The Washington, D.C., “swamp” exploded with conspiracy theories, as well as real and feigned outrage, after President Donald Trump decided to fire Federal Investigation Bureau chief James Comey (shown) this week. Democrats demanded a “special prosecutor” and claimed the justice system was now “shattered.” The establishment media pushed silly conspiracy theories and acted as if the sky was falling. Indeed, the reaction from leftists, Trump-Russia conspiracy theorists, and globalists across America was borderline hysterical. But ironically, many of the most unhinged and outraged voices were, just a few months ago, viciously attacking Comey for allegedly helping to elect Trump as part of some Kremlin conspiracy. President Trump took it all in stride, though, responding to the manufactured controversy by ridiculing some of his most vociferous critics and arguing that Comey was fired simply because he was not doing a good job running the FBI.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who said in November he had lost confidence in Comey, was perhaps the most infuriated. And so, he responded by pushing debunked conspiracy theories purporting to link Russian strongman Vladimir Putin with Trump. “Why did it happen today? We know the FBI had been looking into whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians — a very serious offense,” said Senator Schumer (D-N.Y.). “Were these investigations getting too close to home for the president?” The far-left Democrat also demanded that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the establishment’s conspiracy theory. “America depends on you to restore faith in our criminal justice system which is going to be badly shattered after the administration’s actions today,” the Democrat added.
The head of the Democratic National Committee, Tom Perez, who recently declared that only supporters of abortion could be in his party, was even more stern. Apparently unaware that America is a Republic, Perez claimed Trump’s firing of Comey was a “uniquely dangerous threat to American democracy.” “There’s no question about why Trump did it — this was a transparent attempt to undermine the investigation into the Trump campaign’s collusion with Russia to swing the election in Trump’s favor,” declared Perez, echoing one variation on the Trump-Russia conspiracy theory. “It was done at Trump’s personal direction together with an attorney general who has already had to remove himself from anything having to do with the Russia investigation.”
The solution, Perez continued in an e-mail blast to Democrats, is for everyone to hold Trump “accountable” for his decision. “This is not the first time Trump has fired a Justice Department official who posed a threat to him,” Perez said, pointing to Sally Yates, who refused to enforce Trump’s statutory decisions on immigration, and U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, who was asked to resign along with others in accordance with tradition. “The only other President in American history to fire the official investigating him was Richard Nixon. Just like Nixon, Donald Trump must be held responsible. Right now, that means there must be an independent investigation led by a special prosecutor.”
Even some establishment globalists and neoconservatives in the Republican Party — often ridiculed by conservatives as Republicans in Name Only, or RINOs — joined with Democrats to question Trump’s decision. Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.), for example, said he was “disappointed” with President Trump’s dismissal of Comey. “[Comey is] a man of honor and integrity [who] has led the FBI well in extraordinary circumstances,” McCain was quoted as saying in media reports. “I have long called for a special congressional committee to investigate Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. The president’s decision to remove the FBI Director only confirms the need and the urgency of such a committee.”
The anti-Trump establishment media also went off the deep end. Speaking on NBC, for example, fringe left-wing activist and “MSNBC legal correspondent” Ari Melber accused the Justice Department and the Trump administration of lying about the reason Comey was fired. After covering up Obama’s crimes for years, the increasingly shrill New York Times was even more unhinged, drawing comparisons with Watergate on its front page and saying Comey was supposedly fired because he was going to expose one of the “biggest political scandals” of all time. A Times editorial claimed it was “impossible” to believe that Comey may have been fired for legitimate reasons. ABC, CBS, and multiple other establishment propaganda organs made similar comparisons with Watergate and all but accused Trump of being a Kremlin stooge trying to cover his tracks.
But on Twitter, Trump sounded almost amused as he ridiculed the increasingly fringe “mainstream” media often mocked by Trump for putting out “fake news.” “James Comey will be replaced by someone who will do a far better job, bringing back the spirit and prestige of the FBI,” Trump wrote. “Comey lost the confidence of almost everyone in Washington, Republican and Democrat alike. When things calm down, they will be thanking me!” He also took on the opposition party. “The Democrats have said some of the worst things about James Comey, including the fact that he should be fired, but now they play so sad!” Trump tweeted. “Cryin’ Chuck Schumer stated recently, ´I do not have confidence in him (James Comey) any longer.´ Then acts so indignant. #draintheswamp.”
In the message to Comey, Trump noted that his top officials at the Justice Department had encouraged the FBI chief’s dismissal. “I have received the attached letters from the attorney general and deputy attorney general of the United States recommending your dismissal as the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” Trump said. “I have accepted their recommendation, and you are hereby terminated and removed from office, effective immediately.” And indeed, in a memo sent by Rosenstein, the Justice Department official highlighted Comey’s handling of the Hillary Clinton e-mail scandal — and especially Comey’s bizarre decision to publicly “announce his conclusion that the case should be closed without prosecution.”
In his message to Comey, Trump also addressed the Russia conspiracy theory and noted that he was not under investigation, thereby seeming to undermine the entire basis of the establishment’s foaming at the mouth. “While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the bureau,” Trump continued. “It is essential that we find new leadership for the FBI that restores public trust and confidence in its vital law enforcement mission. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.” In public comments, Trump reiterated that, telling reporters that Comey was fired because he was “not doing a good job.”
Trump was hardly alone in striking back. Independent voices also ridiculed the establishment media and the Democrats for their reaction. The non-partisan Media Research Center, for example, took aim at the “over-the-top and remarkably hypocritical media response” to the Comey’s firing. “The firing of FBI Director James Comey has pushed the deranged, bloodthirsty media over the edge,” the group said in a statement. “Rather than reporting the facts, the media rushed to breathlessly pushing Democratic talking points and conspiracy theories untethered to reason or reality. The notion that this is in any way comparable to Watergate is hysterical. Any media report that leaves out how Democratic officials flipped from slamming Comey’s handling of the email investigation to feigning outrage and mourning his dismissal is worthless.”
Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton, meanwhile, who has played a key role in prying loose documents on the Clintons and their dealings, expressed support for Trump’s move. “This is an important move to restore public confidence in the fair administration of justice at the Federal level,” Fitton said. “Mr. Comey did not seem to understand some of the laws he was asked to investigate and unfortunately politicized his sensitive positon as the FBI director. President Trump took the right step in cleaning house at the FBI.” Other commenators suggested this would clear the way to start cleaning house across the entire swamp, not just at the FBI.
At this point, the conspiracy theory alleging that Trump was put in the White House by the Kremlin appears increasingly ridiculous and discredited. After months of hyperventilating and bluster, exactly zero serious evidence has been offered substantiating the conspiracy theory. On the other hand, plenty of evidence implicates the Clintons in incredibly shady dealings — including being paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for speeches to Kremlin-controlled institutions before facilitating the sale of massive amounts of strategic U.S. uranium resources to Russia. Indeed, as Trump pointed out repeatedly, the FBI and Comey had to ignore the plain language of federal laws to protect the Clintons from criminal prosecution. Perhaps Comey’s replacement can help Trump make good on his campaign pledges and take another look at what more than a few critics have called the “Clinton Crime Family” and the rest of the swamp creatures wreaking havoc on America.
Photo of FBI Director James Comey: AP Images
Alex Newman is a correspondent for The New American, covering economics, education, politics, and more. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @ALEXNEWMAN_JOU or on Facebook.
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