Comey cleared Trump and implicated Clinton.
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| Former FBI director Jim Comey’s testimony on Capitol Hill either completely vindicated President Donald Trump or further implicated him.That depends on which media is reporting the story. According to many right-wing outlets, Comey not only cleared Trump by confirming that he was not personally under investigation, he also helped stir up old drama around the FBI probe into Hillary Clinton's emails and admitted he orchestrated leaks to the media after his firing. Much of the rest of the media, however, focused on Comey saying he took Trump’s statement that he “hopes” the FBI would drop the investigation into Michael Flynn as a directive, that Trump “lied” and “defamed” Comey and the FBI, and that Comey took detailed notes about his meetings with Trump because he was concerned that Trump would later lie about them. That mainstream outlets and conservative outlets would focus on different aspects of the testimony isn't entirely surprising, but reflects the extent that conservative media is backing Trump when even some Republican senators are condemning his handling of Comey. “Comey: Pres did not order me to let Flynn probe go,” read a Fox News chryon while a CNN chryon at the same moment read "Comey: I took Trump's request about Flynn as a directive" (though various Fox anchors and contributors noted that the testimony was damaging for Trump). On The Drudge Report, which often sets the agenda for right-leaning media, the focus was on Comey voluntarily saying he asked a friend to release the contents of memos from his conversations with Trump to the media, and that former Attorney General Loretta Lynch pushed him to describe the department’s investigation into Clinton’s email practices as a “matter,” not an “investigation.” (Though Comey noted that while he did end up saying "matter," most of the media called it an investigation anyway.) Breitbart, whose former employees now populate the West Wing, set up shop at a local Washington bar that was throwing a watch party for the event. Their coverage mocked the “Washington elites” who were “celebrating” the testimony. "Comey is in big trouble after this hearing. He admitted he’s a leaker, and has an actual network through which he leaks information to the press. In addition, he withheld from leaking information that would have vindicated President Trump weeks ago,” the site’s liveblog read. Townhall also focused on Comey leaking his memos, and that Comey said the president never asked him to stop the FBI’s Russia investigation. On the liberal end of the spectrum, the Huffington Post focused on Comey saying he purposely leaked in order to “get a special prosecutor.” TalkingPointsMemo focused on Comey saying he was fired in order to influence the probe into Russia, while Salon’s website declared "Trump’s in big trouble.” Many mainstream outlets like the major newspapers and TV networks highlighted Comey's explosive declaration that Trump lied and defamed him and the FBI. They also focused on the leaked memo, though many pointed out that Comey said the leaked memo had a point: To compel a special prosecutor. The New York Times sent a breaking news alert with Comey’s statement that he leaked the memo in order to trigger a special prosecutor, while USA Today took the calmer route, with their main story saying Comey “plays political hardball.” CNN’s website focused on the split between Comey and the White House, blaring the headline “Comey: President lied. White House: No, he didn’t,” a sentiment MSNBC’s website also focused on. Fox News’ website also mentioned that Comey accused Trump of lying, but in the same headline added that Comey suggested “Lynch covered for Clinton." |
musterion
Well-known member
What implicated Clinton?
I was able to listen to a good amount of his testimony. I didn't think there was anything earth-shattering. It's still a he-said vs he-said situation. I'm with Comey, I sure hope there are tapes to show what happened.
I thought Rubio put some pressure on Comey and made Comey's interpretation of Trump's actions sound a bit silly.
It's shocking to hear the director of the FBI say that he wrote memos because he thought the President would lie about it. But in the end that's his opinion, not evidence.
I also wish Comey had pressed Trump in the moment to gain some clarification about the intent. Asking everyone else to leave the room does sound sketchy.
I had NO idea what the heck McCain was talking about.
I thought Rubio put some pressure on Comey and made Comey's interpretation of Trump's actions sound a bit silly.
It's shocking to hear the director of the FBI say that he wrote memos because he thought the President would lie about it. But in the end that's his opinion, not evidence.
I also wish Comey had pressed Trump in the moment to gain some clarification about the intent. Asking everyone else to leave the room does sound sketchy.
I had NO idea what the heck McCain was talking about.
What from today's testimony implicated Clinton?
WizardofOz
New member
:rotfl: McCain didn't know what McCain was talking about. "President Comey"...I almost feel bad for the guy.
Almost
Go jump in front of a semi. You are as bad as barbie, tardly artie, rusha, and the other ab.
So nothing from today's testimony implicated Clinton? Cool.
WizardofOz
New member
He asked a question you spaz.
Do you not have an answer? kmoney is about as neutral as they come.
I was feeling bad. Comey definitely didn't know where McCain was going. I wonder if the other Senators had puzzled looks.
annabenedetti
like marbles on glass
I was feeling bad. Comey definitely didn't know where McCain was going. I wonder if the other Senators had puzzled looks.
I admire Comey for the respectful way he handled the situation.
WizardofOz
New member
I was feeling bad. Comey definitely didn't know where McCain was going. I wonder if the other Senators had puzzled looks.
| McCain later released a statement, joking that “maybe going forward I shouldn’t stay up late watching the Diamondbacks night games.” The rest of the statement reads: What I was trying to get at was whether Mr. Comey believes that any of his interactions with the President rise to the level of obstruction of justice. In the case of Secretary Clinton’s emails, Mr. Comey was willing to step beyond his role as an investigator and state his belief about what ‘no reasonable prosecutor’ would conclude about the evidence. I wanted Mr. Comey to apply the same approach to the key question surrounding his interactions with President Trump — whether or not the President’s conduct constitutes obstruction of justice. While I missed an opportunity in today’s hearing, I still believe this question is important, and I intend to submit it in writing to Mr. Comey for the record. |
| Well, of course. The Clinton email investigation ended more than 11 months ago, while the Russia investigation continues. It was a bizarre argument from McCain, who appeared annoyed with Comey. Was he arguing that Comey should publicly exonerate Trump before the Russia investigation is finished? Was he arguing that Comey didn't investigate Clinton vigorously enough? Was he arguing that the FBI applied different standards to the two candidates? |
It's a head scratcher to say the least...
Oh Nicky, does your Mommy know how you feel about people? Not very Christian of you.
We also found out today that Comey is a leaker
It really was. And sad.
He only "leaked" things that were unclassified and not subject to any privilege assertions. And he explained the rationale in a public hearing.
How do you know he "only leaked" that? He's a rabid leaker !!!