Trump Fires FBI Director Comey

[Felya]

@zenkai the quote used, didn't actually point at Trump, just his administration and campaign. Saying Markey was wrong for something they quoted him not actually saying, starts that on a bad foot already. But, to then compare this to the Clinton firing of William Sessions is even worse. Unlike Clinton, Trump didn't ask for Comey to resign. Unlike Comey, William Sessions was asked to resign and then fired, during an investigation into his misuse of Tax Payer money. Furthermore, Trump saying that Comey wasn't doing his job right after the investigation into Russia, doesn't negate the months of praising him, Trump did before it.

[ati87]

This is a really good article on the subject


Comey’s Firing: Clintonian, NOT Nixonian

The last 24 hours in Washington has brought to bare a political name and time in our country’s history that makes most shudder.

Before his dismissal, FBI Director James Comey was leading probes into Trump associates’ connections to Russia during the 2016 election.

To many lawmakers, the FBI director’s firing was reminiscent of when then-President Nixon fired Archibald Cox, the special prosecutor charged with investigating the Watergate scandal.

Sen. Edward Markey of Massachusetts said of the Comey dismissal, “President Trump’s firing of Director Comey sets a deeply alarming precedent as multiple investigations into possible Trump campaign or administration collusion with Russia remain ongoing, including an FBI investigation. This episode is disturbingly reminiscent of the Saturday Night Massacre during the Watergate scandal and the national turmoil that it caused.”

Here’s what Markey gets wildly wrong. Trump associates Michael Flynn and Paul Manafort are under investigation, an investigation, according to a source at the FBI, that will continue despite political talking points that it will end. The president is NOT under direct investigation, and any notion of “collusion” between Mr. Trump and Russia has been widely rebuked as having any merit by those who have classified clearance.

Nixon, you probably recall, WAS under investigation. His phones had been “wiretapped” as part of the Watergate scandal. Evidence suggests Trump’s phones have been “surveilled” as well, although as noted, he is not under investigation.

Trump firing Comey is Clintonian. Bill Clinton was the last president to fire an FBI director and under very similar circumstances.

Trump firing Comey is not Nixonian.
The Russia Investigation Will Continue

An independent counsel and commission should be appointed to continue the Russia ties investigation. But a special prosecutor seems over the top.

Senators on both sides of the aisle are calling for assurances that the process be transparent and thorough, and the president should replace Comey with a no nonsense, apolitical FBI director, someone capable of seeing that investigation through.

According to a former FBI agent, regardless of the agency’s leadership, the Russia investigation will continue. “The director doesn’t run the investigation, the assistant director doesn’t run it, and the unit chiefs don’t run it. There’s a case agent or a series of case agents assigned to run it all the way through.”

Vice President Mike Pence noted Comey’s dismissal had “nothing to do with the Russian Investigation.”

If the president proffers a replacement that is less than transparent, given the wariness with which prominent senators and representatives have so far viewed the firing, it could have serious repercussions. Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz said the firing of Comey was appropriate but noted, “Who the President appoints is key. If he appoints a man or a woman of great integrity, this date will not go down in history because we will have been proved wrong that it was some kind of a cover-up.”
Why Was Comey Fired?

First, he was President Obama’s appointment.

Second. Comey’s handling of the Hillary Clinton e-mail scandal left much to be desired. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein wrote, “Comey was wrong to close the investigation into whether Clinton should be prosecuted for running a private e-mail server from her New York residence when she was secretary of state. The director laid out his version of the facts for the news media as if it were a closing argument, but without a trial. It is a textbook example of what federal prosecutors and agents are taught not to do.”
The Otherside Documentary: A Liberal Democrat Explores Conservative America

Third. Comey’s failure to direct the agency to pursue those responsible for the leaking of classified materials and the unmasking of American citizens, both criminal offenses. Several times in the past few weeks the president has pointed to his frustrations over the FBI’s lack of interest and investigation into these matters.

In a prepared White House statement the president wrote, “The FBI is one of our nation’s most cherished and respected institutions, and today will mark a new beginning for our crown jewel of law enforcement.”

FBI Deputy Director Andrew McAbe will assume the acting director role, unless a special prosecutor is appointed to oversee the FBI probe, as some Democrats have called for.

Clinton fired a guy that was (fact) misusing government funds personally and he had build a case for it to avoid something like what trump is doing.

And everything else is just shit argument which tbh can't be assed to show the contradiction and the nonsense of the writer. Problem with the internet is that we can see what this guy wrote

calling CNN fake news, they aren't fake just shit news/

calling the atrocity of LOLcare a good first step

So yes bullshit writer stays bullshit

[PersephoneDankles]

This is a really good article on the subject
Trump firing Comey is Clintonian. Bill Clinton was the last president to fire an FBI director and under very similar circumstances.

This seems to be the crux of the argument, but at no point do I see anything in the article backing up that claim. William Sessions, the FBI director that Clinton fired, was alleged to have done some pretty unethical things, like using an FBI plane to travel to visit his daughter on several occasions, and he had a security system installed in his home at government expense.

[Felya]

This seems to be the crux of the argument, but at no point do I see anything in the article backing up that claim. William Sessions, the FBI director that Clinton fired, was alleged to have done some pretty unethical things, like using an FBI plane to travel to visit his daughter on several occasions, and he had a security system installed in his home at government expense.

He also asked him to resign, due to the DOJ investigation into his misuse of funds, with the firing coming after he refused. The reason why firing doesn't happen often, is the same reason Trump claimed he fired Flynn, who actually resigned. Most politicians choose to resign, instead of being fired. Comey wasn't given that choice, which is also unusual and there is no precedent for an FBI director to be fired without being asked to resign. That's a first in American history and something that Trump gave Flynn, but not Comey.

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Clinton fired a guy that was (fact) misusing government funds personally and he had build a case for it to avoid something like what trump is doing.

And everything else is just shit argument which tbh can't be assed to show the contradiction and the nonsense of the write. Problem with the internet is that we can see what this guy wrote

calling CNN fake news, they aren't fake just shit news/

calling the atrocity of LOLcare a good first step

So yes bullshit writer stays bullshit

There is a reason why the writer chose to not elaborate on Clinton's firing. Most likely the same reason he claimed Markey lied about Trump's involvement, when Markey's quote didn't say it.

[ati87]

He also asked him to resign, due to the DOJ investigation into his misuse of funds, with the firing coming after he refused. The reason why firing doesn't happen often, is the same reason Trump claimed he fired Flynn, who actually resigned. Most politicians choose to resign, instead of being fired. Comey wasn't given that choice, which is also unusual and there is no precedent for an FBI director to be fired without being asked to resign. That's a first in American history and something that Trump gave Flynn, but not Comey.

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There is a reason why the writer chose to not elaborate on Clinton's firing. Most likely the same reason he claimed Markey lied about Trump's involvement, when Markey's quote didn't say it.

In the end it still comes down to the following

Everybody that's not hardcore trump lover finds the whole ordeal weird, especially the reasoning.

[Shalcker]

I know right???

Except Trump's regime claims that Russia didn't tell them that their photographer, for Russia's top spy recruiter, was a state-run media guy.

MFA isn't "top spy recruiter", that would be GRU.

So, ya know, they just let him in.

Officials are followed by official photographers, as per custom.

“We were not informed by the Russians that their official photographer was dual-hatted and would be releasing the photographs on the state news agency,” a Trump regime official told the Washington Post.

Did he actually? This assumption doesn't seem to be substantiated in any way.
Those photos appeared on free accounts of MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) where they were available to all media. TASS photographer that did them was acting as official photographer, not as TASS correspondent.

So, the Trump administration is so fucking incompetent they didn't bother to tell the Russians "no, he's not coming in here." As for the official White House photographer, almost 24 hours later. and after several updates, there are still no pictures of the meeting.But, at least we know Pence has a fuckin rabbit!

Meanwhile MFA says that everything was agreed in advance.

http://tass.ru/politika/4243744 (Google Translate, seems good enough at first glance)

Looks more like noone in White House knows each other plans...

As for White House photographer, they seem to be quite low on pictures in general for some reason.

[Deleted]

At some point, surely, the US will be able to set aside the ludicrous red/blue divide and see with clarity that they've installed a dictator and puppet as their president.

[Felya]

In the end it still comes down to the following

Everybody that's not hardcore trump lover finds the whole ordeal weird, especially the reasoning.

There is even a catch to that. If you even dare say that someone is a Trump supporter for relentlessly defending him, while screaming "photoshopped" at any contrary image and posting blogs that contradict them selfs, while seemingly hiding justification... it makes everything you say be ignored. Because even the majority of his support understands how horrible he is, that they cannot even admit the obvious.

[NYC17]

MFA isn't "top spy recruiter", that would be GRU.

Officials are followed by official photographers, as per custom.

Did he actually? This assumption doesn't seem to be substantiated in any way.
Those photos appeared on free accounts of MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) where they were available to all media. TASS photographer that did them was acting as official photographer, not as TASS correspondent.


Meanwhile MFA says that everything was agreed in advance.

http://tass.ru/politika/4243744 (Google Translate, seems good enough at first glance)

Looks more like noone in White House knows each other plans...

As for White House photographer, they seem to be quite low on pictures in general for some reason.

You're wrong. He's considered the top recruiter by the IC. I'll take their analysis over your shit analysis any day.

Your counter to my post regarding the photo is useless. You basically reiterated exactly what my point was, yet, hilariously, believe it's some sort of counterpoint.

[Deleted]

At some point, surely, the US will be able to set aside the ludicrous red/blue divide and see with clarity that they've installed a dictator and puppet as their president.

If that ever happens, world would become a much safer and better place for everyone.

But don't get your hopes up. That would require getting rid of career politicians that use hate for other party as basis for their campaigns instead of focusing on improving things. That's vast majority of politicians.

[Iamanerd]

Your "'it was them, we did nothing' shtick" shtick. Your strongly worded post over such a gulf of differences is nothing but top-heavy. And I haven't mentioned this "everyone points fingers without solutions" that really lays blindness bare.

I refuse to play these word games. You're lucky you got this much. If you won't stand by the words you put to paper, don't expect me to do it for you.

Not my fault you see some different meaning in what I said, when I myself didn't put this into what I wrote. Have fun dude I wasn't looking to argue but to clear something up, have a great day chasing something that isn't there.

[Bullettime]

Just turned on the McCabe/IC hearing. Take it I didn't miss anything in the first 10 minutes other than opening statements?

[Zoibert the Bear]

At some point, surely, the US will be able to set aside the ludicrous red/blue divide and see with clarity that they've installed a dictator and puppet as their president.

Yes, and a sexist as well!

[NYC17]

Just turned on the McCabe/IC hearing. Take it I didn't miss anything in the first 10 minutes other than opening statements?

No, just Burr saying how this won't be entirely focused on the Russia investigation. It's quite a few more people than McCabe testifying though.

[Felya]

At some point, surely, the US will be able to set aside the ludicrous red/blue divide and see with clarity that they've installed a dictator and puppet as their president.

We kind of have. Historically conservative and republican publications didn't endorse Trump as president, some even crossing party lines to endorse Hillary. Trump as a horrible candidate was a uniting factor for both parties, not only now, but every time Trump claimed to want to run in his 30 years in public eye. Even now, one of the loudest opponents of Trump is McCain, who is GOP and received a million from Trump during his campaign against Obama.

The Trump issue is far less red v blue, but Trump v everyone who isn't loyal. Trolls just don't see it... keep repeating it's all partisan and deflecting through history, as if Trump is an amalgam of all negative traits our presidents have had through history.

Trump fires an FBI director? That's fine, Clinton did it too. Trump doesn't include Saudi Arabia on his travel bans? That's fine, Obama did it too. Trump banning travel from countries? That's fine, Carter did it too. Deregulation of Wall Street? That's fine, Bush did it too. Huge tax cuts to the top and increased military spending? That's fine, Reagan did it too. I can keep going... until Trump support realizes that they are excusing Trump, because he is doing the wrongs of every president before him, it won't change.

There is no horrible thing Trump can do, where his support will not deflect to a different president. At no point realizing that their defense is that Trump is every negative quality we have had through our presidential history, in one person.

[Bullettime]

No, just Burr saying how this won't be entirely focused on the Russia investigation. It's quite a few more people than McCabe testifying though.

This should be quite interesting then. Warner already bringing it up though with shots at Trump over Comey LOL

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Damn Warner even bringing in the newspaper and not backing off. I'm so proud.

[cubby]

Interesting summary of what else was going on during the past 24/48 hours.

Trump is fucked.

[Bullettime]

The entire collective IC leadership just went on record saying Russia interfered. So that's a start.

[Belize]

Can anyone give me a tl;dr of the McCabe thong.

Can't stream at work

[Bullettime]

Can anyone give me a tl;dr of the McCabe thong.

Can't stream at work

Not missing much so far aside from the entire IC admitting Russia interference happened and is continuing to happen. McCabe can't answer but so much today so his questions will be pretty limited.