Comey Testimony

Htown77

Htown77

5,000+ Posts
I am and have always been firmly in the ant-trump camp, but I do not see any "bombshells", as cnn is describing the testimony on its home page, in the comey testimony. The whole Trump-Russia thing continues to seem like a nonsense witch hunt to me. Of all the things to be mad at Trump over, I am just not seeing anything I care about in the comey, russia, etc stuff or that is impeachable. The director of the FBI works for the president. Personally, I would not want to live in a country that had an independent, unsupervised police force.

Personally, I do not think worsening relations with Russia, which unnecessarily increases the chances of a currently unlikely nuclear war, is worth it over nothing political points. Unless voting machines were interfered with, I do not believe Russia "hacked" the election. Russia put nonsense on the internet. So does everyone else in the world. Everyone on hornfans, including myself, is probably guilty of posting something that is nonsense at one point or the other. I have been on facebook long enough to see that both liberals and conservatives post their own, American made, fake news all the time.

I know that rant covered multiple topics, but I am asking the forum, what am I missing here? Do I think Trump is shady? Yes and that is one of the reasons I did not vote for him. However, I see no constitutional violations or anything impeachable. What am I missing here? How is this all not a huge waste of time/witch hunt? Is this some sort of Clinton-Lewinsky affair payback? Have our two political parties given up on doing anything worthwhile anymore in Washington?
 
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From CNN:

"I need loyalty, I expect loyalty" during their first dinner in January. Comey said in the statement "I didn't move, speak or change my facial expression in any way during the awkward silence that followed." Comey said he told Trump "you will always get honesty from me." He said the President responded, "that's what I want. Honest loyalty."

What is the news here? I see no constitutional violations being alleged. I expect every president in history has asked for loyalty from his agency heads. To me this is like "he wanted loyalty from the people working for him? Well, no s***."

I mean, if Trump said "I need your loyalty as I plan to overthrow the constitution and surrender to Russia" that would be different. I am just not seeing anything here.
 
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This is the most overhyped event since the opening of Al Capone's vault.

Comey can't contradict his previous testimony too much or he loses all credibility (if he still has any). He's answered these questions under oath already.

The Left is dying for the magic bullet that will end the Trump Presidency, but they're not going to get it. Still if it whoops the fan base into a frenzy and boosts ratings, they're going to ride it for all it's worth. Check the countdown timers!!!!
 
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It's all politics, thus nothing criminal or illegal. Only stupid people conflate the two. The left is betting on stupid people.
 
One Day Trump could possibly do something that would actually be corrupt and everyone will just call it "FAKE NEWS" again. The MSM will get Trump elected.
 
To me a "witch hunt" assumes guilt and that's not how I see the investigation. The investigation is to find out if there was collusion and the extent of Russian hackers attempting to influence the outcome of US elections. If nothing turns up, we can breathe a sigh of relief. I guess if you are Trump, you wish you could thwart any investigation and sigh earlier.
 
I agree on the noted lack of a "bombshell". All of this information had been reported on by the media. The loyalty pledge, the request to limit the Flynn investigation and the repeated attempts to influence the FBI investigation were simply confirmed.

On the Russia investigation, I've never thought Trump himself colluded with them but rather leverage their interference as wind in his own sails. Could people within his campaign have colluded? Potentially. Its doubtful any collusion will result in prosecutions though as in most cases it appears the Trump campaign were useful stooges for the Russians (i.e. Mike Flynn). Don't forget, the FBI saw enough evidence of interactions between the Russians and the Trump campaign to open a counter-intelligence investigation months before the election. Even if the outcome doesn't include prosecutions, it's essential to understand the lengths the Russians went to influence the election and put future campaigns on notice to beware foreign interactions with hostile partners.

I do think their interference in the election is a big deal. We now know that they also successfully hacked a company that produces voting machines based on the leaked NSA report. That's 1 step from truly "hacking the election". We can't simply look the other way, pat Putin on the should and exclaim "good attempt Putty".

With that said, the FBI Directors term is 10 years for the explicit purpose of limiting political influence like that which Trump was obviously attempting to exert. The bigger problem as I see it is the consistent attempt to derail the investigation. Firing Comey was a political action, not due to his job performance. Trump stated as much. Nixon wasn't brought down in Watergate because of the initial crime but rather his documented attempts to obstruct justice. Trump is exhibiting that behavior, even if there is no apparent collusion.
 
This is more than Nixon left office over. That said, Nixon also had a weaker position with Congress. Nothing will happen to Trump until he thinks that 2/3 of the Senate is against him. The only thing that might change that is if the continued and obvious Kremlinizing of the US government starts to look like it's going to impact the mid terms in '18. If they didn't have dirt on him then it would help his case if he'd quit acting like they do.
 
I don't see anything wrong either. It's the President's (who was Constitutionally elected) job to enforce the Law and proctect the Constitution and the FBI Director serves at the pleasure of the President.

Like the President and every member of the military, the FBI Director also pledged to support and defend the Constitution and enforce our laws. But like our military officers, the President cannot have rogue government leaders off on politically motivated side missions. It doesn't work that way.

Asking for honest loyalty, as Comey said Trump put it, is actually the perfect way to describe the FBI Director's relationship to the President.

Loyalty is also a cornerstone virtue of character that seems to be forgotten by millienials. Successful business people, close families, and military veterans understand the importance of loyalty.
 
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The FBI has traditionally been seen as non-partisan and above the political fray. I'm not thinking that's exactly to Trump's liking.
 
Obama and Comey had one conversation in three years. He had 9 in 3 months with Trump. One of them was under investigation during that period of time..... hmmmmm....
 
Crockett said:
The FBI has traditionally been seen as non-partisan and above the political fray. I'm not thinking that's exactly to Trump's liking.
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So is the military. Military members are expected to follow the orders of the President (proxy the American People) whether they voted for him or not.
 
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I just read the entire prepared statement from the Senate Intelligence Committee website.

I certainly don't subscribe to Trump's managment style (though the man has been successful with it). And while I also would counsel Trump to handle things (e.g. communication with the FBI) more professionally and at arm's length, there is nothing unlawful - much less impeachable, in Comey's statement. Nothing.

And if Trump's handful of discussions with Comey amount to impeachment...but decades of Obama and Clinton shenanigans don't, I can't help you.
 
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Seattle Husker said:
I agree on the noted lack of a "bombshell". All of this information had been reported on by the media. The loyalty pledge, the request to limit the Flynn investigation and the repeated attempts to influence the FBI investigation were simply confirmed.

On the Russia investigation, I've never thought Trump himself colluded with them but rather leverage their interference as wind in his own sails. Could people within his campaign have colluded? Potentially. Its doubtful any collusion will result in prosecutions though as in most cases it appears the Trump campaign were useful stooges for the Russians (i.e. Mike Flynn). Don't forget, the FBI saw enough evidence of interactions between the Russians and the Trump campaign to open a counter-intelligence investigation months before the election. Even if the outcome doesn't include prosecutions, it's essential to understand the lengths the Russians went to influence the election and put future campaigns on notice to beware foreign interactions with hostile partners.

I do think their interference in the election is a big deal. We now know that they also successfully hacked a company that produces voting machines based on the leaked NSA report. That's 1 step from truly "hacking the election". We can't simply look the other way, pat Putin on the should and exclaim "good attempt Putty".

With that said, the FBI Directors term is 10 years for the explicit purpose of limiting political influence like that which Trump was obviously attempting to exert. The bigger problem as I see it is the consistent attempt to derail the investigation. Firing Comey was a political action, not due to his job performance. Trump stated as much. Nixon wasn't brought down in Watergate because of the initial crime but rather his documented attempts to obstruct justice. Trump is exhibiting that behavior, even if there is no apparent collusion.
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Trump fired Comey because Comey wouldn't clear the air regarding Trump not being investigated. How could he obstruct an investigation that wasn't?
 
OUBubba said:
Obama and Comey had one conversation in three years. He had 9 in 3 months with Trump. One of them was under investigation during that period of time..... hmmmmm....
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Wrong. Multiple phone calls.
 
OUBubba said:
Obama and Comey had one conversation in three years.
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I don't believe that is true, but it is possible because Obama never actually worked as President. The times he did he was busy damaging our great Country.

Seattle Husker said:
That's what Trump is counting on.
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Let me rephrase that, "the MSM is putting the icing on the cake for re-election." Trumps record speaks for itself and he will get re-elected. We are already in much better shape since he has taken over than we ever were under Barrack "couldn't get the GDP over 3% in 8 years" Obama. Just changing the executive orders back to normal from the stupidity of the Obama's regulations puts him far and beyond that crappy President. Obama is by far the worst President we've ever had. No one in hos right mind but a liberal hack would attempt to challenge that. Why we thought an Community Organizer could run a great nation like our is unbelievable.

Keep sticking the Russia, Russia, Russia, because you sure have no argument about most of Trump's policies.
 
OUBubba said:
Obama and Comey had one conversation in three years. He had 9 in 3 months with Trump. One of them was under investigation during that period of time..... hmmmmm....
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Obama and Trump couldn't be more different in work experience and management style. The way the FBI was running under Obama, Kostanza opposite strategy is probably the way to go.
 
I35 said:
I don't believe that is true, but it is possible because Obama never actually worked as President. The times he did he was busy damaging our great Country.



Let me rephrase that, "the MSM is putting the icing on the cake for re-election." Trumps record speaks for itself and he will get re-elected. We are already in much better shape since he has taken over than we ever were under Barrack "couldn't get the GDP over 3% in 8 years" Obama. Just changing the executive orders back to normal from the stupidity of the Obama's regulations puts him far and beyond that crappy President. Obama is by far the worst President we've ever had. No one in hos right mind but a liberal hack would attempt to challenge that. Why we thought an Community Organizer could run a great nation like our is unbelievable.

Keep sticking the Russia, Russia, Russia, because you sure have no argument about most of Trump's policies.
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I see your pathos argument and raise you this logos argument. According to the Quinnipiac poll released tonight his approval rating has dropped to 34%. His disapproval rating has climbed to 57%. There is plenty of time between now an mid-terms and his reelection but at this point in his presidency he's dealing with historically poor numbers. If he's unable to staunch the bleeding he's setup to be drubbed depending on who his opponent is.
 
OUBubba said:
Obama and Comey had one conversation in three years. He had 9 in 3 months with Trump. One of them was under investigation during that period of time..... hmmmmm....
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Yeah Obama's meticulous attention to security and law enforcement issues not related to social justice was legendary.
 
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-independent-mr-comey-1496878266

The most troubling part of Mr. Comey’s statement is his belief in what he calls “the FBI’s traditionally independent status in the executive branch,” which he invokes more than once. Independent? This is a false and dangerous view of law enforcement in the American system.

Mr. Comey is describing an FBI director who essentially answers to no one. But the police powers of the government are awesome and often abused, and the only way to prevent or correct abuses is to report to elected officials who are accountable to voters. A director must resist intervention to obstruct an investigation, but he and the agency must be politically accountable or risk becoming the FBI of J. Edgar Hoover.

Mr. Comey says Mr. Trump strongly suggested in February that he close the Michael Flynn file, but after conferring with his “FBI senior leadership” he decided not to relay the conversation to Attorney General Jeff Sessions or any other Justice Department superior. If he thought he was being unduly pressured he had a legal obligation to report, and in our view to resign, but he says he didn’t because “we expected” that Mr. Sessions would recuse himself from Russia involvement.

Well, how did he know? Mr. Sessions didn’t recuse himself until two weeks later. Mr. Comey also didn’t tell the acting Deputy AG, who at the time was a U.S. attorney whom Mr. Comey dismisses as someone “who would also not be long in the role.”

This remarkable presumptuousness is the Comey mindset that was on display last year. He broke Justice Department protocol to absolve Hillary Clinton’s mishandling of classified material, without the involvement of Justice prosecutors or even telling then Attorney General Loretta Lynch. Mr. Comey’s disregard for the chain of legal command is why Mr. Trump was right to fire him, whatever his reasons.
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ProdigalHorn said:
Yeah Obama's meticulous attention to security and law enforcement issues not related to social justice was legendary.
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Comey stated in one of his interviews that Obama stated they wouldn't be conversing after he was sworn in. Per Comey, Obama inferred there should be a healthy distance between the White House and the FBI leadership. That was a wise approach. Imagine the howling from the right if Obama was meeting with Comey during the HRC investigation saying "she's a good gal, you should let it go". In that hypothetical, I'm sure he'd be lauded for having a good management style.
 
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Seattle Husker said:
I see your pathos argument and raise you this logos argument.
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Time to get some new material Compadre. It wasn't even funny the first time.

Seattle Husker said:
According to the Quinnipiac poll released tonight his approval rating has dropped to 34%. His disapproval rating has climbed to 57%.
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Uh Oh! SH didn't learn a damn thing about polling from the last several elections. It's hilarious that you still try using polling as a fact of what the American People really think. Polling and MSM lost all credibility and no one even pays attention to them anymore. But keep watching CNN fake news for BOMBSHELL breaking news about President Trump. Maybe Donald is up to three scoops of ice cream now.
 
mchammer said:
Wrong. Multiple phone calls.
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You forgot "fake news!" Comey' memo says they had two in person conversations. 1 about some law enforcement stuff and again when obama was wishing him well on his way out. I'd not count the last one. In three years. Given trumps pace he would have spoke to comey 100ish times in the same period. They key is that his administration was under investigation and he was pestering the FBI about it.
 
People appear confused regarding political vs legal obstruction. For the latter to occur, Trump asking Comey to stop the Flynn investigation would have to benefit Trump personally in some way. Otherwise, Trump has the absolute power to tell Comey how to do his job and what cases to investigate or not (i.e., discretion). For the former to occur, well it's politics - need I say more?
 
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