Is this timing of FBI actions significant?

[GliderGuider]

BBC reported in January that an 6-member interagency group (presumably including FBI counterintelligence) was created in April 2016 when the CIA director received “a tape recording of a conversation about money from the Kremlin going into the US presidential campaign.” This recording was forwarded by "a Baltic State".

On or about October 15, 2016: FBI is granted a FISA warrant to investigate the communications of two Russian banks, probably knowing that the Trump campaign was involved.

October 28, 2016: Comey releases the "Hillary emails" letter.

In light of the accepted DU narrative about Comey, this timing doesn't make any sense to me. His agency had been targeting Trump since April or before, culminating in the granting of a FISA warrant (the counterespionage equivalent of firing a nuclear weapon) on Oct. 15. Then less than two weeks later he tries to torpedo Hillary's campaign.

There are a two possible explanations that come to mind:

Door #1: Comey's true target was Hillary. That requires the assumption that his participation in the Trump investigation was coerced by circumstances - since the CIA was leading the investigation, he couldn't say no even if he wanted to. The Hillary letter revealed his "true intentions".

Door #2: Comey's true target was/is Trump. That requires the assumption that his release of the Hillary letter was coerced, possibly by corrupt elements within the FBY NYC field Office. His participation in the Trump investigation revealed his "true intentions".

The other two Boolean possibilities in this set - either that his true target was both of them; or that he wasn't targeting either of them - are ruled out by the evidence.

So which is it - 1 or 2? Was Comey coerced by circumstances to participate in the Trump investigation when he was really after Clinton? Or was he coerced by others to participate in the Hillary takedown when he was really after Trump??

My choice is door #2. I base this on the fact that the Trump investigation is proceeding full steam ahead with Comey's full participation (evidence is the classified briefings Comey has given the House and Senate Intel Committees and various leaked comments) and Comey's previous behavior in Gonzales vs. Ashcroft. The timing of the warrant and the letter implies to me that those pressuring Comey may not have even known about the FISA warrant.

Are there any other realistic possibilities that we can think of?

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. What happened that he was COERCED to release the bullshit letter on Hillary?

[hurple]

2. I believe

It was recently revealed that a "rogue cell" of FBI agents in the New York office, all known associates of nutbag Rudy, were planning to actually detain Hillary, but Comey found out and released his statement to "cut them off."

In that scenario, yes, the Comey letter hurt Hillary, and ultimately cost her the election as we have seen... But, at least it still gave her a chance. Can you imagine how the public would have turned against her had a "perp walk" been broadcast 24-7 that last week of the news cycle pre-election?

So, that feeds into your #2 scenario.

[GliderGuider]

4. I hadn't heard that. It fits, though. Thanks. nt

[GliderGuider]

6. Here's an article that supports that possibility:

http://www.alternet.org/did-rogue-fbi-agents-attempt-presidential-election-coup-reopening-clinton-email-investigation

[politicaljunkie41910]

11. If I were Comey, a well seasoned FBI Director and had to make a choice between someone who was

selling out their country to a foreign adversary with the potential to destroy our standing in the world, for profit; versus someone who was a little careless with the paperwork to save time or for convenience, it would not even be close.

[AwakeAtLast]

14. And Rudy Giuliani has basically disappeared

[Lars39]

3. What if it went as deep as McConnell and Ryan early on?

And Trump was arranged a bit later?
That scenario keeps coming to mind

[JTFrog]

5. Oh boy, another fucking Comey is just an upstanding man doing his fucking job post.

Are you ever going to give this shit up?

You seem overly invested in clearing Comey of any wrong doing here. I find that horribly offensive.

[GliderGuider]

8. I'm interested in finding out the truth.

I bought the whole "Comey is a schmuck" idea up until a month or so ago. The evidence no longer seems to support it. Since DU is a stronghold of anti-Comey sentiment, what better place to come for evidence and ideas to test the theory that he's perhaps not a schmuck?

I apologize for you feeling offended by my thoughts.

[Eyeball_Kid]

7. IMO, Comey's biggest "mistake" was to agree with Chaffetz in Congressional testimony

that he will report back to the Committee if there is anything of evidentiary significance that the FBI discovers regarding the HRC email flap. Once that happened, Comey could at least feign that he was duty-bound to reveal an insignificant tangential event that was not even assessed as germane to the case as he was releasing it to the public. At best, Comey perceived that he was in a serious ethical conflict that could only be addressed by responding to his earlier agreement with Chaffetz.

These possibilities still leave wiggle room for Comey to come out of this mess with a snowflake of dignity. He may be trying to thread the needle right now.

[shraby]

9. chaffetz is part of the problem. Figured that out when he refused to investigate anything

except Hillary.

[MedusaX]

10. 2 + unanticipated outcomes

Target definitely Trump & all of his shady associates ...
not for politically based motivations ....
but lifelong criminal ties & international business dealings /money laundering activities

Wiener/ emails were function of NY FBI trying to bait Comey... to see where his loyalties were... & to create a way to discredit Comey if necessary

Comey realized it was a trap..
If he did not acknowledge emails... NY FBI would leak it to discredit Comey
Comey knew this & decided to send the Hillary letter
but probably did not realize the huge impact that it would have on election outcome...

Hindsight...
on the surface the only thing that saved his job initially (once trump won) was the fact he sent out letter....

But what if Trump is the Informant....?????
What if he is playing both ends against the middle?

*Trying to swindle Putin out of the 19.5% Rosneft
* making chingos dinero off of presidency & sweet contract deals for buddies
* trying to get Immunity package for him&kids&all 3 wives by providing Intel to multi-agency group.....

That would make sense as to why so much Intelligence data....
but sudden public statements by dems that "public will not be satisfied by outcome"......

[cornball 24]

12. I tend to agree with your supposition. I mentioned that scenario to my husband and

he also thinks this is quite possible. Could Comey's actions regarding Hillary spare her entanglement in this nefarious web and also, with tRump as POTUS, make it easier to go after him for all the obvious reasons. We shall see!!

[Mme. Defarge]

13. I tend to agree with explanation number 2

for the reasons you have stated. I remember saying to someone back in late October that there must be a lot more going on with Comey's strange actions than we know.

[tblue37]

15. Maybe his continued investigation of Trump is also being coerced. nt