Sunday, June 11, 2017

Why wouldn't Comey state that Trump was not under investigation?

So if you toss aside all of the unsubstantiated nonsense on all sides, discount the stated reasons stated for the firing of James Comey, discount the conspiracy theories suggested for the firing of James Comey, split the difference... it boils down to one thing everyone seems to agree with.

One of the main reasons (if the the main reason) for the firing was the fact that James Comey refused to state publicly that Donald Trump was not under investigation.

I have read arguments from both sides on this one, taken into consideration the stated reason Comey gave for his decision, and tried to judge this as objectively as I can.. and it seems to always come back to one simple thing.

James Comey was weighing his ability to be seen as independent and neutral against the Presidents ability to be seen as not under investigation. Ultimately James Comey put his own personal interests ahead of the interests of the President.

The question becomes... was this the "right" thing to do?  The answer depends on how you really view the entire concept of the executive branch and the constitutional chain of command.

In the private sector, no department head or vice president would ever be allowed to put their own personal interests or own personal reputations ahead of the interests and reputations of those they report to. This would be especially true if that decision ultimately made it more difficult for their bosses to do their job, which by proxy harmed the overall companies ability to be successful.

This would be Donald Trumps life long understanding of how things should work. He is the leader of the not only his administration, but every department that works for him. He would expect (as a business leader) that everyone that works for him would put the interests of the overall company ahead of any personal interest. I promise you nobody would ever question a CEO for firing a VP or D.H. for putting personal reputation ahead of company reputation.

That being said, James Comey quite obviously (right or wrong) holds a view point that he runs what "should be" an independent organization.  He obviously only saw Donald Trump as a pseudo-boss rather than someone that he ultimately had to take direction from. He saw Trump's request to be a suggestion, and one he obviously felt he had the right to overrule with his own judgement.

It was pointed out by another blogger that James Comey probably didn't want to make such a declaration because of how the whole Hillary Clinton fiasco played out. Having been directed by the AG how to talk about the investigation, eventually stepping up and clearing her, then having to reverse course and say she was back under investigation, and then having to clear her once again, took a massive toll on his reputation. Whether he didn't want to be bullied again into talking about the investigation, or whether (as he suggested) he didn't want to make the declaration that Trump was not under investigation because he may have to publicly state differently if things changed... it was clear that the decision was largely impacted by what had just happened with the Clinton Email probe.

So who is right and who is wrong? I guess that is a question that people will answer (likely based on partisan interests). But I guess at the end of the day, perhaps Comey's mistake was even telling anyone that there was a Russian/Trump probe under way. Once he did, he opened the can of worms, and left himself open to criticism for leaving unanswered questions sitting out there that ultimately did harm the President's reputation and ability to do his job.

My two cents on this: if you want to tell the truth... then tell the whole truth. If you can't tell the whole truth, then maybe you say nothing at all.

 

31 comments:

KD, Sorry CHT, I had to point that out said...

I remember when Mr Roger told us his side of this blog would out draw and take over this blog.

Well, that is again wrong.

Not even Mr. Opie reads it, for IF he did, he would not have said the following:

"
Gee, surprise surprise......KD like trump made that up. Why do weak minded farmers lie?????" our Friend Opie


I only posted what Mr Roger had on the Hospice Blog......
Well, Mr Opie, if you have an issue with this:

"TrumpCare Will Leave 23,000,000 Americans Left To Die - Roger Amick"

Then you should take it up with the Author, Roger Amick
Posted by Roger Amick at 6:49 AM

June 10, 2017 at 4:03 PM


Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

A pretty good deal I'm pretty balanced none of those some goofy things on both sides Trump is one that makes himself look like an idiot but that's in problem as far as they they Kansas City I'm not exactly what you call available to be there already full time I'm getting better everyday I will get out of this I'll be fine and no matter how much you hate it I'll be in very good shape I'm going to live through this thing because everything is working out doctors are happy and so am I good job Scotty Buy

KD, Back on topic said...

Back on topic,,,, well it goes like this at the hearings and Cowardly Lion Comey had no answer.


"“This investigation is full of leaks left and right,” Rubio told Comey. “We’ve learned more from the newspapers sometimes than we do from our open hearings for sure.”

“Ever wonder why of all the things in this investigation, the only thing that’s never been leaked is the fact that the president was not personally under investigation......"


Notice since the removal of Cowardly Lion Comey , how the flood of leaks have all but stopped.


out of touch with Reality Winter has a YUGE backer, some has been fat Rosy O'Donald is funding mizzz Winters defense fund. Funding it against her own Government. I love the new #Resistancebowelmovement

opie said...

I only posted what Mr Roger had on the Hospice Blog......
Well, Mr Opie, if you have an issue with this:

I have an issue with an idiot farmer who lies like Trump. No link or where that quote came from, only you saying so. Your word is worth horse crap as is your politics. Small minds say stupid things. You are a pro at stupid. No wonder why you like trump, small minds are easily taken by the BS!!!! The idiocy from kansas continues.

opie said...

Oh I forgot....still looking for that link that police never join unions. LOLOLOL

Oh I forgot....its incumbent on you to provide where the roger quote came from. You are sooooo good at C&P's even lazy farmers like you can do it. Idiot

opie said...

It was pointed out by another blogger that James Comey probably d""

Wow....I guess if I said other bloggers said GW was driven by man, that would convince you that it is real. Great sourcing CH, pure desperation IMHO. LOL

Commonsense said...

Comey leaked like a pro so this wasn't the first nor likely the last time he will.

It may not be discovered until years from now but I will bet he's the source of many of those Russian leaks.

Commonsense said...

Good question.

Byron York: Is Robert Mueller conflicted in Trump probe?

They [Comey and Mueller] have a mutual admiration society. Mueller should hire another prosecutor to deal with Comey. But Comey is central to their case, so it infects the whole prosecution. Could [a close colleague] investigate me? No, he would recuse. But Mueller's stature is great, and he may be able to overcome it.

I think it raises a serious conflict of interest that would normally require the prosecutor to recuse himself from the case.

It's somewhat ironic, no? I mean, the whole purpose of the special counsel is to have a prosecutor from outside the government and outside of the normal chain of command because inherent conflicts render the Justice Department incapable of handling it. So, now the special counsel is a close friend (mentor/mentee relationship) with the star witness, who by his own admission leaked the memos at least in part to engineer the appointment of a special counsel. Only in Washington. You can't make this stuff up.

opie said...

It may not be discovered until years from now but I will bet he's the source of many of those Russian leaks.

Since you don't bet...what are you putting up??? Your good word????? LOLOLOL!!!!!

opie said...

Counter point to Byron York's opinion...

Trump and the True Meaning of ‘Idiot’

In a recent Quinnipiac University poll, respondents were asked what word immediately came to mind when they thought of Donald Trump: The No. 1 response was “idiot.” This was followed by “incompetent,” “liar,” “leader,” “unqualified,” and finally, in sixth place, “president.” Superlatives like “great” and a few unprintable descriptives came further down on the list. But let us focus on the first.

Contemporary uses of the word “idiot” usually highlight a subject’s lack of intelligence, ignorance, foolishness or buffoonery. The word’s etymological roots, however, going back to ancient Greece, suggest that, in the case of the president, it may be even more apropos than it might first seem.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/12/opinion/trump-and-the-true-meaning-of-idiot.html?_r=0

opie said...

Commonsense said...
Good question.

For simpletons.

Commonsense said...

Since you don't bet...what are you putting up???

With you? That means I would have to know your names and address and I would rather not.

Anonymous said...

So, now the special counsel is a close friend (mentor/mentee relationship) with the star witness, who by his own admission leaked the memos at least in part to engineer the appointment of a special counsel.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

i called this on the day mueller was named. he needs to step down. he's too close to comey to have any hope of objectivity, either real or perceived.

opie said...

IOW's another emotionally bankrupt excuse proffered by Menstral. Idiot just as predicted, no balls. LOLOLOL

Anonymous said...

Why wouldn't Comey state that Trump was not under investigation?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


i can think of about 10 million rea$on$.

you can't cash in if the narrative dies prematurely.

opie said...

i called this on the day mueller was named.

Called what....things are unfair???? LOLOL That's all you do so saying you called it is most amusing. Next act, DC and Md filling suit against donnie for foreign payments. Not hoping for much, but it is another headache for you and the donnie.

Honest, decent, truthful Rev. said...

According to Ch, an FBI Director is supposed to take a President's direction even when that direction is to break the law.

Honest, decent, truthful Rev. said...

Ch says: Ultimately James Comey put his own personal interests ahead of the interests of the President.

(And that gave the President the right, Ch seems to argue, to fire Comey, as any CEO would fire an employee for insubordination.
Run that past some Constitutional lawyers, Ch, if you know any.)

No, in Comey put the interests of the American people ahead of the interests of the President. The FBI director is also supposed to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the principle of the separation of powers.

james said...

*No, Comey put the interests of the American people ahead of the interests of the President.

C.H. Truth said...

No, in Comey put the interests of the American people ahead of the interests of the President.

How so?

How does it help the interests of the American people if he director of the FBI allows the public to believe that the President is under criminal investigation... when the President is not.

This is simple James. The President asked the FBI director to tell the truth. Nothing more, nothing less.

The FBI director refused to tell the American public that Trump was not under investigation... I am curious how you see this helps anyone? It's basically somewhere between hiding the truth and spreading a lie by innuendo.

So why does FBI director do so? Tell me what his "legitimate" reason is that helps the American public James?

Of course, this is a question that requires you to think. So we would all expect crickets.

Tick tock tick tock...

opie said...

The FBI director refused to tell the American public that Trump was not under investigation

IOW's, leak what trump wanted. You are funny CH. LOLOLOL

Anonymous said...

The FBI director refused to tell the American public that Trump was not under investigation...
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what's worse is that he DID tell DC political leadership and they chose to remain silent:


FBI Director Comey told President-elect Trump on January 6th he was not under investigation; Comey again told President Trump on January 27th he was not under investigation; and again on February 15th Director Comey told President Trump he was not under investigation.

However, more importantly, James Comey also admitted he told congressional leadership the exact same thing, repeatedly. Specifically, James Comey stated he informed: •Paul Ryan, •Nancy Pelosi, •Mitch McConnell, •Chuck Schumer, •Devin Nunes, •Adam Schiff, •Richard Burr, •Dianne Feinstein and •Mark Warner.

James Comey personally told Republican and Democrat leadership, and both the Senate and House intelligence committees, that President Trump was not under investigation. (snip)

To add to that list, James Comey said he briefed each of the intelligence committees that President Trump was never under investigation.

Do you realize how many people that is?

Mike Conaway (11th District of Texas), Peter King (2nd District of New York), Frank LoBiondo (2nd District of New Jersey), Tom Rooney (17th District of Florida), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (27th District of Florida), Michael Turner (10th District of Ohio), Brad Wenstrup (2nd District of Ohio), Chris Stewart (2nd District of Utah), Rick Crawford (1st District of Arkansas), Trey Gowdy (4th District of South Carolina), Elise Stefanik (21st District of New York), Will Hurd (23rd District of Texas), Adam Schiff, Ranking Member (28th District of California), Jim Himes (4th District of Connecticut), Terri Sewell (7th District of Alabama), Andre Carson (7th District of Indiana), Jackie Speier (14th District of California), Mike Quigley (5th District of Illinois), Eric Swalwell (15th District of California), Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas), Denny Heck (10th District of Washington), James Risch (Idaho), Marco Rubio (Florida), Susan Collins (Maine), Roy Blunt (Missouri), James Lankford (Oklahoma), Tom Cotton (Arkansas), John Cornyn (Texas), Dianne Feinstein (California), Ron Wyden (Oregon), Martin Heinrich (New Mexico), Angus King (Maine), Joe Manchin (West Virginia), Kamala Harris (California)

… All of them knew President Trump was not under investigation.

That also means that all of their key aides, staffers who assist each of the aforementioned politicians – and sit in on intelligence briefings, knew President Trump was not under investigation.

That network extends downstream to thousands of people on capitol hill, and everyone surrounding the White House, and everyone in key legislative contact, and they all knew President Trump was never under investigation.

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2017/06/a_vast_conspiracy_of_silence_kept_the_russia_collusion_story_alive.html


democrats on the list should be expected to keep it quiet. but the republicans?

james said...


democrats on the list should be expected to keep it quiet. but the republicans?
___________________

I guess they feared as Comey did that they might later have to eat their words.

C.H. Truth said...

James - still can't answer the question that demands he think.

tick tock tick tock

James said...

I "thought" I just did.

C.H. Truth said...

I asked you to explain how what Comey did was in the "interest of the United States".

If you "thought" you just did... you "thought" incorrectly.

Of course... we all know your version of thinking is to repeat other people's statements, so what else should we expect.

Loretta said...

Predictable.

Anonymous said...

Of course... we all know your version of thinking is to repeat other people's statements, so what else should we expect.
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i'm just thankful that the blog isn't being spammed with an alky-lanche of old news from cirrhosis boy.

one asswipe repeating old news is too much, let alone two.

wphamilton said...

Trump's organization under investigation, but not Trump. It's not that big a distinction. If they find wrongdoing, they're going to look at Trump and his top administrators. Trump wanted him to downplay it, just like Lynch did.

On a related note, I am 99% certain that Trump is bullshitting about having tapes. He's not even trying to intimidate Comey with it either - Comey knows better. Trump just wants people to think that he's holding some winning cards, that he's never going to show.

opie said...

It's not that big a distinction

Bingo!!! Why he thinks he is vindicated since as the titular head of his campaign, the fish stinks from the head down. What is more worrisome is that it appears he knew nothing what his people were doing in his name. His bluster now is the result of his business practice...you scratch my ass, I'll scratch yours. I am the boss do as I say, not as I do!!!!! I've dealt with that type of egoists and they are never wrong.

some winning cards, that he's never going to show.

Just like his taxes which will link him to russian money.

opie said...

one asswipe repeating old news is too much, let alone two.

Just like you rathole?????