May 9, 2017

Trump fires Comey!

"President Trump has fired the director of the F.B.I., James B. Comey, over his handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails, the White House said on Tuesday."
“While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the bureau,” Mr. Trump said in a letter dated Tuesday to Mr. Comey.
ADDED: From WaPo:
Shortly before the announcement, the FBI notified Congress by letter that Comey had misstated key findings involving the Hillary Clinton email investigation during testimony last week, but nothing about that issue seemed to suggest it might imperil Comey’s job....

In defending the probe at last week’s hearing, Comey offered seemingly new details to underscore the seriousness of the situation FBI agents faced last fall when they discovered thousands of Clinton aide Huma Abedin’s emails on the computer of her husband, Anthony Weiner.

“Somehow, her emails were being forwarded to Anthony Weiner, including classified information,” Comey said, adding later, “His then-spouse Huma Abedin appears to have had a regular practice of forwarding emails to him for him I think to print out for her so she could then deliver them to the secretary of state.”... At another point in the testimony, Comey said Abedin “forwarded hundreds and thousands of emails, some of which contain classified information.’’

Neither of those statements is accurate, said people close to the investigation.

453 comments:

1 – 200 of 453   Newer›   Newest»
buwaya said...

About time.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Good!

Now - get someone who WILL follow the law and indict Hillary Clinton.

eddie willers said...

[in best Nelson Muntz voice] Ha Ha!

tcrosse said...

you are not able to effectively lead the bureau

A split infinitive ! Grounds for Impeachment !

MayBee said...

Woooooaaah

So now what's going to leak?

Heartless Aztec said...

"Time has come today..."

Earnest Prole said...

No good deed goes unpunished.

FullMoon said...

Fired for protecting Hillary.

Paul said...

Comey played a game. Gamed Obama, gamed Hillary, tries to game Trump.

Time to get rid of all the DOJ political creatures and get a true law and order justice department.

Original Mike said...

"So now what's going to leak?"

Perhaps nothing. This might be, in part, a response to the unwillingness of the FBI to investigate leaks.

Mike Sylwester said...

Now maybe the FBI will begin to investigate Sally Yates for her leaking information about the telephone conversations between Michael Flynn and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.

Sally Yates Testifies She Has Never Been Questioned By FBI About Intelligence Leaks to Media

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2017/05/08/sally-yates-testifies-she-has-never-been-questioned-by-fbi-about-intelligence-leaks-to-media/

JackWayne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
readering said...

Interesting supporting memo from deputy AG Rosenstein quoting former attorneys general of both parties and all prior administrations since 1989 criticizing Comey's conduct at the conclusion of the Hillary Clinton investigation, including publicizing the reopening of the investigation. Clinton could not have written a much more scathing indictment of Comey's conduct.

rhhardin said...

It needs somebody who's less of an emotional basket case.

Christopher said...

The Left wanted him fired, then praised him, then wanted him fired, and then praised him while the Right praised him, then wanted him fired, then praised him, and then wanted him fired.

Regardless of how this all turns out the explanations for why previously held positions about Comey aren't contradictory are going to be hilarious.

Original Mike said...

Grassley is citing the FBI's foot dragging in the Congressional investigations.

buwaya said...

"While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are unable to effectively lead the Bureau."

Perhaps someone got fed up with veiled threats.

Drago said...

McCabe in the crosshairs.

As he should be.

khesanh0802 said...

The man was incompetent and his testimony before various committees was an embarrassment. As much as the Libs will scream this was a well deserved firing. I don't see how any serious person of any political persuasion wanted this incompetent running the FBI. Appoint a damn Dem if that's what it takes just get someone there who understand the law and his/her responsibilities

Ann Althouse said...

The split infinitive doesn't bother me as much as "While I greatly appreciate you informing me." In casual speech, it's okay, but just too casual for the occasion. It should be "While I greatly appreciate your informing me..."

Unknown said...

"You're fired", am I the first to say it?

Drago said...

buwaya: "Perhaps someone got fed up with veiled threats"

Indeed.

It only took this long because the Sessions was foolish enough to recuse himself from any matters dealing with the election/Hillary/Emails etc.

Rod Rosenstein has only been in place for several weeks but that was long enough to complete an internal review of Comey's performance and come to the obvious conclusion: he had to go.

Do I think that events beyond Comey's control impacted his ability to do his job? Yes.
Do I think that Lynch's performance impacted Comey's ability to do his job? Yes.

But he still had to go.

buwaya said...

On a perhaps not quite so separate a matter - $3.5 million to the Obama foundation.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/world/obama-rests-his-head-in-tuscan-villa-after-sell-out-3m-speech-vqz65jk50

Mark said...

Now James "Valerie Plame Affair" Comey needs to be prosecuted for obstruction of justice.

JackWayne said...

Comey's incompetence has been so widely displayed that Sessions had no choice. I'm glad to drain the swamp further. And I appreciate the back-handed slap at the Comey clown show. What I'm really looking forward to is the turn-on-a-dime of progressives to extolling Comey.

theribbonguy said...

The Times pick for the top comments are precious :)

Drago said...

Jack Wayne: "Comey's incompetence has been so widely displayed that Sessions had no choice."

Sessions played no "official" role in this matter as he recused himself in all matters related to those events which form the basis for the firing.

It was Rosensteins review.

JackWayne said...

Good thing you quoted "official" else you would have needed a /s.

John said...

Jeffrey Toobin on CNN just claimed that Comey was fired "because the investigation of the Trump campaign is too close." Really? Does he really think that Trump et al is that stupid? That IF the investigation was that close, this would end it?

robother said...

Comey's stupid perjury/lying under oath before Congress created the perfect opportunity for Trump to do what he should've done the first week of his Presidency. Comey's actions as FBI director in deciding not to prosecute HRC, scheduling a press conference to discuss how close a decision it was, and the October Surprise of reopening the investigation (necessitated, ironically, only by his July presser) went far beyond even J Edgar Hoover's usurpations.

Hopefully even the Democrat graybeards will see this as the only course a democratically accountable President could take.

Original Mike said...

Blogger Rene Saunce said..."Good! Now - get someone who WILL follow the law and indict Hillary Clinton."

That would be hard, given that Comey has immunized everybody involved, including those who destroyed evidence. I think THAT is the biggest big mark against Comey and may have been his downfall. From the beginning he did not treat the Clinton investigation in a professional, above the board manner.

theribbonguy said...

" Does he really think that Trump et al is that stupid?"

Yes..yes he does. Another cigar blowing up in lefty faces will ensue.

Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...

The Tuesday Night Massacre.

Darcy said...

Grassley is citing the FBI's foot dragging in the Congressional investigations.

This is the biggest reason why I think his firing is justified. Something rotten is going on and refusing to reveal what he knows is insubordination.

Martha said...

The left has been screaming for a clarification and an apology after Comey testified that Huma sent hundreds of thousands of Hillary's State Department emails to Weiner's computer. Comey supposedly overstated the number of emails sent by Huma—there were only a handful of emails and none were marked "classified". Allegedly.

Why Carlos Danger had State Department documents stowed away in a file marked "INSURANCE" remains unknown.

Big Mike said...

What took him so long?

chickelit said...

John said...Jeffrey Toobin on CNN just claimed that Comey was fired "because the investigation of the Trump campaign is too close." Really?

Inga will lead off with that opinion as well. Wait for it.

JackWayne said...

The Tuesday Night Masscre of Lefty Wet Dreams.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

chickelit - predictable.

chickelit said...

Comey would have gotten fired under Clinton as well for daring to defy the "tarmac decision." Probably even sooner.

vanderleun said...

Door. Ass. Bang.

Anonymous said...

Surprise, surprise. Was he getting too close to some devastating evidence? We'll see. Comey may be incompetant and it's a very convienient excuse to fire him, but to fire him during these investigations doesn't do Trump any favors. Makes him look like he's channeling Nixon.

JackWayne said...

Wonder if Yates is a little worried tonight. And Clapper.

Anonymous said...

Haha, Chickie.

Birkel said...

@ AReasonableMan
One person cannot a massacre be.

@ Inga
You don't read the comments others leave. And now you look like a horse's ass.

"Surprise, surprise. Was he getting too close to some devastating evidence? We'll see. Comey may be incompetant and it's a very convienient excuse to fire him, but to fire him during these investigations doesn't do Trump any favors. Makes him look like he's channeling Nixon."

Preserved before the inevitable deletion?

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Poot and Trump - so close - oh noez

JackWayne said...

Chicklit, you got Inga channeling Toobin but you missed her channeling ARM.

khesanh0802 said...

I watched some clips of Trey Gowdy questioning Comey. Regardless of what you think of Gowdy, Comey's performance was at about an F+. Do you think Hillary and Donald conspired to accomplish this firing?

chickelit said...

Inga said...
Surprise, surprise. Was he getting too close to some devastating evidence?

I heard it was video evidence of the golden showers in Moscow.

Original Mike said...

Blogger chickelit said..."Inga will lead off with that opinion as well. Wait for it."

That prediction is right up there with the sun coming up tomorrow.

Original Mike said...

Oops, speak of the devil.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

And Republicans will still insist that this man has the integrity to lead the nation and that inability to stop confusing himself with the office as he demeans both is really no big problem.

At this point I'm pretty sure that Hillary couldn't have figured out a way to have been, not only as corrupt, but as brazen in justifying it.

Trump needs to go.

Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...

Birkel said...
One person cannot a massacre be.


I did think of that, but the night is young.

khesanh0802 said...

Firing Comey has 0, zilch, nada effect on any investigation going on at the FBI. If nothing else, it will free up the professionals to do their jobs. Can you imagine working for Comey? It's tough sledding when you know your boss can't find his ass with either hand.

Anonymous said...

Birkel, what is wrong with you? There are plenty of people saying what Toobin and I said, lots and lots and lots of people will be saying this.

Nonapod said...

Good news. One less swamp monster in the swamp. Many, many more left though.

JackWayne said...

Toothless and life-long conservatives meet in the middle.

Birkel said...

@ khesanh0802

I would like to know why anybody would think poorly of Gowdy's skills as a litigator. That man put people on death row. There is an episode of "Snapped" (or a similar show) in which he appeared when he was a prosecutor. His haircut is bad but the man is up to the task: name the task.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Obama needed to go after day one, so what's your point?

chickelit said...

At this point I'm pretty sure that Hillary couldn't have figured out a way to have been, not only as corrupt, but as brazen in justifying it.

Were you awake for any part of her explaining what happened to emails on her private server?

David Baker said...

"Jeffrey Toobin on CNN just claimed..."

Toobin is a putz, an affable putz, but still a putz. And he proved himself a putz starting with the OJ trial, and he's been putzing, even double putzing, ever since.

So, please, never bring up that putz's name up again.

khesanh0802 said...

@Inga Incompetence is not an "excuse", it is "grounds" for firing. Comey is not Archibald Cox- by a long shot.

Drago said...

TTR: "At this point I'm pretty sure that Hillary couldn't have figured out a way to have been, not only as corrupt, but as brazen in justifying it.

Trump needs to go"

Perhaps Jeffrey Toobin will fire him.

Mike Sylwester said...

I just read the Justice Department's memorandum justifying the firing of Comey.

https://twitter.com/ZoeTillman/status/862063814531067905

I think this justification is just a plausibly bi-partisan pretext for our President Trump to fire him.

I speculate that the real reason was Comey's failure to investigate the "Deep State" efforts to undermine Trump's Administration. An example of such efforts was Sally Yates' leaking of the Flynn-Kislyak telephone conversation.

Birkel said...

@ Inga

I laugh at how absolutely boring you are.

I marvel at the speed with which your kind receive your marching orders. That part of the operation is a testament to the free market that has provided instantaneous communication.

Birches said...

Jeff Sessions means business.

Original Mike said...

Inga said..."lots and lots and lots of people will be saying this."

Lots and lots Democrats, Inga.

Christopher said...

The most entertaining part of this whole kerfuffle is Trump citing the Clinton investigation as one of his primary reasons for firing Comey. It basically puts the Dems in the untenable position of having to attack Comey while simultaneously defending him.

Anyway the Reps. will support this while citing previous calls by the Left to fire him and the Dems. will pass on taking a strong stand regarding his firing. However, the Dems will definitely be talking about the appearance of impropriety, right before they cite the latest conspiracy theory about Russia.

readering said...

I wonder if Jeff Sessions is any relation to the William A. Sessions fired by Bill Clinton midway through his term as FBI Director?

madAsHell said...

I kept waiting for the big reveal. For Comey to play his trump card, and make sense of this shit show. Instead, he was just playing out the clock. Was evidence destroyed?

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Were you awake for any part of her explaining what happened to emails on her private server?

Not a crime, amateur vigilantist.

Trump simply wants to remove any thing standing in the way of himself and absolute unaccountability.

Hillary in her wildest dreams couldn't have sunk to that. Trump is on on a one-way obsessive-compulsive collision course to remove every barrier to provide institutional accountability of the office and our government.

He will go down in history as worse than Andy Jackson.

mockturtle said...

The swamp may not be draining but it has at least sprung a leak.

Drago said...

Inga: "There are plenty of people saying what Toobin and I said..."

I'm sorry, unless Galactic Overlord of Truth Charlie Sykes of the Astonishingly Important Milwaukee Talk Radio Market is in agreement with you, I cannot accept your opinion as worthy.

This a brand new, just rolled out today Inga Rule.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

I heard it was video evidence of the golden showers in Moscow.

Right after another midnight raid by democrats in Wisconsin, against innocent victims, after Scott Walker is indicted - then we will see the light, Chickel. Poot and Trump, they forced Hillary to stick a private server in her basement as head of State and Brian Palglioano plead the 5th a gillion times.

Clayton Hennesey said...

James, there will always be the bucket cam.

khesanh0802 said...

@Birkel I thought Gowdy was extremely impressive during his questioning of Comey. I was very happy that I will never be questioned by Trey Gowdy. I know others have different opinions and I was trying to emphasize Comey's absolute inability to deal with any of the issues that Gowdy raised; thus the very generous F+.

Anonymous said...

Oh shut your pie hole Birkel, you're such a dipshit. Can you not discuss the subject matter without always making comments about one commenter or another? You seem more interested in me than the subject matter, you wierdo.

Hagar said...

I don't believe any of it.
I think Comey still faced internal revolt in the FBI for playing partisan politics. (The FBI plays politics all right, but it is supposed to be - in the FBI - politics for the good of the Agency, not partisan politics as such.) Then there is the house cleaning in the Justice Dept. proper and that they only now got the Deputy Attorney General who is Comey's direct supervisor confirmed and installed in his office.
You live by the sword, you die by the sword, and it was time. I think that is all there is to it.

Left Bank of the Charles said...

Hillary Clinton should congratulate Donald Trump for his decision. To really throw some twitter shade, she could suggest a revote after they have both been cleared.

David Baker said...

"I would like to know why anybody would think poorly of Gowdy's skills as a litigator."

Not "poorly." He has great skills, but applies those skills selectively. He's very good at shooting fish in a barrel, but when the fish get too big, he's out the door.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Like with a cloth? If you can pretend to be a stupid women, and bat your granny lashes, and your name is Clinton on a tarmac - you are above the law.

Birkel said...

@ TTR
It is not a crime to mishandle government records?

@ Drago
Did Charlie Sykes, of the very important Milwaukee radio show who confirms all things conservative, agree or disagree with the new rule announced by TTR?

tim in vermont said...

To really throw some twitter shade, she could suggest a revote after they have both been cleared.

Ha ha ha! You mean the next FBI Director is also going to let her off on the grounds that she's just a girl and can't be expected to understand the rules around classified information?

Drago said...

TTR: "Not a crime, amateur vigilantist."

Actually it is a crime. Intent is irrelevant, as explicitly laid out in the law itself. But we all know how that works for Clinton.

Having said that, Comey should not have commented on that ongoing investigation during the campaign, even though Lynchs meeting with Billy boy on the tarmac was completely inappropriate. Comey should not have assumed the role of the AG in assessing whether or not a prosecution was warranted.

Original Mike said...

"You seem more interested in me than the subject matter, you wierdo."

And there's the second tell that this is the genuine, original Inga (the first was her knowledge of the Milwaukee radio market).

chickelit said...

What I want to hear the Left argue is that this was somehow Sessions' doing despite his recusal and that he therefore has to go. I mean, this Sessions chap is dead serious about tightening borders. Can't have that.

Drago said...

Birkel: "@ Drago Did Charlie Sykes, of the very important Milwaukee radio show who confirms all things conservative, agree or disagree with the new rule announced by TTR?"

We won't know until Inga checks in with that all Important Charlie Sykes Opinion Update.

David Baker said...

FOOD FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!

Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...

KAOS. It's back, baby.

Things had been a little slow. Good to see that David Brook's concerns about the finite supply of incompetence at the White House were unfounded.

Anonymous said...

I think it's poetic justice for Comey because of his mishandling of the Clinton investigation, so it's not all bad.

tim in vermont said...

Not a crime, amateur vigilantist.

Why not Toothless One? Because there was no intent? Because she didn't understand the rules? Is that what you are hanging your hat on? Yes it is.

Drago said...

Left Bank: "To really throw some twitter shade, she could suggest a revote after they have both been cleared."

Be careful Left Bank. You are getting very close to the Sally Kohn Moron Limit.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Poot and Trump - they forced DNC head Debbie Wasserman Schultz to favor Hillary and trash Bernie.

Virgil Hilts said...

Cernovich (who is wrong a lot of the time but does seem to have weird inside connections) is tweeting that the FBI is sitting on a load of damaging stuff re the Dems that Comey was not allowing to come out (rank and file rebellion, etc.), and that's the reason for this action and its timing (Cernovich also thinks Susan Rice must be sweating bullets).
We shall see. But definitely time to order more Bob's Red Mill popcorn through the Althouse-Amazon portal.


Anonymous said...

OM,

Please don't confuse Birkel. He still believes I'm not the real Inga.

Original Mike said...

"I think it's poetic justice for Comey because of his mishandling of the Clinton investigation, so it's not all bad."

Hey, we agree!

MAJMike said...

I speculate that Comey was let go to end any thoughts that he was retained by the current Administration as a reward for his handling of the Clinton server investigation. Trump may answer questions as to the timing of this action in light of Comey's recent testimony before the Senate.

M Jordan said...

Look, I don't like Comey any more than the rest of you but it bothers me that he is gone while Huma, Weiner, Hillary, Lerner and others guilty of actual crimes go in with their lives like nothing happened.

Drago said...

ARM: "Things had been a little slow. Good to see that David Brook's concerns about the finite supply of incompetence at the White House were unfounded."

On the contrary, the firing went swimmingly.

And it only took Rod Rosenstein about 2 weeks to complete the review, recommend action and have the administration react.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Actually it is a crime. Intent is irrelevant, as explicitly laid out in the law itself. But we all know how that works for Clinton.

Comey's law degree is from U. Chicago. Where's yours from?

Hillary was SOS. Trump is POTUS. Hillary wasn't getting top law enforcement officers fired for "making her look bad." Trump is.

If Hillary were POTUS and did this, you would be fuming. Trump has made his chief objective the removal of himself from all expectations of accountability.

This is a guy who sends out goons to bark that he "will not be questioned," and to yell at reporters for daring to show how his inaugural crowd as less than half his predecessor's.

How are those town halls going on that health care bill of his?

khesanh0802 said...

Here's link to all the letters/memos re Comey. Rosenstein makes some pretty strong arguments about the inappropriateness of Comey's behavior.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Virtually Unknown said...
Not a crime, amateur vigilantist.

Why not Toothless One? Because there was no intent? Because she didn't understand the rules? Is that what you are hanging your hat on? Yes it is.


Comey has integrity and makes decisions without regard to partisan outcome and you're a hack who has no legal training whatsoever.

Let's take a national poll and see who does better on that front between you and him.

Drago said...

M Jordan: "Look, I don't like Comey any more than the rest of you but it bothers me that he is gone while Huma, Weiner, Hillary, Lerner and others guilty of actual crimes go in with their lives like nothing happened."

You do realize how ironic that is, don't you?

All the parties you mentioned are walking away scot-free is because Comey along with the loonies under Lynch made sure that none of them would be brought under serious review.

So your complaint that Comey is gone while the others are walking loose is some sort of injustice is amusing.

tim in vermont said...

Comey's law degree is from U. Chicago. Where's yours from?

LOL! I guess you told him!

MikeR said...

Don't know why Comey stayed so long. Trump needs his own guy there, taking a look at the evidence himself. He can't afford to let someone tailor reports for him.

Birkel said...

@ Inga

I didn't believe there was an original Inga. There is no such person. Further, all claims made by the person pretending to be Inga were false. I'm not the least bit confused that you don't have 37 children each of whom can be trotted out for any fake "absolute moral authority" claim you wish to make on a given day.

You are a liar and a fraud. That you would pretend to be something that doesn't exist is quite consistent with your nature.

madAsHell said...

Wow!! Read the top 21 comments at the times!! Most of the commenters are absolutely certain that Comey was fired because of the on-going FBI investigation into Trump, and the Russians.

Original Mike said...

"Blogger M Jordan said..."Look, I don't like Comey any more than the rest of you but it bothers me that he is gone while Huma, Weiner, Hillary, Lerner and others guilty of actual crimes go in with their lives like nothing happened."

Who's fault is that? This is karma.

tim in vermont said...

Comey has integrity and makes decisions without regard to partisan outcome

OK. Sure. That's why he said that the fucking Secretary of State, in line to be President of the United Fucking States shouldn't be expected to understand the rules around handing classified materials!

Whatever. you can't see what you won't see.

buwaya said...

"lots and lots and lots of people will be saying this."

Indeed, its all over Facebook. Part of the great Wurlitzer.

Birkel said...

@ TTR

A poll on whether Hillary is a crook? You pay for the survey. I will revel in the results. Even the people who support her do so because, "yeah, she's a crook, but she's our crook."

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

“I didn't tell Hillary to have a private server at home, connected to the Clinton Foundation, two contractors, took away 60,000 emails, had her own domain,”

-- Colin Powell in leaked e-mail we were not supposed to see!

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Anyone else surprised that the monarchist ninny Trump uses a term like "crown jewel" in describing how he considers the FBI?

This dickwad has no place in a modern republic.

As for Jefferson Beauregard Sessions the 3rd, (third-in-line to be named after a Confederate president AND a general, in case the point wasn't made strongly enough), he believes that marijuana is a dangerous drug. That's all you need to know about that senile cracker's grasp of reality.

His opinion isn't worth a bucket of warm spit.

The nation hates everything about this RNC-Russian front organization.

Withdraw from politics and go run Monaco - it's more the style of what you wish you were.

America's not for you.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

A poll on whether Hillary is a crook?

That's not how we do justice in this country. Go live in a country without a constitution, due-process hater.

Rusty said...

Just the fact that there was classified material on Wieners laptop is cause enough to indict both Humah and Wiener. It proves Hillary's gross incometence.
Things are going to get interesting.

tim in vermont said...

Practically everything the SoS touches is classified, but she couldn't be expected to understand the rules!

Birkel said...

@ TTR

Day drinking is a bad idea.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

More Colin Powell..

"I would rather not have to vote for her, although she is a friend I respect," Powell wrote. "A 70-year person with a long track record, unbridled ambition, greedy, not transformational, with a husband still dicking bimbos at home."


Leaked - by Poot and Trump, for sure - man.

Drago said...

TTR: "Comey has integrity and makes decisions without regard to partisan outcome and you're a hack who has no legal training whatsoever."

I do believe that Comey was in position to stand up in a reputable way, with integrity, a year and a half ago, to the political hacks in obambi's justice dept who shielded Hillary from justice.

Had Comey stood up then he would have been a hero, Hillary could not have obtained the nomination, and its highly likely that another dem candidate would have won the election.

Once Comey made that choice, that pivotal and critical choice, he put himself on a path where he felt compelled to behave in ways that were not appropriate but he thought was necessary to keep things as "straight" and on the "up and up" as possible.

Like a refereee who keeps making bad calls to balance out previous bad calls, all you do is piss off all the fans, the players and the other refs.

The career prosecutors in the FBI were livid that Comey did not push back when obambi's justice dept refused to impanel a grand jury in the email case and Comey couldn't clean it up.

And now he's gone.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Whatever. you can't see what you won't see.

I see that no Republican is Republican enough for the fascist Trumpists.

Some Republicans have principles. And then there are the Trumpists.

Even worse than the Clintonians. Even worse. The guy was simply a better con than she was.

tim in vermont said...

hat's not how we do justice in this country. Go live in a country without a constitution, due-process hater.

I think the vote was your idea. But you are kind of boring. You didn't used to be, Trump has made you boring, Oh well.

Drago said...

Birkel: "@ TTR Day drinking is a bad idea"

Says who? Er, I mean..yes, yes, of course it is.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

RNC-Russian front organization.


LOLOLOLOLOL! Under the beds- REDS!

Birkel said...

@ TTR

You're the one who wants polls. You want polls between an unemployed lawyer and a random internet commenter.

I want a poll on Hillary's crookedness.

I also want a poll on Hillary's medical condition that causes her to fall down in the middle of the day.

As a day drinker, do you have thoughts on that issue?

Drago said...

TTR, you really need to think about what Comey should have done when Lynch and crew covered up for Hillary.

That was the beginning of a long 2 year cycle where the dem establishment carried Hillary over the finish line and hacked their own primary election processes.

Had they not done that, in the end, we'd most likely have had neither Hillary or Trump.

William said...

On the plus side for Comey, a firing rather than a resignation doubles the value of the book rights.......Some claim that the way he was criticized by both Trump and Clinton was evidence of his equable application of the law. It also might be an example of his even handed clumsiness,.....it'll be interesting to see how this plays out. The left dearly want to make him a martyr, but they've criticized Comey with even more brio than Trump. It would be like Nixon firing Kissinger.

exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...

Virgil Hilts said...
Cernovich (who is wrong a lot of the time but does seem to have weird inside connections) is tweeting that the FBI is sitting on a load of damaging stuff re the Dems that Comey was not allowing to come out (rank and file rebellion, etc.), and that's the reason for this action and its timing (Cernovich also thinks Susan Rice must be sweating bullets)."

I am pretty wary of Cernovich, but please, please let this be true.

Birkel said...

@ Drago

Charlie Sykes informs me and all other conservatives that the idiom is "...neither... nor..." so I cannot trust anything you say. I have a TTR-funded poll that proves I am right.

Drago said...

TTR: "I see that no Republican is Republican enough for the fascist Trumpists."

Except, of course, for Trumpist republicans.

I think we could all use a Venn diagram illustrating this.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

I do believe that Comey was in position to stand up in a reputable way, with integrity, a year and a half ago, to the political hacks in obambi's justice dept who shielded Hillary from justice.

Let's play Mad Libs:

I don't believe that anyone left that Trump has appointed or ever will appoint will stand up in a reputable way, with integrity, to the political hacks in Trump's justice dept who shield Trump from justice.

Where's the accountability? Where? Just show me a single thing that any of Trump's hacks are unafraid to stand up to him on.

Oh boy. He fired Flynn when the guy's shit finally got embarrassing. Failing that, Trump is ok with whatever works for Trump.

This is a coup perpetuated by a far fringe of a partisan organization. This scandal-ridden administration is too distracted with defending its indefensible obsessions to appoint positions, let alone govern. The country will fall apart even worse than in 2008 shortly before or after he leaves office - either voluntarily or otherwise.

Drago said...

Birkel: " I have a TTR-funded poll that proves I am right."

I certainly hope you have your Charlie Sykes approval for that TTR-funded poll. Without that approval, I'm sorry but I'll have to reject your poll.

Perhaps Inga can act as liaison with Sykes since she is so close to the All Important Milwaukee Talk Radio Market.

Clark said...

@Ann Althouse: "you informing me," direct object pronoun modified by a participle; "your informing me," possessive pronoun modifying a gerund -- why the strong preference for one over the other?

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

TTR, you really need to think about what Comey should have done when Lynch and crew covered up for Hillary.

Maybe more.

He did enough to lose her the election. Wasn't that enough? I guess not. Not for you guys.

The amount of malfeasance, mischief and corruption you're making it impossible for the FBI to avoid investigating is sort of taxing their load. It's not just the FBI who's supposed to hold the politicians accountable.

But that wouldn't be a problem if you and so many other Americans actually believed in accountability.

Anonymous said...

Trump can't be gone soon enough. There has to be a Special Prosecutor now, or else there will be demonstrations in the streets to rival the Vietnam era protests.

johns said...

Maybe Trump had to wait for a clear example of Comey making an untrue statement in order to have a good public reason to fire him. To me, the untruth that was used--that Huma did not forward large numbers of emails with classified information to Weiner (only small numbers of such)--is not a very important untruth.

Anonymous said...

He turns back into Dr. Jekyll now, yes?

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

You're the one who wants polls. You want polls between an unemployed lawyer and a random internet commenter.

I want a poll on Hillary's crookedness.


Oh, I know. You want anything to avoid looking into what Trump's up to.

You just can't stand to go there. He's like a black hole of "look away! "Look away!" "Don't look directly into him!" Oh look there's a person who has no credible involvement in politics! Anything to get the focus off of Trump! Just can't stand it!

Cowardly. No integrity. No trust from the nation.

Marty Keller said...

Toothless is the anti-Laszlo.

Drago said...

TTR: "Where's the accountability? Where? Just show me a single thing that any of Trump's hacks are unafraid to stand up to him on."

Well, here we are going to have a problem because you and I are at different places in terms of desired policies, legality of actions, etc. That will make it impossible to proceed under the framework of your request.

It would be more efficient if you could identify which Trump rule, policy, EO etc you believe is deserving of a staff revolt.

Something tells me we will not agree on that and thus, we will disagree as to the level of integrity present in Trump admin staffers.

Matt Sablan said...

Hey, Hillary Clinton's team got what they wanted.

Birkel said...

@ Inga

Trump will be gone on January 20th in either 2021 or 2025.
Hold your breath.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Drago said...

Inga: "Trump can't be gone soon enough."

LOL

Inga: "There has to be a Special Prosecutor now, or else there will be demonstrations in the streets to rival the Vietnam era protests."

Bring it.

One thing I will say for the republicans in the house and senate, they aren't falling for the fake Special Prosecutor BS the dems want in place to bury the investigation into obambi domestic spying.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

When Trumpists hear the word "accountability" they attach the word "partisan" to it.

Just like Liverspot Bannon's Marxists. Destroy the country, strengthen the party!

All for the party! Mandatory membership will be expected on the 2018 legislative agenda.

Birkel said...

@ TTR

You know that I am sad whenever you day drink and get angry online. Tonight I am sad.

Tell me more about the black hole in your soul that you project onto politicians who prefer policies you don't like. Is Soundgarden playing in it?

Drago said...

TTR: "Just like Liverspot Bannon's Marxists."

Hey buddy, Bannon was a naval officer and he EARNED those liver spots. And I'll fight any man who says otherwise!

Comanche Voter said...

I don't know about Comey. What came through loud and clear was the Comey was a political player trying to keep Comey's skirts clean. Sometimes you just have to do your job and if you get splattered when the refuse hits the rotisserie--you get splattered. Comey was never going to let any of that stuff stick to him--and it was clear that that was his first and only priority. The people who complain that the danged rent is too high are also inclined to say, do your danged job. No wonder the agents were in revolt.

And so I've got a sneaking suspicion that the proffered reason "you are no longer able to effectively lead your organization" is true and correct.

chickelit said...

Inga wished: Trump can't be gone soon enough. There has to be a Special Prosecutor now, or else there will be demonstrations in the streets to rival the Vietnam era protests.

Look for those demonstrations in sanctuary cities but nowhere else. The protesters will include some of the 24 million sentenced to death by the repeal of Obamacare. Otherwise, ain't gonna happen.

Anonymous said...

"Bring it."

Oh it's coming, no doubt about it. People aren't going to just lay down and shut up about it.

Drago said...

Rene: "Why won't the news media report that Comey told Trump he is not under investigation?"

It was a smart communications move to include that blurb in the letter to attempt to break through the monolithic MSM/dem message machine.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

"While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to lead the bureau," -- Trump wrote in a letter to Comey dated Tuesday.


Why won't the news media report that Comey told Trump he is not under investigation?
According to hands-up-don't-shoot Maddow and the Clinton News Network, he is.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Well, here we are going to have a problem because you and I are at different places in terms of desired policies, legality of actions, etc. That will make it impossible to proceed under the framework of your request.

It would be more efficient if you could identify which Trump rule, policy, EO etc you believe is deserving of a staff revolt.

Something tells me we will not agree on that and thus, we will disagree as to the level of integrity present in Trump admin staffers.


I think he values personal loyalty over loyalty to the country.

Every one of his high-profile firing decisions were basically to keep the pressure off of HIM. He can't stand to hear dissent against what he wants to do, which I guess is fine because the courts and the media and the people have no problem letting him know that he's full of s%$& and wants things that can't pass or stand - politically or legally. So he wants to make a stand for things that will guarantee him a failed presidency. That's fine, if he weren't so eager to take every other institution down with him. He's like Samson for the wrong cause.

This is a guy who doesn't want to know what's right. He starts with the premise that he is right, his self-aggrandizement is right, and bulldozes over every other civil servant sticking up for American traditions, norms, laws, precedents, etc., etc., etc., etc.

Everything else is another intractable partisan fight. This is the main point and it pervades his presidency. It's its main theme. The dysfunction is epic.

Drago said...

Inga: "Oh it's coming, no doubt about it. People aren't going to just lay down and shut up about it."

LOL

What will they do? Break windows? Trash businesses? Riot to keep conservatives off campus? Call republicans Nazi's? Wear vagina hats? Have anarchists run wild in the streets.

Oh gee, I hope it doesn't come to that...... LOL

Original Mike said...

"Oh it's coming, no doubt about it. People aren't going to just lay down and shut up about it."

More riots! That's what the Dems need!

walter said...

Damn. I'm going to miss his unique style of double-speak.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Drago - DNC hack media will be sure to scrub it, then.

Birkel said...

@ Drago

Be careful not to tell Inga and all 37 of her children to bring it. They will likely bring cats. They have lots of cats.

Drago said...

TTR, we are simply in disagreement about the fundamentals you outline.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Goodbye, Birkel. May you have fun on the Breitbart empire network blogs. Your dedication to the minority of the country that actually sees something worth consistently defending in this presidency (although exactly what gets harder to say by the day) is noted and cherished by the goons on that sinking side of the Titanic.

buwaya said...

"While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation"

I thought everyone got this.

This is obvious sarcasm. These are veiled threats. The implication is clear that an investigation could be forthcoming; hence Comey was attempting political leverage vs Trump.

Drago said...

Birkel: "Be careful not to tell Inga and all 37 of her children to bring it."

237 daughters. 237. I have no doubt that several of them are in the FBI an Justice Dept which is why Inga "knows" what is going on with the investigation.

frenchie said...

Not immediately siccing Sessions on Hillary and her foundation was Trump's first broken promise. Maybe that's going to change now.

Birkel said...

@ TTR

If you experience a moment of clarity, could you discuss how giving Iran $150 billion was a great idea? Thanks in advance for whenever you come off this bender.

Anonymous said...

http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/332609-senate-panel-probing-russia-ties-asks-treasury-for-trump-financial

The Senate Intel Panel has asked for Trump's financial info. Things are getting hot.

"The leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee have sent a request to the Treasury Department's financial crimes unit for any information on President Trump and his top aides, CNN reported Tuesday.

"We've made a request, to FinCEN in the Treasury Department, to make sure, not just for example vis-a-vis the president, but just overall our effort to try to follow the intel no matter where it leads," Sen. Mark Warner (Va.), the panel's top Democrat, told CNN.

"You get materials that show if there have been, what level of financial ties between, I mean some of the stuff, some of the Trump-related officials, Trump campaign-related officials and other officials and where those dollars flow — not necessarily from Russia."

chickelit said...

According to hands up don't shoot liar Maddow and the Clinton New Network, he is.

I read that Maddow now tops the cable channel ratings. Millions and millions more Americans are buying her stories everyday. Soon, very soon, she will be able to control Trump.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

TTR, we are simply in disagreement about the fundamentals you outline.

How much infighting, chaos, tumult, denied victories do you expect in a typical private sector organization? How many unfilled positions? How much scrutiny over exactly how loyal they are to the CEO (as opposed to the company or market) do you typically allow for?

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Imagine if Comey did his job and followed the law and recommended Hillary be indicted.
Hillary surely would have been forced out of the race and Trump would have faced someone else.
Bernie or Biden?

oh the possibilities.


The Trump and Russian connection? - delusion for delusional temper tantrum babies.

Matt Sablan said...

"There are plenty of people saying what Toobin and I said, lots and lots and lots of people will be saying this."

-- Well, I guess a lot of people are stupid too, then.

Hammond X. Gritzkofe said...

Thank you, Mr. Pres. I shall not ask what took you so long, but instead direct your attention to IRS Commissioner Koskinen.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Chickelit,

The desperate dems tune into Maddow for their dose of false narrative. She lies to them, but those lies are very soothing.

Meanwhile, Scott Walker will be indicted any minute now....

Drago said...

Inga: "The Senate Intel Panel has asked for Trump's financial info. Things are getting hot."

LOL

Notice that it's the same handful of claims/assertions recycled every week with nothing to back anything up.

Not to mention that the dems had Trumps info in their grubby little mitts for over 2 years. All the info. Including tax returns.

If anything was there it would have leaked. And long ago.

There has GOT to be a pony in their somewhere!

Birkel said...

@ Inga

Are you suggesting Leftists will lose their minds and destroy the personal property of other people?

The deuce you say!!

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

discuss how giving Iran $150 billion was a great idea?

Another lie.

Come up with as many as you like. Trump's diplomacy skills are legendary. For a casino owner.

Matt Sablan said...

"Was evidence destroyed?"

-- Yes. Several of Clinton's teams electronics went missing or were smashed by hammers instead of being surrendered to the FBI.

Michael K said...

Why Carlos Danger had State Department documents stowed away in a file marked "INSURANCE" remains unknown.

That, if true, is so hilarious I think Weiner might have a sense of humor along with a sense of self preservation.

I've been saying for a while that Comey was facing an agent revolt,

I suggest that Trump appoint someone who has been an agent. The Bureau would probably be much happier to have one of their own.

Louis Freeh might be a useful choice for an interim Director.

He's younger than Hillary and was fired by Bill even though he technically "resigned."

Drago said...

Hammond X. Gritzkofe: "Thank you, Mr. Pres. I shall not ask what took you so long, but instead direct your attention to IRS Commissioner Koskinen."

It took this long because Sessions inappropriately caved to political pressure and recused himself. Therefore, review of Comey's actions had to wait until the Deputy AG was confirmed.

Rod Rosenstein was confirmed on 25April and it took about 2 weeks to get staff in and complete the review of Comey's actions and performance. And here we are.

Anonymous said...

There is nothing stupider than firing the head of the FBI when he's invesitigating you, Matthew. You folks may not care, but there are millions who do.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Trump is definitely a better liar than Hillary. His support is not as deep, but VERY wide.

And he does it for the right causes: Right-wing causes. Far, FAR right-wing causes.

What a win for the country!

Original Mike said...

"-- Yes. Several of Clinton's teams electronics went missing or were smashed by hammers instead of being surrendered to the FBI."

Don't forget the server scrub AFTER it is subpoenad. Yet nothing happened. That right there is a fireable offense.

Birkel said...

@ Drago

I believe when Inga cites The Hill claiming the committee has asked for something, what The Hill means is that Democrats have asked for the thing.

It's sad to see Inga get so excited about fake news.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Funny how democrats on their fancy committees never gave a rat's ass about all the money flowing from Russia and other nations into Clinton Foundation Coffers.

CASH FLOWED TO CLINTON FOUNDATIONAMID RUSSIAN URANIUM DEAL

buwaya said...

"How much infighting, chaos, tumult, denied victories do you expect in a typical private sector organization? How many unfilled positions? How much scrutiny over exactly how loyal they are to the CEO (as opposed to the company or market) do you typically allow for?"

Well, nothing like this, but this is not a private sector organization, nor is it the typical change of government. This is an extremely hostile takeover, far more so than any private one, and a political battle royal vs the entire structure of government, and the political opposition (in both parties) and their extremely powerful backers.

You are watching a battle of kaiju, Godzilla vs Rodan maybe, not normal business.

tim in vermont said...

"Was evidence destroyed?"

As Human has testified, the schedules which recorded meetings with foreigners who gave funds to the Clinton Foundation were destroyed in State Department "burn bags." The AP found out about this because they sought these records of meetings through FOIA, and were unable to get them because Hillary had destroyed them.

tim in vermont said...

Huma, Not Human. Fucking Safari.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

There is nothing stupider than firing the head of the FBI when he's invesitigating you, Matthew. You folks may not care, but there are millions who do.

The Trumpists assembled here actually think he did it for a better reason than that.

They've drunk the Kool-Aid. Party over country. And if the party's wobbly, person over country.

He's the strong-man that they told us Hillary was too autocratic for them.

There are no trails of blood to numerous for them to conclude the obvious. Trump. Hates. Accountability. And. He. Won't. Stand. For. It.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Well, nothing like this, but this is not a private sector organization, nor is it the typical change of government.

Not typical for a country that's not a third-world dictatorship, anyway.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Hey! Team Clinton gets away with hammer smashing evidence... because she has lady parts and her last name in Clinton and obama and his corrupt cronies protected her.

But... Trump and Poot!

Drago said...

TTR: "Trump is definitely a better liar than Hillary. His support is not as deep, but VERY wide."

Hmmmm, I think it's been shown that both Trump and Hillary have interesting strengths and weaknesses. The "wideness" of Trumps support is something I would quibble with.

I believe Trumps campaign single most important strength was utilizing a business approach in targeting and maximizing return for those voters most critical to capturing the electoral college.

tim in vermont said...

Geeze Renee, it's almost as if Hillary had been caught up in Putin's "web of patronage"! Naah!

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

You don't make it through five bankruptcies without firing a few accountants.

You don't make it through a failed presidency without firing those hired to keep you accountable.

Republicans make no sense. If he leads to an economy that bankrupts them, I suppose they say Trump was good for toughening them up, or something.

Matt Sablan said...

"There is nothing stupider than firing the head of the FBI when he's invesitigating you, Matthew."

-- What are you talking about? He's not investigating Trump; that much was made clear in the letter during the firing.

Birkel said...

@ TTR

"...trails of blood..."

Dude. You have to stop day drinking.

readering said...

Michael K: You are confusing Freeh, who left under Bush, with Sessions, his fired predecessor.

buwaya said...

"Not typical for a country that's not a third-world dictatorship, anyway."

You misunderstand the low state your country has been reduced to.
Or rather, the extreme development of a third-world system that had been achieved.
The US was/is the greatest, richest, most sophisticated banana republic that has ever been.

These are the battles to reform it. I doubt they will succeed, but let us see.

Drago said...

TTR: "The Trumpists assembled here actually think he did it for a better reason than that."

It's clear that there are multiple reasons for the firing.

My biggest one is that Comey assumed the authority of the Attorney General. Where did that come from? Sure Lynch was compromised, and badly so. But that doesn't mean that the FBI director gets to just say "well, I'm not Lynch so i'll determine whether or not a prosecution is warranted" as opposed to just doing his job as the Chief Investigative guy.

If I'm Sessions/Rosenstein, I'm dumping this guy who thinks he can just assume my responsibilities.

Anonymous said...

Senator Burr said that the Comey firing is "troubling". It'll be interesting to see what the rest of the Republicans will have to say.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Do Trumpists like Rene understand that constantly bringing up Hillary is an utter admission of how little Trump will, has or can be expected to accomplish? How greatly he has, will or can be expected to fail on every moral and political level available?

It's like they love hanging on to Hillary to show how low a curve they want to grade him on. Hell, fuck grades! Just say he's not a certain other student.

That's the only way they can manage to pass the presidential class, it seems. No standards. Just throw them away.

Birkel said...

If Trump starts shuttering DC offices and moving people to Bakersfield and Spokane and middle-of-nowhere-Illinois I will be well a truly tickled pink.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

You misunderstand the low state your country has been reduced to.

I completely understand how much lower Trump wants to reduce it. He'll look at what he'll do to America as a tax write-off.

By the time he's done, the country name will be changed to one that has a "T" in it and the rolling shambles that are left won't have ever mattered to him. His a one-man brand and his market exists only in his mind.

Imaginary America.

tim in vermont said...

The Kool-Aide drinkers are the people who still insist that the FBI is investigating Trump.

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