NYT: Trump Asked Comey to End Flynn Investigation

[Matty]

Do you think this is likely more of a case of trump simply being unaware and ignorant of what proper conversation with people in government are, or do you think it is more likely him being a willingly corrupt player in all of this.

Either is worrisome, but I don't think you can completely discount the former explanation.

[ApatheticAustrian]

Lawmakers call for Comey to testify about Flynn request
http://edition.cnn.com/2017/05/16/politics/congress-reactions-trump-michael-flynn-memo/

[Technocracy Timmy]

Do you think this is likely more of a case of trump simply being unaware and ignorant of what proper conversation with people in government are, or do you think it is more likely him being a willingly corrupt player in all of this.

Either is worrisome, but I don't think you can completely discount the former explanation.

Both

[Matty]

It's stuff like this that shows that demagogues really aren't a threat to this country. If they manage to pass through the first barrier (the electoral college), they will be bogged down with people in government who oppose him/her. Carter was a more tame example of this.

This is pretty interesting to watch.

I cannot wait until comey's book comes out.

The Carter comparison is apt, albeit for very different reasons/circumstances

I'm not trying to say carter was ever involved in things like this, but he ran a "Washington is full of losers and crooks" type campaign and shocked the political establishment, and he hit a brick wall when he came to washington.

Stuff like this is also why I don't think bernie would have gotten much through congress, for different reasons obviously.

[ApatheticAustrian]

The Post's version: Comey’s written account of the meeting with Trump is two pages long and highly detailed.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/notes-made-by-former-fbi-director-comey-say-trump-pressured-him-to-end-flynn-probe/2017/05/16/52351a38-3a80-11e7-9e48-c4f199710b69_story.html?tid=ss_tw&utm_term=.617dd7757cec

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

This just keeps getting worse isn't it?

[Yank2133]

The Post's version: Comey’s written account of the meeting with Trump is two pages long and highly detailed.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/notes-made-by-former-fbi-director-comey-say-trump-pressured-him-to-end-flynn-probe/2017/05/16/52351a38-3a80-11e7-9e48-c4f199710b69_story.html?tid=ss_tw&utm_term=.617dd7757cec

Jesus....

[Confused Democrat]

The NYT confirms they don't have the memo, but they've "seen it" lol.

Guess I'll have to wait and see if another media outlet confirms this story.

WaPo and NBC (at least) have confirmed.

CNN has also confirmed.

[Matty]

The Post's version: Comey’s written account of the meeting with Trump is two pages long and highly detailed.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/notes-made-by-former-fbi-director-comey-say-trump-pressured-him-to-end-flynn-probe/2017/05/16/52351a38-3a80-11e7-9e48-c4f199710b69_story.html?tid=ss_tw&utm_term=.617dd7757cec

apatheticaustrian, I have a question: how are you able to find out news so quickly? Lol. I feel like mere minutes after a twitter account posts something big news-wise, you are posting it here.

[GeorgiaModerate]

The NYT confirms they don't have the memo, but they've "seen it" lol.

Guess I'll have to wait and see if another media outlet confirms this story.

NBC has already confirmed it, and I think CNN has too.

Do you think we will ever find out, sometime long from today, who the main leaker/WH source is?

They'd probably be able to make a pretty lucrative career out of speaking about it.

It must be Mark Felt.

[KingSweden]

It's stuff like this that shows that demagogues really aren't a threat to this country. If they manage to pass through the first barrier (the electoral college), they will be bogged down with people in government who oppose him/her. Carter was a more tame example of this.

This is pretty interesting to watch.

I cannot wait until comey's book comes out.

The Carter comparison is apt, albeit for very different reasons/circumstances

I'm not trying to say carter was ever involved in things like this, but he ran a "Washington is full of losers and crooks" type campaign and shocked the political establishment, and he hit a brick wall when he came to washington.

Stuff like this is also why I don't think bernie would have gotten much through congress, for different reasons obviously.

No I get your point entirely, agree 100%. Agree on the Bernie thing, though he would at least have benefited from relationships formed over 26 years in Congress, obviously something neither Trump nor Carter enjoyed

[The Other Castro]

The NYT confirms they don't have the memo, but they've "seen it" lol.

Guess I'll have to wait and see if another media outlet confirms this story.

NBC has already confirmed it, and I think CNN has too.

Do you think we will ever find out, sometime long from today, who the main leaker/WH source is?

They'd probably be able to make a pretty lucrative career out of speaking about it.

It must be Mark Felt.

Look for the guy with the longest neck. He has a deep throat.

[ApatheticAustrian]

apatheticaustrian, I have a question: how are you able to find out news so quickly? Lol. I feel like mere minutes after a twitter account posts something big news-wise, you are posting it here.

got 4 open twitter feeds if something breaks and am kind of news-addicted.... and atm there is nearly daily a bombshell in the US. xD

[Middle-aged Europe]

There's no friggin way Trump will stay on as president for four years.

Obstructing justice is basically a direct result of his personality and with every new development he'll dig himself deeper into a hole.

Let's assume a special prosecutor is appointed or an independent congressional investigation is launched. Trump would do anything to obstruct this as well and he won't care if he breaks the law.

[Matty]

apatheticaustrian, I have a question: how are you able to find out news so quickly? Lol. I feel like mere minutes after a twitter account posts something big news-wise, you are posting it here.

got 4 open twitter feeds if something breaks and am kind of news-addicted.... and atm there is nearly daily a bombshell in the US. xD

twitter must be loving this trump presidency. Lots of extra traffic provided. lol

[Hydera]

Its strange to think that the Flynn investigation probably wouldn't result in direct links between Trump and Russia to be uncovered. Yet trump's 'self-goal' by firing comey is what actually might take him down.

[Matty]

Its strange to think that the Flynn investigation probably wouldn't result in direct links between Trump and Russia to be uncovered. Yet trump's 'self-goal' by firing comey is what actually might take him down.

Yea, the comey episode is entirely of trump's doing. I have issues with the other "scandals", but you can't expect a smooth reaction from the fbi when you fire their boss, who they love.

[JerryArkansas]

Its strange to think that the Flynn investigation probably wouldn't result in direct links between Trump and Russia to be uncovered. Yet trump's 'self-goal' by firing comey is what actually might take him down.

It's never the act which gets you in trouble, but the coverup.

[Wells]

https://twitter.com/rachaelmbade/status/864608676740554752

lol

[Virginiá]

twitter must be loving this trump presidency. Lots of extra traffic provided. lol

They could not ask for a better president

[GeorgiaModerate]

Its strange to think that the Flynn investigation probably wouldn't result in direct links between Trump and Russia to be uncovered. Yet trump's 'self-goal' by firing comey is what actually might take him down.

Same thing with Watergate.  Nixon could have survived the break-in.  It was the ensuing coverup and obstruction that got him.

[ApatheticAustrian]

There's no friggin way Trump will stay on as president for four years.

i am a little bit "afraid" congress will just sit it out, give trump a slap on the wrist and ignore it otherwise, while pushing through their agenda without...distractions like impeachment or hearings.

if this doesn't happen now, it may happen never.

[Technocracy Timmy]

There's no friggin way Trump will stay on as president for four years.

i am a little bit "afraid" congress will just sit it out, give trump a slap on the wrist and ignore it otherwise to no be disturbed while pushing through their agenda.

if this doesn't happen now, it may happen never.

Wouldn't they prefer Pence to Trump though?

[Matty]

Is it normal protocol for an fbi director to keep notes about their meetings with the president? I assume it is, or did comey see his firing coming and wanted enough "revenge material" as possible?

If trump really said what the memo states, how did he expect it not to be leaked?

[Maxwell]

I'm more concerned about the leaks. Very disturbing.

Here's a strategy for stopping leaks

- stop antagonizing the FBI
- stop contradicting your staff and making them look like dopes, doesn't exactly endear them to your cause
- get on to nominating the over 400 roles you still have no nominations for, let alone the many many positions you still need to confirm (also better vetting, see: Mark Green, how ever many hundreds of people that have already stepped aside for Army Secretary)

And even then leaks won't stop because they're all JARED KUSHNER.