolish with each revelation.
And the bigger point is that you need to stop whining about what happened to poor Hillary and move on. Get over the election loss, just like we Republicans have had to do for the previous two cycles. Give President Trump a chance. Come on--you can DO it!
But take a breath and focus, Charles. Waters at not being muddied; they are being made more clear. Not only are you missing the point, but more covert shenanigans may yet come to light implicating your idol Barak, and you'll look increasingly foolish with each revelation.
And the bigger point is that you need to stop whining about what happened to poor Hillary and move on. Get over the election loss, just like we Republicans have had to do for the previous two cycles. Give President Trump a chance. Come on--you can DO it!
6
Sorry, I don't understand. No one has presented any evidence that Obama wiretapped Trump, including Trump. So why are you so sure it's true?
5
Based on Nunes' statements, US Intelligence conducted surveillance of Trump's transition team, and possibly Trump himself. That would be US intelligence under the Obama administration. My point is that Tump was essentially correct when he tweeted that "Obama had my '"wires tapped.'" You can say, aha, maybe it wasn't technically a "wiretap" but some other kind of surveillance, or maybe just his transition team and not him, but you would be seeing the trees but not the forest there.
1
Devin Nunes is a Comey clone making an announcement, headlined by Sean Spicer, where the report was that virtually nothing happened. Answers to questions: *No there were no wiretaps of Trump towers. *The conversations of Trump associates were incidental to conversations with foreigners. *Yes the recordings were all carried out under a proper warrant. But Mr. Nunes was "concerned" at the data collected, but far more interested in the notoriety of being the center of attention of his beloved President.
A truly independent prosecutor is needed. The Republicans, a large majority of Republicans, have allowed fundamental morality and rule of law to become subsidiary to hatred and the glory of control of the government. No valid investigation will ever take place by Senate or House Republican committees. Lawsuits and appeal to politically neutral courts may be the only recourse of the nation.
A truly independent prosecutor is needed. The Republicans, a large majority of Republicans, have allowed fundamental morality and rule of law to become subsidiary to hatred and the glory of control of the government. No valid investigation will ever take place by Senate or House Republican committees. Lawsuits and appeal to politically neutral courts may be the only recourse of the nation.
18
Bias from the Trump campaign and FoxNews was to be expected. However, only 40% of the nation watches and believes FoxNews...The damage of the 'reveal' went deeper than that and the message was carried widely by the MSM. Rather than focus on the leak - What should have been a confidential memo from Comey to the relevant Congressional committees chairmen became a matter of public and media knowledge. Who, how and why? - It's impact on the election clearly makes it a violation of the Hatch Act. Why haven't we seen an indictment? (Strange karma, huh?)
Impeachment is the only Constitutional remedy that we could invoke. Doesn't this episode cry out for an amendment to enable recall, initiative and referendum?
Impeachment is the only Constitutional remedy that we could invoke. Doesn't this episode cry out for an amendment to enable recall, initiative and referendum?
9
Charles your specious, libelous and reckless description of the Obama administrations interception of communications of Trump campaign personnel as "weak revelations of “incidental collection” says it all.
9
Generally, when one accuses another of "specious, libelous and reckless" actions, they in the following sentences make efforts to substantiate those accusations. You did not.
5
John,
Nothing libelous, specious or reckless, about Charles description. He was accurate in using the terms 'weak revelations' and 'incidental collection' based on what has been reported by reputable sources.
It seems difficult for many, including Trump, to grasp the FISA collection process and what is legal and what is not.
Nothing libelous, specious or reckless, about Charles description. He was accurate in using the terms 'weak revelations' and 'incidental collection' based on what has been reported by reputable sources.
It seems difficult for many, including Trump, to grasp the FISA collection process and what is legal and what is not.
5
The question remains, how do citizens force the Party in power to do the right thing? Republicans are not going to do anything to remove their useful idiot until they get him to sign off on all the things that they have wanted to do for the past 8 years.
16
We have elected a corrupt con artist fraud who, enabled by years of the Faux News propaganda machine is now seeking to silence those who would object.
23
This is brilliant Mr. Blow, thank you for being so poetically clear.
The coup that resulted in trump's presidency so beautifully outlined here, as well as the FBI investigation into him and his staff, surely constitute sufficient cause to hold a new election? I believe the only reason that it is not yet in process is because Republicans are fighting for their political and professional lives - lives which have been built on mountains of corruption and lies. Propped up by trump during their own elections, his impeachment will expose them to ridicule or worse, and their mountains will crumble.
The coup that resulted in trump's presidency so beautifully outlined here, as well as the FBI investigation into him and his staff, surely constitute sufficient cause to hold a new election? I believe the only reason that it is not yet in process is because Republicans are fighting for their political and professional lives - lives which have been built on mountains of corruption and lies. Propped up by trump during their own elections, his impeachment will expose them to ridicule or worse, and their mountains will crumble.
12
1) Trump is not qualified for the office he holds. So far, he is a bumbling incompetent barely able to hold his tiny network together - utterly incapable of teaming with others. He is not some genius playing a fool for advantage; he is the fool. We can only pray he is not tested by crisis.
2) The FBI is behaving horribly. The Oct'16 Comey letter was crazy at the time - in light of the Trump investigations, it is even more indecent. We will never know for certain whether the Comey letter and the Trump campaign's low integrity response influenced enough voters to swing the election - but the FBI was woefully irresponsible in leaving an impression that Clinton was more criminal than Trump given what it was actually doing at the time. Comey could have done more to correct that impression and stayed silent. Absurd.
3) I am completely disgusted that policy is being driven by bias at a time when data is available. I am disgusted that Trump, a long-term pathological liar, is viewed as a source of truth by so many Americans. As long as citizens remain willfully ignorant, corruption in government will continue to grow. We cannot build our nation on a foundation of lies and hate and expect greatness to be the outcome.
2) The FBI is behaving horribly. The Oct'16 Comey letter was crazy at the time - in light of the Trump investigations, it is even more indecent. We will never know for certain whether the Comey letter and the Trump campaign's low integrity response influenced enough voters to swing the election - but the FBI was woefully irresponsible in leaving an impression that Clinton was more criminal than Trump given what it was actually doing at the time. Comey could have done more to correct that impression and stayed silent. Absurd.
3) I am completely disgusted that policy is being driven by bias at a time when data is available. I am disgusted that Trump, a long-term pathological liar, is viewed as a source of truth by so many Americans. As long as citizens remain willfully ignorant, corruption in government will continue to grow. We cannot build our nation on a foundation of lies and hate and expect greatness to be the outcome.
14
Trump is a pathological liar. Fox paved the way for Trump by creating an atmosphere where lying is acceptable politics.
But the lies Blow recounts are far from the "biggest lie."
The biggest lies are the ones repeated over and over in global corporate mass media, until they become the "received wisdom" of almost all pundits and politicians.
Here are a few:
-"There is no money" We can't afford tho invest in or people or infrastructure, so we have to slash government. Back in the fifties, we were paying off WWII, the largest debt in our history, while we were rebuilding Europe and Japan, and had a GI Bill sending 100s of thousands of people to college for free. Productivity is double what it was then. There is plenty of money. The banksters have it.
We need a military that is bigger than the next ten combined. The only reason we have such a big military is to make defense contractors billions in profits. If we stopped attacking half of the planet every year, there would be a lot less terror. We started the chaos in the Middle East, when we went to terrorize them for oil.
"Supply side economics" is still the lens through which pundits examine policy. It's a lie. Businesses invest when demand goes up. They say so themselves, when asked why they don't invest their tax cuts.
Our democracy is responsive to the People. A Princeton study proved this was a lie a few years ago.
The biggest lies are repeated by both, Republicans and Democrats.
But the lies Blow recounts are far from the "biggest lie."
The biggest lies are the ones repeated over and over in global corporate mass media, until they become the "received wisdom" of almost all pundits and politicians.
Here are a few:
-"There is no money" We can't afford tho invest in or people or infrastructure, so we have to slash government. Back in the fifties, we were paying off WWII, the largest debt in our history, while we were rebuilding Europe and Japan, and had a GI Bill sending 100s of thousands of people to college for free. Productivity is double what it was then. There is plenty of money. The banksters have it.
We need a military that is bigger than the next ten combined. The only reason we have such a big military is to make defense contractors billions in profits. If we stopped attacking half of the planet every year, there would be a lot less terror. We started the chaos in the Middle East, when we went to terrorize them for oil.
"Supply side economics" is still the lens through which pundits examine policy. It's a lie. Businesses invest when demand goes up. They say so themselves, when asked why they don't invest their tax cuts.
Our democracy is responsive to the People. A Princeton study proved this was a lie a few years ago.
The biggest lies are repeated by both, Republicans and Democrats.
7
I will always remember Trump's enormous glee at his rally broadcast by CNN right after Comey's announcement. (CNN was enormously helpful in conveying Trump's message via his numerous rallies throughout the campaign. Seems strange he sees them as an 'enemy' now). After Comey's last minute Weiner laptop 'revelations', (which further damaged Clinton but turned out to be of no consequence.), Trump exaltedly referred to what had been found as "the motherlode". He said:
"I think we hit the motherlode as they say in the good old mining industry. Hillary is the one who lied to Congress under oath. Hillary is the one who lied to the FBI on so many occasions and they know it. They know it..."
Finally gold had been struck, the "missing emails" he had begged Russia to find if they could! The demonization and narrative of the criminalization of Hillary would be complete!
"I think we hit the motherlode as they say in the good old mining industry. Hillary is the one who lied to Congress under oath. Hillary is the one who lied to the FBI on so many occasions and they know it. They know it..."
Finally gold had been struck, the "missing emails" he had begged Russia to find if they could! The demonization and narrative of the criminalization of Hillary would be complete!
5
The rule book for how to be a dictator:
1. Be a leader without conscience or empathy
2. Rig an election
3. Single out a minority religious group for blame and persecution
4. Alienate the press as an enemy of the people
5. Use fake news and phony patriotism whenever possible
6. Promote fear of authority
7. Punish all who disagree or oppose you
8. Stock the courts with your own people
9. Slander opponents with lies and innuendo
10. Accept TRUTH as your arch enemy and bury it
1. Be a leader without conscience or empathy
2. Rig an election
3. Single out a minority religious group for blame and persecution
4. Alienate the press as an enemy of the people
5. Use fake news and phony patriotism whenever possible
6. Promote fear of authority
7. Punish all who disagree or oppose you
8. Stock the courts with your own people
9. Slander opponents with lies and innuendo
10. Accept TRUTH as your arch enemy and bury it
27
Like all people who have done terrible things without conscience or consequence (and what could be worse than treason by a sitting President?), Tump will create havoc, damage & blame with blatant lies on all sides to divert attention away from this "original" sin. The media must focus on the original treason acts & not be swayed by Trump's ability to manipulate by his other daily outrageous acts meant to distract.
Good luck to all in bringing every one of the criminals in Trump's orbit to justice!
Good luck to all in bringing every one of the criminals in Trump's orbit to justice!
6
The Trump Presidency represents the possibly the world's worse crisis in over a century. It sounds hyperbolic to say so but consider this: The most of the cruelest, evil dictators (Hitler, Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot etc.) could bring death, destruction, and horror to their entire population and possibly to millions of others. These dictators lead relatively weak countries that were not world powers at the time they took office. Trump on the other hand is CIC of the worlds only super military force and leads a nation whose economy drives the rest of the world. Even if Trump does not have total power, he has enough to destroy billions and turn the world to ashes. For failing to realize this and failing to act, the people around trump are truly the "Basket of Deplorables"
,
Regarding the issue of Trump supporters acknowledging any wrongdoing or that Trump will eventually "cross some line", let me say this: 70 years ago it took a bombing campaign that turned German cities into rubble to get The German people to wake up. Likewise the Japanese had to be literally incinerated to wake them up.Think about it.
Regarding the issue of Trump supporters acknowledging any wrongdoing or that Trump will eventually "cross some line", let me say this: 70 years ago it took a bombing campaign that turned German cities into rubble to get The German people to wake up. Likewise the Japanese had to be literally incinerated to wake them up.Think about it.
11
Of course the Republicans used every dirty illegal trick they could think of to win the election. They are the Republicans after all. But the Democrats put Trump over the top with an incompetent campaign. How is the Democrat rebuild coming? All I hear from them is crickets.
3
Mr. Blow, you have made a very good case as to why we need a special prosecutor.
9
Such a low point for Americans. The October email investigations appear to hurt Democrats more than the Trump campaign and Russians investigations hurt the Republicans. And I mean the party officials- not the public perception of either party. Democrats responded feeling the weight of responsibility to the American public. Republicans are responding with a shocking lack of responsibility. Has integrity become a political weakness? It’s incredibly frustrating to watch these events unfold.
3
So far, the only tangible thing we have seen attributed to the Russians (and even that is disputed) is the Wikileaks DNC/Podesta email releases.
All during the fall NY Times, WaPo, etc. etc. continually told us that those emails were really nothing, just insider gossip and office politics, maybe just slightly embarrassing. We were supposed to ignore the evidence of press collusion with the DNC, the conspiracy to keep Sanders from getting the nomination, the leaking of debate questions to Clinton, etc. All a nothing burger.
Even after Hillary lost, nobody thought Wikileaks was a big deal. But after all the other efforts to derail Trump (recounts, faithless electors, emoluments clause, etc) failed, suddenly the same people who told us Wikileaks was a nothing burger are running around with their hair on fire screaming that it threw the election. I would imagine 95% of voters knew nothing about Wikileaks
Very amusing. But if Comey has been looking for "collusion" for 9 months and hasn't found anything as ex DNI Clapper has said (and if he had it would have leaked by now) he isn't going to find anything.
Prepare yourself for another Comey "never mind" press conference this summer
All during the fall NY Times, WaPo, etc. etc. continually told us that those emails were really nothing, just insider gossip and office politics, maybe just slightly embarrassing. We were supposed to ignore the evidence of press collusion with the DNC, the conspiracy to keep Sanders from getting the nomination, the leaking of debate questions to Clinton, etc. All a nothing burger.
Even after Hillary lost, nobody thought Wikileaks was a big deal. But after all the other efforts to derail Trump (recounts, faithless electors, emoluments clause, etc) failed, suddenly the same people who told us Wikileaks was a nothing burger are running around with their hair on fire screaming that it threw the election. I would imagine 95% of voters knew nothing about Wikileaks
Very amusing. But if Comey has been looking for "collusion" for 9 months and hasn't found anything as ex DNI Clapper has said (and if he had it would have leaked by now) he isn't going to find anything.
Prepare yourself for another Comey "never mind" press conference this summer
5
Many people knew (back in October of 2016) of the FBI investigation into the Trump folks. I've been continually puzzled that the NYT and other major media outlets did not report it then, and continue to pretend they didn't know about it at that time. This is baffling to me. If only you all had spoken up then....
9
The NY Times reported on the FBI investigation in October and again on 20 Jan 2017.
Of course it also reported in both of those stories there was no evidence of collusion:
The F.B.I. is leading the investigations, aided by the National Security Agency, the C.I.A. and the Treasury Department’s financial crimes unit. The investigators have accelerated their efforts in recent weeks but have found no conclusive evidence of wrongdoing, the officials said. One official said intelligence reports based on some of the wiretapped communications had been provided to the White House.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/19/us/politics/trump-russia-associates-i...
And of course it reported on those wiretaps that it now claims never happened and also that the information went to Obama who previously claimed he didn't know anything about it
Of course it also reported in both of those stories there was no evidence of collusion:
The F.B.I. is leading the investigations, aided by the National Security Agency, the C.I.A. and the Treasury Department’s financial crimes unit. The investigators have accelerated their efforts in recent weeks but have found no conclusive evidence of wrongdoing, the officials said. One official said intelligence reports based on some of the wiretapped communications had been provided to the White House.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/19/us/politics/trump-russia-associates-i...
And of course it reported on those wiretaps that it now claims never happened and also that the information went to Obama who previously claimed he didn't know anything about it
2
"Individuals who were associated with the president of the United States’ winning campaign are under criminal investigation."
Indeed.
That is why I did not vote this time for Hillary.
The choice was, the Dem nominee who already was under FBI investigation while she was nominated by my party,
And Trump, who probably will be later on.
Thanks, though, Charles, for the interesting example of a memory lapse.
Indeed.
That is why I did not vote this time for Hillary.
The choice was, the Dem nominee who already was under FBI investigation while she was nominated by my party,
And Trump, who probably will be later on.
Thanks, though, Charles, for the interesting example of a memory lapse.
4
As a citizen who loves his country, I have to say Amen to this column with fingers crossed.
I hope perpetrators of lies and deception get what's coming to them. They can't even blame the opposition or the FBI for this turn of the luck. Of course, they can cuss and blame KARMA, if they so choose. But up, above, its only your KARNI (deeds) that count. Everything else, your material worth, your station in life on earth, support and pleas of your supporters and enablers go unheeded. Sorry, there's no Fox News or its lying commentators there, either.
I hope perpetrators of lies and deception get what's coming to them. They can't even blame the opposition or the FBI for this turn of the luck. Of course, they can cuss and blame KARMA, if they so choose. But up, above, its only your KARNI (deeds) that count. Everything else, your material worth, your station in life on earth, support and pleas of your supporters and enablers go unheeded. Sorry, there's no Fox News or its lying commentators there, either.
1
The theme that Hillary Rodham Clinton lost the election due to "hacking by the Russians" is what is patently not credible, and Charles Blow knows that.
Mrs Clinton ran a mostly negative campaign, and gave her supporters no coherent reason to vote for her, only to vote against that reprobate Trump. She did not find any common interests among the interest groups that supported her, so there was poor turn-out among groups that did support her, and alienation by former Democrat voters.
By the way, there probably was not a physical tap on a landline phone in Trump tower, but "wiretapping" was used as a sloppy synonym for surveillance.
Mrs Clinton ran a mostly negative campaign, and gave her supporters no coherent reason to vote for her, only to vote against that reprobate Trump. She did not find any common interests among the interest groups that supported her, so there was poor turn-out among groups that did support her, and alienation by former Democrat voters.
By the way, there probably was not a physical tap on a landline phone in Trump tower, but "wiretapping" was used as a sloppy synonym for surveillance.
4
This is his strategy because there is absolutely nothing genuine or competent about Trump. He's duped half our country!
Thank you. You have stated the obvious more clearly and powerfully than anyone else has done to date.
But can such clarity have much impact on a nation that has gone as far in abandoning ethical thought, much less practice, as we have? I know that some portion of Trump’s voters were simply naive -- they believed the promises of a man whose amorality and dishonesty is so extreme and foreign to them that they couldn’t recognize or believe it. But more, including the sophisticated and affluent, saw a reflection of their own amorality and “anything goes as long as it gets you want you want” path through life in his. And applauded it.
They won’t disapprove of any level of criminality that may be revealed -- he “won” didn’t he? He’s rich and “successful” isn’t he?
This most discouraging part of this election isn’t what we’ve learned about Trump, or may learn about Trump and the Russians. It is what it has already revealed about us.
But can such clarity have much impact on a nation that has gone as far in abandoning ethical thought, much less practice, as we have? I know that some portion of Trump’s voters were simply naive -- they believed the promises of a man whose amorality and dishonesty is so extreme and foreign to them that they couldn’t recognize or believe it. But more, including the sophisticated and affluent, saw a reflection of their own amorality and “anything goes as long as it gets you want you want” path through life in his. And applauded it.
They won’t disapprove of any level of criminality that may be revealed -- he “won” didn’t he? He’s rich and “successful” isn’t he?
This most discouraging part of this election isn’t what we’ve learned about Trump, or may learn about Trump and the Russians. It is what it has already revealed about us.
4
An excellent piece that aptly describes Trump as the pure market huckster and grifter that he is.
3
Director Comey was indeed guilty of, at best, astoundingly poor judgment in the politically and ethically questionable timing of his letter to Congress declaring the reopening of an investigation into Hillary Clinton's email practices. A more insidious interpretation could justifiably be applied to Comey's actions but, regardless, perhaps he is now trying to do penance.
2
Knowing that Chairman Nunes was one of Trump's major campaign advisers why would anyone be surprised that he is attempting to sideline the Congressional Committee set-up to investigate the Trump Administrations possible ties to the Russian Hacker scandal?
My feeling is is that unless, Nunes and his GOP companions on the committee commit to focus on the actual course of events that lead up to the November elections involving Trump and his campaign staff, the
Democratic members of the bi-partisan committee ought to simply withdraw from the charade that Nunes is attempting to run and publicly denounce the existing committee, in full glare of the American public. I would then expect the Democratic leadership to organize their own independent investigation of the connection of the Trump campaign with the Russians, based on existing evidence-And then to present it to the American public for them to make-up their own minds...
My feeling is is that unless, Nunes and his GOP companions on the committee commit to focus on the actual course of events that lead up to the November elections involving Trump and his campaign staff, the
Democratic members of the bi-partisan committee ought to simply withdraw from the charade that Nunes is attempting to run and publicly denounce the existing committee, in full glare of the American public. I would then expect the Democratic leadership to organize their own independent investigation of the connection of the Trump campaign with the Russians, based on existing evidence-And then to present it to the American public for them to make-up their own minds...
2
"Fruit of the poison tree" - the next election may well be about repairing the damage done by Trump and his henchmen. A word of caution here - it takes far longer to restore legitimacy than it does to destroy it.
5
Fact is that if had Comey not notified Congress of the resumption of the investigation into Clinton's emails (thanks to Huma and hubby) it very well may have been leaked to the public and set off an even greater firestorm of controversy. Either way Comey had no real choice but to inform Congress... to do otherwise would have been looked at as a coverup, especially if Clinton had won the investigation produced evidence of wrong doing.
2
The Republicans tried to impeach Bill Clinton for lying about having sex- probably consensual. Now all they want to do is deflect the investigation on Russian influence on the election to a conversation about prosecuting the people who leak .... the truth/ because there is no defense for what THEIR PRESIDENT did to get elected. They all belong in the basket for deplorables --It's such despicable behavior it makes me ashamed of being an American. Anything to stay in power -- that's what the political game is really all about to them.
4
"...tried to impeach...?"
No. He *was* impeached, but not convicted...
No. He *was* impeached, but not convicted...
Another possible black mark against Comey is raised by a peculiar comment made by Nunes in his peculiar remarks made from the White House lawn about a new "bombshell" he had discovered which was, or which was not, and yes, was, but no, was not, related to the ongoing Trump--Russia investigation. He replied to a reporter that, yes, this new info would be investigated. He expected the cooperation of, as I recall, the NSA, but was unsure that the FBI would cooperate. ??? And, yet again, we're back at Comey's door.
2
There is no precedent because the U.S. has never faced the possibility of a coup d'etat before: when shadowy figures with great power anoints a sinecure they can continue to manipulate from the shadows. Stories like this don't happen in democracies; they happen in empires.
3
What do I know, but my gut feeling/guess is that Donald Jr. may be one of the F.B.I.'s richest investigative targets in its work to unravel the Trump-Russian connection. With his insider access to all of the business connections-machinations, the trust of Dad regarding shared knowledge of any deep, unsavory secrets and, from some of his rash public statements, a dearth of any savvy intellect, one hopes that he already is or will become a focus of that agency's efforts. After dealing with this one, let's move down the familial "food chain" to the remaining three. This group is anything but a tough, life-hardened crew to confront and pressure. I can almost hear the start of the cracking.
2
The answer to your question? Nothing...
"How ridiculous and unrealistic is the man who is astonished at anything that happens in life." Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
1
I'm curious...if Trump is removed due to relationships with the Russians', then how can Pence succeed into the office? In this situation Pence might not be guilty of the same crime - but he would have benefited as a result of the Russian involvement. And finally, what, as a nation, do we say to Hillary?
4
I'm curious...if Trump is removed due to relationships with the Russians', then how can Pence succeed into the office?
=================
There's this little thing called the Constitution………..
=================
There's this little thing called the Constitution………..
1
President Trump's default position in any crisis - self created or not - is to blame President Obama or call it fake news. How tragic that this great country is saddled with such an inept, undeserving, self-centered narcissist such as he.
Speaking of President Obama, where is his voice on the conflicts created by the Trump White House. When he left office, he said he would speak out on important issues. There is no one in the Democratic Party that enjoys the status and respect of this nation more than he does. His voice of reason is sadly missing.
Speaking of President Obama, where is his voice on the conflicts created by the Trump White House. When he left office, he said he would speak out on important issues. There is no one in the Democratic Party that enjoys the status and respect of this nation more than he does. His voice of reason is sadly missing.
2
I wish President Obama would sue Trump for defamation. He has a very strong case. It would hold Trump accountable for this one among his many transgressions. That is the only way to effectively resist-- demand accountability. The former President could donate any damages he receives to charity.
3
Do these actions/behaviors constitute treason, bribery or high crimes and misdemeanors?
1
d. All of the above
2
One can't even imagine where this trail of lies, corruption and coercion will eventually lead but one can suspect that there were many players in this trump campaign deceit. We need a new election and to wipe the slate clean.
22
I'm 67 years old and have been voting every election since I was 21, including during Vietnam. Other than Nixon, and that was later in his Presidency, we have never, that's never, witnessed such an anti-American Administration. Then there are the Republicans in Congress that just want brown people, indeed all the poor to just die. The only tiny silver lining in this very dark cloud over the world is that the majority of people that will be affected are those that voted for him.
57
@Steve- Re the Trump voters who will be adversely affected by his policies and actions: I don't wish them ill. But I am completely exhausted by their 40 year tantrum. The piece by Frank Rich in New York magazine sums up the political landscape pretty well.
The Nixon who sabotaged LBJ's efforts to reach a peace agreement with North and South Vietnam to get elected has only recently been exposed.
2
Simply put, Team Trump ran a corrupt and hateful campaign and all the Obama Haters out there bought. I feel dishonored to be an American.
40
Why is Comey still working? Because of his willingness to go prematurely and illegally public with his pre-election investigation of Hillary Clinton, which revealed nothing, and his willingness to conceal the pre-election investigation of Donald Trump, which reveals plenty, why is he still head of the FBI? They say, "Follow the money." So okay, how much did Trump pay Comey? Trump may have a mediocre mind, but Comey is not stupid. He had to have known that such news regarding Clinton, once released, would result in her defeat and Trump's win. Or did Trump promise Comey that if he cherry-picked what laws he wanted to follow concerning release of information of ongoing investigations, and that if he chose to hide the Trump investigation and release Clinton's, that he could keep his job if Trump became President? Conversely, Comey probably assumed that if Clinton had become President in spite of the premature leakage, then she would have fired him and he would have been out on his ear and lose his paycheck and his perks. And this is the only reason that I can figure Comey still has his job. It's not because he does it really well, because he doesn't, but because Trump is beholden to him and Trump rewards loyalty. And if the news came out that Comey had taken Trump's bribe, the whole house of cards would come tumbling down. Which in time, it will, because the truth will come out eventually.
18
They said if I voted for Hillary, we'd have a criminal as President. But I did, and we do.
78
HI, FPP -- I love your comment -- it's a wonderful, updated paraphrase of one of my favorite jokes from the 60s -- "They told me if I voted for Goldwater we'd be in a war. Well I did and we are."
2
The GOP should depend heavily on the fashion industry for its policies. They have become a party that is all about appearances. It does not matter how things are but how they can be made to appear. The Dems, on the other hand, dress from a vintage thrift store. There is no common appearance, no clique of dress and style.
Most of us think that is a good thing. But to about half the country, it is a muddy and confusing image. Most people, studies have shown, who have gotten health insurance realize it was because of the Affordable Health Care Act; nor can they name a Supreme Court Justice or who their Representative in Congress is.
The GOP, and Trump in particular, seems to want to keep it that way. How else can their spin stories work? Back to fashion: lipstick on the pig.
Most of us think that is a good thing. But to about half the country, it is a muddy and confusing image. Most people, studies have shown, who have gotten health insurance realize it was because of the Affordable Health Care Act; nor can they name a Supreme Court Justice or who their Representative in Congress is.
The GOP, and Trump in particular, seems to want to keep it that way. How else can their spin stories work? Back to fashion: lipstick on the pig.
9
When we follow the trail of culpability of this national nightmare, it stops with the modern Republican Party. The party that spent decades poisoning the hearts and minds of the American people.The problem with impeaching the president, or removing him from office in any other way, is that we are merely treating a symptom of a potentially fatal disease. What to do about the GOP disease? The cynical hate-mongers that feed this constitutional crisis will still be there to regroup, restock their poison and start again. Without addressing the underlying GOP disease, we are merely kicking the can down the road.
In the meantime, considering the ongoing criminal investigation, all appointments by this president should be frozen until we get to the bottom of the criminal probes. I also see the need to force the GOP in Congress to abstain from introducing bills, unless the bills have strong bipartisan support from beginning to end.
In the meantime, considering the ongoing criminal investigation, all appointments by this president should be frozen until we get to the bottom of the criminal probes. I also see the need to force the GOP in Congress to abstain from introducing bills, unless the bills have strong bipartisan support from beginning to end.
13
What's the matter with Kentucky? Mitch McConnell is another certifiable saboteur of basic human decency.
2
Hmmmm, wasn't Roger Ailes transitioning for a while? I bet they caught some FOX fur in the filter traps. When isn't Rupert telling his meat puppets what to say? He had Tony Blair on the horn sometime three times a day until he went to war for him.
4
As the Wall Street Journal correctly pointed out yesterday, Donald Trump is a fake president, and that's an understatement. How long will it take for us to get rid of this guy?
23
Until this Congress stops covering for him! They Russian's agents must have really been generous at the GOP convention, and now the blackmail is underway.
1
You are omitting a clear distinction.
Clinton compromised our national security, where as, Trump is just greedy.
Who cares if he's funneling money from Russia into his own businesses? It doesn't affect my safety and I could care less about money.
America has tampered with other countries elections for years. We get a taste of our own medicine and suddenly liberals are up in arms because they find themselves on the losing side? How ironic.
This is old fashion Darwinism at play and it is beautiful. In the words of Trump "get better hacking defense" and stop making excuses.
Clinton compromised our national security, where as, Trump is just greedy.
Who cares if he's funneling money from Russia into his own businesses? It doesn't affect my safety and I could care less about money.
America has tampered with other countries elections for years. We get a taste of our own medicine and suddenly liberals are up in arms because they find themselves on the losing side? How ironic.
This is old fashion Darwinism at play and it is beautiful. In the words of Trump "get better hacking defense" and stop making excuses.
The concept of shame has deserted American culture, Trump just being another example of this loss. How is it that one becomes "famous" and earns obscene mounts of money for doing nothing but release a sex tape and the willlingness to hold one's head up in public.
Can anyone imagine such a miserable culture would flourish, growing up in the "repressive" 50s.
I'll leave to history to be the judge but this era has to be the most decadent, corrupt, avaricious time in some time. Hopefully the wheel of fortune will son come full cycle.
Can anyone imagine such a miserable culture would flourish, growing up in the "repressive" 50s.
I'll leave to history to be the judge but this era has to be the most decadent, corrupt, avaricious time in some time. Hopefully the wheel of fortune will son come full cycle.
8
Although Comey may not be still investigating Clinton's E-mails he is still investigating the Clinton Foundation. Stay tuned.
4
Bless you Charles Blow for telling it like it is.....not only did Russia corrupt our election but so did the head of our own FBI.
6
It should now be clear that the substance of President Trump's tap claim is correct. What he apparently got wrong, was the object of the tap.
So, here is what must have happened. Someone told President Trump about private conversations he or associates may have had on the phone in Trump Tower. How, President Trump wondered, could this information be known? Of course, a wire tap ordered by the Obama Administration on a foreign subject (not necessarily ordered by President Obama himself.)
Ever since the Trump tap tweet, there has been a relentless drumbeat for him to apologize. Perhaps there should be a new drumbeat for some in media circles to apologize to the president.
So, here is what must have happened. Someone told President Trump about private conversations he or associates may have had on the phone in Trump Tower. How, President Trump wondered, could this information be known? Of course, a wire tap ordered by the Obama Administration on a foreign subject (not necessarily ordered by President Obama himself.)
Ever since the Trump tap tweet, there has been a relentless drumbeat for him to apologize. Perhaps there should be a new drumbeat for some in media circles to apologize to the president.
2
Complete nonsense and more apologizing for the side that supports the Russian coup of America
What all these screaming people should understand, is that when he issued his "wiretapped" tweet, Trump had most likely already been told about the surveillance intercepts. He has access as POTUS to all of that intelligence.
It's a trap he set. He knows there was no collusion
It's a trap he set. He knows there was no collusion
Do you think Trump even knows what misprision of treason is? Do you know what it is?
Yes, foreign diplomats stationed anywhere are prone to having their communications monitored by host nations. Perhaps this comes as news to Trump. So much else is new to him.
Yes, foreign diplomats stationed anywhere are prone to having their communications monitored by host nations. Perhaps this comes as news to Trump. So much else is new to him.
The dark money that has invested in the trump presidency is substantial. It is no wonder that those forces will do anything to protect its investment. What Americans should focus on now is the repeal of Citizens United. Our country has been hijacked by this malevolent force. Collectively, all us, whether democrat, republican, or independent must come together and fight For our democracy, because if we don't Democracy will die.
15
You can't be serious.
Hillary outspent Trump 2:1, and still lost. HRC got all the "dark money"
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/11/09/trump-spent-about-half-of-what-clinton-di...
Hillary outspent Trump 2:1, and still lost. HRC got all the "dark money"
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/11/09/trump-spent-about-half-of-what-clinton-di...
3
We have a basic concept of DISGORGEMENT for "ill-gotten gains" which is applied in multiple areas of the law to prevent wrongdoers from profiting off their crimes. Trump publicly requested the assistance of Russia, a foreign (enemy) government, to commit crimes against his opponent, and members of Trump's campaign had numerous contacts with operatives for that government at about the same time while, among other things, hiding payments received from those operatives. Any result that lets Trump stay in office or BENEFIT in any way from that office -- including any appointments of judges, cabinet members or federal workers or any "impeachment" proceeding that effectively allows him to install Mike Pence as his successor -- is UNACCEPTABLE. The fruits of their nefarious activities need to be DISGORGED, just as it would be if they profited off of insider trading. In addition, any outcome that lets the fake results of the election to stand is basically an invitation to our enemies to do it again.
12
Trump publicly requested the assistance of Russia, a foreign (enemy) government, to commit crimes against his opponent
==================
It was a joke that assumed the Russians had already hacked her server.
Besides the illegal server was already in the hands of the FBI and nobody could have hacked it anyway
==================
It was a joke that assumed the Russians had already hacked her server.
Besides the illegal server was already in the hands of the FBI and nobody could have hacked it anyway
1
Hillary Clinton had too many near-misses these past 20 years that Comey's confusing action against her so close to election time, then further augmented by Trump, became the final straw. The Democrats made the biggest mistake ever to appoint her as the candidate. Both the Democrats and Republicans are equally guilty of creating todays disaster.
7
I have to agree that the DNC's forcing of Hillary upon the electorate played right into the Russians hands.
1
"Near misses" are nothing but false witch hunt attempts to discredit, as it's either criminal or not. So don't try to spread the blame. Republicans own this damage to our democracy, and need to man up...like the party of responsibility pretence.
3
My confidence in our republic is shaken. Trump's many lies and distortions, Comey's unethical disclosure just before the election, Manafort's and General Flynn's dishonest and possibly treasonous activities with the Russians and the list just goes on. Where is the integrity, honor, and duty to this country? How can the Republicans, who benefited from all of this, cooperate and dishonorably remain silent and passive?
21
Almost every day for the last couple of years, Americans have been subjected to the lies, deflections, insults, ignorance, conflicts of interest, improprieties, simply stupid statements and gross incompetence - in short, the defining characteristics - of Trump, his administration and his supporters in Congress. I can't help but wonder: What it going to take to remove him from office? Does he have to personally shoot someone because he felt slighted? Does he have to start a totally illegitimate and illegal war? Those concepts and a thousand others which would be unthinkable with any other president are easily thinkable with this man. I love my country, and I want to respect my president. Instead, I fear this one.
12
As much fun as Watergate was, it didn't resolve for two years after the break-in. If we wait that long, perhaps we will have a Democratic House in 2018, with a return to Speaker Pelosi. And when Donald and Mike are given the boot, Nancy can be president and undo Donald completely -- like chipping his cartouche off all monuments.
10
Voters don't are anymore, they just want to break things. Trump's their guy.
4
Most voters voted for Hillary.
I have stopped blaming 45 for this mess. He is psychologically unstable and can't control his actions. It is the people around him, including and especially Republican members of congress, his family, and his staff. They know what he is, yet they support and empower him. In doing so, they help destroy our country from within.
16
Trumps victory is an indictment on the electorate. Half of the country wakes up and consumes 'alternative facts' for breakfast, Fruit Loops for the masses. This is our country's problem, Trump and his clown car is merely a symptom. We may be able to rid ourselves of Trump, but how do we rid ourselves of this sickness? That, to me, is the frightening reality.
13
The answer is surprisingly simple: Education. Only stupid people voted for Trump. The republican party engineered this scenario by chopping funds for public education every year since 1980. The republicans continually attack teachers, students, and the cost of operating schools. This has been going on for decades. Our current Fraud In Chief is the result.
1
One other interesting/damning assertion that Comey made the other day: He said that, prior to the election, he was able to speak about the Clinton investigation but not the one involving Trump because the first had been completed while the second was ongoing. Fair enough but why then did he announce on 10/28 that Hillary's case was being reopened? If he felt that new circumstances had made it necessary for him to reopen the case but that new conclusions could not yet be drawn it then follows that the case was to be considered "ongoing" and that any new announcement at that time would be inappropriate and unwarranted.
54
There is no bigger fool than the one who does something when nothing is the smartest thing to do.
7
I've always theorized that the Comey knew the news was going to leak - as per Rudy Giuliani. There are a lot of people within the FBI who despise the Clintons.
4
So Comey shot himself in the foot to avoid having to respond to news of a leak? I like that theory better than the alternative, that he had a personal stake in electing Donnie.
Once a liar always a liar. We need a special prosecutor to head an independent inquiry. From the looks of this installment, and my memory of Nixon's, Mr Trump will not go easy. Nixon was tricky, Trump is much worse.
44
We are a house of cards. How can we have been so vulnerable to believe such blatant baseless garbage resulting our electing the current president? I used to have an assumption regarding our national strength and integrity. That is gone and I am an anxious mess. that sense that we will be fine is gone. I want this to be over. I thought I would enjoy Trump's undoing, which is happening faster than I thought it would, but it is damaging to us all. hopefully we will recover.
44
I hate to tell you this, but the majority of us voted for Mrs. Clinton because we didn't believe such blatant baseless garbage. Trump's trial will be cathartic and instructive - believe me.
2
The hypocrisy and deceit of #45 and the republican party brings shame to our nation's values. I am 70 years old and cannot believe how corrupt and cruel these people are. It's clear that the republican nominee was using "projection" of his own corruption using that word against Hillary Clinton.
Thank you for the excellent summary of events. The timing at minimum is head-scratching. My over-the-top speculation and cynicism has me asking the following question:
Who besides Comey knew that Trump only has a lease on the presidency?
Who besides Comey knew that Trump only has a lease on the presidency?
29
Do you mean Comey was really a Pence supporter? Lease to own!
1
You make me proud to be an American in a time when it is very difficult to be a proud American. Your intelligent and passionate arguments are food for thought and relief that other Americans are resisting this plague on America. Your time in New York has allowed you to see through thinly veiled attacks masquerading as pleasantries and convoluted logic that Trumpsters through at us every moment that they speak. Thank you for fighting the fight, I know that it is not easy.
39
I guess Trump's behavior has finally offended Comey's idea of a "city on a hill" and forced him to do his job. If Trump had not offended the intelligence community, he would be sitting pretty right down instead of being under investigation. While Comey had Trump under investigation as early as July, he was still willing to give him a pass. It is as though the Russian connection does not offend Comey but insults to his FBI do.
Mr. Blow, thank you for another unflinching commentary on the disintegration of the world as we once knew it. The so-called Trump presidency is in total disarray while the FBI has been slouching and stumbling towards Bethlehem for month and months. But the damage has largely been done, and it remains unclear how this unsavory story will end. The White House has lost all credibility. And thanks to Congressman Nunes, at least one of the investigatory bodies of our Congress has also been irreparably compromised. We as citizens need and deserve to know the truth, but the question is, are there any truth tellers left to tell it?
34
Nunez should recuse himself from reporting to Donnie on this particular investigation. Take a page from the book of Preet Bharara, and refuse to take Donnie's calls.
2
I agree that the Trump Presidency is becoming increasingly compromised. Contrary to what Trump thinks, the thing that will bring his Presidency down is not outsiders, it will be Trump himself. He will finally cross a line that not even his most ardent supporters can ignore.
Mr. Blow and others are doing themselves a disservice by harping on the Clinton mantra. You nominated a seriously flawed candidate and ignored all warnings about her. Clinton in fact, probably enabled the populist wing of the Republican Party to nominate Trump. Clinton was so reviled, that they decided to throw caution to the wind and go with a tough talking outsider to combat her. He won, you lost. You knew about the Electoral College going in and accepted that. Your best strategy now is to focus on Trump's failings and Trump's proposals. He is incapable of dealing with opposition and will hang himself if you feed him enough rope.
The real question is what's next? If Trump goes, we then have President Pence and Trump's cabinet, along with a battered and bruised nation. How do we pull together after what will be a brutal fight? How do we govern in the aftermath? This may be one of those "Be careful of what you ask for" situations.
Mr. Blow and others are doing themselves a disservice by harping on the Clinton mantra. You nominated a seriously flawed candidate and ignored all warnings about her. Clinton in fact, probably enabled the populist wing of the Republican Party to nominate Trump. Clinton was so reviled, that they decided to throw caution to the wind and go with a tough talking outsider to combat her. He won, you lost. You knew about the Electoral College going in and accepted that. Your best strategy now is to focus on Trump's failings and Trump's proposals. He is incapable of dealing with opposition and will hang himself if you feed him enough rope.
The real question is what's next? If Trump goes, we then have President Pence and Trump's cabinet, along with a battered and bruised nation. How do we pull together after what will be a brutal fight? How do we govern in the aftermath? This may be one of those "Be careful of what you ask for" situations.
10
Let's not re-write history. Clinton had a 70% approval rating prior to running for president. She was a well-respected senator across the aisle, and an accomplished well-regarded Secretary of State - well, maybe not with Putin. When it became obvious to FOX News and its kindred media outlets that Clinton would seek the nomination, they doubled down even more on their 25-year old pathological obsession with attacking everything Clinton.
10
Bruce: Everyone is seriously flawed. Much --maybe even most - of what was said about Clinton was based on false allegations, innuendo, unsubstantiated predictions and assumptions, not to mention out and out fake news and lies.
I agree with your perspective but question the "inevitable" outcome of Pence and the cabinet staying. This scandal got Pence elected as well, and why should we accept a cabinet and VP from an illegitimate president? If true then these allegations are far worse than Watergate, and are beyond impeachment. They could nullify this presidency, including his nominee for the Supreme Court.
4
When I was young and in school, seems like 100 years ago now, studying the Constitution, never in a million years would I have thought that this would be possible--that the FBI director would go out of bounds (Loretta Lynch had advised him NOT to issue the letter prior to the election, and he did anyway). I did, however, at that time, think that it was possible that we would elect a female president in my lifetime. I no longer believe that. I am 68, almost 69, and I only have so many elections left in me. This one almost did me in, with the constant lies and deception that came from the Trump camp. If I tried to have a civil discussion with a Trump supporter, citing historical facts, that person would cut me off in mid-sentence, call me a "moron!" and walk away. No sense of historical perspective was helpful. So many Trump supporters continue to believe in him. Now I see Comey come forward, again, acting serious and indicating that his investigation into Russian influence into the 2016 election, is going to be bipartisan and get to the bottom of this horrific insult to the sanctity of our election. Who made the FIRST insults to our election? The Trump campaign, with its constant lies about Hillary, punctuated by the Comey letter, and the Russians were in the background the entire time, rubbing their hands together, paying people to post fake news items about Hillary because they hate her. Meanwhile, this bully-in-chief costs us daily in so many ways. Where to now?
61
You and your colleagues will be remembered years from now for your integrity, insight, and fearlessness. You especially, Mr. Blow, for your ability to channel your anger and disgust into effective and accessible prose. Instead of sputtering and fulminating, you shine a light -- merciless unflinching light -- on the mendacity and wickedness of our so-called leaders. Please keep doing that. You speak for thousands of us. Millions, maybe. In the not-too-distant future you will be recognized as one of the heroes who were brave enough to comment on the emperor's lack of apparel. And America will thank you.
Lock him up!
Mr. Blow, we are already in a Constitutional crisis of epic proportions. And Donald Trump and his White House Team are just the tip of the iceberg. The deeply infected boil that has been growing for years is finally bursting open, but the infection is far more than Trump. Just think: Yesterday, in violation of every precedent, principle, possibly ethics AND criminal rules and laws, Devon Nunes, the Chair of the House Intelligence Committee, briefed the prime subject of the investigation of information he had, without even briefing the ranking member. Nunes said it was his "duty" to inform the President. No, Mr. Nunes, it was you duty NOT to inform the President and you just compromised the entire investigation, relinquished the House's co-equal power, and illegally released classified information.
But Nunes isn't the exception. Gowdy's questioning (& don't forget his 11 hr phony grilling of HRC) of Comey made it clear he wanted to protect this corrupt, irresponsible, and feasibly treasonous President by concentrating on leaks rather than what they revealed. As if Mark Felt & not Nixon & the Plumbers were the problem.
This corruption goes everywhere in the GOP. McConnell's blocking for Garland for a full 1/4 of Obama's 2nd term, then whining about Dems blocking Gorsuch, who is lying his tail off, doesn't give a DAMN about human life (except the unborn) & insisted the truck driver SHOULD have died or risked killing other people because "that's the law" No. it is not.
But Nunes isn't the exception. Gowdy's questioning (& don't forget his 11 hr phony grilling of HRC) of Comey made it clear he wanted to protect this corrupt, irresponsible, and feasibly treasonous President by concentrating on leaks rather than what they revealed. As if Mark Felt & not Nixon & the Plumbers were the problem.
This corruption goes everywhere in the GOP. McConnell's blocking for Garland for a full 1/4 of Obama's 2nd term, then whining about Dems blocking Gorsuch, who is lying his tail off, doesn't give a DAMN about human life (except the unborn) & insisted the truck driver SHOULD have died or risked killing other people because "that's the law" No. it is not.
51
The Obama administration illegally ran surveillance on the Trump campaign and transition team. A week before leaving office, Obama allowed access to this information to be expanded to a larger number of intelligence agencies so he could be sure that his friends could leak it. That's exactly what they did to Gen. Flynn.
The Russia thing it a hoax. They've been "investigating" since July and haven't found a thing, as former DNI Clapper said two weeks ago.
A Democratic administration used IC assets to conduct surveillance on a Republican presidential campaign. There's your crime
The Russia thing it a hoax. They've been "investigating" since July and haven't found a thing, as former DNI Clapper said two weeks ago.
A Democratic administration used IC assets to conduct surveillance on a Republican presidential campaign. There's your crime
10
They evesdropped on conversations with Russian officials. Not with Aunt Mary, Cousin Bill, or a campaign donor.
2
You have got to be kidding. You cannot possibly believe your statement.
1
What newspapers or cable shows have you been following? Not the same ones I have been reading. Clapper and others assured us the Russians did indeed hack the Democrats and try to influence our election. The FBI and others said there is no evidence that Obama tapped Trump Tower.
Saying the things you said do not make them true -- especially when authoritative voices contradict them.
Saying the things you said do not make them true -- especially when authoritative voices contradict them.
3
These are standard tactics for authoritarian regimes: deflect criticism by accusing your opponent of the very things you're suspected of, keep changing the story from day to day so that the press and public are constantly chasing the next shiny object, etc. The fascists Bannon so admires are masters of these tactics. We can't let them call the tune or we can forget about our democracy.
37
New election now
31
Sorry, Hillary's irrelevant and Chelsea's unelectable.
5
If only...
1
History will not be very kind to Mr. Comey. He will be seen as highlighting one investigation about nothing and hiding another investigation about acts of treason. He knows his missteps now and as much said so to congress.
I see the problem with Mr. Comey as a guy trying catch all the "fish" in a great big net. He should take what he has now and then re-cast the net!
I see the problem with Mr. Comey as a guy trying catch all the "fish" in a great big net. He should take what he has now and then re-cast the net!
19
This thing stinks so foul they must have to shove open the White House windows all day. How does a corrupt Russia find a way in to a foreign government? Find a corrupt family that will play along, that's how.
And Trump's feeling "somewhat vindicated"? Wow. I don't think he understands what he just admitted there: that via routine monitoring of foreign chatter, there was some sort of concerned communication about the Trumps and their associates. How nefarious? We don't know yet, but the fact that Nunez ran to tattle tale it to the WH without consulting the members of his committee is telling. Feeling a bit defensive there?
Thank your Mr. Schiff, for coming out visibly yesterday to protest this partisan charade by the GOP. And Mr. Comey had better redeem himself on this one.
And Trump's feeling "somewhat vindicated"? Wow. I don't think he understands what he just admitted there: that via routine monitoring of foreign chatter, there was some sort of concerned communication about the Trumps and their associates. How nefarious? We don't know yet, but the fact that Nunez ran to tattle tale it to the WH without consulting the members of his committee is telling. Feeling a bit defensive there?
Thank your Mr. Schiff, for coming out visibly yesterday to protest this partisan charade by the GOP. And Mr. Comey had better redeem himself on this one.
42
There is no redeeming Comey- his hands are too dirty now, and no amount of washing will get the dirt out.
2
From the Times on March 9th - Sessions on Guantanamo:
“There’s plenty of space,” Mr. Sessions said of the prison. “We are well equipped for it. It’s a perfect place for it. Eventually, this will be decided by the military rather than the Justice Department. But I see no legal problem whatsoever with doing that.”
How ironic would that be? To lock them all up down in Cuba.
“There’s plenty of space,” Mr. Sessions said of the prison. “We are well equipped for it. It’s a perfect place for it. Eventually, this will be decided by the military rather than the Justice Department. But I see no legal problem whatsoever with doing that.”
How ironic would that be? To lock them all up down in Cuba.
27
So what? Lying has been a winning strategy for Trump so far. The biggest lie is that Trump's lying matters to enough Americans with power to make a difference. Lies are acts of commission and omission. Donald Trump has been guilty of both.
In the beginning Donald Trump perpetuated the lie that Barack Obama was not a natural born citizen of the United States all the way to the Oval Office of the White House. Aided and abetted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, FBI Director James Comey and WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange plus the votes of 46% of American voters particularly 75,000 voters in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania who delivered Trump a thin Electoral College majority victory.
Trump asked the Russians to continue to hack the DNC and to look into Hillary Clinton's e-mails. And Trump refused to disclose his corporate and personal income tax returns along with his personal and corporate business records, holdings and deals.
Yet Trump is the temporary elected hired help of the American people. Like the Frankenstein monster Trump's threat to preserving, protecting and defending our Constitution will only grow until and unless the American people stop this troublesome menace.
In the beginning Donald Trump perpetuated the lie that Barack Obama was not a natural born citizen of the United States all the way to the Oval Office of the White House. Aided and abetted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, FBI Director James Comey and WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange plus the votes of 46% of American voters particularly 75,000 voters in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania who delivered Trump a thin Electoral College majority victory.
Trump asked the Russians to continue to hack the DNC and to look into Hillary Clinton's e-mails. And Trump refused to disclose his corporate and personal income tax returns along with his personal and corporate business records, holdings and deals.
Yet Trump is the temporary elected hired help of the American people. Like the Frankenstein monster Trump's threat to preserving, protecting and defending our Constitution will only grow until and unless the American people stop this troublesome menace.
27
It would be delicious if Trump's downfall was brought about by his and/or his inner circle's collusion with Russia to influence the election - the rigged, fake, fraudulent election - come true at his own hand. Sort of like the feeling you get when the cop's actually there at just the right time to nab the jerk that's been harassing you in traffic. Sweet.
But at the same time we'll have the bitter. How does the country deal with the aftermath? How does the government come back together, at what speed, with what confidence? Do all the critical problems we are facing here (heath care, the budget etc) and abroad (N. Korea, Iran etc) just go on hold, waiting for us to sort things out?
And what of all the people who voted for him and stood by him through it all, and probably would remain Trump loyalists? Mad as hell and among his "2nd Amendment friends".
And then there's the possibility the investigation does not turn up enough hard evidence to get him out, and we have to wait for his next big "high crime and misdemeanor" - which will come, no doubt, but at what cost?
Oh, America, what a fine mess you've gotten us into.
But at the same time we'll have the bitter. How does the country deal with the aftermath? How does the government come back together, at what speed, with what confidence? Do all the critical problems we are facing here (heath care, the budget etc) and abroad (N. Korea, Iran etc) just go on hold, waiting for us to sort things out?
And what of all the people who voted for him and stood by him through it all, and probably would remain Trump loyalists? Mad as hell and among his "2nd Amendment friends".
And then there's the possibility the investigation does not turn up enough hard evidence to get him out, and we have to wait for his next big "high crime and misdemeanor" - which will come, no doubt, but at what cost?
Oh, America, what a fine mess you've gotten us into.
25
Wow! What an indictment. Crooked lying Trump has always been a cheating thug, judging by his dealings and wheeling during his entire adult life in business, perhaps starting with his father's counselling in discriminating against black folks (no entrance to his 'rental' real estate). As to why he was able to sneak his way to the presidency, aside from his constant lies, innuendos and insults, was the stupidity (?willful) of Comey's comments just days before the election. And we haven't even gone into the probable collusion of Trump with Putin's Russia. Lest we forget, the highly unlikely political baptism of this disgusting thug was the hysteria he created with his 'birtherism', as you said, reckless and uncalled for, and yet, agreeable to a 'racist' complicit republican party. There is no redemption here, even if an olive branch of false apology is given. A democracy and its values of freedom, justice and inclusion, is hard work, and must be earned. In our case, the lottery we thought we won, is being wasted in our acquiescence of a charlatan drunk with power...and unable to tell fiction from fact; and the truth told rarely, by mistake.
15
Charles Blow continues to keep the whole mess inescapably visible to anybody with eyes in their head. My biggest question is still 'why is Trump still in office?'
26
Mr. Blow should modify his essay in the paragraph where he discusses that Donald Trump will never apologize...."Something is broken in the man — definitely morally and possibly psychologically". I would eliminate the word 'possibly' from that sentence.
25
Face it... If you were alone in an elevator with Donnie and it was obvious that someone passed a load of gas and you knew it wasn't you he'd look at you and say "That was rude"...
Donnie isn't just a pathological liar he is also very IMMATURE... I'd peg his maturity level at about 13 or 14 years old... And that's being kind...
Bob
Donnie isn't just a pathological liar he is also very IMMATURE... I'd peg his maturity level at about 13 or 14 years old... And that's being kind...
Bob
8
Nothing was done about his relentless accusation that Obamacare was born in Kenya....Nothing. No surprise that he has continued to lie and thinks he can get away with it. Why was nothing done about his birther lies? This is what you get for allowing that to go on and on. Racism and privilege unchecked brings more hatred and domination.
Comey wasn't the only one hyping the HRC email issue while covering up the Trump campaign's possible collusion with Russia and the Christopher Steele dossier -- the press was too. The press also had the dossier and didn't tell the American public about it (except for Corn, who was ignored).
Why?
Why?
Congressman Devin Nunes, like the good lickspittle lackey that he is, flies up to "Dean" Trump and makes the following statement:
"I heard something we can use to support your wiretapping tweet. You were picked up talking to Russians who were under surveillance. Get it? You were under surveillance! They'll eat it up!"
"I heard something we can use to support your wiretapping tweet. You were picked up talking to Russians who were under surveillance. Get it? You were under surveillance! They'll eat it up!"
9
"Something is broken in the man — definitely morally and possibly psychologically." And as long as he is in the Oval, there will be high drama and chaos. And lies and bigger lies. He is a master manipulator, always manipulating the drama. And lies are just SOP. But we saw this in the campaign, so it's really no surprise. The question is, how much damage will he do before he's stopped?
It's small consolation, but Trump must be seething with anger each morning when he wakes up to critics and criticisms he cannot extinguish by filing a lawsuit or threatening one. What anger and hostility he must feel!
And he can't make use of his usual trick -- reversing the charges and saying "No, YOU did that!" -- as he did with Mrs. Clinton and others.
I'm telling you, this guy is a volcano about to erupt, and I don't think any tweet or series of tweets will manage to release the pressure that's building. "There she blows!"
And he can't make use of his usual trick -- reversing the charges and saying "No, YOU did that!" -- as he did with Mrs. Clinton and others.
I'm telling you, this guy is a volcano about to erupt, and I don't think any tweet or series of tweets will manage to release the pressure that's building. "There she blows!"
11
Nunes looked like the kid who tattles to the principle. I took his tattling as the behavior of desperation. The republicans went glassy-eyed for a time, like some pimpled adolescent who's convinced himself that he has a chance with a hot girl. They thought their foul agenda was on the way to the prom. Sobriety is settling in, and some are belatedly asking the question "What did I ever see in this incompetent, unbalanced profligate liar, anyway?" I notice a diminishing number of Trump surrogates on the talk shows. Jack Kingston is showing the strain of an extended fool's errand. Kayleigh McEnany maintains her snot-nosed rancor, but the former mainstays, like Giuliani and Conway are lying low. Hmm, unintentional pun! Trump and the republicans have gathered their own faults, multiplied them tenfold, and thrown them like poisoned darts at Clinton, Obama, et al. You have to admit that they have succeeded at the most extreme and outrageous fiction of false equivalency and character assassination in American history. I only wish media would get off their politically correct meme of the poor overlooked working class -they were certainly a subset of Trump voters- but the heavy lifting of the alternate reality of doom has been accomplished by Murdoch, Limbaugh, Hannity, etc., in their 24-7, twenty year propaganda campaign. I live in a rural red state and I hear their tripe parroted constantly, by people who by and large are doing well. Tune in some time.
13
How is it that every paper is not running the same front page headline: "FBI investigates President and His Team for Acts of Treason." This is what we are talking about: Treason. And how it it that meantime DC business goes on as if this were not the case? Perhaps Putin is directing all priorities that are now being pushed: on foreign policy, and on domestic policy... including the pick for the supreme court, including healthcare and tax policy. Time to press Pause. We have already allowed the Presidency to be the actions of a foreign government.... shall we just let everything in our country go with it? Congress, hit pause on Trump and all his actions. DO YOUR JOB.
What we should have heard from the Senators. "Mr. Comey, do you have evidence that someone tampered with the election, other than you or course."
This so called presidency is illegitimate from the moment the so called president put his tiny hands on the Bible for his oath of office.
I was really hoping that the Constitutional crisis would have happened before the election while there was a Constitutional scholar residing in the White House. Alas.
The confirmation of Gorsuch must stop until the investigation is complete. Our system does not have ready made solutions to the problem we now face but I am sure we can figure something out that allows our Nation to continue to operate without letting the fake president use any of his fake power.
Of course, at the present moment with the present crew in charge we really do not have a functioning government, except the "deep state" of career public servants that t rump so fears.
This so called presidency is illegitimate from the moment the so called president put his tiny hands on the Bible for his oath of office.
I was really hoping that the Constitutional crisis would have happened before the election while there was a Constitutional scholar residing in the White House. Alas.
The confirmation of Gorsuch must stop until the investigation is complete. Our system does not have ready made solutions to the problem we now face but I am sure we can figure something out that allows our Nation to continue to operate without letting the fake president use any of his fake power.
Of course, at the present moment with the present crew in charge we really do not have a functioning government, except the "deep state" of career public servants that t rump so fears.
9
David Nunes is a "toady." Poor guy, he is so fearful of Trump that he has gone to the dark side. He is a man with no power so he attaches himself to the strong man in the WH. How pathetic to run to Trump with this information instead of doing the difficult but courageous work of neutral investigation. However it turns out the brave person does his or her job. But not Nunes. He has become one of the brainless rabble who scramble to do the president's dirty work. He's a "toady."
“If you’re under your 2nd FBI investigation in the same year then you do have a … corruption & an ethics problem.”
Now, I want to hear how Conway justifies this as it now pertains to Trump.
Oh wait. What am I saying? She'll just spin and lie and obfuscate.
Now, I want to hear how Conway justifies this as it now pertains to Trump.
Oh wait. What am I saying? She'll just spin and lie and obfuscate.
The last time we had a true constitutional crisis of this magnitude in this country was Nixon in 1968, although we didn't realize it at the time; then again in 1972 when we did. Recently discovered papers at the Nixon Library demonstrate beyond the shadow of a doubt that Nixon's secret plan to end the Vietnam war was really to scuttle LBJ's peace negotiations covertly, while denying it to LBJ's face. In this way, he won a narrow victory over Humphrey. In 1972, the Watergate burglary and all of Nixon's other felonies that were exposed by the burglary festered and it took some time before he resigned on the eve of impeachment.
But we had men like Senators Ervin and Baker and Representative Peter Rodino who put country ahead of presidential power and corruption. Sadly today they are all dead and we see no one with their ethics and courage in the senate or the house. One can only hope, as you say, that Trump's presidency will be damned by his own lies-and before he has destroyed the country beyond repair.
But we had men like Senators Ervin and Baker and Representative Peter Rodino who put country ahead of presidential power and corruption. Sadly today they are all dead and we see no one with their ethics and courage in the senate or the house. One can only hope, as you say, that Trump's presidency will be damned by his own lies-and before he has destroyed the country beyond repair.
6
This is an "opinion piece", nothing more.
3
Based on FACT, nothing less.
Are you going to shout "You lie!" next?
1
What is a presidency without a 4 year investigation? Or an impeachment over oral stuff or hotel break-ins. Everyone needs an apology. Television must apologize for making this guy a star with a catch phrase. The Democrats need to apologize for providing a 70 year old white woman to replace Obama. These big cities where all the new haircut people live need to apologize to the tiny towns they left, where nothing has been renovated in 60 years. Nothing made of wood and concrete at least. The President is what happened. The type of guy you'd drink with for 4 minutes and then get the heck outta there, thanks for making him king. He scares my mother for Pete's sake. An apology? More worthless identity issues. Build me a road so I can get the heck out of here.
7
The air is so toxic with treasonous deception, it is getting harder to breathe very day. I feel sick.
9
• He seems constitutionally incapable of registering what others would: shame, embarrassment, contrition.
I am fond of quotes, especially the really prescient. I collect them for future use and application. I have reams of them. You said it yourself on these very pages, Mr. Blow, in one of your very best moments:
“There is no way to shame a man who lacks conscience or to embarrass an embarrassment.” - May 16, 2016
I am fond of quotes, especially the really prescient. I collect them for future use and application. I have reams of them. You said it yourself on these very pages, Mr. Blow, in one of your very best moments:
“There is no way to shame a man who lacks conscience or to embarrass an embarrassment.” - May 16, 2016
6
One again Mr Blow in engaging in name-calling and demonizing those who he dislikes. As always, this won't convince anyone besides the choir he's preaching to.
Our country has mistakenly put a bigoted, ignorant lier in at the head of our executive branch. Trump has tried to undermine our confidence in our electoral process, tried to damage the veracity of our intelligence community, attacked our free press and has confirmed the general impression that our Washington politicians are not telling us the truth and are no longer capable of governing.
If we are to excise this dangerous demagogue from our government then those voters who support Trump must be convinced that he is not governing in their interest. They must be shown--not merely told, like Mr Blow is doing here--that Donald Trump will hurt them. We must turn Trump voters against him. Name-calling and demonizing won't accomplish this.
Our country has mistakenly put a bigoted, ignorant lier in at the head of our executive branch. Trump has tried to undermine our confidence in our electoral process, tried to damage the veracity of our intelligence community, attacked our free press and has confirmed the general impression that our Washington politicians are not telling us the truth and are no longer capable of governing.
If we are to excise this dangerous demagogue from our government then those voters who support Trump must be convinced that he is not governing in their interest. They must be shown--not merely told, like Mr Blow is doing here--that Donald Trump will hurt them. We must turn Trump voters against him. Name-calling and demonizing won't accomplish this.
3
When "incidental collection" becomes names of political candidates inappropriately presented in intel reports and whistle-blowers have to come out to expose the cover up, how is that okay, Mr Blow? did Prez Obama ever apologize for blaming former Prez Bush for everything he had a hard time handling? or did he apologize for openly insulting Candidate Trump to his face at the Correspondents' Dinner? your "vituperative" attack on rep Nanes is the only thing "outrageous" in your abusively partisan piece. just another example of the interminable whining we have to put up with from you because President Trump WON.
3
The real scandal here is the nefarious unauthorized unmasking of Trump operatives by high level Ovama appointees to create a sespool of innuendo and speculation about the incoming administration. Did Obama authorize ?
1
So, was Trump and company under surveillance during the campaign or were they not?
Was it a lie then?
Was it a lie then?
2
We all are, but since Trump took on Roger Ailes for a spin cycle, he got them all caught.
1
Probably when Trump's campaign manager's ties to Russian underworld types and Roger Stone bragging about "who's next in the barrel". Mike Flynn with his Russian dinner lecture stuff.
God you would hope so. They all but broadcast their ties with Russia.
God you would hope so. They all but broadcast their ties with Russia.
46 percent of voters installed a mentally flawed con-man in the White House who now praises Putin and insults and degrades the courts, members of his own party, minorities, our allies, women, and anyone who stands up and points out that the emperor has no clothes.
6
Trump will get away with every thing he does unless his hand is caught in the cookie jar. He, those who voted for him and the Republicans who work with him represent the ugly side of the US. An example: Nunez conveyed the findings of the Committee investigating Trump associates to Trump violating personal ethics that call for independence from Trump.Those who elected Nunez must have evaluated his character before sending him to Washington. Was it time consuming - yes it was. It is the ignorant lazy voter who ultimately is responsible for the trauma the country is going through
1
I am starting to wonder what Giuliani knew. Remember when he said that news was going to come out?!?
"Something is broken in the man — definitely morally and possibly psychologically."
What prevents you, Mr. Blow, from acknowledging that Mr. Trump is clearly psychologically impaired?? It is obvious to thousands and thousands of mental health professionals who understand the dangerous implications for our country, especially when he undoubtedly experiences a transient psychotic episode--a common component of his diagnosis.
What prevents you, Mr. Blow, from acknowledging that Mr. Trump is clearly psychologically impaired?? It is obvious to thousands and thousands of mental health professionals who understand the dangerous implications for our country, especially when he undoubtedly experiences a transient psychotic episode--a common component of his diagnosis.
6
Somewhere in the semantics., the truth
President Obama signed the extension of the 2001 Patriot Act in 2011 and then signed the Freedom Act in 2015 pertaining to the collection and access to META data from all Americans, in essence extending the wiretapping everybody's phone and data. President Donald Trump communicated “President Obama wiretapped of my phone”. We know that the Justice Department under the Democratic Obama administration was actively investigating the connection between the Republican Trump team members and Russia. The investigation examined the data and voice communications at Trump Tower, a very small portion of which was then leaked to the press by someone in our $60 billion security apparatus.
President Obama signed the extension of the 2001 Patriot Act in 2011 and then signed the Freedom Act in 2015 pertaining to the collection and access to META data from all Americans, in essence extending the wiretapping everybody's phone and data. President Donald Trump communicated “President Obama wiretapped of my phone”. We know that the Justice Department under the Democratic Obama administration was actively investigating the connection between the Republican Trump team members and Russia. The investigation examined the data and voice communications at Trump Tower, a very small portion of which was then leaked to the press by someone in our $60 billion security apparatus.
As the most ardent Never Trump Resistance reporter, I congratulate once again on another brilliant column.
By Trump's words and deeds we shall know him, and what we have seen and will continue to witness until he is removed from the Oval Office is simply the most atrocious behavior exhibited by any president in our 240 year old history.
We also know Trump by the company he keeps and those cretins you mention herein. "Alternative Facts" Conway, O'Reilly, Hannity, are the most incredibly unreliable kissers of the Trump be-hind. You can take their comments and immediately throw them into the rubbish bin. Not one can be relied upon to speak any truth. When it comes to Trump, it's speak, see, hear no Trump Evil. Anyone who cites these propagandists deserve the label deplorable.
DD
Manhattan
By Trump's words and deeds we shall know him, and what we have seen and will continue to witness until he is removed from the Oval Office is simply the most atrocious behavior exhibited by any president in our 240 year old history.
We also know Trump by the company he keeps and those cretins you mention herein. "Alternative Facts" Conway, O'Reilly, Hannity, are the most incredibly unreliable kissers of the Trump be-hind. You can take their comments and immediately throw them into the rubbish bin. Not one can be relied upon to speak any truth. When it comes to Trump, it's speak, see, hear no Trump Evil. Anyone who cites these propagandists deserve the label deplorable.
DD
Manhattan
3
The Trump voters carry the brunt of the guilt that we have the immoral, racist, misogynist, pathological liar, incompetent Donald Trump festering in the White House. 63% of white men and 53% of white women gleefully voted for Donald Trump, despite his glaring ignorance, foul behavior, and blatant lying on the campaign trail. These voters loved Trump's racist, and hateful message, for he spoke for them. This was stated, repeatedly by the Trump voters. Donald Trump didn't magically appear in the White House, he was voted in, albeit by an extremely narrow margin, and the fools who voted for him cannot escape responsibility.
2
It might be different - marginally different - if the effect of those lies and astonishing hypocrisy were "just" political manipulation of the 19th century variety. But the effect has been to put a... person... in the White House with no moral grounding whatsoever, and dangerously deranged on top of that.
That's the crisis we'll all have to come to grips with eventually.
That's the crisis we'll all have to come to grips with eventually.
2
"The Trump machinery then used that action to scare Americans about Clinton, in one of the most astonishing acts of deflection and hypocrisy in American history."
With a lot of help from the media! How did the investigation against Trump stay classified yet the director's letter to Congress was very publicly revealed? Did someone in Congress violate the Hatch Act? Oughtn't someone be indicted for the crime that steals a free and fair election from us all?
Our Constitution clearly needs an amendment to add a recall for Federal elections. We can even name it the Trump Amendment to get 45 behind it. Where do we start?
With a lot of help from the media! How did the investigation against Trump stay classified yet the director's letter to Congress was very publicly revealed? Did someone in Congress violate the Hatch Act? Oughtn't someone be indicted for the crime that steals a free and fair election from us all?
Our Constitution clearly needs an amendment to add a recall for Federal elections. We can even name it the Trump Amendment to get 45 behind it. Where do we start?
2
The most important result of Trump's election, so far, is that he has appointed a Supreme Court candidate that is being confirmed by the Senate as we speak.
Is that something that nobody cares about ?
Is that something that nobody cares about ?
Rep. Devin Nunes...Rotten to the core. I can smell you here in Seattle.
2
Preet Bharara for special prosecutor!
Plain and simple, Trump is a narcissistic sociopath. He has no conscience, no sense of guilt and shame, no empathy. He is a psychological cripple. Stop expecting/hoping for change. It's like waiting for the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk. Won't happen. Normal people, who have a conscience, have great difficulty recognizing and understanding sociopaths. Read Cleckley's masterful book The Mask of Sanity, about sociopaths. You will recognize Donald Trump.
I wonder what writers of history will record about this period. They will have an unbelievable time writing about it. FBI director Comey's letter was instrumental in Hillary's defeat. And Sean Hannity said at the time there was a "constitutional crisis?" What about now? Now we have a President who lies, is combative and whose Press Secretary says "Paul Manafort who?" Every day is mind boggling. As John McCain said, " it is a centipede, there are so many shoes to drop."
Keep up the great work, NYT reporters, and Charles Blow, in particular.
Keep up the great work, NYT reporters, and Charles Blow, in particular.
2
How can the american people find a way to get Trump out now. I cant wait until 2020 for this clown to further damage the country. There comes a time when the people have to say "no more" and repel this looney toon character. Resist and repel Benedict Donald. Do it for your country.
3
My God, by this time in his regime, Obama had already won a Nobel Peace Prize. Google the image of him laughing about it in the Oval Office.
But Trump has already produced his biggest lie? Whatever term will C-Blo use next when his hyperbole is running low?
But Trump has already produced his biggest lie? Whatever term will C-Blo use next when his hyperbole is running low?
Thank you, Mr. Blow, for another terrific piece of insight. I pray to god this ends soon, without violence or too much collateral damage to our planet.
2
Republicans, at their most cynical, power-hungry, self-serving and unpatriotic best, cooked a vile stew of Goebbels, Barnum, and Citizens United served by a grotesque carny barker who lured people into the freak show that has become our current reality. It's past time for this circus to pull up stakes and leave town.
3
This is nothing new. As to Manafort. I repeatedly wrote to this comments section for several months, already. Why he is not charged at the least with not having registered as a foreign agent?
4
Nunes is now acting as an agent for the president, not as a checker and balancer.
Nunes needs to be removed.
Nunes needs to be removed.
Your last sentence, Mr. Blow, says it all about Trump. He has to go and the sooner the better.
2
Yes Charles, something is broken in the man. He is a psychopath and as you have noted one of the symptoms of this disorder is to tell bigger and bigger lies to cover the constant stream of lies. It is horrifying and disgusting to watch Congress bow and scrape to this psychopath, but as corrupt as the GOP has become, their behavior is consistent with what we know about the dynamic. For some strange reason the rest of us are so beguiled by psychopaths that we have a hard time getting away from them. Yes there are some evil (or just plain foolish) people in Congress who hope to make personal gain by aligning with Trump, but most people get stuck with the tar baby because they are shamed. Waking up to the fact that you have been fooled may seem only embarrassing and solvable, but it's not that easy. The real problem is that the psychopath's double crossing behavior makes us feel uncertain of our own mind. It is the seeds of doubt sewn by the psychopaths constant and contradictory stream of lies, that makes the victim shut down and give up on their own perception of the truth. We have seen this phenomenon with dictators for generations. looking back we are stunned that people followed these vile leaders into Hell, but it is a normal function of the human brain. Like "deer caught in the headlights" we Americans are being mesmerized by a dangerous psychopath who loves controlling people.
1
A feckless GOP beholding to big business and a know-nothing, wannabe dictator in the white house who tapped into an undercurrent of xenophobia and racism to win an election are symptoms. The real malignancy in our culture, which made both of the above possible, is an electorate that is much more sympathetic to pleas for the preservation of an "American culture" that is white and Christian than most liberals realized. Sure, Trump's lies, Comey's bizarre revelation on the eve of the election may have help turned an election that was decided by a (relatively) few votes. But again, they are just symptoms of the real sickness, and we should consider them an early warning sign. If Clinton has prevailed, the malignancy would still have been there, and we would have just gone on ignoring it for four more years. As important as Obama's election, in the end, it was the application of a band-aide to ruptured artery.
What I fail to understand is what an apology would accomplish? So Called POTUS, fabricated a story, and falsely accused the former POTUS of a crime. Doesn't this rise to the level of censure, criminality, impeachment? An apology is nothing! I do want to commend this editorial as an important reminder of the vulgar, hypocritical campaign run by Trump, his team and his personal media outlet, Fox News.
1
"Something is broken in the man — definitely morally and possibly psychologically."
Get back to us on this, Mr. Blow, after Trump has added a 3rd conservative justice to the Supreme Court.
Get back to us on this, Mr. Blow, after Trump has added a 3rd conservative justice to the Supreme Court.
3
Nice deflection, but getting a third justice does not fix Trump morally or psychologically. I notice you're too smart to dispute that which just proves that you are morally compromised.
"Incidental" collection? While it's true Rep. Nunes used this word in his statement, his main point was that the intelligence community made DELIBERATE use of this incidental collection by including it in many intelligence reports, with names, despite it's dubious value to foreign intelligence. When you keep reporting that phrase--incidental collection--you mischaracterize what Rep. Nunes was saying. You can agree or disagree that extensive circulation of the private communications of Trump campaign officials was wrong, but you can't call it incidental. That is dishonest.
The apology the Illegitimate One owes President Obama goes without saying. But you will never hear it. Trump's Apologies Owed list is so long now, beginning the day this dolt descended his Tower of Babel's gold escalator, Trump, were he to have any decency at all, would have ended his campaign the day after it began.
Trump has no shame because he has no conscience. It takes someone who thinks deeply about something, anything, to have thoughts of regret, sorrow, any feelings whatsoever. Trump is the most guilt-free braggart I have ever met. In fact Trump is unlike any other human I have ever come across in my seven plus decades on this planet. In that respect, he is unique. In another respect, his uniqueness is nothing to be proud of.
DD
Manhattan
Trump has no shame because he has no conscience. It takes someone who thinks deeply about something, anything, to have thoughts of regret, sorrow, any feelings whatsoever. Trump is the most guilt-free braggart I have ever met. In fact Trump is unlike any other human I have ever come across in my seven plus decades on this planet. In that respect, he is unique. In another respect, his uniqueness is nothing to be proud of.
DD
Manhattan
The hypocrisy and lies that come from Trump and his team are unfathomable to normal people everywhere. It is just impossible to understand how they can behave that badly and live with themselves.
I am also still trying to understand why people refused to vote for Hillary instead of this repugnant man. Hillary has her problems, absolutely. But as for leading the country the choice between the two was more than clear. The excuse given is still that she was just so awful and corrupt people couldn't vote for her and thought they would see what Team Trump could do. But this has yet to explain why Trump became the Republican candidate in the first place. Every single one of the other Republican primary candidates would have been vastly better choices. Trump is just completely despicable. It's as if someone is super hungry and hasn't eaten for days. The person is offered an overripe banana or a pile of dog poo. People are trying to convince us that over 62 million hungry Americans just couldn't stand the idea of eating an overripe banana so they thought they'd give the dog poo a try. And then millions of others just decided not to eat at all. Really?
I am also still trying to understand why people refused to vote for Hillary instead of this repugnant man. Hillary has her problems, absolutely. But as for leading the country the choice between the two was more than clear. The excuse given is still that she was just so awful and corrupt people couldn't vote for her and thought they would see what Team Trump could do. But this has yet to explain why Trump became the Republican candidate in the first place. Every single one of the other Republican primary candidates would have been vastly better choices. Trump is just completely despicable. It's as if someone is super hungry and hasn't eaten for days. The person is offered an overripe banana or a pile of dog poo. People are trying to convince us that over 62 million hungry Americans just couldn't stand the idea of eating an overripe banana so they thought they'd give the dog poo a try. And then millions of others just decided not to eat at all. Really?
4
Since the start, when trump announced that presidential run in Trump Towers. I like many thought he was seeking publicity. Never in my wildest dreams did I think Donald Trump (of all people) would win the nomination, let alone the coveted presidential spot. Yet here we are a few months in and Donald is being Donald, surprised? Many wanted a change and change has come, satisfied? Now we fight. This guy needed to be out, like last week out. Every step he makes, ever sneeze needs to be broken apart, analyzed. Thank you Mr. Blow for analyzing some of those sneezes, they are pretty disgusting aren't they?
2
It is important that we all remember this: Nobody thought Mr. Trump would win the election until election night. The Russians did not think Mr. Trump would be president.
The Russians' goal was and is to weaken American institutions. They wanted to sow the seeds of doubt in American government, in order to distract us from their actions on the international stage. The Russians did not like Mrs. Clinton. However, they expected her to become president, and aimed to contribute to a cloud over her administration.
Now the Russians are like the dog who caught the UPS truck. But we should not underestimate Mr. Putin. Even though he did not expect Mr. Trump to be president, he has still succeeded in weakening American institutions and sowing the seeds of domestic doubt in our country. He is delighting in watching us approach a Constitutional crisis.
Interestingly, Mr. Putin's goals for the U.S. line up perfectly with Mr. Bannon's stated intent: "deconstruction of the administrative state."
The Russians' goal was and is to weaken American institutions. They wanted to sow the seeds of doubt in American government, in order to distract us from their actions on the international stage. The Russians did not like Mrs. Clinton. However, they expected her to become president, and aimed to contribute to a cloud over her administration.
Now the Russians are like the dog who caught the UPS truck. But we should not underestimate Mr. Putin. Even though he did not expect Mr. Trump to be president, he has still succeeded in weakening American institutions and sowing the seeds of domestic doubt in our country. He is delighting in watching us approach a Constitutional crisis.
Interestingly, Mr. Putin's goals for the U.S. line up perfectly with Mr. Bannon's stated intent: "deconstruction of the administrative state."
4
For the last time.
She set up the server in secret, not Comey. She. Her.
She lost because she was a terribly compromised candidate. Who you blindly predicted would win the election by a huge margin. Because you ignored a swath of country who had needs and wants and desires like everyone else.
And continue to do so.
She set up the server in secret, not Comey. She. Her.
She lost because she was a terribly compromised candidate. Who you blindly predicted would win the election by a huge margin. Because you ignored a swath of country who had needs and wants and desires like everyone else.
And continue to do so.
5
And how's that working out for the people who voted for him? Voted for him even though he was a proven liar and misogynist? Someone who duped the students of Trump University. A "businessman" whose business model included bankruptcy and not paying his contractors.
So now he's president. So tell me - which of the policies he pursuing will do anything for the "forgotten" man?
So now he's president. So tell me - which of the policies he pursuing will do anything for the "forgotten" man?
Private server vs. Russia influencing our electoral process and alleged involvement of Trump and/or his associates. Which is worse for our nation?
She won by almost three million votes. Almost three million more Americans supported her policies. She was compromised by thirty years of smear and hypocrisy. And we all have to watch her accusers be illuminated by truly more horrendous behavior. Andrew, I sometimes wonder about the Deplorable lack of discernment in so many of my fellow Americans.
2
Quite a column about quite a mess, with one serious omission: this president must absolutely not be allowed to put a justice on the Supreme Court until the current investigation into ties between his campaign and Russia is concluded and its results made public. We could possibly be looking at impeachment or worse.
I've already communicated this to my elected representatives and Senator Schumer.
The Trump presidency is a malignant boil on our country. It needs to be lanced and drained.
I've already communicated this to my elected representatives and Senator Schumer.
The Trump presidency is a malignant boil on our country. It needs to be lanced and drained.
4
A stolen election renders the president illegitimate making the administration illegitimate and thus everything it does is illegitimate. Surely a Supreme Court seat must not be filled under these circumstances and impeachment proceedings must begin. A foreign power has clearly attacked our democracy by weaponizing social media. That our own FBI played into Putin's hands adds further insult to injury. The demise of our democracy is at hand unless Congress reconciles these outrages. Sadly, republican leaders like McConnell and Ryan, so willing to look the other way, are a disgrace to the oaths of office they took to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. They are shameful cowards.
3
We all know Trump lies alot, and he did that during election with Comey's help, and HRC lost.
Everyone lies, like "you hardly aged in 10 years, luv your new hair do!" thats harmless, or Madoff "Guaranteed profit for your money" that can make you bankrupt. Not sure where the lie on HRC is for the common people.
I believe the biggest lie belongs to "Keep cutting taxes for the very rich, and you will get rich by trickle down". The income disparity got insane, the rich keep getting much richer and the poor poorer. The GOP knew it was a lie when they promoted it 2 decades ago. If not, they should know it by know and stop cutting taxes for the very rich and to defund needed programs for the working class.
Everyone lies, like "you hardly aged in 10 years, luv your new hair do!" thats harmless, or Madoff "Guaranteed profit for your money" that can make you bankrupt. Not sure where the lie on HRC is for the common people.
I believe the biggest lie belongs to "Keep cutting taxes for the very rich, and you will get rich by trickle down". The income disparity got insane, the rich keep getting much richer and the poor poorer. The GOP knew it was a lie when they promoted it 2 decades ago. If not, they should know it by know and stop cutting taxes for the very rich and to defund needed programs for the working class.
1
Thank you Mr Blow for again enumerating the hypocrisy in the Trump ranks. But we need to somehow get this message thru to the Trump supporters. including the Republican-led Congress, in a way they will listen to. And I have no idea what that is. His supporters are as resistant to second thinking as he is. it's as if they are under a religious spell. I hope it does not take a disaster to bring them out.
1
Thank you, Charles. For your dogged UPLIFTING of the TRUTH.
There is so much wrong at the highest levels of our government right now, that I can hardly hold all of it in mind at the same time. I won't even bother naming it here.
Instead I just want to say how heartsick I feel. As I approach my 72nd birthday. In a land riven between lies, obfuscation and revelations of such wrong-doing on the one hand and efforts to redress and repair our Republic on the other.
It is simply heart-breaking. Worse than any previous national scandal or crisis I can recall. Like a building ready to crumble. While at the same time, so many heroes standing up! Ready to fight for that building's endurance and betterment. For inclusiveness, openness, sense of brotherhood of all humankind. I feel the pulse of the 60's. The marches. The longing for peace, not war, and for civil rights, not smashing of doors and taking of prisoners in the night, to punish them.
I'm veering off the topic here. But at nearly 72, you have a lot of time to think. To feel. To dwell in the sorrow of a country poised on a knife blade, to a future so uncertain, so potentially dreadful.
We can't give up trying to save this building. The only Republic we've known. I never realized how much I loved it. How much I love the New York Times! What we used to call "the daily miracle" when we, in the Midwest, received it daily on our doorstep. (Except when they threw it on the roof in winter!) Now in webform.
There is so much wrong at the highest levels of our government right now, that I can hardly hold all of it in mind at the same time. I won't even bother naming it here.
Instead I just want to say how heartsick I feel. As I approach my 72nd birthday. In a land riven between lies, obfuscation and revelations of such wrong-doing on the one hand and efforts to redress and repair our Republic on the other.
It is simply heart-breaking. Worse than any previous national scandal or crisis I can recall. Like a building ready to crumble. While at the same time, so many heroes standing up! Ready to fight for that building's endurance and betterment. For inclusiveness, openness, sense of brotherhood of all humankind. I feel the pulse of the 60's. The marches. The longing for peace, not war, and for civil rights, not smashing of doors and taking of prisoners in the night, to punish them.
I'm veering off the topic here. But at nearly 72, you have a lot of time to think. To feel. To dwell in the sorrow of a country poised on a knife blade, to a future so uncertain, so potentially dreadful.
We can't give up trying to save this building. The only Republic we've known. I never realized how much I loved it. How much I love the New York Times! What we used to call "the daily miracle" when we, in the Midwest, received it daily on our doorstep. (Except when they threw it on the roof in winter!) Now in webform.
2
There seems to be a large amount of the members of the GOP House that really don't want to go up against the Don. Apparently it more than a goose in the ribs to wake them up. Maybe we need to tell them to quit deflecting and get moving to what our country needs, people who care about us. Maybe we should say to them to shut-up, aka Mr. Barton, and govern as elected.
The fervor in which the right wing and trump went after clinton after comey's remarks has now turned into the biggest irony yet. The man is an illegitimate president, surrounded by sycophants and cult-like supporters and the support for an unprepared, racist, head case is dropping like a rock. The republicans care not about the country. "Me first, then the party and then maybe the country" The founders are rolling over in their graves.
1
It is easy for many of us to tire of Trump's behavior much as we might that of a neighbor's incorrigible child. We just live with it, hoping the child will improve. To our good fortune, we have Mr. Blow who has not tired of Trump's behavior nor tired of any aspect of the wrongfulness that is Donald Trump. Thank you. I am hopeful that your perseverance will be rewarded soon.
All of Manafort, Flynn, Page, and Stone are under investigation. If there is evidence to send just one of these men to prison, then I have no doubt that he would exchange testimony against Trump et al. for immunity to save himself jail time. None of these men would take a bullet for Trump. Their loyalty is circumscribed by their self interest. We may yet be months away, but the time is coming.
All of Manafort, Flynn, Page, and Stone are under investigation. If there is evidence to send just one of these men to prison, then I have no doubt that he would exchange testimony against Trump et al. for immunity to save himself jail time. None of these men would take a bullet for Trump. Their loyalty is circumscribed by their self interest. We may yet be months away, but the time is coming.
The hipocracy is astounding and it never seems to be used against republicans. Remember when this newspaper sat on the W program of the warrantless wiretapping of Americans? Because they rightly believed that Americans who were informed of it would be inclined to vote against W? How is it that a newspaper such as this could deny their responsibility to bring such matters to the public? It is their duty.
How is it that an FBI investigation of emails was so very public and an investigation of Putin's election tampering was so very private? The rot is deep in the GOP into their very hearts and souls. It is a gangrenous sore on our national soul.
Does anyone have perspective on how the user patriotic GOP has become a tool of a foreign adversary and instead of attempting to root out such fellow travelers is instead embracing them? Abetting Putin? Because I don't understand how it has come to this. It this I do know: they need to retire their tired flag pins. Their cover is blown.
How is it that an FBI investigation of emails was so very public and an investigation of Putin's election tampering was so very private? The rot is deep in the GOP into their very hearts and souls. It is a gangrenous sore on our national soul.
Does anyone have perspective on how the user patriotic GOP has become a tool of a foreign adversary and instead of attempting to root out such fellow travelers is instead embracing them? Abetting Putin? Because I don't understand how it has come to this. It this I do know: they need to retire their tired flag pins. Their cover is blown.
2
Just wondering -- how long before this quasi-autocracy eliminates our ability to express our fears and condemnations in the NYT and similar fact-based newspapers? Surprising how long he and his advisers have let this freedom continue; it's practically the only solace in this whole nightmare. For now I am grateful for it.
1
Is the We The People website still on whitehouse.gov? last i knew it had collected enough signatures to get his tax returns ...
Thanks to the Trump team for supplying my response to this situation. Only a change in the subject is required:
“Donald Trump’s corruption is on a scale we have never seen before. We must not let him take his criminal scheme into the Oval Office. I have great respect for the fact that the F.B.I. and the Department of Justice are now willing to have the courage to right the horrible mistake that they made.”
“Donald Trump’s corruption is on a scale we have never seen before. We must not let him take his criminal scheme into the Oval Office. I have great respect for the fact that the F.B.I. and the Department of Justice are now willing to have the courage to right the horrible mistake that they made.”
1
Trump was proven right after the Nunes bombshell.
On 1/12/17, just three days prior to Trumps inauguration, Obama decided to amend the rules regarding intelligence agencies sharing data, giving the NSA the ability to share it's findings with 16 other intelligence bureaus.
Obama orchestrated this Deep State collusion so close to Trumps inauguration to literally undermine and sabotage his presidency, as we have seen with non-stop leaks.
Attorney General Sessions must immediately open an investigation into Obama's criminal actions and hopefully find just cause to prosecute and arrest him!
On 1/12/17, just three days prior to Trumps inauguration, Obama decided to amend the rules regarding intelligence agencies sharing data, giving the NSA the ability to share it's findings with 16 other intelligence bureaus.
Obama orchestrated this Deep State collusion so close to Trumps inauguration to literally undermine and sabotage his presidency, as we have seen with non-stop leaks.
Attorney General Sessions must immediately open an investigation into Obama's criminal actions and hopefully find just cause to prosecute and arrest him!
You come out a week before the election and say your investigating Clinton for possible emails being sent on a unsecured server, but you don't divulge that you're investigating the other candidate for possible treason? Fire Comey, now.
3
The Senate should not confirm anyone nominated by this illegitimate president, including Gorsuch.
3
"Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and Trump transition team member Devin Nunes outrageously made public, briefing the president without first briefing his fellow committee members."
The hypocrisy of Republicans seems to have no bounds. I watched the committee hearings with Mr. Comey and Adm. Rogers and saw the Republicans focusing almost exclusively on the leaks from intelligence and cheering on a witch hunt for the leakers. Now, the Chairman of the committee himself is the leaker of what must be classified information since it is part of an ongoing investigation. It is not just Trump.
The hypocrisy of Republicans seems to have no bounds. I watched the committee hearings with Mr. Comey and Adm. Rogers and saw the Republicans focusing almost exclusively on the leaks from intelligence and cheering on a witch hunt for the leakers. Now, the Chairman of the committee himself is the leaker of what must be classified information since it is part of an ongoing investigation. It is not just Trump.
If Don the Con is impeached for treason, is it possible to nullify the entire presidential election and start over?
1
Thank you Charles. You are one of the only writers able to articulate just how insane, outrageous and stunning all of this is. Sadly, many other journalists are still too afraid to express the gravity of all this.
Where was the legitimate news orgainizations? He was being investigated in July. I cannot believe there was no leak.
2
What becomes clearer every day is that there is no honor among Republicans. Comey, a Republican, nominated by a Democratic president who made every reasonable attempt to work with the opposition party, released inconsequential information about the Democratic candidate, but said nothing of the investigation then active about the Republican candidate until five months after the elcection. Republicans have earned the scron of alll Americans who value a free and pluralistic society.
I myself only being 13 years old, do not know the whole spectrum of politics, but I do agree on the fact that President trump should give an apology to ex-president Barrack Obama. On the other hand, though now that there is all of the sudden evidence that there is wiretapping found in the tower, I wouldn't say that it is a lie then. Like I said before I am 13 years old, so please correct me on my mistakes that I have made or have not understood. It is also just my opinion too. Thank You.
The question is whether or not Obama targeted Trump, as Trump claimed. And Obama did not. Trump lies again, to change the subject. End of story. Impeach Trump. Preet Bharara for special prosecutor!
Oh it's a lot better then this. if Comey knew about the Hillary issues and spilled his guts and he knew about the Donald issues and did not, then we have a man who is an accessory to a traitorous cabal, whether intentional or not and he should be jailed.
3
This administration is fraudulent. Simply removing Mr. Trump from the office will not bring justice. The absurdity of Mike Pence stepping up to continue the GOP assault on our government would be the greatest injustice. We need to start considering a total redo of the election.
1
Donald Trump will not apologize to President Obama or the American People or to anyone of the many people that he has offended and insulted since his campaign began. He simply cannot do it because in addition to being an ignorant vulgar bully he is a psychopath.
The only thing that may change his behavior is if President Obama sues him for libel as I hope he will do.
The only thing that may change his behavior is if President Obama sues him for libel as I hope he will do.
I bet ISIS is loving the chaos and dishonesty in our government.
1
Wait, I'm confused. Election night, it was all about Comey - Comey this, Comey that, Hillary lost because of Comey and emails. Now it's all - It was the Russians! It was the Russians! Did the Russians force Podesta to write the emails that he did mocking middle America? I don't think so.
Hillary lost because she had no message, didn't campaign in key rust belt states, was the most unappealing candidate since Mondale, promised four more years of 1.5% GDP growth and trillions more in debt. I could go on, but you know why she lost. It wasn't the Russians, either.
Hillary lost because she had no message, didn't campaign in key rust belt states, was the most unappealing candidate since Mondale, promised four more years of 1.5% GDP growth and trillions more in debt. I could go on, but you know why she lost. It wasn't the Russians, either.
1
"Did the Russians force Podesta to write the emails that he did mocking middle America?" So what you're saying is the pudding is in the message and not the leaking (or leakers). Got it.
Charles -- are you simply going to write anti-Donald Trump columns til the end of time?
Given the difficulty of biweekly columnists -- NOW what do I write about? -- I think it's you who owe him an apology.
Given the difficulty of biweekly columnists -- NOW what do I write about? -- I think it's you who owe him an apology.
1
Constitutional crisis? Perhaps. If you consider that a fire provokes a crisis in the firehouse. I prefer to view the coming unfolding of events as a Constitution put to work. I hope to God that I am not being naive.
1
or a movie provoking crisis is a theatre ... it all seems so unreal!
Preet Bharara for special prosecutor!
Preet Bharara for special prosecutor!
1
The hypocrisy and irony of it all. When there was but one dot, the GOP was painting a portrait in full of HRC as a threat to our country's security. But when there appear to be a thousand clustered dots, Republican "patriots" fail to see any pattern of incriminating evidence emerging. They are obviously and willfully blind to the machinations of an apparently treasonous bunch of Judases. HRC was presumed guilty from the get-go. Who needed proof? Let's apply the same standard to Manafort, Flynn and their boss in the White House - all of them agents of foreign governments - and Lock Them Up.
2
Director Comey looked a bit haggard and tired testifying this time around. The real truth was he messed up the first time he compromised himself by jumping into the political arena to talk about an ongoing investigation. Then it was all downhill every time he had to explain more "facts" to the public. No he did not, he never should have, and he ruined his as well as the credibility of the Bureau in the process. He meddled in and quite possibly changed the outcome of a presidential election. I can see why he looks like he's not sleeping well!
1
Another compendium of quotations? Come on, NYT readers want analysis, not greatest hits!
Those that voted for Trump lied to themselves. They saw and heard with their own eyes and ears who and what Trump is. They knew his history of failed marriages and failed businesses, yet they lied to themselves and voted to install this failure into the most powerful position on earth. Yes, the truth can set you free but only if you stop lying to yourself!
1
Who will investigate Comey?
1
The American voters will get it sooner or later. As Mr. Trump plows forward with his agenda, his bullying and exaggerations, and his interminable tweets, the voters will be judging. We may have a very different Congress in 2019. We may see not only an impeachment of the chief executive but the first American president actually convicted of impeachable offenses. Yes, the decent American voters will get it. It's our only hope that they do.
Trump broken "definitely morally and possibly psychologically."
No Charles, I'd say definitely psychologicaly as well. Great column. Keep telling the truth.
No Charles, I'd say definitely psychologicaly as well. Great column. Keep telling the truth.
1
Charles, I criticized you two months ago for preaching animosity towards the new President. Give him a chance I said--don't be a hater like Mitch McConnell.
I apologize. You were right all along.
I apologize. You were right all along.
1
What do the Russians have on Donald Trump? Why is Donald Trump hollowing out the State Department?
Let's not blame Comey, because that's how the FBI is. Remember J. Edgar Hoover and that he advised MLK to kill himself to avoid a sex scandal. In the end the lies and racism of our POTUS will result in a rebirth of of America..but then, maybe not.
Hoover was a disgrace as bad as Trump.
Preet Bharara for special prosecutor!
Preet Bharara for special prosecutor!
1
Will media outlets like FOXNews finally be exposed for their lies? I think if you really showed on a screen actual events live happening and compared FOX and MSNBC interpretation to the event on a split screen people would realize which news outlet is Fake news.
1
Mr. Blow continues to verbally dismantle this presidency, and I for one am thankful that he continues to write about the disgrace that is now this administration.
That said, every action of the Republican party thus far tells me that calls for an independent counsel, impeachment and removal from office will go unheeded. The Congressional Republicans' disregard of the mounting evidence against this administration is breathtaking. But anyone who still believes they will put country before party hasn't been paying attention. There will be no independent counsel, and there will be no impeachment proceedings.
The likelihood of Democrats retaking control of Congress in 2018 is remote. It takes no particular powers of clairvoyance to understand that the longer this unhinged tyrant remains in office, the more extreme steps he will take to consolidate his power. And it takes no particular insight to understand that he will not go quietly. Do not forget that he has vociferous support of half of this nation's citizens, no matter what he does.
Those Americans who remain in this country (either by choice or by necessity) for the next several years need to understand that you now live in a very different America. Our leaders' respect for our Constitution will not suddenly reappear. Americans are now finding, as many other peoples in history have found, that railing against those in power in a corrupt regime will simply fall on deaf ears.
That said, every action of the Republican party thus far tells me that calls for an independent counsel, impeachment and removal from office will go unheeded. The Congressional Republicans' disregard of the mounting evidence against this administration is breathtaking. But anyone who still believes they will put country before party hasn't been paying attention. There will be no independent counsel, and there will be no impeachment proceedings.
The likelihood of Democrats retaking control of Congress in 2018 is remote. It takes no particular powers of clairvoyance to understand that the longer this unhinged tyrant remains in office, the more extreme steps he will take to consolidate his power. And it takes no particular insight to understand that he will not go quietly. Do not forget that he has vociferous support of half of this nation's citizens, no matter what he does.
Those Americans who remain in this country (either by choice or by necessity) for the next several years need to understand that you now live in a very different America. Our leaders' respect for our Constitution will not suddenly reappear. Americans are now finding, as many other peoples in history have found, that railing against those in power in a corrupt regime will simply fall on deaf ears.
1
While this column exposes the hypocrisy of some of the players, it is not even the most important possible story. There appears to be a real possibility that Trump's Russian and NATO policy--one that downplays Russian wrongdoing, and seems designed to cause a rift in NATO, may be part of a quid pro quo for Russian election support, and/or reflect that Trump is compromised in some way. If the basic concerns raised by the infamous "dossier" prove true, this would be the greatest espionage triumph for one of our enemies of all time. They have elected a President of our country who may be acting to benefit Russia over the interests of the U.S. and its allies. This could lead to significant changes in the world order as well as immeasurable damage the power and influence of the U.S. and a blow against freedom worldwide.
Ron Chernow in his biography on George Washington quotes Abigail Adams who said of President Washington after his death, "Simple truth is his best, his greatest eulogy." 45 is no George Washington.
might be time to contemplate another presidential election. call it a "do over"
2
The number of commentators below who are pro-Trump despite what James Comey announced on Monday is astounding! We need to make America think again if we want to be great.
Maybe Trump will be found to be surrounded.by people beholden to the Russians. Maybe the Trump enterprises will be found to have money laundered for the Russians.
And maybe not.
But already it's clear that Trump is delusional. It's one thing to make crazy claims and abandon them when they're shown to be invalid. It is quite another to repeat them knowing they've been proven bunk, and even when repeating them is damaging to one's own ability to govern.
At this point Trump has created an image as being unpredictable, unreliable, inconsistent, and incapable of focus. He does crazy things, and cannot recognize they are crazy.
In my opinion, Trump has created a situation where no foreign leader would trust anything Trump says, and would regard any bilateral agreement as not worth the paper it's written on. Moreover, every foreign leader must be prepared to deal with erratic actions by the USA that make the Iraq war look like a walk in the park.
In sum, whether Trump is delusional or not (and he is), he can no longer perform as President because no-one trusts his ability to see reality or understand the consequences of his actions. That is the situation described in the Constitution requiring his removal from office.
And maybe not.
But already it's clear that Trump is delusional. It's one thing to make crazy claims and abandon them when they're shown to be invalid. It is quite another to repeat them knowing they've been proven bunk, and even when repeating them is damaging to one's own ability to govern.
At this point Trump has created an image as being unpredictable, unreliable, inconsistent, and incapable of focus. He does crazy things, and cannot recognize they are crazy.
In my opinion, Trump has created a situation where no foreign leader would trust anything Trump says, and would regard any bilateral agreement as not worth the paper it's written on. Moreover, every foreign leader must be prepared to deal with erratic actions by the USA that make the Iraq war look like a walk in the park.
In sum, whether Trump is delusional or not (and he is), he can no longer perform as President because no-one trusts his ability to see reality or understand the consequences of his actions. That is the situation described in the Constitution requiring his removal from office.
2
This is great! We nearly forgot why Mrs. Rodham was totally unfit for office.
It would have been nice though had you mentioned the reason why Comey wrote that "infamous letter to Congress" on October 28.
Since you may have forgotten, it was because it was discovered in another FBI investigation, that Mrs. Rodham's top aide had allowed her disgraced, child pornographer, sexual predator husband, with no security clearance, access to top secret State Department communications.
Why a former aide to a former Secretary of State had top secret communications on her laptop years after leaving the department is another issue. Maybe you can address State Department Security protocol in a separate column.
The fact remains that yet another FBI investigation unearthed yet more evidence against Mrs. Rodham.
Mr. Comey may have felt he was duty-bound to notify congress. Had she been elected and the doomsday scenario, constitutional crisis you describe ensued, blame would have fallen squarely on Comey. Congress and other media (clearly not the Times) would be demanding to know why he kept secret an investigation of such grave magnitude.
That fact that the material discovered on the laptop was already part of the ongoing criminal investigation is irrelevant. Comey didn't know that at the time.
Either way, thank goodness she's not in the Oval office! And thanks for reminding us. How quickly we forget!
It would have been nice though had you mentioned the reason why Comey wrote that "infamous letter to Congress" on October 28.
Since you may have forgotten, it was because it was discovered in another FBI investigation, that Mrs. Rodham's top aide had allowed her disgraced, child pornographer, sexual predator husband, with no security clearance, access to top secret State Department communications.
Why a former aide to a former Secretary of State had top secret communications on her laptop years after leaving the department is another issue. Maybe you can address State Department Security protocol in a separate column.
The fact remains that yet another FBI investigation unearthed yet more evidence against Mrs. Rodham.
Mr. Comey may have felt he was duty-bound to notify congress. Had she been elected and the doomsday scenario, constitutional crisis you describe ensued, blame would have fallen squarely on Comey. Congress and other media (clearly not the Times) would be demanding to know why he kept secret an investigation of such grave magnitude.
That fact that the material discovered on the laptop was already part of the ongoing criminal investigation is irrelevant. Comey didn't know that at the time.
Either way, thank goodness she's not in the Oval office! And thanks for reminding us. How quickly we forget!
5
Good heavens, the fact Secretary Clinton was under investigation 11 days before the election by a politically motived director, Mr. Comey, blew up the fact they found nothing. No further documents were discovered.
But we've got a leader now who has unquestionable ties to Russia through the likes of Paul Manafort, lies constantly about matters, and let his own daughter have security clearance and an office in the White House -- despite antinepotism laws, and no reason whatsoever being on the Hill. Ivanka has many fine qualities, I'm sure, but being a lawmaker or an associate is not one of them. Neither does her husband have any qualifications for public service, but he's a senior adviser.
Should we really start muckracking here? Yes, I think so, and we'll find that Secretary Clinton's supposed sins in your eyes are nothing close to the dangers embodied in the 45th president.
But we've got a leader now who has unquestionable ties to Russia through the likes of Paul Manafort, lies constantly about matters, and let his own daughter have security clearance and an office in the White House -- despite antinepotism laws, and no reason whatsoever being on the Hill. Ivanka has many fine qualities, I'm sure, but being a lawmaker or an associate is not one of them. Neither does her husband have any qualifications for public service, but he's a senior adviser.
Should we really start muckracking here? Yes, I think so, and we'll find that Secretary Clinton's supposed sins in your eyes are nothing close to the dangers embodied in the 45th president.
1
If that is your take away, then you in serious need of honing your analytic skills, but it is probably to late for you because it appears you have totally bought into the 30 campaign by the right to smear a person they know was incredibly qualified to be president
Yes, and how quickly you have forgotten that at the same time 45 and his comrades were, and still are part of a criminal investigation being conducted by the same law enforcement agency. There was obviously a different standard applied to the two campaigns.
Yesterday's events in DC starring Devin Nunes were remarkable for the loyalty Nunes has first to 45--not to his country or the committee he chairs. The evidence of Manafort's collusion with Russia is overwhelming as is his leadership of 45's campaign both during and after he was removed publicly from his position. We are in a Constitutional crisis created by the GOP, James Comey, and uninformed, gullible Trump voters. Democrats must insist that all Congressional business stop until the FBI completes its investigation. There must be a special prosecutor. If we fail to take these actions, we will lose our country to a foreign power--we're already more than halfway there.
13
There are many things to be uncovered about the Trump campaign and ties to Russia and, indeed, campaign orchestrated interference in our election, but I only want, at this point, to know one thing: why did the Obama administration not act more forcefully to tell us what was going on? Did they, and he, lack the courage? After Comey dropped his bomb on the Clinton campaign, why, especially in that case, did they hold back? We, the voters, had a right to know more than was revealed by the administration.
We have what appears to have been a president, Obama, trying to act honorably, while the person who would become the in-coming president, Trump, was as far down in the dirt as you can get. Was Obama simply unwilling at that point to take the risk of being seen to interfere while the director of the FBI was actively doing so? Why weren't we told more openly and forcefully about the Russian connection to our election?
We have what appears to have been a president, Obama, trying to act honorably, while the person who would become the in-coming president, Trump, was as far down in the dirt as you can get. Was Obama simply unwilling at that point to take the risk of being seen to interfere while the director of the FBI was actively doing so? Why weren't we told more openly and forcefully about the Russian connection to our election?
10
Perhaps, Obama knew he would be committing a crime if he talked about an ongoing FBI investigation. No matter Trump or Clinton. The best he could do to keep Trump out of the White House was to campaign for Ms. Clinton.
Who is Putin's puppet? Donald was closest to a liar's panic when Hillary leveled that charge in a debate. Other than that instance, Donald appears to be a steady pathological liar.
10
Wishful thinking on Mr. Blow's part to seek to replace one situation which he sees as chaotic with another chaos. That, I believe is his goal,like most of his liberal, elite supporters: Delgitimize the Office of the Presidency and its present occupant. When I write of liberal elites I know whereof I speak:Most live in upscale college communities, r 80 to 90 percent white, college educated, reside far from the perilous housing projects and poverty stricken hamlets and parishes in rural America where "petits blancs," Trump's core supporters,live. .Mr. Blow: It is not our fault if your candidate was not interesting, in ill health,condescending to others,and, according to your predecessor, Bill Safire," a congenital liar!"My advice to you,no se ofenda , is to get out of the house more, emerge from your safe zone, meet with the folk and find out how the other half lives.When you went to N.O. to investigate a crime wave, you should have gone to the Ninth Ward ,as perilous as it was to interview residents. Instead you wrote an article about being in Mayor's office mulling over crime stats.Not very creative or informative.If u on't go out there to talk to the folk, how r we ever going to get together and find out what they;re thinking? You owe it to your many readers!
2
Clinton is a corporate hack that works for the global billionaires, not college professors. Global billionaires, who own a majority of the voting stock in global corporations, including MSM, and have teams of lobbyists, lawyers, tax accountants, etc, working 24/7 to take your money and put it in their pockets. It's not going to poor people or else they would be rich people. We have centralized the world economy under the control of a few thousand people who sit in the boards and vote each other golden parachutes. These are the elite.
Clinton is a professional liar. She knows how to do it and rarely get caught.
Trump is a pathological liar. He can't help himself. He thinks he can lie himself out of any lie, and so he lies and lies and lies. He had been caught over and over.
This is extremely dangerous in a president, because when a president doesn't even pretend to tell the truth, the rule of law becomes seven more meaningless than when politicians are stealing under the table. When the rule of law is meaningless, the constitution is meaningless.
We have been heading this way since the Supreme Court started interpreting the constitution to make corporations people and humans indentured servants. The Bushes, Obama and the Clintons twisted the constitution for their corporate matters. Trump is basically wiping his as with the constitution.
Our democracy was being stolen. Now it is being shredded.
Take back your government from the global elite.
Clinton is a professional liar. She knows how to do it and rarely get caught.
Trump is a pathological liar. He can't help himself. He thinks he can lie himself out of any lie, and so he lies and lies and lies. He had been caught over and over.
This is extremely dangerous in a president, because when a president doesn't even pretend to tell the truth, the rule of law becomes seven more meaningless than when politicians are stealing under the table. When the rule of law is meaningless, the constitution is meaningless.
We have been heading this way since the Supreme Court started interpreting the constitution to make corporations people and humans indentured servants. The Bushes, Obama and the Clintons twisted the constitution for their corporate matters. Trump is basically wiping his as with the constitution.
Our democracy was being stolen. Now it is being shredded.
Take back your government from the global elite.
I wish more fellow citizens shared your indignation, but I worry that we on the left feed the narrative Trump is foisting on his 37% by too often conflating or overstating facts.
1. Replay the tape. Did Comey ever say that anyone in the Trump administration is now under criminal investigation? Certainly if the exploration of connections/communications reveals collusion of any Trump personnel, it will become a criminal matter. But, as unlikely as it seems now, what if this ends up leading nowhere as the HRC investigation did. We can't turn back the clock and say "sorry Mr. Trump, we sullied your presidency and reduced your ability to govern by mistake." I deplore his agenda as much as you; but we need not play his smear game.
2. Comey is playing an outsize and dangerous role in our politics. By waiting until a couple weeks before the election to reopen the investigation into HRC, thereby feeding the Trump narrative of her dishonesty, there is little doubt votes moved. Enough votes to swing Wisconsin or Michigan? Who knows, but it is more likely than not he impacted some votes. BUT, similarly we should also object to his casting a cloud - possibly paralyzing our government - over the presidency in a matter that could yield evidence of no collusion. The FBI should do its business and present facts, not speculation that smears any individual until all the facts are in. Comey may be honest, but I object to the FBI influencing our government in this manner.
1. Replay the tape. Did Comey ever say that anyone in the Trump administration is now under criminal investigation? Certainly if the exploration of connections/communications reveals collusion of any Trump personnel, it will become a criminal matter. But, as unlikely as it seems now, what if this ends up leading nowhere as the HRC investigation did. We can't turn back the clock and say "sorry Mr. Trump, we sullied your presidency and reduced your ability to govern by mistake." I deplore his agenda as much as you; but we need not play his smear game.
2. Comey is playing an outsize and dangerous role in our politics. By waiting until a couple weeks before the election to reopen the investigation into HRC, thereby feeding the Trump narrative of her dishonesty, there is little doubt votes moved. Enough votes to swing Wisconsin or Michigan? Who knows, but it is more likely than not he impacted some votes. BUT, similarly we should also object to his casting a cloud - possibly paralyzing our government - over the presidency in a matter that could yield evidence of no collusion. The FBI should do its business and present facts, not speculation that smears any individual until all the facts are in. Comey may be honest, but I object to the FBI influencing our government in this manner.
Mr Blow's historical comments should be framed and preserved.
Trump is a catastrophe for America and the world. He me be stopped.
PAUL
Trump is a catastrophe for America and the world. He me be stopped.
PAUL
12
Yes he is and if you know how please tell me.
1
Thank you Mr. Blow for reasserting the truth about the Trump/Comey kabuki theater performance. I guess nobody thought to question or investigate Comeys role because Trumps breath-taking stream of insanity has stolen the show since. Personally, I choose not to ride the roller-coaster that is Trumps insane behavior.
4
We know that this administration does not apply the same standards to themselves as they do to others. Instead, they feint, redirect, obscure. The president does not put the country first but rather it is himself, his family, his company. Our outrage will go nowhere until it is directed, working as individual citizens, against the Congress. They feel mostly bulletproof right now. We need to keep up the outrage and simultaneously have patience. It is giving me a serious stomachache.
4
My fellow Democrats, liberals, and Americans,
it is time to fight for What Is Right, as doggedly as Republicans and conservatives are fighting to destroy people. It is time to stop being a leaf in the wind, and time to start being the solid trunk. It is time to fight, make no mistake about it. Get involved in your local politics, and take back your community.
Thank you for your time.
it is time to fight for What Is Right, as doggedly as Republicans and conservatives are fighting to destroy people. It is time to stop being a leaf in the wind, and time to start being the solid trunk. It is time to fight, make no mistake about it. Get involved in your local politics, and take back your community.
Thank you for your time.
5
All of us should run for office
We should all print out positions that say,
"We changed our mind, We want Bernie." And get everyone we can to sign them. We could probably get more signatures than voted in the last election.
It probably wouldn't make Bernie president, but the global oligarchy would have to stop and think a minute.
"We changed our mind, We want Bernie." And get everyone we can to sign them. We could probably get more signatures than voted in the last election.
It probably wouldn't make Bernie president, but the global oligarchy would have to stop and think a minute.
One would think there would be some constitutionally approved way to remove a pathological liar from the Presidency.
7
There is. The Republican congress has to declare him mentally unfit for office.
President Obama has every right to sue Trump for millions for libel and slander and I hope he does. Someone needs to teach liar Trump a big lesson. And how about James Comey forcing Trump to reveal his 2015 IRS taxes? Then the Trump impeachment hearings can begin!
5
President Trump is the most powerful, well known and one of the richest men in the world. Yet he is psychology unstable, extremely sensitive to criticism, infantile in his behavior, emotionally fragile, paranoid, defensive and suffering from a persecution complex. While seeking the constant adulation and affirmation of his fawning 37%, he is blind to the damage he is doing to this country, liberal democracy and the world order. Consequently he is the most dangerous man on the planet.
Pray this will end well.
Pray this will end well.
9
Benedict is a lackey for Russian oligarchs, has been for years before the 2016 election. Became one to get out from under the debt he incurred from his ruinous business practices. Sold out the country for his superior's gain and the crumbs they tossed his way. Thus, you have RUSSIAGATE!
2
So Nunes and the Trump campaign would like us to believe that it's pretty much ok that members of this team were only "incidentily" picked up while they were just " incidentally" talking to foreign agents being investigated by our intelligence agencies? And we should focus on how awful it is that the identities of some are recognizable in the reports? Not buying any of that.
His behavior yesterday was so inexplicable that it makes one wonder if his intent was to end the Congressional investigation and delay what is moving closer and closer to a negative outcome for the so called administration.
Clearly he has to go as Chairman of this investigation and never should have been in that position in the first place.
Given Comey's history during this campaign, it makes me wonder if he is really the one to continue the FBI investigation in a thorough and impartial way.
There is certainly 'treason in the air' and it's going to land....sooner would be better than later for the good of our country.
His behavior yesterday was so inexplicable that it makes one wonder if his intent was to end the Congressional investigation and delay what is moving closer and closer to a negative outcome for the so called administration.
Clearly he has to go as Chairman of this investigation and never should have been in that position in the first place.
Given Comey's history during this campaign, it makes me wonder if he is really the one to continue the FBI investigation in a thorough and impartial way.
There is certainly 'treason in the air' and it's going to land....sooner would be better than later for the good of our country.
6
Donald Trump's corruption is on a scale we have never seen before. We must not let him continue to take his criminal schemes into the Oval Office. I have great respect for the fact that the FBI and the Dept. of Justice are now willing to have the courage to right the horrible mistake that they made in allowing this treasonous tyrant into the White House. The investigation into Trump's agents connected to the Russians and his own connection to Vladimir, the Impaler of Democratic Elections, is the biggest political scandal since Watergate.
How does that feel, Biggest Liar, to have your lies used against you and to hoist you with your own petard?
How does that feel, Biggest Liar, to have your lies used against you and to hoist you with your own petard?
10
And I pray fervently that every last one of those 80,000 voters who fell for the lie understand and come to grips with how they were manipulated, how they decided to abdicate their responsibility in order to 'shake things up.' In order to have some fun at the expense of the uppity woman.
7
Even if evidence is found that Trump himself had direct involvement with the Russians, he will never admit it. He is a chronic liar and denier. He would never resign. It is likely the House would not be able to gather enough votes for impeachment. If the evidence only leads to the campaign staff, the chance of resignation/impeachment is zero. I am afraid we are stuck with Trump for four years and with a Republican Congress for at least two years. To save our country and democracy is going to take a lot of hard work and dedication by every citizen and the Press. Don't give up protesting and writing about the Administration, but focus on legislation, regulation and the impact on our children's future.
#resist
#resist
7
Good grief, Charles. You want to know what politics does to the brain? Read your own columns. Barack Obama was a consummate lair. He lied to you; he lied to me; he lied to African American audiences about the government response to Katrina; he lied about a video being the cause of a 9/11 anniversary attack on one of our consulates; he lied about "his" healthcare bill. And Hillary? Where do I begin?
Point is YOU DON'T CARE.
So why should I care about your opinions? It's the AGENDA that matters, not if the one representing that agenda lies or not. At least, that's what obvious about you.
I voted for Trump because he, among other things, sees America in a positive light you liberals don't; as something worth fighting for, where border mean something. Obama disdained the US Constitution, and it showed. Democrats have led efforts to shut down conservative speech and donors with intimidation and abuse of power. It's no secret!
BUT YOU DON'T CARE, because as far as you are concerned, it's all for the right cause.
So blow away.
Point is YOU DON'T CARE.
So why should I care about your opinions? It's the AGENDA that matters, not if the one representing that agenda lies or not. At least, that's what obvious about you.
I voted for Trump because he, among other things, sees America in a positive light you liberals don't; as something worth fighting for, where border mean something. Obama disdained the US Constitution, and it showed. Democrats have led efforts to shut down conservative speech and donors with intimidation and abuse of power. It's no secret!
BUT YOU DON'T CARE, because as far as you are concerned, it's all for the right cause.
So blow away.
3
Yes, Trump's dystopian view of America was very positive! Not!
Petulance is not becoming to any adult!
Petulance is not becoming to any adult!
1
You will find that accurate spelling and grammar make an enormous difference in how effective trolling can be.
1
Consummate lair?
It is hard when the speaker or writer is so wrapped up in partisanship or delusion to consider his arguments seriously. I read Mr. Blow's columns frequently, but struggle to take him seriously. I'm sure it delights partisans on his side and reviles those on the other side. I get that he is not writing for moderates. He's writing for his audience, which is largely progressive.
Here's what writers like him do with their hyperbole and character assassination. Since 2012 I have thought Trump a liar, not particularly intelligent and certainly not eloquent (the last two sometimes mistaken for dishonesty). He comes across as a cocky teenager, a bully and sometimes bigoted or idiotic. But, still, dispassionately, I find it laughable that a party that entirely dismisses it's own candidate's lies, her gross negligence (at best) in handling classified materials, "protests" that sometimes merge with fascism, cheating at the DNC (including by a sitting congressperson), unbelievable bias by the press and (watching the Gorsuch hearing) that destroys its credibility - feels it has the right to moralize about Trump. There's plenty to criticize Rs and conservatives about too, but, right now, the behavior of many Ds is more disturbing. Consequently, when I read Mr. Blow, I often find it very hypocritical.
I didn't vote for Trump. But, as far many moderates are concerned, people like Mr. Blow are his best friends, because they cannot credibly criticize him for what they do too.
Here's what writers like him do with their hyperbole and character assassination. Since 2012 I have thought Trump a liar, not particularly intelligent and certainly not eloquent (the last two sometimes mistaken for dishonesty). He comes across as a cocky teenager, a bully and sometimes bigoted or idiotic. But, still, dispassionately, I find it laughable that a party that entirely dismisses it's own candidate's lies, her gross negligence (at best) in handling classified materials, "protests" that sometimes merge with fascism, cheating at the DNC (including by a sitting congressperson), unbelievable bias by the press and (watching the Gorsuch hearing) that destroys its credibility - feels it has the right to moralize about Trump. There's plenty to criticize Rs and conservatives about too, but, right now, the behavior of many Ds is more disturbing. Consequently, when I read Mr. Blow, I often find it very hypocritical.
I didn't vote for Trump. But, as far many moderates are concerned, people like Mr. Blow are his best friends, because they cannot credibly criticize him for what they do too.
1
Hundreds of millions of dollars spent and not a single indictment...even a republican should be able to figure it out.
"Donald Trump will never apologize. Trump’s strategy for dealing with being caught in a lie is often to tell a bigger lie. He seems constitutionally incapable of registering what others would: shame, embarrassment, contrition. Something is broken in the man — definitely morally and possibly psychologically."
I absolutely agree that Trump has no conscience, nor any "expectation" of moral beliefs, that most normal people would consider a part of our human concern, compassion or guiding principles.
Unfortunately the direct comparison's of Trump's disregard for any human emotional compass in history are Josef Stalin and Adolf Hitler.
The first fascist's did extrerminate about 10 million people willingly, that were not involved in WW II's military conflicts.
History is worthless, unless one knows the terrible lessons of the past.
I absolutely agree that Trump has no conscience, nor any "expectation" of moral beliefs, that most normal people would consider a part of our human concern, compassion or guiding principles.
Unfortunately the direct comparison's of Trump's disregard for any human emotional compass in history are Josef Stalin and Adolf Hitler.
The first fascist's did extrerminate about 10 million people willingly, that were not involved in WW II's military conflicts.
History is worthless, unless one knows the terrible lessons of the past.
2
Excellently stated! Thank you, Mr. Blow.
6
Wrong again Blow. The only thing clear is that you are an unhinged anti Trump zealot whose small mind is shut tight as a clam. Your story omits Rep. Nunes' incredible announcement yesterday vindicating President Trump's allegation of Obama administration surveillance of him and his campaign. You are the one that now owes Trump an apology for your hateful and disrespectful rants.
1
If you listen to something other than right wing media you would learn about Rep. Nunez and his unprecedented act yesterday!
1
Why does Don have a 37% approval rating?
And then there are the tax returns that are not available according to the Trump audit lie. Are payments to foreign operatives a legitimate expense? If nothing else, will the revealed tax returns be the final straw?
Thank you for laying it out so clearly, Mr. Blow. He's not my president, and I take what you say in the end a step further: nothing the Trump admin does (for good or bad) will change my perception that he is not my president. Nor will it change the fact that, for the second time in my life, a presidential election was stolen out from under the American people's noses, and this far time worse and more egregious than the first. There will not be a third, I guarantee you that, and anyone who tries will find some very angry mobs at the door.
1
The Trump presidency is the clearest indicator in a long trail of them that our system of government no longer functions.
First, we saw the director of the FBI intervene in an election for partisan reasons. Apparently, whatever statutes and ethical norms apply to federal law enforcement officers' political gamesmanship are not strong enough to deter this.
Second, we saw - for the second time in 16 years - a minority of the voters get to choose the President. The chief executive is supposed to be the only member of the government elected to represent all of the people in this country. He or she cannot do that without a majority of the popular vote. That Trump was inaugurated despite his loss of the popular vote by larger margin than any candidate in history - nearly 3 million votes - indicates that the Electoral College system is flawed and no longer compatible with the democratic norms of our society.
Third, Congress has become so influenced by party loyalty above all that its investigative function has been completely compromised.
Fourth, a large number of national and state political leaders appear to simply reject the idea that their political adversaries are entitled to a presumption of good faith and patriotism and, instead, regard them as illegitimate or even traitors.
Fifth, the public is woefully, dangerously ill-informed and confused.
These problems cry out for attention. I doubt they'll get much.
First, we saw the director of the FBI intervene in an election for partisan reasons. Apparently, whatever statutes and ethical norms apply to federal law enforcement officers' political gamesmanship are not strong enough to deter this.
Second, we saw - for the second time in 16 years - a minority of the voters get to choose the President. The chief executive is supposed to be the only member of the government elected to represent all of the people in this country. He or she cannot do that without a majority of the popular vote. That Trump was inaugurated despite his loss of the popular vote by larger margin than any candidate in history - nearly 3 million votes - indicates that the Electoral College system is flawed and no longer compatible with the democratic norms of our society.
Third, Congress has become so influenced by party loyalty above all that its investigative function has been completely compromised.
Fourth, a large number of national and state political leaders appear to simply reject the idea that their political adversaries are entitled to a presumption of good faith and patriotism and, instead, regard them as illegitimate or even traitors.
Fifth, the public is woefully, dangerously ill-informed and confused.
These problems cry out for attention. I doubt they'll get much.
1
Well done Mr. Blow! Thank you for maintaining focus on these key facts.
I can't believe I'm writing this but the USA may need an election "do-over".
I can't believe I'm writing this but the USA may need an election "do-over".
2
The Republican Party, by manufacturing baseless "birther" charges against President Obama for over eight full years, has changed the political landscape in this country to one where every accusation, no matter how trivial, takes on a life of its own.
Now comes Donald Trump who has repeatedly taken the invention of "alternate facts" to a new level of art form, creating an environment so toxic and so steeped in imagination that by any standard it can best be described as delusional.
That the seriousness of the lies he and his staff propagate and disseminate calls into question the very sanctity of our electoral process is lost on that crowd, which appears to exist solely to prop up its leader, while leaving the country in a state of drift, and worse.
This is not patriotism, and it's not acceptable from the President of the United States. It is destructive of the fundamental values we, as Americans, cherish and hold dear. This is no longer about political partisanship, in spite of divisions along party lines. This is about right and wrong, suitability for office, and the world's confidence in our government.
While these circumstances may, indeed, be about the birth of the biggest lie, it is now also about the still-birth of a presidency. After years of enduring a do-nothing Congress, and over a year of a compromised Supreme Court, we are now being forced to endure a stalled presidency.
Where do Americans go to get their government back?
Now comes Donald Trump who has repeatedly taken the invention of "alternate facts" to a new level of art form, creating an environment so toxic and so steeped in imagination that by any standard it can best be described as delusional.
That the seriousness of the lies he and his staff propagate and disseminate calls into question the very sanctity of our electoral process is lost on that crowd, which appears to exist solely to prop up its leader, while leaving the country in a state of drift, and worse.
This is not patriotism, and it's not acceptable from the President of the United States. It is destructive of the fundamental values we, as Americans, cherish and hold dear. This is no longer about political partisanship, in spite of divisions along party lines. This is about right and wrong, suitability for office, and the world's confidence in our government.
While these circumstances may, indeed, be about the birth of the biggest lie, it is now also about the still-birth of a presidency. After years of enduring a do-nothing Congress, and over a year of a compromised Supreme Court, we are now being forced to endure a stalled presidency.
Where do Americans go to get their government back?
Charles, we are already in a constitutional crisis. The GOP has gone against our Constitution, has broken our Constitution, by refusing to even consider a man nominated for the Supreme Court by our last legitimate President. The GOP has already put us into a constitutional crisis, so what is one more? It is good news, at least, that in a nation utterly awash in guns that no one has died due to the GOP breaking our Constitution, because it seems to me like this act would have seeded a civil war in other countries.
Did ANYONE, during Comey's recent testimony, ask Comey, publicly WHY he announced an investigation of Clinton and did not announce the investigation of Trump Campaign? Can't anyone ask a sensible and direct question?
2
It is clear to me that the Republicans hold both the Presidency and the Senate through illegal means which include tampering and perhaps collusion with Russia and the highly partisan role played by the FBI including leaks from the New York Office, and Comey's remarks. Clearly, the Repubilcans have effected a coup and seek to be further rewarded by legislating a series of noxious laws aimed at enriching the rich at the expense of the poor and the global climate. The answer cannot be to simply impeach Trump or invoke the 25th Amendment, because we then install Vice Pence Mike Pence, an amiable religious fanatic, into office. What is needed is a special election. I leave the details to better minds.
1
Why did Comey wait so long to tell this country about the evidence circumstantial or otherwise of the Trump Russian connection? Trumps connection to Russia has been going on for decades. Trumps shady deals have been going on for eons?
It has been brought up on numerous occasions that Trump and the Trump campaign exhibited world class exhibitions of Projection - take all the things that are unethical, shady, and potentially illegal regarding your actions, and then attribute these same actions to your opponent. He and his staff continue to do this.
1
Either way, Comey looks a cinch for Time Man of the Year for 2017.
Is it possible that Comey was snookered into making the Clinton announcement? If so, I hope he has learned his lesson and is ready for revenge.
I truly think Mr Comey simply wanted to get the information out as he felt a need. Did it impact the election? It seems to me it did but that's due to an uneducated electorate, not him. Trump retains ~38% approval because as he said, he could shoot someone and not lose support and, when you're the star, they let you do it. For his supporters, he represents their only hope to stop the threats they see eroding their chance at a life they expected. One can call them irrational and stupid but that seldom changes an opinion. The trick is to get them to change their mind when they feed on a steady diet of Fox and talk radio inspired by flag draped, republicans.
1
And I doubt any of the Trump team had the slightest idea they were being played like a violin by the KGB.
Now their focus will be on distraction and cover-up of their monumental mistake, rather than facing the problem of international interference in our democratic process, because it was of benefit to them.
Now their focus will be on distraction and cover-up of their monumental mistake, rather than facing the problem of international interference in our democratic process, because it was of benefit to them.
Just this past week I've had conversations with several close friends, and invariably our talk turns to this Trump administration debacle and the GOP Congress - and how OUTRAGED we are! And what can we do? It is very difficult to view Republicans who voted for Trump with any respect. And as if the disaster of this administration isn't enough - Trump lost the popular vote by
3 MILLION! What a mess - and the world is watching.
3 MILLION! What a mess - and the world is watching.
39
The US will not be credible as a democracy if the Electoral College survives this debacle.
2
Obama should have fired Comey months ago. He was complicit in interfering with an election and he failed to investigate the early warnings that the Russians had hacked the DNC's computer system. The FBI should be non-partisan. Comey destroyed all trust I had in the FBI.
21
Hah! Not that Hoover was any paradigm of neutrality!
I'm not defending Comey but he was in a pinch with the information (obtained through the Russians and Wikileaks), if you recall. Had he kept quiet about those emails until after the election and a Clinton win, the GOP would have screamed bloody murder, too.
As it turned out, he was suckered into doing the Russians' bidding. The timing was perfect for Putin and Trump. They both got what the wanted, no?
I'm not defending Comey but he was in a pinch with the information (obtained through the Russians and Wikileaks), if you recall. Had he kept quiet about those emails until after the election and a Clinton win, the GOP would have screamed bloody murder, too.
As it turned out, he was suckered into doing the Russians' bidding. The timing was perfect for Putin and Trump. They both got what the wanted, no?
July 13, 1973, I was in a Meier and Frank Department store in Eugene, Oregon, watching one of the 30 or 40 televisions tuned to the Watergate Hearings. We had become so accustomed to the hearings, on a daily basis, it didn't surprise me that the hearings were carried on some sets while the Gong Show attracted a larger audience of shoppers on other sets. People had a choice.
On that day, Alexander Butterfield told Senate investigators that Nixon had a taping system.
It wasn’t known then just how damning the tapes would be. But they would prove that Nixon had tried to cover up the burglary of Democratic headquarters at the Watergate hotel on June 17, 1972. Had it not been for Butterfiled's revelations the system might have stayed secret.
The events unfolding now between Trump's possible use of data secretly collected by the Russians to win the election, are vaguely reminiscent of those times. The difference being today we have access to information at lightening speed...While taping systems are obsolete we have digital systems that leave fingerprints, and email and phone call/contact data and recordings.
None the less, we have Comey confirming the existence of an investigation, the reliable Senators Gowdy and Nunes trying to distract and confuse the dialogue with their attacks on "leakers" and many people, Trump surrogates like Conway especially, falling silent ( probably on advice of counsel).
The more things change, the more they remain the same.
On that day, Alexander Butterfield told Senate investigators that Nixon had a taping system.
It wasn’t known then just how damning the tapes would be. But they would prove that Nixon had tried to cover up the burglary of Democratic headquarters at the Watergate hotel on June 17, 1972. Had it not been for Butterfiled's revelations the system might have stayed secret.
The events unfolding now between Trump's possible use of data secretly collected by the Russians to win the election, are vaguely reminiscent of those times. The difference being today we have access to information at lightening speed...While taping systems are obsolete we have digital systems that leave fingerprints, and email and phone call/contact data and recordings.
None the less, we have Comey confirming the existence of an investigation, the reliable Senators Gowdy and Nunes trying to distract and confuse the dialogue with their attacks on "leakers" and many people, Trump surrogates like Conway especially, falling silent ( probably on advice of counsel).
The more things change, the more they remain the same.
17
Gowdy and Nunes are representatives, not senators. Thank God.
You have forgot to mention where Comey got that second trove of HRC emails - from the Russians. Shouldn't that have sent up red flags???!??
18
The entire Republican Party has become a political terrorist organization bend on destroying democratic values and eventually a democratic nation. Malignant all consuming greed, an insatiable lust for power, lies, corruption, hatred of the 99%, the dumbing down of the population, and the expansion of the nanny corporate welfare state are its goals, and the losers are the American people. It is tragic that American voters have been and continue to be deceived by this malignant entity. The American voter is committing political and economic suicide by supporting this political mafia. Is there any hope for the future of the country, for the future of our children if we allow this cancer to spread?
28
This is sooooo funny: what you say about the Republican Party is EXACTLY HOW I feel about you and your Democratic friends: corrupt, inept, inefficient and overwhelmingly a complete disaster.
1
The good news is that more than half of the voting public voted for Clinton and less than half voted for Trump. Many of those who voted for Trump are coming to see the light, and almost nobody who voted for Clinton has decided that Trump would have been a better choice. Bernie Sanders, maybe, but either Sanders or Clinton would have been better than Trump is turning out to be. I suspect that even Trump, in the deepest part of his dark heart, knows that he wouldn't have won the election had it not been rigged in his favor. Were the election held today, barring voter intimidation and fake registration problems, gerrymandering and any shenanigans by the Russians, Clinton would be a shew-in. So, really, as far as the American public goes, things aren't as grim as they might seem. On the whole, we're not as dumb as those mediocre minds in power like to think we are, and we're getting smarter.
Five or six wrongs make the RIGHT.
Then again, these people never had any evidence on Clinton, they only had Fox News and an obviously moronic Comey.
Then again, these people never had any evidence on Clinton, they only had Fox News and an obviously moronic Comey.
10
"Something is broken in the man — definitely morally and possibly psychologically."
Once again, you hot the nail on the head.
Once again, you hot the nail on the head.
26
The Dems need to put a fork in the wheel of Congress and demand a Special Prosecutor until we know for sure if the Trump Presidency is predicated on collusion and corruption.
People power needs to do what it can and demand same, the travel ban marches did put the pressure on and help give those in authority legitimacy for their protests and actions. It's hard to deny there is demand for something when there are millions on the streets.
We also need to learn lessons and add to the Constitution:
- non-partisan medical panel for Presidential candidates – no pathological narcissists, liars or sociopaths
- compulsory tax release for Presidential candidates
- limited annual Presidential taxpayer expenditure on weekend retreats including family, excess to come out of their own funds.
America also needs in time a panel to consider what is wrong with America when millions are taken in by someone like Trump. Trump is considered by the majority a pathological liar and narcissist with a history of fraud and bilking ordinary worker cases, with no historical interest whatsoever in helping others but instead the opposite.
- that millions were conned means America needs to consider its education system and also the right wing propaganda channels masquerading as news that manipulate and misdirect to inspire hate and mislead.
People power needs to do what it can and demand same, the travel ban marches did put the pressure on and help give those in authority legitimacy for their protests and actions. It's hard to deny there is demand for something when there are millions on the streets.
We also need to learn lessons and add to the Constitution:
- non-partisan medical panel for Presidential candidates – no pathological narcissists, liars or sociopaths
- compulsory tax release for Presidential candidates
- limited annual Presidential taxpayer expenditure on weekend retreats including family, excess to come out of their own funds.
America also needs in time a panel to consider what is wrong with America when millions are taken in by someone like Trump. Trump is considered by the majority a pathological liar and narcissist with a history of fraud and bilking ordinary worker cases, with no historical interest whatsoever in helping others but instead the opposite.
- that millions were conned means America needs to consider its education system and also the right wing propaganda channels masquerading as news that manipulate and misdirect to inspire hate and mislead.
33
Nice factual recitation of the Comey-stimulated nonsense campaign that grabbed the attention of the well informed voters. I rather doubt, however, that this tipped the balance in Pennsylvania Michigan and Florida. Hillary Clinton was a thoroughly unlivable candidate whose three decades on the national political stage led to an overwhelming fatigue and even contempt. She was given a run for her money by a rambling Socialist before being beaten by the most incompetent man to ever win the primary to run for president. Let's face it: She lost because she was a non-change candidate in a change election. The Democratic Party owns this defeat.
4
So Trump may have colluded with Russia to win the election, but Hillary isn't "likable"? That's brilliant, no wonder we're where we are now.
1
And she *still* received three million more votes than Russia's preferred candidate.
I'm loving it.
We find in the most watched American movie, The Ten Commandments, the LAN Lord "uh pin" Heaven hardened the heart of Pharaoh to awaken the tribes of Israel Moses was there to lead them to freedom and the promised land.
That was then. This is now the promised land. Our foreign policy should be "Each land show its promise. Powwow to the pea-pull. Up with the folks," not trumped secret deals with Putin.
I'm a candidate for president. I bring to the table a Vehicle for World Peace, a work of multi-ling well-spoken art written down to perform as old blind Homer dusk until dawn with every line a delicate sensible rhyme—my only chants.
Why is world peace and food chain harmony such an anathema to the Times' moderators? Reap what you have sown.
The two party "system" is not in our Constitution. Geoge Washington begged Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson and Adams not to form political parties.
The parties gave you Clinton and Trump—equally despised by the people. The parties control the ballots and choose the judges. The parties are vehicles for lobbyists to control the Congress. Is that what our Founders had in mind? Nyet!
Trump will be impeached. Those in Congress opposed will be "Throne" out next election. Trump tax returns will show Trump's purchasing and selling properties was a front for laundering hundreds of millions of dollars for the Russian oligarchs.
Trump will be found out and jailed, but for what—more of the same?
http://thegovernmentinexile.com
We find in the most watched American movie, The Ten Commandments, the LAN Lord "uh pin" Heaven hardened the heart of Pharaoh to awaken the tribes of Israel Moses was there to lead them to freedom and the promised land.
That was then. This is now the promised land. Our foreign policy should be "Each land show its promise. Powwow to the pea-pull. Up with the folks," not trumped secret deals with Putin.
I'm a candidate for president. I bring to the table a Vehicle for World Peace, a work of multi-ling well-spoken art written down to perform as old blind Homer dusk until dawn with every line a delicate sensible rhyme—my only chants.
Why is world peace and food chain harmony such an anathema to the Times' moderators? Reap what you have sown.
The two party "system" is not in our Constitution. Geoge Washington begged Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson and Adams not to form political parties.
The parties gave you Clinton and Trump—equally despised by the people. The parties control the ballots and choose the judges. The parties are vehicles for lobbyists to control the Congress. Is that what our Founders had in mind? Nyet!
Trump will be impeached. Those in Congress opposed will be "Throne" out next election. Trump tax returns will show Trump's purchasing and selling properties was a front for laundering hundreds of millions of dollars for the Russian oligarchs.
Trump will be found out and jailed, but for what—more of the same?
http://thegovernmentinexile.com
3
A grand and intensely visceral litany of Trump’s spectacular disinformation in the service of political gain. So what else is new?
They, the Trump cabal, did it then with phenomenal success and it is now proliferating the White House no less.
With minuscule exceptions, the ranks of the GOP are not the least bit disconcerted, instead they are doubling down to get as much over the bar as possible while the opportunity is ripe.
Seems the swamp is far deeper and more feted than ever.
Charles, how about something more germane to outing the charlatans and restoring sane and principled governance.
They, the Trump cabal, did it then with phenomenal success and it is now proliferating the White House no less.
With minuscule exceptions, the ranks of the GOP are not the least bit disconcerted, instead they are doubling down to get as much over the bar as possible while the opportunity is ripe.
Seems the swamp is far deeper and more feted than ever.
Charles, how about something more germane to outing the charlatans and restoring sane and principled governance.
4
Absolutely no causal analysis. Just Truth and lies ...For those on one side the truth is the lies of the others...And vice versa. American psychology.
1
unfortunately, the Republicans will just try to hush this up. History will judge the Republican Party very harshly. First for allowing Trump to have the nomination at all. Second for not investigating the Russian connection. Republicans are happy to allow this clown in the White House, and continue their agenda of dismantling the social safety net.
15
I have harshly criticized this column recently, but I feel today's effort is Charles Blow at his righteous best. For example, pretty much nothing says it clearer in terms of the argument contra all things Donald at this moment:
"No act of this presidency — good or bad, beneficial or detrimental — can ever be considered without first contextualizing that this presidency itself was conceived in deception and is being incubated under an extraordinary lie."
I am not a hater but an observer of the American political scene. Viewed in that context, this is an objectively brilliant analysis of the present muddled moment in American political life. And what does this mean for those of us who shun the hate but fear for the future of our great Nation?
I think I'll stare at some flowers for a few hours before answering that question. Because I for one, as much as I dislike and discredit what the present Administration is doing, cannot exist in this state of hatred.
"No act of this presidency — good or bad, beneficial or detrimental — can ever be considered without first contextualizing that this presidency itself was conceived in deception and is being incubated under an extraordinary lie."
I am not a hater but an observer of the American political scene. Viewed in that context, this is an objectively brilliant analysis of the present muddled moment in American political life. And what does this mean for those of us who shun the hate but fear for the future of our great Nation?
I think I'll stare at some flowers for a few hours before answering that question. Because I for one, as much as I dislike and discredit what the present Administration is doing, cannot exist in this state of hatred.
9
TRUMP Is truly shameless, meaning that he is incapable of empathy and even more dangerously, incapable of remorse. He learned these political guerrilla tactics from his demented "mentor," Roy Kohn, the notorious attorney who was Joe McCarthy's attack dog, supplied with bogus evidence to run the witch hunts of the 40s and 50s that destroyed the lives of so many innocent people. Trump has electronic media and instant communication available to him, making his lies and treason far more dangerous, since the evil triumvirate of the 20th century in the US , Kohn, McCarthy and Hoover, had to use far slower means of communication. Trump's campaign team has now been linked to Paul Manafort and an alleged focus on Russian involvement in manipulating the US election. So Manafort is the missing link, the smoking gun, in providing valid evidence that Trump knew or should have known that, as he claimed so many times that the system was rigged. Rigged at his orders by his partners in crime, including Manafort, Putin and the Trump campaign team. The magnitude of these crimes is many orders of magnitude more extensive and dangerous than the bogus plumbers who carried out the botched Watergate breakin. If the US is lucky, Trump will resign after invoking the 25th Amendment. If not, we're going to be continually sabotaged by Trump and his team of shameless wreckers of our democracy.
9
Comey and the FBI were Trump's "October Surprise" amulet. Now they are his albatross. In either case, the Constitution and the country have been compromised; hopefully not beyond repair.
8
Thank-you sir for your wisdom and honesty. You are a shining light for those are trying to make sense of this national debacle.
12
"Now the very thing that Team Trump and its Fox News media arm warned about, Trump himself has delivered: A compromised presidency and a possible constitutional crisis."
Also remember that the election was rigged!
Perhaps the best thing one can do with any accusation of his is to point the accusation right back at him.
Projection as confession.
Too bad we didn't get that at the time.
Also remember that the election was rigged!
Perhaps the best thing one can do with any accusation of his is to point the accusation right back at him.
Projection as confession.
Too bad we didn't get that at the time.
7
It took me a few days to emerge from my zombie-existence post-8 November 2016, truly a day that will live in infamy along with that other day. I read a lot to try and understand. I can't. I know what everyone is saying, but still, I don't understand. So that being said, I have to wonder what his children think of him? I guess it is a rhetorical question, but I do.
6
His children's future depends on their turning a blind eye to his misdeeds or becoming just like him. Although, to be honest, while I have no hope for the honesty and integrity of Ivanka, Donnie, Eric or Barron, I do have hope for Tiffany. She's already the family's only sacrificial goat, the one child who already seems to be an outcast, and as an outcast, is in the best position to see and realize exactly what has been going on. If she has inherited her father's penchant for vengeance, she may be the one who will eventually open wide the closet door and let all of the skeletons come tumbling out.
We will just hope. I won't hold my breath, but will keep my fingers crossed!
I'm hedging bets that, given Comay's history, the FBI investigation will reveal nothing. Everything is a carefully planned Commedia Dell'Arte masquerade to bury the stink of the evident, even from a distant star system, Russian meddling into the election. All bed of roses in the end. I'll put a fiver on that.
5
Initially, I wanted President Obama to suspend the transfer of power due to the obvious Emoluments controversy. Obama was also aware of the investigation of Trump campaign improprieties and Russian hacking. I wondered if something compelled him to 'stand down?' I was frustrated that the results of an obviously tainted election process would stand as a "legitimate" presidency. Yet the show went on anyway. The day Trump took the oath of office a national lie and disgrace were established. Keeping him out at first would have been infinitely easier than the task at hand now. The presidency has been simultaneously bought and stolen. The keys to unraveling this sordid mess are:
1) Follow the money.
2) Everything Trump says in his defense is actually true in reverse! On one level it is just "lyin' denial" (illegality), on a deeper level its projection (unconsciously disavowing his own evil and attaching it to others).
Hopefully, the FBI investigation results in something more truthful and meaningful than the Warren Commission report (which was populated with JFK's enemies). Comey is difficult to figure. He seems to respect his craft but his timing is clumsy and questionable. He is probably more concerned with his legacy than either side of the issue. At some point he has to produce a result. Let's hope it's not in 2019 and comes back "inconclusive." By then, half of us may all be dead.
1) Follow the money.
2) Everything Trump says in his defense is actually true in reverse! On one level it is just "lyin' denial" (illegality), on a deeper level its projection (unconsciously disavowing his own evil and attaching it to others).
Hopefully, the FBI investigation results in something more truthful and meaningful than the Warren Commission report (which was populated with JFK's enemies). Comey is difficult to figure. He seems to respect his craft but his timing is clumsy and questionable. He is probably more concerned with his legacy than either side of the issue. At some point he has to produce a result. Let's hope it's not in 2019 and comes back "inconclusive." By then, half of us may all be dead.
7
So how do we get this mess cleaned up? There appears to be no will in the Republican Congress to clean it up, as their in charge and so long as Trump and Pence are in the White House, Ryan is leading Congress and McConnell in charge of the Senate it will drag on to the detriment of the country.
And the press, the RNC and DNC helped this nightmare evolve.
Special Prosecutor, please stand up.
And the press, the RNC and DNC helped this nightmare evolve.
Special Prosecutor, please stand up.
11
As much as I wanted Hillary Clinton to win and truly believe she would be a great president, the poison of the Republican Party would have destroyed her and our country. From the beginning the dark forces of the criminal Republican Party would stop at nothing. Now they are truly exposed. And if justice can prevail they will be "locked up." I have no doubt the collusion goes much higher than trump and immediate team. If I could see what was going on from my little house on the prairie, Mitch M., Mike P., and Paul R. knew, or they are plain stupid. This is not politics as usual, this is criminal. And it is the dark poison of the Republican Party. It needs to go.
11
Trump and his associates have made a mockery of the US presidency for the last two months. It is clear that Trump views his office as a means to enrich himself and his children. It is clear that Trump has surrounded himself with associates who are committed to remaking this country into an oligarchy run for the benefit of the wealthy and the corporations run by the wealthy. Some of Trump's associates have ties to Russia going back many years and business interests that make them willing to help the Russian Intel community undermine US elections. The Republicans in Congress are playing on Trump's lack of concern for US citizens to slash and burn the US safety net. Can a mighty country be brought low? History says yes. It's up to us, the citizens, to actively oppose our own destruction by the worst among us.
12
The stooges at Fox and other alt right media sources are like the storm troopers in Star Wars. They confront Luke and Obi one who are spirting the droids who have the message from Leah to the revolutionaries. Obi one uses is Jedi mind trick and tells them " these aren't the droids you are looking for". So the Dumpsters storm troopers tell Fox and Friends, "this isn't a big deal, ignore it" and like the ignorant storm troopers, they do.
3
I still want to know how the Clintons left the WH broke and are now worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Book sales?
Representative Nunes said that the intelligence reports he received showed that federal agencies eavesdropped on members of Trump transition team and, perhaps, the president-elect, himself, between the election and the inauguration. However, he clearly said “what I saw had nothing to do with Russia and the Russian investigation.” Nunes promised he would furnish further details, as early as Friday. Until then, it’s too early to assess the import of Nunes’ revelation. Meanwhile, New York Times columnists are retreating their original positions, which was no eavesdropping occurred.
Trump said Obama tapped his phone. That's very specific. If there was incidental information from intelligence services looking at Trump – for whatever reason – that would not be an Obama – ordered operation. In any case, extraordinary charges require extraordinary evidence. That's a concept Trump probably doesn't even understand.
One thing, perhaps the main thing that Trump learned from his mentor, the loathesome Roy Cohn, is this: when anyone crosses you, contradicts you or annoys you, no matter how slightly, attack that person ad hominum with berserk fury and never never back down! Comey did Trump the biggest possible service, tipping the election to him by revealing an investigation of Clinton while concealing one potentially much more significant of Trump. Trump made the mistake of telling a lie about him, and now he's defending himself and the FBI. If Trump had any interest in anything but himself, he'd have learned about J. Edgar Hoover and how dangerous it can be to mess with the FBI.
3
Charles Blow, this is a great column. Please do not forget that Trump actually told Hillary Clinton on national television during a debate that not only would he appoint a special prosecutor to investigate her, but that he would have her locked up. It was bad enough that Christie "prosecuted" her at the Republican Convention and the mob chanted "lock her up". It was bad enough that there were literally parade floats with Hillary effigies behind bars that parents encouraged their children to bombard with water balloons, but that moment on that evening was perhaps the most shocking live national television display of reprehensible and unethical behavior by a presidential candidate in history. He has gone on to sink even further with his insane "wiretapp" accusations that accuse Obama of a felony. He deserves no mercy or forgiveness. That he is capable of treason, I have no doubt.
13
trump and his GOP supporters repeat the meme that "unless the voting machines and voting stations were tampered with, then nothing untoward occurred and HRC lost because she was a bad candidate." AS Charles points out (in this blow by blow account!), surely this info influenced people to vote for trump who may have been on the fence or may have stayed home. More important-- the framing of HRC kept many of her likely voters home: as the media broadcasted her "crimes" 24/7, they decided she just was not worth their while. This WAS tampering of the highest order. My only objection to Charles' account is that he lets Obama off so easily. If it was a fear of "appearing partisan," then Obama showed once again that he lacked the stiff spine that is an absolute requirement of the job of president. I think history will judge Obama as an "ok" president who faced many huge obstacles, and managed most just ok. But Obama's pre-election reluctance to force the publication of the horrific tampering with our election--which we needed and deserved to hear-- may inadvertently have led to the death of our government and our nation. Not the "legacy" he had in mind, of that I am certain.
10
Yes, T's false accusation that Obama acted as a felon is nothing less than defamation of character. Obama should sue and then donate the settlement cash to the EPA or one of the other agencies whose budget T. is trashing.
12
We know for a fact someone in the Obama administration committed a felony.
1
I will never understand why Comey didn't inform the American people that the Trump team was being actively investigated for collusion with Russia. He should have said it before or at the same time as when he announced he wa re-investigating Hillary.
19
Charles Blow's Opinion piece today in The New York Times has done great service to all Americans directly and all allies indirectly and for that, I thank him for being a patriotic American citizen.
Aside from the reality of the Trump Administration's continuing process of failures and deception, the real shame is that millions of Americans who supported Trump will not be enlightened by these facts and will continue to support Trump, the Republican Party and their associated entertainment news outlets.
Now is the time for Democrats to shut down all forward process in Washington, DC and demand the establishment of a special prosecutor. It is also time for all Republicans who are patriots to stand-up and be acknowledged for either supporting American democracy or pursuing a partisan agenda by hindering the investigation and subsequent legal actions that may occur.
Aside from the reality of the Trump Administration's continuing process of failures and deception, the real shame is that millions of Americans who supported Trump will not be enlightened by these facts and will continue to support Trump, the Republican Party and their associated entertainment news outlets.
Now is the time for Democrats to shut down all forward process in Washington, DC and demand the establishment of a special prosecutor. It is also time for all Republicans who are patriots to stand-up and be acknowledged for either supporting American democracy or pursuing a partisan agenda by hindering the investigation and subsequent legal actions that may occur.
11
Trump probably covers up every mirror in the White House for fear that he may see his own corrupt reflection. Trump sees corruption everywhere , but denies it in the source, himself.
10
Comey should be fired. He is unfit for his office.
In a Pew Poll in September, 63% of the electorate state that they were unhappy with either candidate so he publicized an on going investigation into one candidate only. Forget about the Russians, the US intelligence community is the villain
In a Pew Poll in September, 63% of the electorate state that they were unhappy with either candidate so he publicized an on going investigation into one candidate only. Forget about the Russians, the US intelligence community is the villain
8
Many slanders wrongly used against former President Obama, actually apply to Trump.
**Excessive vacation & golfing
**Waste taxpayer $$ in travel (weekly to mar-a-Lago)
**Friendly with dictators (Putin)
**Hasn't read the Constitution (literally)
**Doesn't respect our military (knows more than Generals)
The list goes on and on.
**Excessive vacation & golfing
**Waste taxpayer $$ in travel (weekly to mar-a-Lago)
**Friendly with dictators (Putin)
**Hasn't read the Constitution (literally)
**Doesn't respect our military (knows more than Generals)
The list goes on and on.
26
Yes. I wish the press and public would incorporate two simple facts about Trump and his ilk: first, that the things they claim and complain about actually are things they themselves are. Examples abound, but this story about Hillary being investigated (speciously, as it turned out) for email abuse is one such thing. It's a national and historic rerun of the famous Seinfeld "Opposite World" episode.
Second, this is the era of False Equivalencies. Again, examples abound, but, the comparison of the Clinton Foundation to the Trump Foundation is a good place to start. One may have used money in well-meaning efforts to help others that failed; the other used money to settle personal litigation against its namesake.
All I can say is God help us.
Second, this is the era of False Equivalencies. Again, examples abound, but, the comparison of the Clinton Foundation to the Trump Foundation is a good place to start. One may have used money in well-meaning efforts to help others that failed; the other used money to settle personal litigation against its namesake.
All I can say is God help us.
The list is so long, it is clearly a psychopathological modus operandi.
It won't.
And who is going to hold the FBI and Coomey responsible for such actions? 45? Congress?
16
I'm perturbed by the folks here and elsewhere deploying the canard that "we should wait for the findings of the House investigations" before discussing obvious elements of the Russian attack and Trump wiretapping allegations. The chairman of the Intelligence committee, who has admonished the press with those very words, just threw the concept, and his credibility with it, out the window. He has hastened to make a dubious case that incidental collection of Trump team communications gives Mr Trump cover for his claim of being wiretapped. On it's face, all that proves is that his team was talking to OTHER people who were wiretapped. I empathize with Republican partisans who don't want their recent triumph to be undercut; but we're all on the same American team in the end, aren't we? Such attempts to obfuscate serve Russian, not American, interests.
17
Trump investigated by his enablers. The farce goes on.
The biggest lie by the Grossly Overrated and Untruthful Party: We care.
The biggest lie by Trump: I represent all Americans.
The biggest lie we tell ourselves when we vote for some of these people: They care and understand us.
The truth: none of the above.
The biggest lie by Trump: I represent all Americans.
The biggest lie we tell ourselves when we vote for some of these people: They care and understand us.
The truth: none of the above.
14
They evidently want all who do not love them to leave the USA.
Mr. Blow has rightly characterized this administration. The Story is being told and my greatest fear is that it wouldn't be. But it is the Republican party that gave us Trump. A convention that was a mob disguised as a convention is a true example of the character of this party. It was the Republican party that gave us George W. the Iraq war, the crashing economy and torture. Why are they even still able to drag anyone (other than the very rich) to their side. "Something is happening here but it ain't exactly clear"
15
It's still 1968?
Come gave us Trump. Now we look to him to save us from Trump. Which Comey will show up for the game?
15
Why on earth did Comey do these two things? I have not seen any non-colorful stories explaining his act. I was told of one involving planting of the computer by a Russian spy and rogue FBI agents seeking to force Comey's hand. But wow! Do I really have to trust Though I would enjoy seeing it on Netflix. such an unsupported theory? And now he reveals the ongoing investigation? Why, why, why? Do you fellows know?
9
The “Big Lie” is a propaganda technique whose methods and outcomes need to be understood by American voters.
The recent history of Western Civilization has horrible examples of how effective and how devistating “Big Lie” propaganda can be.
Mr. Blow’s listing today of republican officials’ actions throughout the ongoing investigation of Trump-Russia contacts demonstrates how various actors play their part to enable the “Big Lie.”
The recent history of Western Civilization has horrible examples of how effective and how devistating “Big Lie” propaganda can be.
Mr. Blow’s listing today of republican officials’ actions throughout the ongoing investigation of Trump-Russia contacts demonstrates how various actors play their part to enable the “Big Lie.”
13
It too big a lie to be denied.
Thank you, Mr. Blow. Once again you are right on target. The republicans realize that they cannot win elections based on policy or ideas. They have no policies and ideas. We have daily proof of this as we watch Trumpcare try to make its way through the House. Seven years they had to work on a plan and have never come up with anything. They are shallow beings with no thoughts other than war and taxes. Of course the wars will be fought by other people's children and the tax cuts are only for the 1%. They have to gerrymander districts, conceal investigations, lie and cheat to win elections. Country, honor, integrity, these are alien words to republicans. Now we have an investigation involving a foreign entity hacking into our government and influencing elections and the republicans remain silent. Your are correct when you say Trump's presidency is "a corruption that flows from corruption".
25
Trump should not remain in office, but the damage is done. If Trump goes, we get Pence, a right wing Republican, but we will not get the president for whom the majority of Americans voted, nor will we get Merrick Garland, who should rightfully be in front of the Senate for the SCOTUS appointment. The country will still move in a direction not sanctioned by the majority of the American voters.
25
It's important that one keep in mind, as additional information comes out, how Trump's crew, and perhaps the man himself, were communicating with "foreigners of interest" during the filthy, hypocritical campaign. Nunes and Trump might feel they have found a victory of sorts, but this could be the very thing that brings the Liar in Chief down.
14
The SECOND irony of the day. The FBI, who got Trump in, may be our only hope of getting him out. The first gift was the Koch Brothers telling GOPers they wouldn't get re-election funding if they vote for the health care bill. (Because the Kochs think it doesn't go far enough to destroy the ACA.) So the ACA may be saved by people who hate the ACA. And the FBI may save the country in the end. Sweet!
19
If our democracy falls it will not be because of Trump who is a third-rate carnival barker. It will be because of Republican cowardice and hypocrisy which is currently at an all-time high.
32
This is all so unbelievably sad and strange....to say the least. That after this very long election process and after the continued rant from Trump's minion's of "Lock her up", the Democrats should have been shouting "Lock him up." But we didn't know the real extent of Trump's Lies, Deceptions and Crimes. FBI Director Comey knew that an investigation had begun over the Russian hacking of the DNC and he knew that it might lead to possible collusion. The most disappointment though has to be with President Obama for keeping silent. The Republicans have been playing nasty for a very long time and they win. They play to the ignorance of a vast number of American voters. The Democrat's supposedly don't want to "Dirty" themselves by playing some of those same games but they need to now. President Obama should have made Director Comey announce right after his "Hillary's Okay", that the FBI was now looking into Donald Trump's Campaign and connections to the Russian Government. But "No". we didn't get that and we lost. I was in an almost total break down mode on the night of the Election. I am slowly getting better but this has been rough. It's great that we now have the "Truth" possibly coming out but Hillary Clinton will never be our First Woman President as she should have been. We will now have a Trump Presidency with an asterisk next to it.
16
"Most honest people I know are not under FBI investigation, let alone two.” -- Kellyanne Conroy.
It is just ironic. Now Conway can tweet the above comment about Trump.
It is just ironic. Now Conway can tweet the above comment about Trump.
17
We should all be beholden to the Fourth Estate. It is in the process of preserving and sustaining our nation once again. While our three branches of government have been paralyzed by the Republican party, the press, and the press alone has been vigilant in protecting our democracy. Our founding fathers were truly at their best when they embedded freedom of the press in the First Amendment.
Nothing neutralizes insidious lies like the sunshine of truth administered by the press. This is what the Russians have failed to grasp in their 21st century warfare on our peoples. Please accept my eternal gratitude for a free press, and go get 'em.
Nothing neutralizes insidious lies like the sunshine of truth administered by the press. This is what the Russians have failed to grasp in their 21st century warfare on our peoples. Please accept my eternal gratitude for a free press, and go get 'em.
16
Con Man was right about one thing: we could well wind up with a "criminal trial involving a sitting President" - that would be Con Man himself. He has a lifelong history of pathological lies and deflection of all responsibility, or even accusations, hurling them against anyone in his path to avoid culpability. I can only hope that this will be the time his evasion, deflection, bigotry and lies will create a snare from which he cannot escape. It is time - indeed it is already far overdue - to remove this man from office. 8:58 AM
14
Trump will never apologize. As the song says, "being a psychopathic liar and sociopath means never having to say you're sorry."
11
"Nunes’s announcement was a bombshell with no bomb, just enough mud in the water to obscure the blood in the water for those too willfully blind to discern the difference." You and I both know that's the truth of the matter. However, over on aFox News, with 2.4 million prime time viewers, the lead in was "Intel Chairman Vindicates Trump", followed by craftily edited out of context video of Nunes to show just that. Now as many people believe that as watch CNN, MSNBC, and read the NYT all together. Yes, the lying Trump Administration is a crisis, but the lies of those who surround him, including many in Congress and the right wing propaganda machine are just as much a danger. When a majority of the public no longer receives or understands the truth, our Republic will begin to topple. It can't exist on a foundation of lies.
18
I think the question for the Repubs is simple, did a Democrat do it - if so investigate, prosecute, repeat. If a Repub does it, smile, shrug your shoulders, say "everyone does" and go about your business.
9
Comey is a liar and out to save his own skin, Trump was correct the government directed by Obama spied on him. Trump needs to fire Comey and continue to drain the swamp
1
I am not clear if you are referring to the swamp Trump referenced during the campaign, or the swamp Trump has created since being sworn in. Either way it would be difficult to continue to do something he never began in the first place.
Trouble is, convincing Trump believers that he is an illegitimate president is never going to happen
2
Nunes has shown himself to be nothing more than an errand boy for Trump and, perhaps, a traitor. His disgraceful behavior merits being kicked off not only the chairmanship of the House Intelligence Committee but the House of Representatives itself. It is time to appoint a special prosecutor, subpoena Trump's tax returns and get to the bottom of this Russia Connection, which will surely end in impeachment.
6
Trump and his mouthpieces repeatedly brag that he was elected despite and in fact because his voters knew and approved of his fact free, beligerant in your face style. He is likely correct, at least to many of his fan base. They were enthralled by his "lock her up" mantra, which sated their World Wrestling Federation-reality TV hunger.
When they lose their health care, and can't afford Trump's inadequate replacement, he will feed them more stale bread at more gruesome circuses. Sadly, it may be well into Trump's second term before his "faithful" understand that they have been schooled with a Trump University style education.
When they lose their health care, and can't afford Trump's inadequate replacement, he will feed them more stale bread at more gruesome circuses. Sadly, it may be well into Trump's second term before his "faithful" understand that they have been schooled with a Trump University style education.
4
Once conflicted of treason, Mr. Trump should only be pardoned when he apologizes to President Obama... Like is is ever going to do that!
2
The Republicans are on a smash and grab mission. They know what they are doing, but won't oppose Trump until they have their Supreme Court pick, have destroyed every regulation that keeps us safe from the greed of the corporations that back them, and have amassed more money than any person could ever use in a lifetime. Unfortunately, this plan may cost us all our country's democracy.
4
Mind boggling.... simply mind boggling. We have a sitting President whose election was aided by the efforts of a foreign power and the mishandling of an investigation of our President's opponent.
I was disappointed when we elected W the second time (he being a war criminal and all), but electing Trump is a shame that we will not soon get over.
I was disappointed when we elected W the second time (he being a war criminal and all), but electing Trump is a shame that we will not soon get over.
2
Yeah but...how about that speech Trump gave to Congress a few weeks back? Wasn't that amazing?
1
Extrapolating to the end, I am always saddened by what is to be gained by people like Trump et al. Will any number satiate their bank accounts? Will any title satiate their ego? So they suffer. And as a result so do the rest of us -- collateral damage of their inner conflicts. Sad.
2
I'm afraid that the saying "all politicians lie" is true. However, there is a matter of degree. Trump is in a league of his own. No serious competition.
8
Well put. This is why we cannot "give Trump a chance". His supporters refuse to see that their victory was based on lies and innuendo. You can't build a presidency on that type of foundation and expect it be accepted as legitimate.
13
The level of corruption - and likely treason- within the Trump administration is unbelievable.
To add insult to injury, we have James Comey investigating the Russian connection after he did everything in his power to throw the election to Trump.
Then, we have a Republican Congress more than happy to ignore the most explosive scandal in our nation's history in the hopes that they can ram through their 'kill the poor' healthcare plan, cut taxes for the rich, and stuff a right-wing rubber stamp on to the Supreme Court.
There is not a Republican in our country with a shred of integrity. Even in light of election tampering, lies and misdirection from the highest office in the land, and potential treason to our nation, they remain silent.
Republicans care more about the GOP than the USA.
To add insult to injury, we have James Comey investigating the Russian connection after he did everything in his power to throw the election to Trump.
Then, we have a Republican Congress more than happy to ignore the most explosive scandal in our nation's history in the hopes that they can ram through their 'kill the poor' healthcare plan, cut taxes for the rich, and stuff a right-wing rubber stamp on to the Supreme Court.
There is not a Republican in our country with a shred of integrity. Even in light of election tampering, lies and misdirection from the highest office in the land, and potential treason to our nation, they remain silent.
Republicans care more about the GOP than the USA.
13
And, sadly, we have Barack Obama to thank for having appointed Comey as FBI director. President Obama has never learned to stop playing nice with those who bloody his nose and steal his lunch money.
We will be subject to Trump as president unless the unlikely happens: that is Republicans in Congress and his supporters put country before party. We better start talking about patriotism.
5
It smells like a major cover up ! A president under criminal investigation is unfit for the presidency. He made America worse then ever & it is time for him to be removed.
Comey is at best amoral. His actions and motivations are suspect. To believe that he suddenly became a standard bearer of ethics is naive. His decisions regarding the emails is proof enough that he's no better than trump and his cult of believers. He has an agenda, and it doesn't include helping the people of the United States unless the outcome benefits him. Just another hypocrite in a suit that comes across as reasonable.
5
This doesn't change the facts of the case building against Trump's campaign. There is substance to continue this investigation.
I agree, but I I have trouble imagining that Comey will pursue this matter with the same rigor he reserved for his Hilary witch hunt. I hope I am wrong.
1
Is there a petition demanding that Trump publicly apologize to President Obama? If so, I'm in.
"Trump’s strategy for dealing with being caught in a lie is often to tell a bigger lie." So it would appear. It is a terrible thing. but possibly worse is his supporters' ability to keep on believing the man, no matter what. They hold his pronouncements to be somewhere between Papal Infallibility and the Voice of God. Possibly above both. Is there any hope for the country? I'm; not at all convinced there is. Certainly every day matters get worse. How worse can they get? I fear we ain't seen nothin' yet!
8
You can write these editorials all day long and shout it to the roof tops that this White House gang is untruthful, but, nothing is going to change for at least the next four years. The truth does not matter and the deck is stacked against doing anything about it. The GOP has the "POWER" and is running everything. With them adding their man to the Supreme Court, now it's like the bully in the school yard has fired the teachers. He can run amuck and everyone is powerless to stop him.
4
A perfect example of 'incidental collection' Nunes could have presented yesterday was to refer to Anthony Weiner-Hillary Clinton. Guess it just slipped his mind.
What has been so disheartening in all of this to me is that all of this was known -- Mr. Trump was as vicious a candidate as he is President -- there should be no surprise here. What is a surprise is that so many Americans went along with this sham and voted for this unhinged man. And while they keep saying that the Russians did not fool with our voting machines, I have sincere doubts about that. Americans are better than this, they deserve better than this Russian/lying operative running their country and negotiating all they have away and turning their lives into misery. Every day I wake up and say -- when will this nightmare be over? I still have hope that the blinders are off and that Mr. Trump will have his day of reckoning as will his deplorable supporters, including Mr. Nunes who pulled one of the more disgusting partisan hack maneuvers in recent memory and that is saying a lot. These people have no idea what the "truth" is -- they only understand Fox (FAKE) News for what they are, the propaganda arm for the Republican party, Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin.
While the "incidental" monitoring of US citizens by the CIA/NSA/FBI doesn't bother me, I'm surprised that more liberals aren't up in arms about this. Does anyone think that only Trump operatives had conversations with foreign diplomats (or others) recorded?
This incidental capturing of US citizens' data along with that of foreign intelligence targets was a huge issue in 2013, leading to restrictions on the NSA. But now that such intercepts are potentially embarrassing the Trump administration, everyone thinks it's great?
This incidental capturing of US citizens' data along with that of foreign intelligence targets was a huge issue in 2013, leading to restrictions on the NSA. But now that such intercepts are potentially embarrassing the Trump administration, everyone thinks it's great?
There are so many reasons to drum the Clown President out of office, but Congress doesn't have the guts to do so until more of the base jump ship. Scaredy cats and scoundrels, the lot of them. They are willing to throw our country under the bus for another short term in office.
5
Nunes' stunt proves that he cannot be impartial. We need an INDEPENDENT investigation NOW.
21
Comey has singlehandedly eroded our confidence in the FBI's ability to carry out an investigation. Obviously he affected the election with his blundering letter to Congress, yet now, after the so-called president has wrongly accused his predecessor of a criminal act, a felony, Comey, sticking out his chin, testifies that that it's been the accuser, all along, who has been under investigation. Would he have come forward without that outrageous charge?
Nunes, as a member of the traitor's transition team, should NEVER have been in a position to be part of the Intel Committee's investigation. He should either be off the committee, or recuse himself. A little late for that, to be sure, but his actions have clearly shown he had no place on that team.
Our government is disintegrating before our eyes, as extremist, racist, white supremacist advisors push anti-American agendas behind the unfit man who has, literally, stolen the presidency, assisted by a foreign adversarial power.
I fear we have too few real patriots in the capitol, who actually believe in the Constitution enough to stand up to this wave of deceit and corruption.
If all three branches of our government succumb to this dissolution of morality and decency, we may not recover.
Nunes, as a member of the traitor's transition team, should NEVER have been in a position to be part of the Intel Committee's investigation. He should either be off the committee, or recuse himself. A little late for that, to be sure, but his actions have clearly shown he had no place on that team.
Our government is disintegrating before our eyes, as extremist, racist, white supremacist advisors push anti-American agendas behind the unfit man who has, literally, stolen the presidency, assisted by a foreign adversarial power.
I fear we have too few real patriots in the capitol, who actually believe in the Constitution enough to stand up to this wave of deceit and corruption.
If all three branches of our government succumb to this dissolution of morality and decency, we may not recover.
Missing from all the discussions on Russian interference and Trump's falsehoods are some factors I believe are critical. The 2016 election was extremely polarized and that alone had more to do with the outcome than any meddling.
Voters for either camp were not swayed by news reports and from what I have seen, there were no circumstances in which they would have switched their votes. Simply put, Mr. Blow, under what circumstances would your have switched votes from Clinton to Trump? For most people the answer is none, except perhaps if she was, to paraphrase Trump, filmed shooting someone in cold blood on 5th avenue. For Trump voters, we already know that nothing we found out about him made a difference. Neither would vote for the other.
Russia's goal in meddling was not to get Trump elected. It was to cast doubt on the American electoral process. In that respect, it has been spectacularly effective and continued attention it gets only reinforces the doubt. While we can not and must not close our eyes to the meddling, we also need to reinforce the faith that the process was clean and that the flaws lay in the candidates themselves.
It's time we moved past the focus on meddling and attempts to reverse the election. We need to accept the results, restore civil dialog and disagree without being disagreeable. We need to grow up and accept that people interpret facts differently, but that does not make them wrong or bad people. It should make us question our interpretation.
Voters for either camp were not swayed by news reports and from what I have seen, there were no circumstances in which they would have switched their votes. Simply put, Mr. Blow, under what circumstances would your have switched votes from Clinton to Trump? For most people the answer is none, except perhaps if she was, to paraphrase Trump, filmed shooting someone in cold blood on 5th avenue. For Trump voters, we already know that nothing we found out about him made a difference. Neither would vote for the other.
Russia's goal in meddling was not to get Trump elected. It was to cast doubt on the American electoral process. In that respect, it has been spectacularly effective and continued attention it gets only reinforces the doubt. While we can not and must not close our eyes to the meddling, we also need to reinforce the faith that the process was clean and that the flaws lay in the candidates themselves.
It's time we moved past the focus on meddling and attempts to reverse the election. We need to accept the results, restore civil dialog and disagree without being disagreeable. We need to grow up and accept that people interpret facts differently, but that does not make them wrong or bad people. It should make us question our interpretation.
1
Really? So you are suggesting we don't bother investigating Trump collusion with Russia here? Just let bygones be bygones?
1
Strongly disagree.
I agree with you to the extent Putin wanted to disrupt and boy has he been successful
However Putin did want Trump and there he again was successful. We should not move on we cannot move on. This man is horrible. It's dangerous not only for us but the world. We can't afford to overlook this.
However Putin did want Trump and there he again was successful. We should not move on we cannot move on. This man is horrible. It's dangerous not only for us but the world. We can't afford to overlook this.
What can you say about a candidate that pleads publicly that agents for Russian intelligence services make public confidential information on the opposing campaign as Trump did on several occasions?
6
I become more stupefied and dumbfounded every day at the depths of depravity and deception being plumbed by our "leaders," elected or not.
I remember in the callow days of my youth watching a constitutional crisis unfold in the Watergate scandal. But that long-ago episode seems so very different than the multiple Trump scandals now unfolding, in that the American people had trust in the upstanding members of congress, that they had the good of our country at heart and would never knuckle under to the forces of darkness unleashed under Nixon.
Today, I have no illusions that the craven members of the Republican Party are not actually dedicating themselves to the destruction of not only the middle class, but the very foundations of democracy. I don't trust any of them to do the right thing. All they are concerned with is pleasing their plutocrat and corporate masters with tax cuts in hopes of securing campaign cash.
I remember in the callow days of my youth watching a constitutional crisis unfold in the Watergate scandal. But that long-ago episode seems so very different than the multiple Trump scandals now unfolding, in that the American people had trust in the upstanding members of congress, that they had the good of our country at heart and would never knuckle under to the forces of darkness unleashed under Nixon.
Today, I have no illusions that the craven members of the Republican Party are not actually dedicating themselves to the destruction of not only the middle class, but the very foundations of democracy. I don't trust any of them to do the right thing. All they are concerned with is pleasing their plutocrat and corporate masters with tax cuts in hopes of securing campaign cash.
6
If the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians then the election is illegitimate and has to be done over. It is not acceptable to simply remove him and let the Republicans carry on with Pence.
6
Why is a former Trump transition team member allowed to be the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee conducting an investigation of the Trump administration?
Can you say conflict of interest?
Can you say conflict of interest?
11
If you want to know what Trump and his minions are doing, just look at what they blame others for doing. All they ever seem to do is project. It's an important part of his psychology.
6
I think this opinion piece marks the 999th time I have seen the words "constitutional crisis" in print in the NYT since Trump was sworn in. I will wait for the movie version.
So far, it appears the Constitution is working just as it should. When there is cause to believe the law has been violated and the DA and the police investigate to see if there is evidence sufficient to prosecute the law is working.
If Trump is somehow removed or resigns then Pence will take his place, and if Pence goes then Ryan, as Speaker of the House, will in turn succeed him. The system worked with Watergate, and if provable crimes were committed will here too.
So far, it appears the Constitution is working just as it should. When there is cause to believe the law has been violated and the DA and the police investigate to see if there is evidence sufficient to prosecute the law is working.
If Trump is somehow removed or resigns then Pence will take his place, and if Pence goes then Ryan, as Speaker of the House, will in turn succeed him. The system worked with Watergate, and if provable crimes were committed will here too.
4
The Donald needs Russians to steal an election. What a loser.
16
And, of course, Trumpty Dumpty is a double loser for believing that more than 3 million illegal votes went Clinton's way.
And why it was an unprecedented and extremely ill judged act by James Comey to reveal and have what he said (before anything evenrelating to Clinton had been found...) and of course, when he said those things , so close to the election.
Any F.B.I Director would have to know the assumptions made or easily strengthened by/on many Americans or by many others who could and would and did take advantage of this "gift" given to them by Comey. I find it difficult to believe he would not have realised this and if he didn't, he should not have been qualified/knowledgeable enough to make Head of the F.B.I.
Trump and Co nurtured the Lie and delivered it Big and Healthy to millions, but Comey ensured it was conceived and made viable at such a timely moment...Again.
There were all too many members of the Delivery Team to ensure that this Lie would be Born in the opinions it helped shape and the expectations and innuendos that fed it far too late until it was revealed not to be what it was going to be other than what it actually was; Completely and without doubt...Illegitimate.
Any F.B.I Director would have to know the assumptions made or easily strengthened by/on many Americans or by many others who could and would and did take advantage of this "gift" given to them by Comey. I find it difficult to believe he would not have realised this and if he didn't, he should not have been qualified/knowledgeable enough to make Head of the F.B.I.
Trump and Co nurtured the Lie and delivered it Big and Healthy to millions, but Comey ensured it was conceived and made viable at such a timely moment...Again.
There were all too many members of the Delivery Team to ensure that this Lie would be Born in the opinions it helped shape and the expectations and innuendos that fed it far too late until it was revealed not to be what it was going to be other than what it actually was; Completely and without doubt...Illegitimate.
3
Da, spacibo. Let's all start learning Russian!
When exactly will enough be enough for the Republican Party? The Trump White House and the GOP Congress are like co-dependent addicts. The sober up enough to be sorry for how the undermine each other's plans and dreams -- then go off on a bender and start the cycle again. Mostly, however, they skip the "sorry" part. There is no low too low to stoop for Trump or his willing accomplices in Congress. Mad. Sad. Bad.
9
All these investigations are a sign that you live in a terrible unstable country. It's like Morsi investigating Mubarak, or what happened to Yulia Timochenko. And we can all thank Trump and the Republicans for brining us our new Russian overloads. Spacibo!
3
Of course,CB is ignoring the biggest story of the day -- that several members of Trump's team were incidentally surveilled by Obama's admin, unmasked and identified in intelligence briefings. While one can easily dismiss contacts such as Sessions' with the Russian ambassador as well as Flynn's as conducting normal business -- impossible to make that same benign interpretation of spying on and unmasking members of Trump's transition team.
And let's not be so naive as to think that under Obama's admin the eavesdropping on Trump's team was incidental. They could have easily used their ability to spy legally on any rep of a foreign entity as an excuse to get at Trump team members.
The question starts to look like, what did Obama know and when did he know it. Even CB and his acolytes should be able to see that use of surveillance assets against a political opponent to disrupt their campaign or transition pales in comparison to any collusion between a foreign entity and a political campaign to leak information that is true. Clearly, the Times has no qualms about leaking government or personal information obtained or released illegally as their history clearly shows. So why should the Times care about the source of leaked DNC emails? In fact, they didn't, until HRC lost.
And where did the notion of Trump-Russian collusion come from? So far no evidence to show any collusion or definitive proof the Russians hacked
There is a stink here that leads to the WH - Obaam's.
And let's not be so naive as to think that under Obama's admin the eavesdropping on Trump's team was incidental. They could have easily used their ability to spy legally on any rep of a foreign entity as an excuse to get at Trump team members.
The question starts to look like, what did Obama know and when did he know it. Even CB and his acolytes should be able to see that use of surveillance assets against a political opponent to disrupt their campaign or transition pales in comparison to any collusion between a foreign entity and a political campaign to leak information that is true. Clearly, the Times has no qualms about leaking government or personal information obtained or released illegally as their history clearly shows. So why should the Times care about the source of leaked DNC emails? In fact, they didn't, until HRC lost.
And where did the notion of Trump-Russian collusion come from? So far no evidence to show any collusion or definitive proof the Russians hacked
There is a stink here that leads to the WH - Obaam's.
1
I supposed it doesn't matter to you that this unmasking came as a result of clear Russian hacking and interference, and the fact that these folks were in contact with the object of investigation into Russian interference? If Trump's team was really doing nothing wrong, there would be nothing to uncover.
1
If Obama had spied on him in order to stop Trump, the way to do it would have been to see that Hillary Clinton was elected. That means that he would have released all of this about Trump last fall.
And I think he certainly should have when Comey corrupted his office by sending that grossly misleading letter to Congress, all the while knowing that treacherous crimes by the Trump campaign were under investigation.
And I think he certainly should have when Comey corrupted his office by sending that grossly misleading letter to Congress, all the while knowing that treacherous crimes by the Trump campaign were under investigation.
1
Thank you Mr. Blow for your great columns. It is more than refreshing to see the corruption and stupidity of Trump, Conway, Spicer and the rest put on display. Please keep up the good work. I hope you can carry on this good fight for the next four years because we need at least one columnist with enough courage to face up to this farce of an administration.
8
In spite of Mr. Comey's testimony, the lie still persists.
That's the way Mr. Trump works. He doubles down, evidence be damned.
In fact, I halway expect Mr. Trump to start once again with the contention that Mr. Obama is a Muslim, and should be banned from re-entering the country if he leaves.
We all know something like that would happen before he'd ever apologize for making such a pernicious and unsubstantiated accusation involving wiretapping.
And we all know the G.O.P. hasn't the moral consciousness to counter it.
If Mr. Comey and the FBI were serious about anything involving this administration, they would call for an independent investigation -- And hopefully not wait until next Election Day.
That's the way Mr. Trump works. He doubles down, evidence be damned.
In fact, I halway expect Mr. Trump to start once again with the contention that Mr. Obama is a Muslim, and should be banned from re-entering the country if he leaves.
We all know something like that would happen before he'd ever apologize for making such a pernicious and unsubstantiated accusation involving wiretapping.
And we all know the G.O.P. hasn't the moral consciousness to counter it.
If Mr. Comey and the FBI were serious about anything involving this administration, they would call for an independent investigation -- And hopefully not wait until next Election Day.
2
President Obama ( I still call him president because I refuse to recognize that man currently in the oval office as president) should sue Trump for libel and defamation. Since Trump is such a litigious idiot (he sued Bill Maher when Maher made a joke about Trump's father being an orangutan) Trump can go back into court which he seems to love to do anyway.
3
Blow's timeline is valuable, but he omits a major event. On the Monday after Comey's Friday assault on the Clinton campaign, the New York Times published an article headlined "Investigating Donald Trump, F.B.I. Sees No Clear Link to Russia." Eric Lichtblau and Steven Lee Myers, no small names, began by stating "For much of the summer, the F.B.I. pursued a widening investigation into a Russian role in the American presidential campaign."
"Even the hacking into Democratic emails, F.B.I. and intelligence officials now believe, was aimed at disrupting the presidential election rather than electing Mr. Trump, " Lichtblau and Myers declared. On Friday, the FBI quasi-accused Clinton and on Monday, with the help of the NYT, they quasi-exonerated Trump. The election was a week away.
This was punch 2 of the 1-2 punch that dinged the Clinton campaign enough to put Bannon, Miller, and the Trump family in the White House. And down we went.
"Even the hacking into Democratic emails, F.B.I. and intelligence officials now believe, was aimed at disrupting the presidential election rather than electing Mr. Trump, " Lichtblau and Myers declared. On Friday, the FBI quasi-accused Clinton and on Monday, with the help of the NYT, they quasi-exonerated Trump. The election was a week away.
This was punch 2 of the 1-2 punch that dinged the Clinton campaign enough to put Bannon, Miller, and the Trump family in the White House. And down we went.
8
To The Democratic Party:
Where are you? Why are we only seeing CA Adam Schiff, who granted has been very good, but where are the rest of leadership? The Russians have interfered with a national election and it's crickets . . . it's no wonder we have lost just about every public office in the country with leaders who must spend their days napping.
Where are you? Why are we only seeing CA Adam Schiff, who granted has been very good, but where are the rest of leadership? The Russians have interfered with a national election and it's crickets . . . it's no wonder we have lost just about every public office in the country with leaders who must spend their days napping.
Mr. Blow writes: "Oddly, it is likely that the reason Trump is even in the Oval Office is Comey’s original, extraordinarily inappropriate and unprecedented action. The Trump machinery then used that action to scare Americans about Clinton . . . ."
As long as Mr. Blow is discussing hypocrisy, maybe he should talk about why Hillary Clinton did not release the transcripts of speeches that she made to Wall Street banks and other major corporate interests. The New York Times Editorial Board, Democratic Party debate moderators, and Bernie Sanders asked her over and over and over to release the transcripts of her $225,000 individual speeches for a total of $23 million.
It took Wikileaks to do what Hillary Clinton should have done, but too late to be of any benefit to Sanders’ campaign for the Democratic Party nomination. If Hillary Clinton had told the truth about her speeches, Bernie Sanders might well have won the Democratic Party nomination for President and gone on to be President of the United States.
And, let’s not forget it was the legal duty of Huma Abedin to turn over the laptop containing the thousands of pertinent emails that should have been disclosed as part of the initial investigation, Mr. Blow. You seem to have missed entirely that important point in your Op-Ed.
We the People would not have had the "Constitutional crisis" to which Mr. Blow now refers in his Op-Ed today if Hillary Clinton had not been so greedy for the $23 million corporate America paid her.
3
Once again, thank you Charles Blow. Pulling those facts together gave me a new feeling of despair. When will truth become an action and by whom? Who will finally stand up in either house of Congress to say this has gone too far? Who will institute hearings? Has morality disappeared? And then there is Mr. Comey. Who investigates the investigator? Crazy stuff we are witnessing.
6
Meanwhile the desperate for applause and flattery dangerous know-nothing Trump was in Kentucky with the McConnell monkey doing a pseudo-campaign rally and crowing that he'd kept Colin Kaepernick from getting another job in the NFL because no team owner wanted a nasty tweet from Donald Trump.
Further proof of what a totally malicious, self-centered buffoon Trump is.
Trump seems to forget that the owners of NFL teams actually blocked him from attempting to purchase a team which is why he ultimately ended up owning a USFL team which he ran into the ground just like his casinos in Atlantic City.
Further proof of what a totally malicious, self-centered buffoon Trump is.
Trump seems to forget that the owners of NFL teams actually blocked him from attempting to purchase a team which is why he ultimately ended up owning a USFL team which he ran into the ground just like his casinos in Atlantic City.
24
First of all, our president will not apologize for his accusation that President Obama wiretapped his phones. The man is mentally unstable and is psychologically unable to admit it when he makes a mistake.
Second, the actions of Director Comey during the campaign were unprofessional and unethical. Revealing that the FBI was reopening the investigation into the Clinton email mess while hiding the fact that the FBI was also investigating our president's campaign ties to Russia is unforgivable. There needs to be some consequences to his actions.
Third, the use of the Director's disclosure by our president's campaign was totally within character. Lying, exaggerating, using Fox News, making unsupported claims is part and parcel of what his campaign was all about. The same type of behavior has continued since the inauguration. It's just the way they are.
Hopefully, someday, the people of this country will wake up and realize that our president has built his campaign/presidency on nothing but lies and push the Congress to remove him from office. I only hope it is before he does something really stupid, like start a new war.
Second, the actions of Director Comey during the campaign were unprofessional and unethical. Revealing that the FBI was reopening the investigation into the Clinton email mess while hiding the fact that the FBI was also investigating our president's campaign ties to Russia is unforgivable. There needs to be some consequences to his actions.
Third, the use of the Director's disclosure by our president's campaign was totally within character. Lying, exaggerating, using Fox News, making unsupported claims is part and parcel of what his campaign was all about. The same type of behavior has continued since the inauguration. It's just the way they are.
Hopefully, someday, the people of this country will wake up and realize that our president has built his campaign/presidency on nothing but lies and push the Congress to remove him from office. I only hope it is before he does something really stupid, like start a new war.
43
Russians tied to Trump are being bumped off left and right. It is coming and when it does we have to be ready to take power for the people again. Not the corrupt Government,not military or large corporations. Our bodies need to be in the streets.
12
"Our bodies need to be in the streets."
Are you serious? Keep up the crazy talk and you'll get us all there -- in heaps...
Are you serious? Keep up the crazy talk and you'll get us all there -- in heaps...
When we were young we had so much fun playing a game where everything was backwards: yes meant no; black meant white - and good was evil, etc. It was an alternate universe played by children. I now feel as if I'm living in that same alternative world. The hypocrisy is rampant and the lies flow like lava from a Hawaiian volcano. Whereas children get called for dinner and the game is over-this sick game in Trumpland continues and worsens on a daily basis.
9
Does everyone ignore the whole NSA thing? Trump, as the rest of the world WAS under surveillance. The NSA has all his -and our- electronic activity. Or is that perfectly fine?
This is quite ironic. One of the core messages of this article is that an intentionally misleading disclosure of information can create a broad public perception that, even after the leak has been exposed as a false alarm, continues to be believed in nonetheless. In response, you bring up another misleading leak, and espouse the false conclusion people were encouraged to leap to.
First of all, you're thinking of the CIA, whose documents about electronic surveillance were leaked recently, not the NSA. Secondly, the documents, although touted as proof of some unfettered Orwellian monitoring scheme, actually only indicated that the CIA had the technology to hack individual phones and other similar devices, and didn't contain a single reference to any instance when the technology was used, let alone against American citizens or without due process. Third, the technology described the leaked documents is not new -- hackers have known how to break into individual phones for years, so it would actually be kind of alarming if the CIA had never figured it out. In fact, many of the security flaws it mentions had been fixed before the document was even leaked.
This article is essentially warning you to be a more careful consumer of sensational news stories, and I think it's a warning you should take to heart.
First of all, you're thinking of the CIA, whose documents about electronic surveillance were leaked recently, not the NSA. Secondly, the documents, although touted as proof of some unfettered Orwellian monitoring scheme, actually only indicated that the CIA had the technology to hack individual phones and other similar devices, and didn't contain a single reference to any instance when the technology was used, let alone against American citizens or without due process. Third, the technology described the leaked documents is not new -- hackers have known how to break into individual phones for years, so it would actually be kind of alarming if the CIA had never figured it out. In fact, many of the security flaws it mentions had been fixed before the document was even leaked.
This article is essentially warning you to be a more careful consumer of sensational news stories, and I think it's a warning you should take to heart.
It is mind boggling to me that anyone, including the numerous commenters here, can continue to believe 45's lies or support his agenda and administration. Facts simply do not exist to support the belief that he cares about such supporters or anyone else. Nor are there any facts to support an argument that he is "getting things done". Tweets are not actions. Signing unconstitutional religious based travel bans resulting in litigation is not progress. Taking medical coverage away from millions is not what he promised. Gutting regulations that ensure clean water and air isn't going to prevent things like Flint or make anyone's live better. Maligning our allies abroad is not going improve our standing around the world or keep us safe. All he has done since taking office is exhibit his ignorance and incompetence, lie incessantly, pander to his willing to believe anything fans, insult our allies, incite our enemies, and chaotically attempt to advance a hate filled agenda that will do nothing to help his supporters or the rest of the country. Now that it is public that his campaign is under criminal investigation his lies are only going to get worse. Thankfully by now we know what to expect. We know that nothing he says or does can be trusted. His con had been fully exposed to all willing to actually look at the facts.
23
Maureen, I agree with everything you said 100%. The problem is Trump/GOP voters do not read the NY Times, listen to relatively unbiased media, or bother to critically think or analyze anything. Take a look at the Fox News website. The writing is clearly biased, simplistic, slanted towards the GOP/Trump always, and the commenters are still supporting the lie that we "losers" haven't gotten over Hillary's loss or given Trump a chance. They refuse to see or listen to views that deviate from Fox and the rest of the alternative facts media. They truly believe Trump is following through his "promises" and will do a great job if we only let him. Unless and until these people get out of their echo chamber, we are wasting our breathe trying to get them to change their minds. I don't stop posting real news stories on facebook or discussing these very important issues to our democracy with those who have differing political views, unfortunately, most of what I get is "fake news" and slurs about me, not about my ideas. Once this administration blows up in their faces and Fox et al finally have to broadcast the truth on their networks will I have hope that Trump/GOP voters will finally understand the depth of betrayal they experienced by supporting the GOP. Even then, there will still be conspiracy freaks and deniers a la Nixon style voters, such as my step-father, who to this day still says Nixon "was a good guy, he just got caught doing what all the rest of them already did."
Being a pathological liar; and lacking shame, guilt, remorse, or even empathy for your fellow man is definitely a good definition of a "broken" human being.
10
There is no question -- as already affirmed by Director Comey -- that Putin's Russia interfered in our 2016 election by selectively stealing materials from Democrats and having them published to damage Clinton-Kaine and benefit Donald Trump. (There was nothing criminal in the Democratic materials and no one will ever be prosecuted, let alone convicted, based on them -- but negative attention was paid, distortion was made, and votes were influenced [we will never know how many].) There is no question about this.
There is a vital question about how our system, going forward, is going to inoculate itself against foreign interferences in our election process, whether by Putin or by free-lance Macedonian manufacturers of fake news. A united Congress or special commission needs to treat this question very seriously.
There are also questions about WHY the Russians pushed so hard, and in what ways they may have been encouraged to do so. There is the question of why creators of fake news found one group of American voters particularly eager to consume it. Republicans will not want to investigate these questions.
There is a vital question about how our system, going forward, is going to inoculate itself against foreign interferences in our election process, whether by Putin or by free-lance Macedonian manufacturers of fake news. A united Congress or special commission needs to treat this question very seriously.
There are also questions about WHY the Russians pushed so hard, and in what ways they may have been encouraged to do so. There is the question of why creators of fake news found one group of American voters particularly eager to consume it. Republicans will not want to investigate these questions.
14
I fear, Mr. Blow, you are right--he will never admit he was wrong and he will certainly never resign, even if irrefutable evidence warranting it is found. He will fight to the bitter end, even if he takes the government down with him. And certainly his chief counselors, specifically Bannon, Miller, Conway and his kids, will never counsel him to do the right and ethical thing, because his downfall will mean their own descent into irrelevancy.
One can't help but see them all like Icarus. Having flown too close to the sun, their wings have begun to melt. Blinded by their own arrogance and love of power, their fall to Earth will be catastrophic. However, unlike Icarus, whose death impacted but one person, their tragedy will be all of ours. America's wings will not escape unscathed.
One can't help but see them all like Icarus. Having flown too close to the sun, their wings have begun to melt. Blinded by their own arrogance and love of power, their fall to Earth will be catastrophic. However, unlike Icarus, whose death impacted but one person, their tragedy will be all of ours. America's wings will not escape unscathed.
9
Trump and his ilk have bandied about the term "constitutional crisis" to the point that it seems to have lost its impact, or even its meaning. But if it turns out that the Trump campaign has in fact colluded with a foreign dictator to influence a presidential election, then we have a situation for which there is no apparent remedy in our guiding document, the US constitution. Impeachment alone is insufficient to remedy the crisis. Even if both Trump and Pence were to be impeached, Paul Ryan would become president, not at all a fair outcome for the American people. And do we leave it to extremely partisan Republicans to purge and prosecute all of the bad actors now ensconced in every corner of government? The big question is, how do we restore the integrity of a government that has been so thoroughly compromised? Who do we trust? It seems that Putin's plot may have succeeded beyond his wildest dreams.
10
The Democrats need to clean up their act and stop living in denial. The deranged and ongoing claims being made on nearly every subject demonstrate that they are unfit to be an opposition party to the Republicans. From the corruption, cheating and lying during their primary, to the choice of the worst possible candidate to run against Trump, to an inability to effectively do anything but capitulate, they have proven incompetent, and 2018 is guaranteed to be another disaster as they continue to be owned by their corporate donors, and unresponsive to the public.
7
You seem to be independent of any real facts. The corruption, lying, cheating and stealing has been the Trump way of life. It's only gotten worse since he's president. Now we see his sons involved in it by running around the world selling their daddy's influence.
Sorry Vlad, your boy is caught!
I make the below point yet again.
(But add Trump collusion is now very evident.)
Trump ran for president - a great surprise to many.
He did so because he knew he could/would win.
His entire outrageous and offensive campaign, his demeaning attitude toward many groups of persons, and his blatant over-confidence/swagger were possible because he knew he could/would win.
The election is"rigged" he said.
Yes, most likely for him and not for HRC.
He said "rigged" for her more than once.
He and his overt/covert operatives may know this to be the true case for him.
The main task is to find out who they are and/or who they represented.
Who did it? Russia or GOP or Trump or two of them as a combination or all of them together as one determined "400 lb. unit - sitting on a bed" of their own making.
Why was Trump so determined to ignore, drop, slide over the entire issue of the hacking of pre-election elements - the DNC for one.
To be considered is the hacking of the actual election in the compilation of the voting results received from all of the states.
Meeting predetermined results is possible in the computer software system designed to compile the final voting results in the aggregate.
77,000 votes spread over 3 states - is computer manipulation child's play.
Ask:
Can this act be labeled as high crimes or misdemeanors or even treason?
Win by sweeping the 2018 elections and then impeach Trump in the House.
It couldn't happen to a more deserving guy ...... or plant.
(But add Trump collusion is now very evident.)
Trump ran for president - a great surprise to many.
He did so because he knew he could/would win.
His entire outrageous and offensive campaign, his demeaning attitude toward many groups of persons, and his blatant over-confidence/swagger were possible because he knew he could/would win.
The election is"rigged" he said.
Yes, most likely for him and not for HRC.
He said "rigged" for her more than once.
He and his overt/covert operatives may know this to be the true case for him.
The main task is to find out who they are and/or who they represented.
Who did it? Russia or GOP or Trump or two of them as a combination or all of them together as one determined "400 lb. unit - sitting on a bed" of their own making.
Why was Trump so determined to ignore, drop, slide over the entire issue of the hacking of pre-election elements - the DNC for one.
To be considered is the hacking of the actual election in the compilation of the voting results received from all of the states.
Meeting predetermined results is possible in the computer software system designed to compile the final voting results in the aggregate.
77,000 votes spread over 3 states - is computer manipulation child's play.
Ask:
Can this act be labeled as high crimes or misdemeanors or even treason?
Win by sweeping the 2018 elections and then impeach Trump in the House.
It couldn't happen to a more deserving guy ...... or plant.
13
Imagine if President Obama had actually prosecuted the Bush and Cheney Administration instead of emboldening that type of government.
Imagine if President Obama had actually prosecuted those on Wall Street instead of winking at them.
Imagine if President Obama had actually prosecuted those on Wall Street instead of winking at them.
6
Obama rode into the White House on a wave of Hope. Ironically, with Trump at the helm, we must only Hope that we avoid a constitutional crisis that may destroy this exceptional enterprise that is the United States of America.
7
The simple fact is the demise of the Fairness Doctrine is why we have the conservative media offering outright propaganda 24/7. The apoplectic reaction of Republicans to Clinton's emails in comparison to their apologetic approach to Russia's meddling in our elections, the cornerstone of our democracy is the type of logic that America's first traitor, Benedict Arnold would have warmly embraced. Pozdravleniya (Congratulations)!
4
Hmm, sloppy email handling that could've exposed secrets to our adversaries, vs. secretly working with our adversaries to undermine our government. Wonder which one republicans are worried about?
1
Oh for the likes of Sam Ervin at the Watergate hearings. "Men upon whom fortune had smiled with beneficence and who possessed great financial power, great political power and great governmental power, undertook to nullify the laws of man and the laws of God for the purpose of gaining what history will call a very temporary political advantage. Those who participated overlooked one of the laws of God, which is set forth in the seventh verse of the sixth chapter of the Galatians: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
2
others have stated their insightful and cogent thoughts about the reckless administration that is 45's. i have a another thought. there are a few stories that have been reported concerning the russian mafia/gambling group that lived 3 floors below the president in trump tower that have been surveilled by the FBI. what are the links between this clearly criminal group and trump? what does the surveillance show? with trump's ties to foreign banks (cyprus to name one), his failed casino, as well as other dubious business dealings, it may be that the real story of trump and russia concerns his relationship to russian mafia associates. while his administration is about to sink like lead, it is my belief that the bigger story are his ties to organized crime. please NYT, dig deeper. pulitzer prize may be right under your noses...
7
Talk about an illegitimate birth - this bad joke of a "presidency" needs to come to an end, and it now looks like impeachment may be the road even before the 25th Amendment has to be invoked.
4
Canada did it.ive never heard how great Canada is until after trump was elected.schools are getting way more foreign applicants .we are fast tracking high tech immigrants.putin did us a great service.
No matter what may be revealed about Trump, let us not forget that Hillary Clinton was manifestly unfit to be President because of things she herself did. That's the truth and it was the truth long before Trump got involved. We have an equal right to know the truth about Trump but that is a separate issue. Sad to say but neither of them deserved to be President.
I keep hoping for an impeachable offense that republicans cannot ignore; sadly total incompetence is not one.
2
I cannot support the notion that Trump should apologize to Obama for having falsely declared him guilty of a crime, because an apology would not solve the problem, which is that if a sitting president goes unpunished for falsely declaring someone of a crime, then we no longer have rule of law.
We must demand Trump's immediate resignation, and that Congress actively remove him.
We must demand Trump's immediate resignation, and that Congress actively remove him.
4
Good summary and first draft of the history of the 2016 election. I would hope that Director Comey reads it and comments and/or apoligizes for his intervention that did damage the Clintion election campaign.
Our system of Government has been corrupted by the likes of Comey & Nunes two ardent Republicans, who’s loyalty is not to our country but to their party.The oath they took to our Constitution was apparently meaningless as they used their public office to the benefit of the Party & not to all the American people they represent.I don’t believe that treason is too harsh a word to describe their actions & they should be indicted & removed from the positions they hold.
3
Charles - Now how does it feel to be so wrong about the wiretapping. Who ordered those individuals to be monitored?
1
Comey was asked this. He said a judge ordered it after being given evidence of probable cause. Not sure your leak scandal can go anywhere you'd like, since the leaks were about Trump's treason.
Let's not forget that the GOP aided and abetted this fraud. This is not just a Trump issue. This is a GOP issue. The GOP has given up any pretense of principle and has inflicted this assault on the American people and traditions simply to preserve the power and wealth of a relatively small number of conservatives.
3
Jackals and hyenas have no shame and no accountability.
1
2018 can't come soon enough.
2
If only our Republican Congress would move as quickly on investigating the whole Russian thing as they have on repealing and replacing the ACA with Trumpcare, they would vindicate themselves in the eyes of the country. But no, they drag their feet and cover for Trump.
I actually wonder if some of them aren't propped up in office by Russian oligarchs as well. Right out of an episode of "The Americans" or a Nelson DeMille novel.
I actually wonder if some of them aren't propped up in office by Russian oligarchs as well. Right out of an episode of "The Americans" or a Nelson DeMille novel.
Devin Nunes' had no business sharing information from the investigation with Donald Trump. It looks like we have found a leaker.
2
The trouble seems to be the Republicans bring machine guns to a knife fight, and don't care about any collateral damage. Trump's pick for the Supreme Court will be confirmed, ensuring much damage to the USA for decades to come even if the Democrats recover.
Charles Blow's account of Comey's role in the election of Donald Trump omits a key question: Why didn't he tell the electorate that the FBI was also investigating Russia's interference in the election and Trump's possible collusion in that interference? This account also overlooks the underlying reasons for the apparently successful assault on Clinton's trustworthiness: her use of the private email server; her evasiveness and falsehoods in defending that use; and her ethically blurred relationship with the Clinton Foundation. All this was enough to validate the Republicans' long-running, overheated narrative about the "corrupt" Clintons. So far, I haven't heard Mrs. Clinton take responsibility for alienating so many voters in the election - which also feeds that familiar Clinton narrative. It wasn't Comey who cost her the election; she lost it all on her own.
1
Dear Mr. Michener: Why Comey didn't tell the electorate about the FBI's investigation re: Trump and his cronies' interaction with the Russians, is not a question to ask of Mr. Blow. I don't believe he can read minds. As for overlooking the underlying reasons for Clinton's loss, I believe you are just repeating the Republican positions. She didn't lose for the reasons you cited. She lost because of Republican-gerrymandered voting districts, Republican voter suppression, Comey, Russian hacking, a large block of rural voters who are ignorant of the real need for change: a Republican party which refuses to act in the interest of the republic. Isn't it ironic that these voters re-elected the very people that will wind up hurting them: attention masochists you are only hurting yourself!
After doing his best to throw the election to Trump, Comey cannot be trusted to follow the investigation to its conclusion if that means criminal charges for Trump and his aides. Independent Prosecutor, please.
4
Trumps and his people project so much they ought to open a chain of movie theatres.
1
Mr. Blow, While proving that the Trump campaign and presidency is full of hypocrisy, in today's Republican Washington hypocrisy is coin of the realm. It's not a high crime nor a misdemeanor.
Next column please set the stronger argument for an Independent Counsel investigation regarding the Russian and its ties to the Trump campaign.
Next column please set the stronger argument for an Independent Counsel investigation regarding the Russian and its ties to the Trump campaign.
3
I do put the blame for DT win squarely on Comey's shoulders. The polls were all pointing in HRC's favor prior to the Comey interference a few days before the election.
Now is comes out that at the exact same time this investigation on emails was going on- the FBI had an investigation of potential major, treasonous crimes being perpetrated in real time by DT and his campaign apparatus.
Normally, the FBI likes to keep quiet about investigations- I get that.
But this case is singular in our history.
If Comey felt compelled to be transparent about an open investigation on emails- then why was he not transparent about the open investigation on DT and the Russian connection- on a much, much more serious matter.
The double standard is breathtaking.
Comey still hasn't explained his actions and I still feel he needs to be investigated for violation of the Hatch Act.
Comey is still suspect in my opinion.
Now is comes out that at the exact same time this investigation on emails was going on- the FBI had an investigation of potential major, treasonous crimes being perpetrated in real time by DT and his campaign apparatus.
Normally, the FBI likes to keep quiet about investigations- I get that.
But this case is singular in our history.
If Comey felt compelled to be transparent about an open investigation on emails- then why was he not transparent about the open investigation on DT and the Russian connection- on a much, much more serious matter.
The double standard is breathtaking.
Comey still hasn't explained his actions and I still feel he needs to be investigated for violation of the Hatch Act.
Comey is still suspect in my opinion.
3
In 2016 Hillary's bid for the presidency failed partly because of Comey's prejudices against her and because enough voters, male and female, tended to believe that a strong woman is probably evil. She was also made to pay for her husband's past actions, and for Anthony Wiener's sexual behavior. Now we have a woefully unqualified, unstable, unprincipled man as president, in part due to gender bias. Surely we should try to fight against this prejudice in the interest of democracy and even national security.
3
The day after the election, a colleague turned to me and said, "well at least we didn't elect the most corrupt candidate in American history." I realized then that the 25 year propaganda campaign against Hilary Clinton was a resounding success, as was Russia's covert campaign to undermine confidence in the US' electoral process. It turns out that a large portion of the electorate is woefully uninformed and easily duped. They bought into the carefully crafted lies. Comey's bias eased the way, validating the propaganda, almost as if he was part of a well thought out strategy.
1
I agree that we are likely facing a constitutional crisis. I also believe that facing that crisis is preferable to spineless acceptance of four years of a Trump presidency.
29
The _continuation_ of the Trump presidency, won with and continuing in layers of lies, is now solely the fault of the Republican-majority Congress: It is they who willfully look away from the crimes and misdemeanors underpinning the Trump administration.
It's too late to change that Trump is President, and endless analysis of how we arrived at this miserable juncture is for historians.
It's time to turn our attention to ridding the Oval Office of Trump and his minions, while simultaneously keeping a close eye on the actual policies being both destroyed and implemented -- also at the hands of the culpable Republicans.
Let us hope there are enough Republicans in congress who still have some sense of duty to our nation to put aside their cynical use of Trump, their own partisan agenda, and to act and govern in a way that will benefit us all, instead of just their corporate benefactors.
It's too late to change that Trump is President, and endless analysis of how we arrived at this miserable juncture is for historians.
It's time to turn our attention to ridding the Oval Office of Trump and his minions, while simultaneously keeping a close eye on the actual policies being both destroyed and implemented -- also at the hands of the culpable Republicans.
Let us hope there are enough Republicans in congress who still have some sense of duty to our nation to put aside their cynical use of Trump, their own partisan agenda, and to act and govern in a way that will benefit us all, instead of just their corporate benefactors.
29
These GOP snakes will leverage any advantage to the maximum. There is no hope.
Don't tread on me should really be the new party motto and emblem; retire that elephant.
Don't tread on me should really be the new party motto and emblem; retire that elephant.
I think there is enough people so that some can try and get him out of office while others try to minimize any ill affects while he is still there.
On the ".... endless analysis of how we arrived....," although there are so many factors, one is/was the fact that those voters that did not vote helped vote him in. I would have thought, based on all the campaign hoopla, that this past election would have had record setting turnout. Turns out, Nope. I always say, "If you don't vote, you vote for the winner."
On the ".... endless analysis of how we arrived....," although there are so many factors, one is/was the fact that those voters that did not vote helped vote him in. I would have thought, based on all the campaign hoopla, that this past election would have had record setting turnout. Turns out, Nope. I always say, "If you don't vote, you vote for the winner."
The Republican Party apparently cares not a wit about American health care, political treason or supporting without question a president now under federal criminal investigation by the nation's top law enforcement agency.
Trump has been trumped by his lying ways and put the country's stability in total jeopardy. Trump supporters, slow to realize or care that the lies he told them about his intentions to serve their interests and needs once elected, is about to get a mouthful of his deceptive reality.
It will be delivered as his first crowning achievement: rushed House approval of a massive tax cut bill for the insurance and pharmaceutical industries as well as the very rich (doesn't that go without saying) disguised as legitimate repeal and replacement of Obamacare.
HIs grand health care remedy will leave millions without any coverage or drive it far beyond general welfare reach, the ultimate benefit of his lying ways. And Trump backers will soon discover the only truth about this presidency is it's illegitimacy based on their failure to recognize that Trump never does anything that doesn't benefit him, his family or party first.
I mean if you don't realize that an FBI probe into whether Trump's campaign colluded with the Putin government for their mutual benefit isn't treasonous, without precedent and the ultimate narcissist attempt to put ego ahead of country, what does it take to make you care, because the GOP will prop him up until it gets everything it wants.
Trump has been trumped by his lying ways and put the country's stability in total jeopardy. Trump supporters, slow to realize or care that the lies he told them about his intentions to serve their interests and needs once elected, is about to get a mouthful of his deceptive reality.
It will be delivered as his first crowning achievement: rushed House approval of a massive tax cut bill for the insurance and pharmaceutical industries as well as the very rich (doesn't that go without saying) disguised as legitimate repeal and replacement of Obamacare.
HIs grand health care remedy will leave millions without any coverage or drive it far beyond general welfare reach, the ultimate benefit of his lying ways. And Trump backers will soon discover the only truth about this presidency is it's illegitimacy based on their failure to recognize that Trump never does anything that doesn't benefit him, his family or party first.
I mean if you don't realize that an FBI probe into whether Trump's campaign colluded with the Putin government for their mutual benefit isn't treasonous, without precedent and the ultimate narcissist attempt to put ego ahead of country, what does it take to make you care, because the GOP will prop him up until it gets everything it wants.
It's beginning t look like Trump may have made one good prediction — we may well end up with a sitting President under active and open criminal investigation.
23
Yup. I'll bet he is gonna turn out to be right on a lot of similar things he said.
in the face of a growing mountain of evidence, an FBI and two congressional investigations into criminal wrongdoing by the trump administration. a web of personal and financial ties to russia, constant lies by the president and his administration. yet, most trump supporters still seem to be focused on the (mostly debunked) right wing propaganda on hillary clinton. that boggles my mind.
9
We should all hope that responsible news outlets and each of us as individuals start a daily and constant drum beat demanding either an independent commission or select Senate committee take over the investigation of election interference. Nunes and the House has proven themseves incapable of leading the effort in a non-partisan manner.
15
The Trump campaign successfully built messaging around Comey's October surprise, costing Clinton the election. What we need now is coordinated messaging and pressure by the Dems to keep this Trump-Russia investigation in the forefront and Trump and his cronies brought to justice.
18
Let's be clear - Hilllary cost herself the election.
"Let's be clear" - the Electoral College also cost Hillary the election.
1
Dems need to save their breath on interviewing the scotus justice-- they just need to push the timeline "until after the investigation is completed." Alas, I fear they have already bungled that opportunity to take it to We the People.
In addition to the FBI investigation, a special prosecutor should be brought into this situation. If Trump's people are found guilty, the election must be nullified, and a special election must take place to insure this sort of illegal activity is discouraged in the future.
12
But what entity would nullify the election and hold a special election?
I don't think this would happen. While we can logically conclude that Mike Pence's election would also be nullified, that would leave Paul Ryan as next in line.
There are no good options.
I don't think this would happen. While we can logically conclude that Mike Pence's election would also be nullified, that would leave Paul Ryan as next in line.
There are no good options.
Am I imagining things, or does ALL the so-called President's moves seem to benefit his and his cabinets' business? Tillerson's Exxon really wants those Russian sanctions dropped and climate change regulations too, so they can make a deal and drill in the Artic. Many still believe that Putin has a deal in the making to pipe oil from the Crimea/Ukraine, where it has been rumored Trump gets a percent, if he can get our Congress to withdraw sanctions. This is to say nothing of tax cuts for the top 1% that would benefit all of them, including some Congressmen, deregulating industries that they have a shares in, so they can continue to reap monetary rewards while our earth becomes a cesspool for their wastes, both literally and figuratively. The biggest lie could be that many more in our government are concerned with lining their own pockets and benefiting their own corporations then serving the likes of us ordinary Americans. Whatever happened to public service - doing all the good you can, for all the folks you can, for as long as you can?
13
And if the legitimacy of this president is being investigated, his Supreme Court nominee should be put on hold until this is cleared up.
18
It seems to me, that at this unprecedented moment in American history, with all of the accusations swirling around the Trump presidency and all of the lies heaped on Hillary, the only thing to do is hold a special election for the presidency. Each party could choose one candidate to represent them and have a November election. My guess is that if both parties run the same candidates again Hillary would win in a landslide.
6
At a minimum, Nunes should be permanently removed from the Intelligence committee.
15
What is the penalty if during a Federal grand jury investigation, one of the jurors tells the person under investigation all of the details of the sworn and secret testimony?
8
I believe it's not an oversimplification to say that the Republican Party has represented itself over the decades as a party of hard-headed, common-sense businessmen in contrast to the fuzzy-headed dreamers who make up the Democratic Party. I'm amazed that these hard-headed businessmen, including Representative Nunes, are wasting so much political capital propping up the already wobbly presidency of Donald Trump.
398
They may like to represent themselves that way, but that is no reality. They've reached the point where they just follow orders from the think tanks without reflection. They only care about where their next free lunch, with rare wines of course, will be coming from.
Those "fuzzy-headed dreamers" gave us the GI Bill, the Peace Corps, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid (just try telling Republicans you're taking those from them: "Keep your government hands off my Medicare" was not a sign carried by a fuzzy-headed dreaming left-winger), tried like heck to keep us out of the Iraq war and were bullied vicious for it, tried like heck to prevent this country from having a President Trump...
Explain this "fuzzy headedness" for me, please.
Explain this "fuzzy headedness" for me, please.
1
Because they think they can use him as a conduit to what they want. If they can get him to back the Health plan which is so contradictory to his promises they feel they can mold him any way they want.
Of course what I rarely hear repeated is Trump's reason for passing the Health bill is so that he can then make huge tax cuts for all...aka the wealthy as poorer and middle class don't make enough for it to matter.
Of course what I rarely hear repeated is Trump's reason for passing the Health bill is so that he can then make huge tax cuts for all...aka the wealthy as poorer and middle class don't make enough for it to matter.
1
Bravo, Mr Blow.