Only Reasonable Conclusion: "Grave wrongdoing at center of Russia Scandal & it implicates President"

[kpete]

Here’s the fundamental issue facing the country right now.

In criminal trials there are certain actions defendants can take from which judges will tell juries they can infer guilt. In a political context, this is one of those moments. We are now hearing word from White House officials that the White House is stunned at the backlash at Comey’s firing. Didn’t Democrats think he was doing a bad job? We’re even hearing commentators speculate that maybe this may have been a huge miscalculation. The White House didn’t realize how big a deal this was. In the final analysis I think this will be judged a major miscalculation – just not in the sense they mean. Frankly, no one is that naive. It doesn’t wash.

There is only one reasonable conclusion that can be drawn from the decision to fire Comey: that there is grave wrongdoing at the center of the Russia scandal and that it implicates the President. As I write this, I have a difficult time believing that last sentence myself. But sometimes you have to step back from your assumptions and simply look at what the available evidence is telling you. It’s speaking clearly: the only reasonable explanation is that the President has something immense to hide and needs someone in charge of the FBI who he believes is loyal. Like Jeff Sessions. Like Rod Rosenstein.

This is a very dark and perilous moment.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/into-the-abyss-trump-fires-comey

[babylonsister]

1. Good. I need fresh air. nt

[spanone]

2. K&R...

[liberalla]

3. K&R

[Stonepounder]

4. While I am absolutely convinced that your are correct that Trump is involved, right up to his

eyeballs in all sorts of illegal activity, that may not be the real reason behind the firings.

Trump still thinks he is the CEO of a privately-held company and he demands unwavering loyalty from everybody who works for him. If they don't have complete loyalty and if they ever dare to disagree with the King, they are sent packing. He just understand that government is a whole different ball game. He is totally befuddled and furious that the courts and congress can thwart his orders. He is a pathetic excuse for a human being, and the gravest internal threat to our Republic in our entire history.

[Hamlette]

8. That doesn't make sense to me

It is said Trump wanted to do this last week. Maybe before. That he consulted with Rosenstein and Sessions. There is no way he was not told how this would look. No way they did not tell him "you can't do that". I think Sessions is a snake and Rosenstein, as John says, has destroyed his reputation. Why would he do that? To curry favor with an unpopular president? I don't buy it.

If he was playing King, he would have fired Comey last week, or whenever he first decided to do it, and not fished around for an excuse. The excuse, as provided by the current head of the Trump/Russia investigation is what makes this even more fishy.

It stinks.

[Hamlette]

5. Josh Marshall is no alarmist. Shocking to hear him say this.

As he himself admits. I've read TPM for many years and while he is obviously very liberal he is always understated. I'm not sure I've read anything as strong from him ever.

And, I agree. What other explanation is there?

[cstanleytech]

6. Not necessarily, it could also be a case of his advisers or his advisers advisers having something

to hide but I dont think they took Comey out because they were afraid of him I think they took him out to use him and the search for a new FBI director as a distraction while they work to bury any evidence of their collusion with Russia even deeper because the odds are eventually the Dems would get an independent investigation and treason doesnt have a statute of limitations.

[kentuck]

7. I agree with Josh Marshall.

It reached a point of combustion.

We should not under-estimate the difficulty we are in as a nation.

Vigilance is the price of liberty.

[Lucinda]

9. KNR

[L. Coyote]

10. If Comey is investigating Trump. 18 U.S. Code - Obstruction of Justice, Conspiracy to Obstruct.

18 U.S. Code § 1505 - Obstruction of proceedings before departments, agencies, and committees

..... Whoever corruptly, or by threats or force, or by any threatening letter or communication influences, obstructs, or impedes or endeavors to influence, obstruct, or impede the due and proper administration of the law under which any pending proceeding is being had before any department or agency of the United States, or the due and proper exercise of the power of inquiry under which any inquiry or investigation is being had by either House, or any committee of either House or any joint committee of the Congress—

Shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years or, if the offense involves international or domestic terrorism (as defined in section 2331), imprisoned not more than 8 years, or both.

18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 372--conspiracies to commit any offense against the United States, or to prevent or retaliate in response to the lawful discharge of the duties of Federal officers ...

Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice. 18 U.S.C. §§ 1621 to 1623 -- Perjury, subornation of perjury, false declarations, the assertion of a false affirmative statement by an individual testifying under oath accompanied by other obstructive, evasive testimony, such as a false denial of knowledge or memory, and truth-suppressing acts by co-conspirators Sessions, Flynn, Kushner, an offense may exist.

[Samantha]

11. I find this fascinating

It seems right on point.

Sam

[panfluteman]

12. This Is Trump's Tuesday Night Massacre!