Comey was pushing Trump-Russia probe harder in days before firing, officials say
Days before he was fired by U.S. President Donald Trump, FBI Director James Comey requested more resources to pursue his investigation into Russia's election meddling and the possible involvement of Trump associates, U.S. officials said Wednesday, fuelling concerns that Trump was trying to undermine a probe that could threaten his presidency.
It was unclear whether word of the Comey request, put to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, ever made its way to Trump. But the revelation intensified the pressure on the White House from both political parties to explain the motives behind Comey's stunning ouster.
The ostensible reason for firing James Comey on May 9, 2017, was his handling of Hillary Clinton’s emails in July 2016 and October 2016, which President Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) had praised. One need not go any further than that to conclude Trump’s cover story makes no sense whatsoever. But don’t take my word for it. Consider what Trump himself has said.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) recalled today at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that Trump told her he was firing Comey because the department was “a mess.” That doesn’t comport with the reasons outlined in Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein’s letter. (She also added another nugget: On March 15, Comey gave a very thorough briefing behind closed doors to the committee. She said it was very detailed and showed that “the FBI was taking its job seriously.”)
In brief remarks at the Oval Office today, Trump told reporters essentially the same thing. He fired Comey, he said, because he “wasn’t doing a good job.” That’s also at odds with the Rosenstein memo. It begs the question as to what about his performance is wrong — his refusal to investigate wiretapping? His persistent Russia inquiry and, as we learned today, his request for more resources for the probe? (The Post reports, “Last week, then-FBI Director James B. Comey requested more resources from the Justice Department for his bureau’s investigation into collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government, according to two officials with knowledge of the discussion.” A Justice Department spokesperson denied the claim.)
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So if I understand all this properly.
Comey wanted more resources to investigate possible Russia - Trump links. The two people who he has to go to are Trump choices. They recommend that Comey be fired after Trump asks them to find cause to fire him.
And NONE of this is supposed to look the least bit suspicious to anyone? Has Capitol Hill become the newest set of "The Apprentice"?
freshman Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) tweeted, “Like many Americans, I have serious concerns and unanswered questions about the timing of Director Comey’s dismissal.” He went on in a series of tweets: “This goes for my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. The American people deserve the truth, not politically-driven talking points.” And then this: “We must put the sanctity of our democracy far, far above partisan interest.”
I think this guy has it right.
