Here’s hoping we get to bottom of Comey firing sooner rather than later
May 10, 2017, 12:29 PM
In this Wednesday, May 3, 2017, photo then-FBI Director James Comey pauses as he testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. President Donald Trump abruptly fired Comey on May 9, ousting the nation's top law enforcement official in the midst of an investigation into whether Trump's campaign had ties to Russia's election meddling.(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The one thing I do know is that FBI was in worse shape Wednesday than it was at the beginning of the week.
Former Director James Comey was a prosecutor’s prosecutor. He was rock-solid in front of any Senate grilling that he was subjected to and he was an ardent defender of the agency.
So why in the world was he fired? Was it because he didn’t lock up former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton?
I can’t buy into that. If we know anything about President Donald Trump, we know that he has a vindictive streak that is a mile long.
Clinton is now living a life of near obscurity. The Clinton Foundation is drying up and, after each news network gets their exclusive post-election interview with her, we might not hear from her for a long while.
That, to a Clinton, is worse than jail.
Furthermore, the timing of Comey’s announcements both in July and in October seemed more about protecting the integrity of the FBI than swaying the election.
Comey had already assumed Clinton was going to win because everyone told him she was. He maintained that he wanted to protect the FBI and not look as if he had taken a bullet for Clinton so she would win the election.
Which brings us to the Russian investigation. Could Comey have been getting close to the mark? A little too close to the mark?
It’s possible.
But then you have to ask yourself the question why Trump would include this perplexing line in his letter:
“While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the bureau.”
The first time I read that line, I just thought it was Trump being Trump.
But then somebody has to answer this question: On what three occasions did Comey tell Trump that he is not under investigation? And what was the subject and context of each of those conversations?
I’m going to have to agree with Sens. Jeff Flake and John McCain in questioning the timing of this firing.
Although, I am having a great time watching the Democrats — who once called for Comey’s head around the election — that are now shocked and appalled that anyone would fire such a great man.
Hopefully, we will get to the bottom of all of this sooner than later.
