A REPUBLIC, IF YOU CAN KEEP IT
in fact, when I decided to just do it, I said to myself, I said, ‘You know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a madeup story.’” Then Trump told Holt that Comey had asked for a dinner in which Comey sought Trump is a menace. He needs to go. to keep his job and assured Trump that he was not under investigation. No sooner The first article of impeachment es of protocol that likely cost Clinton had this interview aired than Comey’s against Richard Nixon detailed his cover- the election and arguably warranted his camp hit back, telling the New York Times up of the Watergate break-in, listing nine termination, even if Comey’s miscalcula- that, actually, Trump had called the incriminating things the president and his tion was rooted in his desire to preserve meeting, demanded that Comey pledge henchmen did. Nos. 4 and 8 are particularly the FBI’s independence from politics. fealty to Trump, Comey demurred and relevant to this moment in history, some 43 But if you think that’s why Trump did no, Comey wouldn’t have given Trump years later, though others may soon be as it – because Comey treated his nemesis any such assurances. The next morning, Trump took to – where else? – Twitter, well: “interfering or endeavouring to inter- unfairly – I’ve got a bridge to sell you. Indeed, the White House’s transpar- threatening Comey, a likely witness in fere” with FBI, Department of Justice and congressional investigations; and “making ent lie fell apart within 48 hours. And congressional hearings: “James Comey or causing to be made false or mislead- with it fell the last shred of pretense that better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversaing public statements for the purpose of Donald Trump has tions before he the mental or moral deceiving the people of the United States.” starts leaking to “In all of this,” the article continues, capacity to handle The White House’s the press!” “Richard M. Nixon has acted in a man- the office he holds. transparent lie fell apart Long story First came deeply ner contrary to his trust as President and within 48 hours. And with short: It’s apparsubversive of constitutional government, sourced reporting it fell the pretense that ent that the to the great prejudice of the cause of law that the real reason president fired and justice and to the manifest injury of behind Comey’s terTrump has the mental or the FBI direcmination was that the people of the United States.” moral capacity to handle tor because he Last week, President Trump fired FBI Trump had grown the office he holds. deemed the FBI director James Comey, whose agency is enraged by Comey’s director insuffiinvestigating ties between Trump cam- refusal to both make ciently loyal and paign associates and Russian operatives the Russia inveswho interfered in last year’s election on tigation go away and back up Trump’s didn’t like where an FBI investigation into Trump’s behalf. Trump initially claimed unfounded charge that Barack Obama had his associates was proceeding. That looks – both through his spokespeople and in a wiretapped Trump Tower. Then came a whole lot like obstruction of justice. And letter to Comey – that he acted on the rec- reports that the FBI investigation was the interview with Holt isn’t smoke – it’s ommendation of the attorney general and intensifying and that Comey last week a raging forest fire. As it was with Nixon in 1974, that is actdeputy attorney general, and that Comey’s requested additional resources. Then fatal error had been his handling of the came Trump’s own admission, to NBC’s ing “in a manner contrary to his trust as Lester Holt, that “regardless of recom- President and subversive of constitutionHillary Clinton email case. A quick word about that: Comey’s press mendation,” he was going to sack Comey, al government.” And like Nixon, Trump conference about the Clinton case last a contradiction of his own letter. In that needs to be driven from office. At minimum, it’s evident that Jeff summer and his decision in October to interview, Trump also admitted that since release a letter to Congress about the he didn’t care about the Russia investiga- Sessions’s Department of Justice is investigation were inexcusable breach- tion, it didn’t factor into his decision: “And compromised and a special prosecutor orlandoweekly.com
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must be appointed. It remains to be seen whether Republican Sen. Richard Burr’s intelligence committee – which last week, after months of foot-dragging and general indifference, subpoenaed documents from ousted national security adviser Michael Flynn – can be trusted to give this matter the diligence it deserves, or whether an independent commission is necessary. Regardless, it’s already clear that Trump has defiled the presidency. He has obstructed an investigation, lied to the American people, tried to intimidate a witness and become increasingly unhinged in public view. He has all of Nixon’s paranoia and fragile ego but none of his competence. He is dangerous and unstable, a menace enabled by small-minded hacks and shameless frauds who care more about narrow partisan interests than the well-being of their country. (What do you think Republicans in Congress would be doing right now if President Hillary Clinton had fired an FBI director who was investigating her campaign for collusion with an adversarial power? Exactly.) For the sake of the republic – even more today than in 1974 – the president must be impeached and removed from office posthaste. The night in 1973 that Nixon orchestrated the firing of Archibald Cox, the special prosecutor investigating the Watergate break-in, Cox issued a statement that rings true today: “Whether ours shall continue to be a government of laws and not of men is now for Congress and ultimately the American people.” Congress answered that call four decades ago, and the republic survived. It’s up to the Republicans in Congress – and if they fail, the American people – to answer that call now, to save the republic once again. feedback@orlandoweekly.com MAY 17-23, 2017
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ORLANDO WEEKLY
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