Comey's Testimony

[Falvlun]

Transcript

There's a lot to unpack in there.

Comey's response regarding the Russian Investigation was refreshingly clear:

HEINRICH: The president has repeatedly talked about the Russian investigation into the U.S. -- or Russia's involvement in the U.S. Election cycle as a hoax and fake news. Can you talk a little bit about what you saw as FBI director and, obviously, only the parts that you can share in this setting that demonstrate how serious this action actually was and why there was an investigation in the first place?

COMEY: Yes, sir. There should be no fuzz on this whatsoever. The Russians interfered in our election during the 2016 cycle. They did with purpose. They did it with sophistication. They did it with overwhelming technical efforts. It was an active measures campaign driven from the top of that government. There is no fuzz on that. It is a high confidence judgment of the entire intelligence community and the members of this committee have seen the intelligence. It's not a close call. That happened. That's about as unfake as you can possibly get. It is very, very serious, which is why it's so refreshing to see a bipartisan focus on that. This is about America, not about a particular party.

HEINRICH: That is a hostile act by the Russian government against this country?

COMEY: Yes, sir.

What aspects particularly struck you in his testimony? Anything we didn't know, or anything suspected that was confirmed?

 

[Nakosis]

Transcript

There's a lot to unpack in there.

Comey's response regarding the Russian Investigation was refreshingly clear:



What aspects particularly struck you in his testimony? Anything we didn't know, or anything suspected that was confirmed?

What struck me was Comey's lack of leadership. Probably more used to dealing with politicians than a businessman.

If you'er not sure what you are being asked to do, first clarify it, voice your objections, then ask for it in writing.

Trump probably had no idea he was asking anything out of the ordinary. Comey had the opportunity and responsibility to explain the situation to him. He failed to do so. I'd expect to get fired too.

 

[Falvlun]

What struck me was Comey's lack of leadership. Probably more used to dealing with politicians than a businessman.

If you'er not sure what you are being asked to do, first clarify it, voice your objections, then ask for it in writing.

Trump probably had no idea he was asking anything out of the ordinary. Comey had the opportunity and responsibility to explain the situation to him. He failed to do so. I'd expect to get fired too.

So, in your opinion, it is not Trump's fault that he did something wrong. It is Comey's fault for not explicitly telling him that he was being inappropriate? Do you think that Trump bears any responsibility for his behavior?

A couple of points:

Comey did indicate that he went to the DOJ with his concerns. Would it not then be the DOJ's responsibility to counsel Trump?

There has been no indication that Comey's failure to explain to Trump that his behavior was inappropriate caused Trump to fire him. The explanations given, so far, are Comey's behavior during the Clinton investigation, and the handling of the Russian investigation.

 

[Nakosis]

So, in your opinion, it is not Trump's fault that he did something wrong. It is Comey's fault for not explicitly telling him that he was being inappropriate? Do you think that Trump bears any responsibility for his behavior?

A couple of points:

Comey did indicate that he went to the DOJ with his concerns. Would it not then be the DOJ's responsibility to counsel Trump?

As a businessman? LOL, no. Crap rolls down hill. If you're going to support you're boss, it's up to you to make them look good. If you're not going to support them, you don't like them for some reason, sure let them step in it. Just hope you're able to step out of the way when the crap starts rolling.

There has been no indication that Comey's failure to explain to Trump that his behavior was inappropriate caused Trump to fire him. The explanations given, so far, are Comey's behavior during the Clinton investigation, and the handling of the Russian investigation.

I'm just saying, and never trust a boss's explanation why another employee was fired.

I don't think this ideal of the righteousness of one's actions is the reality in either business or politics. Human nature is self-interest and greed.

Spirituality inclined folks, perhaps it's different. I don'r really see Trump being spiritually inclined.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I watched the testimony.
I thought Comey was very convincing.
The questioners also seemed convinced. That is apart from the last senetor who did not seem to be totally compos mentis.

We did not see the closed session that followed, and for obvious reasons that will not be released. And undoubtedly contained the more interesting details.
.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Guy obviously wasn't used to dealing with insanity. I never know quite how to respond when I'm suddenly accosted by a lunatic either.

Anyone who thinks Trump is more trustworthy or reliable than this guy needs to have their head screwed on tighter.

 

[metis]

Just to be clear that since the FBI is considered an independent agency even though the president can fire the director, it is not acceptable for the president to have a private meeting with the FBI director. When Trump kicked everyone out of the room except Comey, what he did was a breach of acceptable behavior.

Plus, why did Trump want to talk with Comey to begin with? the weather? the price of eggs in China? Well, we know because Trump ended up spilling the beans on himself when he said that he wanted the investigations to stop and that this is one of the reasons why he fired Comey.

Again, we're in the very early stages of these investigations, so it's probably best not to assume much of anything.

 

[fantome profane]

Trump probably had no idea he was asking anything out of the ordinary. Comey had the opportunity and responsibility to explain the situation to him. He failed to do so. I'd expect to get fired too.

Trump might or might not have known that what he was asking was innappropriate. But he had a responsibility to know. When he decided to run, when he accepted the nomination, when he took the oath of office he was declaring that he was capable of doing the job and he was accepting responsibily. We need to judge Trump by the same standard as any other President.

 

[Stevicus]

Just to be clear that since the FBI is considered an independent agency even though the president can fire the director, it is not acceptable for the president to have a private meeting with the FBI director.

I thought Hoover had private meetings with some presidents, such as FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, LBJ, and Nixon. I could be wrong about that, but I've never heard of anything where the FBI Director can't meet with the president alone.

 

[Underhill]

The problem with this scenario is that at the absolute best, Trump was being supremely incompetent. Private meetings, veiled threats, overtly asking for cooperation, blatantly asking for loyalty from what is supposed to be an impartial agency...

Everything about his actions screams guilt. How anyone can say otherwise with a straight face is beyond me.

 

[Falvlun]

As a businessman? LOL, no. Crap rolls down hill. If you're going to support you're boss, it's up to you to make them look good. If you're not going to support them, you don't like them for some reason, sure let them step in it. Just hope you're able to step out of the way when the crap starts rolling.

Trump is also the President of the United States. He is no longer just a businessman. If he is responsible enough to be given the office, then he is also responsible for his actions. You cannot have it both ways.

You can claim that Comey should have acted differently. But you cannot claim that Comey's inaction absolves Trump's inappropriate behavior. Do you think it does?

I'm just saying, and never trust a boss's explanation why another employee was fired.

What? Why not? The person who fires someone is in the best position to know why they fired that person. Are you suggesting that employers routinely lie about why they fire people? This makes no sense.

Furthermore, are you saying that Trump is lying about the reasons he has given for firing Comey? Again, this makes no sense. Claiming the Russian investigation as a reason for firing Comey was extremely damaging for Trump; it would have been much better for him to not say that, so there's no reason for him to have said it if it wasn't true. Furthermore, you seem to imply that you are ok with the idea that Trump lied about the reasons for firing Comey. Why is that ok?

I don't think this ideal of the righteousness of one's actions is the reality in either business or politics. Human nature is self-interest and greed.

Spirituality inclined folks, perhaps it's different. I don'r really see Trump being spiritually inclined.

I don't see how this is relevant.

 

[Skwim]

I thought Comey came off just as expected: prepared, relaxed, confident, knowledgeable (I envy his memory), and unflappable. What I didn't expect, not having seen Senator John McCain for quite some time, is how addled he's become. Arizona voters would have done the guy and the nation a favor by retiring him years ago.

.

 

[james bond]

Too much lies coming from the liberal media -- NYT, CNN and ABC. NYT has been debunked. CNN and ABC have issued corrections as statements correct reporting.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

What struck me was Comey's lack of leadership. Probably more used to dealing with politicians than a businessman.

If you'er not sure what you are being asked to do, first clarify it, voice your objections, then ask for it in writing.

Trump probably had no idea he was asking anything out of the ordinary. Comey had the opportunity and responsibility to explain the situation to him. He failed to do so. I'd expect to get fired too.

Have you ever told your boss to put an instruction in writing... you would be shown the way out faster than you could say fired.

 

[metis]

I thought Hoover had private meetings with some presidents, such as FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, LBJ, and Nixon. I could be wrong about that, but I've never heard of anything where the FBI Director can't meet with the president alone.

It's not an iron-clad law or rule, so Trump certainly wouldn't get in trouble for just the meeting alone. There have been times in the past whereas there were private meetings, but ever since Hoover, this has been strongly dissuaded because he was very "political", and in the worst way. When Obama met Comey, for example, he told Comey that this would be the last time there would be direct talks with him without an intermediary. However, I do believe they had two telephone conversations, if my memory is correct.

So, the main question remains as to why Trump kicked everyone out of the room and shut the door just to talk with Comey, and the latter said he felt highly uncomfortable with this maneuver on Trump's part, and rightfully so. When Trump fired Comey, he later spilled the beans as to why he did it, and this should not be ignored.

 

[metis]

Too much lies coming from the liberal media -- NYT, CNN and ABC. NYT has been debunked. CNN and ABC have issued corrections as statements correct reporting.

Your source? Plus what did these supposed "corrections" entail?

 

[Falvlun]

@Nakosis
Here's Comey's response to Sen. Feinstein's question regarding why he didn't stop the inappropriate Flynn conversation:

FEINSTEIN: Now, here's the question, you're big. You're strong. I know the oval office, and I know what happens to people when they walk in. There is a certain amount of intimidation. But why didn't you stop and say, Mr. President, this is wrong. I cannot discuss this with you.

COMEY: It's a great question. Maybe if I were stronger, I would have. I was so stunned by the conversation that I just took in. The only thing I could think to say, because I was playing in my mind -- because I could remember every word he said -- I was playing in my mind, what should my response be? That's why I carefully chose the words. Look, I've seen the tweet about tapes. Lordy, I hope there are tapes. I remember saying, “I agree he is a good guy,” as a way of saying, I'm not agreeing with what you asked me to do. Again, maybe other people would be stronger in that circumstance. That's how Ed myself. I hope I'll never have another opportunity. Maybe if I did it again, I'd do it better.

And Rubio:

RUBIO: At the time, did you say something to the president about, that is not an appropriate request, or did you tell the white house counsel, it's not an appropriate request? Someone needs to tell the president he can't do these things.

COMEY: I didn't, no.

RUBIO: Why?

COMEY: I don't know. I think — as I said earlier, I think the circumstances were such that it was — I was a bit stunned and didn't have the presence of mind. I don't know. I don't want to make you sound like I'm captain courageous. I don't know if I would have said to the president with the presence of mind, sir, that's wrong. In the moment, it didn't come to my mind. What came to my mind is be careful what you say. I said, I agree Flynn is a good guy.

Comey admits he showed weakness. However, it does seem that the level of inappropriateness was simply stunning, like on the order of a doctor asking why a amputee can't just grow back his limb. It was literally mind-numbingly dumb... and scary, because of the possible repercussions and ramifications.

 

[Callisto]

I thought Hoover had private meetings with some presidents, such as FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, LBJ, and Nixon. I could be wrong about that, but I've never heard of anything where the FBI Director can't meet with the president alone.

If Hoover ever had private meetings with presidents it would have been to strong arm them. They were terrified of him because Hoover had amassed great power and (was rumored to) have extensive, illegal, investigations into their private, personal (and sexual) lives. So much so that he died in office because no president wanted to risk his wrath if he was fired.

That's why Comey said he assured Trump he wasn't under personal investigation (at that time) in regards to Trump and his Russian golden shower escorts, that he was informing him it came through investigating others and the media was about to air it. That's what Comey was implying during the hearing when he mentioned it seeming to be a Hoover moment.

 

[Nakosis]

Trump might or might not have known that what he was asking was innappropriate. But he had a responsibility to know. When he decided to run, when he accepted the nomination, when he took the oath of office he was declaring that he was capable of doing the job and he was accepting responsibily. We need to judge Trump by the same standard as any other President.

You've a guy who's been in office a few months vs a a guy who been on the job for thirty years. Experience counts for something. I occasionally get a new boss. It'd be unrealistic to expect them to know the procedures of the company.

 

[Falvlun]

Your source? Plus what did these supposed "corrections" entail?

There was a Feb 14 story in the NYT that alleged the Trump campaign was colluding with Russia based on "extensive electronic surveillance" and according to Comey, that story is false.

RISCH: I remember, you talked with us shortly after February 14th, when the "New York Times" wrote an article that suggested that the trump campaign was colluding with the Russians. Do you remember reading that article when it first came out?

COMEY: I do, it was about allegedly extensive electronic surveillance in their communications.

RISCH: Correct. That upset you to the point where you surveyed the intelligence community to see whether you were missing something in that. Is that correct?

COMEY: That's correct. I want to be careful in open setting, but —

RISCH: I'm not going to go any further than that, so thank you. In addition to that, after that, you sought out both Republican and Democrat senators to tell them that, hey, I don't know where this is coming from, but this is not the case. This is not factual. Do you recall that?

COMEY: Yes.

RISCH: Okay. So again, so the American people can understand this, that report by the New York Times was not true. Is that a fair statement?

COMEY: In the main, it was not true. And again, all of you know this. Maybe the American people don't. The challenge, and I'm not picking on reporters about writing stories about classified information, is the people talking about it often don't really know what's going on, and going on are not talking about it. We don't call the press to say, hey, you don't that thing wrong about the sensitive topic. We have to leave it there.

Not sure about the others though.