Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPETITION: Tell the Senate: Trump cannot pick the next FBI director
https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no_trump_fbi_directorDonald Trumps reward for firing James Comey the former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in order to ease pressure from Russia investigations is getting to pick the next FBI director?1
While testifying under oath in the Senate, Comey said that Trump pressured him to drop the investigation into Michael Flynn, that Trump lied and that he believes he was fired because Trump did not like how he was conducting the Russia investigation.2,3 But the biggest bombshell out of Comeys testimony is that he is sure special counsel Robert Mueller is looking into Trumps obstruction of justice.4
Last week, Trump tweeted that his pick to lead the FBI is Christopher Wray, Chris Christies personal lawyer during the Bridgegate scandal and a partner at a law firm that represents major Russian corporations, including state-owned gas monopoly Gazprom and oil giant Rosneft.5 But even if Wray had an impeccable record with no connections to Trump or Russia, there is no way that Trump should be able to name the head of the FBI in the midst of its investigation into his Russia ties.
Comeys blockbuster testimony has made this point all the clearer. But we need to step up to drive the point home that Trump has no right to choose the next FBI director.
Comeys prepared testimony detailed how Trump demanded loyalty and made repeated requests that Comey publicly state that Trump was not under investigation. His meticulous records documented in detail each of his interactions with Trump. 6 Comey also testified about a meeting with Trump the day after Michael Flynn resigned for lying about his communication with the Russians in which Trump asked Comey (emphasis ours):
"I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go. He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go."7.
Comey went on to say:
"I had understood the president to be requesting that we drop any investigation of Flynn in connection with false statements about his conversations with the Russian ambassador in December."8
Furthermore, Comey revealed that Trump had asked him what he could do to lift the cloud a phrase Trump used to describe the Russia investigation that was impairing his ability to act on behalf of the country.9
Legal experts have already suggested that Trumps firing of Comey constitutes obstruction of justice.10 Comeys explosive testimony strengthens that argument. In fact, Trump previously admitted himself in an interview that he fired Comey because he was pursuing the made up story of Trump and Russia. Yet in the weeks following, even as the Department of Justice tasked a special prosecutor to investigate him, Trump started interviewing potential FBI directors as if it was yet another hiring decision.11
Say Trump did, in fact, attempt to obstruct justice by firing Comey. If that turns out to be true, then picking the next FBI director would make that attempt successful. We cannot take that chance the Senate must block Trump from choosing a new FBI director.
Acting Director Andrew McCabe is a 20-year veteran of the FBI who is leading the agency in the absence of a long-term director.12 Leaving the position vacant would keep McCabe in charge and do no damage to American security or law enforcement. But allowing Donald Trump to replace Comey could do irreparable damage to the rule of law and our republic itself. The Senate must confirm any Trump nominee, which means the Senate has the power to declare that no Trump nominee will be confirmed.13
Too many in Washington are pretending that this is business-as-usual so it will take a loud outcry now to give Democrats and Republicans alike the courage to stand up for the rule of law.
Thank you for speaking out.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
2 replies, 4080 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (2)
ReplyReply to this post
2 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
PETITION: Tell the Senate: Trump cannot pick the next FBI director (Original Post)
L. Coyote
Jun 2017
OP
blueinredohio
(6,797 posts)1. I have to give it to Comey
At least he had enough balls to call Trump a liar
L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)2. And that was in public. Imagine the earful Mueller got.