In order to ensure that this thread continues to meet TL standards and follows the proper guidelines, we will be enforcing the rules in the OP more strictly. Be sure to give them a re-read to refresh your memory! The vast majority of you are contributing in a healthy way, keep it up!
NOTE: When providing a source, explain why you feel it is relevant and what purpose it adds to the discussion if it's not obvious. Also take note that unsubstantiated tweets/posts meant only to rekindle old arguments can result in a mod action.
The President began by asking me whether I wanted to stay on as FBI Director, which I found strange because he had already told me twice in earlier conversations that he hoped I would stay, and I had assured him that I intended to. He said that lots of people wanted my job and, given the abuse I had taken during the previous year, he would understand if I wanted to walk away. My instincts told me that the one-on-one setting, and the pretense that this was our first discussion about my position, meant the dinner was, at least in part, an effort to have me ask for my job and create some sort of patronage relationship. That concerned me greatly, given the FBI’s traditionally independent status in the executive branch. I replied that I loved my work and intended to stay and serve out my tenyear term as Director. And then, because the set-up made me uneasy, I added that I was not “reliable” in the way politicians use that word, but he could always count on me to tell him the truth. I added that I was not on anybody’s side politically and could not be counted on in the traditional political sense, a stance I said was in his best interest as the President. A few moments later, the President said, “I need loyalty, I expect loyalty.” I didn’t move, speak, or change my facial expression in any way during the awkward silence that followed. We simply looked at each other in silence. The conversation then moved on, but he returned to the subject near the end of our dinner. At one point, I explained why it was so important that the FBI and the Department of Justice be independent of the White House. I said it was a paradox: Throughout history, some Presidents have decided that because “problems” come from Justice, they should try to hold the Department close. But blurring those boundaries ultimately makes the problems worse by undermining public trust in the institutions and their work. Near the end of our dinner, the President returned to the subject of my job, saying he was very glad I wanted to stay, adding that he had heard great things 4 about me from Jim Mattis, Jeff Sessions, and many others. He then said, “I need loyalty.” I replied, “You will always get honesty from me.” He paused and then said, “That’s what I want, honest loyalty.”
Shit son. That's pretty big. Not necessarily new information but still.
The President began by asking me whether I wanted to stay on as FBI Director, which I found strange because he had already told me twice in earlier conversations that he hoped I would stay, and I had assured him that I intended to. He said that lots of people wanted my job and, given the abuse I had taken during the previous year, he would understand if I wanted to walk away. My instincts told me that the one-on-one setting, and the pretense that this was our first discussion about my position, meant the dinner was, at least in part, an effort to have me ask for my job and create some sort of patronage relationship. That concerned me greatly, given the FBI’s traditionally independent status in the executive branch. I replied that I loved my work and intended to stay and serve out my tenyear term as Director. And then, because the set-up made me uneasy, I added that I was not “reliable” in the way politicians use that word, but he could always count on me to tell him the truth. I added that I was not on anybody’s side politically and could not be counted on in the traditional political sense, a stance I said was in his best interest as the President. A few moments later, the President said, “I need loyalty, I expect loyalty.” I didn’t move, speak, or change my facial expression in any way during the awkward silence that followed. We simply looked at each other in silence. The conversation then moved on, but he returned to the subject near the end of our dinner. At one point, I explained why it was so important that the FBI and the Department of Justice be independent of the White House. I said it was a paradox: Throughout history, some Presidents have decided that because “problems” come from Justice, they should try to hold the Department close. But blurring those boundaries ultimately makes the problems worse by undermining public trust in the institutions and their work. Near the end of our dinner, the President returned to the subject of my job, saying he was very glad I wanted to stay, adding that he had heard great things 4 about me from Jim Mattis, Jeff Sessions, and many others. He then said, “I need loyalty.” I replied, “You will always get honesty from me.” He paused and then said, “That’s what I want, honest loyalty.”
Shit son. That's pretty big. Not necessarily new information but still.
Lol this guy is such a crook it's indefensible, hope he gets whats coming to him.
On the morning of March 30, the President called me at the FBI. He described the Russia investigation as “a cloud” that was impairing his ability to act on behalf of the country. He said he had nothing to do with Russia, had not been involved with hookers in Russia, and had always assumed he was being recorded when in Russia
This part is really interesting, I feel like by March 30th the dossier and its claims had mostly become a meme status used for the occasional joke and most people had dropped interest in that part of the story. It's weird for him to be so concerned about that part over the other collusion accusations.
On the morning of March 30, the President called me at the FBI. He described the Russia investigation as “a cloud” that was impairing his ability to act on behalf of the country. He said he had nothing to do with Russia, had not been involved with hookers in Russia, and had always assumed he was being recorded when in Russia
This part is really interesting, I feel like by March 30th the dossier and its claims had mostly become a meme status used for the occasional joke and most people had dropped interest in that part of the story. It's weird for him to be so concerned about that part over the other collusion accusations.
On the morning of March 30, the President called me at the FBI. He described the Russia investigation as “a cloud” that was impairing his ability to act on behalf of the country. He said he had nothing to do with Russia, had not been involved with hookers in Russia, and had always assumed he was being recorded when in Russia
This part is really interesting, I feel like by March 30th the dossier and its claims had mostly become a meme status used for the occasional joke and most people had dropped interest in that part of the story. It's weird for him to be so concerned about that part over the other collusion accusations.
Donald Trump is pretty much Twitch chat, so it's not surprising he pays attention to the hookers and golden showers rather than the attempts to document campaign/Russia meetings and conversations about potential quid pro quos.
[Trump] then said, “I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go. He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go.”
Later:
A few moments later, the President said, “I need loyalty, I expect loyalty.”
Later:
On the morning of April 11, the President called me and asked what I had done about his request that I “get out” that he is not personally under investigation. I replied that I had passed his request to the Acting Deputy Attorney General, but I had not heard back. He replied that “the cloud” was getting in the way of his ability to do his job. He said that perhaps he would have his people reach out to the Acting Deputy Attorney General. I said that was the way his request should be handled. I said the White House Counsel should contact the leadership of DOJ to make the request, which was the traditional channel. He said he would do that and added, “Because I have been very loyal to you, very loyal; we had that thing you know.” I did not reply or ask him what he meant by “that thing.” I said only that the way to handle it was to have the White House Counsel call the Acting Deputy Attorney General. He said that was what he would do and the call ended. That was the last time I spoke with President Trump.
May 3rd -- Comey speaks to Senate Committee Again
May 9th -- Comey Fired
Following 3 weeks included:
Differing stories of why he was fired and inconsistent official messaging
And telling the Russians in the white house that he hopes that the investigation into Russia was over
Comey's narrative isn't as bad as I thought it might be. Really what it looks like is that Trump canned Comey for Comey's refusal to publicly state that Trump personally wasn't under investigation. There's nothing in the narrative showing interference with the Flynn investigation.
The "I need loyalty" is probably the worst part of the report by Comey. But I honestly don't see anything there that looks criminal. More like a guy feeling pressure looking for a way out.
On June 08 2017 03:26 On_Slaught wrote: Why would he feel pressure if there is nothing there to find?
Because it's Trump, that's what makes this particular investigation so difficult. His mind is an enigma, he could feel pressure simply because of negative coverage, or he's insecure about his election victory, or he's got something to hide. That's why I am not too confident in the collusion angle, it's the obstruction of justice that will can him if anything. Combine that comey statement plus if other intelligence leaders were contacted as described by WaPo, uhhh..
The conversation about Flynn seems like an obvious attempt to interfere, but not a successful attempt. Especially when you combine it with Trump's apparent attempt to get Coats and Rogers to lean on Comey. But Trump saying "we had that (loyalty) thing you know" in his final conversation with Comey gets Trump dangerously close to this being a major issue.
He told him to stop investigating Flynn, then he asked for loyalty, then he asked comey to make the russia cloud go away, then he fired him when he wouldn't.
At best he is simply incompetent with regard to the function of the FBI and believes that Comey was the key to exonerating him from the entire Russia thing.
I mean based on this account it sounds like Trump believes that Comey was the one who could end everything to do with Russia by publically stating that Trump was not under investigation.
The reality is, as comey describes, that this kind of comment must come from DoJ and that requests should not go through Comey.
Furthermore, Comey could only speak to the fact that trump was not personally under investigation as a part of counter intelligence investigations underway.
In the end, Comey didn't want to say anything public because it could change over time. And he has been burned by trying to be open about changing circumstances in investigations before (Clinton).
Further, the fact the man recorded memos of all his conversations with Trump, and these conversations don't paint Trump in a good light, shows he thought little of the man and didn't want to give him more ammunition to try and defend himself IF the circumstances did change.
EPT
