Trump's termination of Comey

Two nights ago I wrote about Trump’s firing of Comey and the horribly partisan reporting done by CNN and FOX.

I took the position that Trump was right to fire Comey based on the letter from Rosenstein; a letter that was timely considering that Rosenstein had just taken office.  I particularly criticized CNN for downplaying this logical explanation and appearing to be biased.  On Fox, Hanity’s show correctly pointed out the proper timing of the letter and its importance, but lied or misstated facts about almost everything else.  Fox did not even pretend to be non-biased.

But, since then, additional facts have become public which are casting the firing in a different light.

I agree Comey should have been fired.  He should have been fired back in July.  He really should have been fired back in October, when his actions clearly effected the political process.

But it’s the TIMING AND MANNER of his firing by Trump that clouds the issue today.

Trump had ample opportunity to fire Comey; he could have done it at any time after taking office.  Instead, he publicly praised Comey and even blew him a kiss:  hardly the actions of someone considering firing him.  While Rosenstein’s letter was timely, and appears to be a legitimate reason behind the firing, it’s significance fades when contrasted with other facts that have recently emerged.

It appears that in recent days, Comey has been ratcheting up the FBI’s investigation into possible collusion between Russia and Trump’s campaign. Specifically, in the past couple of weeks, Comey asked the Justice Department for additional resources and funds for this investigation.  A Grand Jury has issued subpoenas to several members of Trump’s campaign asking for business records that could shed light on any possible collusion. Comey himself confirmed for the first time, in testimony between Congress, that an official investigation into Russia and the Trump Campaign has been ongoing since July.

Aside from the undisputed facts above, several additional circumstantial factors cast even more doubt as to the real reason behind Comey’s firing:

Trump’s letter to Comey failed to mention anything about the reason for his termination.  Instead, one third of the letter was dedicated to making a point that Comey had told Trump on three occasions that Trump was not under investigation.  Any reasonable termination letter, especially one that is issued out of the blue, should list the reason or reasons for the termination.  This letter did not.  Instead, it made a point that Comey was NOT being fired for his investigation into Trump.  It is clear to any outsider looking in that foremost on Trump’s mind was that investigation, not Comey’s improper actions almost a year ago.  As any cop will tell you, when someone, almost randomly, goes out of their way to point out their innocence, that is a huge red flag.

It is true that Comey made another major blunder last week when he gave inaccurate testimony before Congress.  That could have served as a catalyst, or even the final straw, for his dismissal this week.  But the Trump’s letter did not mention this, nor did the White House even mention this as a reason for his dismissal.

When Trump was presented with evidence that Flynn had lied from the Attorney General, he took no action at all for 18 days.  Yet, are we to believe that he took action against Comey within hours of receiving an unsolicited letter from his newly appointed Deputy Attorney General? There have been unsubstantiated reports that Trump, Sessions, and Rosenstein had conferred by telephone the day before and that the letter was written in an attempt to justify the timing of the firing. The White House has disputed this, so it may or may not be true. But it fits the pattern.

I re-read Rosenstein’s letter.  It is not actually a letter to Trump recommending that Comey be fired. It is actually a memo to Sessions outlining Comey’s transgressions and contains Rosenstein’s opinions.  He does not actually recommend firing Comey, but it is implied quite obviously.  But he also points out that replacing an FBI Director is not something that should not be taken lightly.

But, according to the White House’s own explanation, this is exactly what Donald Trump did.  Upon receipt of the letter, he immediately decided to fire Comey.  Aside from Sessions and Rosenstein, he consulted no one else. He did not consult with anybody in the legislature, not even members of his own party.  His own staff was left completely unaware.

Then there is the manner in which Comey was fired,  Comey was not called to the White House to be fired.  Instead, an aide was sent to deliver a letter to the FBI while Comey was in LA speaking to potential new recruits.  He found out about it during the middle of his speech when he saw it on the news.  To fire someone in this matter is something you do when there is a critical, time-sensitive need to remove him, such as if he were about to take an action that could compromise national security or something similar.  But, if his firing really was related to something that happened more than 6 months ago, the proper thing to do would have been to wait until he returned, and informed him of his dismissal BEFORE sending out a press release.

Trump is famous for rewarding loyalty and punishing those who are disloyal. Comey’s actions during the election undoubtedly HELPED Trump, and arguably cost Hillary the election. After the election, Trump had nothing but praise for Comey.  Trump’s cabinet appointments have consisted solely of loyal supporters, regardless of their qualifications.  On the other hand, the only times Trump seems to act without delay is when he feels someone is being disloyal.  When Yates refused to enforce his order, she was immediately terminated.   The sudden termination of Comey after all this time does not fit Trump’s pattern unless he felt that Comey was not being loyal. Comey’s actions before the election and his testimony last week solidified Trump’s position and hurt Clinton’s, so there is no way Trump could have considered those acts as disloyal.  But, Comey’s recent actions to increase the aggressiveness and size of the Russia investigation despite Trump’s repeated tweets about the entire Russia affair being “Fake News” could easily be interpreted as acts of disloyalty to Trump. That would make Trump angry, and the sudden, unannounced termination of Comey in this manner would be consistent with the actions of an angry, impulsive man; especially when you consider there was no other reason for the urgency of the firing.

The White House’s response to the firing was also inappropriate.  Their story has changed repeatedly as more and more facts have come out.

Trump’s main defense has been to attack the Democrats as hypocrites for wanting Comey fired last year but protesting it today.  But what is important to realize is that NONE OF THE DEMOCRATS ARE DEFENDING COMEY.  None of them have said he should not be fired. Instead, it is the TIMING OF THE FIRING that has raised concerns.   Firing Comey WAS THE PROPER ACTION.  But, as we all know, it is possible, and common, for people to do the right things for the wrong reasons.  The Democrats are not upset that Comey is gone; they are upset at the circumstances and motivations leading up to his termination.  There are even Republicans who share these same concerns.

Calls have been made for the appointment of a Special Prosecutor to head up an independent investigation.   THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN NOW.  This will take politics out of the equation and allow the American People to learn the truth.  And it’s entirely possible that the truth will reveal no collusion between the Russians and the Trump campaign.  Appointing a Special Prosecutor is not unpresented nor uncommon.  Since 1978, there have been around TWENTY special prosecutors appointed during the administrations of Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.  These special prosecutors are important to our democracy, as they ensure transparency and prevent partisan politics from interfering with the search for the truth.  If a special prosecutor was used to determine if Bill Clinton had received oral sex from an intern, how could anybody in their right mind not realize that the current situation clearly calls for such a prosecutor?

But the White House has taken the position that a Special Prosecutor is not needed, giving the excuse that such a prosecutor would impede the current investigations taking place.  That excuse is even more ludicrous when you consider it was given by the same people who just fired the person leading the current investigation for something that happened six months ago.  Comey’s termination is much more of an impediment to the investigation than an independent special prosecutor could ever be.

This fails the smell test, pure and simple.   We need a special prosecutor assigned IMMEDIATELY before the stink spreads outside Washington and clouds our entire Democracy.