I am observing the fruit fight between Comey and Trump.
It looks like a tie so far. Trump says Comey is a “Leaker” and a “liar.”
Demonstrably true.
Comey says Trump is “Untethered to the truth” and a Bully.”
Demonstrably true.
One wonders why Comey wrote the book, because there is apparently nothing new in it. I remember listening intently as Comey read the particulars of Hillary’s e-mail investigation, and saying to myself those particulars would have had me in Leavenworth when I was a Submarine Officer. I was stunned when Comey decided not to recommend an indictment!
I wondered at the time if he just decided not to step into the election process, and in his book he admits he may have let the election dissuade him from an indictment.
Since Hillary has not been found Not Guilty, I wonder why she is not indicted today?
I don’t want to reprint all of the Comey excuses, but this is enough to refresh you:
“Although there is evidence of potential violations of the statutes regarding the handling of classified information, our judgment is that no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case. Prosecutors necessarily weigh a number of factors before bringing charges. There are obvious considerations, like the strength of the evidence, especially regarding intent. Responsible decisions also consider the context of a person’s actions, and how similar situations have been handled in the past.
In looking back at our investigations into mishandling or removal of classified information, we cannot find a case that would support bringing criminal charges on these facts. All the cases prosecuted involved some combination of: clearly intentional and willful mishandling of classified information; or vast quantities of materials exposed in such a way as to support an inference of intentional misconduct; or indications of disloyalty to the United States; or efforts to obstruct justice. We do not see those things here.
To be clear, this is not to suggest that in similar circumstances, a person who engaged in this activity would face no consequences. To the contrary, those individuals are often subject to security or administrative sanctions. But that is not what we are deciding now.
As a result, although the Department of Justice makes final decisions on matters like this, we are expressing to Justice our view that no charges are appropriate in this case.
I know there will be intense public debate in the wake of this recommendation, as there was throughout this investigation. What I can assure the American people is that this investigation was done competently, honestly, and independently. No outside influence of any kind was brought to bear.
I know there were many opinions expressed by people who were not part of the investigation—including people in government—but none of that mattered to us. Opinions are irrelevant, and they were all uninformed by insight into our investigation, because we did the investigation the right way. Only facts matter, and the FBI found them here in an entirely apolitical and professional way. I couldn’t be prouder to be part of this organization.“
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