Can anyone imagine promising loyalty to a crude, uninformed, lying bigot, whose only known loyalty is to himself?
29
This is speculation disseminated as the truth. The NY Times continually disappoints.
6
Another "he said, she said" article. I'd love some proof.
I'm no fan of Trump, but the content of the article does not match the headline. The headline makes it seem like there is definitive proof of the conversation that had transpired between Trump and Comey. There isn't. Perhaps the headline should read "Conflicting Accounts of Private Dinner between Trump and Comey". That would be more honest. But perhaps that headline would have generated less clicks. This isn't responsible journalism. Furthermore, a headline like this serves as fodder for Trumpistas who see all "lamestream media" as biased against their man. Headlines like this prove their point.
Please be more judicious in the words you choose, Mr. Scmidt. You are a journalist, after all. Choosing the right words ought to be your speciality.
I'm no fan of Trump, but the content of the article does not match the headline. The headline makes it seem like there is definitive proof of the conversation that had transpired between Trump and Comey. There isn't. Perhaps the headline should read "Conflicting Accounts of Private Dinner between Trump and Comey". That would be more honest. But perhaps that headline would have generated less clicks. This isn't responsible journalism. Furthermore, a headline like this serves as fodder for Trumpistas who see all "lamestream media" as biased against their man. Headlines like this prove their point.
Please be more judicious in the words you choose, Mr. Scmidt. You are a journalist, after all. Choosing the right words ought to be your speciality.
9
4 words: Godfather I, Scene 1
13
A boss should be able to expect loyalty from his/her staff. Anyone who questions this cannot be a member of the team. The employee does not have the right to presume their boss is wrong. Loyalty first then can react to error.
A Trump demand for loyalty from a person in a non-partisan position is consistent with Trump's narcissistic and delusional behavior. It also reaffirms the fact that Trump has absolutely no idea how government actually functions.
The sooner Trump is removed from office, the safer our country will be. If Comey can help with that in any way, I certainly hope he'll do so.
The sooner Trump is removed from office, the safer our country will be. If Comey can help with that in any way, I certainly hope he'll do so.
16
Looks like the speed at which we make progress in knowledge is accelerating
In 1637 Fermat noted that he had a proof of an interesting mathematical conjecture in the margin of a book. It took until 2007 to prove it, almost 400 years.
In 1947, at his citizenship hearing, Kurt Gödel stated that he knew how the US could become a totalitarian dictatorship even given our constitution. It only took 60 years for us to show he was right.
In 1637 Fermat noted that he had a proof of an interesting mathematical conjecture in the margin of a book. It took until 2007 to prove it, almost 400 years.
In 1947, at his citizenship hearing, Kurt Gödel stated that he knew how the US could become a totalitarian dictatorship even given our constitution. It only took 60 years for us to show he was right.
1
To all the national pundits, media talking heads, and those who hang on and endlessly discuss what Trump says: I strongly urge you to pay less attention to what he says; instead, pay more attention to and evaluate what he does.
Trump seems to classify people as being in one of two binary groups ... (1) those who are or could be against him, and (2) those who support, and are "loyal to," him. Look at his firings especially of those in government positions who are or could be involved in legal investigations of him, his administration, and his business relationships; then, look at those with whom he has surrounded himself including his staff and cabinet appointees.
Then, read George Will's (with whom I rarely agree) scathing comments about Trump recently published in the Washington Post.
Then, ask yourself if Trump is the kind of person you support as our nation's President and "leader" of the free world.
Trump seems to classify people as being in one of two binary groups ... (1) those who are or could be against him, and (2) those who support, and are "loyal to," him. Look at his firings especially of those in government positions who are or could be involved in legal investigations of him, his administration, and his business relationships; then, look at those with whom he has surrounded himself including his staff and cabinet appointees.
Then, read George Will's (with whom I rarely agree) scathing comments about Trump recently published in the Washington Post.
Then, ask yourself if Trump is the kind of person you support as our nation's President and "leader" of the free world.
9
So now he fired Comey because of "this Russia thing"? Seems to me Mr. Trump just admitted to obstruction of justice; firing the FBI director for investigating his advisers. This line about Comey asking for a meeting to ask to stay in his job does not pass the laugh test. I get that Mr. Trump does not know how government works and perhaps does not understand that the Director serves a 10 year term (but please tell me someone on his staff could explain this to him) but surely Mr. Comey knows he is not to be replaced by a new President like he is a cabinet secretary and therefore would have no reason to request such a meeting.
10
Makes one wonder: did the real estate man in the White House demand loyalty in his pre-nomination private conversation with Neil Gorsuch?
Inappropriate, you say?
Inappropriate, you say?
9
I would have fired him too. A Presidents team needs to be loyal to him.
I find it hard to believe that Comey invited himself to a private dinner at the White House with Trump. A man of Comey's position and stature has better manners than that.
7
Comey manipulates the country that all the world saw. This can not cover up by "pledge, loyalty." He publicly show off his ability about manipulate Congress, manipulate elections, manipulate the country. He insulted his profession. Trump has reason to hint that James Comey to pledge his loyalty to country. In other countries, such a thing can lead James Comey into jail. Do not forget that Comey is a spy. In his hand there is the privilege, That kind of people, every country has special requirements. FBI has severe security checks, Do you think it's mafia rule?
Media jump on Trump for dumping Comey, because Trump Hit the key figure about Democratic coup conspiracy. Good job! Media hope "coup" every one know. US is not South America. They use a variety of camouflage to cover coup. Identify it, destroy it. In Trump Political career, It will be a lot of more bigger coup. They bully new people, We hope you brave to face it.
Media jump on Trump for dumping Comey, because Trump Hit the key figure about Democratic coup conspiracy. Good job! Media hope "coup" every one know. US is not South America. They use a variety of camouflage to cover coup. Identify it, destroy it. In Trump Political career, It will be a lot of more bigger coup. They bully new people, We hope you brave to face it.
2
I have no great love for Comey who I do believe is at least partly responsible for this manifestly unqualified President. But given a choice between who to believe, Comey or the President -- there is no question. The President doesn't so much "lie" as create a narrative out of whole cloth that always favors him and then convinces himself it is true.
11
Maybe Trump was actually asking if he could avoid having his disloyalty. Comey is a high-volume prosecutor.
Comey's firing was inevitable.
At the White House dinner, President Trump, ever observant, realized that Mr. Comey is a head taller than himself, has readily manageable hair, is svelte of figure, has extraordinarily large hands and speaks in complete sentences. President Trump concluded that Mr. Comey exemplifies every thing that he himself can never be and, in a rush of vengeful inferiority, immediately decided that Mr. Comey had to be eliminated from the scene.
At the White House dinner, President Trump, ever observant, realized that Mr. Comey is a head taller than himself, has readily manageable hair, is svelte of figure, has extraordinarily large hands and speaks in complete sentences. President Trump concluded that Mr. Comey exemplifies every thing that he himself can never be and, in a rush of vengeful inferiority, immediately decided that Mr. Comey had to be eliminated from the scene.
17
This is getting worse by the day. Yet, Trump supporters are standing by their man. I am afraid that we are on the Titanic and the iceberg has been hit!
9
It is time to activate the 25th Amendment on succession for an incapacitated President.
Quoting from the The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders:
D.S.M., 2018 Edition, Chapter 173: Forensic Addendum
Trumpaniasis: a dysfunctional, pathological condition wherein the patient cannot be said to have lied because he or she fulfills the following criteria:
1/ An inability to differentiate truth and untruth.
2/ An inability to remember what he or she said more than a minute earlier.
3/ Lack of a moral framework within which to evaluate one's own behavior.
4/ An inability to empathize with anyone other than oneself.
The only treatment for this pathology is palliative for the patient, with an emphasis on community prophylaxis. It consists of total isolation of the patient in a completely mirrored room with his or her computer programmed so that all outgoing messages are simply looped back to the patient, as if he or she were merely receiving affirmation from another person. In such an environment the reinforcement of the pathology serves to reassure the patient while protecting the community at large.
Quoting from the The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders:
D.S.M., 2018 Edition, Chapter 173: Forensic Addendum
Trumpaniasis: a dysfunctional, pathological condition wherein the patient cannot be said to have lied because he or she fulfills the following criteria:
1/ An inability to differentiate truth and untruth.
2/ An inability to remember what he or she said more than a minute earlier.
3/ Lack of a moral framework within which to evaluate one's own behavior.
4/ An inability to empathize with anyone other than oneself.
The only treatment for this pathology is palliative for the patient, with an emphasis on community prophylaxis. It consists of total isolation of the patient in a completely mirrored room with his or her computer programmed so that all outgoing messages are simply looped back to the patient, as if he or she were merely receiving affirmation from another person. In such an environment the reinforcement of the pathology serves to reassure the patient while protecting the community at large.
5
This is uncomfortably close to when the German army had to swear allegiance, not to the state or the laws of the state, but personal allegiance to the Art Student.
9
Each day the credibility of many people in the press is becoming as worthless as the Bolívar fuerte...
How many different ways can they spin the Flynn story and now with Comey getting fired, Democrats inflate their egos with their decree for an independent investigator, but for what?
If they believe there is a need for a special prosecutor to investigate, then what the Democrats suggest by their call for an independent investigation is that the FBI credibility after nearly a year of fact finding and investigation is on par with the Bolívar fuerte as well, which then ironically would justify the Comey firing.
Learn to play "Go Fish" since many people's ability to associate in a logical manner and connect dots that actually exist is more than just skewed but reminds me of an old time fire barricade passing the water bucket to put out a fire, but little do they know the bottom of the bucket has a huge hole.
How many different ways can they spin the Flynn story and now with Comey getting fired, Democrats inflate their egos with their decree for an independent investigator, but for what?
If they believe there is a need for a special prosecutor to investigate, then what the Democrats suggest by their call for an independent investigation is that the FBI credibility after nearly a year of fact finding and investigation is on par with the Bolívar fuerte as well, which then ironically would justify the Comey firing.
Learn to play "Go Fish" since many people's ability to associate in a logical manner and connect dots that actually exist is more than just skewed but reminds me of an old time fire barricade passing the water bucket to put out a fire, but little do they know the bottom of the bucket has a huge hole.
1
No nation has power to destroy our great nation except mistakes we make on our own. Donald Trump was big mistake and we can rectify it in 2018 & 2020.
1
He already swore the only loyalty note necessary - to the Constitution
6
Trump really thinks he is king, doesn't he? Praise the great one, our dear leader. If it weren't for all those pesky constitutional constraints, things would be going really well! Just one question, when will we be getting our national uniforms? Should I take my measurements now?
4
Demanding loyalty is a sign of a deceitful man.
9
I hope that Comey was recording the conversation....that would be really cool....
48
Unfortunalety, the "republicans" elected this so called "president" that have been undermined our country's democracy, trust on our national security, disrespecting our honorable FBI people, and many things that the American people has seen in this terrible 3 months of this disgusting administration, it is time to impeach this individual and apply the right punishment for his crimes. Enough with his lies and obstruction of justice, just to name a couple! It is no mistake that this so called "president" is using the white house to promote his business and multiply his lavish fortune!
3
So, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the deputy press secretary. said “The integrity of our law enforcement agencies and their leadership is of the utmost importance to President Trump. He would never even suggest the expectation of personal loyalty, only loyalty to our country and its great people.” Did she manage to say that without laughing.
"He would never even suggest the expectation of personal loyalty, only loyalty to our country and its great people." I mean do even his biggest fans think that's an honest description of Donald Trump? Of course he would demand personal loyalty. This is a guy who want the FBI to pursue "leakers" of non-confidential information (perfectly) legal and stop pursuing the Russia investigation. That's confusing law enforcement with his personal security goons.
"He would never even suggest the expectation of personal loyalty, only loyalty to our country and its great people." I mean do even his biggest fans think that's an honest description of Donald Trump? Of course he would demand personal loyalty. This is a guy who want the FBI to pursue "leakers" of non-confidential information (perfectly) legal and stop pursuing the Russia investigation. That's confusing law enforcement with his personal security goons.
36
Of course it was. Trump never really swore to uphold the Constitution- he is in the White only to advance himself and the Trump brand and fortune. And I expect he thinks everyone in DC should be doing the same. I called my member of Congress, Elise Stefanik of the NY21st, to remind her that Congress is a full third of the government and she and her colleagues have to act responsibly and stop this President.
I don't expect much, Rep Stefanik voted for Trumpcare which, if it ever becomes law will snatch health insurance from tens of thousands of her constituents, while benefiting the wealthiest with the tax cuts. Seems that the real point of this Bill. While very few of her constituents will benefit from these tax cuts; she gets MILLIONS in campaign donations from Wall Street and they will surely benefit. Wonder if that's the real reason for her vote.
I don't expect much, Rep Stefanik voted for Trumpcare which, if it ever becomes law will snatch health insurance from tens of thousands of her constituents, while benefiting the wealthiest with the tax cuts. Seems that the real point of this Bill. While very few of her constituents will benefit from these tax cuts; she gets MILLIONS in campaign donations from Wall Street and they will surely benefit. Wonder if that's the real reason for her vote.
25
Well, it didn't take Trump long to reach his Watergate moment.
Time to start destroying some records as Trump advisors realize the significance of Trump's "fire from the lips" management style.
I'm confident Jared Kushner will eventually be ground zero in numerous investigations.
Time to start destroying some records as Trump advisors realize the significance of Trump's "fire from the lips" management style.
I'm confident Jared Kushner will eventually be ground zero in numerous investigations.
33
Has anyone been able to explain to POTUS, that Mr Comey, his replacement, indeed all federal employees including members of the Armed Services (except Secret Service agents assigned directly to POTUS) owe each and every one of us respect.
Loyalty? They owe loyalty to their oath to protect and defend the US Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Even those of us who've never taken such an oath still need to protect and defend the Constitution.
Personal loyalty to any POTUS is earned by that POTUS. It doesn't come with the job. I'm still waiting for Trump to do anything to earn loyalty, much less respect.
Loyalty? They owe loyalty to their oath to protect and defend the US Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Even those of us who've never taken such an oath still need to protect and defend the Constitution.
Personal loyalty to any POTUS is earned by that POTUS. It doesn't come with the job. I'm still waiting for Trump to do anything to earn loyalty, much less respect.
37
Loyalty? Who does Trump think he is, Tony Soprano?
78
So are we now to assume that the next director of the FBI will have pledged loyalty to Trump?
45
Comey had to go. He failed to indict and jail Mrs. Clinton for her serial espionage, Benghazi lies under oath, cash for access Clinton foundation scam, all of which were federal crime. Comey violated of his constitutional oath to apply equal justice to all persons. That was an unforgivable offense.
4
So why didn't Trump fire him on January 21st?
45
>>>Mr. Comey told Mr. Trump that the country would be best served by an independent F.B.I. and Justice Department.
How did Mr. Comey respond when President Trump replied, "Did you see the Justice Department as independent under the former administration?"?
How did Mr. Comey respond when President Trump replied, "Did you see the Justice Department as independent under the former administration?"?
3
I think our lovely president has seen "The Godfather" too many times if he demands loyalty from those who work for the federal government, for the people (and Don Corleone was a much better leader;-). Honestly, I find the man's behavior akin to early signs of dementia, but he is so self absorbed that just might be who he is all the time, "me, me, me, and then me again. Oh, and don't forget I am in charge, me." Four years of this will be a long four years. I am betting he will be impeached by year two or maybe I am hoping. Of course, Pence isn't a great choice either but at least he seems to understand the role of a president, what the constitution is, and how the president has to work with both houses, not just yell "your fired."
19
The only thing that Mr Comey must be shown loyalty is the aspect of US Constitution and American people , no more no less
18
My message to Trump supporters: Is all this what you voted for, is this what you consider 'Great"?
41
Comey can't pledge loyalty to the President,,, after all, that would be a direct conflict of interest to the oath he gave obama
4
Reminder: Comey is a Republican.
28
Help Wanted: FBI director.
Applicants must be fans of The Apprentice, a scratch golfer must own a pair of knee pads and must be able to fuppy to suppress their gag reflex.
Send resumes and loyalty oath to donald trump at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington DC.
Mexican Americans and ugly women need not apply.
Applicants must be fans of The Apprentice, a scratch golfer must own a pair of knee pads and must be able to fuppy to suppress their gag reflex.
Send resumes and loyalty oath to donald trump at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington DC.
Mexican Americans and ugly women need not apply.
29
I believe Trump. I can totally see him looking in Comey's eyes and saying, "I need someone who is loyal to the justice system. Are you that man?" And of course, "Showboat" Jim probably fidgeted and said, "Well...I'll be honest." Trump, known for his unswerving commitment to the integrity of the justice system, didn't blink for a moment. "No. That isn't acceptable," Trump surely said. "I need someone who is 100% loyal to the justice system." And when Comey again avoided the question, mouthing empty platitudes about honesty, his fate was sealed.
5
So what exactly does the law say about firing of the Director of the FBI? What does the 10 years ruling actually function as if the President can fire an FBI Director at any time?
14
And, I though the required oath was to the Constitution. Why is this not clear treason to ask Comey to break that oath?
16
Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley
Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee
May 11, 2017
"Mr. Comey did brief Ranking Member Feinstein and me on who the targets of the various investigations are. I will not answer any questions about who are targets of the ongoing Russia investigations. But I will say this: Shortly after Director Comey briefed us, I tweeted that he should be transparent. I said he should tell the public what he told Senator Feinstein and me about whether the FBI is or is not investigating the President. On Tuesday, the President’s letter said that Director Comey told him he was not under investigation. Senator Feinstein and I heard nothing that contradicted the President’s statement. Now Mr. Comey is no longer the FBI director. But the FBI should still follow my advice. It should confirm to the public whether it is or is not investigating the President. Because it has failed to make this clear, speculation has run rampant. Wild speculation that the FBI is targeting the President in a criminal or intelligence inquiry is not just irresponsible and unfounded. It provides aid and comfort to the Russians and their goal of undermining faith in our democracy."
https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/05-11-17%20Grassley%20Sta...
Feinstein, after Grassley’s statement: “I very much appreciate what you’ve said and it’s very accurate, and we were briefed.”
Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee
May 11, 2017
"Mr. Comey did brief Ranking Member Feinstein and me on who the targets of the various investigations are. I will not answer any questions about who are targets of the ongoing Russia investigations. But I will say this: Shortly after Director Comey briefed us, I tweeted that he should be transparent. I said he should tell the public what he told Senator Feinstein and me about whether the FBI is or is not investigating the President. On Tuesday, the President’s letter said that Director Comey told him he was not under investigation. Senator Feinstein and I heard nothing that contradicted the President’s statement. Now Mr. Comey is no longer the FBI director. But the FBI should still follow my advice. It should confirm to the public whether it is or is not investigating the President. Because it has failed to make this clear, speculation has run rampant. Wild speculation that the FBI is targeting the President in a criminal or intelligence inquiry is not just irresponsible and unfounded. It provides aid and comfort to the Russians and their goal of undermining faith in our democracy."
https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/05-11-17%20Grassley%20Sta...
Feinstein, after Grassley’s statement: “I very much appreciate what you’ve said and it’s very accurate, and we were briefed.”
3
Frankly, Sen. Grassley's comments are largely irrelevant. As Harry Truman liked to say "the buck stops here." If the people Trump hired to advise him in his campaign, including his campaign chairman, and those whom he brought on in roles like National Security Adviser were under investigation by the FBI for their questionable ties to Russia then that speaks loudly to at the very least Trump's gullibility and inability to recognize when he was being influenced by a foreign government. It did seem to influence not only the GOP Platform, but also Trump's attitudes towards Russia. And so whether or not Trump himself was being investigated is a moot point, the damage has been done to his Administration and to the nation.
16
And after the briefing Feinstein also said on CNN that she didn't see any evidence of collusion.
@Wesley,
If it's a moot point - could reporters stop repeating this lie to incite people and could respectable papers stop making this point look important?
If it's a moot point - could reporters stop repeating this lie to incite people and could respectable papers stop making this point look important?
4
Comey had an unqualified responsibility to perform the duties of his position as director of the FBI. This responsibility takes precedence over everything else, and he could make no pledge which could conflict with that responsibility, including a pledge of loyalty to the president, at any time, let alone when the presdiential campaign was under investigation for collaboration wit Russia to interfere with US elections.
Trump's demand for a pledge of loyalty and firing of Comey when he wouldn't give it justifies Trump's impeachment.
Trump's demand for a pledge of loyalty and firing of Comey when he wouldn't give it justifies Trump's impeachment.
36
Can't wait for Comey's book!
12
As a Republican voter, I urge GOP members of Congress to stand up to Trump's anti-democratic imperialism. Sacking the lead investigator of your Administration's ties to a foreign government is something one would expect of Turkey's Erdogan, but not of a U.S. president. Not only is the nation's best interest at stake, so is the veracity of the U.S. Congress as a co-equal branch of government. Some things are far more important than Party loyalty, and defending our democratic way of government is certainly atop that list.
62
I almost failed English vocabulary in high school.
Please tell me what the word "loyalty" means.
Does it mean you have to lie in order to support your supervisor's own lies or "alternative facts".
Does "loyalty" mean not pursuing an investigation that might uncover misdeeds by your supervisor.
Please tell me what the word "loyalty" means.
Does it mean you have to lie in order to support your supervisor's own lies or "alternative facts".
Does "loyalty" mean not pursuing an investigation that might uncover misdeeds by your supervisor.
27
Does "loyalty" mean sweeping the misdeeds of your supervisor's enemies under the rug as if they never happened? Guess we don't want to talk about that now do we?
4
Dave, what you're talking about has had millions of money spent on investigations. It has been investigated to death. Nothing was found that could be pursued in a prosecution or it would have been done. There are so many haters, just like you, salivating over it. Looking under every rock for something, anything, to no avail. Give it up.
When is the mad man in the White House going to testify under oath and answer the questions about his finances and ties to Russia and China?
When is the mad man in the White House going to testify under oath and answer the questions about his finances and ties to Russia and China?
2
This is easy to resolve: most of the thins Trump says are verifiable lies. Ergo ...
16
So verify them and publish them. No fair using what someone in the media said about it because, as we all know, the media is prone to lie in order to sensationalize something they can print and sell.
1
Is there no recording of the conversation? Or is this what private means?
2
Sounds like a manufactured statement. Let's put both of them on a polygraph to determine who is lying and who isn't.
3
The polygraph is a very bad instrument for determining the truth. Very accomplished liars can produce false negatives; people who are afraid of not being believed can produce false positives.
4
I worked in a federal cop shop as a civilian for several decades. I worked with a few FBI managers and agents along the way. What Trump doesn't understand is the federal cops are not like the servile people in his family business. They know that winning means they get to come home, and that every day they strap on a gun and pin on their badge, might be the last time they see their family. They aren't fearless because only psychopaths lack any fear. But they have a tremendous amount of courage and an enourmous amount of commitment to their sense of duty. They are sceptical and sometimes derisive about politicals who come and go. They won't back down from a fight. Not with Trump or anyone else.
46
And, of course, the are a pure as new fallen snow. Not one of them has ever been proved to be corrupt. Granted most are great people but are all of them? Everything you have said I can say about any police force in the nation. But the reality of it is that while most are good people there are bad apples among them. I learned that from working as a civilian for a police department. It was also interesting to learn that many of the officers knew who the bad apples were but didn't want to say anything about it.
Sorry but I am not ready to throw Trump under the bus on the statements published by the New York slimes that allegedly was made by someone who already wasn't doing his job. Hillary, for example, broke all types of national security regulations and laws but what happened? Nothing! Was that Trump's fault? BTW, I worked with National Security and highly classified material and information for most of my life. Yet Hillary was given a free pass for her crimes where others doing much less are serving their sentences for their crimes.
Sorry but I am not ready to throw Trump under the bus on the statements published by the New York slimes that allegedly was made by someone who already wasn't doing his job. Hillary, for example, broke all types of national security regulations and laws but what happened? Nothing! Was that Trump's fault? BTW, I worked with National Security and highly classified material and information for most of my life. Yet Hillary was given a free pass for her crimes where others doing much less are serving their sentences for their crimes.
3
We DC locals see all politicians and their staffs as temporary employees and residents, sometimes mere transients. The various federal law enforcement agencies are part of our lives, year after year. The "minor" terrorist attacks in the area, including many that are stopped before they start, are what these men and women face daily; often we locals face them as well. Many are not reported in the press. (We can spot federal LEOs and we let them do their jobs.)
Federal law enforcement officers' loyalty is to the citizens of the US. If the POTUS understands that he is a citizen, no better than the rest of us, he'll have a pleasant experience in DC. If he thinks the rules of polite society and the laws of the United States don't apply to him, he'll lose. All we ask is that he behave like an adult and work for all of us.
So far, he's 0 for 2.
Federal law enforcement officers' loyalty is to the citizens of the US. If the POTUS understands that he is a citizen, no better than the rest of us, he'll have a pleasant experience in DC. If he thinks the rules of polite society and the laws of the United States don't apply to him, he'll lose. All we ask is that he behave like an adult and work for all of us.
So far, he's 0 for 2.
17
Trump admitted that he fired Comey because of the Russia investigation. What am I missing here?
From the article:
“In fact, when I decided to just do it, I said to myself, I said, you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made-up story,” Mr. Trump said.
From the article:
“In fact, when I decided to just do it, I said to myself, I said, you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made-up story,” Mr. Trump said.
18
That's what you wanted to hear but if you listen to the entire interview he didn't fire Comey because of the investigation. In fact he stated he wanted to get to the bottom of the lie so it doesn't happen again. Guess you just missed that part.
It's pretty easy to put words into people's mouths and thinking when you just present short snips of the entire conversation. But hey, the president hating media has a long history of doing just that. Why should they change now?
It's pretty easy to put words into people's mouths and thinking when you just present short snips of the entire conversation. But hey, the president hating media has a long history of doing just that. Why should they change now?
This raises even more serious question, which law makers should ask at the earliest possible occasion: did Mr. Trump ask for personal loyalty pledge from Mr. Session, Rosenstein, Kelly, McMaster, Mattis, and Pompeo, and whether their loyality oath is to the constitution and laws of our land or Mr. Trump?
20
I do believe if you check their oaths of office they swear to uphold and protect the Constitution of the US. Granted that many of them have done a poor job at that but I don't believe that any of them were required to take a personal oath to support the president in all things. And I really don't think that Trump would want that either. In fact he intones that in the interviews I have seen on this topic of discussion.
1
If Donald Trump and another person have given conflicting versions of what happened, you can bet the mortgage money that the Trump version will be the lie.
Unless the other person is Bill Clinton, of course.
Then you can safely wager that they're both lying.
Unless the other person is Bill Clinton, of course.
Then you can safely wager that they're both lying.
7
That would depend on what the meaning of the word "is" is.
3
Now that is a real possibility and I congratulate you on coming to that conclusion. When we want to add to the list of known liars though it seems that most of those who associated with the Liar in Chief, HRC, make Donald look like a duffer learning how to play golf. Hillary, Bill, Huma, Michelle, Barrack, Dianne Feinstein, Nancy Peloci and a great many others on the liberal side of the equation have told many whoppers but strangely the liberals like it. So I really wonder why if Trump lied they would really be upset about it. After all, it seems they have enjoyed a history of lies being told to them by the likes listed above.
1
Trumpster's imagination at work again? I don't see a loyalty oath to Trumpster in the FBI oath of office.
FBI oath of office
I [name] do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend
the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign
and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;
that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or
purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the
duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
FBI oath of office
I [name] do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend
the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign
and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;
that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or
purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the
duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
14
And Judas denied three times he knew Jesus and betrayed him, Trump however deserves betrayal, not loyalty. Comey took an oath to be "loyal" to the Constitution instead.
12
Then why didn't he when he encountered the shenanigans that Hillary put our nation through? Who was he being loyal to then? It certainly wasn't the Constitution.
Judas betrayed Christ for money, but it was Peter who denied Christ three times. Go look it up; it's in each of the four canonical gospels.
3
If only everyone approached to be Comey's successor would refuse, this would send a message that Trump can't always get what he wants. Who would want to work in his administration? Sycophants, I suspect. Desperate sycophants.
8
The duty of the FBI is to enforce our laws, not to be a loyal player on the White House team..
23
Well, since the entire world now knows that Sarah's boss is a congenital liar, she would do herself a favor by not repeating and compounding his lies. Unless, of course, she, too, lacks a moral compass--amazing what these fathers did to their children, isn't it?
As for T's threat to expose Comey in whatever tape he intimates he's got, I'm sure millions of us would love to hear that tape, Mr. Trumpschitz. As angry as I've been at Comey, it is nothing compared to the absolute disgust with which I view this lying, cheating, egomaniacal, greedy, selfish, autocratic, orange coward of a fake president.
As for T's threat to expose Comey in whatever tape he intimates he's got, I'm sure millions of us would love to hear that tape, Mr. Trumpschitz. As angry as I've been at Comey, it is nothing compared to the absolute disgust with which I view this lying, cheating, egomaniacal, greedy, selfish, autocratic, orange coward of a fake president.
28
Demanding the loyalty of the FBI head who is administering an investigation of treason by the President's campaign ?
Obstruction of justice. In a just world, the first item in a bill of impeachment.
History is watching.
Obstruction of justice. In a just world, the first item in a bill of impeachment.
History is watching.
24
Senator Dick Durbin said today that "Trump is a dangerous man". I agree. He's dangerous to individuals (he has now threatened both Sally Yates and James Comey in tweets), he's dangerous to the US as a whole and he is very dangerous for the world. He must go.
Who among the Republicans will prove love of country over love of power? I called Senator Collins today, a supposed moderate, and asked her staff person to ask her this question for me: When do you plan on becoming Margaret Chase Smith? Because we need Senator Smith now. We need people who will stand for country over party and right now, Republicans are not doing it. She could lead the way.
We are at a crossroads in America. If Trump is allowed to do nothing but lie and obfuscate and be greedy for himself and his Crime Family, we will fall.
The man is a liar. All he does is lie and throw accusations on others. He is mentally ill. He must be removed.
Republicans, who among you are going to be brave enough to withstand his fury and start the process of removal? America is not about dictators. And that's all Trump wants to be.
The picture of those two Russians in our White House, with our press barred but the Russians allowed in......what says more than that? How in the world did that happen? The Russians are laughing, laughing at us. They've got something big on Trump. Let's give him to them. And kick them all out of our country. Trump is a traitor. And anyone who stands with him, is one, too.
Who among the Republicans will prove love of country over love of power? I called Senator Collins today, a supposed moderate, and asked her staff person to ask her this question for me: When do you plan on becoming Margaret Chase Smith? Because we need Senator Smith now. We need people who will stand for country over party and right now, Republicans are not doing it. She could lead the way.
We are at a crossroads in America. If Trump is allowed to do nothing but lie and obfuscate and be greedy for himself and his Crime Family, we will fall.
The man is a liar. All he does is lie and throw accusations on others. He is mentally ill. He must be removed.
Republicans, who among you are going to be brave enough to withstand his fury and start the process of removal? America is not about dictators. And that's all Trump wants to be.
The picture of those two Russians in our White House, with our press barred but the Russians allowed in......what says more than that? How in the world did that happen? The Russians are laughing, laughing at us. They've got something big on Trump. Let's give him to them. And kick them all out of our country. Trump is a traitor. And anyone who stands with him, is one, too.
46
Any moment now.. 45's next executive order will be to change "Hail To The Chief" to the Theme from The Godfather.
5
I'd like to bring back an old Roman custom. It may be apocryphal but her eit is. In the parades after a great victory the General had a man walking behind him or riding on the chariot whispering into his ear that he was not a god only a man.
I think Trump needs someone to whisper "You are nothing but a clown" into his ear all day. Maybe then he will start to try to behave like an adult man.
He is 70 years old and barely has the maturity and self control of a 14 year old. I saw two kids of 11 and 14 on the CBS news last night and they were both more mature and smarter than he.
I think Trump needs someone to whisper "You are nothing but a clown" into his ear all day. Maybe then he will start to try to behave like an adult man.
He is 70 years old and barely has the maturity and self control of a 14 year old. I saw two kids of 11 and 14 on the CBS news last night and they were both more mature and smarter than he.
19
Here, Jim, sign this:
I pledge allegiance
to the President
of the United States Of America
and to the Republic
on which he stands
one nation
under foot
with liberty for white men
"justice" for others
and very low taxes.
#MAGA
I pledge allegiance
to the President
of the United States Of America
and to the Republic
on which he stands
one nation
under foot
with liberty for white men
"justice" for others
and very low taxes.
#MAGA
8
I do not believe one word of the account Trump made of the dinner. While not a huge fan of Mr. Comey, there is enough known about him that he would not request the dinner, ask to keep his job or pledge loyalty to the president. He would, I expect, have loyalty to his job and his position and the people he was in charge of at the FBI.
It is impossible to believe Trump's account of anything. In fact, if he were asked to recount what he ate at dinner I would not believe him.
This petty dictator wannabe is an insult to dictators everywhere and an embarrassment to this country and a threat to the world. He is unfit to serve and should be fired. It is a matter of time before he self destructs. We just don't want him to take the rest of us with him.
It is impossible to believe Trump's account of anything. In fact, if he were asked to recount what he ate at dinner I would not believe him.
This petty dictator wannabe is an insult to dictators everywhere and an embarrassment to this country and a threat to the world. He is unfit to serve and should be fired. It is a matter of time before he self destructs. We just don't want him to take the rest of us with him.
18
While I do believe Comey's version of events more than 45's, I can no longer make the assumption that what we know of a man is enough to be assured that he will do the right thing. I once thought Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan had integrity but they have consistently proved otherwise. The lap dogs that surround 45 have shown no integrity either. I am dismayed at the large group of people in government that are willfully looking the other way or worse yet, willfully concocting "alternative facts" with which to strip the Everyman of necessities and hand the 1% more money. Here's hoping that those who are truly loyal to the constitution can withstand all this and faithfully discharge their responsibilities to the citizens of the country, not just to the 1%.
7
I wish President Trump a long and healthy life, so that after Mike Pence becomes President in 2017, Mr Trump will have 20 long years to hear the public, news outlets and historians incessantly repeat that he was “the worst president in US history.”
25
“I, ( xxx ), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
Don't see Trump's name any where in there. Must be a mistake.
Don't see Trump's name any where in there. Must be a mistake.
15
It just gets more and more bizarre. Why didn't paranoid Donald have Kushner and Bannon pat down Mr. Comey to make sure he wasn't "packing" or wearing a wire. Next chapter?
2
Trump is a pathological narcissist. No person with integrity would ever pledge loyalty to a man like Trump above the values of our country. Flawed as Comey may be, I trust his version of events much more than anyone in the Trump camp, least of all Trump.
16
I sense a vast right-wing conspiracy
7
I think Trump has finally crossed the Rubicon and impeachment is now inevitable. You don't fire the head of the FBI to stop an investigation into your campaign, you don't threaten the former head of the FBI ( or tape him illegally ) and you don't demand the FBI director to be loyal to you. This is it. The Trump administration will soon be over.
21
Did President Trump and Director Comey have chocolate cake at the dinner? Was it the most wonderful chocolate cake anyone ever had?
11
" Mr.Comey told Mr. Trump that the country would be best served by an independent F.B.I. and Justice Department."
Sessions in DOJ. Please research just what actions are taking place there. Trump through Sessions has taken control of the very ordinary laws and rules of order that affect our everyday. Looking at each one is isolation can cause some discomfort but the whole pattern points to trouble for anyone who is NOT: a white, wealthy, heterosexual Christian, American-born male. This is the first shoe,
The second shoe to drop is Trump's attempt to take over enforcement. Comey was an issue there along with the FBI. Sessions is pumping up policing across the country. Has the INA tripled in size yet?
Sessions in DOJ. Please research just what actions are taking place there. Trump through Sessions has taken control of the very ordinary laws and rules of order that affect our everyday. Looking at each one is isolation can cause some discomfort but the whole pattern points to trouble for anyone who is NOT: a white, wealthy, heterosexual Christian, American-born male. This is the first shoe,
The second shoe to drop is Trump's attempt to take over enforcement. Comey was an issue there along with the FBI. Sessions is pumping up policing across the country. Has the INA tripled in size yet?
5
Time won't wait forever, or even very much longer, on a president who has decided to disregard the main purpose of his being brought into office. The brand of politics he is embracing has run out of time yet he has decided to double down on them giving the impression that he either does not know, or care, about the opportunity for change that is being ushered in at this time.
9
Hope Springs Eternal.
He played you like the con man he is. You should have known better he has been a huckster from day one. You could see right through him that first item on TV when he sat in the guest chair as if Johnny (I think it was) weren't even there his eyes glazed over clearly imagining the applause was actually for him and not because of the flashing applause sign and the barkers encouraging them as rehearsed before the show. He kept looking back at the Audience like narcissus gazed into the pool. Everything he said and did then and there revealed him as he always has been, an insecure dissociative blowhard who bullies and lies to people to avoid having to face them and what they say and by that see himself.
He played you like the con man he is. You should have known better he has been a huckster from day one. You could see right through him that first item on TV when he sat in the guest chair as if Johnny (I think it was) weren't even there his eyes glazed over clearly imagining the applause was actually for him and not because of the flashing applause sign and the barkers encouraging them as rehearsed before the show. He kept looking back at the Audience like narcissus gazed into the pool. Everything he said and did then and there revealed him as he always has been, an insecure dissociative blowhard who bullies and lies to people to avoid having to face them and what they say and by that see himself.
8
Now it seems as though sworn acolytes John Cornyn, and Trey Gowdy are among the favorites to replace James Comey as head of the FBI -- so it'll only be a matter of time before the entire investigation is called off.
Now is the time for someone to remind Donald Trump that loyalty is first and foremost to preserving the country, and not his personal interests.
Is anyone out there???
Now is the time for someone to remind Donald Trump that loyalty is first and foremost to preserving the country, and not his personal interests.
Is anyone out there???
6
It's all in the wording. If reported correctly then dictators, fascists, demigods, CEO's and bullies 'demand' loyalty. A democratically elected official should expect loyalty. What a leader should 'demand' is honesty. The Office of the President is just that.
7
Trump learned from Roy Cohn, the nastiest attorney ever, who practiced and preached mean-spirited bullying intimidation, and lying at any cost to cover up mistakes in judgement and action.
People - even those in power - are more easily intimidated than they'll ever admit in the face of someone like that. Short of a violent end, the Republicans should accept the damage, and deal with getting rid of this dangerous jerk. After all, Pence and his minions are no threat to the Republican agendas.
Then we can start on fighting back against that administration's gentle smiling facade barely covering their own devotion to corporate culture over the needs of people.
People - even those in power - are more easily intimidated than they'll ever admit in the face of someone like that. Short of a violent end, the Republicans should accept the damage, and deal with getting rid of this dangerous jerk. After all, Pence and his minions are no threat to the Republican agendas.
Then we can start on fighting back against that administration's gentle smiling facade barely covering their own devotion to corporate culture over the needs of people.
15
Why on earth would anyone be surprised that Comey's answer that he could pledge honesty but not necessarily loyalty would be unacceptable to Trump? The man has no concept of honesty and in his administration honesty would be viewed as a liability rather than an asset.
11
This whole episode has revealed a serious underlying flaw in our system of government. The president can not be above the law or beyond an investigation by an independent legal organization such as the FBI. The FBI director's term of 10 years is meant to insulate him from political pressure across administrations. But this term is useless if a president (who chooses not to follow legal or even ethical norms) can fire the FBI director at will, for all practical purposes, without cause.
We need a new law that places the removal of the FBI director, like his/her appointment by the president, subject to the oversight of the Senate. I can't stress how important this is for the health of our democracy. We've moved into the age of the demagogue so we need stricter safeguards.
We need a new law that places the removal of the FBI director, like his/her appointment by the president, subject to the oversight of the Senate. I can't stress how important this is for the health of our democracy. We've moved into the age of the demagogue so we need stricter safeguards.
18
It has been my contention from the early days of the Trump Era that what we are seeing is radically different and destructive. I believe that there has been a tacit assumption that members of the competing branches of government would put the broader interests of the nation ahead of party affiliation. Yet, we are seeing Republicans, who certainly are also aware of the travesty of this administration, accept behaviors that are unbalanced at best, potentially treasonous, and that have potential to permanently rupture the uneasy balance of power. Further, I don't really know of a time when a small band of very powerful and wealthy businessmen have been handed the reins of power and offered the future of the nation as theirs to restructure as their ideology (or maybe it's just greed) permits. We as a nation cannot countenance this, but the structures in place, such as impeachment, are only as useful as the members of the government allow them to be.
10
We have examples of people demanding loyalty oaths of their subordinates throughout history.
Just not US history.
All of the examples were despotic tyrants.
Our officials swear an oath to our Constitution, a document not found in the current White House. Mr. Kahn offered a copy, but was attacked instead despite his honest love of our country and the sacrifice of his son to defend...our Constitution.
Just not US history.
All of the examples were despotic tyrants.
Our officials swear an oath to our Constitution, a document not found in the current White House. Mr. Kahn offered a copy, but was attacked instead despite his honest love of our country and the sacrifice of his son to defend...our Constitution.
10
Bush/Cheney required pledges of support as a prerequisite for entry into his campaign appearances.
Wow! Comey's sin is that he's a "showboat?" Then what is Tweety Bird?
12
Clearly delusional about Hillary's manifest malfeasance, but Comey was no "showboat"--just a bit too self-indulgent too often. So sad.
3
Donald Trump is sounding more and more like the beginnings of how a person trying to become a dictator speaks. I'm really scared not just for me but for my children.
18
All you need to know, from Maxine Waters:
If Hillary had won, she would have been justified in firing Comey. Trump is not justified in firing Comey.
If Hillary had won, she would have been justified in firing Comey. Trump is not justified in firing Comey.
10
Trump has the character of a venal despot. With the added feature that virtually everything he says is a lie or a distortion. And a lot of Americans, including most of the GOP in Congress, love him for those qualities. I think the big remaining question is whether he triggers a nuclear war or not. I would put the odds at 50-50.
8
Leading an intelligence agency requires “competence, honesty and independence”, plus an unwavering commitment to the Agency’s mission.
On competence, we can question the merit of Mr. Comey’s actions and inactions, but can’t expect perfection. Failure is inevitable with ubiquitous uncertainty. And it’s nearly impossible, at a distance, to walk ex-post in Comey’s shoes. As an example, apart from the PROTUS who seems obsessed about being investigated, the FBI deals with individuals from misguided fumblers who are dangerous by accident, to rational and ruthless foes, fanatics and fiascos who are lethal by design and whose vested interest is systematic obstruction regardless of the consequences including self-destruction. It is vital to understand the dynamics between these factions. Foes may use domestic fumblers to serve their purpose, with or without the latter’s knowledge. That is why, even when heads of states/governments are being investigated, the modus operandi on disclosure, is to decline to answer and under pressure to do the minimum by stating “no” to ditch inappropriate requests to maintain the integrity of the investigation.
As for honesty and independence, Mr. Comey acted with selfless courage by making the search for the truth the overriding priority and refusing to let political expedience and agendas trump over national security. He demonstrated wherever he served (e.g. during the Plame Affair), that democracy, despite imperfections, was fundamentally at work.
On competence, we can question the merit of Mr. Comey’s actions and inactions, but can’t expect perfection. Failure is inevitable with ubiquitous uncertainty. And it’s nearly impossible, at a distance, to walk ex-post in Comey’s shoes. As an example, apart from the PROTUS who seems obsessed about being investigated, the FBI deals with individuals from misguided fumblers who are dangerous by accident, to rational and ruthless foes, fanatics and fiascos who are lethal by design and whose vested interest is systematic obstruction regardless of the consequences including self-destruction. It is vital to understand the dynamics between these factions. Foes may use domestic fumblers to serve their purpose, with or without the latter’s knowledge. That is why, even when heads of states/governments are being investigated, the modus operandi on disclosure, is to decline to answer and under pressure to do the minimum by stating “no” to ditch inappropriate requests to maintain the integrity of the investigation.
As for honesty and independence, Mr. Comey acted with selfless courage by making the search for the truth the overriding priority and refusing to let political expedience and agendas trump over national security. He demonstrated wherever he served (e.g. during the Plame Affair), that democracy, despite imperfections, was fundamentally at work.
5
Leaders are born, not made.
Respect is earned, not bought or demanded.
The bigger question is - why is he doing all this? I mean - what's the end game? To be doing things that go completely against ensuring a fully functioning Government must have some ulterior reason, benefiting 45, or, the public is just plain stupid to understand and infer from the fiasco that is happening right in front of their eyes everyday.
What's his definition of loyalty? That everyone, including the head of the premier investigating/justice organization turn a blind eye to acts like, I don't know, treason?
Respect is earned, not bought or demanded.
The bigger question is - why is he doing all this? I mean - what's the end game? To be doing things that go completely against ensuring a fully functioning Government must have some ulterior reason, benefiting 45, or, the public is just plain stupid to understand and infer from the fiasco that is happening right in front of their eyes everyday.
What's his definition of loyalty? That everyone, including the head of the premier investigating/justice organization turn a blind eye to acts like, I don't know, treason?
9
Even ignoring the fact that Trump seems incapable of truth, the two versions of this dinner comes from a) James Comey, who is by no means a saint but doesn't present himself as a contradicting mess, or b) Donald Trump, who doesn't seem to possess enough memory storage to accurately recount his own statements?
10
A President can and should expect loyalty from his staff people. You can bet the Hillary would have expected that had she been elected. With the FBI Director, Attorney General, IRS Commissioner, and many other jobs in government it is a different question. Their ultimate loyalty should be to the Constitution and the rule of law. In the case of the IRS Commissioner, to fairly enforcing the tax law - a most unpleasant job in many ways, but one which must be done. If this incident is as Mr. Comey relates it its most distressing that the President does not recognize this distinction.
2
Trump is a crook, a businessman gangster who has associated with underworld mob figures and racketeers all of his life in Ny and NJ, including the Russian criminal network. Demanding "loyalty" is the language of the mob. When it was said that Trump doesn't have the "temperament" to be President, that was only skimming the surface.
21
The NYT article states Trumps denial that a pledge of loyalty was solicited from the FBI director over dinner, but 'it was not clear whether (Trump) was talking about the same dinner (as Comey), however it is believed that they had only one dinner together'.
That segment struck me as particularly sad, where the context of a presidents version of the truth genuinely needs to be clarified to that degree. Trump has so little credibility with truthfulness, that a chronological stamp is required for everything he says.
Russia. taxes, self promotion and personal enrichment aside, how is it possible that Trump can ever manage to effectively lead this nation towards anything uplifting and meaningful to Americans, when his intentions and actions towards everything are benevolent only unto himself.
His delusions of grandeur are only reinforced by his ascension to the Presidency. Trouble is, his ascension to the presidency has only proved to diminished the office rather than elevate him.
That segment struck me as particularly sad, where the context of a presidents version of the truth genuinely needs to be clarified to that degree. Trump has so little credibility with truthfulness, that a chronological stamp is required for everything he says.
Russia. taxes, self promotion and personal enrichment aside, how is it possible that Trump can ever manage to effectively lead this nation towards anything uplifting and meaningful to Americans, when his intentions and actions towards everything are benevolent only unto himself.
His delusions of grandeur are only reinforced by his ascension to the Presidency. Trouble is, his ascension to the presidency has only proved to diminished the office rather than elevate him.
11
Trump's supporters excuse his unconventional behaviors as being due to his being free from the same old sclerotic behavior that keeps the Washington insiders from addressing the nation's problems in new ways. Well the loyalty angle Trump introduced at the dinner with Comey was not new, every tyrant in history demanded the same, and it's why all office holders are sworn to obey the orders of their superiors but instead to protect and support the Constitution. We have a government of laws and the second that loyalty to the President becomes a qualification for service is when our government begins to come undone and begins to become a tyranny.
9
S/B
"...Well the loyalty angle Trump introduced at the dinner with Comey was not new, every tyrant in history demanded the same, and it's why all elected office holders are never sworn to obey the orders of their superiors but instead to protect and support the Constitution..."
"...Well the loyalty angle Trump introduced at the dinner with Comey was not new, every tyrant in history demanded the same, and it's why all elected office holders are never sworn to obey the orders of their superiors but instead to protect and support the Constitution..."
1
Demanding loyalty of the Director of the F.B.I. is improper and in fact violates the President's oath to protect and to support the Constitution which is clearly intended to assure that ours is a government of laws not of men. Trump violated his oath of office by even bring up the subject with Comey.
6
When Trump says he "knows someone," he means that person has declared loyalty. People, he "doesn't even know" such as Sally Yates are among those who have not declared loyalty either because that person has not been invited or because the person has declined. This ritual seems to include being invited to Trump's table for dinner. As a business man and president he seems to think the invite alone is step one. If he mentions a item of food, that is the moment he sealed the deal as in the chocolate cake with the Chinese Premiere. Interestingly, he does not know Angela Merkel. Guess that lunch did not go well. He says he "doesn't even know Putin." Now that's funny. I wonder if they will have dinner at the summit?
3
How is it OK that the one being investigated gets to fire the chief investigator and hire the next one? When will Republican leaders do something, anything, to stop this clear obstruction of justice? When DT nominates Giuliani as the next FBI Director?
Sessions needs to be fired for (1) lying under oath, and (2) not recusing himself when he said he would.
McConnell needs to step aside for his conflict of interest: his wife in DT's cabinet.
Finally, someone please put DT under oath. He is such a pathological liar that he will lie under oath. Then bingo, let the impeachment process begin.
Sessions needs to be fired for (1) lying under oath, and (2) not recusing himself when he said he would.
McConnell needs to step aside for his conflict of interest: his wife in DT's cabinet.
Finally, someone please put DT under oath. He is such a pathological liar that he will lie under oath. Then bingo, let the impeachment process begin.
15
We've got a strongman/oligarch/racist/misogynist in this President. He most admires that type of person, and they're installed in many third world countries around the world and growing media. What makes America great is that democracy has prevailed. Or has it been something else all along? Resources and brute force and geographic luck? Mixed with creativity? In what ways are we great? Obama said before turning over the keys and codes, we'll be alright if we remember who we are.
8
There's a problem here. Even if Republican legislators grow a spine and act, we don't really resolve the current constitutional crisis. The presidential succession is equally corrupted even with Trump's impeachment. If the election was illegally manipulated, catching Donald Trump on obstruction of justice only removes one element of wrong doing. The impeachable crime is downstream from the actual event. I'd find this eventuality preferable to nothing at all but the harm to our political system is irreversible.
No matter what happens to Trump, there's no legal means of reversing the impact of the crime. Hence, our Constitution has fundamentally failed us.
No matter what happens to Trump, there's no legal means of reversing the impact of the crime. Hence, our Constitution has fundamentally failed us.
8
The only constitutional crisis here that needs addressing is Obama's use of the national intelligence apparatus to spy on political opponents.
1
What?
5
The FBI director, all Federal employees, in fact, owe allegiance to the Constitution and laws of the U.S., not to the person who occupies the White House. Trump can't grasp that.
7
This is a great opportunity to obtain evidence for impeachment.
Congress should demand the tapes if there are any. Efforts by the President to pressure the FBI to be loyal as opposed to honest is an impeachable defense.
Way to go, Don. You just stepped in your own....
Congress should demand the tapes if there are any. Efforts by the President to pressure the FBI to be loyal as opposed to honest is an impeachable defense.
Way to go, Don. You just stepped in your own....
6
There was a time when we could trust journalists to rely on hearsay and anonymous sources. That time is long gone. What we have here is prototypical fake news from a hateful press that is doing more harm to its own credibility than to the Trump administration. More importantly, this continuing vendetta undermines the democratic process by failing to provide objective information the public needs to make political decisions. News that favors Trump policies (such as crimes committed by illegals for example) is simply not reported. Instead we get this phony soap opera that serves no purpose except to reinforce the negative fantasies of snowflakes.
Trump is a narcissistic buffoon, a sad joke for a human being Does he really think we'll believe his account, which makes NO sense at all? Far more believable, and grotesque request that Comey "pledge loyalty" to him. Who does he think he is, Don Corleone?! Only a malignant narcissist would believe the entire world works for him.
Joke's on him. He works for us, and we all hope, not for much longer.
Joke's on him. He works for us, and we all hope, not for much longer.
5
Given Trump's character every rational person predicted all of this kind of behavior because it is the only behavior of which he is capable.
WHERE is the cavalry?
WHERE is the cavalry?
7
He's telling on himself , like a 5 year old at the dinner table. "Did you notice anything wrong, and if you did will I get in trouble ?"
Now this AM, "He better not have had a tape recorder on him."
Why, what did you say Donald?
Now this AM, "He better not have had a tape recorder on him."
Why, what did you say Donald?
5
Trump better hope there are no tapes. Does he not know that FBI Directors likely keep a file on the Prez (e.g., J. Edgar Hoover) for just such occasions.
Or perhaps Comey can borrow something from Obama's "wiretaps"
Or perhaps Comey can borrow something from Obama's "wiretaps"
4
Now you are getting it.
The "wiretaps" ordered by Obama and reported by this very newspaper will lead to the jailing of Valerie Jarrett, Ben Rhodes and others.
It’s certainly not impossible to believe that the Obama administration spied on Trump.
Obama wouldn’t be the first president to engage in illegal surveillance of opposition candidates, and his administration has been noted for its great enthusiasm for domestic spying.
In an effort to plug embarrassing leaks, the Obama administration spied on Associated Press reporters and seized the phone records not only of a Fox News reporter but also of his parents.
The "wiretaps" ordered by Obama and reported by this very newspaper will lead to the jailing of Valerie Jarrett, Ben Rhodes and others.
It’s certainly not impossible to believe that the Obama administration spied on Trump.
Obama wouldn’t be the first president to engage in illegal surveillance of opposition candidates, and his administration has been noted for its great enthusiasm for domestic spying.
In an effort to plug embarrassing leaks, the Obama administration spied on Associated Press reporters and seized the phone records not only of a Fox News reporter but also of his parents.
2
It is time to activate the 25th Amendment"
"Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President."
Quoting from the The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: D.S.M., 2018 Edition, Chapter 173: Forensic Addendum
Trumpaniasis: a dysfunctional, pathological condition wherein the patient cannot be said to have lied because he or she fulfills the following criteria:
1/ An inability to differentiate truth and untruth.
2/ An inability to remember what he or she said more than a minute earlier.
3/ Lack of a moral framework within which to evaluate one's own behavior.
4/ An inability to empathize with anyone other than oneself.
The only treatment for this pathology consists of total isolation of the patient in a completely mirrored room with his or her computer programmed so that all outgoing messages are simply looped back to the patient, as if he or she were merely receiving affirmation from another person. In such an environment the reinforcement of the pathology serves to reassure the patient while protecting the community at large.
"Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President."
Quoting from the The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: D.S.M., 2018 Edition, Chapter 173: Forensic Addendum
Trumpaniasis: a dysfunctional, pathological condition wherein the patient cannot be said to have lied because he or she fulfills the following criteria:
1/ An inability to differentiate truth and untruth.
2/ An inability to remember what he or she said more than a minute earlier.
3/ Lack of a moral framework within which to evaluate one's own behavior.
4/ An inability to empathize with anyone other than oneself.
The only treatment for this pathology consists of total isolation of the patient in a completely mirrored room with his or her computer programmed so that all outgoing messages are simply looped back to the patient, as if he or she were merely receiving affirmation from another person. In such an environment the reinforcement of the pathology serves to reassure the patient while protecting the community at large.
4
This is amazing. Seriously it couldn't have been more of a "be careful what you wish for" scenario if someone had written it. Trump supporters were looking for a leader who would "run the country like a business." Well here he is.
Like a CEO, Trump actually thought he could tell the head of the FBI to start showing some loyalty - forget this Russia thing and start being a "company man" or I will fire you and find someone who will. Earth to The Donald: That's not how it works.
I'm not sure what surprises me more - how unhinged the president's behavior is getting or how long his "team" will continue to try to spin his craziness into something that has any semblance of sanity.
Like a CEO, Trump actually thought he could tell the head of the FBI to start showing some loyalty - forget this Russia thing and start being a "company man" or I will fire you and find someone who will. Earth to The Donald: That's not how it works.
I'm not sure what surprises me more - how unhinged the president's behavior is getting or how long his "team" will continue to try to spin his craziness into something that has any semblance of sanity.
21
“In fact, when I decided to just do it, I said to myself, I said, you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made-up story,” Mr. Trump said.
The ramblings of an ever-more-isolated madman.
Wouldn't we love to hear what he really says to himself? Or maybe not: it might be too frightening.
The ramblings of an ever-more-isolated madman.
Wouldn't we love to hear what he really says to himself? Or maybe not: it might be too frightening.
12
It's interesting to me that Trump, who has mastered the art of 'burn-and-turn', places loyalty to him above all other credentials.
9
The country and the world are now witnessing the real Trump who, in the privacy of his Tower, did his business by intimidating, threatening, lying, conniving, cheating and conning, and there was nobody to stop him. Now, under the glare of political life -- the real world with rules, laws, checks and balances -- Trump is having a meltdown. This isn't a reality TV show anymore. He can't completely control the narrative, there are too many moving parts. His back is against the wall, his inherent criminality is being exposed, and his innate paranoia is out of control. The Constitution? What's that? The limits of the power of the president? What limits? Expect more raving, threats, inconsistencies, foolish ramblings and babbling in the days to come.
And expect no response from the Republicans unless and until Trump becomes so extremely and unambiguously unhinged that they can impeach him and look like heroes for saving the country.
What remains to be seen is whether anyone on the Republican side cares enough about the destruction of the Constitution and our cherished institutions of government to do something about it. Seems to me they're happily biding their time, passing as many far right laws as possible, until Trump becomes so unhinged that they can impeach him without looking disloyal.
And expect no response from the Republicans unless and until Trump becomes so extremely and unambiguously unhinged that they can impeach him and look like heroes for saving the country.
What remains to be seen is whether anyone on the Republican side cares enough about the destruction of the Constitution and our cherished institutions of government to do something about it. Seems to me they're happily biding their time, passing as many far right laws as possible, until Trump becomes so unhinged that they can impeach him without looking disloyal.
40
The only good thing that can be said for Trump is that all this chaos he creates is an impediment to the Republican Congressional agenda, which would otherwise sail through smoothly if Pence were to become President.
8
The most amazing parts of this farce are that the republican congress still refuses to appoint an independent prosecutor, and that Trump's followers still blindly support him. Absolutely incredible!
29
The most amazing part is that Trump has a chronic pattern of contradicting every attribution, whether from anonymous or named sources, or even something he himself may have said, if he doesn't like what is attributed or actually said, and that there are die-hard supporters of his every utterance, whether it's a known lie, a fake Trump "fact", or blatant fantasy, who will stand by their chosen messiah in complete sacrifice of truth, justice, and the integrity of our democracy . For what? Propping up a petty dictator who could care less about anything other than his fragile, narcissistic ego.
1
Requiring sworn personal loyalty to the leader rather than the nation is one of the hallmarks of fascism.
38
Why is it always "unnamed associates" rather than the principals? Did the author (Mr Schmidt) even ask Comey if this was a fair account?
I think this is why so many Americans believe the NYT manufactures news. This whole article is a hearsay account from unnamed, unverified, and untrustworthy sources
I think this is why so many Americans believe the NYT manufactures news. This whole article is a hearsay account from unnamed, unverified, and untrustworthy sources
5
Do you really need to have it explained to you why the use of anonymous sources can be critical to a healthy democracy?
8
By extension of your logic, Watergate was fake news because of then unnamed sources. Your logic is as incomplete as the disclosure of POTUS's tax information.
That fiend is now publicly threatening Comey: "better hope...." Ok, Commander in Tweet. Or what?
That fiend needs to be removed and jailed immediately for abuses of power, emoluments violations and deep conflicts of interest per his business holdings. It is no longer a matter of if/when/how fascism for the US. We are currently living in it.
That fiend is now publicly threatening Comey: "better hope...." Ok, Commander in Tweet. Or what?
That fiend needs to be removed and jailed immediately for abuses of power, emoluments violations and deep conflicts of interest per his business holdings. It is no longer a matter of if/when/how fascism for the US. We are currently living in it.
10
It's fair to use anonymous sources as a way to arrive at actual, attributable people for journalistic piece, or some kind of evidence. They can get you on the right track, maybe, but they should not be the story. To present only anonymous sources is lazy, and not good writing, particularly when the story has the headline, "In a Private Dinner, Trump Demanded Loyalty. Comey Demurred." That may be as far as a lot of readers get, not realizing that, buried in the text that follows, is the pretty important information that this is just basically hearsay.
What we have here is a case study in "fake news," so, in answer to your query, yes, please explain how that is necessary for a healthy democracy.
What we have here is a case study in "fake news," so, in answer to your query, yes, please explain how that is necessary for a healthy democracy.
Trump dined with Comey ONE DAY after SALLY YATES told White House counsel that Trump's NSA director was at risk of being blackmailed by Russia??
10
So, let me get this straight, Times-- two people who were not at the dinner, but who heard Comey talk about the dinner, and who would only tell you about it if you agreed no to reveal who they are, these are your sources and you feel fine in running with that? Seriously?
3
I think if you are actually interested in finding out the trustworthiness of the reporter you want to direct that question at Mr Schmidt. Then you might want to look at his history of reporting to see how often his "sources" turn out to be correct. then you can make a judgment. The Times editor he reports to seems fine with his work.
8
Well, WHEN it can be established the sources are correct, THAT is when you run the story. What we have here is nothing more than cheap gossip, reporter's reputation notwithstanding.
2
You still do not seem to comprehend the system. By your standards we would never have found out about Watergate, and any number of other events that were exposed by reporter's giving their sources anonymity.
I guess you buy into the leak focus about Flynn then. Can you tell me what secret was leaked in that case? All that I know of is a reported reported that their source told then Flynn lied and it was on tape at the NSA. Where exactly is the secret please?
I guess you buy into the leak focus about Flynn then. Can you tell me what secret was leaked in that case? All that I know of is a reported reported that their source told then Flynn lied and it was on tape at the NSA. Where exactly is the secret please?
7
Well, I'm an American and I think Trump should be loyal to ME.
30
By his own words Trump believes that the relationship is that he is ruling you.
8
The President is an erratic, paranoid bully with no sense of history and no intellect beyond how it serves his ego. And he is now implying that he, the President of the U.S., might have recorded conversations with the former FBI director? Every day, we move further into his paranoid delusions instead of toward the truth and rule of law. Every senator and representative who goes along is just as responsible.
29
Since there is no 'Readers' Comments' section on your OTHER front page story, let me cite DT's warning to James Comey:
“...better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations,”
Is it just me or is the President of the United States issuing a not-to-veiled threat here? Does this strike anyone else as deeply, deeply terrifying?
NOT my president
“...better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations,”
Is it just me or is the President of the United States issuing a not-to-veiled threat here? Does this strike anyone else as deeply, deeply terrifying?
NOT my president
39
More liberal fake news. Trump never asked Comey for a loyalty pledge. He asked Comey not to leak information from his Administration. HUGE DIFFERENCE.
1
Just the fact that the ManChild asked him for his loyalty should be grounds for impeachment. That is un-acceptable and beyond the pale of him to ask. This emperor needs to told... "You're Fired".
16
Mr. Comey may have made some mistakes but he would never stoop to the level of the buffoon in chief. He has too much integrity, decency, dignity and respect for the law. The buffoon has none of those traits. He is a pathological liar with zero credibility. He has no respect for the law or the Constitution. He understands neither one. The only thing he cares about is himself and will go to any lengths to protect himself and his image. He is becoming more and more unhinged and mentally unbalanced. He's made an enemy of the FBI and the intelligence community. He's going to pay for it too. It's only a matter of time. What poetic justice it will be to watch especially if Comey is the one to bring him down. Can't happen soon enough or to a more deserving person.
14
Putting aside all of Trump's unacceptable behavior in the Comey firing, Comey himself emerges from the past 6 months as a man of stupefyingly poor judgement. He distorted the election with his ready-to-leak letter to Congress about the back-up copies of Clinton emails on Weiner's laptop, but remained silent about the far more significant investigation into the Trump campaign's Russia ties. Apparently Comey expected that this would buy him Trump's support: SAD! Comey lectured Loretta Lynch for talking with Bill Clinton on her airplane, but then sat down to a cozy dinner with Trump, whose administration is the object of a growing FBI investigation. If Trump is to be believed, Comey assured him that he was not personally the object of investigation, and did so not once, not twice, but three times. And Comey failed to recognize that Trump's repeated demands for an oath of personal loyalty and omerta was meant as a threat to his remaining director. A man with such poor judgement should not be director of the FBI. Obama should have fired him after the election. Trump should have asked for his resignation soon after the inauguration. Comey is a "leaky" vessel in which to pour all the outrage that we feel over the Tuesday evening massacre.
8
Yes. Obama should have fired him after sending the letter about reopening the HC investigation 11 days before the election. Most especially if one assumes Obama had been briefed that the FBI was already investigating the Trump campaign regarding Russian collision. But, did Obama know that? If that was kept from him, then Comey is doubly guilty of poor judgement bordering on treason.
1
Trump was taught tactics by Joe McCarthy's lawyer, but even in the dark paranoid days of Cold War 1950s, the forced loyalty oaths were sworn to the United States and the Constitution.
Now, we can expect many school children to start their days by reciting in unison: "I pledge allegiance to the Trump of the United States of America...."
Now, we can expect many school children to start their days by reciting in unison: "I pledge allegiance to the Trump of the United States of America...."
11
Trump just now tweeted a threat to cancel all future press briefings and just hand out written material. Since meanies are making such a big fuss about the confusing contradictions coming out of the administration.
13
Every thinking American knows beyond doubt that Trump seldom tells the truth, even when it is glaringly evident. Each time he tweets or makes a statement, the assumption for most of us is that he is lying. How then can the nation be rid of this upstart? Can America withstand four years of this president's bombast and hypocrisy? If one considers the harm he has done in a mere 120 days, the questions become more problematic. Short of impeachment, unlikely under a Republican Congress, perhaps he might be induced to resign, also unlikely. When the founding fathers wrote the Constitution, it is doubtful they could have envisioned today's crisis. It's difficult to be hopeful, when the checks and balances appear to be null and void.
15
If there's no there, there, why is Trump obsessed with obtaining assurances that he's not under investigation?
23
As an outside observer of American politics, what can I say. Quoting from the uber-popular musical Hamilton: "I wanna be in the room where it happens!" So, what did Comey said to Trump, and what did Trump said to Comey? Although these are the questions that this article is about, I only wish to say: find the evidence, impeach the guy with the strange hair and crazy behavior (and silly tweets). Any kind of evidence will do. Americans, do you understand where you stand at the moment, and what the world thinks of you?
10
Surely this qualifies as attempted obstruction of justice? No doubt the legal experts are working this over--let's get on with it.
This ship of fools is sinking fast.
This ship of fools is sinking fast.
14
Loyalty- a strong feeling of support or allegiance
Where does this undemocratic idea of personal loyalty in American politics come from?
I think Mr Trump is finally facing the fact that his conception of America as a place where he can do as he pleased without facing consequences is incorrect.
To him America is the place where you do what you want to and as long as you have greased the right palms it's ok. Any objection to his demands is really a request for a favor or a bribe or a tactic to do him harm. To him there is no set standard of behavior or higher authority that enforces law regardless of who you are because he has never been held to that standard. He has always been able to use money or connections to get out from under the law. He is of that class of people who operate in the US as if it were their personal Fraternity House.
The loyalty demand may be his own thing but it is nothing new to republicans and I expect some democrats.He is the essence of what the GOP has become, support me then you have to be all in on everything no questions. If you don't support me it cannot possibly be based on legitimate objections and thus is invalid whatever the facts may be.
It is wrong to ask for loyalty and dubious at best if you give it if you do not have a valid argument to support that choice.
The tax letter from his lawyers is a Letter from a Lawyer. No lawyer would ever
Where does this undemocratic idea of personal loyalty in American politics come from?
I think Mr Trump is finally facing the fact that his conception of America as a place where he can do as he pleased without facing consequences is incorrect.
To him America is the place where you do what you want to and as long as you have greased the right palms it's ok. Any objection to his demands is really a request for a favor or a bribe or a tactic to do him harm. To him there is no set standard of behavior or higher authority that enforces law regardless of who you are because he has never been held to that standard. He has always been able to use money or connections to get out from under the law. He is of that class of people who operate in the US as if it were their personal Fraternity House.
The loyalty demand may be his own thing but it is nothing new to republicans and I expect some democrats.He is the essence of what the GOP has become, support me then you have to be all in on everything no questions. If you don't support me it cannot possibly be based on legitimate objections and thus is invalid whatever the facts may be.
It is wrong to ask for loyalty and dubious at best if you give it if you do not have a valid argument to support that choice.
The tax letter from his lawyers is a Letter from a Lawyer. No lawyer would ever
6
ever be specific about things that could bite them in future proceeding when docs not in evidence today might prove the lie of the assertion.
2
Well another week with the Trump administration - invite the deputy FBI director to the WH and request a memo trashing the deputy director's boss, fire the FBI director for cause outlined in the deputy director's memo or for obstruction of justice, have WH staff lie about everything and then undermine them by admitting it was really over the Russian investigation and trash the person you fired reputation as a grand stander or show boating, then to make sure everything is perfect have the President of the United States threaten the person he has fired. While all this is going on have the President announce no more WH briefings unless the press covers the news the way the President likes and by the way Trump's lawyers claim tax returns don't show any Russian income sort of. And it is only Friday.
7
It wasn't the deputy FBI director, it was the deputy attorney general.
2
In America our biggest problem is that a majority of the electorate will cling to whichever news article confirms their bias. All of the comments in this section are from people who know that Trump is a dangerous fascist. But Trump supporters are unlikely to read this, and if they do their likely to dismiss it as "propaganda." How do we return to thinking critically?
7
Why, public education, of course. And just look who our new Secretary of Education is.
17
Trump seems to adhere to the mafia definition of loyalty, i.e. "Are you willing to put yourself at risk and even violate the law for my benefit?" As such, I wouldn't promise him loyalty either. I suspect most of the people that have agreed to be loyal to him are lying, because it it pretty obvious that he has surrounded himself with pathological liars.
6
More unnamed sources, who weren't e en st the dinner? And the "compromising" documents being that Ukrainian produced fiction of yellow showers and prostitutes, done under a still unexplained contract of the Clinton campaign? Worse, Comey was so unhinged, he seems to have believed there might be an element of truth to the Steel dossier, even though it was rife with provable falsehoods. I mean, the names were misspelled, the purported ledger was out of sequence with precisely the same hand writing, even though it spanned more than ten years. It was, is, garbage, and any professional law enforcement officer would have seen that.
Comey was sucked into a paranoid Clinton operative conspiracy theory. They are still at it, too. Take a look at Podestra's 7 minute flight of canasta out this morning.
If the NYT wants to retain a shred of credibility, they will stop using unnamed sources and start questioning the garbage being fed them by a Clinton antigovernment insurgency.
Comey was sucked into a paranoid Clinton operative conspiracy theory. They are still at it, too. Take a look at Podestra's 7 minute flight of canasta out this morning.
If the NYT wants to retain a shred of credibility, they will stop using unnamed sources and start questioning the garbage being fed them by a Clinton antigovernment insurgency.
1
The oppo report you refer to was originally started and paid for by the RNC/JEB seeking to take the Donald down during the campaign. It was only after they realized he was going to be the candidate that they stopped paying for the research. It was then that the research was offered to Clinton's campaign who I think paid for it but never used any of the data. The report was still seen by people who actually deal in these things and not fantastical imaginings as having enough credibility that it was circulated to the intelligence agencies of the US and Britain as well as being given to at least one Senator and possibly other members of Congress.
So no it was not a Clinton Conspiracy. It was a Republican originated report done by a very respected former British Intelligence agent. The only thing lacking is verifiable truth but as these things go everything else still ringing true and will be held in stasis on to until the proof one way or the other can be had.
So no it was not a Clinton Conspiracy. It was a Republican originated report done by a very respected former British Intelligence agent. The only thing lacking is verifiable truth but as these things go everything else still ringing true and will be held in stasis on to until the proof one way or the other can be had.
3
Trump thinks he's the Godfather and Comey should have kissed his hand, but
Don Corleone would never be that stupid.
Don Corleone would never be that stupid.
7
Why Mr. Trump can't simply go back to his reality show, his golf clubs and leave the POTUS role to someone qualified for this job?
I am not republican nor democrat, I believe both extreme sides are very wrong for obviously very different reasons but still wrong. I am more of a centrist and I try to judge politicians based on their agenda, actions, moral value, integrity and the willingness to serve a higher purpose for the benefit of the USA.
I am sorry but I can see very little of value in Mr. Trump agenda, his actions and words are often despicable, he obviously has very low moral values and integrity and seems to me like he is more interested in his well-being and wealth rather than that of the nation.
What a shame.
I am not republican nor democrat, I believe both extreme sides are very wrong for obviously very different reasons but still wrong. I am more of a centrist and I try to judge politicians based on their agenda, actions, moral value, integrity and the willingness to serve a higher purpose for the benefit of the USA.
I am sorry but I can see very little of value in Mr. Trump agenda, his actions and words are often despicable, he obviously has very low moral values and integrity and seems to me like he is more interested in his well-being and wealth rather than that of the nation.
What a shame.
7
Clearly, Trump is right that Comey is a `showboat`. He attends a private dinner and then can`t wait to run over the NYTimes reporters to tell them all the details.
2
I didn't hear that Comey did this. Turn off Fox News.
2
A photo showing sheepish President Trump bowing to Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in the Oval Office where hi is delivering Comey's job for investigating the fraudulent election and all while a group of political technicians laughing at him, all is good for Putin.
6
I am more than "mildly nauseated" by everything Trump does!
9
Who has more credibility? James Comey or Don Trump? Don Trump is the least credible person I've ever encountered. Everybody get out of his way while he digs his own grave.
9
The WH Press Corp would serve the public better by engaging in investigative reporting. Parroting what the apes in the WH say is just distraction. Inform us of the diabolical public policy the Republicans are conjuring up.
9
How could an individual like Donald Trump, a habitual liar and buffoon become President of the United States?
Simple: a disgruntled electoral tired of being ruled by officials whose only goals were to enrich themselves by bowing to lobbyists, then when on the campaign trail, these same officials uttering promises (never fulfilled) just to get reelected.
Wrong move people. Trump plays the same game, only amateurishly,
Simple: a disgruntled electoral tired of being ruled by officials whose only goals were to enrich themselves by bowing to lobbyists, then when on the campaign trail, these same officials uttering promises (never fulfilled) just to get reelected.
Wrong move people. Trump plays the same game, only amateurishly,
5
"black·mail\ˈblak-ˌmāl\
noun
: the crime of threatening to tell secret information about someone unless the person being threatened gives you money or does what you want
: something (such as money) that is received through blackmail"
From Miriam Webster Dictionary
noun
: the crime of threatening to tell secret information about someone unless the person being threatened gives you money or does what you want
: something (such as money) that is received through blackmail"
From Miriam Webster Dictionary
In England the Prime Minister is questioned by other ministers frequently, but in USA the president seems immune to any sort of proper truth telling test or questioning under oath. Thus a pathologically lying president can continuously lie and lie and double down on the lies and then laugh at all us idiots because we're losers. American insanity.
Please rewrite the constitution someone. Call the president in front of committees of congress. Enough lies have been spoken!!!
Please rewrite the constitution someone. Call the president in front of committees of congress. Enough lies have been spoken!!!
6
For those who are not Americans but look at America as a true bastion of democracy based on a Constitution which set the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity, well before the French Revolution, for those who admire the clear separation of powers and the intrinsic respect for the fourth power, the press, the events taking place since Mr Trump was sworn into the Presidency, seem almost impossible to believe and clearly difficult to understand. In the Country which created the checks and balances necessary to control and restrain the possible abuses of the Executive, the Congress - both the House and the Senate dominated by the Republican Party continues to remain conspicuously silent as if the personal survival of each one of the members, Congresswomen/Congressmen and Senators alike, is more important than the Office they were elected to.
At this difficult time in American history I believe nothing is more relevant that to remember the concluding remarks of President Abraham Lincoln's Annual Message to the Congress, December 1, 1862: "We can succeed only by concert. It is not "can any of us imagine better?" but, "can we all do better?" The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise -- with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country". And should be added, for your own sake and ours alike.
At this difficult time in American history I believe nothing is more relevant that to remember the concluding remarks of President Abraham Lincoln's Annual Message to the Congress, December 1, 1862: "We can succeed only by concert. It is not "can any of us imagine better?" but, "can we all do better?" The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise -- with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country". And should be added, for your own sake and ours alike.
13
Thank you for this contribution to the discussion. Rest assured that a critical mass of Americans know what the stakes are. We will work doggedly to preserve the treasure we have inherited.
All your high sounding words misrepresent one simple fact; the FBI reports to the President and its director serves at the Presidents pleasure. Law Enforcement is not a branch of government, it is part of the Executive.
2
There are large forces at work seeking to destroy the USA, many of them are stupid people who think they are loyal to the US but in fact are loyal only to their wallets and the dissociative stories they tell to keep that fact out of mind.
7
Demanding an oath of loyalty to the president is not part of the American constitution. The favorite of the America First movement that Trump's father supported did demand an oath of loyalty to the Leader, but it did not work out very well for Germany. Maybe Trump needs to do more study of American government and world history.
6
"More study"?? The man has never studied anything related to history -- world or US ---, nor has he studied our Constitution, the balance of power, or governance. Remember, this is a person whose single MO is transactional at all levels. What can he get and in return for what. He is not reflective, he sees himself as ultimately the only one who understands everything. Don't need no book learning. Just his gut, which is growing fatter and more flatulent each day. What a stink!
Any official within the government has to be loyal to the law, to the Constitution, etc, and this is just the law. As a result, there can not be conflict of interests or "loyalty" to a corporation or private agreement. The kind of "loyalty" that Trump wants to impose reminds that in the middle ages,....Has Mr Trump the intellectual capacity to deal with complex issues in the XXI century?
6
What's wrong with demanding loyalty? Every other FBI Director has been asked that since Hoover. So has the AG. You're trying to make what is routine seem conspiratorial when it's common practice.
In reading the letter provided by the deputy Attorney General regarding Comey, most suggested that Trump's "purported" allegation was that Comey's announcement to re-open the case against Clinton was in poor judgement and that the real reason was an attempted diversion from the Russian investigation.
The letter's other focus was on Comey's announcement that there were no grounds for charges to be laid. Since candidate Trump had wanted to assign a special investigator against Secretary Clinton as his campaign promise, could it be that his next distraction will be to hire a loyal yet controversial FBI director who will then be ordered to re-open the case of Clinton's e-mails?
It is impossible to know President Trump's end game and, however unsettling or dangerous the internal politics, it only distracts from the more concerning issue of his outstanding military threat against North Korea.
As Kim sees nuclear weapons as his only guarantee against a US strike, he is not likely to let them go or stop testing them. If Kim tests another nuclear weapon, what is President Trump likely to do in response? Military action on the part of the US against North Korea could trigger a catastrophic war.
If President Trump's goal is to gain full employment and "Make America Great Again", could it be that he believes the best way to do so is to fire up the military industrial complex and expand the military by inciting war? That would be insane of course. I only hope that I'm wrong.
The letter's other focus was on Comey's announcement that there were no grounds for charges to be laid. Since candidate Trump had wanted to assign a special investigator against Secretary Clinton as his campaign promise, could it be that his next distraction will be to hire a loyal yet controversial FBI director who will then be ordered to re-open the case of Clinton's e-mails?
It is impossible to know President Trump's end game and, however unsettling or dangerous the internal politics, it only distracts from the more concerning issue of his outstanding military threat against North Korea.
As Kim sees nuclear weapons as his only guarantee against a US strike, he is not likely to let them go or stop testing them. If Kim tests another nuclear weapon, what is President Trump likely to do in response? Military action on the part of the US against North Korea could trigger a catastrophic war.
If President Trump's goal is to gain full employment and "Make America Great Again", could it be that he believes the best way to do so is to fire up the military industrial complex and expand the military by inciting war? That would be insane of course. I only hope that I'm wrong.
This is what comes of trying to run the government like the private sector. This is what comes of trying to run government like a rich private sector real estate mogul.
I don't like the way Comey handled the HRC investigation announcements but I'd believe his version of this encounter before I'd believe the so called president's version.
7
Sarah Huckabee Sanders says: "He would never even suggest the expectation of personal loyalty, only loyalty to our country and its great people.” maybe that's what Sarah thinks, but the idea of trump pressing Comey on whether he is loyal to America and the American people is absurd. Trump thinks and acts like Mafia don.
18
When Bill Clinton buttonholed AG Loretta Lynch during Emailgate Republicans went ballistic. Now we find out that Trump demanded loyalty from Comey at a private dinner in the midst of an active FBI investigation into Trump's campaign. So where's the GOP outrage now?
39
Comey is smart enough to have said something like he's loyal to the office of president and can say yes in that context, but his loyalty to his oath of office and the constitution, the same basic oath of office a president takes, supercedes any other loyalty.
8
On the contrary, Trump had better pray that Russia does not release the video and audio tapes they have of him, and that his loyal associates like Mike Flynn, Roger Stone, Carter Page, Manfort, et al, didn't always carry tiny digital tape recorders or use their iphone recorders to capture their own precious moments.
10
The two things that matter: build the wall/deport illegals and fill the 100+ judge vacancies. All the rest is icing on the cake, include the firing of Comey, who served at the displeasure of the President.
8
It is disturbing that those who have screamed about the Constitution during Obama's tenure are now happy to watch the Constitution be dragged under the feet of the GOP as long as they can get their Nationalism in.
16
During the hearings James Comey acknowledged that indeed Trump is under investigation on the Russians meddling, that's when Trump decided to fire Comey. Cover up and obstruction of Justice it's called this action of Trump, the man is cornered. Impeachment is on the way.
11
If it walks like a Dictator, talks like a Dictator, and threatens like a Dictator…yu know what…it’s a freaking Dictator.
How is Trump’s threatening, bullying, pathological lying, deceitful actions Presidential…or for that matter reflect any type for rational leadership at all.
We ONLY see this type of behavior from one type of leader…Dictators.
It’s time to say enough! For all our sake.
How is Trump’s threatening, bullying, pathological lying, deceitful actions Presidential…or for that matter reflect any type for rational leadership at all.
We ONLY see this type of behavior from one type of leader…Dictators.
It’s time to say enough! For all our sake.
30
With no assurance from Comey that he (Comey) would have his back, no matter what, Trump is coming more and more unhinged. A pure narcissist, Trump feels very threatened. This is a dangerous time for America. Get ready to stand-up for democracy Mr. Burr.
14
indymood says, "For God's sake, appoint an independent prosecutor ASAP before we sink any further."
ONLY WE THE PEOPLE CAN STOP THEM by putting enough pressure on lawmakers. WE can start by signing this petition to IMPEACH TRUMP NOW!
ONLY WE THE PEOPLE CAN STOP THEM by putting enough pressure on lawmakers. WE can start by signing this petition to IMPEACH TRUMP NOW!
10
3
In Trump's World his employees sign non-disclosure agreements to insure loyalty from them. People on his Transition Team signed them. People working for his campaign signed them.
Trump is thinned skinned and paranoid. He doesn't trust anyone unless he FORCES them using legal agreements. His non-disclosure agreements prevent people from saying anything disparaging about him or he will sue them.
Trump told the Washington Post in 2016 he intended to make any high ranking Gov official sign a non-disclosure agreement because he didn't want anyone writing a book about him.
Our Gov doesn't work that way. Trump is not a fan of transparency. Trump is steeped in secrecy, he's obsessed with controlling people. Comey rightly blew up his EGO not allowing him to control the FBI and Trump has to have control.
We need a transparent potus who's honest and won't fire people who are doing their job by not pledging their loyalty to him which is against Gov rules.
Trump has a god complex.
Trump is thinned skinned and paranoid. He doesn't trust anyone unless he FORCES them using legal agreements. His non-disclosure agreements prevent people from saying anything disparaging about him or he will sue them.
Trump told the Washington Post in 2016 he intended to make any high ranking Gov official sign a non-disclosure agreement because he didn't want anyone writing a book about him.
Our Gov doesn't work that way. Trump is not a fan of transparency. Trump is steeped in secrecy, he's obsessed with controlling people. Comey rightly blew up his EGO not allowing him to control the FBI and Trump has to have control.
We need a transparent potus who's honest and won't fire people who are doing their job by not pledging their loyalty to him which is against Gov rules.
Trump has a god complex.
12
Perhaps our President's most outrageous tweet, this morning. Directly threatening Mr. Comey if he should "leak" the truth and ranting about recorded conversations.
I would like to know just what it is that he is demanding Mr. Comey keep hidden?
I would like to know just what it is that he is demanding Mr. Comey keep hidden?
17
How dare trump threaten Comey like this! He is INSANE...and DESPERATE on top of the insanity! If there is something untoward in any conversations that were legally recorded (I am not sure that you can LEGALLY record a person without their permission, but perhaps with the government there is a different standard) Comey need not be intimidated by trump! Especially if there is evidence that trump is lying. Then OF COURSE he doesn't want Comey leaking those conversations! If the pathological liar, trump, had been telling the truth, would he feel the need to threaten Comey about leaking these conversations? (Well, probably YES, because the president cannot ask about an ongoing investigation into his own behavior! But if trump NEVER asked, and if Comey never told him THREE TIMES that he was not under investigation...Oh, for Heaven's sake...NOTHING would surprise me.) I cannot believe that he is threatening Comey now. Boy, oh boy, oh boy...
Hmm ... sounds like stuff we read about the PRC. Still, there's no denying that we are indeed becoming a one-party nation, governed by and for a conservative oligarchy. Senate seats can't be gerrymandered, thank goodness, but in Republican-gerrymandered Ohio and more than 35 others, many voters' votes are in effect are erased before they're cast. THAT, I submit, is election fraud, even if it is legal. It's of a piece with renewed Republican plans to suppress voter turnout nationally. Unless you're in the 1%, do yourself a favor and keep informed from reliable sources (not Fox and Dittohead radio) and keep hammering at your Congressional rep and senators--even if they don't listen. If your rep or senator's brave enough to show, go to town hall meetings and confront them about their votes and support of Trump. Get ready to join the opposing campaigns for the Nov. 2018 elections.
This is serious, and it's not going to improve if it's not very actively opposed.
This is serious, and it's not going to improve if it's not very actively opposed.
10
Just like a Mob Boss, Trump demands loyalty to him, not the country or the constitution.
11
Whomever's version one believes about the Dinner. First the FBI Director would never request a dinner with the President, maybe a meeting but not a dinner. Second Trump admits he asked Comey if he was being investigated. This question is so Out there. Innapropriate, unethical, Yet Trump does not see it that way. We are only in May of 2017, do you really think Trump will survive to the end of his term? I expect him to cross the line somewhere down the road to the point he will have few supportors in congress.
12
Wow Sarah Huckabee, he was asking for loyalty to the law, what an absurd statement. Daughter of a preacher, ethics of a snake.
Has it come to loyalty oaths or loyalty pledges to hold or keep your job in this regime? I pledge allegience to Donald Trump and the plutocracy and kleptocracy for which he stands? Is this country reverting 21st century feudalism where everyone pledges fealty to his boss up the line? Trump has pledged fealty to the Constitution and through that the American people; hell he took and oath on the Bible.
Trump has lied to the American people during the campaign. He has lied every day he has been in office. He lies about his lies. His staff lies for him and the lies conflict with other lies. His lies are improbable and compared with the verson of events of an imperfect man, but a man of honor nevertheless, Trump’s lies seem downright sleazy. There is neither honor or truth in this “president.”
We know that the Russians tampered with our elections. We know that many in Trumps campaign were is contact with the Russians. Why? What does Russia have to do with our election?
Was there collusion with what was an attack on our democratic elections by a hostile foreign power? Is this worthy of investigation? Why does Trump want to stop it unless he knows that the end of the leads to his demise? Although the hard evidence is not yet all there Trump has just admitted guilt.
Trump has lied to the American people during the campaign. He has lied every day he has been in office. He lies about his lies. His staff lies for him and the lies conflict with other lies. His lies are improbable and compared with the verson of events of an imperfect man, but a man of honor nevertheless, Trump’s lies seem downright sleazy. There is neither honor or truth in this “president.”
We know that the Russians tampered with our elections. We know that many in Trumps campaign were is contact with the Russians. Why? What does Russia have to do with our election?
Was there collusion with what was an attack on our democratic elections by a hostile foreign power? Is this worthy of investigation? Why does Trump want to stop it unless he knows that the end of the leads to his demise? Although the hard evidence is not yet all there Trump has just admitted guilt.
16
Haul Rosenstein up to the Intelligence Committee and ask him under oath about the Resource request made by Comey in the days prior to his dismissal. What was the magnitude of the request and would DOJ support it and if not, why not? Time to call POTUS' bluff on "Tax Payer Charades" and show the bona fide committment to fully investigating the hacks and possible collusion before the next national elections in 2018.
Also, calling Citizen Comey back under oath to confirm his version of past interchages with POTUS are necessary, as the independence of the FBI is something the Orange Skunk seems willing to trash. Better to know this before the Judiciary Committee starts vetting new DIrector nominees.
Also, calling Citizen Comey back under oath to confirm his version of past interchages with POTUS are necessary, as the independence of the FBI is something the Orange Skunk seems willing to trash. Better to know this before the Judiciary Committee starts vetting new DIrector nominees.
9
You can tell that this dinner did not go according to Trump's version because he failed to fawn over the food, setting, company, and/or service. Whenever some meeting goes smoothly for Trump he tweets about how great some aspect of it was, like the chocolate cake he and the Chinese president ate in Mar-a-Lake. Trump was tweeting about the NYT coverage of him the day after this dinner was to have taken place. Clearly, whenever he's engaged in business that isn't going well in one area, he leads everyone's attention to something completely irrelevant. I know the press needs ads to pay for things, but please, stop taking the bait.
5
Look- the only difference between the firing of Comey and the firing of Sessions is that Sessions had not issed grand jury subpoenas to investigate Clinton's National Security Advisor for collusion with foreign powers. Liberals are only making a big deal out of this in effort to hamper my ability to live vicariously through the POTUS - and that vicarious sense of triumph is all I have to keep me going right now.
That was a sarcastic post right?
Subpoenas are a very big difference.
Subpoenas are a very big difference.
2
Commissioned US military officers take an oath: I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God." Similar to the oath of our elected officials. There are no oaths in the US Government for allegiance to a person, say to a President. That would be an oath to a King, or say a dictator, but it is not going to happen in the US, despite what Trump and his cronies, some Republicans, and some conservative media may suggest.
13
Though Comey wasn't a club member, nonetheless, seemed Holder and Obama had a pretty tight relationship--clearly beyond oath, allegiance, and loyalty. But that's the past--thank God.
It won't happen, because if they try it, they will stand before the Citizens' Army & be shot as Traitors. No arrests, no trials, just painful death.
What they don't see (thinking, I think, that even if this fails they are only looking at some finite time in prison, like those who steal low level classified documents), is that their Treason is at a much higher level. Attempting to take over this Country, & her people. That is punishable by death, usually be hanging. We didn't hang near enough after the Civil War. Or keep them out of the Union, with their personal citizenship also revolked. Some say that it was all Americans who died in that war. It wasn't. Only those on the Northern (Union) side were Americans. The rest were from States who left the Union, of their own will. They were Confederate, not Americans. Those states should have been taken under our control as Territories, with Fed. Governors. None of them with citizenship. Without the right to move into the Union. Unless they had been slaves, then we should have given them all help. I'm not sure, after the way they have been acting, if they should have been given back their citizenship or statehood even now. Those statues in New Orleans I would suggest they hand out sledgehammers to any Black & let them destroy them, arrest those who try to stop them & jail them for a few decades in prison general pop that are mostly black. If any survive, they would have to take an oath of loyalty to the USA.
What they don't see (thinking, I think, that even if this fails they are only looking at some finite time in prison, like those who steal low level classified documents), is that their Treason is at a much higher level. Attempting to take over this Country, & her people. That is punishable by death, usually be hanging. We didn't hang near enough after the Civil War. Or keep them out of the Union, with their personal citizenship also revolked. Some say that it was all Americans who died in that war. It wasn't. Only those on the Northern (Union) side were Americans. The rest were from States who left the Union, of their own will. They were Confederate, not Americans. Those states should have been taken under our control as Territories, with Fed. Governors. None of them with citizenship. Without the right to move into the Union. Unless they had been slaves, then we should have given them all help. I'm not sure, after the way they have been acting, if they should have been given back their citizenship or statehood even now. Those statues in New Orleans I would suggest they hand out sledgehammers to any Black & let them destroy them, arrest those who try to stop them & jail them for a few decades in prison general pop that are mostly black. If any survive, they would have to take an oath of loyalty to the USA.
1
Trump fired approx. 300 U.S. attorneys in the early days of his presidency. Those jobs remain vacant. Will the interview process for those important positions include a question about whether an applicant will pledge an oath of loyalty to the President?
8
Minus the Historically Black Colleges photo-op, the article photo has the highest proportion of non-whites as any in the Trump administration. Not a good look.
2
When Trump said he doesn't have any holding or property or money in Russia Why on earth didn't Lester Holt say but your son has said you do? Why don't they counter him with proof that his son said they did. They never do that..
10
The press is terrible on follow up! As a former lawyer trained and questioning, this makes me absolutely nuts. My only guess is that they want to make sure they will get the next interview. Pressing too hard is not good for business.
2
My apologies Mr . Grant Edwards for my misdirected reply to your comment. I was totally mistaken to label you as a Trump supplicant.
Not that he cares, but I wonder if The Donald realizes how foolish this incident and all of his tweets make him look. In addition to ruining the careers of anyone who expresses fealty to him, he is destroying his own aspirations of being accepted by the socially beautiful people that he envies.
Dean said there were tapes. Cox demanded them and was fired. Nixon refused to turn them over. S Ct said you have to. Nixon resigned to avoid impeachment.
Trump says there are tapes. Threatens Comey to keep quiet. OK FBI- it's your turn- demand all tapes relevant to Russia and Comey. Congress, investigate the demand for personal loyalty over fealty to the law, and intimidation of witness/obstruction of justice. This is no longer just the ravings of a lunatic, this is illegal and dangerous to the republic. Do your job. Investigate. Impeach him. LOCK HIM UP.
Trump says there are tapes. Threatens Comey to keep quiet. OK FBI- it's your turn- demand all tapes relevant to Russia and Comey. Congress, investigate the demand for personal loyalty over fealty to the law, and intimidation of witness/obstruction of justice. This is no longer just the ravings of a lunatic, this is illegal and dangerous to the republic. Do your job. Investigate. Impeach him. LOCK HIM UP.
13
Sounds like what any dictator would want/do ask for loyalty or in other words just be a 'yes man' Hats off to Comey for his integrity and honesty over 'loyalty'
6
Great leaders inspire loyalty. Bullies and psychopaths demand it.
15
The sad thing is all these propped up by billionaires democrat run fake news outlets like the New York Times run stories with unnamed sources and the stories just turn out to be fiction later on.
2
Trump is a billionaire, hiring billionaires to run the government for billionaires.
2
I can think of other sad things. Like the slide toward authoritarianism and the erosion of respect for democratic institutions.
3
So , if Trump did, and once again NYT sources third parties , infers, guesses, implies and provides more words to describe opinion of a 41/2 month old story and no facts.FAKE NEWS,FAKE NEWS NYT has no credibility .
2
Yes, the NY Times had damaged it's credibility many times, but Trump is in a league of liars all to himself.
The N.Y.Times at least manages not to contradict itself numerous times in the same day.
The N.Y.Times at least manages not to contradict itself numerous times in the same day.
For God's sake, appoint an independent prosecutor ASAP before we sink any further.
12
You can bet that when Mr. Trump goes looking for a new FBI director, he'll look for a toady, a fox to be put in charge of another henhouse.
Senators, just vote No.
Senators, just vote No.
12
A first step towards a fix would be to replace "Hail to the Chief" with "Entrance of the Gladiators."
4
Our president lies and flip flops on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis. Things he has flip flopped on: Comey, abortion, military action in Syria, whether Obama was born in the US, who will pay for border wall...
6
It is interesting to see how NY Times reporters breezily dismiss White House spokespeople talking on the record, but instead dramatically publish anonymous sources with unsubstantiated claims. The lapdog NYT readers consume this false news and regurgitate it as "truth."
Demanding loyalty to a leader that "trumps" loyalty to a country or its constituition and laws is reminiscent of the Hitler oath. Doing so of a person in charge of an investigation of that leader or his entourage sure looks like obstruction of justice. See 18 U.S.C. 1503(a): "Whoever ... corruptly or by threats or force, or by any threatening letter or communication, influences, obstructs, or impedes, or endeavors to influence, obstruct, or impede, the due administration of justice, shall be punished as provided in subsection (b).
10
Let's hope the DOJ, the FBI and elected leaders in Washington are having the same thought.
1
What a bizarre circus act! Trump continues to turn government into a farce. I won't be shedding any tears for Comey. What he got is his just desserts. Comey was part and parcel of the conspiracy to get Trump elected. Trump is a snake who bites anyone who gets close. Reptiles are predictable animals. It's been clear from day 1 that Trump is in it for himself -- like everything he does. No surprises here or anywhere else.
As for whom to believe, I say neither, and nor do I care. I'm glad to be rid of the one and can't wait to get rid of the other.
As for whom to believe, I say neither, and nor do I care. I'm glad to be rid of the one and can't wait to get rid of the other.
5
Only Trump makes it about Trump...he protests too much. Roy Cohn strategy in effect...his people and his company like money...that's why they like Russia. Only one guy to pay off there. And let's face it..this is all about brand building, marketing, and money.
7
Dictator, despot, thug, tteasonous fake President of a once proud nation turning into a Banana Republic - all because of extreme cowards and criminal co-conspirators Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan.
REMOVE MITCH MCCONNELL AND PAUL RYAN AT ONCE!
REMOVE MITCH MCCONNELL AND PAUL RYAN AT ONCE!
17
That Trump is deranged and corrupt is not news. The real story is that the Republicans, with the luke warm exception of John McCain, are willing to obstruct an independent investigation into Russian election tampering and Trump collusion. The lack of patriotism is stunning.
If they believe that racism, sexism, xenophobia, climate change denial, and all their other dog whistles will save their sorry selves, they are as delusional as Trump. And legislators like McConnel and Grassley, who are using their positions of power to obstruct justice, should have a jail cell right next to Trump's.
If they believe that racism, sexism, xenophobia, climate change denial, and all their other dog whistles will save their sorry selves, they are as delusional as Trump. And legislators like McConnel and Grassley, who are using their positions of power to obstruct justice, should have a jail cell right next to Trump's.
44
Yes. IMPEACH TRUMP NOW! Sign here:
https://impeachdonaldtrumpnow.org/2017/04/28/la-city-council-committee-v...
https://impeachdonaldtrumpnow.org/2017/04/28/la-city-council-committee-v...
4
People do not generally fire underlings if that employee can take the boss down, too. I can only conclude, therefore, that if Comey had the goods on Trump and the Russians, he would still be FBI Director because that's the way DC works.
6
I believe things are different in DC these days.
4
Kudos for Mr. Comey! Whether or not one agrees with his decisions, he is a man with integrity. Trump's demand for loyalty, reflects the insecurity of this dangerous popinjay. Shame on the "loyal" Republicans!
10
What a sad political reality of the United States! Wasn't Donald Trump who promised to "Make America Great Again during the 2016 election? Today, America is locked by international observers as a diminished country. All due to its President Donald Trump's actions and political and economic missteps. Now, international political observers like I think how far Americans will allow Donald Trump to diminish their country?
Donald Trump believes he is so smart, so superior, so bigly excellent, he can lie his way out of this and anything. He will bulldoze ahead destroying both allies and enemies simply because he is a walking, talking disaster.
The thing is, we have constant roof that Donald Trump will say anything, true or false, that suits him at the moment.
Comey, has always publicly told the truth, admittedly sometimes when he should have remained silent.
So where does that leave us?
This illustrates the negative consequences of the kind of loose association with the truth that Trump parlayed into occasional successes in business, when brought into the venue of politics and public service. Anyone who is seriously interested in a truth based set of policies has to pretty much give up on Trump and ignore him as much as possible. He is a source of noise, not knowledge.
Comey, has always publicly told the truth, admittedly sometimes when he should have remained silent.
So where does that leave us?
This illustrates the negative consequences of the kind of loose association with the truth that Trump parlayed into occasional successes in business, when brought into the venue of politics and public service. Anyone who is seriously interested in a truth based set of policies has to pretty much give up on Trump and ignore him as much as possible. He is a source of noise, not knowledge.
Our under-educated Pres. is ruining the careers of highly educated, professionals with many years of high-level judicial experience. Trump thinks he's smarter than these men and women. It's amazing!! I worked for people who were crooked. It's so easy to resign when they have nothing on you. So let's see what happens with Acting AG and who steps up to be the new Director of the FBI. And the Republicans who are silent or stepping in line must go because they lack the courage to do their jobs.
12
" Mr. Comey told Mr. Trump that the country would be best served by an independent F.B.I. and Justice Department."
That is obviously unacceptable to the small-minded man who, at his inauguration, pledged to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
That was just a fake promise.
That is obviously unacceptable to the small-minded man who, at his inauguration, pledged to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
That was just a fake promise.
10
Let's see. It goes,
"I pledge allegiance to the United States and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
not,
"I pledge allegiance to Donald Trump and the Republicans for which he stands, many oligarchs, indivisible, with liberty and privilege for each."
Hmm.
"I pledge allegiance to the United States and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
not,
"I pledge allegiance to Donald Trump and the Republicans for which he stands, many oligarchs, indivisible, with liberty and privilege for each."
Hmm.
14
The claim that Trump asked Comey for loyalty is not only hearsay but anonymous hearsay.
2
Well, Mr. Case. I trust the NY Times. It is not "fake news." As a journalist myself, I completely trust their sourcing and reporting. It is not "hearsay." What Trump is doing is heresy.
10
So one assumes Paul Ryan pledged loyalty.
18
I wonder who people will trust?
One has gained international acclaim for constantly lying; the other a boy scout who, despite noted massive mistakes during the run up of 2016, appears to be anything but a liar. Trump makes Nixon look honest.
One has gained international acclaim for constantly lying; the other a boy scout who, despite noted massive mistakes during the run up of 2016, appears to be anything but a liar. Trump makes Nixon look honest.
14
There are so many leaks that have occurred since Trump became president that it is hard is figure out what information is truly accurate. If loyalty is something Trump wants in those who work with him then it seems he has a real problem because people are leaking information regularly.
5
I'm sure he's furious at whichever aides are talking to reporters. Anonymity has its uses.
1
The Trump denials regarding this meal fly in the face of everything this president has said or done. Mussolini demanded total loyalty as well, demanding loyalty oaths of loyalty.
"As described by the two people, the dinner offers a window into Mr. Trump’s approach to the presidency,"
At best Trump is behaving like a crime syndicate boss demanding loyalty from his enforcers.
"As described by the two people, the dinner offers a window into Mr. Trump’s approach to the presidency,"
At best Trump is behaving like a crime syndicate boss demanding loyalty from his enforcers.
8
Did Trump make all his upper staff sign Loyalty Oaths? Neil Gorsuch?
One has to assume so based on his behaviors and his rhetoric.
Imagine in this day and age, the president requiring staff and appointees to sign loyalty oaths. It goes to the heart of the frailty of his administration, and the frailty of his own self confidence.
A truly great leader would not be going down this road. Obama never made anyone sign a loyalty oath, he did not have to, he had integrity.
One has to assume so based on his behaviors and his rhetoric.
Imagine in this day and age, the president requiring staff and appointees to sign loyalty oaths. It goes to the heart of the frailty of his administration, and the frailty of his own self confidence.
A truly great leader would not be going down this road. Obama never made anyone sign a loyalty oath, he did not have to, he had integrity.
17
Is anyone else extremely troubled by the expectation of personal oaths of loyalty to the leader? There is a precedent for that in recent history and it ended badly. Seriously, this has to stop before it goes any further.
11
Until the House Republicans draw a line in the sand that Trump can not cross then this madness will not end and we will continue towards a dictatorship. Loyalty to the leader or else.
I do not have faith in the House based on their actions up to this point.
Can we last until 2018, and if so does the electorate really get it?
I do not have faith in the House based on their actions up to this point.
Can we last until 2018, and if so does the electorate really get it?
12
Kudos to James Comey for refusing to get down on one knee and kiss Trump's ring. Seeking "loyalty" from the director of what is supposed to be a non-partisan governmental department is beyond the pale. Trump, megalomaniacal as he is, fashions himself as somewhere between Don Corleone and Henry VIII. They, at least, were more effective leaders, however reprehensible their behavior.
6
It sounds a lot like someone who fancies himself a "Supreme Leader" wants his minions complete, unflinching loyalty. What is next? Will the American public be required to pledge undying loyalty to our leader? Will we have goosestep parades and special salutes for our savior? More and more the Trump administration sounds like something out of George Orwell's 1984. We already have doublethink and alternate facts and the rewriting of truth. I can just see Winston Smith holed up in the White House sharing an office with Kellyanne Conway. The saddest thing about this surrealistic nightmare is that enough people voted for the poorest example of a human being to be our president.
10
At least one thing is perfectly clear. Comey should not list Trump as a reference when he applies for a new job.
3
Nor should Trump list Comey or any one of the honest government operatives.
I disagree. Having been fired by Trump is already a mark of honor.
3
So here's the problem: Comey thinks he is in serious discussion with the President of the United States as F.B.I. Director. Trump thinks he is interrogating a Pledge with Hazing on the Horizon.
For an American to be patriotic is to be loyal to the principles of our Constitution, and the First Amendment. The truth is that the policies of the government is sometimes in conflict with that. In our country, patriotism should not be defined as obedience to an authority.
Daniel Ellsberg
Daniel Ellsberg
7
Can we assume that all of Donald Trump's appointments swore an Oath of Loyalty to him as a condition for them being chosen? What about Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan? This, of course, is the type of thing that despots and dictators do. Should we now start looking forward to a Coronation in the not too distant future?
Asking the F.B.I. Director for loyalty is inappropriate. The White House wants to deny it. The American people deserve to know what's going on rather than being left with the dubious spin of the White House Press Secretary.
Call Trump to testify to Congress. Let's hear about dinner conversations with Comey, financial links to Russia, and Moscow in 2013.
Call Trump to testify to Congress. Let's hear about dinner conversations with Comey, financial links to Russia, and Moscow in 2013.
8
Unfortunately once he is imprisoned and brought to trial for corruption, theft, and treason, he already has an extremely solid insanity defence plea. Those thousands of mental health professionals who signed and sent those petitions documented that.
8
The FBI and the Congressional committees should send an immediate letter to the WH Counsel calling for the WH preservation of the "tapes" (digital recordings, or emails/texts/memorandums) relating to the meeting with Comey.
And Rosenstein's conduct should not be whitewashed by the WSJ or NYT.
See https://www.lawfareblog.com/et-tu-rod-why-deputy-attorney-general-must-r...
And Rosenstein's conduct should not be whitewashed by the WSJ or NYT.
See https://www.lawfareblog.com/et-tu-rod-why-deputy-attorney-general-must-r...
6
Mr. Trump has shown again and again - he is for himself only. He is an accidental president who wants his ego stroked by everyone.
Everyone around him is a yes man except Comey and the result is well-known to us.
Everyone around him is a yes man except Comey and the result is well-known to us.
6
It is difficult to keep one's story straight when lying - plain and simple.
9
A liar needs a good memory.
--Quintilian
O, what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practise to deceive!
--Sir Walter Scott
--Quintilian
O, what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practise to deceive!
--Sir Walter Scott
6
Right! My father-in-law, retired FBI lawyer, always said that if he asked the same questions 3 times and got different spins on the answers, the person was lying. But same scenario and was told the same answer, the person was telling the truth. Just that simple.
3
Didn't Jeff Sessions agree to stay out of "any matter related in any way" to the Russia investigation due to his previous meetings with the ambassador?
It would seem his recommendation to fire Comey is in clear contravention of his agreement on the conflict of interest.
Jeff Sessions should resign immediately, and probably lose his law license to boot.
It would seem his recommendation to fire Comey is in clear contravention of his agreement on the conflict of interest.
Jeff Sessions should resign immediately, and probably lose his law license to boot.
31
Whether you are for Comey or against him, the most frightening aspect of his dismissal is Trump's assault on the cornerstone of our American democracy: checks and balances. The FBI Director was given a 10 year term precisely so that his position would not be politicized. Comey was heading an investigation into possible corruption at the heart of Trump's campaign. That investigation is now in jeopardy.
We are swiftly becoming a one-party state, with the Republicans capturing all 3 branches of power. And Trump and the GOP are moving swiftly to spread their voter suppression strategies nationwide. If we are to avoid the swift slide to autocratic rule, we need to defend every assault on independent public servants and institutions, whether we like the individual in question or not.
We are swiftly becoming a one-party state, with the Republicans capturing all 3 branches of power. And Trump and the GOP are moving swiftly to spread their voter suppression strategies nationwide. If we are to avoid the swift slide to autocratic rule, we need to defend every assault on independent public servants and institutions, whether we like the individual in question or not.
29
It was Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Podesta, Ms. Abideen, Mr. Clinton, Ms. Lynch and Mr. Comey himself that began politicizing the FBI director's position. If Mrs. Clinton follows regulations and does not jeopardize state secrets by keeping a server in her bathroom in NYC, if Mr. Podesta follows online security protocols and does not fall for a phi shingles scheme, if Ms. Abideen does not forward classified emails to her husband, if Mrs. Lynch does not turn away Mr. Clinton on her plane and Mr. Comeys does not change the rules of negligence to include intent, prosecute according to the law not his interpretation, and then share this in a press conference, the FBI director'so position would not be politicized as you suggest. The position is an appointment by the president and the can be fired as Comey shared and was done most recently by Mr. Clinton. As is the case in this Republic, there are times when one party can hold both the Congress and the White HOUSE as was done in Obama's first term. If you you do not like it, nominate candidates that are worth voting for.
2
@Daniel
Really?? -- In light of all this, it's back to the email-server?
Another thing.
It didn't occur to you that no matter what was said, Mr. Clinton is not a sitting president...and he wasn't speaking to a Russian.
"YUGE" difference.
Really?? -- In light of all this, it's back to the email-server?
Another thing.
It didn't occur to you that no matter what was said, Mr. Clinton is not a sitting president...and he wasn't speaking to a Russian.
"YUGE" difference.
6
Well, Comey certainly seemed capable of being "loyal" to HRC politically. He was acting inappropriately when it came to saying that HRC should not be charged even though she was reckless and Huma because she did not understand how to handle classified information. It was not his decision to say that "no reasonable" prosecutor would take the case (although certainly if you wanted to live or have your family live, you wouldn't take it). This sets such a double standard - he should have been fired on the spot, and Pres. Trump gave him several more months, so he was VERY generous in my opinion. How do people who are in prison for breaking laws and denying they 'understood' them feel about an FBI director who lets important people off the hook for denying they knew about the very critical parts of their job and ones they were supposedly trained on? It's nonsense, and I don't care what anyone says.... Trump did the absolute right thing, and it is sad that he will likely be destroyed by the powers that want him destroyed.
1
So Comey helps to elect 45 and you think he's loyal "to HRC politically?" Speaking of double standards.
8
" and I don't care what anyone says."
You don't see the problem?
You don't see the problem?
5
@Donna Hill
Please cite the laws that were broken. Then we can discuss the issues rather than opinions, impressions, beliefs.
Please cite the laws that were broken. Then we can discuss the issues rather than opinions, impressions, beliefs.
2
Didn't he already swear an oath of loyalty to preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the United States, and the Republic on which it stands?
Is Trump a higher authority than that, or am I jut being ignorant?
Is Trump a higher authority than that, or am I jut being ignorant?
13
Oh sure - Trump's only been about personal loyalty all his life, and we're expected to believe that just because he's in the White House that suddenly a personality quirk from his entire existence will change and be about loyalty to country? (sarcasm) Right.
Trump is such an odd bird. On the one hand, he lies about everything. On the other hand, just when he thinks he's got it all under control and is being so clever, he tells the truth.
“In fact, when I decided to just do it, I said to myself, I said, you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made-up story,” Mr. Trump said.
“In fact, when I decided to just do it, I said to myself, I said, you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made-up story,” Mr. Trump said.
8
Loyalty Pledges are the hallmark of a dictator. Various facist regimes have used them to considerate effect, mainly to murder without conscience. Is this our future?
13
Integrity doesn't ask for loyalty; it doesn't need to. People recognize it when they see it and they readily befriend it.
4
Suffice it to say that Comey's version of the dinner conversation is more credible.
17
We all know that if Trump's lips are moving, he's lying. And the sycophants who work for him have to follow the party line.
Trump is an oligarch who thinks he can run government like a business. You have to pledge loyalty and take the bullet for him. Comey would not do that.
We all know the real reasons Comey was fired and nothing coming out of the Trump White House will make us believe otherwise.
This is the first domino. The rest will fall with a replacement of bureaucrats, congressmen, and even Trump himself.
Trump is an oligarch who thinks he can run government like a business. You have to pledge loyalty and take the bullet for him. Comey would not do that.
We all know the real reasons Comey was fired and nothing coming out of the Trump White House will make us believe otherwise.
This is the first domino. The rest will fall with a replacement of bureaucrats, congressmen, and even Trump himself.
10
This reeks of a Trump lie (how odd). How could Comey respond "you are not under investigation" when he has no idea how far an investigation of Russian interference and possible ties to an election campaign will reach. Watching Comey (& Trump) in public the narrative Trump is trying to describe (today anyway) seems ludicrous . Comey has already shown that he will do whatever he thinks is right for the country & by law. This whole thing must be making him nauseous.
This is the continued chipping away of Trump's political capital. No one believes the Tweeter in Chief. And we haven't really gotten into the Russian situation yet.
10
So, the WH account is that Comey sought this dinner meeting to ask if he can keep his job? Seriously? So may holes in the Trump dike that the administration is running out of fingers to plug them.
10
"“James Comey better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!” Mr. Trump wrote"
Did a President just publicly threaten a former US government official? Wow.
Did a President just publicly threaten a former US government official? Wow.
17
Well we know that Trump lies consistently, so, I'm going to believe Comey's version of events.
10
Given the direction that Trump is taking us with the cooperation and support of Congressional "leadership" and the GOP lemmings that control our government, I wonder which foreign strongman Trump will invite into the Oval Office for a smiling, backslapping photo op. Perhaps Robert Mugabe?
Loyalty oaths? Really? Trump is rapidly becoming just another monomaniacal despot. The sad part is how willingly Congress and his base voters, all of whom profess undying devotion to the Constitution, are willingly to support, enable, and abet in the treason. Sinclair Lewis was wrong -- it CAN happen here.
Loyalty oaths? Really? Trump is rapidly becoming just another monomaniacal despot. The sad part is how willingly Congress and his base voters, all of whom profess undying devotion to the Constitution, are willingly to support, enable, and abet in the treason. Sinclair Lewis was wrong -- it CAN happen here.
6
I suggest you read "It Can't Happen Here," or even a good synopsis of it. The title is ironic. The good people of Vermont thought fascism couldn't come to the USA, ut in the novel, it did.
The drifter and shifter-in-chief, certainly has created a coup de theatre, by penalizing those who do not toe his line. Evidently, these acts of Trump serve as ammunition for the NYT reporters, and the column writers alike, to forge ahead and make the news consumers' lives more intriguing. These crackerjacks analyze the developments, and try to make sense out of these, if there is any. One wonders.
A renewed coup d'oeil apparently is revealing a delitescent disloyalty on the part of Comey as the driving force for his ouster. And that negates what Trump and his flunkies have been claiming so far - unclogging the Washington DC swamp, and removing the inefficient. These days, one feels quite incredulous at many things Trump has to offer, as explanations of his actions, quite conceivably.
""Tyranny'' is what comes to one's mind, while scanning at the most recent Trump-related events of firing and hiring of his cabinet, almost at will. One is aghast, dumbfounded, confounded and speechless. At least he is providing a plethora of fodder for the political satirists and news analysts, who make their livelihoods on these dramatic turn of occurrences.
A renewed coup d'oeil apparently is revealing a delitescent disloyalty on the part of Comey as the driving force for his ouster. And that negates what Trump and his flunkies have been claiming so far - unclogging the Washington DC swamp, and removing the inefficient. These days, one feels quite incredulous at many things Trump has to offer, as explanations of his actions, quite conceivably.
""Tyranny'' is what comes to one's mind, while scanning at the most recent Trump-related events of firing and hiring of his cabinet, almost at will. One is aghast, dumbfounded, confounded and speechless. At least he is providing a plethora of fodder for the political satirists and news analysts, who make their livelihoods on these dramatic turn of occurrences.
3
T R U M P is the President of the United States. He may fire any department head he likes.
1
N. CHICOMM
Nobody ever even hinted Trump can't fire Comey. Nobody. You're arguing up the wrong tree.
But nobody said, either, that Trump can fire Comey and not face any consequence. When you fire someone you formerly praised effusively, and you do it just as he begins to move on a consequential question of...you, there are going to be questions asked.
You, in the poorly executed guise of a concerned citizen, want everybody to just shut up.
That is never part of the deal.
Nobody ever even hinted Trump can't fire Comey. Nobody. You're arguing up the wrong tree.
But nobody said, either, that Trump can fire Comey and not face any consequence. When you fire someone you formerly praised effusively, and you do it just as he begins to move on a consequential question of...you, there are going to be questions asked.
You, in the poorly executed guise of a concerned citizen, want everybody to just shut up.
That is never part of the deal.
6
The President cannot make deals with individuals that conflict with the public good. 45 has yet to learn that America is not a TV series.
5
" according to two people who have heard his account of the dinner" So this entire story, and all that it suggests, is based on hearsay from unnamed sources.
Trump thinks he was elected to be the CEO of Trump America, Inc. It's the only model of governance he understands. Sad.
5
The fault is not with Trump only, but with everyone who seriously proposes that government should be run like a business.
3
Here is all you have to know about this whole mess:
Two separate sentences in today's Times in separate articles.
"Mr. Comey was tasked by his fellow intelligence directors to also pull Mr. Trump aside and inform him about a secret dossier suggesting that Russia might have collected compromising information about him."
"President Trump warned James B. Comey, the former F.B.I. director, against leaking anything negative about the president."
Two separate sentences in today's Times in separate articles.
"Mr. Comey was tasked by his fellow intelligence directors to also pull Mr. Trump aside and inform him about a secret dossier suggesting that Russia might have collected compromising information about him."
"President Trump warned James B. Comey, the former F.B.I. director, against leaking anything negative about the president."
3
Well, Trump fired Comey. So it wouldn't be a leak. Unless chili and shrimp puffs are classified. Thanks, Trump.
I wonder if our new Supreme Court justice had to swear his loyalty to get the job.
12
Now that Trump has issued a direct warning to Comey, I hope he still carries a weapon.
3
This is turning into a Shakespearean tragedy.
"The truth will out."
"O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive."
"The hour is upon us..."
"The truth will out."
"O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive."
"The hour is upon us..."
5
It's interesting how many right wing points-of-view are expressed today in this comments section. They're all of the same type: "Nothing to see here" "Trump's capricious arbitrariness isn't an issue".
I read the Times every day and this is highly unusual. None of these people are the usual participants who inhabit these boards.
I read the Times every day and this is highly unusual. None of these people are the usual participants who inhabit these boards.
8
Trumpster wanted to know if he could"do business" with Comey and wasn't happy with the response.
Thank God, Trump hasn't brought out the antiaircraft guns for those his twisted, paranoid mind deem to be disloyal.
Yet.
Yet.
1
Why is no one commenting on HOW Mr Comey was fired? It's been reported that he was giving a speech to a group in Los Angeles when the news of his firing "flashed" on a tv in the background. Does anyone else find this bizarre? That instead of being told directly by the President, either in person or by phone, it was done in a way to inflict maximum shock/humiliation. It says a LOT about our current President and the way he runs his business. Echoes of Tammany Hall or The Sopranos. Each day he is president is excruciating.
29
And we have every confidence in Trump's version because?...he won the popular vote after those millions of illegal immigrants bussed here- their votes are discounted.... more people were at his inauguration ( just invisible)....
Both Trump sons say vast amounts of Russian money in Trump businesses, Pres says no Russian business, never was. Which Trump is a proven liar?
Congress: Flynn was fired because he lied to Pence once. Why are you colluding in his dishonestly and corruption with us?
Both Trump sons say vast amounts of Russian money in Trump businesses, Pres says no Russian business, never was. Which Trump is a proven liar?
Congress: Flynn was fired because he lied to Pence once. Why are you colluding in his dishonestly and corruption with us?
So, unnamed 'sources'--anonymous, if not completely fabricated--persons tell us about this meeting.
Meanwhile, a very real, and known person, President Trump, says these allegations--this slanderous insinuation--did not occur. The NYT asks us to trust them and their 'anonymous' sources. Why? Why should we do that?
And why isn't the Times ashamed of reporting what it cannot, or will not, substantiate?
Meanwhile, a very real, and known person, President Trump, says these allegations--this slanderous insinuation--did not occur. The NYT asks us to trust them and their 'anonymous' sources. Why? Why should we do that?
And why isn't the Times ashamed of reporting what it cannot, or will not, substantiate?
2
Listen, you can believe what you want, but it's clear that Trump is a pathological liar! IF you remember during Watergate, the media had one source, an anonymous source, called, "Deep Throat" and it turned out that this source was correct! Do not discount the media, just because of party loyalty! It's time to pay attention and put country over party!
5
Why would you believe Trump? Easy to see why someone wouldn't give their name. He is big on firing folks who tell the truth.
3
comey didn't seem to have a problem with his loyalties to clinton and obama
Are you talking about when he threw Clinton under the bus with his public statement about her alleged "carelessness?"
3
no...when he concluded there shouldn't be charges
Doesn't his wanting Comey's 'loyalty' sound just like, Trump?! What is this a Mafia movie?!
Republicans, must call for a Special Prosecutor and an independent investigation! Republicans spent countless millions investigating Mrs. Clinton, for emails and Benghazi. Republicans love to brag about "character" and conviction, NOW is the time to show America that YOU are more interested in truth, democracy and protecting our republic than you are about winning an election!
Republicans, for once PUT COUNTRY OVER PARTY! We,the People are watching! And 2018 mid-terms are coming up fast!
Republicans, must call for a Special Prosecutor and an independent investigation! Republicans spent countless millions investigating Mrs. Clinton, for emails and Benghazi. Republicans love to brag about "character" and conviction, NOW is the time to show America that YOU are more interested in truth, democracy and protecting our republic than you are about winning an election!
Republicans, for once PUT COUNTRY OVER PARTY! We,the People are watching! And 2018 mid-terms are coming up fast!
3
Once upon a time, my husband worked for Jim Comey. Jim was deeply and widely respected for his honesty and integrity. He is also a likable man with excellent personal values.
I can only imagine the personal hell Jim was in at that White House dinner for two, with Donald Trump channeling The Godfather demanding loyalty oaths and Comey trying to placate the boy king while explaining in simple, unoffending words what "investigatory independence" means.
Whether one agrees with all of his judgments or not (and I do not), Jim Comey is nobody's tool. I wonder who Trump will come up with to replace him. Maybe the son-in-law still has some open hours on his schedule ....
I can only imagine the personal hell Jim was in at that White House dinner for two, with Donald Trump channeling The Godfather demanding loyalty oaths and Comey trying to placate the boy king while explaining in simple, unoffending words what "investigatory independence" means.
Whether one agrees with all of his judgments or not (and I do not), Jim Comey is nobody's tool. I wonder who Trump will come up with to replace him. Maybe the son-in-law still has some open hours on his schedule ....
7
But did they eat cake?
5
This is not surprising considering it's alleged the only book Trump has ever read (or owned perhaps) was Mein Kampf, and Hitler rose to power demanding personal loyalty to him. Which leads to another interesting point - how wonderful to see the leader of the free world is in fact, a woman after all - and the Chancellor of Germany as well.
Was the theme to the Godfather was playing during the Trump/Comey dinner?
Obama's handlers also demanded loyalty, no?
1
Yes, they demanded loyalty to the U.S.
5
Always the same correlation to Obama -- is that the best you can do???
3
Donald J. Trump and his associates may have or are committing treason with the GOP aiding and abetting. We need a select investigation committee with subpoena powers and an independent prosecutor.They would need to find out to what extent this Mafia presidency has and is colluding with Russia.
6
fake reporting: nothing but anonymous sources, the reliance of which repeatedly have been proven -- just in the past two days -- to be torrents of lies. Two US Senators yesterday confirmed -- at a Senate hearing -- that DJT is NOT under investigation, as they were briefed on the REAL targets just last week by Comey. Did DAG threaten to resign? NO! He was videotaped denying that story. Did POTUS firing of Comey impede any investigation? NO! not according to acting FBI Director who yesterday testified under oath that no investigations were affected, and also debunked the Comey had sought more money to investigate POTUS et al.
ALL LIES, ALL DEBUNKED.
ALL LIES, ALL DEBUNKED.
1
This is how the mafia works.
The International Mafia is trying to take over OUR America. Will we let them?
Not me. Not now. Not ever.
The International Mafia is trying to take over OUR America. Will we let them?
Not me. Not now. Not ever.
11
“In fact, when I decided to just do it, I said to myself, I said, you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made-up story,” Mr. Trump said.
This is obstruction of justice. This is impeachable. This isn't rumor or opinion or speculation or even spite. This is the President of the United States confessing to a criminal act.
There is no joy in this, only a deep sadness in seeing our country held hostage by an insane GOP that refuses to put country before party.
This is obstruction of justice. This is impeachable. This isn't rumor or opinion or speculation or even spite. This is the President of the United States confessing to a criminal act.
There is no joy in this, only a deep sadness in seeing our country held hostage by an insane GOP that refuses to put country before party.
15
Impeachable? For saying that an utterly mad campaign of conspiracy theories is undermining his ability to govern? Today we have an unhinged 7 minute "presentation" by Clinton operatives fanning that. This garbage is dangerous and being done purposefully to undermine the government. It's okay with you because Trump runs the government, but since Reagan and Atwood, these sorts of nutty conspiracy theories have been used by both sides to such an extent that it has destabilized the government and polarized voters. Remember, everything you see used to attack Trump today WILL BE USED to attack a Democrat President tomorrow.
1
A little styling is always needed when you put people in front of a camera. Trim a loose thread, smooth down the hair. Dab the forehead.
2
This certainly shows Trump wants to be king and is increasingly unstable as he recognizes this will not be the case during his reign. Its interesting to see that Sarah Huckabee Sanders has been taught how to spin, obsfucate, and yes, as we saw yesterday, lie. At least Spicer looked guilty when he lied. This woman is one cold cucumber. Our country is not her interest.
4
How likely would it be that Rosenstein had to declare loyalty in exchange for getting the job, and suddenly found himself in a dead-end when he had to send the Comey letter ?
This is what loyalty to Trump makes you do: you're being owned by Trump and become a puppet, on punishment of being fired or getting sued.
This is what loyalty to Trump makes you do: you're being owned by Trump and become a puppet, on punishment of being fired or getting sued.
7
The most startling thing for me is the picture that emerges about what Trump believes (and apparently believed all his life) how politics and public service work.
One can almost see him standing in front of the bathroom mirror as a candidate, imagining how a President can order people around and make them swear fealty, and punish them if they would not do his bidding.
And honestly seems to think this is how everybody else in power acts.
No wonder he seems drawn to Putin, Erdogan or Duterte, as he sees them living his dream.
One can almost see him standing in front of the bathroom mirror as a candidate, imagining how a President can order people around and make them swear fealty, and punish them if they would not do his bidding.
And honestly seems to think this is how everybody else in power acts.
No wonder he seems drawn to Putin, Erdogan or Duterte, as he sees them living his dream.
For the "president" to request loyalty from the FBI director shows he doesn't know the agency's job is to investigate crime and uphold the law, not prop up his malignant ego. He was fishing for an insurance policy and Comey, whose behavior in 2016 was deeply flawed, quite properly refused to give him one.
6
Not sure what's worse-Trump's (1) failure, refusal, or outright inability to recognize that ours is a system of checks and balances; or (2) seemingly complete ignorance and plain lack of understanding of that fact. Maybe (1) and (2) are mutually exclusive.
8
The casuistic answer to such a question is to understand "loyalty" to mean how Trump himself practices it.
3
I don't know I have a lot of trouble believing a news agency that have been caught lying and manipulating and promoting fake news on many occasions and when I read something that is using third hand accounts from their memory. this is something they wish were true but they print in anyway knowing it's not but in hopes of it being repeated over and over again so when the truth is heard ,it will be hard to distinguish it after all the fake news they printed before.
this is just another case of FAKE NEWS.
this is just another case of FAKE NEWS.
All office seekers beware! Everyone who has sided with Trump has gotten into big trouble. Only Trump comes out on top, at least so far. I believe that McConnell and Ryan should be the frist persons to heed this warning.
4
Loyalty is no longer a political virtue nor expectation. How can a team, in this case the USG, function without loyalty? The firing of Comey by one, if not the most decisive presidents in the history of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump, is a demonstration of what will happen to those who are not loyal. I support loyalty. I support Trump. Thank you.
1
Tell me, why did so many southerners throw on their lot with a con man from New York?
Surely, this would be a fascinating story.
Surely, this would be a fascinating story.
3
It is one thing to demand loyalty from politicians. It is quite another to demand it from someone who is the head of our country's Justice Department. It clearly shows that he has absolutely no concept of how our country works(and worse than that, has shown NO interest in learning how it works). The Justice Department is supposed to be loyal to one thing only--the laws of this nation.
That Trump even asked that question is reprehensible, the fact that he mentioned it more than once is very telling.
That Trump even asked that question is reprehensible, the fact that he mentioned it more than once is very telling.
2
Do really know the difference between loyalty to a person, and loyalty to the country?? Just asking.
Thank you.
Thank you.
2
Comey is certainly guilty of some major mistakes but is he a known pathological and chronic liar? His record would argue against it. Trump's rendition of the dinner conversations is nothing short of totally bizarre and in all likelihood either a complete confabulation, which he believes, or a bold face lie. Take your pick, in either case serious reason for concern about Trump's behavior, judgment and integrity. As for my thoughts, he's a cunning, manipulative and bad actor. Too bad once again his minions have to walk back another of his lies.
7
"James Comey better hope that there are no "tapes" of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!"
Seriously, how much more of this bullying style presidency do we have to take?
It's a disgrace to the office.
Seriously, how much more of this bullying style presidency do we have to take?
It's a disgrace to the office.
2
Given the history of both men; which one are you going to trust to be telling the truth and which one lying?
It's an easy choice.
It's an easy choice.
10
Not saying it ain't possible but it's certainly kinda difficult being loyal to a person that can and will lie so quickly and easily.
You're just begging for punishment under such circumstances.
You're just begging for punishment under such circumstances.
6
to Mark,
We the people have borne the punishment of watching this disaster of a tyrant, and all his servants, complicit in his delusion of supreme power.
thank you, Mr. Comey.
We the people have borne the punishment of watching this disaster of a tyrant, and all his servants, complicit in his delusion of supreme power.
thank you, Mr. Comey.
3
Trump has no credibility. What we know is that he breaks norms serially. Comey's version is entirely believable at this point. Comey has been honest.
What a terrible thing to have a president who lies, who knows little to nothing about governing or who he himself works for. To ask loyalty to himself is egregious. Comey owes his loyalty to the American people.
I hope we now can here more from Comey.
What a terrible thing to have a president who lies, who knows little to nothing about governing or who he himself works for. To ask loyalty to himself is egregious. Comey owes his loyalty to the American people.
I hope we now can here more from Comey.
6
Just when are Trump supporters going to take off their blindfolds? Sadder still, I doubt that Republicans in Congress are taken in by Trump's lies and grab for power but still continue to support him. Just waiting for McCabe to get fired for standing up for Comey.
4
The oath taken by government officials says nothing about loyalty to any individual in the government, but rather to protect and defend the constitution. Thus, there is NO obligation to pledge loyalty to the President. There is no reference to the president in the oaths I've taken when entering the US military or taking a position as a civilian in US federal agencies. We are to put the country above these individuals.
6
Not that conspiracy theories are my thing, but Trump is making me hope for an anti-administration "deep state" to subvert his executive orders. Really, we don't need a deep state. Chaos and incoherence are in control in the executive offices.
1
Trump always has to demand loyalty because there's nothing in his personality, demeanor or behavior that commands it.
So who's lying - Trump & his people, or Comey? Hardly a difficult question, since lying is Trump's basic mode of operation. HIs fans don't mind though. Maybe they share the same trait.
6
Why do some still think there was no Russian connection with the Trump campaign? Manafort? Flynn? Page? Sessions? Stone? All of these have at least a minor connection to Russian officials. Therefore, simple logical reasoning would conclude that there was a Russian connection to the Trump campaign.
This is a basic understanding of reality my friends.
This is a basic understanding of reality my friends.
8
Where's the greater cry for this Trump character's impeachment,
based on his trying to derail an investigation involving him?
based on his trying to derail an investigation involving him?
4
Call me an idealist but nobody in the history of the Republic should be loyal to the person of the President. The Office of the President, definitely - but not the person of the President be it Trump, Obama, Bush, Clinton etc. Loyal to the Office of the President is as set out in the Constitution and anybody in Washington has a primary loyalty to the Constitution and principles it stands for. The President seems to forget that he is not an autocratic ruler of a private company and cannot enact policy on a whim (or EO) and cannot fire them because he doesn't like them. Comey may be guilty of some poor judgement in the Clinton fiasco, but he does come across as a straight honest person trying to uphold his oath to the American people under the Constitution. As a conservative person, it pains me to say, I am not sure the President can have the same thing said about him.
6
This has the ring of truth. Loyalty is what Trump always wants. Honesty? Wrong Answer.
5
What we also have here is a budding Dictator-in-Chief.
Trump trumps his need for loyalty and has his medieval sword leaning against his medieval throne with the hilt of the sword ever ready for the loyalty oath swearing process.
Such a need is a sign of insecurity and Trump is best bested by denying his need for any type of "loyalty" whatsoever.
What Trump wants is a Keep Me Out of Jail Card.
His self-promotion and self-protection needs can be self-destroying in the long run.
He just hasn't come to realize what a Democracy is all about.
It is government of, by, and for the American people.
It is not just for one person named Trump.
Trump trumps his need for loyalty and has his medieval sword leaning against his medieval throne with the hilt of the sword ever ready for the loyalty oath swearing process.
Such a need is a sign of insecurity and Trump is best bested by denying his need for any type of "loyalty" whatsoever.
What Trump wants is a Keep Me Out of Jail Card.
His self-promotion and self-protection needs can be self-destroying in the long run.
He just hasn't come to realize what a Democracy is all about.
It is government of, by, and for the American people.
It is not just for one person named Trump.
2
So Comey pledged "honest loyalty" rather than loyalty. Once again, the art of the deal. Trump got more than he even asked for. MAGA
There is a method to Trump's madness. In firing James Comey, he has put Deputy Director McCabe in charge of the FBI. McCabe is a Democrat and supposedly was a Clinton supporter.
By doing this, Trump can claim, whatever the results of the Russian investigation, that it is tainted. As he is moving to expand voter suppression efforts through his claim that "elections are rigged", he might have enough hard core support to be re-elected in 2020. Especially with the expansion of far-right media that is happening as we speak that is seeking to undermine reality for most mouth-breathers in this country.
He seems to be setting himself and his family up to be dictators for life like a Third World banana republic.
By doing this, Trump can claim, whatever the results of the Russian investigation, that it is tainted. As he is moving to expand voter suppression efforts through his claim that "elections are rigged", he might have enough hard core support to be re-elected in 2020. Especially with the expansion of far-right media that is happening as we speak that is seeking to undermine reality for most mouth-breathers in this country.
He seems to be setting himself and his family up to be dictators for life like a Third World banana republic.
3
I won't be surprised if the first woman president is Ivanka Trump. She will also be the first Jewish president.
Lest we forget, the most shocking element of this saga is that nearly 40% of Americans and virtually all GOP congressman and senators support this guy.
What does that say about this country?
What does that say about this country?
Perhaps the entire Trump fiasco, from his campaign comments through this hopefully short administration, may be what the US needs to establish a permanent mechanism for independent oversight of government. This would include all three branches (executive, legislative and judicial) and function as 'internal investigations' does in a big city police department.
The investigators would have to be independent of political ties, hardnosed and able to tolerate being universally loathed by the individuals they were tasked with monitoring for malfeasance.
What mystifies me is why -- even after Nixon's corruption, Reagan's mental deterioration and GW Bush's incompetency -- this hasn't already been done.
The investigators would have to be independent of political ties, hardnosed and able to tolerate being universally loathed by the individuals they were tasked with monitoring for malfeasance.
What mystifies me is why -- even after Nixon's corruption, Reagan's mental deterioration and GW Bush's incompetency -- this hasn't already been done.
1
True leaders don't demand loyalty, they inspire loyalty.
7
Believe fealty rather than mere loyalty is what our mercurial president does and has always required...along with subordinates always staying well back in the shadows.
Deplorable.
We're hopefully on course for one of the shortest presidencies on record.
We're hopefully on course for one of the shortest presidencies on record.
4
Then came the all too obvious ploy of those two executive orders yesterday: cyber security and voter fraud. "See, if I were guilty of collusion with the Russians would I want these areas tightened up?" He takes us for fools if he believes this will convince anyone of his innocence. Still, he's gotten away with murder most of his life, why wouldn't he suppose he can escape the consequence of his actions even more now that he's the most powerful man in the world?
1
Watching President Trump and his team try out one explanation after another after another has become painful to watch. Dizzying.
It was Hillary. It was grandstanding. It was low morale. It was Rosenstein. Then Rosenstein and Sessions. Then I quit trying to keep up.
Why bother? It was Trump being Trump.
Trump has spent his life looking for tall tales he could sell. But his changes and screwups weren't being cataloged by the national press corps. Most slid by. He had to face a good many lawsuits. But he had lawyers. More lawyers than they did. He bent the law. He paid the fine if he bent it too far. But only if you could force him to pay up.
He was a conman born to money. But this is a con too far. He's in way over his head.
We have to watch President Trump try out his lies, one after another, day after day. It can be maddening if you take every change seriously. It can also become wearisome. You tire of being insulted by his sloppy excuse-making. You wish he'd learn to just shut-up.
But you know he can't, so you must listen. There's the Russia thing. There's Trump/Ryan-care. There is "dynamic-scoring" as the latest way to give to the wealthy. There is too much is at stake.
But watching this is like being forced to watch a bad sitcom, episode after awful episode. Bad writing. Worse acting. Boring.
You begin to wonder, "When will this end? Please God, when will it end?"
It was Hillary. It was grandstanding. It was low morale. It was Rosenstein. Then Rosenstein and Sessions. Then I quit trying to keep up.
Why bother? It was Trump being Trump.
Trump has spent his life looking for tall tales he could sell. But his changes and screwups weren't being cataloged by the national press corps. Most slid by. He had to face a good many lawsuits. But he had lawyers. More lawyers than they did. He bent the law. He paid the fine if he bent it too far. But only if you could force him to pay up.
He was a conman born to money. But this is a con too far. He's in way over his head.
We have to watch President Trump try out his lies, one after another, day after day. It can be maddening if you take every change seriously. It can also become wearisome. You tire of being insulted by his sloppy excuse-making. You wish he'd learn to just shut-up.
But you know he can't, so you must listen. There's the Russia thing. There's Trump/Ryan-care. There is "dynamic-scoring" as the latest way to give to the wealthy. There is too much is at stake.
But watching this is like being forced to watch a bad sitcom, episode after awful episode. Bad writing. Worse acting. Boring.
You begin to wonder, "When will this end? Please God, when will it end?"
3
Trump will continue to falter since he never created or presided over any structured, functional organizations. His entire business enterprise is set-up like the mafia: hire family, or people that become 'family,' no titles or job descriptions, and demand unconditional loyalty ahead of any human decency or thought. His modus operandi is the antithesis of how the US government works. The structure of the US government is causing complete organ rejection and, at 70, I don't expect that he will learn. He would do well searching for job ads under "Dictators Wanted."
2
The obvious question: Which of the other Trump appointees have pledged loyalty to the leader? Are we getting the best they have to offer, or that minus loyalty to the leader?
1
You can't make this stuff up!
We had Deep Throat and Martha Mitchell during Watergate, leaking information about Nixon, with Trump, now it's better than that, we have Trump speaking for himself and making a fool, a liar and showing his dishonesty every time he opens his mouth, as we all watch in real time.
Donald Trump is acting like someone who thinks he can manipulate the news media and control the narrative, but the trouble with someone like Trump, who is a pathological and chronic liar, they can never get their lies and stories straight.....Trump is turning shows like Morning Joe, and other MSNBC and CNN shows must watch television.
Trump is finally getting what he wanted all along a new top rated reality show that is going to get great ratings, and he is the star and this one will out last the Apprentice, although it is sort of apropos, since he is now the ultimate Apprentice; only we can call this show........The Floundering Donald Trump Presidency.
We had Deep Throat and Martha Mitchell during Watergate, leaking information about Nixon, with Trump, now it's better than that, we have Trump speaking for himself and making a fool, a liar and showing his dishonesty every time he opens his mouth, as we all watch in real time.
Donald Trump is acting like someone who thinks he can manipulate the news media and control the narrative, but the trouble with someone like Trump, who is a pathological and chronic liar, they can never get their lies and stories straight.....Trump is turning shows like Morning Joe, and other MSNBC and CNN shows must watch television.
Trump is finally getting what he wanted all along a new top rated reality show that is going to get great ratings, and he is the star and this one will out last the Apprentice, although it is sort of apropos, since he is now the ultimate Apprentice; only we can call this show........The Floundering Donald Trump Presidency.
"That investigation has since gained momentum as investigators have developed new evidence and leads." Please elaborate as we have not seen any evidence of this claim.
I watched the interview with Trump and Holt: When asked "Who requested the dinner?" Trump said, after hemming and hawing, he believed it was Comey. Oh, my goodness, Dir. Comey just picked up the phone and asked President Trump, "Let's get together for dinner?" That doesn't happen in any universe I'm aware of. We aren't talking about an event that happened 10 years ago......it should be easy to remember how and why the dinner came about. I'm no great fan of Comey, but Trump's story is not believable.
2
We knew Trump was a liar, but he is turning out to be a bigger fool than most of us could imagine. Justice Department employees and FBI agents will be wise to always take a witness with them anytime they are called to meet White House or Jeff Sessions. Sally Yates knew this.
I find it hilarious that the very same authors who cite Trump's often rambling style of conversation and citing it as being gibberish, now parse the language and to infer that the use of "loyalty" was akin to swearing an oath to Trump above all else.
I mean, lots to pick on with Trump, but dissecting the specific intent from a conversation where you had the recording would be difficult, from second and third hand hearsay is a joke.
I mean, lots to pick on with Trump, but dissecting the specific intent from a conversation where you had the recording would be difficult, from second and third hand hearsay is a joke.
Trump has flatly admitted that he fired Comey because of the FBI investigation of the Russian connection to Trump's campaign. What else needs to be said on that issue?
I would hope the Democrats use this time to come up and write Bills to be introduced once this fiasco is over. Republicans weren't ready, which was good, although they never wanted the government involved in healthcare. A new tax regime would be nice, especially if written by democrats. Don't make it revenue neutral, make it good for the country as a whole. Simplify taxes on small businesses (combine SS and Medicare into the Federal Income tax). Introduce Single-payer to just solve this mess we're in and so we can move on. This should help small business with the real burden of Worker's Compensation. We should also look into a VAT tax to be able to keep deficits under control and deal with certain unfair trade practices. And lastly, a real immigration bill. Get this legislation written and be ready. Get ready for options people might have. Have a great 100 days. Have something to throw an obstinate Senate and President if you take the House in 18. Just be ready!
Comey made the mistake of calling out Hillary during the election. Republicans were thrilled and Democrats were angry and calling for Comey's resignation. Comey stepped way out of line on that one as this is the job of the Justice Department, not the FBI director. Now that Trump fired Comey for this wrong doing, Democrats are trying to tie this to Russia-gate even though Comey is on record saying to Trump that he was not under investigation. This politicized fake news is all designed to undermine the Republicans in the 2018 and 2020 elections, it's the only thing left in the Democrats arsenal, lies and deceit. The party is in shambles with no leader, no focus, no ethics, and mainstream media carries their water.
1
Trump is not nuanced. If you want to know why he does things just ask him.
President Trump fired the Director because Comey had found reason to escalate the Russian meddling investigation. Trump sees the investigation as a threat and wants to delegitimize it.
If that's not obstruction of justice, what is???
President Trump fired the Director because Comey had found reason to escalate the Russian meddling investigation. Trump sees the investigation as a threat and wants to delegitimize it.
If that's not obstruction of justice, what is???
4
It's happening! I think it's really happening right before our eyes!
This presidency, which was doomed from the start, is collapsing under the weight of the president's ego and surprising abundance of stupidity.
Is it possible that working in the WH is so intoxicating that presumably smart people are too afraid of losing their jobs to speak up to Trump, to tell him that what he's doing--time and time again--is... dumb?
This is all unraveling much sooner than I could have hoped! Bravo, Mr. so-called President. Bravo!
This presidency, which was doomed from the start, is collapsing under the weight of the president's ego and surprising abundance of stupidity.
Is it possible that working in the WH is so intoxicating that presumably smart people are too afraid of losing their jobs to speak up to Trump, to tell him that what he's doing--time and time again--is... dumb?
This is all unraveling much sooner than I could have hoped! Bravo, Mr. so-called President. Bravo!
1
If Trump asked Comey for undying loyalty over country, how about the rest of Trump's cabinet and staff?
Lucky for Trump, the GOP already does Party Over Country.
And Americans keep voting the GOP in.
Lucky for Trump, the GOP already does Party Over Country.
And Americans keep voting the GOP in.
Now there is clear obstruction of justice and abuse of power. No need to lower the bar, congress.
2
Trump is showing us, repeatedly, that Trump thinks about what is best for one person, and only one person, in this world - Donald Trump. Anyone who thinks otherwise is not being honest with the facts, nor being honest with themselves.
Shakespeare has something relevant on this topic (as usual). Cassius noted that Julius Caesar must be stopped from becoming monarch of Rome, for the best interests of the public: "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings." ... Julius Caesar is alive and in our midst...the fault is ours for not recognizing him for who he is - and for not acting to preserve our freedom from oligarchy.
Shakespeare has something relevant on this topic (as usual). Cassius noted that Julius Caesar must be stopped from becoming monarch of Rome, for the best interests of the public: "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings." ... Julius Caesar is alive and in our midst...the fault is ours for not recognizing him for who he is - and for not acting to preserve our freedom from oligarchy.
By his works ye shall know him.
Mr. Trump's words (of which he proclaims to have the very best) have been proven to be wothless. It is his works that reveal his true character and intentions.
So far, Mr. Trump's works have shown that he has no respect for the rule of law and that he doesn't begin to understand the meaning of the oath he took on January 20th. That he demands*personal* fealty from federal officials, rather than fealty to the constitution of the United States is merely the latest atrocity perpetrated by him.
There is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Trump's dismissal of Mr. Comey is a blatant attempt to obstruct justice. As such, it is an impeachable offense.
Mr. Trump's words (of which he proclaims to have the very best) have been proven to be wothless. It is his works that reveal his true character and intentions.
So far, Mr. Trump's works have shown that he has no respect for the rule of law and that he doesn't begin to understand the meaning of the oath he took on January 20th. That he demands*personal* fealty from federal officials, rather than fealty to the constitution of the United States is merely the latest atrocity perpetrated by him.
There is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Trump's dismissal of Mr. Comey is a blatant attempt to obstruct justice. As such, it is an impeachable offense.
The FBI director's position is not a political one, and his loyalty is not to the president, but to the country. Because of Trump's track record of lying, it's impossible to believe any account of any event that he gives. In the absence of any other proof that Trump is telling the truth, there is no alternative but to believe Comey's account of their meeting and conversation.
The Republican Party has made a deal with the devil and do not how to deal with a President that is trying to obstruct justice and has no respect for governance that was put in place as a result the Watergate crisis a generation ago.
Republicans are caught between their base and the Constitution and our system of checks and balances. Their position of depending upon the both houses of Congress and the FBI is becoming almost unteneable with Trump and Co's actions to quash these investigations.
First, not enough resources have budgeted for the Congressional investigations.
Next, Trump fires Comey because he won't "toe the administration line".
Who knows what Trump will do next to obstruct the nation finding out about Russian interference in the election.
Whether Trump and co. colluded will eventually come out or not....what is scary is that the Russians are still infiltrating elections in other countries and will do their best to influence 2018 and 2020.
It is time for the Republicans to show courage...up to this point they have not. If they continue, they will pay for it in 2018 and 2020.
Republicans are caught between their base and the Constitution and our system of checks and balances. Their position of depending upon the both houses of Congress and the FBI is becoming almost unteneable with Trump and Co's actions to quash these investigations.
First, not enough resources have budgeted for the Congressional investigations.
Next, Trump fires Comey because he won't "toe the administration line".
Who knows what Trump will do next to obstruct the nation finding out about Russian interference in the election.
Whether Trump and co. colluded will eventually come out or not....what is scary is that the Russians are still infiltrating elections in other countries and will do their best to influence 2018 and 2020.
It is time for the Republicans to show courage...up to this point they have not. If they continue, they will pay for it in 2018 and 2020.
1
One appointment at a time, Mr. Trump is using his power to subvert the rule of law and overturn checks and balances. Every judge. Every firing. Every new hire is another step on the road to tyranny in this administration. And when the next President takes office, Mr. Trump's appointments.... all of them.... must be purged.
What he really meant was Trump was not under investigation, but trump's campaign team was. Also when at the dinner table, was such forceful question appropriate to be asked? The dinner was a sophisticated setup, Comey felt for it like a world class sucker. Now he is just an expendable pawn.
Trump is the modern day King Lear. He demanded loyalty too.
1
If you can't support the legal and ethical policies of your employer you need to quit. That is the "loyalty" that the president was talking about not some mindless following, that would be say Obama.
1
Seems to me that in a MittelEuropa regime, not too long past, dictatorship was centered about an ironclad oath to a Leader rather than the State. Any deviance to the Leader was rewarded by a length of piano wire and a meat hook. The whole captured on camera for the edification of the "faithful". Worked up to May 1945.
Trumps favorite game is one on one meetings. He never loses any replay of the meetings because he is the master of you said, I said. There's one thing I don't think anybody (including those dear to him) can credit Trump with. Integrity.
Loyalty? Loyalty to the Nation all the time, loyalty to the Government when it deserves it. (Mark Twain) This government and this president do not deserve anyones loyalty.
So we have two accounts of the same event. One is from the president. The other is from the former director of the FBI (albeit through second-hand sources). We know for a fact that the president lies - on average - a half a dozen times a day. While people have questioned Comey's judgment, few people question his veracity. Whom should we believe? The answer is obvious.
The way trump has handled the trump-Russian Connection and his possible complicity is playing into the hands of McConnell and Ryan. They now have leverage on trump because they can prevent a special prosecutor from being appointed. During this time trump is no "compromised" by his own party because unless he does as they say then a special prosecutor will be appointed.
As he continues to talk and make the case against himself, those in the Republican Party who have the power will continue to squeeze trump. He is no longer a Russian puppet....he is a Congressional Puppet
As he continues to talk and make the case against himself, those in the Republican Party who have the power will continue to squeeze trump. He is no longer a Russian puppet....he is a Congressional Puppet
The tawdry way this episode was handled pretty much guarantees that Trump will only be able to find people as nasty as he is to work for him. There never will be any magical pivot. This is the way it's going to be, and it is not going to end well.
1
Anyone that has a private meeting, or any meeting, with Trump had better record it because Trump will lie about it afterward!
1
Loyalty is really important to the donald and dishonesty is something he accepts - look at the endless lies he tells. Sadly I think we will have to put up with him for the rest of his term.
When the election results were announced in November 2016, I was sitting with my uber Democratic neighbor, late at night. He was very sad. I told him: My prediction is that Trump will not complete his first term and will be impeached.
And looking at his first 100+ days, I think my prediction will come true. It's not my wishful thinking--I think what the GOP may provide instead of Trump could well be even worse, if that's possible.
Firing an FBI Director who is investigating the President is a "huuuugge" thing. Trump has just dug his own political grave.
And looking at his first 100+ days, I think my prediction will come true. It's not my wishful thinking--I think what the GOP may provide instead of Trump could well be even worse, if that's possible.
Firing an FBI Director who is investigating the President is a "huuuugge" thing. Trump has just dug his own political grave.
1
So, the Russian connection is a "made up" thing, says the president. Well, Trump certainly should know a made-up thing when he sees it -- birther, wiretapping, attendance at rallies, Muslims cheering 9/11, etc. I'll take the FBI's version of absolutely anything before the president's.
1
It makes no sense that Comey would have needed to schmooze with Trump to keep his job. After all, the F.B.I. Director has a 10 year appointment precisely to ensure independence from the Executive Branch.
The trouble that a person faces when they are caught consistently lying is that even when they tell the truth you may fail to believe them. So based on the history of Comey and Trump, who would you believe if you had to decide?
So...which of these remarkably differing accounts of this dinner meeting and purported phone calls are we to believe? For myself, I believe that would qualify for the Hall of Fame of Not Difficult Questions...
Knowing each man's history, who do you believe? Not necessarily a Comey fan after the debacle last fall but I always thought he was honest and the best chance to get a fair result out of the Russia investigation.
Politico's don't want an independent counsel or investigation because they can't control it or cover up any inconvenient details. Trump wasn't the change the country needed - that has to happen in Congress.
Politico's don't want an independent counsel or investigation because they can't control it or cover up any inconvenient details. Trump wasn't the change the country needed - that has to happen in Congress.
Pathetic.
There are so many 'stories' surrounding the firing of Director Comey. I doubt each and every one of them.
What pray tell is going to be today's story?
Comey was fired. That is the only 'thing' we know.
From Trump, the White House, Congress, the media, the Justice Department we get no information whatsoever. Just spin. Just talk that has nothing behind it.
Just rumors, guesses, partisan spin.
The truth no longer matters.
Trump stated yesterday that he fired Comey because of "Trump Russia you know". Did he state that he had committed obstruction of justice possibly?
Does it matter what he said?
No it doesn't. It's just another story.
There are so many 'stories' surrounding the firing of Director Comey. I doubt each and every one of them.
What pray tell is going to be today's story?
Comey was fired. That is the only 'thing' we know.
From Trump, the White House, Congress, the media, the Justice Department we get no information whatsoever. Just spin. Just talk that has nothing behind it.
Just rumors, guesses, partisan spin.
The truth no longer matters.
Trump stated yesterday that he fired Comey because of "Trump Russia you know". Did he state that he had committed obstruction of justice possibly?
Does it matter what he said?
No it doesn't. It's just another story.
1
By now we should know that in trump's view we are all liars and losers.
He is the only one who tells the truth and the only one that can be trusted, the only one who can fix the USA's politics and economy.
He told us that much months ago.
Give Comey credit for his response to President Chaos.
He swore to uphold the Constitution and not to be loyal to the dictator wannabee.
And that is the reason he was fired.
He is the only one who tells the truth and the only one that can be trusted, the only one who can fix the USA's politics and economy.
He told us that much months ago.
Give Comey credit for his response to President Chaos.
He swore to uphold the Constitution and not to be loyal to the dictator wannabee.
And that is the reason he was fired.
For them that must obey authority
That they do not respect in any degree
Who despise their jobs, their destinies
Speak jealously of them that are free
Do what they do just to be nothing more than something they invest in.
-Bob Dylan
That they do not respect in any degree
Who despise their jobs, their destinies
Speak jealously of them that are free
Do what they do just to be nothing more than something they invest in.
-Bob Dylan
Who knew that "Make America Great Again" would require those in Government to pledge allegiance to Trump, over and above their oath to uphold and defend the Constitution. It is perverted.
Mr. Trump doesn't understand, nor those who voted for him, that the Constitution makes America Great not Mr. Trump.
Mr. Trump doesn't understand, nor those who voted for him, that the Constitution makes America Great not Mr. Trump.
1
Many Republicans are selling their souls to the devil and are willing to overlook any and all of the president's transgressions to advance their own interests. Their behaviour is short sighted and opportunistic and it undermines the democracy of the republic for which they are named. Ironic. Mr. Trump will self destruct. Instead of changing his ways as he "learns on the job", he instead becomes increasingly emboldened and his actions increasingly outrageous. History will not be kind to those who follow in blind support and historians will one day question why Republicans did not listen to reasoned leaders such as Mr. McCain.
By Comey's account, Trump attempted to obstruct justice. (By the way, Mr. Comey, don't you think you should have reported this crime more officially than merely gossiping to various "associates"?)
By Trump's account, Trump attempted to bribe the F.B.I. director. Linking Comey's future employment status to Trump's status as a target of F.B.I. investigation is quid pro quo corruption, a form of bribery. Also, if you believe Trump, not only attempted but actual bribery, although he (Trump) later stiffed Comey on the bribe -- by firing him anyway.
By either account, Comey doesn't look very good; however. Trump is a criminal.
By Trump's account, Trump attempted to bribe the F.B.I. director. Linking Comey's future employment status to Trump's status as a target of F.B.I. investigation is quid pro quo corruption, a form of bribery. Also, if you believe Trump, not only attempted but actual bribery, although he (Trump) later stiffed Comey on the bribe -- by firing him anyway.
By either account, Comey doesn't look very good; however. Trump is a criminal.
He's unstable or completely incompetent. That last quote of his is beyond strange. Does he ever say anything that even remotely makes sense?
1
Let's face it, we can't believe one word that come out of Trump's mouth. This is such a tragic situation for our country.
I'm surprised that the media is not focussing on the *structure* of this sentence:
"While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the Bureau."
The sentence is clearly saying "you tried X, but I'm still going to fire you for X".
"While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the Bureau."
The sentence is clearly saying "you tried X, but I'm still going to fire you for X".
I wonder if GOP members of Congress and the Senate were also asked to pledge their loyalty to him (and I'm not being sarcastic...). They are certainly behaving as if they have.
2
I don't understand why Comey didn't tell Trump that his loyalty was to the Constitution of the United States which he had sworn to uphold.
Trump should step down while he has a chance. But as we all know he will never step down. He will have to be taken down. And, every GOP minion will have to be labelled as such and made to pay the price with his or her job at the next election. Patriotism is not about supporting a mad man, but supporting the country and the people they represent.
1
"The tyrant will always find a pretext for his tyranny, and it is useless for the innocent to try by reasoning to get justice, when the oppressor intends to be unjust"-The Wolf and the Lamb-Aesop's Fables.
Here's my rule of thumb: If there are two differing accounts of any event, and one of those accounts is provided by President Trump, you have to believe the other account. The man seems to be physically incapable of providing accurate information.
1
Are there any patriots left in our Congress? They swore an oath to uphold the Constitution. Aren't they supposed to protect their Country from harm? What is it going to take to wake up? It looks like a rough road ahead. Lies will not protect the guilty forever.
Trump himself has publicly stated that he prizes loyalty above all. And he didn't mean loyalty to the country.
1
We reached the point long ago where Trump's credibility is not even an issue. At least among thinking, sentient beings, it is now calculated at Zero.
Somebodies gotta stop this clown....Comprehensive list of the the many things Obama did that were good for average Americans, which Trump has triumphantly destroyed with a stroke of his crayon......Broadband privacy act, Every Student Succeeds Act, Teacher preparation standards, Requiring energy companies to disclose payments to foreign governments, Limiting coal companies' ability to dispose of their mountain top mining waste in streams, limiting fossil fuel companies access to federal lands, barring hunting practices such as baiting and trapping animals like wolves and bears in Alaskan national wildlife refuges, blocking gun sales to mentally ill, Prohibiting states from cutting off funding to Planned Parenthood, require companies to disclose previous labor law violations when bidding for large federal contracts, Limit the scope of drug testing that states could require for people who receive unemployment benefits, give OSHA the authority to enforce recordkeeping requirements for workplace injuries and illnesses....
1
A good leader will, be his actions and deeds, inspire loyalty in those who work for him/her. They will not have to ask for it. Someone who is weak and unsure will act like Trump.
"Mr. Trump said he asked the F.B.I. director if he was under investigation, a question that legal experts called highly unusual if not improper."
Legal Experts? 'highly unusual' ... 'improper'
Hyperbole based on ZERO evidence, once again. Every day in the USA prosecutors advise who is or isn't a target of an investigation. It is every American's right to know if he or she is a target of an investigation. Comey ASSUMED the role of prosecutor when he solely determined that Hillary would not be prosecuted .... frankly that was not only highly unusual, in fact it was outright improper because he didn't have the legal authority to make a prosecutorial decision that was the actual responsibility of the DOJ - his bosses. President Obama should have at the least suspended Comey pending a full review of his actions, or should have fired him...instead of ignoring Comey's usupation of authority. That i's the substance of Comey's incredibly self-promoting job performance.
Legal Experts? 'highly unusual' ... 'improper'
Hyperbole based on ZERO evidence, once again. Every day in the USA prosecutors advise who is or isn't a target of an investigation. It is every American's right to know if he or she is a target of an investigation. Comey ASSUMED the role of prosecutor when he solely determined that Hillary would not be prosecuted .... frankly that was not only highly unusual, in fact it was outright improper because he didn't have the legal authority to make a prosecutorial decision that was the actual responsibility of the DOJ - his bosses. President Obama should have at the least suspended Comey pending a full review of his actions, or should have fired him...instead of ignoring Comey's usupation of authority. That i's the substance of Comey's incredibly self-promoting job performance.
Stunning.
Request for a loyalty oath; Saturday-night-massacre-style firing; obviously lying "explanations"; Trump's continuing, insane denial that Russia interfered; Trump's insulting warning to Comey that he'd better not leak...
By now, we know who NOT to believe. This is the price of constant lying.
When all this is over, one of the few comforts will be that Huckabee, Spicer, et al will have ruined their reputations for good, to have tried to front for this shame.
Request for a loyalty oath; Saturday-night-massacre-style firing; obviously lying "explanations"; Trump's continuing, insane denial that Russia interfered; Trump's insulting warning to Comey that he'd better not leak...
By now, we know who NOT to believe. This is the price of constant lying.
When all this is over, one of the few comforts will be that Huckabee, Spicer, et al will have ruined their reputations for good, to have tried to front for this shame.
AMERICA IS ENTERING A PERIOD OF A LONG NATIONAL NIGHTMARE. WILL TAKE AT LEAST 3-YEARS TO END IT.
"Ms. Sanders said Mr. Trump wanted someone who is loyal to the Justice system". Really? Is there any question about Mr. Comey not being loyal to the Justice system? During the Campaign, so many people, including one of Trump's Coauthors said Trump is a born liar.
Reflection: One of the reasons for the national distress of this country is that while Democrats win national elections (Clinton got 3 mil votes more than Trump's), Democrats have not placed efforts on winning State houses and at least one of two houses of Congress.
"Ms. Sanders said Mr. Trump wanted someone who is loyal to the Justice system". Really? Is there any question about Mr. Comey not being loyal to the Justice system? During the Campaign, so many people, including one of Trump's Coauthors said Trump is a born liar.
Reflection: One of the reasons for the national distress of this country is that while Democrats win national elections (Clinton got 3 mil votes more than Trump's), Democrats have not placed efforts on winning State houses and at least one of two houses of Congress.
Trump's demanding obedience not loyalty. He's no longer in TrumpWorld where all of his subjects are paid by him to follow dictates from him. The director of the FBI is paid by the American people.
Trump is feeling truth tighten.
Trump is feeling truth tighten.
The President’s repeated query on loyalty was so totally in character for the Donald. Conversely, the version of FBI Director’s thrice repeated assertion that DJT was not under investigation was so utterly out of character for James Comey, or any FBI Director.
My money is certainly on Comey’s telling verses President Trump’s, who’s reputation for veracity is so utterly abysmal.
As for the supposed protection of the independence of the FBI directorship from presidential interference, seems the 10 year tenure isn’t of much use when the President can fire the Director at will.
Trump has stacked the deck at DOJ, and now the FBI has been set up for the same treatment. Very worrisome indeed.
My money is certainly on Comey’s telling verses President Trump’s, who’s reputation for veracity is so utterly abysmal.
As for the supposed protection of the independence of the FBI directorship from presidential interference, seems the 10 year tenure isn’t of much use when the President can fire the Director at will.
Trump has stacked the deck at DOJ, and now the FBI has been set up for the same treatment. Very worrisome indeed.
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Which account do you believe:
1. Trump, a hyper-controlling narcissist invites Comey to dinner to demand his loyalty (to Trump, not to the country) as a condition of keeping his job. A few months later Comey tells a Trump loyalist that he wants to expand an investigation against Trump and his cronies and is summarily fired.
2. Trump, a hyper-controlling narcissist, accepts a dinner invitation from Comey because that's just the kind of guy he is. Trump lets Comey keep his job despite some very controversial actions because that's just the kind of guy he is. A few months later, Trump fires Comey because of those very controversial actions he'd let him keep his job despite. There is no inconsistency because Trump hadn't previously heard about Comey's week-before-the-election bombshell and was angered when someone told him about that due to his deep concern over Hillary Clinton's well-being.
1. Trump, a hyper-controlling narcissist invites Comey to dinner to demand his loyalty (to Trump, not to the country) as a condition of keeping his job. A few months later Comey tells a Trump loyalist that he wants to expand an investigation against Trump and his cronies and is summarily fired.
2. Trump, a hyper-controlling narcissist, accepts a dinner invitation from Comey because that's just the kind of guy he is. Trump lets Comey keep his job despite some very controversial actions because that's just the kind of guy he is. A few months later, Trump fires Comey because of those very controversial actions he'd let him keep his job despite. There is no inconsistency because Trump hadn't previously heard about Comey's week-before-the-election bombshell and was angered when someone told him about that due to his deep concern over Hillary Clinton's well-being.
Loyalty is fine, but to demand it from your staff when you are President of the US is quite another item. Every staff member takes an oath but not to be loyal to the President, but to protect and obey the Constitution of the US. Their boss is the President and the respect is due to the Office of the President... the position, not the man (or woman). Trump's demand for loyalty to him is quite irregular. It smacks of despotism and gives one the impression of his desire to be a dictator. He throws angry fits on Twitter and in verbal comments in public. Seemingly, he cannot conduct business in any realm of his life without using deceit as a tool to get his way every single time... or he retaliates. He cannot accept defeat and is a very sore and angry loser. He blames everyone around him for the woes of his Presidency, when it is himself whom he should blame. His actions will lead to his downfall and it cannot come too soon. Our country is dangerously close to no longer being a representative democratic republic. The election of 2016 has allowed a despot to become our President. He acquired it through any and every means possible, and it was influenced by outside intervention from the Russians. To definitively prove Russian involvement will not be easy, and the thwarting of any investigation, even through comments and actions by Trump and his cabal, could be considered obstruction of justice. The Senate and the intelligence community, including the FBI, will discover the truth.
I'm in a pickle. I can't believe Trump and I can't believe the media. If I hear things directly from credible people I do tend to believe it, leaving room for all sorts of different outcomes. When I heard McCabe speak I believed him. He seemed to confirm that media reports were false - there was no delay in the investigation (the idea that Comey was doing the investigation himself is silly) and it looks very unlikely Comey asked for money before he was fired. So why should I believe this story now? McCabe also indicated there is no crisis at the FBI, but he did indicate that some agents were upset and vocal after Clinton was not indicted - which is only likely.
In any event, since I can't believe Trump (or by the way, Obama and Clinton and many others) and I can't believe even my media of choice for a half century, I just have to keep watching C-Span and postpone judgment as long as I can. There are plenty of other people to rush to judgment and be hysterical (I mean seriously - a threat to the Republic? Watergate? Come on). We will see what develops. I notice that neither of these two reprehensible parties ever gets what it wants for long.
In any event, since I can't believe Trump (or by the way, Obama and Clinton and many others) and I can't believe even my media of choice for a half century, I just have to keep watching C-Span and postpone judgment as long as I can. There are plenty of other people to rush to judgment and be hysterical (I mean seriously - a threat to the Republic? Watergate? Come on). We will see what develops. I notice that neither of these two reprehensible parties ever gets what it wants for long.
Maybe instead of demanding Comeys loyalty, Trump should have asked him to cut off his pinky finger as proof of loyalty, or at the very least , to kneel and kiss his ring.
This whole scenario clearly illustrates the problem with Trump. He thinks like a criminal, or at least like a petty monarch,. He doesn't care about service to the public or to the Constitution, he only cares about blind obedience to him.
This is obstruction of justice, pure and simple. The Republicans are complicit.
This whole scenario clearly illustrates the problem with Trump. He thinks like a criminal, or at least like a petty monarch,. He doesn't care about service to the public or to the Constitution, he only cares about blind obedience to him.
This is obstruction of justice, pure and simple. The Republicans are complicit.
Since the acting Director publically and clearly stated that the report that Comey had requested additional funding for the Russia probe was not only not true, but that such a request would never even be made to the Justice Department, as reported, in the first place, very hard to believe any of these stories. One primary reason in this case, difficult to believe that Comey would ever discuss that kind of detail of a dinner with any President, especially a one on one.
You can speculate how many of his associates were asked the same question and answered, "why of course, loyalty to you, before honesty", before they received their appointments and became made members of the family. Reminds me of a scene from the Godfather.
This latest web of lies spun by Trump are creating a situation far more grave than Trump realizes.
None of this is going away. There not even a remote chance of that. He made huge mistake of taking on the FBI. There a huge contingent of FBI agents that are stunned and angry over the Comey firing.
Trump has finally bit off more than he can chew.
None of this is going away. There not even a remote chance of that. He made huge mistake of taking on the FBI. There a huge contingent of FBI agents that are stunned and angry over the Comey firing.
Trump has finally bit off more than he can chew.
Trump asked one of the chief law enforcement officers of the United States to do his bidding and overlook his own wrongdoing.
Let's face it:
Trump is an illegitimate president. By his son's admission, their business has been funded by Russian loans for years. (That's why Trump will never reveal his tax returns.) He is beholding to any number of Russian oligarchs and Putin. They own the loans, and they own Trump and family. It's not farfetched for egotistical, malleable Trump to have had their help to get elected.
If all the indications, of which there are many, prove that Trump colluded with the Russians so that they would interfere with the election to his benefit, Impeachment isn't enough. Weren't traitors once hanged in public?
Worse still, the Republicans are colluding with Trump to cover this up by not staffing up the Congressional intelligence committees and preventing the appointment of an independent commission to impartially investigate this.
Trump is an illegitimate president. By his son's admission, their business has been funded by Russian loans for years. (That's why Trump will never reveal his tax returns.) He is beholding to any number of Russian oligarchs and Putin. They own the loans, and they own Trump and family. It's not farfetched for egotistical, malleable Trump to have had their help to get elected.
If all the indications, of which there are many, prove that Trump colluded with the Russians so that they would interfere with the election to his benefit, Impeachment isn't enough. Weren't traitors once hanged in public?
Worse still, the Republicans are colluding with Trump to cover this up by not staffing up the Congressional intelligence committees and preventing the appointment of an independent commission to impartially investigate this.
This just does not pass the smell test. It stinks. Trump is a proven liar. Why should we believe him now?
I'll take Comey's word over Trump's any day.
I'll take Comey's word over Trump's any day.
When the history of this infamous (but hopefully short) Presidency is written Trump's name will proudly appear with the likes of Maduro, Chavez, Mugabe, Zuma and all other assorted tin pot dictators or wannabe strong men.
In America we have elected as a President, an egotistical, thin skinned ignoramus who has no conception of democracy, constitutional protections and the rule of law.
We can only hope that our strong democratic institutions will prevent this sad excuse of a man to take us down the path of Venezuela and Zimbabwe.
In America we have elected as a President, an egotistical, thin skinned ignoramus who has no conception of democracy, constitutional protections and the rule of law.
We can only hope that our strong democratic institutions will prevent this sad excuse of a man to take us down the path of Venezuela and Zimbabwe.
Does anyone believe that, in addition to the Russian investigation, a new DFBI/AG Sessions will reopen Clinton investigation. So far to my knowledge no one has suggested this as a hidden agenda to the firing.
I'd be interested in others input and thinking.
I'd be interested in others input and thinking.
This is the same Donald Trump who made fun of a disabled reporter on national TV and then said he had not done so even though it was clear for all to see. This is the same Donald Trump who said his inauguration crowd was larger than Obama's despite photographic evidence to the contrary. This is the same Donald Trump who crows about being a great business man yet has at least six bankruptcies to his name. I just don't see how anyone could take this man at his word.
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Also, this story makes it seem like if I asked Comey, when he was FBI Director, if I was under investigation, he would have to decline. In other words, all citizens and officials must assume at all times that they are under FBI investigation because it's against the law to let you know you aren't. If a person is NOT under investigation, what reason on Earth makes it OK to not tell them if they ask?
The irony of all ironies would be this: Trump's campaign did not collude with Russia, but by firing Comey in an attempt to shut down an investigation that could exonerate him, Trump is guilty of obstruction of justice.
The simple explanation for Trump is that he thinks everyone operates as dishonestly as he does -- and so he has no faith than investigation into non-existing crimes would, in fact, exonerate him. Being an impulsive and impatient man who considers himself an autocrat -- he sees no problem with firing Comey. It's a testament to his vast ignorance and political incompetence that he did not see -- and no one close to him saw -- that the optics on this are terrible.
The simple explanation for Trump is that he thinks everyone operates as dishonestly as he does -- and so he has no faith than investigation into non-existing crimes would, in fact, exonerate him. Being an impulsive and impatient man who considers himself an autocrat -- he sees no problem with firing Comey. It's a testament to his vast ignorance and political incompetence that he did not see -- and no one close to him saw -- that the optics on this are terrible.
Loyalty should never be above the law. For a "law and order" administration they never seem to follow their own philosophy not that I would expect them to. When nothing but lies and distortion come out of the White House one cannot have any respect for this administration.
Mr. Trump is a self-deluded liar. He does not know, nor can distinguish a lie from a truth. Everything that proceeds from his mouth should be taken, at best, as suspect, but by rule as a blatant lie. He does not understand truth or reality. Reality and truth to him are only those things which he believes make him look appealing and attractive to the public. If he can lie about things that even a child would find false and could easily expose, it should not be expected that the statements he makes that are difficult to uncover should be thought of as anything more than "alternative" truths. His followers, similarly, and those who curry favor, are either too weak or too self-absorbed to refute, expose, or reject his lies. The only hiring criteria that Trump has is whether the candidate will accept and champion, at face value, anything, everything, and all that Trump spews, regardless of how ridiculous it seems and is, and how foolish it makes them to appear to someone who prefers the truth over lies. Mr. McCabe will either cow to Trump or will find himself in the same gainful employment condition as Mr. Comey is now.
If Satan is the father of all lies, Trump is his eldest son.
If Satan is the father of all lies, Trump is his eldest son.
In a more recent online article, I see the Times records Trump's threats to Comey: "“James Comey better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!” Trump would obviously like to shut down our free press and turn us into a replica of Putin's Russia. His delusions of authoritarianism are overpowering to him. When he is carted away (dismissed from office), I can see how he will conduct himself. He'll be just like Capone, as portrayed by DeNiro in "The Untouchables" -- he'll be carted off bellowing and braying against his lawyers, the law, and everyone else. That moment can't come soon enough.
Does it sit well with Congress and the people when the President of the United States refers to the Vice President, his Advisers and the Press Secretary as "his surrogates"?
Is anyone keeping track of how many predictions of now President Trump's demise? For over a year, every card in the deck in the book has tried. Much of these digitizations greatly aided by President Trump's rhetoric, but mostly by incorrect assumptions and predictions based upon those assumptions.
Former Director Comey was left out on a limb by AG Lynch, as well as former AG Holder as well as Pres Obama, the IRS, Department of State, etc. He failed at many levels, but is a "good person".
The Left, MSM, Democrat elites all have risen to new levels of hypocrisy and Double Standards. Truly amazing in their duplicitous rhetoric.
The back-stabbing by Republican politics/elites is nothing new, and it is boorish to watch.
Lastly, if anyone believes that any open, or future Investigation has been curtailed or derailed needs to get some mental health treatment. Just not how Washington works.
Former Director Comey was left out on a limb by AG Lynch, as well as former AG Holder as well as Pres Obama, the IRS, Department of State, etc. He failed at many levels, but is a "good person".
The Left, MSM, Democrat elites all have risen to new levels of hypocrisy and Double Standards. Truly amazing in their duplicitous rhetoric.
The back-stabbing by Republican politics/elites is nothing new, and it is boorish to watch.
Lastly, if anyone believes that any open, or future Investigation has been curtailed or derailed needs to get some mental health treatment. Just not how Washington works.
It's not suddenly Comey is a saint. It's just that Trump
Loved him when he was investigating Hillary and approved of his job performance.
But when Vomey started poking into Trump's team and the Russian connection, then, Comey "is not doing a good job".
The takeaway is-- may we all be AMERICANS and not Political animals.
Loved him when he was investigating Hillary and approved of his job performance.
But when Vomey started poking into Trump's team and the Russian connection, then, Comey "is not doing a good job".
The takeaway is-- may we all be AMERICANS and not Political animals.
“In fact, when I decided to just do it, I said to myself, I said, you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made-up story,”
If this ridiculous statement had any semblance of truth there would be no need to be concerned about "loyalty" or any investigation.
Trump continues to talk himself and the Country into a deeper grave.
If this ridiculous statement had any semblance of truth there would be no need to be concerned about "loyalty" or any investigation.
Trump continues to talk himself and the Country into a deeper grave.
Comey's sole loyalty belonged to the Constitution which he promised to protect and defend when he was sworn into office.
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To me it all connects: The firing of Comey. Threatening to cancel presidential press briefings. Excluding the American press from the meeting in the Oval Office with the Russians. Even the fight over " net neutrality" (Title 1 versus Title 2, does your ISP have the right to slow down certain things coming down the internet "tube" that they could use to impede competition or they might find politically "inconvenient").
Trump and his allies (I'm not talking about the troglodytes at his rallies, rather his overseas enablers) seem to have a leg up now on the democratic processes of our Republic. There is an extreme threat posed by those who would establish an authoritarian regime in this country. The only solution is for Americans to get to the polls in record numbers in 2018 and beyond and vote like democracy depends upon each and every vote. Because, as 2016 evidenced, it does.
Trump and his allies (I'm not talking about the troglodytes at his rallies, rather his overseas enablers) seem to have a leg up now on the democratic processes of our Republic. There is an extreme threat posed by those who would establish an authoritarian regime in this country. The only solution is for Americans to get to the polls in record numbers in 2018 and beyond and vote like democracy depends upon each and every vote. Because, as 2016 evidenced, it does.
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Mr Comey may have been careless in many of the issues in the quagmire of the past year, but remember, when he was appointed, the overall sense was of his abject honesty and lack of political motivation. What happened ? Hillary Clinton's total disregard of the law and hubris and Trump's disgraceful lack of integrity (except to his own narrow views). Could Ghandi have survived ? He should take a deep breath and relax in a lawn chair, and watch as others attempt to navigate this mess we have created for ourselves.
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Criminal-in-chief Trump asks the top law enforcement official for his loyalty. Why?
Because Trump had something to hide.
That's the ONLY reason he could have asked Comey about whether he was under investigation or not.
Apparently, The Donald was clearing the decks to do what he wanted, rather than doing what is legal.
AG Sessions urged his US Attorneys to prosecute crimes to the fullest extent possible. One cannot assume that means officials engaged in high crimes and misdemeanors, buty it should. Anything else represents part of an ongoing conspiracy to defraud the public of the loyal services of those in the Trump regime, err, administration, as well as to cover-up those high crimes and misdemeanors.
Where are the calls for impeachment from Congress? This is surely far more important to the future of the Republic than a stained dress or a mythical Kenyan birth certificate?
Because Trump had something to hide.
That's the ONLY reason he could have asked Comey about whether he was under investigation or not.
Apparently, The Donald was clearing the decks to do what he wanted, rather than doing what is legal.
AG Sessions urged his US Attorneys to prosecute crimes to the fullest extent possible. One cannot assume that means officials engaged in high crimes and misdemeanors, buty it should. Anything else represents part of an ongoing conspiracy to defraud the public of the loyal services of those in the Trump regime, err, administration, as well as to cover-up those high crimes and misdemeanors.
Where are the calls for impeachment from Congress? This is surely far more important to the future of the Republic than a stained dress or a mythical Kenyan birth certificate?
In spite of his self-proclaimed status as a great businessman, it's useful to recall that Trump has spent all of his business career working in and running a family business. No board of directors, stockholders or investment analysts to report to. No accountability except to himself. It shouldn't be a surprise that Trump expects the government to run just like his business - he makes the rules and his "employees" carry out his wishes. Any and all loyalty is owed to him - not to stakeholders.
I have a great deal more respect for some of the people Trump has brought into his cabinet - Tillerson and Ross - who have run large public companies that are similar in certain respects to how governments operate. Trump thinks he can run the government like he ran Trump University or his other business interests. Sad!
I have a great deal more respect for some of the people Trump has brought into his cabinet - Tillerson and Ross - who have run large public companies that are similar in certain respects to how governments operate. Trump thinks he can run the government like he ran Trump University or his other business interests. Sad!
"I fired Comey because of the way he handled Clinton's emails" is the political equivalent of "the dog eat my homework".
My wife is a psychotherapist and I have some experience in the mental health field. Partly on the basis of Trump's remarkable interview with Lester Holt, where he appeared highly anxious, unlike his usual bluster, we both believe he may be de-compensating, a potentially dangerous change in mental health status.
It may be time to consider the 25th Amendment, for the sake of us all.
It may be time to consider the 25th Amendment, for the sake of us all.
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Trump's admission that we can't expect the truth out of his "surrogates" comes as little surprise.
The real shock is that the influence of Trump having links to the mob for so many years certainly seems apparent reading this account.
The real shock is that the influence of Trump having links to the mob for so many years certainly seems apparent reading this account.
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The dinner conversation only points to the problem of having the President appoint a FBI or CIA Director, which puts the Director in a position of a Supreme Court Justice that become lackey's of the President,& his Party. These positions should be appointed by the unanimous approval of the people.
Comey was between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea, he wanted to keep his job, which meant he had to appease the sitting President, & he felt obligated to the President that appointed him. This accounts for his two investigations into Hillary’s emails, which first helped Hillary, & the second that helped Trump, even though the result was the same.
We either have a Democracy or we will have the Dictatorship that we have now.
Comey was between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea, he wanted to keep his job, which meant he had to appease the sitting President, & he felt obligated to the President that appointed him. This accounts for his two investigations into Hillary’s emails, which first helped Hillary, & the second that helped Trump, even though the result was the same.
We either have a Democracy or we will have the Dictatorship that we have now.
"Mr. Trump said on Friday morning that no one should expect his White House to give completely accurate information."
We figured that out long ago. Glad to see DJT has come to the same conclusion.
We figured that out long ago. Glad to see DJT has come to the same conclusion.
This has the ring of truth. You can be sure that Trump's employees were required to sign nondisclosure clauses and loyalty statements. He sees all those who serve in the U.S. Government as his servants.
If Comey is as smart as I think he is, he would have documented that meeting with Trump with a memo to the file outlining both Trump's loyalty request and his response. The fact that he relayed that interaction to others in the Bureau makes me think that Comey saw a need to cover himself.
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Threats of "Tapes", pleas for loyalty and finally retribution executed via an official (Sessions) that had previously pledged recusal of himself from the whole mess. My only question is where are the grown-ups in the Republican leadership to help get this rapidly floundering Ship of State back on course. To let this go on is a disgrace!
COMEY Acted in a professionally sound manner at his private dinner with Trump by telling him that he would be honest but not loyal in the conventional sense.Apparently Trump is too limited to realize that it is the job of the country's top investigator to follow the evidence wherever it takes him. perhaps some people that have been involved with Trump can be bored for the price of the dinner. I applaud Comey's integrity in telling Trump what he could and could not doing it professionally appropriate way. of course Trump tries to defend himself embellishing what Comey said to him. still I wonder with a Tipping Point for Trump was when Comey announced that the fact that his disclosure during the 2016 election could have influenced the results made him slightly nauseous. many would say that trumps presidency is causing the entire world to be nauseated by his despicable criminal attitudes. On another note I agree with Stephen Colbert's statement about the only thing the trumps mouth is good for. but your reader on task you with funding the quote since it is not to be written for consumption by polite company.
It's not complicated. The Donald colluded with Russia and he'll do anything to disrupt any investigations pertaining to the collusion. It is outrageous that his gullible followers still believe that he is not a traitor.
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Trump's behavior regarding 'pledging loyalty to Trump' indicates more than ever his refusal to meet his oath of office. Impeachment must begin and soon.
Dictator Trump throws a temper tantrum because a US government employee won't pledge fealty to Trump. Trump must resign or be removed from office in order to restore our government.
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It is a made-up story, he said to himself. At the same time, he claims he asked on THREE separate occasions if he was a target of the FBI investigation. One lie begets another, and all the loyalists do what they can to deceive and cover, and one can hope the entire house of cards is falling at any moment.
We need a NEW set of leaders for our nation. Period.
We need a NEW set of leaders for our nation. Period.
Our democracy requires that elements within our government remain apolitical and nonpartisan. Our judiciary and intelligence communities are two that come to mind. The state of our politics is diminishing the protections that should be afforded these institutions, and are seriously undermining the state of our democracy -- just the way the Russians intended. At what point do we stop abiding by the Russian play book and regain control of our own government? We're better than this.
The President doth protest too much, me thinks.
His tweets give it all away, and insightful. To blackmail Mr. Comey with tapes of their conversations is a new low - even for Trump.
His tweets give it all away, and insightful. To blackmail Mr. Comey with tapes of their conversations is a new low - even for Trump.
It says quite a lot that Trump demands Comey to show"loyalty" to him, instead of the country.
There it is.
There it is.
On the morning after the election, I remember feeling shocked, dazed, fearful and uncertain and I recalled the last time I had that feeling was after the towers fell on 9-11. In 2001, we were able to shake off the blow, the effect of the damage done that day was limited to that singular event and eventually we were able to figuratively and physically rise from the ashes.
The events of that Tuesday morning would be the nadir of my emotions. With trump's election, it seems to get worse every day. The actions of his sycophants on Fox "News" and in Congress leave me breathless. Every day this disaster gets worse.
The events of that Tuesday morning would be the nadir of my emotions. With trump's election, it seems to get worse every day. The actions of his sycophants on Fox "News" and in Congress leave me breathless. Every day this disaster gets worse.
As a wise man once said: you can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. I feel the end is near, mr. Trump.
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Say what you will about James Comey - and I was considerably more than "mildly nauseated" myself at his Clinton letter only days before the election - there's no doubt in my mind whose account I believe here between these two men.
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The US President threatened a private citizen this morning and in doing so, broke the law. Someone should tell Trump that we have something called the First Amendment, which gives American citizens the right to speak freely without threat or punishment from the government.
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Why exactly are the American people - the majority of the American people- supposed to stand by and tolerate the Trump family's 'run the nation like our businesses" nonsense? Plenty of businesses are corrupt. Trump doesnt seem to "get" the concept of the presidency in the US. Lots of articles about the Trump base being unhappy. Too Bad.
A president who doesnt allow the American press in the room but glad-hands with Russian reporters? Explain.
A president who doesnt allow the American press in the room but glad-hands with Russian reporters? Explain.
Given the choice to believe Trump or others, I choose others. Trump is an unabashed liar, who will say anything to make himself look good.
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Comey was fired because he wouldn't back Trump's lie that President Obama wire tapped him. That testimony was most likely the beginning of the end of his career.
I moved to this country with visions of a country governed by Statesmen. Instead I find them no different than the politicians I left behind in India. While India is looking to expand technology and incorporate it into future, we want coal jobs back! Nostalgia for a time that wasn't that good anyway. Try living in an age without antibiotics, that cold could kill you!
It all goes full circle. This is the man Comey helped elect and now this man has no further use of Comey. I have a feeling Comey won't fade out quietly.
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Trump demanded loyalty to himself. Comey repeatedly promised loyalty to his duty to the country and his honesty with Trump. That was not good enough for Trump, so he fired Comey. Disgraceful. Outrageous. And, yes, crazy.
“In fact, when I decided to just do it, I said to myself, I said, you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made-up story,” Trump said.
This statement by Trump clearly, without a doubt, is an admission that he fired Comey to stop the investigation. How could it be interpreted differently?
This statement by Trump clearly, without a doubt, is an admission that he fired Comey to stop the investigation. How could it be interpreted differently?
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If Trump is 'mentally' ill then he is unfit for office. If he is not mentally ill then he is a liar and national security risk.
The country has never been so insecure.
The country has never been so insecure.
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It's astonishing that he's actually willing to admit he asked for the "loyalty" of the FBI director, as that alone is proof that he has no shame and that he's likely guilty of something. No one in any government position or at any government agency owes him their loyalty. They serve the whole country, and their loyalty must be to the truth. Time for a special prosecutor, to get to the truth, which at this point looks likely to lead to impeachment.
Trying to decide who is lying it's not always easy. In this case it is. One is incapable of telling the truth and therefore never tells the truth. There you have it. It still amazes me that people are speculating whether he's a sly fox or not. He is as dumb as a broom. It's just hard for us to imagine, when a man has that much wealth and power, could really be that stupid. Remember Brock in the movie Born Yesterday?
How can anyone believe a thing that comes out of Trump or the White House? #draintheswamp
Make yourself heard, Deep Throat, whoever you are, wherever you are. A nation turns it's lonely eyes to you.
Mr. Trump, YOU'RE FIRED! And bring those lackies/minions/cronies/puppets of yours with you.
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We all know WHO is the inveterate liar here. What I can't understand yet is Why so many people disregarding the law and Constitution in the WH...?
where is sean spicer? is he hiding behind sarah huckabee sander's skirt? did he suffer from brain death since this latest debacle? ..inquiring minds want to know.
1
From Mar-A-Lago to Leavenworth. My, have the mighty fallen!!!
Schmidt is obviously the handmaiden for an "associate" or two he quotes--though in circumstances like these, unnamed, who knows for sure, i.e., could be fiction given the reputation of the NYT these days.
Not sure why the NYT wants to play a role as propaganda rag for these fellows unless, of course, it reinforces the Editorial Board policy of trying to destroy Trump for having put Hillary out to pasture.
Since Comey is a done deal, the question Schmidt should be concerned with in his discussions with his unnamed associates is whether the FBI investigation into Hillary's obstruction of justice vis-à-vis her home-server will be reopened--hopefully soon.
Not sure why the NYT wants to play a role as propaganda rag for these fellows unless, of course, it reinforces the Editorial Board policy of trying to destroy Trump for having put Hillary out to pasture.
Since Comey is a done deal, the question Schmidt should be concerned with in his discussions with his unnamed associates is whether the FBI investigation into Hillary's obstruction of justice vis-à-vis her home-server will be reopened--hopefully soon.
1
Can his irrational behavior be blamed on his daily consumption of diet beverages, altering his brain chemisry ??
The duty and highest expression of loyalty would have been honesty to any legitimate President. Trump's behavior is just one more example of Trump's illegitimacy. Trump's lies about dismissing Comey exposes Trump's guilt. A qualified President would never ask the chief investigator about their personal place in the investigation. The dinner Trump had with Comey sounds like a meal with Vito Corleone. We a witnessing MOB behavior in Trump. Like Vito, he demands loyalty to himself, not to law, not to the Constitution, not to Comey's oath of office.
Let's hope the Trump narratives become so knotted together in the underlying lies that his next words on any topic are met with derision and contempt. Trump is contemptuous toward all opponents. He has abandoned any pretense of civility. His affinity for dictators and for Russia in particular should frighten his supporters but it does not. This should not dissuade those public servants from pursuing the truth nor does it provide any legitimacy to Trump.
Let's hope the Trump narratives become so knotted together in the underlying lies that his next words on any topic are met with derision and contempt. Trump is contemptuous toward all opponents. He has abandoned any pretense of civility. His affinity for dictators and for Russia in particular should frighten his supporters but it does not. This should not dissuade those public servants from pursuing the truth nor does it provide any legitimacy to Trump.
115
Never go against the family.
Does anybody remember how Hitler subverted the consciences of the German people by ordering his soldiers and servants to swear loyalty to him rather than to the German state? How is this comparison inapt?
2
The President is a serial, pathological liar. So who's account is more credible...?
Correct!!
Correct!!
Putin's lieutenant demands complicity from top cop
3
Who are you going to believe, the Birther in Chief or the New York Times and the Director of the FBI? Inquiring minds want to know.
1
President Trump is No Different then any of the past POTUS like Carter, Bush's, Clinton, LBJ or Obama.....especially Obama who made "Loyalty" a Key Stone of his Administration......Liberal's understand Presidents like to have Aides and Advisers that SUPPORT them and their Programs, so this piece is far from accurate and I suspect some Bias!!!!!!
There is none so blind as he who will not see.
Trusted aides are expected; demanding the loyalty of the head of the FBI, which is independent of the White House is completely different and extremely inappropriate.
1
FBI directors are different. Their function is to be independent. That is why they have a 10-year term.
More than 20 years ago in this newspaper columnist William Safire called Hillary a congenital liar. I am wondering what term he would have come up for this president. As a language maven he would have been stuck.
2
Are we in Nazi Germany, where the army had to pledge loyalty to its leader?The head of the FBI is supposed to serve the people of the United States. As the majority of Trump's cabinet are not competent to do their jobs, we now see that loyalty to the leader is the only requirement.
7
“We don’t believe this to be an accurate account,”
We don't either. If the draft dodger says (and he just did) that remarks "from the podium" may not be accurate, then there's no reason we should give them the veracity the "president" expects we should. This is the result of endless LYING.
We need objective FACTS, not daily spinning.
We NEED to see the fraud's TAX RECORDS. We need to see the investigations reveal all the evidence those records contain. We CANNOT trust ANYTHING this man says, but we see his actions: BARRING American journalists from an Oval Office meeting with top russian officials, while ALLOWING Tass photographers and journalists access to that meeting. We see him welcoming Henry Kissinger, a war criminal, into the Oval Office the dame day. This man DOES NOT belong in the WH.
We don't either. If the draft dodger says (and he just did) that remarks "from the podium" may not be accurate, then there's no reason we should give them the veracity the "president" expects we should. This is the result of endless LYING.
We need objective FACTS, not daily spinning.
We NEED to see the fraud's TAX RECORDS. We need to see the investigations reveal all the evidence those records contain. We CANNOT trust ANYTHING this man says, but we see his actions: BARRING American journalists from an Oval Office meeting with top russian officials, while ALLOWING Tass photographers and journalists access to that meeting. We see him welcoming Henry Kissinger, a war criminal, into the Oval Office the dame day. This man DOES NOT belong in the WH.
6
You elected a malignant narcissist, blatant draft-dodging, thrice-married, womanizing tax cheat for president and are now having some regrets about your choice?
4
Apparently the people who voted for him are mostly still supportive. If this doesn't bring on the regrets, what would?
Has it come to loyalty oaths or loyalty pledges to hold or keep your job in this regime? I pledge allegience to Donald Trump and the plutocracy and kleptocracy for which he stands? Is this country reverting 21st century feudalism where everyone pledges fealty to his boss up the line? Trump has pledged fealty to the Constitution and through that the American people; hell he took and oath on the Bible.
Trump has lied to the American people during the campaign. He has lied every day he has been in office. He lies about his lies. His staff lies for him and the lies conflict with other lies. His lies are improbable and compared with the verson of events of an imperfect man, but a man of honor nevertheless, Trump’s lies seem downright sleazy. There is neither honor or truth in this “president.”
We know that the Russians tampered with our elections. We know that many in Trumps campaign were is contact with the Russians. Why? What does Russia have to do with our election?
Was there collusion with what was an attack on our democratic elections by a hostile foreign power? Is this worthy of investigation? Why does Trump want to stop it unless he knows that the end of the leads to his demise? Although the hard evidence is not yet all there Trump has just admitted guilt.
Trump has lied to the American people during the campaign. He has lied every day he has been in office. He lies about his lies. His staff lies for him and the lies conflict with other lies. His lies are improbable and compared with the verson of events of an imperfect man, but a man of honor nevertheless, Trump’s lies seem downright sleazy. There is neither honor or truth in this “president.”
We know that the Russians tampered with our elections. We know that many in Trumps campaign were is contact with the Russians. Why? What does Russia have to do with our election?
Was there collusion with what was an attack on our democratic elections by a hostile foreign power? Is this worthy of investigation? Why does Trump want to stop it unless he knows that the end of the leads to his demise? Although the hard evidence is not yet all there Trump has just admitted guilt.
In 1934, after Hitler consolidated the offices of president and chancellor into the new office of Führer, the 'Hitler Oath' was enacted for all members of the armed forces and all government employees, from cabinet members to local officials. The wording of the oath in English: "I swear: I will be faithful and obedient to the leader of the German Empire and people, Adolf Hitler, to observe the law, and to conscientiously fulfill my official duties, so help me God." There was no mention of the German constitution.
It seems Trump is using the Hitler model.
It seems Trump is using the Hitler model.
3
An article based on the"unquoted" statements of "Comey's associates" who are unnamed and recount unquoted alleged statements of Comey, is not "Honest Journalism."
Where are the facts?
Where are the facts?
It's it's not even "he said, she said"...
...why couldn't the NYT get Comey to speak for himself?
...why couldn't the NYT get Comey to speak for himself?
Republicans are drinking the Kool Aid.... crazy turn of events.
Dictators want personal loyalty. Loyalty to an idea or concept does them no good. When Hitler took power he demanded loyalty to him; to the man not the position, not even the position of Fuhrer. Trump is no Nazi; he has neither the intelligence nor the extreme ideological drive. But Trump does want absolute 100% absolute loyalty to him. He wants to be an absolute kind, ruling by divine right if he can buy the divinity. No wonder he wants the extreme Christian right behind him; he thinks they make him look like God's appointed. Perhaps the demand for absolute loyalty is one of the reasons so many appointed positions are still unfilled. Anyone he invites to fill a position - especially now - realizes that unless that are in effect mini-Trumps then they should not take the job.
L'état c'est very very moi, okay?
3
Best yet! Hilarious! Bigly.
Dear NYTimes: its time to name names. Your shrill attacks on the POTUS fall on disbelieving ears unless you name who tells you what.
Speak on the record ... Trump does, so should you.
And oh yes ... please don't spill classified information.
Speak on the record ... Trump does, so should you.
And oh yes ... please don't spill classified information.
A swamp rat is being backed into a corner.
3
I hope Mr. Comey puts out "ALL" the garbage!!
2
Trump presidency,
Trump: Jimmy, you know, bad things happen.... i don't want bad things happen to your family.... but what can I do? .... You got to help me, man....
Trump: Jimmy, you know, bad things happen.... i don't want bad things happen to your family.... but what can I do? .... You got to help me, man....
3
This story makes Donald Trump look bad. Mr Trump comes across as a lunatic, endlessly obsessing over his own self and image to his close and far allies.
Making decisions towards preserving your own self is healthy, to a point.
When your decision making is based on internalized fear and suspicion, bordering on paranoia, it is unhealthy.
You cannot but wonder what type of hell Trump endured growing up, to develop such instinctive and aggressive behavior towards others.
Making America great is great, but not from fear and intimidation. Leave that to North Korea and Russia.
Making decisions towards preserving your own self is healthy, to a point.
When your decision making is based on internalized fear and suspicion, bordering on paranoia, it is unhealthy.
You cannot but wonder what type of hell Trump endured growing up, to develop such instinctive and aggressive behavior towards others.
Making America great is great, but not from fear and intimidation. Leave that to North Korea and Russia.
Lock him up!
1
Should Comey be expecting a horse's head or a dead fish in a box? Apparently he refused to kiss the ring.
2
Trump on Comey: 'He's a showboat.'
My comment writes itself.
My comment writes itself.
1
Subjects of the Third Reich, including government officials and military, were required to pledge an oath of loyalty to Hitler, a fact of which the famously incurious Trump is very possibly unaware.
The disturbing implication here is that the government officials who remain in Trump's good graces have literally taken such an oath.
The disturbing implication here is that the government officials who remain in Trump's good graces have literally taken such an oath.
1
I wake up each morning both anxious about what new hell Trump has unleashed while I slept and amazed that there have been no voluntary defections from some high ranking members of Team Trump who had finally reached their own ethical breaking point. The latter actually concerns me more since it speaks to the lack of integrity and moral fiber of an entire administration.
4
"It was a video". -Benghazi . Executive priveledge on Fast and Furious. 20% of uranium to Russia and it is a just a coincidence Clinton's got $500,000 for their slush fund foundation. "Not a hint of corruption" at IRS when the 5th is pleaded by "loyalists". You will save $2500 a year on healthcare premiums. If you like your coverage and doctor you can keep them. Seems like a lot of "loyalists" who drank the Koolaid Obama ordered them to drink.
The German Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler, after disbanding the Reichstag- Germany's electoral form of representative government, soon made his military swear total loyalty only to him, and not to the German state.
This sounds exactly like what Mr Trump is doing in Washington. He has government bureaucrats to do the USA's ordinary business , and a cadre of dedicated Trump bureaucrats whose job is to assure that Trump is made to look good and all events at the White House, and that they reflect well only on the Leader.
Attempting to demand a loyalty oath from an important law enforcement officer at the Justice department, has the obvious appearance of a President attempting to prepare the nation for coming dictatorship, where government workers swear fealty to Trump, first, rather tan to the US.
Seventy years after WWII, and it appears that most Americans have completely forgotten how our Democracy works as well as how Hitler and the Nazi party came to control Germany, first, and then all of Europe.
States and peoples that suffered as a result of that war, need now to carefully remember both how it ended, and how insanely it was carried on by Germany and it's fascist allies.
This sounds exactly like what Mr Trump is doing in Washington. He has government bureaucrats to do the USA's ordinary business , and a cadre of dedicated Trump bureaucrats whose job is to assure that Trump is made to look good and all events at the White House, and that they reflect well only on the Leader.
Attempting to demand a loyalty oath from an important law enforcement officer at the Justice department, has the obvious appearance of a President attempting to prepare the nation for coming dictatorship, where government workers swear fealty to Trump, first, rather tan to the US.
Seventy years after WWII, and it appears that most Americans have completely forgotten how our Democracy works as well as how Hitler and the Nazi party came to control Germany, first, and then all of Europe.
States and peoples that suffered as a result of that war, need now to carefully remember both how it ended, and how insanely it was carried on by Germany and it's fascist allies.
Trump borrowed generously from the Hitler playbook when he was running for President, but he is not the first nor the last to do this but he is the first American to succeed with that strategy. Using Scapegoats, appealing to nationalism, etc. Now in office he continues to parallel hitler, now asking for oaths of loyalty. Thankfully the parallels between America of 2017 and Germany 1933 couldn't be more different, thankfully there is no threat from a communist party that allowed Hitler to burn down the Reichstag and blame the communist and then take complete control of the government ( it was voted to him-he didn't seize it). One worry though is the Trump voters who continue to see no evil-this is the most dangerous aspect of this Presidency. If the German people had done their due diligence at the enactment of the Nuremberg laws, and took to the streets, had a national strike, then Hitler would be nothing but a footnote in History. When the people decide to look the other way, and not standup to what is wrong and the rule of law-then chaos and misery is the result.
"The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men Do Nothing."
Trump may be mirroring Hitler in many way, whether he knows it or not, but one thing is certain, the rule of law as well as Presidential protocol means nothing to him. Love of country should trump all else, lets hope the Trump voters and Trump congressmen realize this before its too late.
"The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men Do Nothing."
Trump may be mirroring Hitler in many way, whether he knows it or not, but one thing is certain, the rule of law as well as Presidential protocol means nothing to him. Love of country should trump all else, lets hope the Trump voters and Trump congressmen realize this before its too late.
So we have the word of an anonymous source supposedly offer two degrees of separation of DT words compared to DT actual words and this makes headlines news at the NYT?
Seriously the Democrats hated and blamed Comey for Clinton's loss now insist he's the greatest since Jesus Christ.
1
The only politician of sorts that I've ever heard in documentaries or old film footage demand a pledge of loyalty from his underlings was Adolf Hitler.
3
It is very good to see this story and others on the front pages instead of only in the oped pages.
The so called president/would be dictator wants loyalty to him instead of to the Constitution? And his loyal republican party is only too happy to oblige.
This so called man in the White House must become the face of the republican party and they must be so soundly defeated in next years election that when the Democratic Congress does impeach him and his entire administration for obstruction of justice, lying to the Senate, and just plain Treason Nancy Pelosi is third in line, not Paul (suck at the government teat) Ryan.
The so called president/would be dictator wants loyalty to him instead of to the Constitution? And his loyal republican party is only too happy to oblige.
This so called man in the White House must become the face of the republican party and they must be so soundly defeated in next years election that when the Democratic Congress does impeach him and his entire administration for obstruction of justice, lying to the Senate, and just plain Treason Nancy Pelosi is third in line, not Paul (suck at the government teat) Ryan.
Funny this is reported by him now I'm suppose to believe the head of the fbi is a victim lol fakenews
I give Comey credit for what was obviously a very wise move: telling the story of his dinner with Trump to two different people and asking them to keep it quiet--so long as he (Comey) remains director of the FBI.
Republicans who continue to look the other way while Trump degrades the presidency--and, by association, the entire country--are truly despicable slime-balls.
Republicans who continue to look the other way while Trump degrades the presidency--and, by association, the entire country--are truly despicable slime-balls.
1
That's what Hitler did...demanded personal loyalty over loyalty to the nation....and he had no shortage of takers
Clearly, Donny wants absolute power at the expense of whoever gets in his way.
He is delusional. He is a liar. He is a fascist. He is a tyrant who is hell bent on stripping our democracy of all its social programs. His policies support weaponry, the rich, and the superrich. The only silver lining in his dictatorship is that the house will be taken by the democrats in 2018 and possibly the senate. This bully must be impeached.
He is delusional. He is a liar. He is a fascist. He is a tyrant who is hell bent on stripping our democracy of all its social programs. His policies support weaponry, the rich, and the superrich. The only silver lining in his dictatorship is that the house will be taken by the democrats in 2018 and possibly the senate. This bully must be impeached.
I wonder if it is ever appropriate to expect and demand loyalty of a person who works for the entire country! Is the Director of FBI beholden to the person the President of United States, or to that office? Is the office of the director a personal chattel of an individual?
Not once, not twice, but thrice Trump asks the director of the FBI if he is under investigation---inching closer to time to issue flub-dub Trump his Miranda Rights but still room to let the guilty-as-all-hell further stick his foot of guilt into his big mouth.
Adolph Hitler demanded an oath of personal loyalty from all his officials and all German soldiers. Tyrants do that. It is a bad tell when any official makes a similar request.
Reminds us of the Wehrmacht and SS forced to swear fealty to Adolf Hitler rather than to the people of Germany...
1
Check out the resemblance between Hitler's Oath and Trump's demand to Director Comey for his pledge of loyalty!!!!!
1
of course comeys refusal to lie or cover up for trump caused his firing only a moron would believe otherwise. this is how Sally Yates and others are discarded. you have to be willing to sell your soul by lying and covering up for trump or your out. when these so called loyal servants of Trump meet their maker a special place in hell is waiting for them
I wonder who we should believe: Trump or Comey? One has proven himself to be a pathological liar. The other has not.
Demanding loyalty?! What is this, the mafia? Trump is like a child. A child with nuclear capabilities.
The Mafia prized loyalty over honesty. Just saying.
I thought personal loyalty oaths to a leader a feature that distinguished our democracy from Adolph Hitler's dictatorship. Or, are we to assume now the sacrifices made to obliterate all that regime stood for merely alternate facts?
"Mr. Trump said on Friday morning that no one should expect his White House to give completely accurate information." latest NYT newsbreak
Right for once! Nobody expects the Trump WH to give accurate information.
Embarrassing to the USA.
Right for once! Nobody expects the Trump WH to give accurate information.
Embarrassing to the USA.
1
got to kiss the ring and bow in TrumpWorld or you're gone.
"As they ate, the president and Mr. Comey made small talk about the election and the crowd sizes at Mr. Trump’s rallies."
Christ, this guy is a man-child!
Dude, let it go!
Christ, this guy is a man-child!
Dude, let it go!
1
dear trump voters? loyalty is to the constitution not a person. for trump to demand loyalty to the office of the presidency is treasonous. question your own blind loyalty.
if Comey is subpoenaed., will he disappear? will we hear Trump henchmen say, "Jim Comey sleeps with the fishes."?
leave the gun. take the canoli. this is the government voters eager for a big daddy to make it all better wanted. he could shoot someone in front of his kid's Tishman Building and they wouldn't care.
leave the gun. take the canoli. this is the government voters eager for a big daddy to make it all better wanted. he could shoot someone in front of his kid's Tishman Building and they wouldn't care.
---according to two people who have heard his account of the dinner.
Yesterday, you were reporting that Comey had recently asked for more money to investigate Trump, and the DOJ called you on your FAKE NEWS.
Today, we have anonymous sources who "heard an account" of the dinner.
It's almost as if the NY Times is willing to print any unsubstantiated rumor, so long as it hurts President Trump.
Yesterday, you were reporting that Comey had recently asked for more money to investigate Trump, and the DOJ called you on your FAKE NEWS.
Today, we have anonymous sources who "heard an account" of the dinner.
It's almost as if the NY Times is willing to print any unsubstantiated rumor, so long as it hurts President Trump.
This morning Trump he wanted no leaks and said Comey better hope there were no tapes of their conversations and that he might cancel WH briefings. The news media might be able to cut a dea lwith Tass to get recordings since they likely installed bugs in the Oval Office when they were there for the meeting between Trump and the Russian ambassador.
The Refusniks are out in full flower today. Trump needs Putin to hire a few more...
(This joke has a sell by date unless you too were refused a job for not being loyal to Russia)
(This joke has a sell by date unless you too were refused a job for not being loyal to Russia)
I dare Trump to:
1. Release your secret tapes.
2. Publish the White House Guest Book.
3. Provide evidence that President Obama bugged him.
4. Explain why you had 2 Russian officials and Tass in the Oval Office alone.
5. Close your twitter account.
6. Make America Great again because you are making a mockery of America.
1. Release your secret tapes.
2. Publish the White House Guest Book.
3. Provide evidence that President Obama bugged him.
4. Explain why you had 2 Russian officials and Tass in the Oval Office alone.
5. Close your twitter account.
6. Make America Great again because you are making a mockery of America.
2
Who are "Mr. Comey’s associates" whose ghostly tales are interspersed herein and throughout? Nothing like anonymous unaccountable accounts to spice up a story, so thinks the NYTs.
Huckabee went on camera and lied about how Comey was fired. Its there,on record, you can watch her lie. Now she claims,“We don’t believe this to be an accurate account.” The woman is a paid liar. She cannot be trusted with anything coming out of her mouth. None of them can be trusted with the truth, but she is a low-level dirt pusher. Her Dad claims so much piety, yet he raised a blatantly horrible dishonest person. He must be so proud.
Instead of calling 911 to report the raging fire, the GOP leadership rushes in to loot the burning store.
Some patriots they are.
Some patriots they are.
1
Guess what? Isn't January 27, the night of the dinner between the President & Comey, the same day that Sally Yates told White House Counsel that Flynn had conversations with the Russians, which Flynn had lied about, and could be "compromised"?
One of the people at this dinner is an unrepentant, self-serving habitual liar. The other has a reputation for integrity. Whose version woukd you believe?
Let me see... All, as in every single one, of your "unnamed sources" this last week has been shown to be completely wrong. Rosenstein never threatened to resign, Comey never asked for additional funding, the FBI and Trump aren't "at war", etc. etc. but, here you are, again, passing rumors off as news.
Has Trump sworn his loyalty to Putin?
Just saying...
Just saying...
1
You can't make this stuff up!
We had Deep Throat and Martha Mitchell during Watergate, leaking information about Nixon, with Trump, it's better than that, we have Trump speaking for himself and making a fool, liar and showing his dishonesty as we all watch.
Donald Trump is acting like someone who thinks they can manipulate the news media and control the narrative, but the trouble with someone who is a pathological and chronic liar, they can never get their lies and stories straight.....Trump is turning shows like Morning Joe, and other MSNBC and CNN shows must watch television.
Trump is finally getting what he wanted a new reality show that is going to get great ratings, and he is the star.....The Floundering Trump Presidency.
We had Deep Throat and Martha Mitchell during Watergate, leaking information about Nixon, with Trump, it's better than that, we have Trump speaking for himself and making a fool, liar and showing his dishonesty as we all watch.
Donald Trump is acting like someone who thinks they can manipulate the news media and control the narrative, but the trouble with someone who is a pathological and chronic liar, they can never get their lies and stories straight.....Trump is turning shows like Morning Joe, and other MSNBC and CNN shows must watch television.
Trump is finally getting what he wanted a new reality show that is going to get great ratings, and he is the star.....The Floundering Trump Presidency.
What is this, "The Godfather"? Sorry Trump, you're not Don Corleone, and Comey wasn't some hand-kissing guest at your daughter's wedding.
Good employers expect honesty and hard work from their employees; they do not require blind loyalty pledges. Trump is despicable, and his behavior smacks of the dictator. I wish I could think of an adjective other than "despicable" to describe Trump, but after 100-plus days of this nonsense, I just can't. Trump has drained the collective swamp of words in English that can adequately describe just how reprehensible he is.
Good employers expect honesty and hard work from their employees; they do not require blind loyalty pledges. Trump is despicable, and his behavior smacks of the dictator. I wish I could think of an adjective other than "despicable" to describe Trump, but after 100-plus days of this nonsense, I just can't. Trump has drained the collective swamp of words in English that can adequately describe just how reprehensible he is.
1
And who else's did he demand? And who agreed?
Trump is not a king, though he tries to act like one. Government officials takes oaths to support and defend THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES (and by implication government institutions) not to give personal loyalty to the President, who works for the people. Congress, DO YOUR DUTY! Your were elected to work for the people of the United States according to Constitutional principles. Your first loyalty is to the Constitution and the integrity of our governmental principles, not to your party nor your quests for re-election. This is not a partisan issue; our democratic form of government and our national security are at stake. Establish an independent special prosecutor now. And seriously consider invoking Amendment 25 Section 4 of the Constitution, because Trump has demonstrated he is totally unfit to be president and is mentally unstable and a liar and ethical failure.
Although I haven't agreed with everything that the (now) former FBI Director did, in the way he handled things during the Election Campaign, I have never questioned his Patriotism. But, Donald Trump, on the other hand, merely assumed that he could recruit James Comey into his Benedict Arnold Society!
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
In answer to Trump's question "am I being investigated" maybe Comey said "you know, I cannot say that". And Trump thinks that meant "no you're not".
GOP Congressmen and Senators,
When will it be too much? What has to happen for you to put country before party?
When will it be too much? What has to happen for you to put country before party?
1
In the United States of America officials in the federal government swear to defend and protect the Constitution. In dictatorships, loyalty to the dictator is paramount..,or else.
Am I surprised that Trump is acting like the "Godfather"? No. This compliant behavior is what Trump knows he will get out of Sessions our Attorney General. Trump's world is not a democracy. There are no checks and balances and Trump has been very actively dismantling them. How can anyone be okay with these actions?
I have come to the conclusion that Comey was manipulated by Giuliani's buddies in the FBI into releasing the Clinton emails. Comey is very obviously no saint but no one is.
How can people be okay with a President who wants unconditionalty loyalty to him ahead of the country. I just hope that there will be leaks and many of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Trump's actions are not okay. When will some of the GOP take action and put the country first ahead of their party and their campaign coffers?
I have come to the conclusion that Comey was manipulated by Giuliani's buddies in the FBI into releasing the Clinton emails. Comey is very obviously no saint but no one is.
How can people be okay with a President who wants unconditionalty loyalty to him ahead of the country. I just hope that there will be leaks and many of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Trump's actions are not okay. When will some of the GOP take action and put the country first ahead of their party and their campaign coffers?
The ultimate dumbing down of America. It had to be, we elected a reality TV star and we deserve it.
1
Do the people who voted for Hillary Clinton (who outnumbered the Trump voters) deserve it? I assume that you didn't vote for Trump, so do you deserve to have Trump as your president?
1
Hmmm....who should we believe? The former Director of the FBI who was apparently well regarded by the rank and file agents or a pathological liar? Tough decision for sure.
How can anyone believe anything said by Trump, Spicer, Conway, Huckabee, etc? They have lost all credibility.
4
Mr Comey was the "showboat"? Really Mr. President. Mr. Comey is the "showboat" and that bothered your sensibilities? You were a game show host who made the term "you're fired" famous... "showboat"?
I agree that Mr. Comey should not have been so public outside of congressionall hearings. That didn't seem to bother candidate Trump in October.
I agree that Mr. Comey should not have been so public outside of congressionall hearings. That didn't seem to bother candidate Trump in October.
2
Actually the word " integrity " used by any member of this administration or these days the Republican Party can't be taken seriously
2
Loyalty oaths? Well, shades of the mafia! I'm surprised that when Comey refused, he didn't wake up next to a severed horse head.
The question becomes whose version of the dinner do we believe? Do we choose Trump, a proven serial liar, or Comey, a man who has served this country for many years with integrity (until his misstep with the emails)? I think I'll put my money on Comey. That is, as they say, the safe bet.
The question becomes whose version of the dinner do we believe? Do we choose Trump, a proven serial liar, or Comey, a man who has served this country for many years with integrity (until his misstep with the emails)? I think I'll put my money on Comey. That is, as they say, the safe bet.
3
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. (Note: the phrase "under god" is omitted intentionally, as it was not part of the pledge when I memorized it in the early 1950's. It does not belong there even today.) Also, please note that nowhere in that short statement is any reference made to "loyalty" to any particular individual, and even more particularly to the president. The writers of the Constitution recognized that even presidents could be compromised, and so wrote into the document a method of removal from that office.
Trump's ignorance of the history of America, its founding papers in particular, should be grounds for such removal, but it is not. Sad. Trump's insecure demands for loyalty are evidence he is someone who deserves neither trust nor loyalty. So sad. The cowardice of the entirety of the Republican legislative delegation to stand up to Trump and to call him out on his lies is beyond disheartening, it is disgusting. So, so, so sad.
Trump's ignorance of the history of America, its founding papers in particular, should be grounds for such removal, but it is not. Sad. Trump's insecure demands for loyalty are evidence he is someone who deserves neither trust nor loyalty. So sad. The cowardice of the entirety of the Republican legislative delegation to stand up to Trump and to call him out on his lies is beyond disheartening, it is disgusting. So, so, so sad.
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Sorry Mr. Comey, I believe President Trump. His word is his bond. Have you ever seen him flip-flop on anything?
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The obvious follow-up to Mr. Schmidt's important reporting is to deeply probe and reveal the exact contours of Herr Trump's loyalty oath program. Americans need to know the names and positions of all federal officials asked to submit to this fealty outrage, what officials submitted to it and who didn't, were there employment consequences for those who did not, what documentation exists memorializing this practice, and many other pertinent facts. This living political mistake, through word, act, and nefarious deed, seeks to import to the Presidency the modus operandi of his insular, wheeler-dealer real estate world. Has he violated any federal regulations, statutes, or other established safeguards in this latest exposure to anoint himself as Absolute Ruler?
Oh Sarah Huckabee. You seem like a smart lady. Is this the best you can do? Are the people around the president so desperate to cash in that they will sell their souls? This is the most horrific crowd of people I have witnessed in my many years. We have an unstable leader who values only those who will bum kiss. He fires Comey, has a press free (except for Russian press) meeting with the Russians the next day and was "tricked' when photos were released to Russian state t.v. and in an interview with Time mag, his guests have one scoop of ice cream while he has two. I honestly feel ill on a daily basis. Yet his supporters think he is doing great. Do they understand that he is enriching himself with tax dollars? They don't care? Someone please look for subliminal advertising promoting trump on fox. There can be no other explanation.
In the Comey/Rogers hearing, Comey was questioned about his failure to notify Congress/Gang of 8 of the FBI counter-intel "Russia" investigation as they're supposed to. He said that decision was made by head of FBI counter-intel division Evanina, because of "the sensitivity" of the matter, while notifying and working with Clapper, Rice and Yates. Not a peep out of the Gang of 8 about that omission, while Comey operated without Congressional oversight for months. Time to pass a bill on TERM LIMITS for Congress! Keep on Draining That Swamp!
"People who are decent and honest don't need to ask for loyalty."
People who are decent and honest shouldn't touch Umptray with a ten-foot pole. Those who enter into alliances with him only soil their own reputations. Tillerson and Mattis seem to be the only ones with the chops for the actual jobs they're supposed to perform, and the only ones who may come away relatively undamaged. I don't know why they agreed to serve in this misbegotten "administration," but for the sake of the country, I'm glad they are there; I believe their loyalties lie with the United States and not with the pathetic individual who recruited them. Those who have been tasked with destroying the agencies they "lead" will simply earn further contempt from history.
People who are decent and honest shouldn't touch Umptray with a ten-foot pole. Those who enter into alliances with him only soil their own reputations. Tillerson and Mattis seem to be the only ones with the chops for the actual jobs they're supposed to perform, and the only ones who may come away relatively undamaged. I don't know why they agreed to serve in this misbegotten "administration," but for the sake of the country, I'm glad they are there; I believe their loyalties lie with the United States and not with the pathetic individual who recruited them. Those who have been tasked with destroying the agencies they "lead" will simply earn further contempt from history.
76
Stop trying to normalize this takeover of our State Department by Big Oil. Tillerson' appointment is a charade. He is head deep with Putin vying to open the Arctic to unprecedented oil drilling, the effect of which will put a nail in humanity's coffin.
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Isn't Tillerson the big oil executive who won't let his subordinates speak to him or even look at him! How does that demonstrate chops for being the Secretary of State for a democracy?
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I swear to God this sacred oath to the president of the Unite State Donald Trump, Commander and Chief of the Armed forces and a Huge Leader shall render unconditional obedience and that as a brave subdominant, I render unconditional obedience and as a loyal subordinate I shall at all times be prepared to destroy my reputation for this oath.
Hail, Trump!
Hail, Trump!
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The message is now clear: if you refuse to kiss the ring, you are fired. We may soon see the reduction of our government to a clique of sycophants. When Bolingbroke became Richard III, the house cleaning was thorough and quite bloody. We can expect no better from this childish whiner.
That was Henry IV not Richard III in this submission. Pardon my lapse in citing English history. It's always best to check one's facts before speaking, which, here I failed and do apologize.
FKA Bakes BEST comment deserves repeating:
"Preet Bharara declined to field a phone call from Trump, while Bharara's office led investigations linked to Trump, for fear that there might raise questions about interference by Trump.
James Comey "did not believe he could turn down a meeting with the new president" so he sat down and broke bread with the subject of an actual on-going investigation into potential collusion with Russian cyber-terrorists, who also happens to hold authority over him.
All of this, keeping in mind Comey's withering implicit criticism of Loretta Lynch for her unplanned and unintended meeting with Bill Clinton... he felt in the wake that he alone could address Hillary Clinton's guilt/innocence with impartiality. The same man who declined to play basketball with then President Obama for fear of seeming too chummy with him, sits down to a private dinner with another President... under investigation. Make of that what you will."
"Preet Bharara declined to field a phone call from Trump, while Bharara's office led investigations linked to Trump, for fear that there might raise questions about interference by Trump.
James Comey "did not believe he could turn down a meeting with the new president" so he sat down and broke bread with the subject of an actual on-going investigation into potential collusion with Russian cyber-terrorists, who also happens to hold authority over him.
All of this, keeping in mind Comey's withering implicit criticism of Loretta Lynch for her unplanned and unintended meeting with Bill Clinton... he felt in the wake that he alone could address Hillary Clinton's guilt/innocence with impartiality. The same man who declined to play basketball with then President Obama for fear of seeming too chummy with him, sits down to a private dinner with another President... under investigation. Make of that what you will."
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