There is a way these things are done. You allow the departing person to retain some dignity. This is a metaphor for a really troubling and fumbling administration.
10
I just listened to Micheal Schmidt discuss this on the Times podcast The Daily. I am truly grateful for the work this reporter is doing, and for the trust people have in home because of his excellent reporting. I appreciate as well Wittes coming forward and sharing what he knows--and on the record. In the podcast, a recording of Witte explaining his reasoning to Schmidt was played in the podcast--essentially that he could speak without risk to job or reputation, and that he was doing it so that people would understand better what is going on with our government. Extremely important. Thanks to both.
9
Lordy lordy: I feel slightly nauseous at the way Trump has carelessly handled this firing.
3
The President is is unable to comprehend and operate the Presidency as a sole proprietorship. He fails to understand that Congress is not one of his corporations. If it were, would it be one going under? To that I must say no, inasmuch as Congress is Republican. Yet American history has always seemed a mystery at times.
4
This is better than any political drama (comedy?) Hollywood can come up with!
2
Watching this film clip, now in a seemingly endless loop, of T "greeting" James Comey, just keeps upping my barf reflex....at the very beginning, T purses his lips and opens his arms, as if to invite an embrace....wait, I think I really am going to throw-up....Comey is no angel, but his instincts are spot-on. Who wouldn't want to shower with TSP after this revolting, public, Grand Gouignol performance?
1
"He's become more famous than me." No wonder Comey had to go.
9
Donald Trump is proof that you could be so totally ignorant and still be a billionaire as long is your daddy leave you a lot of money.
He has proven to be so stupid it is amazing to everyone.
He has proven to be so stupid it is amazing to everyone.
10
It was nice to see the old Boy Scout video on Comey the other night on Sixty Minutes. I had no idea he was so tall. No wonder he feels so awkward around Trump and all those other short, dumpy politicians he's forced to have to work with all day. That explains a lot.
20
I wasn't aware 6'2" was short
1
People who have worked for narcissistic nut jobs like Trump appreciate this situation -- after the first tiny indication you may not be 110% "loyal," the nutty narcissistic boss coming into your office and sitting down and tapping his/her toe and going on in a roundabout way about how personal loyalty to him/her is the key to success in the organization. It's sickening, repulsive, and the moment you first realize this job isn't going to end well.
53
This is like Eliot Ness facing down Al Capone. And we know how well that ended for Capone.
33
Trump should have expected and prepared for the swamp fighting back.
13
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has told Congress that he agrees with President Trump’s decision to fire FBI Director James Comey. According to the Associated Press, during closed-doors meeting on yesterday and today Rosenstein told lawmakers on Thursday and Friday that although was fond of Comey, "I thought it was appropriate to seek a new leader." Along with criticisms of Comey by both Republican and Democrat leaders in the days leading up to the dismissal, this should put an end to the controversy and obstruction of justice allegations.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/justice-official-says-he-stands-b...
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/justice-official-says-he-stands-b...
Trump asks for Comey's loyalty.
Implied: Comey will do as Trump requests.
Comey does not agree.
Trump suggests dropping the Flynn investigation. Not done.
Time goes by and the investigation deepens.
Trump fires Comey.
Sure looks like obstruction of justice.
Sure smells like obstruction of justice.
All the twisted rationalizations about Trump being his boss, or warped legalese and interpretations of Trumps statements are just deflections. This is how Trump has operated all his life, twisting arms, schmoozing, and as last resort, pink slips.
He is a sorry excuse for the leader of our nation.
Implied: Comey will do as Trump requests.
Comey does not agree.
Trump suggests dropping the Flynn investigation. Not done.
Time goes by and the investigation deepens.
Trump fires Comey.
Sure looks like obstruction of justice.
Sure smells like obstruction of justice.
All the twisted rationalizations about Trump being his boss, or warped legalese and interpretations of Trumps statements are just deflections. This is how Trump has operated all his life, twisting arms, schmoozing, and as last resort, pink slips.
He is a sorry excuse for the leader of our nation.
57
The picture emerging of James Comey is, for me, that of an honorable, lifelong public servant, highly competent in every position he's held--not perfect, perhaps, but who is?--honest, fact-oriented, and demonstrably very literal-minded. The exact opposite of Pumpkinhead in nearly every way, but that's secondary. I think his announcement in November about Hillary was evidence of that literal-mindedness in the performance of his job. It wasn't some nefarious dirty trick orchestrated by Roger "Anti-American" Stone--Comey really believed he was operating according to the letter of the law and just being responsible. Where he erred was in not treating the investigations the same. Either announce both, or don't bring it up. I think if he had a do-over, fer real...?
This article should be seen in that light. Comey's desire to keep Trump at a distance is very much part of that literal mindset. Y'know, I'll bet he doesn't get everyone's jokes, either--same reason.
This article should be seen in that light. Comey's desire to keep Trump at a distance is very much part of that literal mindset. Y'know, I'll bet he doesn't get everyone's jokes, either--same reason.
23
If we focus on the psychological divide between these men, something more than just scandal or power politics emerges. These two men are oil and water.
Comey is the picture of a conscientious, process driven civil servant, striving to structure his official role and personal behavior, including interactions with the powerful in a pat, a priori, manner. Many successful lawyers seek to control communication similarly, in a structured, almost sterilized framework. Comey feeks safety in process and predictability, beyond that framework he is insecure, feeling out of control and deeply concerned that an impression of unprofessionalism (or worse, a lack of integrity) could be seen in an excessive display of personal familiarity.
Trump, even if it is charitably assumed that he isn't acting without integrity or for some improper purpose, is the polar opposite of a Comey personality, making a personality clash almost unavoidable. Trump is the antithesis of the measured Comey who is restrained, predictable and process oriented, while Trump is invariably boisterous and excessively familiar, reflecting his own deeply layered fears. Add overflowing ego, deep narcissism and insecurity, and you are not likely to find two men who were less likely to hit it off.
None of this isn't to suggest Comey that isn't what he appears to be, or that Trump isn't the boorish and abusive personality he projects, its just that more is going on here than politics that led to this split.
Comey is the picture of a conscientious, process driven civil servant, striving to structure his official role and personal behavior, including interactions with the powerful in a pat, a priori, manner. Many successful lawyers seek to control communication similarly, in a structured, almost sterilized framework. Comey feeks safety in process and predictability, beyond that framework he is insecure, feeling out of control and deeply concerned that an impression of unprofessionalism (or worse, a lack of integrity) could be seen in an excessive display of personal familiarity.
Trump, even if it is charitably assumed that he isn't acting without integrity or for some improper purpose, is the polar opposite of a Comey personality, making a personality clash almost unavoidable. Trump is the antithesis of the measured Comey who is restrained, predictable and process oriented, while Trump is invariably boisterous and excessively familiar, reflecting his own deeply layered fears. Add overflowing ego, deep narcissism and insecurity, and you are not likely to find two men who were less likely to hit it off.
None of this isn't to suggest Comey that isn't what he appears to be, or that Trump isn't the boorish and abusive personality he projects, its just that more is going on here than politics that led to this split.
11
Really, shaking hands with the president is a to familiar action? Sounds like a personal issue Comey has vs a protocol issue. And there was no awkward hug in that video. Trump merely leaned in and put his hand on Comeys shoulder. Not saying something with Trump isn't amiss. But the handshake hug bit is just silly.
3
I don't know that the nation "rendered its verdict on those charges." They elected him in spite of the truth of those charges. Either way, the point I made is about a pattern that is apparent in his behavior both as a businessman and a lech. It is now a pattern in his governance. He flatters, he intimidates, he fires impulsively.
10
A little more of the color green in Comey's suit, a gold fabric band around 8 inches from the pant hem, and a chair or table to sit in - he would have sailed through.
Trump doesn't seem to understand that he is not the CEO of a family owned business.
31
I don't understand how Rosentstein can stay in his position. He knowingly served in a charade on the American public as to why Comey was fired, or was negligent in not realizing the purpose of the memo. Either way, it's shameless.
Plus, he knowingly engaged with Sessions on this, who should have been fully recused. One can only imagine what other discussions or actions those two have engaged in.
Now he appoints Mueller, which is fine, but Mueller shouldn't have to report to Rosenstein, who is a witness/participant to the cover-up and has compromised ethics and professionalism, to say the least. This is a half-measure, perhaps for delay past 11/18, to calm the chaos, or some other reason. But the public and the Dems need to keep the pressure on in a way that maximizes the prevention of the Republicans passing their awful legislative agenda, and recognizes the succession behind Trump is lined with men who will do as much or more damage, just more discreetly.
Plus, he knowingly engaged with Sessions on this, who should have been fully recused. One can only imagine what other discussions or actions those two have engaged in.
Now he appoints Mueller, which is fine, but Mueller shouldn't have to report to Rosenstein, who is a witness/participant to the cover-up and has compromised ethics and professionalism, to say the least. This is a half-measure, perhaps for delay past 11/18, to calm the chaos, or some other reason. But the public and the Dems need to keep the pressure on in a way that maximizes the prevention of the Republicans passing their awful legislative agenda, and recognizes the succession behind Trump is lined with men who will do as much or more damage, just more discreetly.
21
I foresee sometimes in the future both Comey and Yates will receive national hero medals.
13
Comey is a pure DC Insider. He has no idea how a businessman works and deals with people. I am glad this phony is gone and hopefully for good. Although, the Clintons will fine a direct or indirect way for him to work for them, AGAIN.
5
Former Director Comey certainly proves that government is bloated with checks and balances. Some obviously survive for no other reason than as a stage to demonstrate one's agility at bureaucratic compulsory exercise and as supportive structures for pedantic narrative which masks the first sign of patriotism... willingness by a grown man to to recognize who he serves under and have a capacity for simple, friendly conversation.
4
Ah yes, those "simple, friendly conversations." The ones that come after your boss tells everyone to clear the room.
28
Mr. Comey never "spoke out."
1
Heh, heh, heh...don't worry rust belt, right after your draft dodging president returns from The Middle East next week and as soon as he abolishes Obamacare, dismantles our free press, carpet bombs ISIS into surrender, builds his 2 thousand mile wall, labels China history's worst currency manupipulators, repeals NAFTA and the Iranian nuclear deal after rolling out Trumpcare and banning all Muslims as well as deporting 29 million undocumented workers he'll get to you poorly educated suckers and your piece working factory jobs.
Feel free to hold your breath...
Feel free to hold your breath...
29
The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens. Alexis de Tocqueville
I wish Trump supporters to have deep understanding of this quote. Director Comey did his part.
I wish Trump supporters to have deep understanding of this quote. Director Comey did his part.
24
An interesting chronology:
* Democratic party leaders' emails are hacked exposing the seedy side of their politics.
* A claim is made that the Russians may have been responsible.
* A claim is made that if the Russians were responsible, then Trump's campaign was involved.
* A call to investigate if Trump's campaign was responsible for hacking the Democratic leaders' emails.
* Government officials from both parties say there is no evidence of any collusion between Trump's campaign and Russian leaders and certainly no evidence that Trump's campaigns was involved with whoever (unknown persons) did the email hackings.
* President Trump may or may not have asked James Comey the status of his investigation.
* President Trump may or may not have asked James Comey why the investigation was continuing in the absence of any evidence of any connection.
* James Comey may or may not have written a memo regarding what President Trump may or may not have said.
* If James Comey did have a conversation with President Trump about the continuation of the investigation, James Comey may or may not have written a memo before he was removed as FBI Director.
* If there was a memo regarding a conversation that may or may not have occurred between the President and James Comey that may or may not have been a request to bring the investigation to an end, the memo may have been written in retaliation for being removed from his job as FBI Director.
Impeachment!!!
* Democratic party leaders' emails are hacked exposing the seedy side of their politics.
* A claim is made that the Russians may have been responsible.
* A claim is made that if the Russians were responsible, then Trump's campaign was involved.
* A call to investigate if Trump's campaign was responsible for hacking the Democratic leaders' emails.
* Government officials from both parties say there is no evidence of any collusion between Trump's campaign and Russian leaders and certainly no evidence that Trump's campaigns was involved with whoever (unknown persons) did the email hackings.
* President Trump may or may not have asked James Comey the status of his investigation.
* President Trump may or may not have asked James Comey why the investigation was continuing in the absence of any evidence of any connection.
* James Comey may or may not have written a memo regarding what President Trump may or may not have said.
* If James Comey did have a conversation with President Trump about the continuation of the investigation, James Comey may or may not have written a memo before he was removed as FBI Director.
* If there was a memo regarding a conversation that may or may not have occurred between the President and James Comey that may or may not have been a request to bring the investigation to an end, the memo may have been written in retaliation for being removed from his job as FBI Director.
Impeachment!!!
3
There was nothing seedy The Democratic party was doing.
What was seedy was Bernie running on a democratic platform trying to take down the most popular Democrat in America, the one that every Democratic senator and Congress person wanted and that the majority of the Democratic Party wanted.
He was using the Democratic Party to try and tarnish Hillary to his advantage. He used republican tactics tying her to the banks. He was supported by the entire Republican Party Trump and the Russians who all wanted him to win. And she still beat him by 3 million votes. He may have cost her over 1 million votes and the presidency. We own Bernie a kick in the pants and that's it. And now he looks so gleeful going after Trump. What an Old fool.
What was seedy was Bernie running on a democratic platform trying to take down the most popular Democrat in America, the one that every Democratic senator and Congress person wanted and that the majority of the Democratic Party wanted.
He was using the Democratic Party to try and tarnish Hillary to his advantage. He used republican tactics tying her to the banks. He was supported by the entire Republican Party Trump and the Russians who all wanted him to win. And she still beat him by 3 million votes. He may have cost her over 1 million votes and the presidency. We own Bernie a kick in the pants and that's it. And now he looks so gleeful going after Trump. What an Old fool.
12
Given what we've seen from Trump and his people, before and after he was elected, I'd take the word of former-Director Comey long over anything from Trump or his staff. There's been a constant stream of whatever it takes for Trump to get what he wants.
22
Once this aberration of a Presidency is terminated, thorough evaluation and overhaul of the process is called for. Clearly traditions that have carried over nearly 250 years needs some sort of overhaul to take into consideration technological advances and the change in moral and ethical underpinnings that were once understood without need for codification. But when a populist candidate totally unequipped for the job manages to deceive a gullible majority some sort of reset is called for. Shouldn't any candidate wishing to assume a role of political leadership be required to pass a test on basic US history and the legislative process? Would someone with no fundamental understanding of electricity be retained to rewire a house or any other job requiring a particular skill set. Trump would never have passed and apparently lacks the discipline to crack the books and prepare for such a vetting. Let the Trump ascension be a teaching moment. Clearly a man unqualified to hold the highest office is a threat to the nation's well-being and danger to our on-going democracy.
31
After explaining to Mr. Trump how communications with the F.B.I. should work, Mr. Comey believed he had effectively drawn the line after a series of encounters he had with the president and other White House officials that he felt jeopardized the F.B.I.’s independence.
The last principal at the school where I teach kept his door open all day, the new one keeps it closed and locked all the time. The door was and is the same for either, but the people behind them were different. That makes no sense, I know, but it doesn't have to so long as Trump is wrong.
The last principal at the school where I teach kept his door open all day, the new one keeps it closed and locked all the time. The door was and is the same for either, but the people behind them were different. That makes no sense, I know, but it doesn't have to so long as Trump is wrong.
6
"He expressed his hope that an investigation would end. That is not the same as asking anyone to end the investigation."
That argument might work in a lot of informal, social situations, but not for a meeting involving the President of the United States, arguably one of the top five most "powerful" people in the world.
When the President of the United States says he sure would that investigation to end, you can't liken it to a someone suggesting they'd like meatloaf next Tuesday instead of the usual roast beef.
That argument might work in a lot of informal, social situations, but not for a meeting involving the President of the United States, arguably one of the top five most "powerful" people in the world.
When the President of the United States says he sure would that investigation to end, you can't liken it to a someone suggesting they'd like meatloaf next Tuesday instead of the usual roast beef.
15
If I remember correctly, James Comey's press conference last summer to announce his conclusion about Hillary Clinton's criminal liability was in and of itself a major break from protocol. The F.B.I. Director is not judge and jury and he should not have made public the Bureau's findings, but rather provided the Justice Dept. with the report.
James Comey once again was wrong in making public his Oct. 28th statement/letter regarding Clinton emails. Mrs. Clinton claims this cost her the election, but any rational assessment shows Hillary Clinton was primarily responsible for Hillary Clinton's shocking defeat.
The quote being attributed to President Trump, "I hope you can let this go", allegedly contained in notes Comey made in February in no way constitutes an order to do something and certainly not obstruction of justice. "
Giving "false, misleading and evasive answers that were designed to obstruct the judicial process", as Federal Judge Susan Webber Wright ruled on April 12, 1999 in declaring then President Clinton "in contempt of court" certainly WAS Obstruction of Justice. And why he made a deal right before he left office which, among other things prevented Mr. Clinton from practicing law in Arkansas for five years.
James Comey once again was wrong in making public his Oct. 28th statement/letter regarding Clinton emails. Mrs. Clinton claims this cost her the election, but any rational assessment shows Hillary Clinton was primarily responsible for Hillary Clinton's shocking defeat.
The quote being attributed to President Trump, "I hope you can let this go", allegedly contained in notes Comey made in February in no way constitutes an order to do something and certainly not obstruction of justice. "
Giving "false, misleading and evasive answers that were designed to obstruct the judicial process", as Federal Judge Susan Webber Wright ruled on April 12, 1999 in declaring then President Clinton "in contempt of court" certainly WAS Obstruction of Justice. And why he made a deal right before he left office which, among other things prevented Mr. Clinton from practicing law in Arkansas for five years.
1
The Trump loyalists think Comey is shady. The anti-Trumpers are looking for a hero. Today on MSNBC Hugh Hewitt tested a new play: ask Comey to show his memos from the Obama administration. If he has none then he was bias against Trump. Once that theory gains traction Comey can't win one way or the other.
3
I'm trying to understand why it is that everytime a Republican candidate, official or other public figure is questioned or criticized, it is rarely judged on its own merits. Instead, every attempt is made to distract and derail the inquiry with an at best specious argument which usually starts with, "but in the Obama Administration you never did X, Y, or Z." The suggestion by Hewitt that the "Obama Litmus Test" should be applied to the current criticism of Trump is a non-starter. One has nothing to do with the other. There is no Fairness Doctrine in the US Code that says reference backward to past Presidents must be made when judging the fairness of a current inquiry into wrongdoing, especially what is deemed fair by the accused. By this rule, Obama could have said, "but did you ever threaten to shut down the government under Bush 43" and won the argument? Did you ever unanimously commit to blocking all of a past President's initiatives regardless of any and all considerations? It's an argument that is optically appealing to some but melts quickly with very little scrutiny.
14
Comey refused to play basketball with Obama because he thought it looked too cozy. He's a Republican I doubt he treated Obama any differently.
7
Is this the minutae the media is focused on now. How can we ave any respect. Meanwhile medicaid could be next up, transforming the country, and not reporter in sight to crunch the numbers or even find a number cruncher.
Maybe it is time for citizen journalism to take over. Will policy wonks take control at reddit? I hope so.
Maybe it is time for citizen journalism to take over. Will policy wonks take control at reddit? I hope so.
2
What is undeniably clear is that Comey is more adept at political games than Trump. To a large extent Trump is president precisely because he is not a political parasite. The American people simply got tired of lying political parasites.
3
The fact that he's not a lawyer either doesn't hurt. Or is there a difference?
4
"…After explaining to Mr. Trump how communications with the F.B.I. should work, Mr. Comey believed he had effectively drawn the line after a series of encounters he had with the president and other White House officials that he felt jeopardized the F.B.I.’s independence…
…Mr. Comey told [Mr. Wittes] he had spent the first two months of Mr. Trump’s administration trying to preserve distance between the F.B.I. and the White House and educating it on the proper way to interact with the bureau…"
___
Apparently someone didn't take notes about protocol, study for the test or just planned on cheating from the beginning.
…Mr. Comey told [Mr. Wittes] he had spent the first two months of Mr. Trump’s administration trying to preserve distance between the F.B.I. and the White House and educating it on the proper way to interact with the bureau…"
___
Apparently someone didn't take notes about protocol, study for the test or just planned on cheating from the beginning.
9
We, our USA, must constrain this wild man.
8
I am happy that a special counsel has been appointed. A full impartial investigation is needed. I agree that a number of Trumps acts are suspect, and at times horrifying. However, your manner of reporting is troubling and you are harming your reputation. Stop quoting hearsay giving the impression it is fact. Stop the damning misleading headlines that don't accurately reflect the entire article. You are playing right into the hands of Fox and the battle cry of "fake news".
5
I tend to think Dick Cheney and 43 laid the groundwork for the disregard and skirting of our democratic system we are seeing now with the Trump administration.
23
Excellent point. A bit surprised that more people haven't made that causative connection.
3
Sorry to disappoint the impeachment parade here - but none of this equates to Obstruction of Justice by the president.
If anything, Comey is setting himself up for an Obstruction charge at worst or destroying his own credibility at best.
He testified under oath that no one ever approached him regarding calling off the Russian investigation. However this "memo" was reportedly written days before he testified.
So he either lied under oath (Obstruction) or he's lying about this "memo" (credibility destruction)
If anything, Comey is setting himself up for an Obstruction charge at worst or destroying his own credibility at best.
He testified under oath that no one ever approached him regarding calling off the Russian investigation. However this "memo" was reportedly written days before he testified.
So he either lied under oath (Obstruction) or he's lying about this "memo" (credibility destruction)
7
In the transcript of testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, I see that Comey gave careful answers to specific questions, and often would not comment at all, in the public (non-classified) hearing. In response to Sen. Hirono's question, Comey said that "the Attorney General or high officials at the Department of Justice" had not ordered a "halt" to an investigation. Then later when he was asked, by Sen. Blumenthal, "has the White House cooperated," and whether any potential targets of the investigation had requested immunity (presumably, in exchange for cooperation)... Comey declined to answer.
No, I don't see any testimony to non-interference.
No, I don't see any testimony to non-interference.
4
Of course there is no impeachment case to be made now; that's why we have investigations. Let's talk in six months or a year.
When did Comey testify "under oath that no one ever approached him regarding calling off the Russian investigation."?
When did Comey testify "under oath that no one ever approached him regarding calling off the Russian investigation."?
I'm just a little bit confused about something you wrote. You said that Comey testified under oath that, "He testified under oath that no one ever approached him regarding calling off the Russian investigation." You then parenthetically equate this to obstruction of justice, which is likely a felony under the circumstances. So there is no confusion, I'm wondering whether this is this the same "obstruction of justice" as the case of Jeff Sessions when he lied to a Senate Committee about potentially treasonous contacts?
1
May 19, 2017
FBI Comey surely fully settled in position and knowingly will not have a moment hesitation for sharing his conversation with Trump and that's going to show the country his mettle for professional grace in service of executing his Director role with the highest honor. Let the hearings begin.
FBI Comey surely fully settled in position and knowingly will not have a moment hesitation for sharing his conversation with Trump and that's going to show the country his mettle for professional grace in service of executing his Director role with the highest honor. Let the hearings begin.
11
Comey was unsettled by Trump; Not to mention most of the civilized world!
16
Here's how to reconcile Mr. Trump's denial that he asked James Comey to drop the case against Michael T. Flynn and Mr. Comey's claim that Mr. Trump made such a request:
The actual quote by Mr. Trump recorded by Mr. Comey is “I hope you can let this go".
Technically, that is not a request - that is meely an expression of hope. It doesn't make Mr. Trump's words any less inappropriate but it permits Mr. Trump to deny that he made an actual "request."
The actual quote by Mr. Trump recorded by Mr. Comey is “I hope you can let this go".
Technically, that is not a request - that is meely an expression of hope. It doesn't make Mr. Trump's words any less inappropriate but it permits Mr. Trump to deny that he made an actual "request."
7
An dangerous predator should never be underestimated. Sharks and crocodiles might seem dead but their final bite could be your last one. Mr. Trump mistakes unpredictability in his actions for impulsiveness, and his next move is easily anticipated. Foreign leaders have his psychological profile and know how to manipulate him, get what they need from him and not push his red buttons. Mr. Trump is a street fighter and prefers to fight dirty, according to the lessons of his mentors Roy Cohn and Roger Stone, but in the DC of 2017 his modus operandi and efforts to beat the system haven't worked so far, and not adapting to this reality will cause his final demise.
14
If Trump fired James Comey for investigating Michael Flynn, why did he wait three months after firing Flynn to fire Comey? For there to be a cover-up, there has to be a crime to cover up. The FBI has known since December exactly what Flynn said during his telephone conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, but whatever he said apparently didn’t constitute a violation of the Logan Act. According to the Washington Post, “The FBI in late December reviewed intercepts of communications between the Russian ambassador to the United States and retired Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn — national security adviser to then-President-elect Trump — but has not found any evidence of wrongdoing or illicit ties to the Russian government, U.S. officials said.” CBS News reported in February that “investigators say that despite misleading the vice president, there is not enough evidence to charge [Flynn] with lying to the FBI.” Flynn registered as a foreign agent for lobbying work he did that benefitted Turkey—a NATO ally—but there is nothing illegal about this. The Army is separately investigating whether Flynn, as a retired military officer, failed to get prior approval for accepting $33,000 from a Russian government-owned news agency for a speech he made in 2015. If the Army rules against Flynn, he will have to forfeit $33,000 of his military retirement pay. But this is a Department of the Army investigation, not an FBI investigation.
3
Even as a business man, Mr. Trump should have known about the concepts of conflict of interest. As such, his behavior seems self-serving. Mr. Comey knew intuitively what Trump chose not to----->their unique positions by their very nature clashed.
A president is clearly in a position to derive benefits personally from actions made in his or her official capacity. Trump knows that.
The interests of the two men are incompatible--but Trump has a long history of manipulating people for his own personal gain.
As to their competing interests, Trump comes across as dangerously opportunistic in this scenario. And the chips shall fall where they may.
A president is clearly in a position to derive benefits personally from actions made in his or her official capacity. Trump knows that.
The interests of the two men are incompatible--but Trump has a long history of manipulating people for his own personal gain.
As to their competing interests, Trump comes across as dangerously opportunistic in this scenario. And the chips shall fall where they may.
7
Why are the democrats refusing to accept the transcripts from Russia and Putin about conversations that occurred between all of the Americans, including both Trump and Clinton operatives? Why are the democrats hating on the Russians? Russians are good people, and it would be to the benefit of the United States if we all just got along. I am so sick and tired of the media blaming the Russians for Hillary's loss. It was the TRUTH inside the e-mails that were exposed by WikiLeaks that lost Hillary the election. Even Hillary should be saying "What Difference, at this point, Does it Make?" The election is over, and Hillary lost because people don't trust her. If it was not for the Russians, the truth would never have been exposed. Don't blame the Russians for the corruption inside Hillary Clinton. Blame Hillary Clinton.
3
"you people" keep re-writing history. Hillary did not lose because people don't trust her, she won the popular vote. More people voted for her. She lost the electoral college because it favors small states and Republicans have worked tirelessly to gerrymander those states to insure that their votes count more than Democratic votes.
22
Such Ameican naïveté.
Russian people may be lovely but their government is a barrel,of snakes with a well worn history of destroying other countries.
I'm Venezuelan and it happened to us via the Cubans.
The Russian government is run by kleptocratic thugs....and you do not want their influence here. Trust me on that.
Russian people may be lovely but their government is a barrel,of snakes with a well worn history of destroying other countries.
I'm Venezuelan and it happened to us via the Cubans.
The Russian government is run by kleptocratic thugs....and you do not want their influence here. Trust me on that.
19
Sooner or later, someone will have to explain what the Trump campaign or Trump associates did that constitutes collusion. The alleged hacking of Democratic National Committee email began in January 2015, a full year before there was a Trump campaign. Putin’s vendetta against Hilary Clinton began in 2011, five years before there was a Trump campaign. It started when Clinton, as U.S. secretary of state, accused Putin of rigging Russia’s 2011 parliamentary election. Putin accused Clinton, who never bother to conceal her disdain for Putin, of giving “a signal” to anti-Putin demonstrators working “with the support of the U.S. State Department.” The U.S. intelligence community report concluded that Putin worked to undermine the Clinton campaign because he hatred Hillary. It also concluded that only Putin could have ordered the cyberattacks and disinformation campaign. What is it that the Trump campaign or Trump associate arte supposed to have done?
7
Sooner or later the Trump campaign will have to explain why they had so many undisclosed meetings with the Russians during the campaign and transition.
You've got some hard facts there, and a very good question!
3
Brilliant! Six foot eight giant of a man thinks he can hide in plain sight wearing a bright blue suit. Something wrong with him or with this story. Wonder which?
4
"dark blue suit". What's wrong with the story is that you didn't read it.
17
When I look at the events clearly delineated in the NYT, Washington Post etc., as well as concise broadcast reports the picture is clear. Yes, investigate but we "know what we know" on many fronts.
The denial by the President about his conversation, the obvious revulsion on camera to his inappropriate attempt to hug Comey is just part of this picture. Even inviting him to any social or press event is so amazingly arrogant and stupid. How could Pence not tell him the boundaries. Oh boundaries, appropriate, following rules and the law as opposed to coming up with legal defensive statements after these blunders. "I'm totally within my rights"
It seemed like this is bizarre comic book alter universe or a TV movie where the audience would laugh and say "that would never happen" but it's real. Also guys, you know Pence knew about Flynn. Flynn was paid 500k US from undeclared Turkish employers. This is all part of an out of control administration with Trumps incompetence, person power and greed at the helm. So many abhorrent actions. The unethical huge deals with China by his federal employee daughter Ivanka for her products to go into a billion people market, Immediately following the President meetings with China. Unethical and maybe criminal. Can't everyone see how he operates. It's all he knows. His son in-law's 150 million dollar investor real estate pitch to Chinese investors in China with I believe, mention of the White House connection and citizenship.
The denial by the President about his conversation, the obvious revulsion on camera to his inappropriate attempt to hug Comey is just part of this picture. Even inviting him to any social or press event is so amazingly arrogant and stupid. How could Pence not tell him the boundaries. Oh boundaries, appropriate, following rules and the law as opposed to coming up with legal defensive statements after these blunders. "I'm totally within my rights"
It seemed like this is bizarre comic book alter universe or a TV movie where the audience would laugh and say "that would never happen" but it's real. Also guys, you know Pence knew about Flynn. Flynn was paid 500k US from undeclared Turkish employers. This is all part of an out of control administration with Trumps incompetence, person power and greed at the helm. So many abhorrent actions. The unethical huge deals with China by his federal employee daughter Ivanka for her products to go into a billion people market, Immediately following the President meetings with China. Unethical and maybe criminal. Can't everyone see how he operates. It's all he knows. His son in-law's 150 million dollar investor real estate pitch to Chinese investors in China with I believe, mention of the White House connection and citizenship.
19
Let's not forget Pence. He's an enabler and a liar. He's not as dangerous or as unstable as Trump but is just as criminal.
30
But watch out for Ryan waiting in the wings. He's like the creature in Alien, looming and ready to pounce with his brand of cruel, inhumane disregard for Americans and denial about the environment. More self righteous madness but a different recipe. Each has a witches brew. At this point however, the Republican Party has lost any credibility it had. Meanwhile while Democrats must focus on this extraordinarily important investigation, they must also focus on winning every election that arises. It's very important that Hillary and Bill be arms length. Their brand is highly tarnished and unclear to us as a result of her actions and statements, un likability and the questionable ethics of the Clinton Foundation.
9
I know I don't know much, but ,,I do know someone's gonna spill the beans, get in the spotlight write a book and try to cash in. Capitalism rocks.
8
"and try to cash in."
Why not? It seems like the rest of them are too. I would seriously love to replace ALL of them in '18 and '20. I realize that would give us an inexperienced government, but maybe they would have to be too focused learning their jobs, rather then focusing on how to get richer quicker.
Why not? It seems like the rest of them are too. I would seriously love to replace ALL of them in '18 and '20. I realize that would give us an inexperienced government, but maybe they would have to be too focused learning their jobs, rather then focusing on how to get richer quicker.
1
Pence knew everything and Ryan must be rubbing his hands together thinking about how he can be President. To quote Apocalypse Now, "Oh the horror".
17
It was inapropriate for Trum to bring up the Russia investigation directly with Comey. Just as it was innapropriate for Bill Clinton to speak to A.G. Lynch on the plane. Trump supporters blew up about that rightfully so. Yet those same people see nothing wrong with Trump asking "Am I under investigation" as Mr. Trump has admitted. At this rate Mr. Trump will not last till 2020 he just
doesn't understand the Office of the Presidency.
doesn't understand the Office of the Presidency.
5
This whole Comey affair is pretty straightforward. Trump tries to make a friend. This attempt at "friendship" by Trump irritates and frightens his target. Trump is rebuffed. The "friend to be" is punished by losing his job.
Hopefully, Congress will do the same thing in kind to Trump.
Hopefully, Congress will do the same thing in kind to Trump.
11
Some wanted a President Trump because his business experience was “just what the country needed” to right the economic ship. Beside missing the news that Obama not only righted the economy, many voters refused to admit it was prospering quite nicely as it sailed away from the disastrous financial whirlpool created by the previous Republican administration. Nevertheless, a prototypical American CEO was indeed selected by an electorate blissfully unaware that meant we were getting just what such a job description entails in 2017. A hands-off delegator of tasks, great or small: typically one who is also ambidextrous enough to micromanage those tasks from a great distance. Far enough away from the action to blame someone else for his failures, close enough to take credit for the successes of his staff. I worst case scenarios today’s CEO is NEVER wrong, particularly when caught in his own web of malfeasance. He is merely misunderstood, which will become VERY VERY clear once he finishes spreading around the blame. The reason the modern CEO appears to succeed is Relationships. The rarified air of leadership breeds a co dependence among peers. Peers, many having failed upward (see Peter Principle), depend on each other to stay afloat. Our Donald has had great difficulty realizing that the branches of our government negate the buddy system he has depended on for so long to keep from going under. The Donald is not a very good swimmer and the Director of the FBI is not a lifeguard.
16
Man oh man, Comey is a weird bird. He didn't want to answer to his boss (the President of the US) it doesn't make any difference if he likes the boss or not he still has to answer to his superior. Try refusing to deal with your boss and see how long it takes for you to be fired. If you don't like the boss, quit your job and then you can say what you will and associate with whomever you like.
5
Trump is not his boss. You must think this is Russia.
In the United States we are a nation of laws not men.
In the United States we are a nation of laws not men.
19
Answering to your boss is completely different then becoming drinking buddies! And since Trump has been in legal issues before he probably learned how to imply a meaning without coming out and saying it.Beating around the bush may not be illegal but implying I hope,is in essence I wish you'd leave me alone! I believe he knew eventually something would come about & tried to keep a professional distance as to not lose his job.
10
I'm sorry, but this misses several major points. It completely ignores that this is the Director of the FBI, who by law and tradition, protocol and custom, his "boss" is supposed to "leave him alone."
When will you birds learn the government is not the private sector, and the law is even more different? Why? To protect your rights and to protect justice! To protect you, no one is allowed to discuss their opinion of your guilt or innocence or suggest an investigation be stopped. To protect justice, a firewall is erected between the Executive (the President) and the Justice Department; the President cannot indulge in behavior that gives the appearance of tipping the scales. If he does, he runs the risk of committing crimes with which he can be charged: obstruction of justice, interfering with an investigation, others.
Your analogy doesn't hold true! Its logic does not apply to the relationship between the Justice Dept./FBI (Attorney General/FBI Director) and the White House (President). It gets both the rules and the relationships wrong. It misses the reasons and history completely!
When will you birds learn the government is not the private sector, and the law is even more different? Why? To protect your rights and to protect justice! To protect you, no one is allowed to discuss their opinion of your guilt or innocence or suggest an investigation be stopped. To protect justice, a firewall is erected between the Executive (the President) and the Justice Department; the President cannot indulge in behavior that gives the appearance of tipping the scales. If he does, he runs the risk of committing crimes with which he can be charged: obstruction of justice, interfering with an investigation, others.
Your analogy doesn't hold true! Its logic does not apply to the relationship between the Justice Dept./FBI (Attorney General/FBI Director) and the White House (President). It gets both the rules and the relationships wrong. It misses the reasons and history completely!
8
I saw the video of Trump and comet shaking hands and it.looked.like the president just said something to him and was not trying.to hug him as stated.. just saying
1
All the same Comey looked like he wanted to puke.
8
It looked to me like Trump was tugging but Comey was too big to reel in.
6
As the truth about Trump slaps every American in the face let's put a halt to Trumps governmental ignorance campaign and stop his obvious campaign of outright ignorance towards the environment and subsequently humanity. Not one of his executive orders nor any other ideas, past and future will ever help any of us. Trump represents everything negative about the human persona, not to mention his illiteracy and complete disregard for reality and his inability to understand the realities confronting the seemingly grim future of humanity.
11
Yes and no more growing Coco plants,No More Hersey kisses for us!
4
"Outreach From President Made Comey Uneasy"
Is that what they're calling "obstruction of justice" these days? "Outreach"? That's awfully kind, and awfully cloying.
Could the main stream media please preface any comment by Trump with, "Uncontrollable Liar Donald Trump says that...blah, blah, blah"? As the "facts" would bear this out to be an extremely accurate description.
Is that what they're calling "obstruction of justice" these days? "Outreach"? That's awfully kind, and awfully cloying.
Could the main stream media please preface any comment by Trump with, "Uncontrollable Liar Donald Trump says that...blah, blah, blah"? As the "facts" would bear this out to be an extremely accurate description.
8
"As the "facts" would bear this out to be an extremely accurate description."
The problem with that is Trump has way too many loyal "fans" who will only accept his "alternate facts".
The problem with that is Trump has way too many loyal "fans" who will only accept his "alternate facts".
I would question what kind of friends Comey has himself here, because they’re making him sound like the wackiest ex-girlfriend you ever had: Donald, it’s not even about what you said; it’s about what you didn’t say.
3
Comey is an odd person to figure out. He plays this game of Independence with Trump yet he was willing to re - open in public the Clinton email business and further without even so much as a mention of the on going investigation of Trump's campaign. Why did he not just keep his mouth shut about both cases? All the more puzzling is that he later retracted his Clinton pronouncements as a review showed what was evident from the start that there was nothing new in the emails on the lap top that had not been reviewed previously by the FBI. However it is possible that after the investigations run their course we may find out that trump's that Trump's people worked with the Russians. so it is possible that one investigation led to nothing except the possible destruction of a candidacy and if the other pans out then it will lead to the destruction of a presidency.
4
The culture of an organization is built from the top down. Any person with an ounce of integrity knows to stay away from Trump. Our president is surrounded by like-minded individuals which means that anything is possible with this group. We shouldn't be shocked by the headlines.
6
The trolls in the Republican Party are ready trying to undermine Comey by saying why he didn't "speak out" after the Trump conversation if he thought there was obstruction of justice.
The problem with that line, is Comey never has stated he thought that indicated obstruction. That issue was posited by others, including the Media. And the Republicans attempting to tar Comey for something he has yet to comment on seem to accept the reports are true, or they would not have tried to use their leap to judgment against him.
In government, the use of Memcons, or Memoranda of Conversations, is standard practice immediately after meetings to ensure salient points are documented while fresh. This is not a Comey only practice.
I wait with anticipation when Comey tells the Committee he could not make any determination as to the President's intent, never referred to it as an obstruction of justice, and could not speculate with more information, and, that given he was fired before the investigation was completed, he would not expect to receive any more information than the General Public and speculation would be inappropriate.
Slam dunk.
The problem with that line, is Comey never has stated he thought that indicated obstruction. That issue was posited by others, including the Media. And the Republicans attempting to tar Comey for something he has yet to comment on seem to accept the reports are true, or they would not have tried to use their leap to judgment against him.
In government, the use of Memcons, or Memoranda of Conversations, is standard practice immediately after meetings to ensure salient points are documented while fresh. This is not a Comey only practice.
I wait with anticipation when Comey tells the Committee he could not make any determination as to the President's intent, never referred to it as an obstruction of justice, and could not speculate with more information, and, that given he was fired before the investigation was completed, he would not expect to receive any more information than the General Public and speculation would be inappropriate.
Slam dunk.
3
Well, I'll wait for the evidence to come in. But whatever happens, don't get your hopes up about impeachment. Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell still have a lot of taxes to cut, corporate regulations to shred, private prison contracts to hand out, and federal judges to appoint. If living in a banana republic (no offense, banana republics) is the price for a 15% flat corporate tax rate, then what the heck, right?
You've heard their "stick by your man" speeches. Trump has not outlived his usefulness. Don't count on their electorate turning against them, either. The beauty of alternative facts is you don't have to believe anything you don't want to.
You've heard their "stick by your man" speeches. Trump has not outlived his usefulness. Don't count on their electorate turning against them, either. The beauty of alternative facts is you don't have to believe anything you don't want to.
7
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, is used to diagnose mental conditions. DSM-5 criteria for narcissistic personality disorder include these features:
1. Having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
2. Expecting to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it
3. Exaggerating your achievements and talents
4. Being preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate
5. Believing that you are superior and can only be understood by or associate with equally special people
6. Requiring constant admiration
7. Having a sense of entitlement
8. Expecting special favors and unquestioning compliance with your expectations
9. Taking advantage of others to get what you want
10. Having an inability or unwillingness to recognize
11. Being envious of others and believing others envy you
12. Behaving in an arrogant or haughty manner
Trump exhibits twelve for twelve of these criteria in spades.
America, what have you done to yourself & when will you fix it. Please do not say 2-4 yrs.
1. Having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
2. Expecting to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it
3. Exaggerating your achievements and talents
4. Being preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate
5. Believing that you are superior and can only be understood by or associate with equally special people
6. Requiring constant admiration
7. Having a sense of entitlement
8. Expecting special favors and unquestioning compliance with your expectations
9. Taking advantage of others to get what you want
10. Having an inability or unwillingness to recognize
11. Being envious of others and believing others envy you
12. Behaving in an arrogant or haughty manner
Trump exhibits twelve for twelve of these criteria in spades.
America, what have you done to yourself & when will you fix it. Please do not say 2-4 yrs.
19
Can you please email me the list! I have the 2000 edition but packed it, thinking I was moving.You have it down to a T and it's not even borderline.Its full blown! [email protected]
4
Haa, In my 14 years in this country, every second american meets this criteria.
2
Sorry but friends are not the proper authorities. Couple this with his statements on May the 3rd and you have a Lair. His record of flip-flopping with the Hillery situation show that the credibility of the man is Zero. Move on nothing to see here...........
5
You wish....
3
That ridiculous grab when shaking hands is a typically-Trump absurd attempt to dominate. Since Trump is likely not at all strong, everyone - men and women - that he attempts to grab that way should just stop him cold with the old straight arm - with the right, or the left to Trump's squishy shoulder. The unexpected resistance might even throw the old man off balance enough that he falls over.
8
There is a lot of worry about Pence taking Trump's place as president, if Trump, his family, his campaign personnel, his advisors, his cronies are proven to have been in collusion with Russia. However, I honestly have questions about Pence's involvement, even if it is though his silence. He was on the transition team, and it appears that they were told of Flynn's being investigated back in December??
15
Pence Is involved up to his hairline.
12
It sounds like Trump was engaging in the behavior that he was used to coming from the trade he was in. I don't see a problem. Perhaps Comey has psychological issues.
4
The office of president isn't a 'trade'; the government isn't a private business and Trump violated long-standing protocol designed specifically to keep separation between the FBI and the White House.
4
No fan of President Trump nor of James Comey. But the last time I checked, the President is the commander in chief. If Mr. Comey did not feel comfortable serving under the President and thought so highly of his own principles and integrity, then why not resign from the start? Frankly, Mr. Comey's handling of the Hillary Clinton email situation should have been the tipping point in him getting fired in the first place. But who knows, maybe Mr. Comey's plethora of memos will be key in getting President Trump removed from office. How said two wrongs don't make a right? This entire scenario may be the exception to that saying.
5
Is it possible he was just redirecting Trump to lower his inhabitions so he could finish the investigation without interference?
5
Excellent point Debbie.
2
Interesting that the Yahoo interview (in Las Vegas) with the NY FBI, Mahairas "Head of cybersecurity) encouraged getting to know your FBI by contacting them directly. It seems that does not apply to POTUS.
1
I think we can all agree that the Flynn investigation is of a political nature - it would not be underway if not for Flynn's involvement with the Trump election campaign.
2
That makes no sense whatsoever.
6
That is incorrect. As a former general, Flynn knew (or should have known) and was told that contacts for financial gain with foreign powers must be approved. And he disregarded that advice multiple times.
8
Give me a break....Flynn needed to register as a foreign agent for goodness sake!
6
And after he told 45 how to proceed properly, Comey was threatened by possible release of "tapes" made in the Oval Office.
Now, who does this? Streetcorner thugs, that's who.
Now, who does this? Streetcorner thugs, that's who.
18
So Comey is actually the source of leaks - why is he speaking of conversations with the President with a 'friend' who then leaks the info to the NYT.
This is part of the problem!
On the flip side, Assange gets charges dropped against him today and NYT commenters are screaming lock him up for leaking info.
Double standard anyone?
This is part of the problem!
On the flip side, Assange gets charges dropped against him today and NYT commenters are screaming lock him up for leaking info.
Double standard anyone?
6
Still not clear about criminality here. I think poor judgment on both parts. Comey felt uncomfortable around Trump, then why show up at the Blue Room ceremony? Trump's comments to Comey demonstrate very poor boundaries, and a poor sense of protocol. Watching the way Comey botched the Hillary investigation makes me think he was behaving too much like a maverick -- perhaps breaching protocol himself. Also, would the Comey memo stand up in court as a legal document, given that the content of the letter is subject to interpretation/perception by its author? I also wonder why the hack at the DNC as well as the subsequent murder of Seth Rich was not subject to FBI investigation.
1
Republicans went crazy over Clinton's emails (which were not illegal), but this is nothing?????? - you all are traitors to our democracy.
21
Will the Congressional investigators ask to see Comeys memos, on Hillary, Obama, And Lynch?
4
if any of them are sitting presidents, sure.
6
Schmoozing up to Comey asking for loyalty and then to shut down an investigation where Trump obviously has something to hide would entirely be in character for Trump. Then he fires Comey in retaliation and starts the personal attacks we've all seen before. Again entirely in character for Trump.
17
Mr. Trump keeps saying that there had never been any contact between his campaign and Russia. If that is the case, why didn’t he allow the FBI director to complete the investigation he had been leading? Apart from exonerating Trump and his campaign associates, an unhindered completion of the investigation would have removed even the perception people have on their minds of any Trump-Russia nexus. Why did he keep using the tactics of persuasion, cajolery, coercion and, finally, threats to get the FBI director to drop the investigation? And now, the man who thrived on bombast all his life is playing the victim.
Bullying does take various forms. But one never expected a megalomaniac to stoop to the level of self-pitying.
Bullying does take various forms. But one never expected a megalomaniac to stoop to the level of self-pitying.
17
He did not say no contact, he said no collusion -- There clearly was contact -- nothing wrong with that.
Now that Comey is gone, it is important for the new Special Counsel to revisit the Clinton email debacle. Specifically, did the Russians or any other nation have easy access to U.S. government classified info. Also, the Special Counsel needs to investigate the reasons why the last administration, with Ms. Clinton's sign off, gave the Russians a substantial; amount of U.S. uranium holdings. Did the Russians funnel monies to Obama or Clinton for the deal? Also, the Special Counsel needs to investigate news print media and broadcast media. As regards to illegal government classified info being leaked to such alleged news organizations. Much to do Mr. Special Counselor!
2
Newspapers such as The NY Times can publish whatever they wish as long as it adheres to their standards. As long as they don't acquire the information illegally, it doesn't matter how it got to them. Read up on the Pentagon papers.
4
Let me get this straight, you think -- your take away from this is there needs to be another investigation of Hillary Clinton. Wow. Maybe this one will be different
9
yet another RW talking point - the Clinton/uranium thing. One quick visit to Snopes would have dispelled that for you. Hint: it's false.
6
Dear President-for-life Putin: Please accept this as proof that Donald Trump was born in Russia, and deserves immediate citizenship in your country. You might also inform Mr. Trump's entourage; they are currently not far from your border! We will fly the rest of his friends to be with him, as well as the china service at Mar-a-Lago, value, $2245. Let 'em in! The Free World is counting on you!
16
Mr. Comey may just have been too tall for Mr. Trump.
17
Trump thinks that no President has ever been tweeted worse...
18
First, Comey should not be talking about this type of information to a friend. Second, the NYTs should not be putting a front page story of what Comey may or may not have said to a friend.
I am usually on your side, but this type of reporting is not responsible.
I am usually on your side, but this type of reporting is not responsible.
3
It's not a matter of being on anybody's side. Is it if it wasn't for news like this Nixon would have never resigned.
9
The light I hold Trump in is as bright as I can get it.That means,what people
Who believe in his actions report seeing and what people like me believe and see.Loyalty oath? That was tossed out with Macarthy and Roy Cohn inquisition
I wouldn't believe him if he wanted to hug me either.Hugs indicate affection,not
the attempt to influence .if you watch Trump when he shakes hands he takes the Hand offered and immmediatly pulls his arm back to his body,sometimes throwing the other off balance toward him.
The list of his lies and ignorant mistakes is long.watch while the investigation proceeds,his aggressive authoritarian behavior continues unabated.He needs
Not a guide but a keeper.He is dangerous.
Who believe in his actions report seeing and what people like me believe and see.Loyalty oath? That was tossed out with Macarthy and Roy Cohn inquisition
I wouldn't believe him if he wanted to hug me either.Hugs indicate affection,not
the attempt to influence .if you watch Trump when he shakes hands he takes the Hand offered and immmediatly pulls his arm back to his body,sometimes throwing the other off balance toward him.
The list of his lies and ignorant mistakes is long.watch while the investigation proceeds,his aggressive authoritarian behavior continues unabated.He needs
Not a guide but a keeper.He is dangerous.
6
I don't know if this is really worthy of being the top news for today. While I appreciate knowing about how Comey felt in regards to the President, who he is investigating, is it really news? Shouldn't a story like this be organized into some sort of side line story underneath the REAL story, which is that lawmakers feel uneasy about Mueller not being able to effectively investigate the President because he cannot bring criminal charges?
1
Dear Slim Pickens,
You are mistaken. Mr. Mueller most surely does have the remit to bring criminal charges. You need to read more carefully.
You are mistaken. Mr. Mueller most surely does have the remit to bring criminal charges. You need to read more carefully.
10
Donald Trump won the election. Instead of trying to topple his presidency we should all support his programs to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. When 2020 rolls around you liberal Democrats can try to find someone to win the election. Until then lets all pull together, stop crying and whining, and press politicians to do their jobs in Congress and the press to start reporting real news.
4
I don't support his policies. I am not a sheep.
Not gonna happen.
Not gonna happen.
5
Good grief...
I really do wonder why you feel the need to highlight that banal slogan in capitals.
Is it some sort of personal echo-chamber?
I really do wonder why you feel the need to highlight that banal slogan in capitals.
Is it some sort of personal echo-chamber?
5
Won't miss you Susan.
1
In the quest for power, money, and influence, Trump may bring his whole family down. Before this is done, we may see a family-wide incident of Madoff proportions.
Let's just all pause for a moment of silent thanks that Trump can't keep his mouth shut, and that when he opens it, he invites his own catastrophe.
Let's just all pause for a moment of silent thanks that Trump can't keep his mouth shut, and that when he opens it, he invites his own catastrophe.
13
The FBI needs to assume that anyone who is anyone in the D.C. swamp has broken a law, knowingly or unknowingly, at some time.
Prison guards just shouldn't socialize with potential future inmates.
Prison guards just shouldn't socialize with potential future inmates.
4
So many people go their panties in a bunch when Bill Clinton boarded the AG's plane on the tarmac during the investigation into Hillary's email server. Yet, those same people want to give Trump a pass on repeated grasping at Comey, even after Comey politely and extensively hinted that it was improper.
Really tired of all the hypocrisy. Some does come from the left or Democrats, but it's an order of magnitude more from the right or Republicans. And Trump (who is neither).
Really tired of all the hypocrisy. Some does come from the left or Democrats, but it's an order of magnitude more from the right or Republicans. And Trump (who is neither).
13
Revealing embarrassing things from Hillary's file during an election and after the criminal case was closed didn't embarrass Comey. Can we all agree that Comey seems to alway want to be the story and totally unsuited to be director of the FBI
4
You mean he's a 'showboat' and 'grandstander'? Oh, wait, that's Trump.
3
With Trump's attempts to discredit James Comey, the media must continue to regularly inform the public about James Comey's honesty and integrity. It would be a moral disaster if Mr. Comey's reputation was sullied in any way by the most incompetent, ignorant, boorish, and dishonest person to live in the White House.
Whether Trump has colluded with the Russians or not, the majority of the public's main concern is that Trump has the potential to destroy our functioning government and to severely limit our ability for positively influencing efforts to obtain more peace and prosperity throughout the world.
Trump must be removed from the White House!!!!!!!!
Whether Trump has colluded with the Russians or not, the majority of the public's main concern is that Trump has the potential to destroy our functioning government and to severely limit our ability for positively influencing efforts to obtain more peace and prosperity throughout the world.
Trump must be removed from the White House!!!!!!!!
15
Everybody gets the point. Whenever an election doesn't go your way there has to be an immediate "do over" of some kind... No need to wait for the next regularly scheduled election... Many people would interpret that to be the call for a coup d'état...
... and it really is 'nauseating' now to see the frame from the video where Trump forced Comey to walk across that large room full of people to receive Trump's mafia-style handshake and ear-whisper -- the kiss of death.
16
Many of us are unsettled by Trump. Comey is not alone.
14
My take on this is that Trump is plain and simply IGNORANT of protocol. He hasn't a clue how Washington works. A stupid man. Scary are the possibilities down the road.
16
I disagree. For the DT45 Criminal Enterprise, you must always assume malice before ignorance. Until they prove otherwise, the DT45 Criminals are operating from the worst of all intentions to the worst of all ends.
2
With all due respect, I think you may be giving DT too much intellectual credit.
1
The President should keep in mind what "witch hunts" actually do......they discover witches. Time after time, but they might be called something else.........
5
So there really are such a thing? And for all these years I thought Bewitched was just make believe. Time to start putting teeth under my pillow again. And what was Santa's address again, I forgot that too as I got old.
All of this is weirding me out. In October Comey announces a new investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails, but forgets to mention a concurrent investigation into Trump's campaign and possible collusion with the Russians. Trump fires Comey. Then we hear - but not from Comey - that Trump asked him to lay off Michael Flynn. We got a lot of details about a confidential FBI memo that nobody's seen. Then we hear - but not from Comey - that he was uneasy about the president. Then we hear - but again, not from Comey - about how he prepared to deal with the president. Yesterday another friend spoke publicly about Comey's uncomfortable relationship with Trump. Who are these people who have access to Comey's memos and, apparently, Comey's innermost thoughts? Is he orchestrating all of these releases? I happen to feel that Trump is monumentally unqualified to be president, but something about all of this doesn't smell right.
5
He sent the memo out to members of his staff after he wrote them as per his standard protocol. Reading is fundamental.
2
The Comey Trump controversy is a classic demonstration of the influence and reach of the entrenched power structure and bureaucracy of the permanent government in Washington D.C. Trump is out of his element against an infighter with knowledge and contacts within the power structure who will leak information to willing elements within that structure; lobbyists, reporters, etc. Ironically, the swamp that Trump wanted to drain may drown his presidency.
2
If the President has the power to fire the head of the FBI, then it is apparent who is truly in charge. In effect, the head of the FBI is like a cabinet position, appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate and under the control of the President. The "independence" which Comey was asserting is probably appropriate with specified checks and balances, but there needs to be new legislation which would affirm such a definition. For now, the actual "head" of the FBI is indeed the President. Comey is obviously aware of that now.
18
you're right this is, effectively, true. and it's things like this that I never had the opportunity to learn in high school civics or across the 3 history/poli sci courses i took in college that continue to frighten me and make me wonder about the legitimacy of our system of checks and balances - absolutely fraught with flaws and circumvention, obviously
1
...not to mention deeply entrenched partisanship
I've said the reporting structure for the whole DOJ is wrong. It is obvious that the current structure leads to conflict of interest. The DOJ and all agencies should come under the purview of the supreme court, in my estimation, with senate oversight.
1
If the election was done over Hillary would win by a landslide.
It was a slew of white men that worked overtime to tarnish this brilliant would be president. They all colluded together Trump, Bernie, 20 or so other Republican candidates, along with the Russians, and the FBI. And she still beat them by 3 million votes.
It was a slew of white men that worked overtime to tarnish this brilliant would be president. They all colluded together Trump, Bernie, 20 or so other Republican candidates, along with the Russians, and the FBI. And she still beat them by 3 million votes.
8
No, this thinking is why Hilary lost and why she would lose again. This delusional view of the world is not helping the left or its image.
2
Bernie would beat Hillary in an after-Trump contest.
For the incurable idealists like myself, this isn't about gender (or race or age) it's about who has remained the most unchanged over time, by access to power.
In comparison to Hillary (after setting aside all unfair/sexist criticism), Bernie wins this hands down.
For the incurable idealists like myself, this isn't about gender (or race or age) it's about who has remained the most unchanged over time, by access to power.
In comparison to Hillary (after setting aside all unfair/sexist criticism), Bernie wins this hands down.
7
An ABC/WAPO poll from late April disagrees. The conclusion was that if the election were held then (late April) Trump would have still won and may have actually won the popular vote as well.
So, the timeline looks approximately as follow: Trump determines that he is going to fire Comey over the "Rusher thing;" Deputy AG Rosenstein, who is purportedly independent and in charge of the Russia investigation, is convinced to draft a memo on behalf of Trump that proffers laughable rationale for firing Comey; when it comes off as preposterous, he immediately points the finger at Rosenstein, suggesting he initiated the firing; it comes out that Trump flat out requested to Comey that the investigation of Flynn be dropped; and Rosenstein then decides to engage a special prosecutor.
If that is a "witch hunt," then Trump mixed the potion and initiated the hunt, with not a single Democrat needed or sighted in the entire affair.
If that is a "witch hunt," then Trump mixed the potion and initiated the hunt, with not a single Democrat needed or sighted in the entire affair.
10
Trump has demonstrated over and over that he lies gleefully and indiscriminately. Does he hope to be believed now when it's a case of his word against Comey's? Who will believe him, ever, on anything in the future? If Putin and Trump contradicted each other on something which one would you believe? Ain't that a shame?
14
The behavior shown in the Trump/Comey interaction is that of a corporate business celebration after a success.
Perhaps FBI directors shouldn't attend such functions in the first place.
Perhaps FBI directors shouldn't attend such functions in the first place.
5
None of this is normal, appropriate, etc., and reporting it as anything other than aberration defiles honesty. Next we'll be seeking equivalent acts. Spare me your journalists ethics.
4
Comey seems to have far better judgment (leaving aside the "small" Hillary divulging matter...) than the NYT:
Comey on Rosenstein's appointment as DAG: "'he's solid but he's a survivor and you don't survive that long without making some compromises and I'm concerned about that.'"
Isn't it time for the NYT to stop fawning on Rosenstein and recognize him for the "operator" he is, where anything to please the powers that be is what he chooses to do? Trump wants to fire Comey? Of course Rosenstein will produce a memo supporting Trump's actions (and then, in a "who you gonna believe, me or your lying eyes" move, pretending outrage that his memo was cited as a basis for firing Comey!). And later, noticing the furor over his actions, Rosenstein steps in to appoint Mueller. Talk about a SURVIVOR! He may survive, but that's NO reason to ring his plaudits. He doesn't deserve them. He fits right into the Trump world.
Comey on Rosenstein's appointment as DAG: "'he's solid but he's a survivor and you don't survive that long without making some compromises and I'm concerned about that.'"
Isn't it time for the NYT to stop fawning on Rosenstein and recognize him for the "operator" he is, where anything to please the powers that be is what he chooses to do? Trump wants to fire Comey? Of course Rosenstein will produce a memo supporting Trump's actions (and then, in a "who you gonna believe, me or your lying eyes" move, pretending outrage that his memo was cited as a basis for firing Comey!). And later, noticing the furor over his actions, Rosenstein steps in to appoint Mueller. Talk about a SURVIVOR! He may survive, but that's NO reason to ring his plaudits. He doesn't deserve them. He fits right into the Trump world.
4
Comey said of Rosenstein:
"I don't know. I have some concerns. He's good, he's solid but he's also a survivor and you don't survive that long without making some compromises..."
How long has Comey been in the Washington political game? I guess he was talking from personal experience.
"I don't know. I have some concerns. He's good, he's solid but he's also a survivor and you don't survive that long without making some compromises..."
How long has Comey been in the Washington political game? I guess he was talking from personal experience.
2
Trump will do anything to try and get what he wants and thinks he deserves. His many actions seem to be reason to impeach so that they don't happen again since he is not someone that the American people can trust.
6
Comey supposedly was investigating Flynn for an alleged Russian connection. However, why would the Russian commies want to help an American Patriot Mr. Trump become the U.S. President? Would not the Russian commies, more likely want to help the American Dems/commies win the WH? Now, the American Dems/commies and the Russian commies are conspiring with a concocted scenario to politically disembowel a Patriot, President Trump. Very clever but stupid.
1
1. It is widely known that Putin hates Mrs. Clinton, for siding with his opposition. He didn't want her as president.
2. According to the dossier presented to the FBI by the former MI-6 spy, Russia has something on Trump. And it's not 'pretty'!
3. Putin would love nothing more than to see the U.S. Lead by an incompetent man, i.e., Donald. Donald has gutted the U.S. State Department, put a former CEO of Exxon/Mobil in as Sec. Of State! The very man, Tillerson, to whom Putin gave the "friendship" medal to in Russia, and whose former company stands to make billions upon billions, IF there are no sanctions or sanctions are removed from Russia!
Get it? The gutted State Department means the U.S. loses its strength in the world of diplomacy, and we are heading in that direction! By the way, even though conservatives like to believe fairy tales....Democrats are not communists!
2. According to the dossier presented to the FBI by the former MI-6 spy, Russia has something on Trump. And it's not 'pretty'!
3. Putin would love nothing more than to see the U.S. Lead by an incompetent man, i.e., Donald. Donald has gutted the U.S. State Department, put a former CEO of Exxon/Mobil in as Sec. Of State! The very man, Tillerson, to whom Putin gave the "friendship" medal to in Russia, and whose former company stands to make billions upon billions, IF there are no sanctions or sanctions are removed from Russia!
Get it? The gutted State Department means the U.S. loses its strength in the world of diplomacy, and we are heading in that direction! By the way, even though conservatives like to believe fairy tales....Democrats are not communists!
7
The short answer to THK's question is that Hillary Clinton has had Putin's number for quite some time and would be the last person he would want to see in the White House. They loathed each other. A longer answer would include Putin's accurate assessment that your Patriot was incompetent and would sow confusion and discord, exactly what suits Russia's purposes.
And for your reference, the "commies" in the Russian Federation are far outweighed by the United Russia party, and confusing them with our Democratic party doesn't make much sense, either.
And for your reference, the "commies" in the Russian Federation are far outweighed by the United Russia party, and confusing them with our Democratic party doesn't make much sense, either.
5
Perhaps, however SS's assumption/implication that President Trump is a Russian dupe is without evidence. However, facts will show that the Russian commies acquired a substantial amount of U.S. uranium. Such, was transacted during a deal with the last administration. Now, just who is leaning towards being Russian commie dupes, members of the previous Dem/commie administration or a true Patriot President Trump? For SS to say the Russia has few commies is absurd propaganda and child like thought patterns.
We have yet to hear from the horses mouth. All we hear is from NY Times reporters as fact and news is anonymous sources and friends of Comey. The biggest scandal of Comey firing is Comey dating back around July 2016 when instead of simply reporting the conclusions of the FBI investigations into the emails scandal of Hillary Clinton, he went on to essentially prevent any adverse consequences or appropriate punishment for the "extreme carelessness" in handling classified information. Comey seriously obstructed justice by recommending extreme leniency for the crimes committed. It is not the job of the FBI to allocate sentencing for a person they were investigating and the findings of the investigation concluded that crimes were committed and Comey went further to say that there was "no intent". A fair sentencing had it been done could have at least enforced a simple reprimand that Clinton could no longer hold elected office. This would have allowed Bernie Sanders to be nominated by the Democratic party for the presidential election in Nov. 2016 and there could have been a possibility of the democrats keeping the white house. The special counsel should in fact look into the improper conduct of Comey and what he considers as "mildly nauseating" in terms of influencing the elections, I would say his impact on the presidential elections in 2016 was far greater than what the Russians could have allegedly done.
3
Wow....Hillary Clinton didn't break any laws. Condeleeza Rice, and many in the Bush administration used private emails and private servers when conducting business. The Republicans spent millions, over 100 million investigating Benghazi and her emails....finding NOTHING. Trump's people, have been caught by our intelligence services and our allies talking to Russians....this is what the "witch hunt" is about!
5
Bernie was a old fool. All he did was work to throw a wrench in the gears of the Democratic Party. More than anyone Bernie is responsible for the Trump presidency. He was a loser and he was a poor loser at that. He had more in common with Donald Trump elected with the Democratic Party. He's always been jealous of anybody with more power than him and he has no power at all. He attracted a bunch of uninformed the millennial's and grim faced 70s Trots. A real loser.
3
So true, thank you!
3
Now, we know why Trump fired Comey. Trump tried to strong arm Comey in being buddies and Comey was going to have none of that. reading these interactions with Trump made my stomach turn, Comey was smart in taking notes
8
The Problem here lies in the fact that Trump is a master manipulator and will do and say anything in an effort to persevere his wants while preserving his Ego. In the past he has talked abut all his money and successes but much of his funds come from failing to pay his own bills and filing for Bankruptcy instead! We currently have an alleged President with no experience in Politics and Of Whom has Lied or told mistruths to Americans and who has yet to follow through on any promise he has made--preferring to manipulate the truth by telling supporters that it will happen.
He has stepped over the Ethics line and could be found to have stepped on the Line of Justice.
He has stepped over the Ethics line and could be found to have stepped on the Line of Justice.
6
He's a manipulator, but not a master manipulator. He's so obviously contradicts himself frequently, and he is so clearly a child-man, he is not a master manipulator to anyone except the ignorant.
4
James Comey is probably among the most conflicted persons of our current time: railing against Clinton's email habits and silent on an investigation into a private citizen's relationship with a foreign country. Still, I believe many believed that Comey would adjudicate the trump/Russia matter thoroughly and honestly.
trump is a salesman whose technique of "winning over" someone is to first seduce them with kindness, hint at what he wants while expecting the person to "get it" - that was demonstrated when he hugged and later "urged" Comey, repeating the request several times, to give up the Flynn investigation.
Not understanding govt or govt institutions and processes, trump does not understand the boundaries of the three branches of govt. After firing S.Yates, trump may have thought the Flynn thing was over and only later realizing, he had to convince Comey to drop the matter. trump behaves as if just because he is president, he word is the ultimate command. It's not.
Perhaps after this presidency, the Congress may move to impose more stringent rules on the office of president to preserve our well designed institutions and their boundaries.
trump is a salesman whose technique of "winning over" someone is to first seduce them with kindness, hint at what he wants while expecting the person to "get it" - that was demonstrated when he hugged and later "urged" Comey, repeating the request several times, to give up the Flynn investigation.
Not understanding govt or govt institutions and processes, trump does not understand the boundaries of the three branches of govt. After firing S.Yates, trump may have thought the Flynn thing was over and only later realizing, he had to convince Comey to drop the matter. trump behaves as if just because he is president, he word is the ultimate command. It's not.
Perhaps after this presidency, the Congress may move to impose more stringent rules on the office of president to preserve our well designed institutions and their boundaries.
7
Astonishing is it not that a person with the credentials, knowledge and sophistication of James Comey believed that his firm interactions with Donald Trump would result in "training" him and his White House operation to act in a normal/proper fashion regarding anything including separation from the investigation into colluding with Russia by his campaign and likely him. Official Washington was not, but should have been, prepared to deal with the likes of Donald J. Trump. Trump's lawyers and accountants learned to never have a meeting with alone, always in pairs. Donald J. Trump is an amoral liar, he has no conscience, no good judgement and Mr. Comey should experience more than mild discomfort that his action 11 days before the November election aided in Trump's coronation. It will take years to rid this nation of this troublesome president, I only hope his slow demise includes the current Republican Party. Leaders of the Republican Party were hijacked willingly by their media to encourage distorted bald faced lies to control their message, the result millions of mis-Informed voters who fall for a no nothing buffoon like pouty Trump. The brain washing will not be easily overcome.
8
After suffering through a few more months of Trumps outrageous behavior I hope Pence will agree to pardon him if he just resigns and promises to go away.
4
Ford was never forgiven for pardoning Nixon.
3
Trump won't go down, without taking Pence with him!
And none of these miscreants deserves to be pardoned!
And none of these miscreants deserves to be pardoned!
8
A meek one word argument ? How can any rational person not connect the dots. DJT spoke explicitly of his fondness for Russia, respect for Putin and intention to 'get along' throughout the campaign. His Oval office hospitality to Lavrov was more than jolly as well as unprecedented. If we are to believe DJT is a transactional business guy- it is obvious he thought a 'deal' with Russia was smart--get Russia's help to sabotage a vulnerable HRC - then payback with lifted sanctions & less woe for Syrians.
I am sure DJT rationalized this self-serving strategy as a fantastic deal.
I am sure DJT rationalized this self-serving strategy as a fantastic deal.
5
Does Trump really think by saying Comey told him he is not the subject of an investigation that this is going to have any impact on the course of the probe or public opinion. Trump has cognitive defects as well as severe character issues. He has a big chip missing in his brain and is totally incapable of modifying his speech or behavior.
7
Trump's most salient statement in the Lester Holt interview was the admission that he was thinking of the Russia investigation when he decided to fire Comey. He said it clearly with his own mouth. Many news organizations do not include that statement in their recaps when introducing these issues. Yet it is the central point in the Comey firing controversy.
10
Another little detail that needs to be discussed: in his graduation speech this week, did you notice his self-correction when he said something like "Neither I nor my campaign--I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF--conspired with Russia"? He distanced himself from Flynn and others, suggesting he now knows something was going on.
2
Just noticed that another story in the paper this morning does mention this.
1
These rabbit holes created by the liberal democrats and the press are nothing but attempts to disparage a GOP president. In the end as usual it'll all come down to nothing again
1
Just like Trump's hounding of a Democratic president for his birth certificate, right? Except Obama was a leader. Trump is a mess who does not even understand the basics of government.
7
Isn't Comey a Republican? Come to nothing you mean like the Benghazi investigation? It's amazing how with our intelligence agencies acknowledging all the contacts between the campaign and the Russians there are people saying "nothing to see here". If Hillary or Obama had done a tenth of what this fool has done Sean Hannitys head would have exploded by now.
5
Hillary was the original birther, did you not know that?
1
I can completely relate to Comey.
Just ask anyone who has ever worked for Roger Ailes. Or Donald Trump. Bet they can relate too.
Just ask anyone who has ever worked for Roger Ailes. Or Donald Trump. Bet they can relate too.
6
Beyond hollow narratives that may well backfire on Democrats with terrible consequences for our country, we know Trump -- and much of his administration must be removed. There are many undeniable grounds for impeachment beyond imaginary efforts by Russia shaping our election. They include election tampering by Republicans and, as David Swanson writes, "As of a 2015 disclosure to the Federal Elections Commission, Trump owns stock in the maker of the missiles he sent into Syria, Raytheon, as well as numerous other weapons makers, Canadian tar sands, etc.
Trump has unconstitutionally discriminated against refugees, been stopped by the judiciary, and immediately done it again.
Trump openly sought to intimidate voters prior to his election, and fought the counting of ballots where they existed, was elected with a minority of votes, was elected with numerous votes uncounted and numerous voters blocked from voting by the partisan stripping of the rolls and by ID laws, following a nomination principally decided by dramatically biased media coverage.
Pre-presidency but still available grounds for impeachment, Trump violated, according to the list in Alan Lichtman's book on Trump impeachment, the Fair Housing Act, New York charity law, tax laws, the Cuban embargo, casino regulations, the RICO statute, laws against employing undocumented immigrants, and of course laws against sexual assault."
The bottom-line is that we need to impeach Trump for the right reasons.
Trump has unconstitutionally discriminated against refugees, been stopped by the judiciary, and immediately done it again.
Trump openly sought to intimidate voters prior to his election, and fought the counting of ballots where they existed, was elected with a minority of votes, was elected with numerous votes uncounted and numerous voters blocked from voting by the partisan stripping of the rolls and by ID laws, following a nomination principally decided by dramatically biased media coverage.
Pre-presidency but still available grounds for impeachment, Trump violated, according to the list in Alan Lichtman's book on Trump impeachment, the Fair Housing Act, New York charity law, tax laws, the Cuban embargo, casino regulations, the RICO statute, laws against employing undocumented immigrants, and of course laws against sexual assault."
The bottom-line is that we need to impeach Trump for the right reasons.
2
I utterly resent Trump dragging the country along, lie after blustering, meaningless lie. I'm all for this investigation, but my goodness, how much of this could be avoided by Trump releasing his tax returns so that we can see what his ties to Russia are? We'll probably get there eventually, but where's the Republican outrage over how Trump is abusing our tax money? Mar-A-Lago and golf trips, this impending investigation, NONE of which speaks to the fiscal responsibility that the GOP claims to have. Ludicrous.
As a tax payer, I WANT his records. Full exposure, full stop, and if there are connections to Russian in there, bye-bye.
As a tax payer, I WANT his records. Full exposure, full stop, and if there are connections to Russian in there, bye-bye.
8
If the facts represented in this article are true then there is clearly inappropriate behavior by the president, which should not surprise anyone. Is it illegal; there is not enough public evidence to support that. The president has always bent the law and used the courts to fight his battles.
From the other perspective, why did Mr. Comey not state this in his legal deposition 2 weeks ago when asked if he was nterferred with? Why is Comey leaking information to the press? Why have a "friend" talk to the press? Comey says he is not polical, but this behavior clearly says he is not only political, but willing to leak information.
To the NY Times - how do you know Mr Comey wanted Mr Wittes to speak for him? Maybe his commentary is all made up. Why would you print information about a Comey letter that you have never seen? Maybe this is all promoted for polical manipulation? Is this really good journalism?
From the other perspective, why did Mr. Comey not state this in his legal deposition 2 weeks ago when asked if he was nterferred with? Why is Comey leaking information to the press? Why have a "friend" talk to the press? Comey says he is not polical, but this behavior clearly says he is not only political, but willing to leak information.
To the NY Times - how do you know Mr Comey wanted Mr Wittes to speak for him? Maybe his commentary is all made up. Why would you print information about a Comey letter that you have never seen? Maybe this is all promoted for polical manipulation? Is this really good journalism?
The problem here is that Mr. Comey understands there was a conflict of interest between doing his job and satisfying his boss. If Mr. Comey had 'caved-in' to Mr. Trump's requirement for loyalty, then Mr. Comey would have emasculated himself professionally. The conflict of interest was between loyalty to the constitution, and loyalty to the President: in this case the two aren't necessarily the same.
Mr. Trump would have known this too, or at least he should have known it.
Mr. Trump would have known this too, or at least he should have known it.
4
I am having a hard time believing any of the "news" the NY Times publishes, since all of it now is, "two sources say" or "two people who wouldn't go on the record". Too much of this is unattributable, leading me to question whether the stories are real. And before all of the fake outrage comes my way about how the NY Times is a bastion of truth, please remember that Judith Miller and Jayson Blair both worked here. Without sources, all of these stories are unsubstantiated rumors.
3
That is why we will have impeachment hearings. The facts you seek will be discovered during impeachment.
2
And the political right cannot get itself distant enough from Trump as it teeters on the edge of the precipice of sharp decline. They are stuck with Trump as a continuing Humpty Dumpty King of a Mountain of Mischievousness, and beyond them being stuck with Trump is a majority of Americans become heated by a mounting mound of discontent. This while Trump’s band of cultural vandals insistently yell in public place and face, “we won and it is such fun” as they dance from the tomb stone of one GOP congressman after another that gets booted to boot hill out of office. This agony of GOP congressional defeat has them hung out to dry by a slap-happy 1/3 on the right that via deviation to the mean prevents the Senate from getting a 2/3 senate vote to remove Trump from office via impeachment.
And as the GOP dry rots away, a 2/3 majority public daily grows in dimensions challenging the length of Trump’s Pinocchio nose.
And as the GOP dry rots away, a 2/3 majority public daily grows in dimensions challenging the length of Trump’s Pinocchio nose.
2
Mr. Wittes, "a frequent critic of Trump," decides to bash him in the press without any actual factual evidence that Trump did anything criminal (beyond the fact that Wittes doesn't like him).
I feel like the New York Times front page should be used for something more useful (ie, fact-based reporting) rather than as a podium for people with political axes to grind. Don't you?
I feel like the New York Times front page should be used for something more useful (ie, fact-based reporting) rather than as a podium for people with political axes to grind. Don't you?
5
So, you want the NYT's to behave like Fox has been the last few days, and just ignore any news that is not complimentary to The Donald? I was part of the group that thought newspapers were on their way out due to the net, but I was straight up wrong. The reporting coming from the 3 major newspapers (NYT, WP and WSJ) has been beyond astounding and is backed up with multiple sources. I hope that numerous Pulitzer Prizes are awarded on the basis of reporting being done in the last 200 days.
3
Coupling this headline with Comey's remarks to Congress the other day about being mildly nauseated, if I were his doctor I might prescribe one of many anti-nausea medications. They helped me get through chemo, maybe they can help him to make it through each day.
I'm disturbed about Mr Rosenstein. Why would he write that letter if the decision had already been made? Was he resentful of Comey and wanted to stick his knife in too? or was he "surviving" as Comey alluded to, which means he does dishonorable things he thinks no one will notice to survive?
We need to be rid of Sessions, Rosenstein at DOJ. bring back Sally Yates and lets get Mr Sessions arrested and booked for the double act of perjury at his confirmation hearing.
I do not think that Congressman who said he believed trump and Rorebacher were on Putin's payroll was joking at all. The whole GOP is looking like a bunch of criminal traitors. Good thing Mr Ryan still has his family values!
paraphrasing his reaction to being informed of this; "No leaks on this, that's how we know we are a family here."
We need to be rid of Sessions, Rosenstein at DOJ. bring back Sally Yates and lets get Mr Sessions arrested and booked for the double act of perjury at his confirmation hearing.
I do not think that Congressman who said he believed trump and Rorebacher were on Putin's payroll was joking at all. The whole GOP is looking like a bunch of criminal traitors. Good thing Mr Ryan still has his family values!
paraphrasing his reaction to being informed of this; "No leaks on this, that's how we know we are a family here."
4
Apparently to him families cover up knowledge of crimes and treasonous acts.
1
The New Hysterical Leftist Times grasping at every straw it possibly can to try to make people as anti-Trump as they are. Behind all the gossip and nitpicking in the liberal press is the reality that the frothing at the mouth liberals hate Trump so much they are cooing to the old guard establishment ruling class Republicans, who also hate him. The sort of the enemy of my enemy is my friend thing.
Makes me like this President even more.
Makes me like this President even more.
3
My question to you Sir is, did you like Biff in the movie back to the future? Did you really root for the bully buffoon?
That is weird. And scary.
That is weird. And scary.
3
Think of it as finally responding to five years of birther movement fake news nonsense brought to you by Donald Trump in tandem with Fox News. Five, long, sad, years in our Republic. That all this makes you like Trump even more speaks poorly for you.
7
Should remove all doubt from the much-ridiculed loyalty issue. It does appear, however, that former director Comey has unknown unnamed friends who are willing to advance his agenda, so that loyalty appears to exist in good supply.
1
I can already hear the apologists "Trump isn't a conventional politician, he's a business man, blah, blah, blah." First of all he knew it was wrong, that's why he asked people to leave the room before making the move. Second of all I don't want to hear from the people who elected someone who's obviously unqualified using that lack of qualifications as an excuse. It would be like a hospital having a maintenance man perform surgery and then after he botches it saying " well that's the first time he ever tried it and he has no surgical experience".
5
I predict this will become a key, important article just as some of the key W&B articles were re Nixon's time. My sense is there will be all sorts of collusion found amongst Trump's associates but no direct proof that Trump himself knew (though the presumption will be that he probably did or certainly should have). On the other hand, his trying to control Comey and influence the investigation will doom this President.
3
Mr. Comey handled this the right way. Anyone who is blaming the press must not understand that they are reporting based on the information they are receiving like tweets from trump. Now I have only been working for the federal government for 14 years. If I would have told a foreign government what trump did I would lose my job.
5
I wonder if the Trump sycophants ever read Shakespeare........."He doth protest too much me thinks."
6
I was also dismayed at a video clip on CNN in which Comey and Trump greet each other (I don't recall the event or location, but it seemed pretty official or ceremonial), after rushing toward each other and clasping hands, Comey and Trump extended their faces toward each other for a man-kiss. This habit of Trump's (famously not reciprocated by Pence at the convention), is to my view a bit icky, since it's, in Trump's execution more physical and intimate then a European greeting in that vein. Trump seems to make actual contact with his lips. In any case, in the Trump-Comey greeting, the latter reciprocated with what appeared an excess of alacrity and enthusiasm, as if BOTH lost a sense of appropriate personal and professional boundaries.
The moment was weird, icky and way beyond awkward. Or as Trump might say, kind of "sad." Lacking the sophistication or emotional self-control to know how much was *too much* intimacy for the occasion in a way augured how unhealthy and entirely unprofessional this situation was.
The moment was weird, icky and way beyond awkward. Or as Trump might say, kind of "sad." Lacking the sophistication or emotional self-control to know how much was *too much* intimacy for the occasion in a way augured how unhealthy and entirely unprofessional this situation was.
4
If there is any positive outcome from President Trump's tenure, it informs constitutional reform of the executive and legislative branches. I think most of us following US history and presidents would agree that it is very difficult to remove or curtail a president's powers between the four-year election cycle.
The idea that a president cannot have a conflict of interest and his authority to fire people that are investigating the presidents circle of appointees brings the office into disrepute.
The American people ought to reconsider giving their presidents a blank check and benefit of doubt. Impeachment is a temporary measure designed for the 19th century. In a fast-moving evolving crisis the risk of enemy sabotage that exploits internal conflict would not serve American security interests.
Since the process of amending the Constitution is arduous and near impossible to ratify, perhaps a "Second Republic" Constitutional commission should be struck to consider Constitutional reform for the next 100 years or so?
The prosaic crafting and timeliness of the original Declaration and Constituion has great historic relevance but modern times calls for a rethink of the original motives and empowerment documents in light of the demanding nature of the presidency in this media-information age.
The failure of partisan politics to efficiently reign-in a rouge president destabalizes America and western civilization. What's the solution?
The idea that a president cannot have a conflict of interest and his authority to fire people that are investigating the presidents circle of appointees brings the office into disrepute.
The American people ought to reconsider giving their presidents a blank check and benefit of doubt. Impeachment is a temporary measure designed for the 19th century. In a fast-moving evolving crisis the risk of enemy sabotage that exploits internal conflict would not serve American security interests.
Since the process of amending the Constitution is arduous and near impossible to ratify, perhaps a "Second Republic" Constitutional commission should be struck to consider Constitutional reform for the next 100 years or so?
The prosaic crafting and timeliness of the original Declaration and Constituion has great historic relevance but modern times calls for a rethink of the original motives and empowerment documents in light of the demanding nature of the presidency in this media-information age.
The failure of partisan politics to efficiently reign-in a rouge president destabalizes America and western civilization. What's the solution?
43
IF a 2nd Convention is based on equal representation for each state, it would be a catastrophe.
1
Amen! Consider: in a Parliamentary system, a vote of No Confidence can immediately bring down a Prime Minister and his or her cabinet.
We need to retool our Constutional underpinnings, so we don't have an Imperial Presidency - which is hugely risky if and when enough of the electorate is in thrall to a charismatic Sociopath: exactly our current situation.
If only such a vote of no confidence could save from this current delusional man, ready to break any law to save his fragile ego, so in need of constant babying.
We need to retool our Constutional underpinnings, so we don't have an Imperial Presidency - which is hugely risky if and when enough of the electorate is in thrall to a charismatic Sociopath: exactly our current situation.
If only such a vote of no confidence could save from this current delusional man, ready to break any law to save his fragile ego, so in need of constant babying.
1
I think the branches of government are reining him in pretty well myself. All this idea of amending the Constitution during this period in history with such polarization of our civil society would likely lead to years of contention and quite possibly some amount of armed conflict. The levers to control this President and even have him removed from office are there, but the party that is in power simply lack the will. We have a remedy, elections. Let's leave the Constitution alone when it comes to wholesale revision. I am pleased it is very hard to revise, something needs to be.
Let's say for sake of discussion that Trump did not intentionally attempt to strong-arm Comey. The problem is that the president is a serial liar, thus, he doesn't get the benefit of the doubt when we have a he-said / he-said situation between a man of impeccable scruples versus one who is morally bankrupt.
6
Trump tried to do with Comey what Trump, and pathological narcissists like Trump, routinely do, namely seduce and disarm him to use him as one more cog of his ego. Comey detected this threat and recoiled. This is the reason Trump fired him - "you belong to me or you don't belong anywhere" - so goes the sick mind of the sociopath. The fact that the US has fallen prey to a modern-day Caligula is both utterly fascinating and horrifically shuddering.
9
The memo is just that a memo. Ever know anyone who went on date and then have people ask both of them how the date went? If both took memos I am sure both would be different. Until there is more evidence it is one person writing a memo about a meeting and the other saying that is not the way it went. Comey went way over his skis and should have been fired in January. In May he testified there was never any pressure to end or change any investigations that he was aware of. That carries more weight too me than a memo.
3
Yes it's a classic he said,proven pathological liar said.
3
I hate to tell you this, but these things called "memo to file" can actually be used in evidence. It documents the thinking of the individual at the time of an encounter. Now, it may perhaps be established that the person documenting the encounter was wrong in his assessment, but it does not change what he thought about the encounter at the time.
This is a memo by a high-ranking law enforcement official. It is not "just a memo." What he says actually means rather more than what some infatuated moron writes in his diary after a date.
This is a memo by a high-ranking law enforcement official. It is not "just a memo." What he says actually means rather more than what some infatuated moron writes in his diary after a date.
5
Tell all those people that are rotting in jail that a cop's notebook is meaningless.
Comey is a highly trained cop. Sounds like you're not, so you probably can't appreciate the beauty of what he's doing, but I assure you that he's nailing this investigation.
Would not be surprised if this investigation becomes part of the curriculum.
Comey is a highly trained cop. Sounds like you're not, so you probably can't appreciate the beauty of what he's doing, but I assure you that he's nailing this investigation.
Would not be surprised if this investigation becomes part of the curriculum.
2
What is this story? Is this is a really long piece that's mostly one guy's recollections of one conversation? It's all a secondhand - the story is about Witte's conversation with Comey. And it's Witte's interpretation of that conversation.
He goes onto great detail about Comey avoiding a hug from the president, and then you watch the video, and it's not "one person shaking hands and another hugging." It's one person shaking hands while the other leans in and says something with a pat on the shoulder.
There is enough actual news without creating HugGate.
He goes onto great detail about Comey avoiding a hug from the president, and then you watch the video, and it's not "one person shaking hands and another hugging." It's one person shaking hands while the other leans in and says something with a pat on the shoulder.
There is enough actual news without creating HugGate.
6
You mean actual news like the birther movement was?
1
"The ceremony occurred in the Blue Room of the White House, where many senior law enforcement officials — including the Secret Service director — had gathered. Mr. Comey — who is 6 feet 8 inches tall and was wearing a dark blue suit that day – told Mr. Wittes that he tried to blend in with the blue curtains in the back of the room, in the hopes that Mr. Trump would not spot him and call him out."
The problem that FBI Director had was that no one makes a suit the blue color of the White House curtains. [See the photograph at the top of this NYTimes story.]
The problem that FBI Director had was that no one makes a suit the blue color of the White House curtains. [See the photograph at the top of this NYTimes story.]
2
In order to have any validity in relation to your daily cascade of articles criticizing Donald Trump, please start printing the names of your news sources relating to these hit pieces.... otherwise most of us interpret your stories as fake news.
5
"Most of us" is an overstatement; some of you is a more accurate quantification.
2
Please come out of your liberal bubble world Deburrito.... half the country (that works for a living) voted for Trump.
2
No way, not yet.
Putin murders sources to protect his investments.
Putin murders sources to protect his investments.
1
Every time I hear Trump speak or answer a question, all I can hear are echo's of Richard Nixon, saying "I'm not a crook".
5
So, Comey acted with an extremely high standard of professional ethics. He astutely assessed Mr. Rosenstein's character.
Then Trump fired him.
The American people lost a not-perfect, but honest servant. Our loss.
Then Trump fired him.
The American people lost a not-perfect, but honest servant. Our loss.
7
You left out the part where he turned the election.
2
Why would ANYBODY want a relationship with this guy?
- On 3rd marriage "Christian"
- The "Hollywood Access" bus tape
- "You'll have the meat loaf!" to Christie
- Hanging around the dressing rooms at pageants
DJT is simply a wholly unsanitary person. And we can tell:
- Pence never hangs out with him
- No real friends we know of
- People like Roger Stone are crazy
- All other "friends" are in it for the money and the fame
On this front alone I will never understand how he got elected. People often said they voted for GWB because they felt they would like to have a drink with him. It took me a while, but I finally understood what they meant. But DJT? Can you imagine sitting in a bar next to this guy and him going on all evening how great he is?
Mr. Comey is to be praised for not have fallen into that trap, to keep his integrity as a person and as a professional LEO. In light of this his firing (and that of Sally Yates) became "logical". DJT can't work with people he can't buy, threaten, blackmail, dazzle or bamboozle. He's a con-man, and as such he needs fools to fool.
Remember that thing during the campaign when he showed off his Trump products, like Trump steaks, and there was a shot of the label, showing clearly that it was from the local butcher? Or when he had his spox point at all these folders containing his taxes and stuff, and they all were brand new and straight, so probably just filled with blank paper?
That's all he is: P. T. Barnum on steroids! "Sad!"...
- On 3rd marriage "Christian"
- The "Hollywood Access" bus tape
- "You'll have the meat loaf!" to Christie
- Hanging around the dressing rooms at pageants
DJT is simply a wholly unsanitary person. And we can tell:
- Pence never hangs out with him
- No real friends we know of
- People like Roger Stone are crazy
- All other "friends" are in it for the money and the fame
On this front alone I will never understand how he got elected. People often said they voted for GWB because they felt they would like to have a drink with him. It took me a while, but I finally understood what they meant. But DJT? Can you imagine sitting in a bar next to this guy and him going on all evening how great he is?
Mr. Comey is to be praised for not have fallen into that trap, to keep his integrity as a person and as a professional LEO. In light of this his firing (and that of Sally Yates) became "logical". DJT can't work with people he can't buy, threaten, blackmail, dazzle or bamboozle. He's a con-man, and as such he needs fools to fool.
Remember that thing during the campaign when he showed off his Trump products, like Trump steaks, and there was a shot of the label, showing clearly that it was from the local butcher? Or when he had his spox point at all these folders containing his taxes and stuff, and they all were brand new and straight, so probably just filled with blank paper?
That's all he is: P. T. Barnum on steroids! "Sad!"...
12
"“He said, ‘I don’t know. I have some concerns. He’s good, he’s solid but he’s also a survivor and you don’t survive that long without making some compromises and I’m concerned about that.’”"
It goes without saying that Trumps actions have been outlandish by any standard and may prove to have broken the law.
But I find that quote by Comey to be quite astonishing, considering what a "survivor" he has been himself.
Well, up to a few days ago, anyway.
Comey is a uniquely mixed bag, and that's putting it mildly.
It goes without saying that Trumps actions have been outlandish by any standard and may prove to have broken the law.
But I find that quote by Comey to be quite astonishing, considering what a "survivor" he has been himself.
Well, up to a few days ago, anyway.
Comey is a uniquely mixed bag, and that's putting it mildly.
Trumps past history validates the notion that he expects unfettered obligation to him by all his underlings. Becoming part of the team means taking a subservient role which implies being willing to compromise ones principles if that is what it takes to protect Trump from any accountabilty. Imo Comey was nit willing to compromise his principles by guaranteeing loyalty to team Trump. Trump is supposed to be representing team America. Not an
America that is obligated to team Trumps self serving wealth oriented agenda.
America that is obligated to team Trumps self serving wealth oriented agenda.
2
If this White House needs to learn how to act appropriately I suggest they study the Obama WH.
12
As if that's going to show up on Fox ....
1
The New York Times seems to forgotten that President Obama sharply criticized FBI Director James Comey. On November 2, it reported, “President Obama threw the power of the White House behind Hillary Clinton on Wednesday. He faulted how the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, handled new emails related to the investigation into Mrs. Clinton’s private server. . . Without mentioning Mr. Comey by name — although it was clear whom he meant — Mr. Obama suggested that the F.B.I. had violated investigative guidelines and trafficked in innuendo by alerting Congress last week. Mr. Obama’s remarks, which followed searing criticism of the F.B.I. director from both parties, make it harder for Mr. Comey to defuse the worst crisis of his tenure at the bureau.” In the same article, the Times cited an interview in which Obama blasted Comey, saying, “We don’t operate on incomplete information. We don’t operate on leaks. We operate based on concrete decisions that are made.” These remarks seem calculated to cause Comey seem discomfort.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/03/us/politics/obama-james-comey-fbi-hil...
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/03/us/politics/obama-james-comey-fbi-hil...
2
Thanks, NYT, for everything you've done to reveal the deceit and threats to our national security and democracy in this administration. Three investigations are now underway. We have a Special Prosecutor on the job. Keep them working and keep them honest. But reassign a few of your RussiaTrumpgate reporters to equally threatening actions in this administration and the Republican Congress. Send them back to the healthcare front. Watch what they're doing to destroy public education, our environment, workers' rights, voting rights, and human rights. Those issues affect him just as much, if not more, than any Russian collusion. Please, we need to know.
4
How can people draw any other conclusion other than Donald Trump lies without shame, he's been doing this in public day after day, his own people say one thing, he says another and then Trump tweets out something contradictory?
Trump has a history of lying and it's all on the record, when it comes to honesty, Donald Trump has no credibility.
Now, people have to wonder if his continued calls to Michael Flynn even now, are one's to try and bribe or influence anything he could say that will cover up the wrong doing.
This all smacks of a Trump cover up!
Trump has a history of lying and it's all on the record, when it comes to honesty, Donald Trump has no credibility.
Now, people have to wonder if his continued calls to Michael Flynn even now, are one's to try and bribe or influence anything he could say that will cover up the wrong doing.
This all smacks of a Trump cover up!
3
I think that Trump writing a letter firing Comey, instead of the usual protocol, had one purpose: to put on paper the lie that Comey had told Trump 3 times that he was not under investigation. Oh, yes, and embarrassing Comey.
4
I could not agree more! Trying to create his own "paper trail".
1
Raise your hand if you believe ANYTHING this man ever said...
3
It's a vast left-wing conspiracy.
1
Donald Trump does not have the temperament to be President. He was elected nonetheless. Is this really who we want to be president? Donald Trump was, is, and always will be a sleaze. He was not an honest-dealing businessman and his behavior in office is no different from what he was like before he was elected. Is this a man we want to be leader and representative of America? Those who continue to support this ethically-challenged man do not want what is best for America. And, his supporters do not realize that Trump is even worse for their own interests.
3
Trump is a mean-spirited narcissist who bullies his way by using rapid double-speak and intimidation while continuously contradicting himself. His cruel objective in firing Comey was to humiliate him in front of his peers for not caving into his demands. Trump says that he is the target of the biggest witch hunt in history. This comes from a man who dedicated years to harassing Obama over his birth certificate. Trump is a long, hard fall for the American people after having such an intelligent, considerate president like President Obama.
This whole situation is like something out of Invasion of the Body Snatchers where aliens take over people on the planet and they become the “pod people.” That’s not very farfetched from Trump followers’ current state of mind. They are told not to watch cable news and not to read newspapers because of fake news. They spend most of their time on Twitter arguing in bumper stickers and they really believe that this walking-talking narcissist on steroids is going to be the ticket to their salvation. They are all living inside a great big bubble that is about to burst.
This whole situation is like something out of Invasion of the Body Snatchers where aliens take over people on the planet and they become the “pod people.” That’s not very farfetched from Trump followers’ current state of mind. They are told not to watch cable news and not to read newspapers because of fake news. They spend most of their time on Twitter arguing in bumper stickers and they really believe that this walking-talking narcissist on steroids is going to be the ticket to their salvation. They are all living inside a great big bubble that is about to burst.
9
'Unsettled by Trump"? How precious is that?
Comey had no need to ever fear Trump trying to grab his man parts nor being accused of being naturally born in Kenya.
Comey had no need to ever fear Trump trying to grab his man parts nor being accused of being naturally born in Kenya.
2
So, after lie after lie, who is more credible--President Trump or multiple security officials. Comey's memos, his commiseration with his multiple friends and confidants, and numerous investigative reports from several journalistic sources?
My bet is not on Trump. He has no basis for garnering anyone's confidence on this or any other matter.
Trump's supporters don't care. They think his lies are excusable because they are a sock in the nose to the "elite" power and journalistic establishment. Moreover, Trump is an emperor whose very words are "truth" even when they are patent lies. These folks are a political lost cause, and the rest of us who love our country and love our democratic institutions should now write them off and work to persuade the persuadable--the Democratic voters who were convinced to vote against Clinton and the independent voters--the majority of which disapprove of Trump. .
The die-hard Trump supporters will suffer for their folly when their lives deteriorate in the face of Trump's cuts to health care, tax-cuts for the rich and other unfulfilled pie-in-the-sky promises. It will be a hard lesson, and I am sorry for them. But obsessing over their die-hard recalcitrance to see that their President is a disaster is a waste of time for the rest of us. Their devotion to Trump has become a religious cult. They have long been committed to drinking the Trump Kool-Aid.
My bet is not on Trump. He has no basis for garnering anyone's confidence on this or any other matter.
Trump's supporters don't care. They think his lies are excusable because they are a sock in the nose to the "elite" power and journalistic establishment. Moreover, Trump is an emperor whose very words are "truth" even when they are patent lies. These folks are a political lost cause, and the rest of us who love our country and love our democratic institutions should now write them off and work to persuade the persuadable--the Democratic voters who were convinced to vote against Clinton and the independent voters--the majority of which disapprove of Trump. .
The die-hard Trump supporters will suffer for their folly when their lives deteriorate in the face of Trump's cuts to health care, tax-cuts for the rich and other unfulfilled pie-in-the-sky promises. It will be a hard lesson, and I am sorry for them. But obsessing over their die-hard recalcitrance to see that their President is a disaster is a waste of time for the rest of us. Their devotion to Trump has become a religious cult. They have long been committed to drinking the Trump Kool-Aid.
7
And so now we have Robert Mueller, a special investigator, not an independent investigator.
Mueller will be working for the Justice Department, which is run by Sessions, Trump's lap dog.
This "so called" investigation should run for years.
Does anyone see a problem? I sure do.
Mueller will be working for the Justice Department, which is run by Sessions, Trump's lap dog.
This "so called" investigation should run for years.
Does anyone see a problem? I sure do.
1
In the 70 years Trump has been alive, a "menacing" tone is par for his course.
Frankly, Trump only has about a 20% rabid and crazy base, whilethe rest either voted because they did not want a woman holding the office or because he had an "R" after his name.
I don't see him lasting 6 months.
Frankly, Trump only has about a 20% rabid and crazy base, whilethe rest either voted because they did not want a woman holding the office or because he had an "R" after his name.
I don't see him lasting 6 months.
2
It's not the base that's the problem.
The problem is the Paul Ryan types who know he's corrupt and not mature enough for the job, yet put up with him for some reason.
They can get the same agenda rammed through Congress with a President Pence, yet they keep rolling the dice with this guy, and let his right wing sycophants slowly take charge.
Ryan will be pushed out by this guy soon enough unless he acts quickly. Comey also thought he could survive this guy by playing along, but like Ryan, he was always going to be canned.
The problem is the Paul Ryan types who know he's corrupt and not mature enough for the job, yet put up with him for some reason.
They can get the same agenda rammed through Congress with a President Pence, yet they keep rolling the dice with this guy, and let his right wing sycophants slowly take charge.
Ryan will be pushed out by this guy soon enough unless he acts quickly. Comey also thought he could survive this guy by playing along, but like Ryan, he was always going to be canned.
What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty. The democrats and liberal biased media have found President Trump guilty, and there is not yet any evidence of a crime. Please people, don't throw away the very fabric of our society because of political leanings...
2
By "liberal biased media" do you mean the factual, logical, common sense reporting of facts? Give me a break, Glenn. Stop lying to us and while you're at it stop lying to yourself.
3
Any cop on the beat will refuse to sit down when a suspect invites him to, and certainly will refuse complicit body language. When the top cop of the land is invited to do this in front of world television, it's foul, suspect, and disgusting. Anyone defending Trump at this stage is a fan of dictatorship.
4
Trump is so obtuse and so incompetent that he's probably been already calling Mueller, trying to invite him to the White House for dinner.
10
But will he give him two scoops of ice cream?
5
I've been waiting a long time to see how Trump takes a punch. He's been sucker punching without repercussions for so long, and risen to such a high station, perhaps he thought himself invulnerable. Prior to now, it hasn't been worth anyone's time or energy to engage with his provocations.
As he is learning, the sitting president has a giant target painted on their back, and now he must sit alone, exposed, while all of his enemies both new and old, get to take potshots.
He is doomed.
As he is learning, the sitting president has a giant target painted on their back, and now he must sit alone, exposed, while all of his enemies both new and old, get to take potshots.
He is doomed.
6
Trump gives lip service to "law & order" but his actions show respect for neither.
7
Republicans wrap themselves in the flag but they are the most unpatriotic. They talk law and order for everyone else, except themselves. They found their silverback primate Trump.
5
The Godfather wanted loyalty and Comey wouldn't acquiesce. So he is out. Soon Trump will expect his employees to kiss his hand at every meeting if they expect to keep their jobs. If this article is facutally correct, and I have no reason to doubt it, this is obstruction of justice. Requesting private meetings with the FBI director to ask about investigations and demanding loyalty oaths? It seems nobody informed Trump that the powers of the Presidency are not unlimited. He is learning the hard way. The more I read about Comey, the more I am impressed with him. He seems like a straight shooter.
9
Gee, who to believe? A man who's a lifelong by-the-book FBI agent with a stellar reputation as a straight arrow, or a blustering huckster with a reputation for cheating business partners, lying under oath and pointing fingers at innocent people.
Decisions, decisions
Decisions, decisions
10
“He’s become more famous than me.” Jim Comey's fate is sealed with these words. You never ever dare to outshine the emperor.
7
Trump wanted to reach out. After what?
1
So a person who is admittedly no friend of Trump provides a bunch of hearsay information.
And that signifies what exactly?
This is what is referred to as Fake News.
And that signifies what exactly?
This is what is referred to as Fake News.
5
Plainly obvious that in giving Hillary Clinton a pass on blatant commission of
felony.. combined with the absence of an investigation into the Clinton Foundation -- that Mr Comey is in the Clinton's pocket.. or the pocket of whomever backs them... The yet to be produced "memo" seems too much like
a timely childish reaction from a canned employee.. will be very interesting to see where the 6'8"er ends ups when the smoke clears .. Comey should have been canned earlier than went down.. His record like his bosses speak for themselves ... Keep diggin' chillun' you will end with ... only a hole
felony.. combined with the absence of an investigation into the Clinton Foundation -- that Mr Comey is in the Clinton's pocket.. or the pocket of whomever backs them... The yet to be produced "memo" seems too much like
a timely childish reaction from a canned employee.. will be very interesting to see where the 6'8"er ends ups when the smoke clears .. Comey should have been canned earlier than went down.. His record like his bosses speak for themselves ... Keep diggin' chillun' you will end with ... only a hole
2
“He’s become more famous than me.”
Now we know the real reason Trump fired Comey.
Now we know the real reason Trump fired Comey.
15
An embarrassment to our nation that keeps on giving...Trump. He is the most unfit adult in America to be President. A drunk in your local bar is more stable even drunk than this misfit.
8
I dunno...Comey trying to blend into the drapes like a weird giant cuttlefish, Spicer hiding in the bushes like a doughy clownfish hiding in seaweeds.
Its like some kind of bizarro aquarium.
Its like some kind of bizarro aquarium.
2
It's embarrassing to watch someone coming apart at the seams. If this person is supposed to be president of the United States it is alarming. If he wasn't such a horrible person I would feel sorry for him. But now all I want is for him to be gone. And take his entire administration with him. What's amazing is that anyone could have ever wanted this person to be president of the United States. And what is absolutely mind-boggling is how anyone could still want this person to be the ruler of the free world. He's not fit to be assistant manager at a Burger King.
6
I see no contradiction between Comey's actions regarding the Clinton emails and his response to Trump. Comey, like Rosenstein, is a survivor. He wrote the letter to Congress and took notes on his meetings with Trump for the same reasons: to protect himself and the FBI from the suggestion that either was politically motivated.
In the first instance, his action backfired, because that letter contributed to Clinton's loss of the election. I don't think that was his intent. I think he believed that she would win, and sent the letter so that he would not later he accused of partisanship for not disclosing that the investigation had been reopened. I do not think that, despite his position and long experience, Mr. Comey understands the technology. He took notes on the back of an envelope rather than using a laptop or smartphone. Most of us recognized quickly that the emails on Anthony Weiner's computer were most likely just copies - i.e, a back up file- but I do not think Comey had a clue.
What Comey"s memos and comments to Wittes show is that Donald Trump not only does not play by the rules; he does not give the rules a second thought. Like his mentor, Roy Cohn, all Trump understands is power. As the forced hug demonstrates, his tools are intimidation, coercion, and intrusion.
We do indeed have Putin in the White House, as well as a wannabe mafia king pin. He must be contained or replaced. I do not think that the cowards in Congress can do either.
In the first instance, his action backfired, because that letter contributed to Clinton's loss of the election. I don't think that was his intent. I think he believed that she would win, and sent the letter so that he would not later he accused of partisanship for not disclosing that the investigation had been reopened. I do not think that, despite his position and long experience, Mr. Comey understands the technology. He took notes on the back of an envelope rather than using a laptop or smartphone. Most of us recognized quickly that the emails on Anthony Weiner's computer were most likely just copies - i.e, a back up file- but I do not think Comey had a clue.
What Comey"s memos and comments to Wittes show is that Donald Trump not only does not play by the rules; he does not give the rules a second thought. Like his mentor, Roy Cohn, all Trump understands is power. As the forced hug demonstrates, his tools are intimidation, coercion, and intrusion.
We do indeed have Putin in the White House, as well as a wannabe mafia king pin. He must be contained or replaced. I do not think that the cowards in Congress can do either.
7
Now that Trump is temporarily out of the country, can we put into practice that "closed borders" concept that I've always been against....... until now?
12
democrats owe comey a public apology. more than anyone, Bill and Hill owe comey a public apology. he holds the line on protocol, rule of law, and neutrality of the justice department under the most difficult conditions - when EVERYONE these days relies on bandaids, spin, and coverup to break with integrity and make their own rules, in different ways and to different degrees: hillary and the DNC in ways they think were "not that serious", trump pretty flagrantly. rock and a hard place for a man who tries to hold the line on integrity.
1
Trump: I wanna buy that building.
Comey: It's not for sale.
T: Come on, let me buy the building.
C: No.
T: It'll be great for both of us!
C: Sorry, no.
---
Trump: Checking back …
Comey: Yes?
T: About that building ..
C: Still no. Never. At any price.
T: Name your price.
C: I just said…
T: Jimmy. Jimbo. Jim.
C: Yes?
T: Aren't we friends?
C: No.
T: I wanna buy that building.
Comey: It's not for sale.
T: Come on, let me buy the building.
C: No.
T: It'll be great for both of us!
C: Sorry, no.
---
Trump: Checking back …
Comey: Yes?
T: About that building ..
C: Still no. Never. At any price.
T: Name your price.
C: I just said…
T: Jimmy. Jimbo. Jim.
C: Yes?
T: Aren't we friends?
C: No.
T: I wanna buy that building.
8
"Those interactions included a dinner in which associates of Mr. Comey say Mr. Trump asked him to pledge his loyalty and a meeting in the Oval Office at which Mr. Trump told him he hoped Mr. Comey would shut down an investigation into Mr. Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn. Mr. Trump has denied making the request."
I think that it is time that President Trump release those tapes of these conversations that President Trump claims do exist.
I think that it is time that President Trump release those tapes of these conversations that President Trump claims do exist.
4
The body language in the news clip speaks volumes about Trump. It clearly shows Trump was trying to pull Comey into an embrace which Comey didn't reciprocate. But at the beginning of the clip, Trump's gestures and body language are saying "Comey, walk up here and pay me homage."
Trump wasn't being Presidential, he was seeking adulation.
Trump wasn't being Presidential, he was seeking adulation.
7
Trump is so used to the GOP descending to his ever increasing depths of absurdity that he figures everyone else like Comey would as well. He can corrupt the EPA at a swipe of a pen, put an avowed racist as his senior aide, another racist as AG, why can't he just get Comey ya know to drop his investigations? wink wink!
4
The Democratic Leadership, The Media, and Academia, are attempting to Impeach several States and American Voters with this phony investigation and call for Impeachment of Trump. The American People voted for Trump because we are vomit sick of these Corrupt institutions. Further evidence of this, is how Democrats have lost thousands of positions all over this Country. You fools are making a BIG mistake.
1
Who wouldn't be wary if Trump was solicitous?
2
President Trump and his team are doing very good thing for our country. Our problem is democrats are doing their best to destroy American freedoms.
It's a mistake to try and take president Trump down.
It's a mistake to try and take president Trump down.
1
What planet is this writer living on. "The F.B.I.’s longest-serving director, J. Edgar Hoover, had close relationships with several presidents" They had relationships with him because he had too much power, and files on everyone and he was apparently prone to blackmail. They were afraid of him! As Nixon said.. ' he could pull down the temple'
2
"But Trump pulled him into an embrace and Comey didn’t reciprocate."
That was a hugely creepy move by Trump. It also looked like Trump either whispered something into Comey's ear or kissed it. We will have to wait for the memo to find out the TRUTH!
That was a hugely creepy move by Trump. It also looked like Trump either whispered something into Comey's ear or kissed it. We will have to wait for the memo to find out the TRUTH!
Comey is a moralistic Boy Scout. It caused him to act inappropriately on multiple occasions when dealing with Hillary Clinton's email server prior to Election Day. The FBI doesn't have a case? Say so and leave it at that. Don't opine about judgment, testify to the witch hunters in congress, or publicly reopen a case of potentially no merit just days before the election.
On the other hand, Comey's ethics and work habits served him well when dealing with the new Grifter in chief, but NOT until he was in office. Hopefully, it will accelerate the process of ending the national embarrassment known as the Trump-Pence administration.
James Comey, Boy Scout killer of presidential dreams. Just not a merit badge winner when it comes to timing.
On the other hand, Comey's ethics and work habits served him well when dealing with the new Grifter in chief, but NOT until he was in office. Hopefully, it will accelerate the process of ending the national embarrassment known as the Trump-Pence administration.
James Comey, Boy Scout killer of presidential dreams. Just not a merit badge winner when it comes to timing.
1
It all boils down to who does one believe. I choose Comey. The first sign Comey was going to get the boot was the video showing Comey walking across the room and shaking hands with Trump. Trump's left hand patted Comey in the back, right where the bulls eye would be.
Trump will never understand why he can't run the country like it's his own family business.
3
This statement by Trump was clearly an attempt at good old fashioned "covering one's tail". It's the stuff of amateurs in corporations who think that once you offer a statement if the recipient doesn't respond you can claim your statement was accurate. After all, if it wasn't why didn't the recipient respond. Trump has been getting a crash course on why being President is different from being head of the Trump organization or being the Csar of America. You can run but you can't hide.
1
The interesting thing to watch is going to be Jared and Ivanka. They've been trained in the politics of craven disloyalty. It is not to hard to imagine that there will be a reckoning and they will decide to safeguard their interests by leaving the White House, or being (as Ivanka has been the last few days) conspicuously absent. (Kellyanne is obviously gone). Trump--it's pretty certain--isn't actually as rich as he says he is. The Kushners may be far better off, and safer. So the transactional relationship--and the tragic one for Trump--may be that Ivanka leaves him. Gripping, if it wasn't so terrible, and had so many real consequences for so many--including those young people in the administration who got swept up in this and now may be paying off legal bills for years.
1
Nothing here unless making someone feel "uneasy" is a crime. But, of course, the Left will continue to try to make something out of nothing.
4
I think you either missed the point here or you're only seeing what you want to see.
1
Whatever you say.....Please note sarcasm.
5
What I find concerning is the flip side of this loyalty and friendship coin. Who is Trump trusting that he shouldn't because they will interact with him the way he wants? No doubt Putin. Xi Jinping? Any number of political operatives that don't have the best interests of the country at heart? Trump is acting like that charismatic boss that everyone loves, except for those employees that have an internal ethical compass not centered around personal relationships. I think this explains why everything is going so badly, except to his core supporters, who are so willing to write everything off as a personal vendetta.
5
“Rosenstein told members of the Senate on Thursday that Mr. Trump had already decided to fire him when he wrote it.”
So it appears that the Deputy Attorney General penned the memo up as a prop for the President’s sacking of the FBI Director — most likely at the behest of the White House — rather than as a principled effort to deal with any fundamental problems with James Comey’s effectiveness as the head of the FBI.
Seems that Mr. Rosenstein is now substantially tainted in this affair — the common lot for those too close to the Trump flame.
So it appears that the Deputy Attorney General penned the memo up as a prop for the President’s sacking of the FBI Director — most likely at the behest of the White House — rather than as a principled effort to deal with any fundamental problems with James Comey’s effectiveness as the head of the FBI.
Seems that Mr. Rosenstein is now substantially tainted in this affair — the common lot for those too close to the Trump flame.
4
When does Trump stop trying to hustle some he has his eye on? This behavior with Comey tells us a lot about Trump. He's fearful and unsure of himself. Inadequate in himself, he poses and bluffs, boasts, and bullies his way into securing himself. Used to saying, "you're fired," He has found out that strategy does not work for him. We have a President who is a liar and a coward
3
"...that he tried to blend in with the blue curtains in the back of the room, in the hopes that Mr. Trump would not spot him and call him out." Haha. What a funny guy. He is 6'8" and wanted to be incognito! haha. He shouldn't have attended. Anyway, he got what he asked for--to be left alone. Fired by Trump!
Up until yesterday Trump has steadfastly said that "no one on his team colluded with the Russians".
Late yesterday he repeated this claim BUT with a very subtle but important twist. He now says that "he had not colluded with the Russians".
I believe in the end the facts will prove without question that many on Trumps team were actively colluding with the Russians to affect the outcome of the election. What they may not be able to prove conclusively is that Trump knew and abetted, unless of course one of his team gets a plea deal and agrees to testify against him. In that case, it's game and presidency over.
Late yesterday he repeated this claim BUT with a very subtle but important twist. He now says that "he had not colluded with the Russians".
I believe in the end the facts will prove without question that many on Trumps team were actively colluding with the Russians to affect the outcome of the election. What they may not be able to prove conclusively is that Trump knew and abetted, unless of course one of his team gets a plea deal and agrees to testify against him. In that case, it's game and presidency over.
2
The President of the Untied States is not the King of the United States, Trump doesn't get it.
8
He thinks he is CEO. Nikki Haley says so too. God help them both, they represent our country's finest specimen of bizarre behavior.
Trump appears to always have an agenda when he does something--like suddenly wanting to have dinner, and singling Comey out for over-the-top praise. It seems that he did indeed have an agenda--to get his buddy Flynn off the hot seat and slow down or stop the Russia investigation. The motive is clear. The actions bear that out. So does Comey's memorandum and his contemporaneous conversations with his colleagues. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to follow the bread crumbs here. A real investigation by the special counsel will parse this quickly.
5
Lieberman is Trumps dream candidate to replace Comey. Lieberman is a known sycophant of the first order and perfect compliment to Trumps attempt to break down as many barriers to the divisions of power that our Constitution affords us for protection from just such men as Trump. Catch 22.
3
The praise for James Comey suddenly coming from liberals shocks me. He should be in jail for interfering with the election- pretty much everyone agreed at the time. Remember? Now suddenly people are willing to forgive and forget that egregious act just because it LOOKS like Comey is suddenly coming to his senses and slaying the goliath? No way. I dont buy it. It makes me even MORE suspect of Comey. The apparent respect he has from his colleagues notwithstanding, he cannot be trust and clearly sees himself as the kingmaker. The FBI has been investigating Trump since forever- why didnt he pipe up when Trump was batting around a run at office? End all of this before it started. Comey does not have the best interest of the American people or the rule of law as his goal, whatever that goal will be, we know its not doing whats right.
1
Comey should have kept his mouth shut from the get go!, he got pressured to say Clintons investigations was over, the felt pressure to say it was on again. He compromised himself and the FBI. He should have just stayed silent this whole mess is 50% the crimes and miss steps from both sides and 50% him blowing it up and stepping in. All he did was compound the whole dame thing.
Even the NYT comments section are being invaded by the plague of Russia-supported "information propagators". This is turning out to be a full-bore electronic coup of the United States of America's executive branch. I think at some point it will dawn on many readers how many of our independent public media is being compromised. This is no conspiracy, this is a groundswell of money coming from Russia to achieve its ends.
3
Unfortunately I think it is possible that Comey resisting a bro hug with trump set him off. That is how petulant and thin skinned I believe our president is.
3
Our first president, George Washington, took many measures so that he would not be a king. This current not popularly-elected president is totally autocratic and oblivious. His base has been woefully uneducated in critical thinking. We should work hard to have them better educated, but first we need to have non-Republicans elected in states that voted for DT and work on the gerrymandering to be corrected. These are long-term. In the short-term, vote against the ruined Republican party that was done-in by Ailes, Limbaugh, Gingrich, et al.
2
Former FBI Dir. Comey made an observation about Dep. AG Rosenstein with which I would certainly agree - he was indeed compromised, and the post-firing composition of his memo couild be seen as complicity, and perhapst part of a cover-up. It certainly established that the firing of Comey was not based on the reasons given in the memo.
3
As I understand it, this Rosenstein guy was asked to come up with a memo justifying Comey's firing and he came up with the idea that Trump was unset over Comey's criticism of Hillary about the dumb e-mail thing. That's patently absurd since Trump would have been delighted about any derogation of "Crooked" Hillary. Am I missing something or is this just business as usual for the Trump camp?
2
We all wanted to know what really happened in the finale of 'The Sopranos.' Now we know. Tony got elected president.
1
I didn't vote for him, I know he is grossly underqualified to run the country but the Times is clearly going all out to bring him down for obvious political reasons and I think revenge also for the "failing Times" attacks. I will cancel my subscription if this incessant trashing and slanted reporting continues.
1
If what you say is true then you must have proofs or at least a good argument for why the facts as laid out are not correct. Please submit that here.
4
To improv58,
Let's accept your premise that the Times coverage is as you describe, and for the resaon you give. Can you cite an instance when any of it has been untrue? Has its coverage been any more trashing and slanted than the Wash Post or Wall St Journal?
What we're reading about Trump and his administration was handed to the media by him/them on silver platter.
Let's accept your premise that the Times coverage is as you describe, and for the resaon you give. Can you cite an instance when any of it has been untrue? Has its coverage been any more trashing and slanted than the Wash Post or Wall St Journal?
What we're reading about Trump and his administration was handed to the media by him/them on silver platter.
4
The FBI is not a fourth branch of government. It is part of the executive branch of which there is one head, the President. The Fbi is not supposed to be "training" the wh. That is backwards. The fiefdom model was what was wrong with hoover. If Comey really wanted this "independence" then he should have been fired. Trump is horrible, but "independent" unelected "police force" is no good.
16
You are terribly misinformed. If the FBI did not have independence from the WH there would be no point for it to exist or we would have to create another agency to have independent investigative powers over the WH. Much of our government is designed with these tests of honor and character where an agency is under the control of people who have to keep their hands off for it to be seen as doing its job fairly and honestly, which Mr Trump failed in epic proportions. You apparently think it OK for the president to stop any investigation he would like to, it isn't.
The FBI is part of the DOJ and both need to be independent of the WH especially when they are investigating the WH or its staff.
"Training the WH" meant he was teaching the President and his staff the correct procedures for contacting and interacting with the FBI to maintain proper legal distance so as to preserve the independence and therefore credibility of the FBI to include what topics are always off the table.
The FBI is part of the DOJ and both need to be independent of the WH especially when they are investigating the WH or its staff.
"Training the WH" meant he was teaching the President and his staff the correct procedures for contacting and interacting with the FBI to maintain proper legal distance so as to preserve the independence and therefore credibility of the FBI to include what topics are always off the table.
Oh yea, Hoover used his position to get dirt on politicians and used that dirt to get what he wanted. He would have got along famously with Trump they are of the same ilk. He was not "independent" in the loose cannon way you imply, he was feared because he destroyed people with impunity using truth or manufactured evidence.
This is a good point, but on the other hand in the story it says that the model the FBI is following (and trying to "train" the WH in) is according to the rules created by the DOJ. So, if the administration wants to change how the FBI works, they need to start with DOJ.
Maybe we shouldn't even have an FBI, though.
Maybe we shouldn't even have an FBI, though.
1
For anyone paying attention since Trump began making public declarations of admiration for Putin on the campaign trail, none of this is surprising. Arrogance, ignorance and insecurity drive Trump to self-destruct in ways that put Nixon in the shade. Despite Nixon's many fatal flaws, he wasn't stupid. Trump is not fit to be mayor of Peoria, let alone PotUS. I do not doubt that he will be driven from office, taking others along for the fall. The striking development is that none of the true believers--poisoned in the Fox Newz bubble--will admit to being bamboozled. You can take their health care but they won't let loose of their hate. They hate those who dare point out that the Baby King has no clothes.
4
There are three ways of doing things in this world: the right way, the wrong way, and the Trump way.
The article reads:
"President Trump called the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, weeks after he took office and asked him when federal authorities were going to put out word that Mr. Trump was not personally under investigation, according to two people briefed on the call.
Mr. Comey told the president that if he wanted to know details about the bureau’s investigations, he should not contact him directly but instead follow the proper procedures and have the White House counsel send any inquiries to the Justice Department, according to those people."
Trump is a lot like North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Trump habitually insists on doing things his way. And, that's a real problem for all of us.
The article reads:
"President Trump called the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, weeks after he took office and asked him when federal authorities were going to put out word that Mr. Trump was not personally under investigation, according to two people briefed on the call.
Mr. Comey told the president that if he wanted to know details about the bureau’s investigations, he should not contact him directly but instead follow the proper procedures and have the White House counsel send any inquiries to the Justice Department, according to those people."
Trump is a lot like North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Trump habitually insists on doing things his way. And, that's a real problem for all of us.
4
When Trump said Comey was more famous than he himself, that was the kiss of death.
3
Comey was canned for being a weak-kneed leader who genuflected over to whatever the flavor of the day happened to be. Would he really have us believe that he--an FBI director--felt uneasy about speaking with a sitting president? Give me a break.
1
No. No break for you. Comey was fired because he would not agree to back off of the FBI investigation into Flynn and potential collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia. Comey was right to feel uneasy in the presence of a man as unprincipled as Trump. Trump's insistence that Comey pledge loyalty to him, rather than the Constitution, reveals Trump's ethical bankruptcy.
4
Maybe all delegable duties could be irrevocably delegated to Mr Pence?
Mr Pence could be President in everything but name.
Mr Pence could be President in everything but name.
Donnie operates under the premise that loyalty, feigned, perceived or imitated is the coin of his realm. The cozy up to Comey was a preamble to quash the perp walk on the horizon.
1
So why would he go to a private dinner, stay for a private (as I have heard) meeting with the president? His actions and his testimony don't match with these sorts of articles.
Professional courtesy--you don't walk out of a dinner with your wife,neighbors, or the President. Have you never sat through an experience you didn't like or didn't want to?
The meeting was separate from the dinner. He stayed after a group meeting at the President's request.
The meeting was separate from the dinner. He stayed after a group meeting at the President's request.
3
When Trump fired Mr. Comey he was fully aware of the way that he chose to fire him. It was not enough to remove him from his job but Trump found it necessary to humiliate him by telling the world he was fired before he told Mr. Comey. This is mean spirited in a way that is not necessary. This is what you get when you hire a small minded businessman to be president.
6
Joe Lieberman is the reason I left the Democratic Party to become an Independent in 2008.
After campaigning for John McCain, I knew Joe was a 'trimmer'...he'd go whichever way was expedient for him. To me, he has no principles. As another comment noted, he's a turncoat.
If (y)our president nominates Joe to head the FBI and if he is confirmed, the American public can kiss the investigation of wrongdoings 'goodbye'. It will not happen.
Joe will dutifully serve his master. And that means quashing any real search for the truth.
NOT my president
After campaigning for John McCain, I knew Joe was a 'trimmer'...he'd go whichever way was expedient for him. To me, he has no principles. As another comment noted, he's a turncoat.
If (y)our president nominates Joe to head the FBI and if he is confirmed, the American public can kiss the investigation of wrongdoings 'goodbye'. It will not happen.
Joe will dutifully serve his master. And that means quashing any real search for the truth.
NOT my president
8
I marvel at people who can even bring themselves to see anything positive in Joe Lieberman.
3
Two big egos but Comey has repeatedly shown himself to respect and uphold the integrity of his position; Trump, like the sbiveling, low-level cheat and manipulator he has always been, has so far shown nothing but disrespect, disregard and dishonesty in his dealings with all concerned. He is disgracing the Office.
4
Mr. Trump, Mr. Comey would not be your friend
It was dumb to ask. As the old adage advises, if you want a friend, get a dog.
It was dumb to ask. As the old adage advises, if you want a friend, get a dog.
5
Trump is poisonous. Only masochism or desperation explains people wanting to work for him.
7
"There is Jim. He is more famous than me [sci]".
And then #45 was eager to make him a sycophant and join the sicko-phants that support this man spewing lie after lie on the 24/7 basis, including his temper twitter temper tantrums written in 140 characters when the already sleep deprived Apprentice president is walking around in a bathrobe.
My only hope is that the Special Counsel - or Council as Trump spells it - will be able to not only show the entanglement between Trump and Russia, but also the fact that Mike Pence was indeed informed about l'Affaire Flynn and lied to lawmakers and the nation alike.
And then #45 was eager to make him a sycophant and join the sicko-phants that support this man spewing lie after lie on the 24/7 basis, including his temper twitter temper tantrums written in 140 characters when the already sleep deprived Apprentice president is walking around in a bathrobe.
My only hope is that the Special Counsel - or Council as Trump spells it - will be able to not only show the entanglement between Trump and Russia, but also the fact that Mike Pence was indeed informed about l'Affaire Flynn and lied to lawmakers and the nation alike.
8
FBI director proves to be as sharp as a razor as they should be.
Yes Comey shaped the Presidency but that is not the only reason Hillary lost to Trump.
Now back to Donald Trump the picture did not speak thousand words. Until now we thought that was a mutual hug and almost some kisses from DT .
The Nation is grateful now that the previous FBI director Comey kept all the details with paper trails which will expose Donald Trump`s corruption, misdeeds and insecurities.
Yes Comey shaped the Presidency but that is not the only reason Hillary lost to Trump.
Now back to Donald Trump the picture did not speak thousand words. Until now we thought that was a mutual hug and almost some kisses from DT .
The Nation is grateful now that the previous FBI director Comey kept all the details with paper trails which will expose Donald Trump`s corruption, misdeeds and insecurities.
9
At last, a big piece of the puzzle comes clear! Why Trump's firing letter opened its second paragraph saying Comey, three times, had told Trump he was not under "investigation" (which Trump "greatly appreciated"); Trump "nevertheless" concurred in Comey's termination.
It was not his innocence Trump was shouting about nor an act of presidential courtesy--Trump was trying to get ahead of charges of obstruction of justice, improper meddling and interference in an ongoing investigation. He firmly attempts to place the improper conduct on Comey, but leaves vague who initiated the question. Were it true, Comey is condemned by his three answers: it breaks protocol, it violates basic rules of FBI investigation, it gives the appearance that Comey was trying to curry favor.
Trump knew, once fired, Trump's own, self-initiated attempts to block the investigation, gain knowledge of it status, and discover the scrutiny he was under, was in danger of being revealed--as it has!
The jarring disconnect now fits! Not his innocence as once thought, but to lay off his guilt on procedural issues is the real purpose of that out of place sentence.
Now as we know more, we plainly see how, why and where it fits! (Of course, Trump followed the letter with bluster and threats.)
It was not his innocence Trump was shouting about nor an act of presidential courtesy--Trump was trying to get ahead of charges of obstruction of justice, improper meddling and interference in an ongoing investigation. He firmly attempts to place the improper conduct on Comey, but leaves vague who initiated the question. Were it true, Comey is condemned by his three answers: it breaks protocol, it violates basic rules of FBI investigation, it gives the appearance that Comey was trying to curry favor.
Trump knew, once fired, Trump's own, self-initiated attempts to block the investigation, gain knowledge of it status, and discover the scrutiny he was under, was in danger of being revealed--as it has!
The jarring disconnect now fits! Not his innocence as once thought, but to lay off his guilt on procedural issues is the real purpose of that out of place sentence.
Now as we know more, we plainly see how, why and where it fits! (Of course, Trump followed the letter with bluster and threats.)
10
Ding Ding Ding DIng DIng Ding DIng DIng!!!!
We have a winner!
We have a winner!
We all know about Trump being someone who makes you cringe becsuse he's fundamentally crude and rather ill bred. Mr. Comey is the opposite. He's a bit of stuff shirt like many of the agents whose FBI culture demands the posture of an alter boy.
But Mr. Comey is going to have to search his soul and tell us why he did not push back against Mr. Trump. At best, the retort should have been "Mr. President, this conversation is inappropriate given my position." Anything short of that is weakness to me or an act of someone who simply wanted to keep his job.
But Mr. Comey is going to have to search his soul and tell us why he did not push back against Mr. Trump. At best, the retort should have been "Mr. President, this conversation is inappropriate given my position." Anything short of that is weakness to me or an act of someone who simply wanted to keep his job.
6
The culture you allude to is one of honor. If one follows the rules of grammar and manners and always seeks to be and find truth one is less likely to do bad things or make criminal mistakes. It is not perfect, psychopaths can maintain the appearance of and do bad things but most people cannot.
We used to teach it to all children before reagan and the radical terrorist Christians made us into such a great nation we had choices like "Do I buy food or medicine?" "Do I let this or that bank rip me off for my loan?" "Do I work for pennies in the hopes that in decades one of my kids is able to earn enough money to get me out of this mess? Or do I fight for better conditions now and not have any work at all because there are so many ignorant poor people willing to do it for pennies?"
We used to teach it to all children before reagan and the radical terrorist Christians made us into such a great nation we had choices like "Do I buy food or medicine?" "Do I let this or that bank rip me off for my loan?" "Do I work for pennies in the hopes that in decades one of my kids is able to earn enough money to get me out of this mess? Or do I fight for better conditions now and not have any work at all because there are so many ignorant poor people willing to do it for pennies?"
1
"Mr. Comey told the president that if he wanted to know details about the bureau’s investigations, he should not contact him directly but instead follow the proper procedures and have the White House counsel send any inquiries to the Justice Department, according to those people."
=
This excerpt makes Comey even worse and all the more justified his firing and public pillorying
Here's how:
Mr Comey is described by his detractors, including me (I am a Trump zealot), that Mr Comey arrogated to himself decisions about when to speak and how and to whom ----- when ALL OF THAT should have been referred upwards, --- and he did not
In part, we are told or infer, that he thought his boss Ms Lynch, was compromised by her tarmac tete a tete with BJ Clinton (That's Bubba Jefferson) when Mrs BJ was under investigation for her poor email security and other wrongdoings implicating national security
So, to repeat, Mr Comey KNOWS the rules when he decides to male his own
Good riddance and more, and long overdue
All entirely a self-created hardship, showboating and grandstanding, multiplied by attitude and self-importance
One more alligator in the swamp, alligators have teeth, we have forgotten
=
This excerpt makes Comey even worse and all the more justified his firing and public pillorying
Here's how:
Mr Comey is described by his detractors, including me (I am a Trump zealot), that Mr Comey arrogated to himself decisions about when to speak and how and to whom ----- when ALL OF THAT should have been referred upwards, --- and he did not
In part, we are told or infer, that he thought his boss Ms Lynch, was compromised by her tarmac tete a tete with BJ Clinton (That's Bubba Jefferson) when Mrs BJ was under investigation for her poor email security and other wrongdoings implicating national security
So, to repeat, Mr Comey KNOWS the rules when he decides to male his own
Good riddance and more, and long overdue
All entirely a self-created hardship, showboating and grandstanding, multiplied by attitude and self-importance
One more alligator in the swamp, alligators have teeth, we have forgotten
2
Comet has a need ffrom deep within his dna to skate on the ice towards drama!
He could have talked to the AG and the White House Counsel about his "feelings".
He could have talked to the AG and the White House Counsel about his "feelings".
3
Man! This has been beaten to its knees.
Three previous inquiries into this have produced nothing that justifies the fourth investigation. That is unless enough time has passed giving the accusers the time needed to plant evidence.
Three previous inquiries into this have produced nothing that justifies the fourth investigation. That is unless enough time has passed giving the accusers the time needed to plant evidence.
3
The issue has been obscured. It appears the Trump folks engaged in a quid pro quo- Putin would sabotage HRC so Trump would remove sanctions so Exxon could revive the trillion dollar Arctic drilling to revive Russia's economy. This deal served Trumped- not America or Earth.
2
You are mistaking hearings for investigations. No investigation has been completed into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russians. Appearing in open session for one day does not constitute an entire investigation.
You are not even considering the Trump goings on of the past two weeks.
We all need to pay attention.
You are not even considering the Trump goings on of the past two weeks.
We all need to pay attention.
1
All three investigations are still going on and subpoenas have only now been issued, what results are you talking about?
3
How does "Trump made me uneasy" count as news? This is yet another keep Trump in the headlines "story" that is beneath a real news organization....unless of course your goal is to just be negative about him every single day. Please go find a real story to occupy the head of your newspaper.
3
Spicer in the bushes and now Comey in the curtains - the White House sounds a great place to play hide and seek!
5
They must be snickering (behind bushes and curtains) at the spectacle of the biggest goof of them all.
Trump's behavior is what any good con man acts like- - they try to win your loyalty with charm, promises, feigned earnestness and sincerity - so they can control you. They win, you loose. Comey was on to Trump's transparent tricks and so he had to be fired. Big Surprise? I look forward to the day when the tables are turned, when members of Congress - our "leaders" - grow a spine and stand up and finally say " You're Fired" to you -know- who.
9
Director Comey was trying to do the right thing. But we have a president used to getting his own way with his bullying tactics. What is most telling about his personality is how he presents himself. It is always about him. "He has become more famous than me" Really? Is that all you care about?
What a contrast between a 47 year old President in 2008 and a 70 year old narcissistic man.
What a contrast between a 47 year old President in 2008 and a 70 year old narcissistic man.
14
Say Trump is wrong about him being subject to the biggest witch hunt in history. That claim belongs to Hilary Clinton whom he unrelentingly whipped up his supporters to attack He is so clearly the über hypocrite. His actions make Benghazi and private email server attacks pretty benign compared to this corrupt, egotistical and down right bully of a president.
22
Benghazi was a made up attack on the political opponent. Republicans wasted millions of dollars of taxpayer money with him though there there. Her private email server proved to be the safest and unlike the governments unhacked.
Hillary was unfairly tarnished by a bunch of white men. Trump, Bernie, 20 other Republican candidates, the Russians, the FBI, and she still beat them by 3 million votes.
Hillary was unfairly tarnished by a bunch of white men. Trump, Bernie, 20 other Republican candidates, the Russians, the FBI, and she still beat them by 3 million votes.
5
Any sources? Has the NYT sunk to such a low level that you no longer require sources? Everything you report on these topics is innuendo. You have zero journalistic integrity. It is a shame what the Old Gray Lady has become; the National Enquirer
1
This article does name a source: Benjamin Wittes.
You really should at least scan an article before pasting a talking point into a Comment.
You really should at least scan an article before pasting a talking point into a Comment.
4
Benjamin Wittes. Try reading the article next time .
4
The same FBI USA story is playing out in India too . In india the C B I is routinely used as an agency to kill investigations against own party and initiate investigation into opposition party members. Current government is again on a purge opposition phase with the help of C B I, especially in the wake of allegations that E V M fraud was rampant in the latest Uttar Pradesh state elections. The election commission has been forced to comply with the ruling government on E V M fraud. Slowly India will slip into a dictatorship in 1-2 years - at least USA should save their democracy instead of becoming a annexed territory to Russia. USA really has a long 240 year history of democracy, protect it at all costs - you are a beacon and big brother protector to the world.
5
g.hun from China you don't have to make baseless allegations about India slipping into dictatorship. India is a vibrant democracy since its independence from British rule and will remain so until eternity. Freedom of press in India is the hallmark of Indian democracy and the Indian judiciary is reputed for its integrity and independence. Could there have been some minor voter fraud? possible. Does that explain the recent resounding victory of the ruling party at the center, the BJP in the recent elections in Uttar Pradesh (UP). No way. The government in the state of UP at the time the elections were held was not of the ruling party at the center. So India, the largest democracy having the highest economic growth of any democratic country is incredible and commendable. Corruption free Prime minister Narendra Modi has enabled India to hope and develop. At least for now he remains the jewel of India, the best global leader, India has had in a very long time and a catalyst to a stable and a progressive India. India remains a nonaligned country with close working relations to all the major powers USA, Russia and China and also with the Muslim majority countries in the middle east as well as Indonesia and Malaysia. Right now PM Modi is visiting Israel and that achieves a full inclusive circle of friends working for world peace and progress,
1
As a non-American I found Trump's performance unworthy of a President of the USA to such a point that he degrades the very office he holds. When it suited Trump Comey was a "hero" but now he uses this opportunity to slur his reputation knowing that Comey is not in a position to directly defend himself. Flynn, who lied and misled his administration is, in Trump's words "a good guy". I'm not sure how much shame & humiliation Americans are prepared to accept through the words and actions of Trump but I cannot but believe that whatever respect your country held in the outside world it has been so debased under Trump that now your country is becoming a source of ridicule.
15
I can't blame the FBI in having rules to keep Presidents out of their pot. Presidents can and will try to influence outcome especially one they wants.
I fare Trump in the sense that he went Nationally and not taking the advice of his briefing Team in the WH. His comment was of media news then he is blaming Media for what is going on. If you can't respect the people put in place to back you and keep you in line then WHAT'S YOUR MOTIVES? I'm sure they brief on what he can/cannot do with each entity in his grasp of The US Government.
The behavior of Trump is on-Becoming-of-the-president. The USA is not the Trump enterprise. THERE are laws checks and balance to fallow and response to the public as well.
The Job of the WH and the Country is not for Trump and I believe he should step down and allow the people some breathing room..
I fare Trump in the sense that he went Nationally and not taking the advice of his briefing Team in the WH. His comment was of media news then he is blaming Media for what is going on. If you can't respect the people put in place to back you and keep you in line then WHAT'S YOUR MOTIVES? I'm sure they brief on what he can/cannot do with each entity in his grasp of The US Government.
The behavior of Trump is on-Becoming-of-the-president. The USA is not the Trump enterprise. THERE are laws checks and balance to fallow and response to the public as well.
The Job of the WH and the Country is not for Trump and I believe he should step down and allow the people some breathing room..
4
It is just too painful too read about this man-child bungling around the White House and our democracy. He's too self-obsessed (or stupid) to even realize when he's being helped. How will we wipe him from our shoe?
7
The bad news is if it was so bad and obstructing justice, Comey has had 3 months to report it, why didn't he say anything to congress.? Or Sally Yates .He could have said something in closed sessions if he didnt feel convertible to congress. At the May 3 hearing in congress he was even asked what he thought about people asking him to drop a investigation but he said that never happened to him.
3
There are jobs requiring a psychological test and examination to ascertain that the individual has the necessary attributes and mental sanity conducive to a safe performance. Is there a chance that we can institute such a procedure to evaluate the Button Pusher-in-Chief?
After all, isn't this person the one holding the planet's well being in his tiny hands?
After all, isn't this person the one holding the planet's well being in his tiny hands?
8
You'd really have a story if you found someone in their right mind who DIDN'T choose to keep their distance from this Pepé Le Pew of presidents.
2
Even with all this DT doesn't seem to understand the gravity of his actions or ramifications. He only cares about his image and brand.
He's our WH Kardashian, no discernible talent but loyal Twitter/ social media following. An "influencer".
More comfortable with Erdogan, Sisi and Sislyak than James Comey.
And Sessions, Rosenstein, Congress GOP all are ok with it if their tax cuts can get through. Plus gutting healthcare.
Carnage.
He's our WH Kardashian, no discernible talent but loyal Twitter/ social media following. An "influencer".
More comfortable with Erdogan, Sisi and Sislyak than James Comey.
And Sessions, Rosenstein, Congress GOP all are ok with it if their tax cuts can get through. Plus gutting healthcare.
Carnage.
13
Trump blowing a kiss is just insane. No man in his right mind does that.
6
We have yet to hear from the horses mouth. All we hear is from NY Times reporters as fact and news is anonymous sources and friends of Comey. The biggest scandal of Comey firing is Comey dating back around July 2016 when instead of simply reporting the conclusions of the FBI investigations into the emails scandal of Hillary Clinton, he went on to essentially prevent any adverse consequences or appropriate punishment for the "extreme carelessness" in handling classified information. Comey seriously obstructed justice by recommending extreme leniency for the crimes committed. It is not the job of the FBI to allocate sentencing for a person they were investigating and the findings of the investigation concluded that crimes were committed and Comey went further to say that there was "no intent". A fair sentencing had it been done could have at least enforced a simple reprimand that Clinton could no longer hold elected office. This would have allowed Bernie Sanders to be nominated by the Democratic party for the presidential election in Nov. 2016 and there could have been a possibility of the democrats keeping the white house. The special counsel should in fact look into the improper conduct of Comey and what he considers as "mildly nauseating" in terms of influencing the elections, I would say his impact on the presidential elections in 2016 was far greater than what the Russians could have allegedly done.
3
Stupid is as stupid does. But one might wonder whether Donald T. is trying to find a way to resign."Look I tried my best but the media and the Washington swamp prevented me to do my job". Or something similar to that.
5
Americans for sale! For sale to the highest bidding dictatorship. Turkey & Flynn. Russia & Flynn or 45 or Manafort or Stone or Page, etc.
Yet 45 persisted in asking Comey to look the other way. Astounding in its arrogance and stupidity. Or perhaps 45 was so used to asking others to look the other way over his past 40 years of wheeling and double-cross dealing that he figured the Feds were like all his other buddies with their hands in dictators' money pots.
What a relief to see the integrity of the Justice Department shine through with the appointment of Mueller. It's not over yet but I feel waves of hope again. I had been worried I might not.
Yet 45 persisted in asking Comey to look the other way. Astounding in its arrogance and stupidity. Or perhaps 45 was so used to asking others to look the other way over his past 40 years of wheeling and double-cross dealing that he figured the Feds were like all his other buddies with their hands in dictators' money pots.
What a relief to see the integrity of the Justice Department shine through with the appointment of Mueller. It's not over yet but I feel waves of hope again. I had been worried I might not.
6
Everyone has at some time or other started a new job. Trump, who I did not support for election, has started a new job and it is the biggest job in the world. It is also the strangest job in the world in that the job holder has the PERSONAL RIGHT to classify and declassify ANY piece of intelligence that he chooses to. As an intel officer for 7 years, I saw LBJ, and Nixon do it. Later as a contracts officer I saw Carter and Reagan do it.
Current journalists apparently do NOT KNOW that the President is the classifying authority and has unlimited power to use classified intel however he wishes so long as he intends it to be in the best interest of the US.
All this mishagas about Comey are procedural blunders by a guy in a new job. While I do not trust the guy in the new job, I do understand how he can make the mistakes he makes. Trump is a total rookie to all aspects for the federal gov't and we should be thankful that he has put great people around him to limit the damage he might do.
Current journalists apparently do NOT KNOW that the President is the classifying authority and has unlimited power to use classified intel however he wishes so long as he intends it to be in the best interest of the US.
All this mishagas about Comey are procedural blunders by a guy in a new job. While I do not trust the guy in the new job, I do understand how he can make the mistakes he makes. Trump is a total rookie to all aspects for the federal gov't and we should be thankful that he has put great people around him to limit the damage he might do.
3
What great people?
1
The issue isn't if Trump had the right to declassify the information (journalists ABSOLUTELY KNOW that Trump can declassify information, your ALL CAPS notwithstanding) that he gave to the Russians but that doing so was a blunder. The information was 1) specific enough to allow the Russians to infer sources and methods even if Trump didn't provide them directly and 2) provided by an ally who may be less willing to provide in in future.
The issue with Comey wasn't a procedural blunder but an attempt to blunt the investigation into the Russian ties of Trump insiders and possibly Trump himself.
The issue with Comey wasn't a procedural blunder but an attempt to blunt the investigation into the Russian ties of Trump insiders and possibly Trump himself.
"Mr. Comey told the president that if he wanted to know details about the bureau’s investigations, he should not contact him directly but instead follow the proper procedures and have the White House counsel send any inquiries to the Justice Department, according to those people."
Mr. Comey's problem, and the problem that is going to be faced by any person who attempts to lay out guidelines for this president is that he will not follow them even if they are for his own good. There are reasons why the director of the FBI doesn't want to have a personal relationship with the president: it can appear to compromise his independence. Given what we do know about Trump and his past behavior, the interpretations put on his conduct with Comey by the press and others are not unreasonable.
Trump seems to be under the mistaken idea that people serving in the government owe HIM allegiance and loyalty. They do not. They took oaths to serve and protect America, not him. He took an oath as well and so far he's not fulfilling it. His actions have not served or protected America. Had Obama done any one of the things we know Trump to have done the GOP and the right wing press would have been screaming for his impeachment and resignation.
I miss President Obama. He had respect for America, Americans, and the process of governing. The current administration respects no one and nothing. Even worse, the GOP is going along with this.
Mr. Comey's problem, and the problem that is going to be faced by any person who attempts to lay out guidelines for this president is that he will not follow them even if they are for his own good. There are reasons why the director of the FBI doesn't want to have a personal relationship with the president: it can appear to compromise his independence. Given what we do know about Trump and his past behavior, the interpretations put on his conduct with Comey by the press and others are not unreasonable.
Trump seems to be under the mistaken idea that people serving in the government owe HIM allegiance and loyalty. They do not. They took oaths to serve and protect America, not him. He took an oath as well and so far he's not fulfilling it. His actions have not served or protected America. Had Obama done any one of the things we know Trump to have done the GOP and the right wing press would have been screaming for his impeachment and resignation.
I miss President Obama. He had respect for America, Americans, and the process of governing. The current administration respects no one and nothing. Even worse, the GOP is going along with this.
33
But didn't Obama in his last days in office issue an executive order expanding the surveillance capabilities of NASA by allowing it to share raw intelligence data with the FBI and other agencies which would include communications with totally innocent citizens who are caught up in the net? Yet Obama, aided by his ardent admirers, continues to portray himself as a protector of our rights. At least Trump is more honest. With him we know what we are getting.
2
What we have these days, until the ball gets rolling, are scraps and shreds of comments. It all looks like puzzle pieces dumped out onto a table, but the pieces seem to have came from several different boxes instead of just one. It's just going to be this way for a while.
Meanwhile, we wait for it to unfold. Meanwhile, we hope that it will not be impeachment, as this will mean Pence. What we have now is monstrous, but what we will have after is even more monstrous, if that's even possible.
As much as I would like this sorry experiment of someone trying to govern by the sucker punch to end, Pence and his agenda in the White House, makes me shudder. In the worst corners of my imagination, I entertain the idea that Pence was the plan all along.
If I could have my wish, it would be that things reel out slowly and steadily. That the current guy is contained and inoperative. He could have some little part of the White House in which to sign reams of blank paper. Savvy and useful elves will have disconnected the circuitry to ominous buttons. There would be toy phones with the capacity to type tweets, but messages would get rerouted to an innocuous destination. Sadly, there would be no fuel available for Air Force One.
Kindly, but firm people would gently lead this guy who wanders the halls mumbling, 'I WON, BUT I WON!" back to his room where reruns of The Apprentice are playing on the large flat screen.
Meanwhile, until 2018, we keep a sharp eye on everyone else.
Meanwhile, we wait for it to unfold. Meanwhile, we hope that it will not be impeachment, as this will mean Pence. What we have now is monstrous, but what we will have after is even more monstrous, if that's even possible.
As much as I would like this sorry experiment of someone trying to govern by the sucker punch to end, Pence and his agenda in the White House, makes me shudder. In the worst corners of my imagination, I entertain the idea that Pence was the plan all along.
If I could have my wish, it would be that things reel out slowly and steadily. That the current guy is contained and inoperative. He could have some little part of the White House in which to sign reams of blank paper. Savvy and useful elves will have disconnected the circuitry to ominous buttons. There would be toy phones with the capacity to type tweets, but messages would get rerouted to an innocuous destination. Sadly, there would be no fuel available for Air Force One.
Kindly, but firm people would gently lead this guy who wanders the halls mumbling, 'I WON, BUT I WON!" back to his room where reruns of The Apprentice are playing on the large flat screen.
Meanwhile, until 2018, we keep a sharp eye on everyone else.
193
Some good points, but unfortunately the Dems will continue to overplay their hand. By 2018 the average voter will be sick of them and their ridiculous histrionics.
Don't put it past trump to be able to take Pence down, when he goes down!
I have every confidence that trump has corrupted all those close to him. Including Pious Pence, whom we've already caught in lie after lie. His efforts to claim he never knew about things are undoubtedly also lies.
I have every confidence that trump has corrupted all those close to him. Including Pious Pence, whom we've already caught in lie after lie. His efforts to claim he never knew about things are undoubtedly also lies.
1
I so hope that you are right, TheraP!
Comey just never wanted kiss godfather.
7
Next week, the long knives come out. This trip abroad is going to be reminiscent of the Corleone christening scene.
5
Who is the disingenuous person here; a guy that is behind the back deal maker or a guy that has worked his way up the ladder to be the head of the FBI. Give me a break no contest get rid of the clown.
4
Look, Trump is terrified. You can see it on his face. He's all kisses with Mike Flynn because he is petrified of what Flynn might spill. And doesn't want to get on Flynn's bad side.
People are confused about "collusion". The collusion was that Donald Trump was tipped off about the wiki leaks of the Russian DNC server hacks. I have no doubt about this. And his mere silence on this issue is treason.
People are confused about "collusion". The collusion was that Donald Trump was tipped off about the wiki leaks of the Russian DNC server hacks. I have no doubt about this. And his mere silence on this issue is treason.
15
I had to look at the video a second time to be sure I had seen it right. Trump puckers up his lips like he's sending Comey a kiss before saying (like he is jealous) that Comey is more famous than he is. Our commander in chief does not have a presidential bone in his body.
14
Comey is shrewd. Anyone with half a brain knows to document everything, very thorouhly and as soon as it happens. $45$ doesn't stand a chance.
I can see it now: at his first State of the Union address (if he hasn't resigned in disgrace by then), he'll whine to the Congress and to the country about how he's the most persecuted politician in history (Caesar? Ghandi? JFK? peanuts, compared) and that the media exists solely to ruin him.
Hoover, Bush II, and $45$: proof positive that the business community doesn't belong anywhere NEAR public office. They ruin everything they touch - for everyone except themselves, of course.
I can see it now: at his first State of the Union address (if he hasn't resigned in disgrace by then), he'll whine to the Congress and to the country about how he's the most persecuted politician in history (Caesar? Ghandi? JFK? peanuts, compared) and that the media exists solely to ruin him.
Hoover, Bush II, and $45$: proof positive that the business community doesn't belong anywhere NEAR public office. They ruin everything they touch - for everyone except themselves, of course.
9
President Trump increasingly resembles Captain Queeg in the Caine Mutiny. Wandering around, steeped in conspiracy theories as his ship's crew deserts him.
"Ahh, but the strawberries that's... that's where I had them. They laughed at me and made jokes but I proved beyond the shadow of a doubt and with... geometric logic.."
Russia is Trump's "strawberries" He can put them on his two-scoops of ice cream while his crew slowly mutinies and disappears.
"Ahh, but the strawberries that's... that's where I had them. They laughed at me and made jokes but I proved beyond the shadow of a doubt and with... geometric logic.."
Russia is Trump's "strawberries" He can put them on his two-scoops of ice cream while his crew slowly mutinies and disappears.
13
Watching the video of the Oval office, Donald Trump, prior to saying, “Oh and there’s Jim. He’s become more famous than me.” can be seen going through physical jesters of inducement for Comey to come forward, the likes of which I haven't seen since Don Vito Corleone in the Godfather.
Body language - it just doesn't lie, especially when you ARE a liar.
Body language - it just doesn't lie, especially when you ARE a liar.
10
Installing Joe Lieberman as the head of the FBI? That should be good for a few days of comic relief! The bureau will chew him up and spit him out.
5
The notion of the 6′ 8″ Comey trying to blend in with the curtains in order to avoid Trump's notice is so ridiculous that you know it must be an accurate account of what really happened.
8
I can almost understand why Mr.Comey and The Atty. Gen,buckled up to Mr. Trump's authority. They probably and possibility did it with an ulterior motive, to have a clear and self-evident proof that Mr. Trump imposed his will on them in his own words and actions. Proofs and further evidence that will be hard to deny on top of the long list of other items. They may have had no other choice but to use this strategy as a means to do justify the end.
3
When I was a police officer back in the day, my training officer told me to get a small notebook that I could put in my shirt pocket. This notebook was for recording events where there were no laws broken or no arrests made, yet deserved some type of record. It could be just names; actions; locations or something unusual. These notes are accepted in a court of law, everywhere. I see a few comments on this story that down plays the use of notes. Every officer, F.B.I. Director on down to the town officer use notes.
18
But doesn't that mean any random officer can write down whatever they want, whenever, and claim it as legal fact? I don't know, I think people have reason to be somewhat wary of that. Especially since it would be so easy to fabricate "time stamps," if you will – it's impossible to tell if something was actually written as events transpired or long after the fact.
Well, there are always those who are skeptical of everything. If you have a traffic accident (not all traffic accidents have police reports) and write what happened so you won't forget what happened before the accident; during and afterwards with no "time stamp" what you end up saying is a way to remember what occurred in sequence. Most people make notes to not forget what actually happened. Most of us cannot remember every detail without help. So, if the President asks for unusual favors that I know could be suspect, I am going to do all I can to remember it.
2
O course Comey wanted nothing to do with the Don because if he acquiesced to a warm relationship then that would bolster the idea that Comey truly did help elect Trump when Comey cited a further investigation of Clinton's emails just before the vote.
2
Comey was right to be wary of Trump's overtures. Donald Trump is a "user" who takes everything he can from a person and then casts him aside. There is no "win-win" in Trump's world view. And he is clearly devoid of personal integrity.
Comey is not as pure as the new-fallen snow, but when Donald Trump is the benchmark for comparison, Comey appears almost saintly.
Comey is not as pure as the new-fallen snow, but when Donald Trump is the benchmark for comparison, Comey appears almost saintly.
It sure sounds like trump was trying to obstruct the investigation.
8
I just heard on NPR yesterday that there were at least 18 contacts between Trump's Key campaign people and the Russians. In turn there were requests by Trump himself for a back channel way for himself to communicate directly with Putin and that it skirt our national security apparatus.
I don't think I need to write anymore about this. It's so obvious. Trump is unfit to be our president. Maybe some other nation's? Turkey?
I don't think I need to write anymore about this. It's so obvious. Trump is unfit to be our president. Maybe some other nation's? Turkey?
14
What is obvious? That he communicates with the Russians? Is that a crime? Oh, yes, there was that "Russian reset," which was certainly a pivotal moment in history, but now all we hear from the Dems these days is all this Russian baiting. It smacks so much of desperation on the part of a bunch of losers who can't accept the outcome of the election. But stupid is as stupid does. Trump was the most beatable candidate ever, but the Dems couldn't figure their way out of a paper bag much less would they have been able to handle the Russians if they, God forbid, had actually won.
2
It's good to see America's system of checks and balances still work even when one party controls everything.
It looks like Trump acted like the small town millionaire or small city billionaire going to the DA or judge to suggest they go easy on a teenage son or daughter who got into some trouble. His power there would soften or even eliminate any punishment that would certainly be handed out to parents with such clout and funds. "Go easy on Mike, Joan. He's basically a good kid and there's also an election coming up next year."
Sorry, Mr. C. Montgomery Burns, but the White House and FBI aren't Springfield and Chief Wiggum.
Sorry, Mr. C. Montgomery Burns, but the White House and FBI aren't Springfield and Chief Wiggum.
9
Trump's behaviors surrounding the ultimate firing of Comey are more than slightly questionable. Comey's memcons pretty much coincide with what we know is Trump's modus operandi. Just because he didn't say you need to do this or do this or else, or I'm ordering you to do this doesn't mean that his desire wasn't clear as air. But if a corporation can be a person, then surely Trump can be a liar and a law breaker and still be President. Who in this Congress would find differently?
6
Comey seems to be a good guy who has made mistakes, as we all have. Trump, on the other hand, is a self-centered bully who will never admit he is wrong, even when there is overwhelming evidence. Despite his intent, his erratic behavior is not what we want in a leader. All he can do is claim there is "witch hunt" and "believe me." He brags about accomplishments that he has nothing to do with and how everything bad s someone else's fault. He should stop blaming all of the ills of the world on Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, and do something that makes sense to most of us. Everything does not have to be the biggest and most beautiful to make sense. Try sticking by one story, rather than change your response depending on which way the wind blows.
3
Trump is acting like a business man. In business, networking and creating contacts who one then cozies up to is a way of life. Trump was treating Comey as he would treat a business contact who he might need something of.
Of course, this kind of behavior with an investigator is completely inappropriate, as is sharing highly classified information with enemies as in the Russian ambassador.
This is what happens when you try to run the government like a business. But the government isn't a business and Trump's approach is breaking all the rules of government. Hopefully, the nation will learn something from this. A business person with no government experience is simply not fit turn the U.S. government.
Of course, this kind of behavior with an investigator is completely inappropriate, as is sharing highly classified information with enemies as in the Russian ambassador.
This is what happens when you try to run the government like a business. But the government isn't a business and Trump's approach is breaking all the rules of government. Hopefully, the nation will learn something from this. A business person with no government experience is simply not fit turn the U.S. government.
15
Trump is demanding personal loyalty from all Government employees and, in effect, from all the rest of us. Not loyalty the the Constitution, Bill of rights and the laws of this great land but to the person of Donald Trump above all else. Even the Trump supporters should be very uncomfortable with Trump's demands for personal loyalty. that is what dictators, not Presidents of the United States do.
All I can say to the Conservatives and Trump voters is "You broke it, you fix it." Fascism has never been good for freedom and liberty.
All I can say to the Conservatives and Trump voters is "You broke it, you fix it." Fascism has never been good for freedom and liberty.
26
DJT thought he could swing into D.C. with the same swagger and bully tactics he used his whole career in NYC.
Just doesn't work that way at all in government service, and never forget DJT you work for the people of the United States.
Just doesn't work that way at all in government service, and never forget DJT you work for the people of the United States.
20
A front page article based on the recollections of a friend of Mr Comeys ? As much as I'd like to see this National nightmare end, I think the NYT is getting ahead of itself and the storyline.
10
Mr Comey can help get rid of trump
He's perfectly Capable.
Although trump is an EXPERT at Self Incrimination!
He's perfectly Capable.
Although trump is an EXPERT at Self Incrimination!
5
Trump's paranoia is catching up with him. It is presumed that a person is innocent until proven guilty, but in this case Trump wrote on the wall that he is guilty or he is hiding persons who committed treason.
6
"Comey Unsettled by Trump" is the most important, lead story of the day??
4
"Uncomfortable" huh? That's called hearsay at this point in the game. Pushing this onto the front page seems a bit biased to me. It would be an altogether different thing if it was Comey himself telling the reporter here that he was uncomfortable. But then, if it came to that he would have some explaining to do with the DOJ.
8
Educating Donald Trump - a real estate businessman - attempting to play the president, will be a long, frustrating experience to the White House staff. As a former president once said: If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.
6
Trumpy is looking very old and tired....we can hope.
7
Comey has shown before and more after being fired why Trump was completely right in firing this guy. This not how an FBI agent behaves.
3
If you took 100 criminal profilers, outlined to them Trump's incessant behaviors in the light of accusations, and then asked for a 'best guess' as to guilt or innocence of criminal behavior it would certainly be in the 80-95% range.
The man-child President is about to be put to bed.
The man-child President is about to be put to bed.
8
Trump has to deny the accusations. It's the only option he has. The accused routinely plead 'not guilty'.
3
One of the more depressing aspects of the current investigation(s),is that trump may 'survive the majority of his presidential term.When one hears predictions of months and even years,to formulate a credible conclusion, as to the criminality of this president,it is at least discouraging,if not psychologically disorienting.How can this be?CLEAR this monstrous person away.The daily damage trump does to lives of Americans,is predictably dire,vis 'a vis his predatory Executive Orders.Enough already,as they said to Joe McCarthy 'Have you No Shame?...Never mind.
8
With friends like Trump....
.....well, it is certain that Comey knew the rest of this saying.
.....well, it is certain that Comey knew the rest of this saying.
1
They say you don't know what you've got until it's gone. Having witnessed, in a foreign country, how the entire judiciary got compromised through personal loyalties to the president and then fell completely under his control, this ex-pat greatly appreciates the ethics and personal sacrifice of Director Comey in his dogged effort to keep a distance from the president. Director Comey is a true American hero and should be recognized as such.
13
A "true american hero"? Maybe not
1
Trumps a disgrace and at this point he's a National Security threat. He has to go. His administration is a danger to the country and the planet. I think that the FBI should investigate and confirm that science is correct that climate change is destroying the planet. The country and the world know he's unethical. Just read the events posted in the NYT. For Gods sake the world knows he's crazy.
Thanks a lot for sharing such a information with us please keep sharing .
3
Why do the Times editors and reporters feel the need to exaggerate Trump's behavior in this story? Watch the video. Trump doesn't "hug" Comey. He pats him on the back as they shake hands. Isn't the president's behavior outlandish enough in reality? Why stretch the truth and give ammunition to those who think the NYT and most other media are blatantly biased in their coverage of Trump? The media need to do everything they can right now to show balance and care in their coverage. Don't give Trump and his minions any ammunition to convince his supporters that he's being mistreated.
5
At least this time the Times names “the friend.” Unlike the blockbuster Michael Schmitt “go easy on Michael Flynn” Comey memo article that could be the basis for obstruction of justice criminal charges against the president, followed by impeachment in the House and, after that, removal from office by the Senate.
That article had one anonymous source after another after another. None of those sources should have been granted anonymity. Times policy, moreover, requires that if a source is granted anonymity, the article in question spell out the reasons for the anonymity. No such reasons were spelled out in the Schmitt article.
Apparently, there is an “as long as it says something detrimental to Donald Trump” exception to the New York Times approach to anonymous sources.
That article had one anonymous source after another after another. None of those sources should have been granted anonymity. Times policy, moreover, requires that if a source is granted anonymity, the article in question spell out the reasons for the anonymity. No such reasons were spelled out in the Schmitt article.
Apparently, there is an “as long as it says something detrimental to Donald Trump” exception to the New York Times approach to anonymous sources.
Is James Comey the most successful political assassin in American history?
3
Here in the UK the BBC has an ad hoc but longstanding way of measuring its independence; when condemned for its political coverage by supporters of the government and opposition in about equal measure, it knows it has the balance right. It seems to me that Mr. Comey ought to be regarded the same way.
He riled the democrats and then the republicans at about the same anger level. He might well have an ego to go with his inches, but it helps him get a view over the Washington swamp. And if he can see an ego-free player from that vantage point, I'd love to meet that person.
It seems the NYT's getting some BBC-like flak on this story too. Some seek due process and collaboration of the recollections of Mr. Wittes; quite how that is achieved I don't know. Some say Mr. Comey is no saint and has made mistakes, but it seems to me those mistakes are impartial, which is about the best you could ask of any man's errors.
He riled the democrats and then the republicans at about the same anger level. He might well have an ego to go with his inches, but it helps him get a view over the Washington swamp. And if he can see an ego-free player from that vantage point, I'd love to meet that person.
It seems the NYT's getting some BBC-like flak on this story too. Some seek due process and collaboration of the recollections of Mr. Wittes; quite how that is achieved I don't know. Some say Mr. Comey is no saint and has made mistakes, but it seems to me those mistakes are impartial, which is about the best you could ask of any man's errors.
9
Comey's feeling sum it up for all of us. This will not end well and it will not end quickly.
3
A much rougher, tougher job than poor old Trump thought, and he is looking worse for the effort.
4
Madam Editor I know this will not be published as I am not a subsciber.I live in Mumbai India and aregular reader of NYT.What America needs is not to replace the FBI Director but the President.A matured Democracy like the U.S. cant afford to have a President who changes his stand on any isssue off and on.Eversince he entered the White House,there is not a single action which is correct and which was followed by the nation for years,even if the same is wrong.
7
Sounds like the liberal media is going for blood with President Trump. We need facts and not hysteria.
2
America has one single problem, just one. It is not the the economy, illegal immigration, drug trafficking etc, This country has been ''managed'' by corrupt and dysfunctional amateurs from both sides of the isle for decades. In other words, a country of 300 million people lacks leadership left and right. Shameful, to say the least!
3
Wait, Comey thought that he had 'trained' Trump? LOL
Well, maybe, just maybe, Trump is correct - perhaps it IS a "Witch Hunt". And, maybe Mueller will find a witch. However, I think there are more things lurking in the background, about which we will never be told. I have the feeling, but not any facts, that this "witch hunt" will proceed very slowly, hearing after hearing, investigation after investigation. And, as pre-planned, will continue past the mid-terms. And even past the Presidential election, and Trump will continue in office and continue to complain about a very old "witch hunt". Just you watch and wait, America. And wait. And wait. And wait........
Plain and simple, Trump is not an honorable man. This man plain and simple is not qualified in any way shape or form to be President. Lies, cheating and dishonor is his code of life. Comey should look upon his firing as a badge of honor. When his obituary is written will be the words... "He stood up to the President, he was an honorable man"!
4
Jim Comey is a shrewd and brilliant lawyer. Donald Trump is a bombastic and self-inflated real estate developer. It is clear that, on brains and procedure, Comey had the upper hand. What we will find out in the coming months is whether Trump was clever (which I strongly doubt) or naive and perhaps not too bright (to which I am leaning).
Maybe there's a Russia problem. But Russia hacking into computers is a cyber security issue, not one requiring probes into politicians. And it needs to be off the front page and addressed. On that score, Hillary Clinton and the DNC are the ones who are responsible for poor security protocols. As for collusion at the highest levels, it is hard to see Trump capable of that when you watch his nervous body language around leaders. He looks completely over his head. Connecting election-influencing to hacks to Trump is a big of a reach.
But we will see.
Maybe there's a Russia problem. But Russia hacking into computers is a cyber security issue, not one requiring probes into politicians. And it needs to be off the front page and addressed. On that score, Hillary Clinton and the DNC are the ones who are responsible for poor security protocols. As for collusion at the highest levels, it is hard to see Trump capable of that when you watch his nervous body language around leaders. He looks completely over his head. Connecting election-influencing to hacks to Trump is a big of a reach.
But we will see.
1
You blame Clinton and her campaign for lapses in cyber security, but, as I understand it, the RNC's computers were also hacked, but, perhaps tellingly, that data was never released by the hackers.
2
I wonder how many days before Trump pardons Flynn and Stone?
1
This gun is going to be "smoking" for a long, long time.
The memo matches exactly the body languages in this video, think rest of the memos are same precisely.
If Trump sees a potential resignation looming on the horizon, will he feel compelled to pressure Pence to appoint Ivanka as VP in exchange for his resigning from the Presidency? This would be the penultimate way he could turn a failure into a victory in his mind, and would be so up his alley. Perhaps he is negotiating the realization of such a scenario already.
Conversation intent on bringing about a hopeful conclusion is not against the law. There are people out to get the President, and obstruct the progress of the United States Congress. Witch hunt may just be correct.
2
Trump's career has been that of an autocrat running a privately-held company. He has no experience with democracy, nor has the curiosity to learn how American government is to work.
7
What exactly precipitated Rod Rosenstein' change of mind to appoint a special prosecutor? He was dead set against it last week. Something changed his mind rather abruptly. Here's my theory. He read The NY Times report about Comey's notes after dinner with the President. As second in command at the Justice Department, he surely can walk over to the FBI and demand to read those notes. After confirming the Times report he made the decision to appoint Meuller as special prosecutor. This does not bode well for Trump.
7
A friend said something and it is on the front page of The Times
I agree Trump is going down, but can we do a bit better than Comey's 'friend' as a source.
I agree Trump is going down, but can we do a bit better than Comey's 'friend' as a source.
How much longer? How much more damage?
I recall Professor Henry Graff of Columbia saying that when a senator looks in a mirror, (s)he sees a president. And what does a president see? To a student of Japanese history, this president, with his demand for loyalty, sees a shogun, whose worldview saw the country in terms of loyal daimyo and suspect regional lords.
In their January meeting, the president was attempting to transform Director Comey from the latter into a stalwart supporter of his administration. Thankfully, he did not succeed.
In their January meeting, the president was attempting to transform Director Comey from the latter into a stalwart supporter of his administration. Thankfully, he did not succeed.
6
It's about Trump initially attempting to woo and-or psychologically usurp Comey, all with the ultimate goal of making Russia go away and consequently obstructing justice. Trump's real estate interpersonal relations model ran into a confident, seasoned by the book and honest individual with backbone and Trump came out empty handed, no deal. As Trump always must win in such encounters, what's his only choice. Now he wishes to put his good buddy Lieberman in a position of power that Trump can ultimately control - bad idea, really bad idea, and so horribly obvious.
6
So is the article saying that Comey and his deputy lied under oath (Congressional testimony) when they said there was no White House interference with the investigation?
1
I appreciate learning more about the dynamics but suspect this is classic Trump maneuvering. He seems good at compromising people so they become confused about boundaries. Romney was invited for a White House dinner, praised Trump slightly, and completely disappeared from view. Something happens. Corruption presumably.
Comey fortunately documented his experiences but I can see someone less cautious feeling that he or she had been played, that they had gone along or seemed to assent as a courtesy only to have Trump completely and publicly misrepresent any words or promises. Without proof their version would be on shaky ground.
Trump then made the mistake of threatening Comey with tapes. Has he tried to blackmail others like this? If and when Congress or the FBI gets any tapes, they should examine them for other blackmail of senior officials. Trump was too quick with this threat: it may be part of his modus operandi.
He who sups with the devil should bring a long spoon.
Comey fortunately documented his experiences but I can see someone less cautious feeling that he or she had been played, that they had gone along or seemed to assent as a courtesy only to have Trump completely and publicly misrepresent any words or promises. Without proof their version would be on shaky ground.
Trump then made the mistake of threatening Comey with tapes. Has he tried to blackmail others like this? If and when Congress or the FBI gets any tapes, they should examine them for other blackmail of senior officials. Trump was too quick with this threat: it may be part of his modus operandi.
He who sups with the devil should bring a long spoon.
5
Even Trump would know better than to say it outright. Anybody, especially someone in Comey's position, would know exactly what was being said to him by his boss.
Comey is not just like anybody else taking notes. If they gave PhDs for note-taking, all FBI directors would have one (except possibly one that Donald Trump appoints.)
Comey is not just like anybody else taking notes. If they gave PhDs for note-taking, all FBI directors would have one (except possibly one that Donald Trump appoints.)
4
Trump fired Comey out of rage. Pure simple rage.
The timing, the manner, the means, the insults after - pure rage.
Comey made the mortal error, the unforgivable sin, of implying he might have been more powerful than Trump. Might have had an impact on the election.
My god. Can this country not see that this man - Trump - is not capable of being our President?
Please read the article elsewhere in the Times "Impeachments Political Heart" to understand that the process of impeachment is not about criminal behavior, but is "prophylactic" to remove a President who might do more damage in the future, based on current acts.
The timing, the manner, the means, the insults after - pure rage.
Comey made the mortal error, the unforgivable sin, of implying he might have been more powerful than Trump. Might have had an impact on the election.
My god. Can this country not see that this man - Trump - is not capable of being our President?
Please read the article elsewhere in the Times "Impeachments Political Heart" to understand that the process of impeachment is not about criminal behavior, but is "prophylactic" to remove a President who might do more damage in the future, based on current acts.
9
Hope vs Request
Oh, come off it. If you tell the garage man, "I hope the car will be ready this afternoon", you are asking him to have the car ready. It's a request.
If you say the exact same thing to someone who's not responsible for getting the car ready - your mother-in-law, say - then you're just expressing a hope.
Oh, come off it. If you tell the garage man, "I hope the car will be ready this afternoon", you are asking him to have the car ready. It's a request.
If you say the exact same thing to someone who's not responsible for getting the car ready - your mother-in-law, say - then you're just expressing a hope.
Comey is not alone when he said he: "wanted him kept at a distance." Most Americans would like the president "kept at a distance."
9
Only 50% of YOU
Yes - Comey has shown himself to be a showboat, and should have been fired by Obama when Comey circulated the biggest "fake news" of 2016, effectively flipping the election. That said, Obama, obviously couldn't take that step, but Trump could - and should have axed him January 20th. Instead, Trump completely misread the man, tried to cozy him, found he couldn't, and with almost predictable clownishness, fired him at the worst possible time, and for all the wrong reasons.
Whoever ultimately takes Comey’s place will certainly follow through on Michael Flynn. Too much effort has gone into that investigation – including the subpoenas issued the very day Comey was fired, not 24 hours after Yates and Clapper crucified Flynn before congress – to think the lies Flynn told on his security clearance form (let alone before the Senate) will be forgotten. Flynn was, and may still be, a foreign agent, and all the evidence will end up on Mueller’s desk, all but assuring his prosecution. And all because of timing.
Trump needs somebody to ram it through his big orange head that firing Comey when he did, makes it nearly certain that Michael Flynn is going to jail, and – assuming that wasn’t his real intent - there's nothing now he can do that can stop it. Too many eyes will be on both the FBI and the Special Counsel to flub up this one. All Trump can do for his buddy at this point will be to get his Presidential Pardon stamp all inked up and ready to go.
Whoever ultimately takes Comey’s place will certainly follow through on Michael Flynn. Too much effort has gone into that investigation – including the subpoenas issued the very day Comey was fired, not 24 hours after Yates and Clapper crucified Flynn before congress – to think the lies Flynn told on his security clearance form (let alone before the Senate) will be forgotten. Flynn was, and may still be, a foreign agent, and all the evidence will end up on Mueller’s desk, all but assuring his prosecution. And all because of timing.
Trump needs somebody to ram it through his big orange head that firing Comey when he did, makes it nearly certain that Michael Flynn is going to jail, and – assuming that wasn’t his real intent - there's nothing now he can do that can stop it. Too many eyes will be on both the FBI and the Special Counsel to flub up this one. All Trump can do for his buddy at this point will be to get his Presidential Pardon stamp all inked up and ready to go.
6
Sorry.
Comey thought the American public "needed to know" about the ongoing Hillary investigation into the there is no there there - but didn't see fit to let us know about the President's transgressions while in office?
I think Comey got a bad deal, but he's no angel.
Comey thought the American public "needed to know" about the ongoing Hillary investigation into the there is no there there - but didn't see fit to let us know about the President's transgressions while in office?
I think Comey got a bad deal, but he's no angel.
1
The President should never have spoken to the FBI about any proposed or actual investigations.
This is another case where Trump's ignorance of political culture and constitutional law have led him to blunder directly into lawbreaking.
This is another case where Trump's ignorance of political culture and constitutional law have led him to blunder directly into lawbreaking.
3
I find it unsettling and sad to see Trump's comment "I can only speak for myself." That's a dog whistle--he is prepared to sell anyone and everyone down the river. While I might like the prospect of Trump aides gasping for breath as he throws them overboard, it's shameful. Now that we've learned from Greg Weiner's excellent editorial yesterday (one thing that can be said for this dismal mess is that it's a crash course in political history, for those of us--me included--who needed one)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/18/opinion/impeachment-trump-constitutio...
that the founders intended Impeachment not as recourse, but in some ways a compassionate one based on the expectation of future misdeeds (and past ones that did not have to rise to the level of crimes): whether it is Amendment 25 or impeachment, it's clear as day that Trump's action will continue to tarnish the office he holds--every word out of his mouth is craven, self-regarding, and inflammatory, and ruinous to this country's sense of ordinary decency.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/18/opinion/impeachment-trump-constitutio...
that the founders intended Impeachment not as recourse, but in some ways a compassionate one based on the expectation of future misdeeds (and past ones that did not have to rise to the level of crimes): whether it is Amendment 25 or impeachment, it's clear as day that Trump's action will continue to tarnish the office he holds--every word out of his mouth is craven, self-regarding, and inflammatory, and ruinous to this country's sense of ordinary decency.
8
"Mr. Comey told him that despite Mr. Trump’s attempts to build a personal relationship, he did not want to be friendly with the president".
This has more to do with Trump and his fragile ego being rejected than it does with any Russian probe.
This has more to do with Trump and his fragile ego being rejected than it does with any Russian probe.
The FBI manual is hundreds of pages long. It goes on and on about how to conduct investigations and what to avoid. I understand that Trump is the President, but if he's under investigation, the FBI is obliged to follow its rules. The head of the FBI doesn't go to dinner with a criminal suspect. He doesn't go to private meetings at the suspect's office. And he doesn't have informal telephone conversations with the suspect. To the FBI, Trump should be a suspect. Everybody else can treat him like the President. But Trump may have committed treason. Comey should have been treating him as a possible enemy of the state. That's what the FBI Manual says. You don't treat a possible felon with the respect you ordinarily give to a President. The FBI's job is to treat suspects like suspects, whoever they are. Dinner dates with possible felons are strictly against the rules.
2
So the President and the Chief of Staff pressured Comey over investigations. And the GOP claims to be the "law and order party". Usually were there's smoke there's usually fire and there seems to be an awful lot of smoke here.
5
Corrupt and unethical top to bottom
1
I am so curious about the loyalty pledge thing more than anything. I mean, how does that work? Did Trump say, "Jimmy, I want you to stand up and raise your right hand." Or was it more of, like during a long uncomfortable handshake where Trump said something like, "Now I'll be counting on you Jim. You know what I'm talking about." Or was it over a smoldering caldron where Comey was expected to spill a little blood into. Seriously, with Trump anything is possible, literally anything.
3
Comey perjured himself to congress saying no one asked him to halt the Russia/Trump investigation, although he claims prior to this he was asked by Trump to back off on the investigation. Comey sold his soul and was bought and paid for. He caved in to Lynch and was afraid of the Clintons. There is nothing worse than a law man gone bad.
3
A junior high class would see the obstruction in all of these interactions, but not the GOP, who fear being separated from the gravy train they live on.
7
I'm enjoying watching Trump squirm, etc as much as anybody, but in the long run this Russia thing will prolong the <40% who still support him from finding out how incompetent he is to be president. In the end, he likely won't be shown to have been directly involved in Flynn-type collusion, so he can martyr himself. And, he will have the whole mess as an excuse for his inability to get anything done, or for doing things wrong.
Sociopathic behavior is difficult to recognize at first glance. Kudos to Comey for being a professional.
5
Not regarding Hillary emails - regardless of how I didn't want her
No sainthood here
No sainthood here
I think it is interesting the way Mr Comey went from the most hated man by Democrats around the world to the most hugged man in the room. Could it be that he is actually a person committed to truth and justice?
3
A special prosecutor will have to "follow the money"; my hunch is that that will quickly put an end to this whole spectacle, and that we will soon be back to normal craziness.
1
Now, this is a first. Who doesn't know mr. Comey was such a sensitive person, whose circle of friendship he guarded so jealously.
But i'm a bit puzzled here. Wasn't the nytimes calling for an inappropriate boss-employee relationship just yesterday, when it claimed mr. Trump was "asking" ( that's right, you has to know that saying " i hope you..." is a command phrase into the nytimes lingo) about dropping the investigation on mr. Flynn?
It appears, today accoridng the nytimes report, that mr. Comey was having personal reasons guiding his disliking of mr. Trump.
I wonder how much this negative view has influenced his judgement, his personal recognition of gerarchy governmental structure, and the whole Flynn affair all along.
This looks like less and less about working ethics. How in fact did he, as top ranked law official, wait so long before express his doubts about his so-called mr.Trump's suggestion, i mean absolute command? Why does he recall the whole ingerence only after being fired? Why and seconding which intent did he write down and updated his daily journal the whole time?
But i'm a bit puzzled here. Wasn't the nytimes calling for an inappropriate boss-employee relationship just yesterday, when it claimed mr. Trump was "asking" ( that's right, you has to know that saying " i hope you..." is a command phrase into the nytimes lingo) about dropping the investigation on mr. Flynn?
It appears, today accoridng the nytimes report, that mr. Comey was having personal reasons guiding his disliking of mr. Trump.
I wonder how much this negative view has influenced his judgement, his personal recognition of gerarchy governmental structure, and the whole Flynn affair all along.
This looks like less and less about working ethics. How in fact did he, as top ranked law official, wait so long before express his doubts about his so-called mr.Trump's suggestion, i mean absolute command? Why does he recall the whole ingerence only after being fired? Why and seconding which intent did he write down and updated his daily journal the whole time?
3
Thanks, Alex, for helping me understand why New Yorker's always come off seeming so pushy . . . it's because they're hoping for so much. You've completely demystified my Brooklyn-born wife for me after 40 years together.
Mr. Trump will always be "mister". He absolutely has no sense of responsibility or knowledge as to how a president is supposed to act. He feels he's "entitled" to run the country as he did his businesses- bullying, chaining tactics to suit his own needs,and doing whatever he well pleases. After seeing him act in the first few weeks, I'm surprised he didm;t hit the brick wall sooner!
4
Just remember Trump had reneged on paying his contractors for their work rendered when he was a NY/NJ real estate thug. More than likely, those were contractile works but his company obviously had more lawyers to write the contracts favoring it. Even so, he reneged. So even without Comey's memos - a lot of readers commenting here obviously have had little experience in the corporate world let alone government! - there is not a he said/she said scenario. By habit, Trump treats his business - and now the U.S. government - as his fiefdom. He does whatever he pleases.
Then throw in some brown nosers like Rosenstein, you have the current state of affairs.
Then throw in some brown nosers like Rosenstein, you have the current state of affairs.
61
James Comey is a true bureaucrat, but a good one. There's nothing wrong with his following rules and laws rigidly. The problem is that he has a president as boss, who is corrupt to the core. Trump, who has never served the country, is totally ignorant of the standards of ethics. And he wants to save his skin.
No doubt Trump has no idea what the “presumption of regularity” is all about. It stands for the idea that political leaders and government officials are presumed to act lawfully and in proper discharge of their office. Every elected leader and appointed official enjoys this presumption. It is not easily squandered. It is meant to withstand errors in judgment and lapses in leadership. What it does not indulge is a clear pattern of abuse. Once the presumption collapses, the powerholder is no longer fit for office.
No doubt Trump has no idea what the “presumption of regularity” is all about. It stands for the idea that political leaders and government officials are presumed to act lawfully and in proper discharge of their office. Every elected leader and appointed official enjoys this presumption. It is not easily squandered. It is meant to withstand errors in judgment and lapses in leadership. What it does not indulge is a clear pattern of abuse. Once the presumption collapses, the powerholder is no longer fit for office.
83
The attempted outreach to Comey, aimed to closing the Trump-Russia links investigation seems to be proving the proverbial last straw for Trump.
37
Outreach from Trump would make most healthy people uneasy.
136
If not creep them out entirely.
1
Especially any woman within a 100-foot radius.
If Rosenstein knew the decision to fire Comey had already been made before writing his letter, then the letter itself makes no sense. Unless he was asked to write a post-facto recommendation as an initial cover for the firing. The fact remains that Trump admitted in a television interview with Lester Holt to firing Comey because of the Russia investigation. If Rosenstein can't be trusted then neither can the special counsel he appointed.
I applaud Mr. Wittes for putting his name on his story. It takes courage and integrity in this hostile political environment to take a stand for truth. Thank you, sir.
169
A scary fact about this article and those in Government is that the feeling is that the F.B.I. should be independent of the White House. That is so wrong. The reality is that the F.B.I. is the fourth branch of government but should follow orders from the Executive branch leader; the President.
As much as I dislike Trump, we cannot allow the F.B.I. to continue to mold politics. From Watergate to the ABSCAM affair, to the present in which Comey, possibly in concert with three other former federal prosecutors, destroyed the natural order of the past election.
As much as I dislike Trump, we cannot allow the F.B.I. to continue to mold politics. From Watergate to the ABSCAM affair, to the present in which Comey, possibly in concert with three other former federal prosecutors, destroyed the natural order of the past election.
17
"As much as I dislike Trump"...
Thanks for the laughs.
Thanks for the laughs.
1
You are advocating for some kind of autocracy here so I will hope that you just haven't thought this through.
This situation is precisely why the FBI must be wholly independent from the exec branch. A president abusing his power can (and allegedly did) try to shut down an investigation into his aid and himself. Nixon abused his power and the FBI shut in down. Are you suggesting Nixon ought to have served his full term?
These procedures are in place because of past abuses of power, a President should not be able to use the FBI as some kin of personal attack dog. America is a "nation of laws, not a nation of men". Where all men are equal before the law. This is why asking for a personal pledge of loyalty is both is wrong, and so dangerous.
For the system to work, justice must be done, but also must be seen to be done. Which is why Comey was so uncomfortable with the optics of having a personal relationship with 45. It is just as important that the FBI be seen to be independent as it is for it to actually be independent. Which is why Comey did not want his rank and file to know about the dinner.
Finally, the FBI Director serves a ten year tenure. It is ten years so that his/her term outlasts any sitting president. A country should have not worry that the FBI director is acting for the interests of his own career, instead of in the interest of justice. If one man is seen to be above the law, even if (perhaps especially) he is POTUS, the whole system breaks down.
This situation is precisely why the FBI must be wholly independent from the exec branch. A president abusing his power can (and allegedly did) try to shut down an investigation into his aid and himself. Nixon abused his power and the FBI shut in down. Are you suggesting Nixon ought to have served his full term?
These procedures are in place because of past abuses of power, a President should not be able to use the FBI as some kin of personal attack dog. America is a "nation of laws, not a nation of men". Where all men are equal before the law. This is why asking for a personal pledge of loyalty is both is wrong, and so dangerous.
For the system to work, justice must be done, but also must be seen to be done. Which is why Comey was so uncomfortable with the optics of having a personal relationship with 45. It is just as important that the FBI be seen to be independent as it is for it to actually be independent. Which is why Comey did not want his rank and file to know about the dinner.
Finally, the FBI Director serves a ten year tenure. It is ten years so that his/her term outlasts any sitting president. A country should have not worry that the FBI director is acting for the interests of his own career, instead of in the interest of justice. If one man is seen to be above the law, even if (perhaps especially) he is POTUS, the whole system breaks down.
5
Ultimately the FBI does fall below the president's cabinet in chain of command as part of DOJ, but I disagree that they should answer directly to the president - arms' length is appropriate. The FBI at its best is about the facts and those can be politicized and hence tainted easily enough. I'm not defending J Edgar Hoover's outsized power, or Comey's actions during the election, or other excesses promulgated at times by the bureau. But there was only one Hoover (black negligee and all) and he's gone. Respectfully, we need the institution to maintain its veracity by being something other than a direct instrumentality of the president - any president. (S)he has got enough of those as it is.
1
I see here that Trump's occupation with Comey about his collusion with the Russians paints a dark picture of Trump's fears that his Russian contacts were going to harm him. The smoke and fire conundrum. Trump was never smart enough to curtail his braggadocio regarding his admiration of Putin. In the United States, that is a no-no based on our Cold War history. Trump never claimed to be smart did he? He claimed deal making prowess. We certainly know better than that now. Trump has never learned that if you play with pigs, you get dirty.
40
With the fact that the FBI, intelligence services and every politician, aide and career professional in Washington has no problem releasing classified, secret and top secret information if it suits them is the real problem. Hate for Trump has only magnified how broken our Federal government really is and has been for a long time.
If you think that "Trump never claimed to be smart," you haven't been paying attention. He says he's the smartest, the best deal maker, the most successful President in his first 100 days, the least bigoted, and will defeat ISIS very quickly and easily. He will be the best President for workers, cut taxes for everyone, restore the military, balance the budget, create a healthcare system that is cheaper, better and more people will have insurance.
I know I have probably left out many claims of brilliance on this miracle worker who just can't seem to get any thing done because the minority Democrats won't help him.
Oh yeah, no one respects women more than Donald Trump.
I know I have probably left out many claims of brilliance on this miracle worker who just can't seem to get any thing done because the minority Democrats won't help him.
Oh yeah, no one respects women more than Donald Trump.
5
He claims to be smarter all of the time. You do not remember that he was smarter than the generals?
Trump is reportedly set to appoint former Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman to replace Comey. There may be reasons to appoint a politician as head of the FBI, but it's more important to appoint someone who would achieve the same political authority without being political, with added benefits to the Trump iconoclastic pattern to break the finpol culture. He could, for instance, appoint an African American head of the FBI, either former or present, or the former Interpol Secretary Noble. Then watch the rats really jump ship.
9
Since when is the FBI so darned independent? Are we talking about the same agency who bugged MLK and the peace activists in the 60s and 70s, who black bagged American citizens, and whose director kept secret files on the sex habits of all major political leaders?
12
You do realize it's 2017, right? Or are we each damned by our history?
38
I anxiously await the day when I can go back to being more suspicious of theFBI than of the Chief Executive.
8
Oakwood--The FBI has changed over the the years in part because of those behaviors. I've been appreciating what I've been reading about Comey. It's clear he had no intention of developing a cozy relationship with the president.
When Preet Bharara (former federal prosecutor, NY) received phone calls from Trump he, too, resisted engagement. There are, apparently, protocols for contact between the president and the Justice Department in order to prevent political interference, or the appearance of political interference, with Justice Department work. I'm delighted to read this. I expect government officials to behave in an above board manner. That's the America I want.
Trump is a private businessman. Behind closed doors wheeling and dealing is the way it's done in his world. I don't mind that he did business like that, but I do mind very much that he refuses to accept that our government avoids doing things like that.
He shouldn't have run for office if he wasn't willing to accept American norms of transparent governing. If I wanted a leader who demanded loyalty and preferred back room maneuvers to transparency, I'd move to Russia.
When Preet Bharara (former federal prosecutor, NY) received phone calls from Trump he, too, resisted engagement. There are, apparently, protocols for contact between the president and the Justice Department in order to prevent political interference, or the appearance of political interference, with Justice Department work. I'm delighted to read this. I expect government officials to behave in an above board manner. That's the America I want.
Trump is a private businessman. Behind closed doors wheeling and dealing is the way it's done in his world. I don't mind that he did business like that, but I do mind very much that he refuses to accept that our government avoids doing things like that.
He shouldn't have run for office if he wasn't willing to accept American norms of transparent governing. If I wanted a leader who demanded loyalty and preferred back room maneuvers to transparency, I'd move to Russia.
1
The article paints Comey as someone trying to stay independent, so why was Hilary's email suspicion made public when it was still only a suspicion? He seems to have all the insights, but he failed on the election. I guess he must have had more faith in the voters than they deserved. I hope he makes things right.
185
Hi, Momo: I think Comey was 'handed' information by someone he trusted, or by someone recommended by someone he trusted, in late October and that info caused the Director to reopen the Hillary investigation. That is, I think Comey got played, and probably by Rudy Giuliani or someone in Giuliani's law 'enforcement' orbit. If that play made Comey nauseous a couple weeks back, it ought to make him all the more interested in actual factual justice now that he's particularly situated to dispense it. Fingers crossed then.
1
Conjecture on that is Comey felt Bill Clinton's tarmac stroll to Loretta Lynch's plane forced Comey's hand.
It was Jason Chaffetz that made it public, not Comey.
1
Any government attorney, in all levels of government should know to keep an appointment, call and conference book of the date, time and conclusory substance of all contacts.
When a substantive matter is discussed which is more than ordinary, it should be stated in separate notes and both retained by him or her. The retention should be for years, for just such a type of matter which is being investigated here, and for some years after leaving their job.
Kudos to Comey for doing so, holding Trump at bay. This documentation may provide the gravamen of a potential case, which may be prosecuted as necessary, to protect America and its democracy. That is more important than any office holder, including, but not limited to the President and any and all of his cadre.
This matter is about loyalty to upholding the Constitution and our democracy, and not loyalty to anyone who would inappropriately act in their official capacity. The probability about this matter, about Russia. Trump, et al., could eventually dwarf Watergate.
When a substantive matter is discussed which is more than ordinary, it should be stated in separate notes and both retained by him or her. The retention should be for years, for just such a type of matter which is being investigated here, and for some years after leaving their job.
Kudos to Comey for doing so, holding Trump at bay. This documentation may provide the gravamen of a potential case, which may be prosecuted as necessary, to protect America and its democracy. That is more important than any office holder, including, but not limited to the President and any and all of his cadre.
This matter is about loyalty to upholding the Constitution and our democracy, and not loyalty to anyone who would inappropriately act in their official capacity. The probability about this matter, about Russia. Trump, et al., could eventually dwarf Watergate.
68
Not just a Govt atty, but any gov't official period! From at a minimum Branch Chiefs and above. I speak from personal experience. I've taught my children to do same in their business life as well as important personal interactions.
There is no nudge nudge wink wink "he's a good guy" let it slide mentality or backroom deals with the FBI. It was Comey who had Trump unsettled. So much so that Trump could not muster the character or fortitude to look Comey in the eye and utter his famous "you're fired" tag line.
#Trump=weak
Trump is an appropriate and apt representation of the current GOP. That light at the end of the tunnel Is an oncoming train.
#whatamess
#Trump=weak
Trump is an appropriate and apt representation of the current GOP. That light at the end of the tunnel Is an oncoming train.
#whatamess
97
And look at the Dems. Their bench is a bunch of has-beens and .143 hitters.
9
AZPurdue
And that is relevant how? What is your point?
And that is relevant how? What is your point?
For those people that have the nerve to ask if he took notes with Pres. Obama, he had NO need to take notes with Pres. Obama. He was rarely in his company. Not to mention, Pres. Obama didn't expect people bow down and kiss the ring - unlike Trump. Pres. Obama didn't bring into his administration questionable people, especially people that were compromised by having dealings with the ENEMY! Trump however ignored all warnings about questionable characters. This white house/administration is FULL of them too. Now people want to bring up Comey and his dealings w/ Pres. Obama. Ha! He had no dealings b/c Pres. Obama wasn't a bottom feeder president - unlike Trump.
Sadly, Mr. Comey's plan to hide in the curtains failed and sadly, Comey was soon to hear Trump say, "Mr. Comey, it's curtains for you."
14
You're jumping the gun, aren't you? I would say it will more than likely be curtains for Trump - and as the saying goes, good bye to bad rubbish!
2
The manner in which Comey is holding his arms and hands in the photo, close to his body, shows he's not available to the situation.
36
"These are the times that try men's souls". Existential angst: paralysis for 4 years with Trump or Pence, 46th, with the unanimous support of the RP, House, Senate, finalizing their assault on the American people, implementing the entire agenda, health, education, environment, women, climate, "gay conversion".... Let's be deadly serious - I see only these 2 options. Elections have consequences! The situation is extreme when unhinged Trump is a less bad option than right wing extremist Pence. I strongly favor paralysis.
27
Rima Regas is now focusing her sights on Ron Rosenstein and questioning his confirmation. Rima, read Ron's memo very carefully. Nothing in that memo was incorrect or slandered Comey. The memo does not recommend Comey's firing. It is indisputable that Comey made mistakes in handling the dissemination of information concerning the FBI's investigation of Hilary's use of a private server during the election. Many lawyers thought so at the time and still think so. Maybe we will never know what directions Sessions gave Ron in ordering him to draft the memo. In any event, Ron was put in a very difficult situation. You no nothing about practicing law in the DOj environment. Ron does not deserve your sarcastic put down.
25
You mean Rod.
Even if he did do something wrong, he has more than made up for it. He has saved the GOP s neck at the same time. Now their (GOPs)cowardice can be forgotten and justice will be served (whichever way it goes)
This is the real Trump. Always looking for loyalty and suspicious of those who hold back. There may not be any criminal behavior on his part but there seems to be inappropriate behavior at the least. It is troubling because Trump seems not to understand how anything works. He blindly stumbles into these situations believing he is the CEO and not president.
The worse case is that he is knee deep in a cover-up or obstruction probably because he doesn't take no for an answer and believes he can get away with anything. That is his history except before there was always a 'friend' or a bank or a politician or a billionaire or maybe even an oligarch willing to bail him out. Now that there is policy, precedent and legal ramifications he has walked into something he may not escape easily from.
Good thing he's a lifelong liar, he's going to need that too BIGLEY.
The worse case is that he is knee deep in a cover-up or obstruction probably because he doesn't take no for an answer and believes he can get away with anything. That is his history except before there was always a 'friend' or a bank or a politician or a billionaire or maybe even an oligarch willing to bail him out. Now that there is policy, precedent and legal ramifications he has walked into something he may not escape easily from.
Good thing he's a lifelong liar, he's going to need that too BIGLEY.
301
Well said. Unfortunately America is run by amateurs.
yes, stupidity by djt, but also attempts at cover-up.
It was said many times before the election but not enough people believed it.
Trump is not suited to be President. Neither by background nor personality.
To all the voters who have repeated, over the years, that government should be run more like business, you now have the proof of how that turned out!
Trump is not suited to be President. Neither by background nor personality.
To all the voters who have repeated, over the years, that government should be run more like business, you now have the proof of how that turned out!
1
At this point, would it matter having a Democratic majority in the House or Senate? Nothing is getting done now as it is, anyway.
8
Nothing getting done? 38% more deportations, including perfectly law-abiding people married to Americans being quietly picked up by ICE by the thousands. Sessions and his hatred of people who use drugs or question law enforcement tactics bringing back mass incarceration, huge environmental protections gutted, climate science denied, money for solar and renewables diverted to "bringing back coal," health care aid for women destroyed here and around the globe if it mentions/offers birth control, health care for people with pre-existing conditions decimated so Republicans can give the rich a tax cut, escalation with North Korea, repeal of the Johnson amendment, repeal of consumer protections and maybe Dodd-Frank, and on and on.
3
The demo left and the drama driven, Trump hating, media are to blame for all the ridiculous "Impeachment" talk.. If anyone believes Trump or his close campaign associates were in collusion with the Russians to stiff the election in Trumps favor, they are either dumber than dumb or so enraged, biased and full of venom for Trump they will fan the flames of fake news without the regard for truth or moral compass.. The Russian "collusion" story is the joke of the century once written a hundred years from now. Shame on the disgusting demos who couldn't get their idiot elected and now would rather prime the fake story pump to their dying breath thanks to the generous help of the flame fanning media.. Trump is a thin skinned obnoxious jerk but doesn't deserve the unprecedented piling on by the jealous insiders who got their posterior's handed to them last November..
12
You dost protest too much. If Trump and his minions had nothing to hide, they would long ago, when suspicions were first aroused last summer, have opened themselves up to complete scrutiny. Sure you have rights as an individual, but they being in the public domain had more responsibility to open up to scrutiny and investigation given the allegations. Reasonable and intelligent persons would perceive that such allegations that were thrown at them were part of the political landscape and should justly be examined. But no, there has been constant obstruction, lying and obfuscation by the Trump team as well as bizarre coincidences. I would say you'd better believe that Russian collusion with the Trump campaign is not a joke, but very real.
1
Wow, Don, last i heard, the entire intelligence community, including those in the highest ranks of the military, all agreed that the Russians set out to swing the election to Trump, and succeeded. The only question is how, and with whose help.
Not just the Democratic, but many republicans and independents who are aghast at trump. To fail to recognize that is foolish.
It's so bizarre to continue to hear about all of this. I'm exceedingly pleased the inquiries and investigation have not ended. The personnel changes involved in this investigation is disturbing on a managerial level as well as a functional level. I'm sure I am not the only person to have reservations about whether a thorough investigation is even possible at this point.
That Comey felt the need to document his conversations with the president is not comforting at all, but I am glad that the documentation occurred.
I'm quite riled that the FBI can't trust the president. I'm even more riled that the President appears to be trying to influence the outcome of one of our national intelligence organizations investigation's in his favor.
I can't understand how so many people voted Trump into office. He sounds as if he has a 'very' limited repertoire of adjectives and intensifiers within his spoken vocabulary. That in itself is not inherently detrimental, but I think the President of the USA should have sufficient vocabulary knowledge to effectively adjust his speak to effectively communicate to his audience.
The vocabulary must make the documentation 'very' easy.
That Comey felt the need to document his conversations with the president is not comforting at all, but I am glad that the documentation occurred.
I'm quite riled that the FBI can't trust the president. I'm even more riled that the President appears to be trying to influence the outcome of one of our national intelligence organizations investigation's in his favor.
I can't understand how so many people voted Trump into office. He sounds as if he has a 'very' limited repertoire of adjectives and intensifiers within his spoken vocabulary. That in itself is not inherently detrimental, but I think the President of the USA should have sufficient vocabulary knowledge to effectively adjust his speak to effectively communicate to his audience.
The vocabulary must make the documentation 'very' easy.
34
Please, a comparative analysis of Clinton content..."I don't feel no ways tired."
I'm a liberal that thought Comey was both right to be transparent about Hilary no matter how close to the election it was, and right for keeping his distance from Trump. I hope there are more people in the FBI as honorable and honest as Comey... our country needs them desperately. It's sad that partisan politics has made our country so vulnerable, and congress so useless. I can't imagine where our country would be if we had an FBI director with any less of a backbone.
29
He wasn't "transparent" about Hillary; he hinted at e-mails which were never produced. He was rolled by Agents buried in his Agency, anti-Clinton haters. He handed the election to the fraudulent grifter and his predatory, greedy family.
Agreed but Comey should not have added his "extremely careless" editorial comment. Nor should he be allowing Wittes, a personal friend of his, to leak this information to the Times. He should wait and speak publicly to the Congressional committees who will want to hear from him.
This is the kind of leaking that fuels the deep state conspiracy talk that pays Hannity's salary.
This is the kind of leaking that fuels the deep state conspiracy talk that pays Hannity's salary.
I guess I’m like other left-wingers in that I’m at least sort of happy that Trump is having all this trouble. It’s a bad situation since it makes the country less stable, though. And notice how our enemies abroad pounce on it or promoted it. I don’t want the right-wingers to do very well, but I want our country to be safe. I don’t want us to be vulnerable because the White House or the executive branch is thrown into mayhem.
Basically, if Trump’s going into a tailspin, there should be something there to fill in the gaps. It shouldn’t be like, his political demise has awful repercussions. That’s what I mean. We’re kind of all on the same team here.
Basically, if Trump’s going into a tailspin, there should be something there to fill in the gaps. It shouldn’t be like, his political demise has awful repercussions. That’s what I mean. We’re kind of all on the same team here.
16
You Americans were also on the same team getting Trump elected even if you as an individual didn't vote for him. He is the product of your society and culture as are your political institutions and political shenanigans. Change your society and culture and the shenanigans, and you'll never suffer through such an embarrassment as Trump ever again.
2
Read the descriptions of Comey's interactions with the president carefully - Comey wanting to keep Trump at a distance; Comey trying to blend in with the curtains; Trump pulling Comey into an embrace and Comey not reciprocating. Although I know this is all framed through a 3rd party, I can't read these accounts without finding the descriptions of their interactions uncannily close to descriptions of sexual harassment - which are, of course, not about sex but about power. Given everything we've learned about this president, the utter inappropriateness of his conduct at every level is screamingly obvious and indicates more than ever that sexual harassment - as witnessed in Trump's comments on the bus with Billy Bush - is not really a separate category of misconduct: it's indicative of the way someone will conduct themselves in toto.
51
It was my surprising reaction - and as you said, acknowledging that this is 4rth hand.
He has no boundaries himself - he feels free to demand attention, get in others' space - and yes, even touch, if necessary to break the boundary. This man literally and figurative shoves his way in.
He has no boundaries himself - he feels free to demand attention, get in others' space - and yes, even touch, if necessary to break the boundary. This man literally and figurative shoves his way in.
Interesting and perceptive comment. Yes, power relations is the name of the game. Think how difficult it is for women in the work place to respond to sexual harassment; they must be firm yet polite, respectful and smart when responding to their aggressors, especially if the aggressor is a person of authority.
1
I am sure when the collusion scandal turns into nothing obnoxious liberals will try to file sexual harassment chargers against President Trump for Comey. We all know the former head of the fbi has no idea how to file sexual harassment chargers for himself.
I don't understand Comey. Once he explained to the president what the adequate channels of communication were, and that he should not contact him directly, he should have refused any other meetings/calls/encounters. The fact that he had dinner with Trump, he took his calls and he accepted to meet in the Oval Office is disturbing on the part of Comey. If Preet Bharara was able to say no, how come Comey wasn't?
"Mr. Comey has spoken privately of his concerns that the contacts from Mr. Trump and his aides were inappropriate, and how he felt compelled to resist them." It foes not seem to me that he resisted them in any way.
"Mr. Comey has spoken privately of his concerns that the contacts from Mr. Trump and his aides were inappropriate, and how he felt compelled to resist them." It foes not seem to me that he resisted them in any way.
14
Well, in a fashion, the President is his superior and the director would have had to be respectful, polite, tactful and diplomatic toward the former. Could Comey have categorically refused any social contact whatsoever with Trump?
3
A Clinton win would have been bad for America for a great many reasons - mostly because it would have increased the vicious witch hunts against her and caused the same sort of chaos we are seeing today, gridlocked congress, and - to be honest - Clinton HAS become part of the establishment. I dont think she would have achieved much for ordinary people.
So the current scenario is actually the best outcome: no Clinton, the republicans who have largely caused this problem are going to implode spectacularly - as the recent elections have shown. If Trump is removed thats even better because the uneasy truce between the people who supported Trump and the people who merely used him for their own agendas will become open warfare. No political party can win in an environment like that.
All of this is ugly and bad for america - and the free world. But it had to happen in order to lance the very big bowl of pus that right wing thinking has brought about in the west. The ideas of these people dont work and are not good for anyone but rich people. Thats the take home message from all this.
So the current scenario is actually the best outcome: no Clinton, the republicans who have largely caused this problem are going to implode spectacularly - as the recent elections have shown. If Trump is removed thats even better because the uneasy truce between the people who supported Trump and the people who merely used him for their own agendas will become open warfare. No political party can win in an environment like that.
All of this is ugly and bad for america - and the free world. But it had to happen in order to lance the very big bowl of pus that right wing thinking has brought about in the west. The ideas of these people dont work and are not good for anyone but rich people. Thats the take home message from all this.
23
She certainly would have done more for ordinary people than her opponent, who is actively exploiting them.
And the "it needs to blow up" line is similarly ridiculous. Who do you think bears the brunt of that process ? That's right ... ordinary people.
And the "it needs to blow up" line is similarly ridiculous. Who do you think bears the brunt of that process ? That's right ... ordinary people.
2
There's hope.
What's most impressive about the comments since Mueller's appointment is the evident sincerity of many Trump haters. While the shot-callers remain the "permanent resistance" types, who may or may not really believe what they claim to believe, a large number of Trump opponents appear to believe -- genuinely believe -- that Putin has planted an electrode in Trump's brain and controls his every action.
True, some "true believers" admit to trepidation. They acknowledge that proving Trump/Russia collusion may be difficult or impossible, and so they wonder whether Mueller's appointment is really a good thing. What if Mueller doesn't find any evidence of collusion, and so states in his report? Many "true believers" are so sure that won't happen -- i.e. that Mueller WILL find that Trump colluded with the Russians -- that they don't even recognize that as a risk.
But the "permanent resistance" types recognize that risk and are NOT prepared to take it. They're grateful for the support of "true believers," but they recognize that the worst thing that could happen to Trump opponents would be to have Mueller report that the "collusion" allegation is unsupported by any evidence. As long as the allegation is out there, even if entirely unproven, it puts pressure on Trump (or so the "permanent resistance" people believe) to react. But if Mueller issues a report stating that he's found no supporting evidence, that would be a bad thing for the "permanent resistance."
What's most impressive about the comments since Mueller's appointment is the evident sincerity of many Trump haters. While the shot-callers remain the "permanent resistance" types, who may or may not really believe what they claim to believe, a large number of Trump opponents appear to believe -- genuinely believe -- that Putin has planted an electrode in Trump's brain and controls his every action.
True, some "true believers" admit to trepidation. They acknowledge that proving Trump/Russia collusion may be difficult or impossible, and so they wonder whether Mueller's appointment is really a good thing. What if Mueller doesn't find any evidence of collusion, and so states in his report? Many "true believers" are so sure that won't happen -- i.e. that Mueller WILL find that Trump colluded with the Russians -- that they don't even recognize that as a risk.
But the "permanent resistance" types recognize that risk and are NOT prepared to take it. They're grateful for the support of "true believers," but they recognize that the worst thing that could happen to Trump opponents would be to have Mueller report that the "collusion" allegation is unsupported by any evidence. As long as the allegation is out there, even if entirely unproven, it puts pressure on Trump (or so the "permanent resistance" people believe) to react. But if Mueller issues a report stating that he's found no supporting evidence, that would be a bad thing for the "permanent resistance."
1
Trump's coauthor on The Art of the Deal said this week that in Trump's business empire, he doesn't tolerate people having opinions that are different from his. I can see how he wouldn't like Comey, especially after trying to get a promise of personal loyalty from him (and failing) and after indicating that he should probably (hint, hint) let go of the investigation of Flynn. Unfortunately for Trump, Comey appears to have a backbone--something that Mr. Trump does not like at all.
30
I think Trump was setup.
He has been honest throughout about the person he is:
Completely ignorant (of anything having to do with protocol).
Always willing to make himself bigger than what he is.
Always willing to assume that nobody will stand up to him, because he is famous and great.
We all knew who the president elect was.
Now everybody is surprised?
A sports metaphor:
"They are what we thought they were"
He has been honest throughout about the person he is:
Completely ignorant (of anything having to do with protocol).
Always willing to make himself bigger than what he is.
Always willing to assume that nobody will stand up to him, because he is famous and great.
We all knew who the president elect was.
Now everybody is surprised?
A sports metaphor:
"They are what we thought they were"
4
A prima Donna is someone who acts like they are the star of the show. In this show we have two of them. Could that be the real problem? I believe this is merely a battle of egos--nothing more. I don't care for either character.
4
Trump is not Russia's puppet. Meaning Trump and Russia did not plan out his presidential success. They did all they could to discredit Hillary however.
I think his campaign staff will be tangled up in all sorts of Russian stuff but not Trump himself with criminal charges.
Flynn, has done something dodgy. Trump know doubt knows what - this is why he has protected him, obviously it can harm trump also so this will be the story one day and possibly will end Trumps presidency.
Trump wont hand over tax returns is because he simply has no where near the money he claims to have and it will be very embarrassing for him after gloating how rich he is. The Russians do loan him money but I doubt they own him.
I think his campaign staff will be tangled up in all sorts of Russian stuff but not Trump himself with criminal charges.
Flynn, has done something dodgy. Trump know doubt knows what - this is why he has protected him, obviously it can harm trump also so this will be the story one day and possibly will end Trumps presidency.
Trump wont hand over tax returns is because he simply has no where near the money he claims to have and it will be very embarrassing for him after gloating how rich he is. The Russians do loan him money but I doubt they own him.
3
We all know what Flynn promised his Russian hosts: Obama's sanctions would be lifted by a Trump administration. So, we have Tillerson able to exploit his oil and gas options in Russia and the Balkans, acting as Secty. of State, no less. We have Mnuchin able to exploit his foreclosure/banking skill set. We have Pruitt and Price working to dismantle the regulatory agencies they are now in charge of. So, we have a very good idea of what Trump's administration will do; and, we will have the same mess to clean up as we did after Reagan, and Bush II. The Republicans come in, loot and deregulate necessary venues; then Democrats are elected to fix the damage.
James Comey cannot but miss the irony in the fact that if he hadn't meddled in the election last October with the bogus nonsense about Hillary's server, he'd still be the FBI Director right now. She has a history of putting past differences behind her to facilitate a working relationship. President Clinton would never have fired Comey.
14
I have to laugh at this he said she said article. We have Comey who testified under oath on a time stamp video just 3 days before his dismissal that he has never been asked to stop an investigation for political reasons. Yet after his dismissal he suddenly has memos of conversation with the President about standing down the investigation? This is why he was dismissed from his position as director of the FBI. He has 0 integrity and often changes his story.
7
The Liar and Pretender in Chief lacks integrity and often changes his story. He changed his story about why Comey was fired. He lied when he said he would release his tax returns and then refused to release them. I could go on but there is no point. Shouldn't he do the honorable thing and resign?
The Trumpian pundits are still in denial and trying to divert attention away from the central issue - that the current President of The United States colluded with a foreign power against his political enemies. They question the authenticity of the Comey memo, and again try to spin this as the media being unfair to Trump and unwilling to be as critical of the Clintons.
I do hope that the New York Times stays focused on the real issue. We have an illegitimate president and finally there is movement in the right direction. As much as it pains me to say it, especially in light of what Comey did to Hillary and the way that he swayed the election, the information we care currently receiving shows Comey as a conscientious and ethical professional. Its a shame that his dedication to duty is what put us in the situation we face ourselves, with a madman in the Whitehouse. But as we learn more about his character, we need to be able to view his actions in a different light.
I do hope that the New York Times stays focused on the real issue. We have an illegitimate president and finally there is movement in the right direction. As much as it pains me to say it, especially in light of what Comey did to Hillary and the way that he swayed the election, the information we care currently receiving shows Comey as a conscientious and ethical professional. Its a shame that his dedication to duty is what put us in the situation we face ourselves, with a madman in the Whitehouse. But as we learn more about his character, we need to be able to view his actions in a different light.
10
If Trump doesn't scare you, watch him again, in the debate with Clinton where he was quite thoroughly taken out. Watch him stalk her from behind, as he wandered around, away from his podium while she talked. And while you're at it, watch him during the time he submitted to his crowd that the 2nd amendment can do what it takes to make sure Clinton doesn't take the guns away. Tell yourself he wasn't menacing. He is simply not a balanced human. He threatens people who disagree with him. Thinly veiled. And this is precisely what he incites in his most rabid supporters, who tend to worship that language.
Is this impeachable? Is it 25th amendment? The answer: What sort of country do we want the US to be -- kind and free, or mean and threatening to those who protest or merely disagree?
Please watch those debates again -- and count the depth of Trump's rude, ugly demeanor -- and ask yourself whether that is "great" stuff.
Is this impeachable? Is it 25th amendment? The answer: What sort of country do we want the US to be -- kind and free, or mean and threatening to those who protest or merely disagree?
Please watch those debates again -- and count the depth of Trump's rude, ugly demeanor -- and ask yourself whether that is "great" stuff.
25
Marvinsky*** I think about that stalking debate alot. It was so menacing. It was so threatening. I remember thinking why are the moderators allowing him to do that. I actually wanted her to stop and say something confrontational. I am glad you mention it and how you put in in context.
What kind of country we want indeed.. you saw a hint of this country's trajectory yesterday when Turkish thugs attacked protestors on American soil.
Orange, NJ
What kind of country we want indeed.. you saw a hint of this country's trajectory yesterday when Turkish thugs attacked protestors on American soil.
Orange, NJ
1
So much time and wasted energy spent trying to get Trump to tell the truth. He will never do it. He is incapable of even knowing what the truth is. When will this nightmare end?
17
Well, he did have those really big inauguration crowds, more bigly than Obamas.
Comey's summation of Rod Rosenstein: “He said, ‘I don’t know. I have some concerns. He’s good, he’s solid but he’s also a survivor and you don’t survive that long without making some compromises and I’m concerned about that.’”
I thought earlier, and now I'm convinced, Rosenstein kissed the ring to get his position as Deputy AG. Keep an eye on him ... he walks in Richard Rich's shoes.
I thought earlier, and now I'm convinced, Rosenstein kissed the ring to get his position as Deputy AG. Keep an eye on him ... he walks in Richard Rich's shoes.
7
The manner in which he's holding his arms and hands, close to his body, shows he is not available to the situation. He'd rather be somewhere else.
7
He got his wish.
Trump has finally come face-to-face with the Rule of Law in the big leagues. No smooth words, greasing of palms, "I got a buddy who'll set you up" is going to work and I think he's actually bewildered, that he truly believed, as president, he would be so loved, adored, and envied that his circle of sycophants would widen to include the world.....it would be so easy.
15
So Trump was being friendly. Its his business way and Comey felt threatened? That makes Trump a russia spy and committed a crime for obstruction of justice?
2
Trump is never just "friendly." He was making a point: I am in charge, and I will own you. Why can't Trump supporters see this?
I don't like Trump at all but no evidence has been presented that the Russians interfered in the election (even though Hillary sounded like she was going to go to war with them if she was elected). This is all Neo-McCarthyism.
When I hear the MSM starting something like this I always say: Remember the Maine!
That's when the the U.S. media (Hearst Publications especially)drummed up a war by spinning an accident (fumes in a coal bunker) that blew up the Battle Ship Maine into an act of aggression by Spain.
There are plenty of real reasons Trump should not be president, but they won't talk about them because they really have to problem with Cutting and gutting social programs. They just don't like the fact that he won't be aggressive toward Putin?Russia who stands in the way of the U.S. dominating Eurasia.
When I hear the MSM starting something like this I always say: Remember the Maine!
That's when the the U.S. media (Hearst Publications especially)drummed up a war by spinning an accident (fumes in a coal bunker) that blew up the Battle Ship Maine into an act of aggression by Spain.
There are plenty of real reasons Trump should not be president, but they won't talk about them because they really have to problem with Cutting and gutting social programs. They just don't like the fact that he won't be aggressive toward Putin?Russia who stands in the way of the U.S. dominating Eurasia.
1
A friend shared a message supposedly from VP Mike Pence claiming that Fake News was trying to take the current administration down. No facts of course, not even "alternative" ones, and asking for donations. Scary thing reviewing this.
5
Hopefully every Dot will get connected
Not releasing the Tax returns
Self financing your campaign
Wikileaks and hack into the DNC
Sanctions by Obama administration right before the election and Trump aides coming to the rescue
The Republicans need to wake up and realize the possibility of a Pence presidency
Not releasing the Tax returns
Self financing your campaign
Wikileaks and hack into the DNC
Sanctions by Obama administration right before the election and Trump aides coming to the rescue
The Republicans need to wake up and realize the possibility of a Pence presidency
8
Interesting that Comey commented that Rosestein is a "survivor" which implies that Rosenstein does whatever it takes to get along.
Very dmning with faint praise. We will see what Rosenstein does as time passes.
Very dmning with faint praise. We will see what Rosenstein does as time passes.
9
I would look at any attempted chumminess by Trump as "menacing" too. One listen to the Al Wilson song "The Snake" will tell you why.
8
Like most (D)s, I was outraged at Comey's disclosure of emails found on a laptop just before the election. I'll never change my mind on that. He put his hands on the scale. There will never be a valid excuse for him revealing that, but not revealing that at the same time the FBI had been investigating Trump's campaign for Russian connections for months.
I credit him with refusing to take loyalty oaths to Trump, but not as much as the press does. It's sort of a job requirement. Being the FBI director is a very big deal, and I think his refusal to kiss the ring had at least as much to do with arrogance as it had to do with being a good citizen.
Let's not make a saint out of Comey, who feverishly wrote notes in the back of a car on his return from meetings with a POTUS he absolutely knows is unfit and unaware of how law works. Comey is no angel either.
I'd turn Comey's remarks on DAG Rosenstein right back at him. "He's good, he's solid, but he's also a survivor and you don't survive that long without making some compromises."
He was right about Rosenstein. Perhaps a little introspection might make him wonder whether he (Comey) is any different.
I credit him with refusing to take loyalty oaths to Trump, but not as much as the press does. It's sort of a job requirement. Being the FBI director is a very big deal, and I think his refusal to kiss the ring had at least as much to do with arrogance as it had to do with being a good citizen.
Let's not make a saint out of Comey, who feverishly wrote notes in the back of a car on his return from meetings with a POTUS he absolutely knows is unfit and unaware of how law works. Comey is no angel either.
I'd turn Comey's remarks on DAG Rosenstein right back at him. "He's good, he's solid, but he's also a survivor and you don't survive that long without making some compromises."
He was right about Rosenstein. Perhaps a little introspection might make him wonder whether he (Comey) is any different.
220
This is America, we operate under the Constitution. While I have been required several time to swear an oath to uphold the Constitution and Laws of this country, I have never been asked to swear an oath of loyalty to the President. We fought a revolution to get rid of a king. We designed the Constitution to prevent the establishment of a king. Swearing personal loyalty to the President is placing loyalty to the man above loyalty to the nation.
293
I thought the same thing at first, but ....Comey did not survive, now did he?
7
Comey is not a saint. He is a competent law enforcement agent, though, and writing notes fresh out of a meeting with a sketchy president is excellent police work. Why do you see this as a negative?
He will never redeem himself in my eyes for what he did to the Clinton campaign. Never. But I will give him credit for declining to cozy up to Trump. Imagine how lovely his life could have been. I appreciate his willingness to give that up and retain his independence. And I support his efforts to clean up the mess in the White House all the way.
He will never redeem himself in my eyes for what he did to the Clinton campaign. Never. But I will give him credit for declining to cozy up to Trump. Imagine how lovely his life could have been. I appreciate his willingness to give that up and retain his independence. And I support his efforts to clean up the mess in the White House all the way.
2
It's good that Mueller is heading the special counsel investigating the Russian interference. However, a separate investigation regarding possible obstruction of justice by Trump must still be carried out.
22
The purview of independent counsel investigations often stray from the original topic. It seems one does relate to the other, so it would rightfully include both of these issues.
The order appointing the special counsel authorizes him to cover "any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation"
http://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/3726373/Rosenstein-Order.pdf
http://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/3726373/Rosenstein-Order.pdf
4
Trump sees the Presidency as another family business where all those that work for you are loyal friends, and any decision you make is law. His Cabinet are all hand picked Trump Loyalists, Flynn was perhaps the most loyal and a General on top of that. Comey was a challenge. Trump tried to bring him on board as he sees the FBI as his own personal police force, but failed. And as we know, anyone who brakes ranks will be thrown under the bus. Also, under no circumstances is anyone to outshine the leader (grandstanding or showboating is strictly forbidden). What Trump does not realize and will never understand is the fact that the President has to be a master of compromise and must weigh the pros and cons of every decision, consider its long term ramifications and determine who is in support and who is not. It is not about the President, it's about gaining support from the most people possible who believe the decision will benefit the country. Trump being Trump cannot accept being a leader that shares glory. Even if he learns what the job entails. he has lost all credibility and has shown the world that his arrogance is an embarrassment to America and its friends and allies. The more he double down the more he isolates himself. The isolated he becomes the more unhinged he appears, Increasing his isolation and eventual downfall.
36
Yes he reminds me of Saddam, who once said "The law is two lines of writing above my signature".
5
From your lips to God's ears!
4
The problem with the multitude of Trump lies is that the sheer volume he has been caught making makes one not likely to believe him should someone else assert something contradictory. He can bleat til the cows come home that Comey told him he wasn't under investigation (3 times!) but the informed public has absolutely no reason to believe him. Perhaps the Pope can explain to him in 2 minutes what the repercussions of lying are or better yet, what the definition of lying is.
22
Trump is clearly trying to lead the country as he did his businesses, by bending rules, demanding loyalty (or guess what, you're fired), and focusing only on himself and his needs first and foremost. I suspect Mr. Wittes 'account will be one of many that will paint the same picture of an extremely narcissistic individual with no moral compass who is completely ill suited for the role of presidency.
41
President Trump can brazen this out, but he appears to be lying once again. The problem for him is that he has lost all credibility because of his huge laundry list of lies already perpetrated on the public.
Trump seems unconcerned, because it appears that he thinks he is an Emperor ruling through the Divine Right of Kings. If the president says it, it is true even if it is a lie. If the president does it, it is no crime even if others would go to jail for the same actions.
Lying about Comey is terrible. It is a danger to the republic. But Trump's supporters don't care. He can lie, cheat and steal as much as he likes. They would love to have the same possibilities in their own lives. After all its the gummint that tried to arrest Claven Bundy and other scofflaws who decided that they were above the law. They are living vicariously through Trump who is definitely living above the law and getting away with it.
Trump seems unconcerned, because it appears that he thinks he is an Emperor ruling through the Divine Right of Kings. If the president says it, it is true even if it is a lie. If the president does it, it is no crime even if others would go to jail for the same actions.
Lying about Comey is terrible. It is a danger to the republic. But Trump's supporters don't care. He can lie, cheat and steal as much as he likes. They would love to have the same possibilities in their own lives. After all its the gummint that tried to arrest Claven Bundy and other scofflaws who decided that they were above the law. They are living vicariously through Trump who is definitely living above the law and getting away with it.
34
Well, you schmooze or threaten. No middle ground. This was his take on the lessons imparted to him by people like his father, Roy Cohn, and many others on the NY scene who made their bones in the 40s and 50s.
He has never changed or learned, and never will.
Unfortunately, for him, it's 2017 and it looks as though there may yet be a few good men left in DC.
As he is cornered by adults, the weird behavior will just get weirder.
He has never changed or learned, and never will.
Unfortunately, for him, it's 2017 and it looks as though there may yet be a few good men left in DC.
As he is cornered by adults, the weird behavior will just get weirder.
33
Trump will go down in history as the Biggest Loser the world has ever known.
He will also take down the Republican Party and anyone who so much as shakes his hand. Trump is now radioactive and everyone is running from him as fast as possible.
The last thing anyone now wants is Trumpski's outreach, his bear hug. But that's all Trump's got; I'll be your friend if you'll be mine. He believes that a foreign leader will fall into line and adjust his long-term national interests just because Trump publicly called him a good guy. Or an FBI director will jump at the chance for a quid pro quo. He thinks he's doing people a favor by -
basically - groping them.
Am looking forward to his international tour. Now that he's damaged goods and the world knows he's a fool, the foreign leaders may just give him a good spanking, which will boost their popularity and hugely entertain their people. He's going on an excellent adventure and has absolutely no idea what's out there.
He will also take down the Republican Party and anyone who so much as shakes his hand. Trump is now radioactive and everyone is running from him as fast as possible.
The last thing anyone now wants is Trumpski's outreach, his bear hug. But that's all Trump's got; I'll be your friend if you'll be mine. He believes that a foreign leader will fall into line and adjust his long-term national interests just because Trump publicly called him a good guy. Or an FBI director will jump at the chance for a quid pro quo. He thinks he's doing people a favor by -
basically - groping them.
Am looking forward to his international tour. Now that he's damaged goods and the world knows he's a fool, the foreign leaders may just give him a good spanking, which will boost their popularity and hugely entertain their people. He's going on an excellent adventure and has absolutely no idea what's out there.
37
"the world knows he's a fool, the foreign leaders may just give him a good spanking"
One headline I read said "Trump meets the Leader Of The Free World , Angela Merkel".
America , what have you done to yourself !! Build all the implements of war you want , China is organizing/bringing the Far East & Africa on to their side with Trade Deals & long term plans. Trump is a mentally sick person & the GOP`s only concern is to get re-elected.
One headline I read said "Trump meets the Leader Of The Free World , Angela Merkel".
America , what have you done to yourself !! Build all the implements of war you want , China is organizing/bringing the Far East & Africa on to their side with Trade Deals & long term plans. Trump is a mentally sick person & the GOP`s only concern is to get re-elected.
Uneasy? How about retching in revulsion from exposure to a low level, crass, unsophisticated con man flailing in fear and in WAY over his head? 45 can't handle the big chair and he doesn't have the chops to run the real con that the right has going. He was just hoping to get in on the con long enough to make some "real" money and it went wrong. He won. If anyone thought that the right wing was running a con and the Repubs "leading" the country might not be working for the people and their best interests, any pretense is gone. We have our answer. Support for 45 will last as long as provides gain and doesn't risk the gains for the big money in politics. Thank you SCOTUS.. The lapdogs in Congress and the Senate on big monies leash will support him until the masters blow the dog whistle and figures out what the next step to keep the con going is. They will trot their dogs out to the microphones with the message that they are provided to assure continuity of power, and he will be tossed out. The right wing media will provide the cover and tell the kool aid drinkers what to think and keep us divided so that we cannot join each other to challenge the con in earnest. Anyone with integrity, like Comey, must be "unsettled" by having to participate in and exposed to, the con. It is a reaction to witnessing how slimy the lapdog Repubs really are. Anyone with any sense of right and wrong should be sickened and saddened at the state of our beautiful Democracy at the hands of these people.
34
I can't wait for the "tappes" of this conversation to come out, followed by divulgence of the secret plan to beat ISIS, the tax returns and the second coming of Elvis.
16
On watching the clip, what appears egregious is not only the unwanted hug but also Trump's lack of respect in many other ways.
I'm not a speech or behavioral specialist, but there's more ick than just the physical encounter here. After praising "General Flynn" by title and surname we get this:
Trump: "Oh, and there's, ah, Jim. . . . He's become more famous than me."
Amidst the laughs that ensues as Comey steps across the room, someone close to a microphone (Pence?) utters "Director Comey" (a correction? a sign of deference to Comey? an demonstration of submission to Trump, acknowledging that only the alpha-male in the room gets to call the head of the FBI not just by his first name but by a nickname?)
Then Trump again: "Uh, let's take some pictures. . . . "
Trump, who is said to loathe being called "Donald" unless invited to do so, wanted to put "Jim" in "his place," and to do so very publicly. What a megalomaniac jerk.
Like so many others, I don't understand why Mr. Comey handled the Clinton email inquiry as he did, but I hope Mr. Comey's memos and testimony shred Trump to ribbons. He is one person who has the evidence, the intellect, and the stature to do so.
I'm not a speech or behavioral specialist, but there's more ick than just the physical encounter here. After praising "General Flynn" by title and surname we get this:
Trump: "Oh, and there's, ah, Jim. . . . He's become more famous than me."
Amidst the laughs that ensues as Comey steps across the room, someone close to a microphone (Pence?) utters "Director Comey" (a correction? a sign of deference to Comey? an demonstration of submission to Trump, acknowledging that only the alpha-male in the room gets to call the head of the FBI not just by his first name but by a nickname?)
Then Trump again: "Uh, let's take some pictures. . . . "
Trump, who is said to loathe being called "Donald" unless invited to do so, wanted to put "Jim" in "his place," and to do so very publicly. What a megalomaniac jerk.
Like so many others, I don't understand why Mr. Comey handled the Clinton email inquiry as he did, but I hope Mr. Comey's memos and testimony shred Trump to ribbons. He is one person who has the evidence, the intellect, and the stature to do so.
47
Anyone can keep memos of their meetings. Those memos can in no way be assumed to be an accurate reflection of what transpired. I find it rather hilarious that all the people who previously spoke so poorly of Comey now expect us to believe anything positive he wrote about himself is true and anything negative he wrote about Trump is equally true. I'm sure Comey thinks he's not just the tallest guy in every room but also the smartest and the most self-righteous. His enormous ego came across quite clearly in his testimony before Congress. If I were to write a memo about his testimony, and compare it to what he wrote about himself, I seriously doubt that our memos would be the same.
Therein lies the problem with trying to use personal memos as evidence in a crime investigation. Comey clearly thinks of himself as Superman. By that standard, everyone else is less than he is. It should come as a surprise to no one that Superman found fault with Trump. But the voters elected Trump. Comey at this point could not get elected to run the local PTA.
Therein lies the problem with trying to use personal memos as evidence in a crime investigation. Comey clearly thinks of himself as Superman. By that standard, everyone else is less than he is. It should come as a surprise to no one that Superman found fault with Trump. But the voters elected Trump. Comey at this point could not get elected to run the local PTA.
66
I find it hilarious that anyone who doesn't like evidence can dismiss it out of hand. That person clearly thinks of him/herself as Superperson. Right, Lisa?
I just wonder how much that person liked Comey last year. Forward Benghazi! E-mails! Vince Foster!
I just wonder how much that person liked Comey last year. Forward Benghazi! E-mails! Vince Foster!
4
So you are suggesting that Comey intentionally made up stuff and put it into the file. Or made up memos later and put them in the file. Either probably constitute a crime of some sort. Doubtful, at best.
Well Lisa - are you still happy with your presidential choice? A man of character , calm, thoughtful, truthful, graced with humility, diplomatic, experienced, even tempered, respectful of women and patient while having the nuclear codes in his pocket? Well for me, Trump has far exceeded my worst expectations in just 3 months - an historical record. Presidential for one evening at the state of the union address and then back to his computer for more childish Twitter rants .
Trump have said that he had made up his mind to fire Comey independently but in the letter, he tells Comey that recommendations for his dismissal have been made and he approved of them not before making sure he was safe and not involved in the investigations! At that moment I hated the idea of Comey being that low after releasing the letter where he told the senate he was re-opening the case against Hillary just eleven days before election time! Was Trump aware of the boost his campaign got from that wrong move on Comey's part? Was Comey eventually a little nauseated for doing it and realizing the effect it had? Trump was not on the side of the law then, Now or ever will be for what I have seen from him as a candidate and as a president!
14
Comey could not give Trump what he wanted, the loyalty of a lacky. Though I disagree with Comey on his actions during the campaign it is to his honor that he saw through the tactics of our manipulator in chief.
That Comey was fired shows that he had good reason not to trust the man he was investigating to support his Russian investigation.
That Comey was fired shows that he had good reason not to trust the man he was investigating to support his Russian investigation.
35
Trump says there was no collusion, but he could only ”speak for myself, campaign AND RUSSIA.” Perhaps, that's the problem Mr.President, you are supposed to be speaking for AMERICA！
39
America. A great country, could be doing great things. Instead, this. What a national waste of time. Trump should really just stop.
22
So the FBI director thinks he is compromised if he shakes hands with the President? That's just weird. He must not have a lot of friends.
4
Not many friends who are President of the United States and whom he is investigating for ties to Russia. Nope. Not many of those around to shake hands with.
Being forced to hug trump was the issue for Mr. Comey.
1
... no, assumptions ... the contact/handshake could seague into further manipulation attempts and he knew it ...
8
I can't believe the angry liberals! Stop blaming Comey for Hillary's loss! Hillary defeated herself.. The mere fact that she was evasive and aloof cost her the election and rightfully so.. Had she a semblance of a personality it may have been different. Instead she had a cadre of surrogates running around saying. "If you ever meet Hillary in person- she's funny and kind and you would like her." Sorry that wasn't good enough.
5
Hillary lost fair and square under the rules which apply. I hope Trump sees that he lost fair and square under the rules when he is forced out of office.
1
No, I suppose Hillary's approach to things wasn't good enough for those who saw Trump's personality as warm and fuzzy and approachable, and now look at your man...You folks are still going after Hillary, while Trump continues to unravel in the oval office. Are you happy with him.? Is he all that you had hoped for?
15
This is not either-or. Both Comey and Hillary herself contributed to her defeat.
1
While I hated what he did to Hillary, I think he thought she was going to win and he put the FBI's interest ahead of the country's. And we got Trump. And Trump being Trump is like a herd of bulls in a china shop. Everything that Mr. Wittes describes is just so Trumpish. I'm very happy with the special counsel being appointed and I think when Donald and Comey butt heads, my money is on Comey coming out on top. This is like a very dark, dark comedy.
And watching that video as it first starts with Comey, all of him trying to hide and Trump throws him that disgusting "air kiss". The man is a total mess.
And watching that video as it first starts with Comey, all of him trying to hide and Trump throws him that disgusting "air kiss". The man is a total mess.
21
If Comey is that sensitive, he could have resigned.
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
4
Why in the world should someone quit their own job of many years because an uninformed and ill-prepared (ignorant) newcomer does something inappropriate?!?
Would you quit your job on that basis? Don't be ridiculous!
Would you quit your job on that basis? Don't be ridiculous!
12
That's good - Comey follows the rules, Trump breaks protocol and it's Comey's "sensitivity" that's the problem.
15
I never got the vapors when the boss asked me questions...
BTW, LK, glad you said "inappropriate." Because clearly Comey, like you, saw nothing criminal in the contact with Trump or he would have reported a crime. Unless the head of the FBI doesn't know a crime when he sees one. Shall we now change the constitutional standard for impeachment to "high-crimes, misdemeanors, and being inappropriate?"
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
BTW, LK, glad you said "inappropriate." Because clearly Comey, like you, saw nothing criminal in the contact with Trump or he would have reported a crime. Unless the head of the FBI doesn't know a crime when he sees one. Shall we now change the constitutional standard for impeachment to "high-crimes, misdemeanors, and being inappropriate?"
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
Is it just me? When I see Trump call Comey out and state that Comey has become more famous than Trump, I am seeing Trump blow Comey an air kiss! Tell me it ain't so.
28
No, you are quite right! I watched the clip multiple times and it is nauseating to see DT blowing an air kiss to Comey.
That's the kiss of the maffiosi.
In his letter firing Comey, Trump makes the unusual claim "informing me, under three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation". Then Trump takes to Twitter and threatens Comey with tape recordings of his conversations with Trump. Reading Benjamin Wittes' accounting of Comey's uneasy interactions with Trump, especially the story about the "urgent" yet strangely empty phone call from Trump, makes this paranoid liberal wonder. Did Trump call / meet with Comey on purpose, with the intent of making tape-recorded evidence that would undermine Comey's credibility - perhaps even to the degree of obtaining material with which to make fraudulently altered tape recordings of Comey's voice saying things Comey did not / should not have said, such as "you are not being investigated?
18
That reference in the letter to the three occasions he informed Trump that he wasnt under investigation should be immediately recognizable to any experienced lawyer as the dirty trick it is. Its a pretty common tactic in lawyers letters to your opponents to overstate your clients position or "verbal" them. That forces the opponent to address the point or look like the point is accepted as fact by both sides. In this case, given that Comey was being fired he wouldnt then be able to respond to that allegation in his capacity as FBI director - making any comeback look like sour grapes from a position of weakness. Whoever wrote that letter and thought it was a good idea to send it with those words clearly didnt expect this kind of blowback and that Comey would have a chance to rebut those points in a formal way. Bad mistake.
12
Thats not unusual at all - for Trump. Its ALL about him, all the time.
Keeping notes on conversations with people in power is what good managers do, especially when the topics of conversation are about controversial issues that may come up later in hearings or investigations. This is not nefarious nor some sort of a conspiracy, it is what logical, responsible people do.
54
It's the fault of the American Constitution -- the founding fathers should never have granted such a monstrous power in the hand of a president. There is only one George Washington, but there might be plenty of Trumps.
I recall one report immediately following Trump's taking the office, he was, upon arriving at a meeting, asking people around him where his FBI director was ?
I recall one report immediately following Trump's taking the office, he was, upon arriving at a meeting, asking people around him where his FBI director was ?
14
I find this all hilarious that Trump supporters, and the president himself doesn't get what is happening. Blue suit is a nice touch. Glad to see honesty prevails. Trump is a real "poindexter" ;)
Trump is a "gutless cheat" and he's going to soon learn his tricks don't work on people with integrity that know a con artist when they see one, and are prepared to take them down. Trump's cons are sometimes complex, but they are obvious.
Trump is a "gutless cheat" and he's going to soon learn his tricks don't work on people with integrity that know a con artist when they see one, and are prepared to take them down. Trump's cons are sometimes complex, but they are obvious.
33
Exactly. Did you ever see The Grifters with Angelica Houston and John Cusack? Early in the film John is in a bar and tries to pass a $20 for another bill - the bartender beats him senseless, I think with a big ol' baseball bat. As soon as he tried the con, the audience knew it wasn't going to work out.
Trump reminds me of John Cusack (sorry John!) - we can all see how this is going.
Trump reminds me of John Cusack (sorry John!) - we can all see how this is going.
5
Integrity? Have you not seen how many times Comey has changed his testimony under oath? 3 days befire his dismissal he testified of never being asked to stop investigating anything for political reasons. Now theres so.e memos of being asked. Lol ya sure there are
Poindexter, is a character from "Felix the Cat", an animated TV series from the 1950s.
He was noted for his intelligence and the use of scientific jargon.
Trump is no Poindexter!
I think Trump has made a major miscalculation. It seems he believes that any person can be intimidated or bought. There may be some exceptions like Comey and Mueller. I wish them well.
48
Trump reminds me of King George III who the colonies rebelled against to win our freedom. King George's mental illness, documented in the film "The Madness of King George," was caused by a physical problem, but Trump can't claim such an excuse. Comey's integrity will shine through in his testimony over conversations with Trump that he meticulously took note of—a case of truth speaking against power— and I hope it will help bring down this "enfant terrible" we call our president. A just result would be restoring Comey to the directorship of the FBI.
5
It was only a matter of time before someone of power and influence stood up to Trump. Though he may have been able to corrupt most everyone he has come into contact with to do his bidding, it was an inevitability that someone would break from the pack and derail his plans. That Trump thought he could coerce, intimate and bully his way through the investigations into his administration's contacts with Russia, as well as to a successful 4 years of presidency, is dumb-founding. Did he really believe that he could operate as President of the United States in the same manner as he had operated all those years in real estate and reality tv? The answer is a resounding yes.
In a way, it's sad that at the ripe age of 70 only now is Trump is learning a lesson he should have learned long ago. That a deplorable man such as himself could have relatively prospered for so long says much about what is wrong with our society: as long as you have money and power, you can get away with pretty much anything and everything.
In a way, it's sad that at the ripe age of 70 only now is Trump is learning a lesson he should have learned long ago. That a deplorable man such as himself could have relatively prospered for so long says much about what is wrong with our society: as long as you have money and power, you can get away with pretty much anything and everything.
35
"It was only a matter of time before someone of power and influence stood up to Trump"
How about someone with integrity? Ryan and McConnell have power and influence but no integrity to speak of.
How about someone with integrity? Ryan and McConnell have power and influence but no integrity to speak of.
8
and be white and most times male
Trump demands loyalty and in the realm of his family and business dealings, he found a lot of sycophants willing to oblige. He could just fire those that wouldn't.
But in government, there are some who won't. Like Comey. He got fired but Trump just didn't see the blowback coming. And he ain't seen nothing yet, because when his sycophants jump ship, he'll find nobody to support him.
Can't wait to see that happen.
But in government, there are some who won't. Like Comey. He got fired but Trump just didn't see the blowback coming. And he ain't seen nothing yet, because when his sycophants jump ship, he'll find nobody to support him.
Can't wait to see that happen.
22
The suggestion that this sort of cronyism is just his "way of being" is beyond ridiculous.
Trump Tower was made by unions. New Yorkers know exactly what that means. It's also made using concrete, and we know what that means too.
It meant dealing with the once 'Dapper Don', John Gotti, who was, along with Roy Cohn, the model for Trump's behavior. This 'not-so-dapper' Donald knows exactly what he was doing with that bear hug, and with every other transparent attempt to enlist and subvert Comey. He knows the game, but like so many other things, he's just not very good at it.
Trump Tower was made by unions. New Yorkers know exactly what that means. It's also made using concrete, and we know what that means too.
It meant dealing with the once 'Dapper Don', John Gotti, who was, along with Roy Cohn, the model for Trump's behavior. This 'not-so-dapper' Donald knows exactly what he was doing with that bear hug, and with every other transparent attempt to enlist and subvert Comey. He knows the game, but like so many other things, he's just not very good at it.
18
Shudder. Just grab 'em...and they let you do it. Comey rightfully squeamish and Trump (as always) squirrelish. What is it with Trump and his "handshakes?" For a man who supposedly is a germaphobe, he seems to have gotten over it and now revels in grabbing mens' hands and trying to throw them off balance. Did he take an assertiveness training class from Bannon?
After reading this, though, I have more sympathy and respect for Comey than ever before.
After reading this, though, I have more sympathy and respect for Comey than ever before.
16
So what happens if the investigations come up short? We are talking about the Russians, after all. There can't be anyone more skilled at spy craft than Putin and his henchmen. If there is no smoking gun and Trump gets the benefit of the doubt, he will declare victory and be even more vindictive.
And what about Congress. Surely they are still busy trying to get to the bottom of that Benghazi thing.
What a farce.
And what about Congress. Surely they are still busy trying to get to the bottom of that Benghazi thing.
What a farce.
289
And let's not forget Trump. Remember Godzilla? He only got stronger after they tried and failed to nuke him. Tokyo in the movie was just a model, Washington DC is real . . . For the moment anyway.
Now, now, Douglas Evans, we know Trump will always "declare victory and be ... vindictive" regardless of the outcome, unless it is delivering Fort Knox to his "foundation". Meanwhile, Benghazi!!!
3
Then just like Benghazi, Whitewater, the hanging Chads, the OJ trial, every cop that has shot an unarmed civilian in the back, Et. Al., we accept the findings of the law and the courts and live with the results.
We have an office pool and I picked Halloween. I figured even that might be too close. I figured with hearings and firings and investigations it would probably happen in January/February. And Trump would be gone. But the June and July dates look like better odds now. My colleagues like to remind me that I was the one who predicted with certainty that he would never win the nomination, that he didn't want to be president; not really. And then I assured them this was part of a ploy so that his good friend Hillary would win. And then -- well -- you know the rest. Stop Trump.
13
"Outreach From President Made Comey Uneasy, a Friend Says"
Nevertheless, Comey didn't report the commission of a crime, like obstruction of justice or attempted obstruction of justice.
The head of the FBI saw nothing criminal, just awkward.
So will Trump face impeachment for making Comey feel awkward? Are people that eager for Pres. Pence?
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
Nevertheless, Comey didn't report the commission of a crime, like obstruction of justice or attempted obstruction of justice.
The head of the FBI saw nothing criminal, just awkward.
So will Trump face impeachment for making Comey feel awkward? Are people that eager for Pres. Pence?
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
We need more people to come out like this - not as anonymous sources - to explain what they know is going on. We can't ask GOP lawmakers to risk their careers (if not even their lives) by standing up to Trump, if those "in the know" are not also willing to put their name and reputations behind these factual accounts.
7
One you come out publicly you are finished. We need the deep state and I do believe there are a lot of republicans participating behind the scenes. After all who's the mole in the White House? A republican, no doubt. No one wanted Trump to be the president. And certainly a lot of republicans are just as worried about his finger being on the button as democrats. This isn't even about politics; there is a lunatic in the Oval Office. Everyone gets that. It''s only been one hundred some days . . .keep the faith.
3
That Mr Comey, the man who influenced the election in Trump's favor, will be the guy to take Trump down is amazing evidence of the benevolent Karma of the universe! It can't get any better than this.
39
Distance.
Was the October surprise a distancing too.
I am mostly in Comey's corner, but he contributed to this mess.
Was the October surprise a distancing too.
I am mostly in Comey's corner, but he contributed to this mess.
12
Re:
“Comey said that as he was walking across the room he was determined that there wasn’t going to be a hug,” Mr. Wittes said. “It was bad enough there was going to be a handshake. And Comey has long arms so Comey said he pre-emptively reached out for a handshake and grabbed the president’s hand. But Trump pulled him into an embrace and Comey didn’t reciprocate. If you look at the video, it’s one person shaking hands and another hugging.”
There is a name for the kind of manipulative man who foists this kind of unwanted "hug" on a person, and every woman knows it:
CREEP.
Most of us don't have Comey's long arms to try to keep such manhandling at bay, but this clip shows that even being 6'8" is not always an adequate defense against the determined creep who counts on his target's reluctance to make a public scene.
Reprehensible.
Every woman has experienced this and shudders at the recollections.
“Comey said that as he was walking across the room he was determined that there wasn’t going to be a hug,” Mr. Wittes said. “It was bad enough there was going to be a handshake. And Comey has long arms so Comey said he pre-emptively reached out for a handshake and grabbed the president’s hand. But Trump pulled him into an embrace and Comey didn’t reciprocate. If you look at the video, it’s one person shaking hands and another hugging.”
There is a name for the kind of manipulative man who foists this kind of unwanted "hug" on a person, and every woman knows it:
CREEP.
Most of us don't have Comey's long arms to try to keep such manhandling at bay, but this clip shows that even being 6'8" is not always an adequate defense against the determined creep who counts on his target's reluctance to make a public scene.
Reprehensible.
Every woman has experienced this and shudders at the recollections.
57
That unsettling January touching actually started with calling Comey out - supposedly in praise but in reality to get in a little snark: "He's become more famous than me" is not a compliment, it's a complaint intended to make Comey uncomfortable. Then to insist on pulling him closer: yes, this is what men too often have done with women. If the victim responds negatively, the Trumpish response is predictably, " "I was just kidding. What's wrong with you, can't take a joke?" The object to to discomfit the victim, to make fun of their discomfort and to leave them looking foolish. Powerless. He picked the wrong target.
1
Trump broke all rules of the presidency by not respecting independence of FBI director. He kept pressing himself on Comey, Comey was trapped in a difficult spot. This feels so much like an advancing rapists with power over a victim in a lesser position. When the victim fights back with force, the victim pays in one way or another. Comey's sharing with Mr. Wittes, a close friend about Trump's attempt to destroy his independence is probably due to the pressure Trump had put on him, and his wish to seek a way out of the situation. Ultimately his only escape was getting fired and being maligned by Trump. Comey desires a medal for America first. Journalistic integrity or not, Mr. Wittes recounting sounds creditable to me.
16
Trump is so clueless he has no idea what the job of President entails and is so arrogant that he thinks he can do what he wants and get away with it. He thrives on controversy, so all of this is just a day in the Trump show. However, he can't take being put down. If the media and politicians call this what it is, a failed Presidency, Trump will crack and we will see who he really is, a con-artist whose world of lies is unravelling before our eyes.
18
A lot of barking at James Comey about emails. In testimony before a congressional committee he said "nothing prosecutable, I'll get back to you if anything comes up".
Sure enough, thousands of Hillary's emails show up on Uma Abedin's and spouse Anthony Weiner's laptop incidental to a search warrant for alleged sexting.
So Comey had to say something and finally say "there's no there there".
Hillary never explained why she used a private server, say simply, the government email systems are clunky and useless. Cavalier and clueless and whined that Comey did her in. Sounds like Trump who always blames Obama or pins it on someone else.
Sure enough, thousands of Hillary's emails show up on Uma Abedin's and spouse Anthony Weiner's laptop incidental to a search warrant for alleged sexting.
So Comey had to say something and finally say "there's no there there".
Hillary never explained why she used a private server, say simply, the government email systems are clunky and useless. Cavalier and clueless and whined that Comey did her in. Sounds like Trump who always blames Obama or pins it on someone else.
2
Hillary's Private Server: The only Blue Party system that wasn't hacked.
4
Exactly. And, she got it from Powell who told her that State's server was always hacked.
3
Why do I get the feeling that Comey is trying to atone for the bungling of the Hillary emails handling? It's way too late. He agonized about it but not as much about way more serious Trump stuff.
"Keep you friends close and your enemies closer." Unless your enemies are smart enough to keep their distance.
13
I believe, as someone pointed out in an earlier thread, that some of Trump's team will start cooperating with the investigation. I think Don McGahn might be first. At the very least he committed ethics violations and could face disbarment. He might be persuaded to talk.
Wouldn't it be a riot if Bannon decided to cooperate? Kushner won't and deserves to go down with the ship.
Wouldn't it be a riot if Bannon decided to cooperate? Kushner won't and deserves to go down with the ship.
13
Comey wasn’t an angel, as a Obama Appointee he white washed Hillary’s
email mismanagement, then to appease Trump to keep his job, he opened the email scandal less then two weeks before the election. This didn’t help Clinton , but it was not the reason she lost. She lost because she was busy pandering the Black & Hispanic vote to ward off Sanders, & forgot about the white factory workers that were standing on unemployment Lines. The fathers of these workers were Roosevelt Democrats, as were their sons & grand children, who voted for Trumps because he took an interest in them.In the final analysis, the Black & Hispanic didn’t come out for her as they did for Obama.
email mismanagement, then to appease Trump to keep his job, he opened the email scandal less then two weeks before the election. This didn’t help Clinton , but it was not the reason she lost. She lost because she was busy pandering the Black & Hispanic vote to ward off Sanders, & forgot about the white factory workers that were standing on unemployment Lines. The fathers of these workers were Roosevelt Democrats, as were their sons & grand children, who voted for Trumps because he took an interest in them.In the final analysis, the Black & Hispanic didn’t come out for her as they did for Obama.
5
And, how did that work out for them? Carrier moved its jobs to Mexico, converted its U.S. factories to robotics managed by engineers. Clinton offered job retraining, support for that, and support for moving to where jobs were. She also offered educational benefits for their kids. And, health insurance. They
were so full of Fox News garbage, they went for the man who destroyed their jobs, health care and small towns. I don't feel their pain.
were so full of Fox News garbage, they went for the man who destroyed their jobs, health care and small towns. I don't feel their pain.
6
Chris,
Politicians offer many things when they are on the stump, & most times fail to deliver. The fact remains, while Black & Hispanics were given open enrollment to some of our best universities, the factory workers were on unemployment lines. The Democrats took labor for granted & lost them.If Trump does not deliver, we may get them back. Non College white workers are the largest voting block in the country.
Politicians offer many things when they are on the stump, & most times fail to deliver. The fact remains, while Black & Hispanics were given open enrollment to some of our best universities, the factory workers were on unemployment lines. The Democrats took labor for granted & lost them.If Trump does not deliver, we may get them back. Non College white workers are the largest voting block in the country.
1
Chris,
Clinton offered job retraining, the educational benefits were given to the Blacks & Hispanics who were admitted to universities, with lesser qualifications than White kids who were better qualified, it was called opened enrollment, their dropout rate was significant.
Face it,we took labor for granted which helped Trump to become President.
Clinton offered job retraining, the educational benefits were given to the Blacks & Hispanics who were admitted to universities, with lesser qualifications than White kids who were better qualified, it was called opened enrollment, their dropout rate was significant.
Face it,we took labor for granted which helped Trump to become President.
1
I'd want to keep Trump at a distance too. His complete self absorption makes him a political black hole.
This is the best fiction I've read in decades. Though, It's truly sad that the NYTimes is so unprofessional and biased. Now causing Trump about collusion with the Russians? If what the Democrats, the liberals/"progressives" are doing it's not collusion, then is a genuine attempt for a coup d'etat. The Dems. and MSM attempted , so far, everything possible to usurp this administration. They use the taxpayer money to finance the campaign to bring down Trump. The Dems who are in the government are not doing anything for this country, they are not doing their job, they are obsessed with the power grab. it's APPALLING.
3
All of Trump's wounds are self inflicted, results of his massive ego combined with total ignorance of our democratic government and his refusal to learn.
13
Wishing won't make it so.
6
Exactly, his refusal to learn. As I have said before, as rich as he is (he says so) he should spend some of his money in books to educate himself or have teachers to teach him at home or his office or wherever he sees fit to learn. But his narcissism as has been said he suffers from will not let him to create an insight as to his mental status Is too bad for all concerned starting with him. Perhaps his oldest daughter with whom he has a great relationship may help. But more than anything else he has to recognize he needs help.
The obvious truth is that Comey is not a strong character and that is why he bumbled the Hillary incident which led to Trump's election and explains why he was uncomfortable with such an alpha male character as Trump. He was over his head.
4
You mean such a criminal. Imagine if Trump was the head of the mob would you want the FBI director being a buddy of the mob leader? Comey knows that Trump was in cahoots with the Russians why would he want someone he is going to have to arrest to be his friend?
1
Yes. The FBI director was in over his head and fearful of the blowhard, doughy, pampered, crooked real estate developer. Got any other fairy tales to share?
1
Comey committed perjury in front of congress on May 3rd when he testified that "he's never experienced someone asking the FBI to halt an investigation"... This happened before the supposed conversation/letter came out where he said Trump asked him to stop Flynn investigation .. It's all over the net people... open your eyes!!!!
4
I think you need to go back and watch the testimony. He said the AG or Justice Dept had never asked him to stop an investigation. He never mentioned the President nor did he use some vague generalization like "someone".
15
I've read that the question was whether anyone in the DOJ had attempted to interfere with the investigation, which excludes the president.
8
This might be a distinction without a difference. Comey knew that Trump wanted the investigation of Flynn and his Russian/Turkey contacts and payments to go away. He wouldn't commit to stopping the FBI investigation, so Trump fired him. The investigation goes on, because the FBI does what it does.
2
"The Man Who Shouldn't be President"
Great reporting NYT. Keep up the great work!
We should all not be in anyway surprised by the behavior of this blowhard, but it's nonetheless shocking coming from the White House. (Still waiting for him to become 'so presidential we won't believe it.' ). He is the ultimate Green Algae in a swamp that needs to be drained with an aircraft carrier sized bilge pump.
All Americans should be sitting up and paying attention. This guy is a loser and he's taking us down with him.
We should all not be in anyway surprised by the behavior of this blowhard, but it's nonetheless shocking coming from the White House. (Still waiting for him to become 'so presidential we won't believe it.' ). He is the ultimate Green Algae in a swamp that needs to be drained with an aircraft carrier sized bilge pump.
All Americans should be sitting up and paying attention. This guy is a loser and he's taking us down with him.
21
Comey hedged
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/18/us/politics/james-comey-memo-fbi-trum...
Trump perservered
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/05/18/trump-rails-against-witch-hun...
Commendations and thanks to the NY Times and the Washington Post, and to the subscribers who support both institutions.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/18/us/politics/james-comey-memo-fbi-trum...
Trump perservered
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/05/18/trump-rails-against-witch-hun...
Commendations and thanks to the NY Times and the Washington Post, and to the subscribers who support both institutions.
13
Trump's ties to Russian figures who are close to Putin go very deep. http://www.salon.com/2017/05/16/watch-dutch-documentary-investigates-tru...
It was that highly respected Democratic President Lyndon Johnson who said:
Lyndon B. Johnson Quotes - `Hug your friends tight, but your enemies tighter - hug 'em so tight they can't wiggle.`
Lyndon B. Johnson Quotes - `Hug your friends tight, but your enemies tighter - hug 'em so tight they can't wiggle.`
3
Where did you ever find that? Perfect. And LBJ could hug 'em till they squawked. And voted for his legislation.
"Instant Karma's gonna get you
Gonna knock you off your feet
Better recognize your brothers
Ev'ryone you meet
Why in the world are we here
Surely not to live in pain and fear." John Lennon was a genius. Karma has enveloped Trump and is rightfully suffocating him. Comey is getting some Karma too. What he did to Hillary Clinton was dirty, and helped Trump. But Trump is a snake, and could care less. The irony to this story would be so enjoyable, if it wasn't so serious.
Gonna knock you off your feet
Better recognize your brothers
Ev'ryone you meet
Why in the world are we here
Surely not to live in pain and fear." John Lennon was a genius. Karma has enveloped Trump and is rightfully suffocating him. Comey is getting some Karma too. What he did to Hillary Clinton was dirty, and helped Trump. But Trump is a snake, and could care less. The irony to this story would be so enjoyable, if it wasn't so serious.
You owe it to yourself to YouTube former Congressman Kucinich's Fox Business interview this morning regarding this situation and the activities of our government in general now.
1
We are now entering the "PENDING PENCE ZONE" - if he even survives scrutiny :(
6
Stupid Trump for naively believing the entire government was all working for the same cause. I can't imagine where that crazy notion may have come from. Perhaps some title changes are in order:
EBBI. . . Their job is to do nothing but scrutinize the Executive Branch
LBI. . . Same only legislative
JBI. . . Judiciary
FBIFBI. . . .themselves
You see where this is going. Dens of thieves probably have more trust in one another.
And we can watch the whole circus on TV, 24/7. That's entertainment!
EBBI. . . Their job is to do nothing but scrutinize the Executive Branch
LBI. . . Same only legislative
JBI. . . Judiciary
FBIFBI. . . .themselves
You see where this is going. Dens of thieves probably have more trust in one another.
And we can watch the whole circus on TV, 24/7. That's entertainment!
Who asked Rosenstein to write the letter?
7
All this garbage hearsay, unnamed sources and unseen memo's is becoming tiresome and frankly counter productive. innuendo does an impeachment make, It does however so obscure the overall scene so completely that Trump will slip right past. It has reached the point were the NYT front page is nothing more than tittle tattle.
3
Comey is a narcissist, a fabricator and a showboat. He was utterly unsuited for the position that Obama put him in as was Obama. Glad to see that social experiment over what an epic FAIL!
3
Eight years of scandal free honest government. We can only hope for another like experiment, after the current unqualified grifter is gone.
9
And there you have it folks, Trump supporters are completely incapable of recognizing reality.
Trump is going down my friend.
It is obvious..Trump was hoping to "sway" Comely by being "buddies"...that might work on the docks or the workspace with union guys..but, not with the head of the FBI.
Trump is more of a fool and anything else...
Trump is more of a fool and anything else...
12
The reporting by the NY Times the last several days is cause enough to remove Trump from office. If you open a container of old food from the fridge, and it smells bad, you do not take it to the lab for analysis. You just throw it out.
Everything trump is based on greed -thuggery and shrewd lawyer enhanced manipulation and intimidation.
Heretofore his sociopathy and limitless greed and world view was restricted to the playing fields of construction and his narcissism focused on promotionandmarketing and women abuse.
And then - 30 million angry stupid fellow emotional defctives drank the koolaid and made a psychopathic ignorant liar President - Which is the most atrocious event in american politics!
Heretofore his sociopathy and limitless greed and world view was restricted to the playing fields of construction and his narcissism focused on promotionandmarketing and women abuse.
And then - 30 million angry stupid fellow emotional defctives drank the koolaid and made a psychopathic ignorant liar President - Which is the most atrocious event in american politics!
10
This only reinforces was a disgusting slimeball Trump is, who thinks he can bend the rules to fit his whims. It's a pleasure watching him go down in flames. What an embarrassing spectacle for the country.
11
The subject is basically a streetwise thug,who lives in alternate world and facts.Comey has to deal with this elected official who through the power of a show is representing the USA.God help us.
8
It is also interesting that thus far, everything the NYTimes has reported on Comey's memos and his interactions with the President is ALL here say. You don't have a single source that would hold up in a high school newspaper and you have yet to reveal one worthy of the Grey Lady. I read these comments and they are those of an angry mob whipped up by hate speech and lies. I am so glad I no longer subscribe to this community. Again, not to put too fine a point on it, what evidence do you have that would hold up in any reasonable inquiry? You report someone else's story or someone else's gossip as fact and in doing so you hurt the nation and give rise to the greatest division since the civil war.
This public bro hug of Comey came after Trump knew he was going to fire Comey.
5
Trump better hope Comey does not have a tape - what are the odds ?? Top G Man summoned by a known liar - notes routine - audio recording - I'dbet my next payday!!!
4
Oh who cares. Get on with government. Tired of this gossip country.
2
Liars gonna lie. And Comey knew DJT was a liar.
7
Comey is a complete idiot, he should have been fired on the first day of this administration. His handling of Clinton's email issue was completely unprofessional.
2
This is conjecture reporting and timed reporting - Mr. Wittes's recollection now of what Comey told him months before about what Trump said... While not fake news, it's 'reporting' with no due process. Why NY Times is so keen on reporting one person's recollection without collaboration? Why has Comey and Mr. Wittes waited till now to disclose?
68
You mean "confirmation" not "collaboration." Wittes is a highly credible and respected individual who is supplying information about his discussions that are highly relevant to this case. You want someone else to back Wittes up? That would be Comey who may not be able to speak freely if it affects the investigation. Trump, who is just plain delusional and vindictive, has already made his opinion clear.
BTW in journalism school they teach you that a source's motives aren't relevant; the only thing that matters is whether the information they are giving you is true. I believe Comey and his surrogates and I look forward to Comey's future testimony in Congress.
BTW in journalism school they teach you that a source's motives aren't relevant; the only thing that matters is whether the information they are giving you is true. I believe Comey and his surrogates and I look forward to Comey's future testimony in Congress.
2
It's "corroboration", not collaboration. You do not try to cosy up to a top cop who is investigating you. This raises all sorts of questions about your motives. Mr. trump, who has been in many lawsuits, should have known this simple fact. Unless, of course, he tried to influence those other lawsuits as well, and thought it perfectly normal behavior.
5
David Hung, Ph.D., there is surely no reason to have any particular interest right now in the relationship between Trump and Comey. No, Doctor, it's of no current interest.
If it looks like interference walks like interference sounds like interference smells like interference then it's not food gras on the menu.
This quack hasn't learned to waddle in DC waters.
This quack hasn't learned to waddle in DC waters.
8
From what I've read, humans can master any task with 10,000 hours of practice. Which makes me think that - with 70 years of lying under his belt - Trump should be the most accomplished man on earth at it. The fact that he stinks so badly at it leads me to believe he's an untrainable idiot. Which fully explains why Comey wanted to keep his distance from him.
26
Yet another tawdry tale
Wends its way to a devouring maw:
Even the whalest whale
Is but a guppy in the eyes of the law.
Wends its way to a devouring maw:
Even the whalest whale
Is but a guppy in the eyes of the law.
7
Would Comey have come forward with any of the damning evidence of Trump had he not been fired? I believe Comey's account of events-- it's obvious Trump is as demented and untrustworthy as any snake oil salesman (without the cleverness)-- but I am bothered by the thought that none of this would have come to light if he was able to keep his job.
5
Comey might have been protecting his job to protect the investigation, surmising that in the end he would see that Trump would get what he deserved.
7
I think anyone who meets with dt* in any capacity should wear a wire.
15
"You dance with the one who brung ya.....". Comey came alone to the party and had no inclination to get sucked into the smarmy Trump swamp. He held firm...with a handshake. I trust him and his instincts. Based on years of law enforcement experience he knew from the jump he was dealing with a huckster and a con artist and kept, or tried to keep Trump, at arms length. By succeeding he got fired. I'm sure Comey will have the last word.
This ain't no party, this ain't no disco
This ain't no fooling around
No time for dancing, or lovey dovey
I ain't got time for that now
This ain't no party, this ain't no disco
This ain't no fooling around
No time for dancing, or lovey dovey
I ain't got time for that now
20
Re-hire Comey? Maybe, but first: Mr. Trump, get a lawyer -- and at least come clean about what your poor staff might know.
6
Photo caption: "James B. Comey, then the F.B.I. director, after being called on by President Trump at a White House ceremony in January. Mr. Comey told a friend that he had hoped Mr. Trump would not spot him at the event."
He is six-foot-eight, though. . .
He is six-foot-eight, though. . .
8
JC
I do not thing an fbi agent becomes so easily "unsettled."
I do not thing an fbi agent becomes so easily "unsettled."
Video on Jan. 22: Awkward! (to say the least)
Comey said Trump pulled him into a "hug"??? Yes, please do watch the video.
If comey really said that, he sounds more like some freshman girl babbling at a sleep over whilst painting her nails.
If comey really said that, he sounds more like some freshman girl babbling at a sleep over whilst painting her nails.
3
THANK YOU Michael Schmidt and NY Times for your continuing efforts to expose this malignant man who is doing such grave damage to our country.
I suspect you're number one on Mr. Trump's list of journalists he'd like to imprison.
Watch your back.
I suspect you're number one on Mr. Trump's list of journalists he'd like to imprison.
Watch your back.
"Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste, I've been around for a long, long year, stole many a man's soul to waste"
Glimmer Twins 1968
Glimmer Twins 1968
8
As time moves on and North Korea and Iran continues their quest, the NYT and its readers continue to ponder " How many angels can dance on the head of a pin". When awaked from their stupor, the world will have been transformed. The AG will have appointed a special prosecutor investigating the unlawful use of a private email server by a prior Secretary of State. A separate special prosecutor will also be appointed to investigate the Clinton Foundation and its use of foreign donations to purchase political favor from the Democratic Presidential Candidate. A special prosecutor will be appointed to investigate Lois Lerner and the IRS prosecution of conservative groups. Another special prosecutor will be appointed to reinvestigate Benghazi. A new investigation will be called to evaluate Rep Maxine Waters influence peddling in a bank her husband invested in that was in danger of bankruptcy. And so on, and so on and so on.
3
I think you spend too much time talking with people who think like you -- a conservative bubble. There will be no (more!) investigations of Benghazi, nor of the Clinton Foundation, nor of Clinton's email server -- those have already been investigated by hostile Republicans, and if there'd been chargeable offenses, they'd have been found. There are still some lawsuits over the inappropriate IRS procedures (which all sides agreed were inappropriate), and those will continue -- but IMO are unlikely to become criminal cases.
If the current Republican Administration really wants to do away with our government of laws in favor of an autocracy, it's possible that they'd manage to trump up (sorry for the pun) flimsy charges and imprison their political opponents.
But we've seen where that goes in other countries, and it sure ain't freedom.
If the current Republican Administration really wants to do away with our government of laws in favor of an autocracy, it's possible that they'd manage to trump up (sorry for the pun) flimsy charges and imprison their political opponents.
But we've seen where that goes in other countries, and it sure ain't freedom.
5
It's very telling that Trump supporters can never defend the facts addressed all they are capable of doing is deflecting even they can't defend the indefensible.
4
Dont worry Comey, we all are.
Let's take a page from the Trump playbook and have protesters outside the White House chanting "Lock him up, lock him up."
11
"So Sad"
4
Trump was stalking Comey-- I found reading this so scary. The predator stalking his prey. My guess and a pure guess is that some nyt readers have no idea or are in denial on how much a terrifying monster/predator /perpetrator Trump is. Perhaps some readers need the denial as a legitimate coping mechanism. See no evil - hear no evil-- I see this evil and feel this evil in every bone of my body.
My only hope is what Hillary Clinton said: RIPE :
Resist. Insist. Persist. Enlist.
My only hope is what Hillary Clinton said: RIPE :
Resist. Insist. Persist. Enlist.
13
"Comey, Unsettled by Trump, Is Said to Have Wanted Him Kept at a Distance"
This a headline ? C'mon NYT...try'n play it straight.
This a headline ? C'mon NYT...try'n play it straight.
3
Good reporting. A shame all the lefties here see this as merely another opportunity to dump on Trump and engage in wishful thinking.
1
Comey's going to get his man.
16
Trump still thinks he's on a construction site
14
Trump is starting to make John Gotti look like a choirboy.
16
Starting ? Where have you been ?
3
This story reminds me of my new neighbor who built this huge and ugly house in the the place of the little modest one that he tore down. He went around trying to meet neighborhood people soon after he moved in and appeared to act like he wanted to be a good new neighbor and all he got back was cold and angry stares.
6
Yes, this is what our new neighbors got from us after they bought their McMansion and cut down six large trees and in the front a very large at least fifty year old Pecan tree.
1
The comments from Trump about there being no collusion with Russia "at least from him" says it all.
This guy will throw anyone and everyone under the bus to save his own skin. Watching this unravel is like watching the movie Downfall and seeing Hitler remain delusional right up to the end .
America placed itself as head of the free world , time to step up my friends as the world is currently laughing it's rocks off.
This guy will throw anyone and everyone under the bus to save his own skin. Watching this unravel is like watching the movie Downfall and seeing Hitler remain delusional right up to the end .
America placed itself as head of the free world , time to step up my friends as the world is currently laughing it's rocks off.
15
Trump is the most duplicitous, cunning, sly, manipulative fraud and a depraved liar imaginable and beyond imagination. Just follow how he tried to influence Mr Comey.
10
James Comey is as priggish as they come, but it's honest priggishness. He does not have a price. Trump failed to buy him, so he fired him. Trump didn't mean to obstruct justice, it's just that he was convinced that he could fire Comey and put his own man in the FBI. The thing is, that it's almost as if priggishness is a requirement to work for the FBI, and Trump just doesn't understandthat Comey - and most FBI agents - have earned their priggishness honestly.
7
Oh no! A friend of Mr. Comey said he became "uneasy" when invited by the President. Oh no! He was uneasy!!
3
Attorneys tend not to speak in emotional language, so try interpreting 'uneasy as meaning 'anxious.' Maybe that will help you understand what was intended...
2
I think you mean "wary." Comey rightfully read Trump's character, but, like standing aloof from a rattlesnake who might-or-might-not have nefarious purposes, he was making sure to keep his distance while recording the fact that the encounter had taken place.
2
Is Donald trump a clueless 'Manchurian Candidate?' -- pressure & swayed by Putin to 'friend' the Russians, make a quid pro quo on lifting sanctions and other deals- some focused on Isis.
Haplessly- Trump then carried the deal with Putin throughout the campaign and after.
Haplessly- Trump then carried the deal with Putin throughout the campaign and after.
6
Mr. Rosenstein is very scary. He would write such a memo to help Trump justify firing Comey? What kind of deputy attorney general is that?!
11
I guess one could plead, "no harm in asking?"
Trump Derangement Syndrome continues .... Six months ago Comey was a pariah, not he's a savior. Go figure. I do wonder if crazed Lefties understand that Pence would do twice the damage of Trump, because he'd have the full GOP Congress behind him and be hightly re electable. Btw I voted for Clinton.
Behold the great deal-maker at work. Fumbling, desperate, delusional.
11
Comey is a man of integrity, I believe. Trump is... Trump. Notwithstanding, the liberal drumbeat to create a scandal will blow up in their faces as it did on Election Day. The problem is their own hypocrisy, to which they seem to be blind. Trump has the ethical compass of a liberal politician, and they are not accustomed to being served their own medicine. If Obama attempted to politicize nonpartisan agencies (think IRS), it just evaporated in a waft of Fifth Amendment pleas. Let's not even talk about the Clintons and their semantic equivocation. Trump, on the other hand, is not going to play those games, not going to be the media's dancing boy. The people are behind him, not the NYT, and the press continues to damage itself irreparably by gobbling up every morsel that the DNC/Soros machine throws their way.
4
But Ben - none of this is coming from the Dem machine. The press is being fed leak after leak from inside the executive branch. Now why are those employees doing that?
8
FBI Director James Comey has always seemed to have had the straightest of straight arrow images. He had worked as Deputy AG under George W. Bush, and replaced former Director, now Special Prosecutor, Robert Mueller, as Director under President Barack Obama.
I can well undeestand why he would be anxious about being invited to meet with a President who is being investigated, for collusion with the Enemy, by his Department.
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
I can well undeestand why he would be anxious about being invited to meet with a President who is being investigated, for collusion with the Enemy, by his Department.
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
9
He also threw the election. So there's that ...
3
So Trump though he can govern using the same methods as in his business dealings!!
Shady business, bulling tactics...Inappropriate requests...
WE NEED TO SEE HIS TAXES!!!
Shady business, bulling tactics...Inappropriate requests...
WE NEED TO SEE HIS TAXES!!!
11
This specific article is gossip, at best. At worst, it is American journalistic propaganda... More third party whispering. Most likely, its noise from the halls of American power.
But for goodness sake, Comey will be apoearance in both public and private investigative committees soon enough... Is there no longer any patience to wait a week or perhaps two and hear directly, on the record, from Comey?
But for goodness sake, Comey will be apoearance in both public and private investigative committees soon enough... Is there no longer any patience to wait a week or perhaps two and hear directly, on the record, from Comey?
8
It's likely that Comey will NOT testify per directions of Special Counsel Mueller.
1
This is good to know, but it's not surprising anymore. Trump has serious trust and image issues that support his critically narcissistic behavior. We all knew that before the election, we all know that now.
My fear is all of this information does nothing but keep the left enraged and the right enraged at the left for being enraged. In the end, we aren't going anywhere.
I think it's time to focus on flipping one or both chambers in Congress to Democrat control and how the party is going to do that. These stories won't stop Trump just as they didn't during the election. The American people want answers that show the people in Washington care about them. Right now neither do and the Democrats are throwing away that opportunity to hone their platform to take power and provide a check on Trump's recklessness.
My fear is all of this information does nothing but keep the left enraged and the right enraged at the left for being enraged. In the end, we aren't going anywhere.
I think it's time to focus on flipping one or both chambers in Congress to Democrat control and how the party is going to do that. These stories won't stop Trump just as they didn't during the election. The American people want answers that show the people in Washington care about them. Right now neither do and the Democrats are throwing away that opportunity to hone their platform to take power and provide a check on Trump's recklessness.
416
I appreciate you point on patience, but if this was Hillary or Obama, they would have been impeached by now. Even now Trump claims Hillary's email circus was more dangerous. If we do not get a handle on our institutions of government, we are just like Russia or Venezuela. Ultimately, no president is above the law, and Republicans cannot have their own rules. The concept of the rule of law is the ONLY thing that has kept America ahead so far.
4
Brian, this is the information that will help the Dems flip the house.
So, are you saying that if you were under investigation by the FBI, if the newspapers were filled with what you believe to be baseless accusations as to how you got your job, and you were surrounded by people who opposed you because they liked the guy you replaced, and that those people were telling the newspapers about your every move in your new job...if all that were happening to you....that you would be a trusting soul, unconcerned and unaffected by what was happening around you. I say anyone who could remain trusting and unaffected under such conditions has much worse problems than narcissism.
Thank you for your great reporting on this and all other important stories. I am so grateful that we still have a free press in this country. The NY Times, Washington Post, and all the many, many, other news outlets, big and small, are the crucial to our democracy. We would never know anything about this president and his administration's behind the scenes antics without the dogged, tireless, journalists. We need you!
13
Did we read the same article?
1
The improprieties here are two-sided. Trump should not be asking for concessions from Comey regarding the FBI's investigation. But Comey should not be putting himself in a position where improper conversations are likely. Comey should not be attending White House dinners with Trump, engaging in personal conversations with him or speaking to him by telephone. Once again, Comey's affinity for public expsure is the cause of his own wrongdoing. Trust me, Mueller knows better.
146
I don't think it's so easy to ignore a presidential demand for attendance. Or to pretend you're 'on the other line.'
3
Blame anyone who resists Trump even if they are not rude about it. I await your aspersions on Mueller.
1
In one of the conversations, there were originally four people present, but then Trump sent two of them out of the room, leaving just Trump and Comey. If you are Comey, it might be a bit awkward to jump up and leave, too. Moreover, if you stiff arm the boss, refusing to talk with him privately, you might just get fired anyway.
1
Comey was certainly smart and savvy enough to know that the overtures from Trump to become friends, was as comforting as those made by the fox to the hen. Trump may not have done enough to be be convicted in a court of law of obstruction, but any sensible person can see it for what was. What remains to be seen is any courage or patriotism on the part of Republicans.
Despite the excellent explanation of what the Founding fathers intentions were for impeachment - not to be used as a retroactive punishment for crimes already committed, but as a PREVENTATIVE tool avert a Chief Executive running amok - I fear it will take a provable crime, with irrefutable evidence to finally move the Republicans to act against Trump. America can only hope that the Special Counsel will find such evidence, and soon.
Despite the excellent explanation of what the Founding fathers intentions were for impeachment - not to be used as a retroactive punishment for crimes already committed, but as a PREVENTATIVE tool avert a Chief Executive running amok - I fear it will take a provable crime, with irrefutable evidence to finally move the Republicans to act against Trump. America can only hope that the Special Counsel will find such evidence, and soon.
18
Knowing what trump is like, what reasonable person would doubt that he did exactly what Comey says he did? It's exactly how he operates, wheeling and dealing, only he doesn't have the same liberties now as he had in his business life.
Sure smells like obstruction of justice to me. I can only hope Congress feels the same way.
Sure smells like obstruction of justice to me. I can only hope Congress feels the same way.
41
Trump's sordid petulance and irreverence twoards the independence of the FBI requires an urgent response from the Republican leaders, who must no longer enable this cheeky deconstruction of American democratic institutions.
15
Comey was a marked man when he didn't bow down and kiss trumps ring. Trump then proceeded to fire him in a humiliating way, by messenger. He treated the situation exactly how he would in business, i.e., cojole, bully then retribution. Only this time he was facing a person that didn't need anything from him, and furthermore, a person who was considerably smarter than he is.
The Republicans were never interested in investigating trump, to do so would antagonize their base who have a cognitive dissonance concerning him. They need the base for next years mid-term elections. Now, because trump can't keep his mouth shut and is in way over his head, it will all hit the fan. And if the malfeasance causes trump to lose his job, so be it.
The Republicans were never interested in investigating trump, to do so would antagonize their base who have a cognitive dissonance concerning him. They need the base for next years mid-term elections. Now, because trump can't keep his mouth shut and is in way over his head, it will all hit the fan. And if the malfeasance causes trump to lose his job, so be it.
38
Get real - there`s nothing to investigate.
1
Amy--Yeah, that's why a special counsel has been appointed to investigate it.
Comey seemed to have no difficulty charging Mrs. Clinton with negligence with classified e-mails. He seems to have no difficulty getting memos read to reporters and having others say he wanted distance between him and the President. He seems to have been suspicious also of Mr. Rosenstein who just appointed a special counsel. But he seems unable to leak a denial that he assured Trump he was not a target of an investigation. He seems a reluctant witness to now turn over memos and testify under oath before congress. He seems unable to leak the reason he sat on the alleged attempt to shut down the investigation for three months until he was fired. And he seems to have difficulty getting out his explanation of why he testified under oath on May 3rd that he was unaware of any attempt by high officials to impede the investigation. You have to wonder about him.
3
If Trump tried to short-circuit the Flynn investigation, Comey committed a felony by not reporting it post haste.