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Republican indifference to the Comey firing is the latest evidence that this is a party defined not by conservatism but by its will to power.
By Jamelle Bouie
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/05/comey_s_gone_and_the_gop_doesn_t_care_is_there_anything_trump_could_do_to.html
The firing of FBI Director James Comey has all the markings of a cover-up. Theres the rationaleComeys handling of the investigation of Hillary Clintonwhich reads like a pretext in light of President Trumps prior praise for Comeys actions during the presidential election. Trump and key allies celebrated the now-former directors infamous letter to Congress on the eve of the election. Theres the evidence, reported in the wake of Comeys dismissal, that Trump had settled on the firing last week and was simply waiting on a reason, which was eventually provided by Attorney General Jeff Sessions and his deputy, Rod Rosenstein. Theres Trumps own behavior, revealed in a behind-the-scenes look at his decision from Politico: Trump had grown enraged by the FBIs investigation of contacts between Russia and his campaign, he repeatedly asked why the Russia investigation wouldnt disappear, and he was angry that Comey wouldnt support his claims that President Barack Obama had tapped his phones in Trump Tower.
Then theres the simple fact that firing Comey removes the key figure behind the Russia investigation, which as of Tuesday had already led to grand jury subpoenas for associates of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. Trump has the right, as president, to remove his FBI director, but to do so in the midst of a consequential inquiry into his own inner circlejust days after Comey requested more resources for that investigationis to violate every norm and expectation we have of White House conduct.
If anything in recent American history bears comparison to the Watergate scandal, its this. If anything demands congressional action, its this. But congressional action depends on the Republican Party, which holds majorities in both chambers of Congress. And with few exceptions, Republicans are uninterested in challenging Trumps actions. The GOP has all but abdicated its role as a check on executive power and a defender of constitutional government and seems indifferent to this latestand most seriousassault on the integrity of our democracy. Which raises an unsettling question: Is there anything Trump could do to spark rebellion from the Republican Party? Any action that breaks the thrall of partisanship?
The exceptions, so far, to GOP indifference are Sens. Richard Burr of North Carolina, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, and John McCain and Jeff Flake of Arizona, all of whom voiced their concern with Comeys removal. I am troubled by the timing and reasoning of Jim Comeys termination, said Burr, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, in a statement. Similarly, said Sasse, Regardless of how you think Director Comey handled the unprecedented complexities of the 2016 election cycle, the timing of this firing is very troubling.
snip...read more at the link above
Sculpin Beauregard
(1,046 posts)WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)Solly Mack
(90,764 posts)world wide wally
(21,742 posts)Solly Mack
(90,764 posts)Mme. Defarge
(8,028 posts)DU contest. And, who knows???
CitizenZero
(525 posts)The amount of corruption here is incredible, and is comparable to Watergate. Trump and Sessions are effectively blocking a criminal investigation into some of Trump's people, primarily Flynn at the moment. Clear Obstruction of Justice. And most of the Republicans in Congress seem to be supporting this corruption by not speaking out against this.
This is one of the worst points in American History. The Russian interference in our Democracy and the apparent collusion of some Republicans/Trump's People, will go down as a terrible scandal and crime.
We need some honest Republican patriots to stand up and call for an Independent Investigation. That term, "honest Republican patriots" might be an oxymoron at this point.
I fear for the integrity of our Democracy. We are at a low point, and it could be getting lower. Look for Trump and Sessions to appoint some lackey to head the FBI. This is criminal behavior by Trump and his Regime. It is outrageous.
I hope that there are some moderate Republicans out there who are already outraged by this scandal and the criminal behavior of Trump and his lackeys. I am skeptical that many such moderates exist. The original article seems accurate: these people do not care about principles, conservative or otherwise. They just care about power.
NewDealProgressive
(98 posts)And I don't see any reason to believe they will be. No one is going to do anything about this. The elected Republicans will continue to support him because they need somebody to sign their bills. That's the deal. They don't interfere in anything the asshole does and he signs the things they send him. This country is in serious danger, in fact it's on life-support, and they're just about to put a pillow over her face. I don't see how this gets remedied. And if it doesn't, all of this will be erased as if it never happened and he'll be the great and glorious leader who transformed America into greatness.
It's all very much like 1984.
CitizenZero
(525 posts)It will only go down as a scandal and a crime if they are stopped, as you say.
I think our real hope is 2018. If the Dems can take back the Senate and/or the House, we will have an opposition with teeth.
Otherwise, we are in for a long haul. I guess this is what living under a Tyrant feels like. It might get worse. I hope it does not.
We must remain vigilant and defiant. Resist, Oppose, Impeach!
octoberlib
(14,971 posts)keep dropping AND Dems start winning some of these elections , he's had it. They'll turn on him.
Azathoth
(4,608 posts)These people are worse than the Communists were at the very height of the Comintern. They exist in an entirely separate information stream from reality. The GOP knows this. They know they can't lose support and they will never be held to account by their base for anything except compromising with non-cultists. There is no electoral check on the bulk of the Congressional GOP. Only on the White House.
yardwork
(61,599 posts)He's probably hoping to become president himself so he's reading the script. It means nothing.
crazycatlady
(4,492 posts)After all that's an impeachable offense.