In a surprising move on Tuesday, President Trump abruptly fired James Comey, the director of the FBI and the official leading the investigation into whether Trump aides colluded with Russia to sway the U.S. presidential election. In his letter dismissing Comey, Trump told him: “While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the bureau.”
The White House said that Trump acted on the recommendations of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. The longest letter released was a memorandum to Sessions from Rosenstein laying out the case for Comey’s dismissal. In the memo, Rosenstein criticizes Comey for his handling of the investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s private email server, and offers examples of bipartisan condemnation of Comey’s actions.
We know that was bullshit, of course. Trump admitted to Lester Holt that he did it because of the Russia investigation.
Nonetheless, Trump’s shamelessness and hypocrisy is unparalleled and this is where he is today:
President Donald Trump, angry that he hasn’t received the damaging pre-election bombshell on Democratic rival Joe Biden that he’s been pushing for, has reportedly been discussing with aides the possibility of firing FBI Director Christopher Wray for not handing Trump said bombshell in the form of an investigation into Biden.
The Washington Post reported on Wednesday night that Trump wants a public announcement of a federal probe into Biden and his son, Hunter, that could damage the Democrat similar to how then-FBI Director James Comey had announced a renewed investigation into 2016 Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton’s emails less than two weeks before Election Day four years ago.
As the elections draw nearer with little indication that the FBI director will deliver Trump that kind of campaign boost, the President has reportedly been telling advisers that Wray was one of his worst appointees.
The Washington Post article suggests that Trump might fire Wray, which I actually expect. In fact, if Trump loses, I don’t even want to think about the vengeful purge that could take place. This lame duck period will be a very dangerous time for America and the world.