Researchers will share the value of pausing, going back, and looking upon previous information with new insight gained from current discoveries. In hindsight there are many contexts that shape a new understanding. Fired FBI Director James Comey ran a corrupt and heavily political organization. He himself helped to shape the politics of it.
On Comey’s watch he allowed the FBI to become a weaponized tool against political enemies. The upper-level officials within the FBI are now under scrutiny as their actions are increasingly transparent in their political motives. With James Comey sitting in the sunlight, I doubt there is a more apropos example for the value of hindsight-review than to visit the 2016 writing of Benjamin Wittes.
Mr. Wittes is a close personal friend of Mr. Comey, and was the go-between used by Director Comey to leak information to the media, and specifically to the New York Times.
Three days after the FBI secured the FISA “Title-1” surveillance authority over former Trump campaign official Carter Page (using the Clinton-Steele Dossier), Benjamin Wittes wrote a column in his blog titled: “What if Trump Wins” – “We need an insurance Policy“.
Excerpt:
October 24th, 2016 […] The point is that there is no reason at this stage to imagine that the legislature will be a viable venue for push-back, which is a shame considering the powerful set of tools at its disposal.
The Coalition of All Democratic Forces should certainly see what kind of use it might make of the legislature, but realistically, we should probably expect that the coalition’s job in Congress will be to prevent Trump from passing anti-democratic legislation. That is, the task in Congress will be a negative one of denying Trump the use of the Article I powers, not the positive one of the coalition’s using them itself.
That leaves the tool that will certainly be available: the courts. The courts have a few obvious advantages, starting with hundreds of independent judges of both parties whom Trump cannot remove from office and who don’t have to face his supporters in forthcoming elections. (read more)
I strongly suggest everyone go back and read the entire October 24th, 2016 article written by James Comey’s close friend. –SEE HERE– While you are reading it remind yourself of what has taken place in the fourteen months since President Trump did actually win the election.
Compare the writing of Benjamin Wittes to the actions taken by the DOJ, the FBI, James Comey and every participant inside the enterprise.
And keep THIS in mind; that not only had Trump not yet been elected, not only had he not committed any “anti-democratic” actions, but he had NEVER discussed, promised or implied he WOULD. This is every bit about not getting the results the left wanted and that is IT. Nothing more. Throwing a fit over losing power and committing illegal acts to gain that power back. Apparently, holding free elections and accepting the voice of the People is “anti-democratic”.
That’s a great point, Bill.
Up until Pres Trump took office we had accepted whatever the previous admins and judiciaries made law.
Trump has been willing to create a reeling gov’t that swings from a liberal policy (under Obama) to a more conservative one.
In the case of ObamaCare, this was necessary, as Obama’s baby was going to take down our entire country.
In the case of “open borders,” it is causing massive upheaval & confusion.
It is a scary precedent if it happens in lots of other areas.
There’s nothing “undemocratic” about it, but it is a new governance style for America.
As long as “presidential memos” are not how Trump works his reforms, his work will stick.
If he does an Obama pen & phone thing, the swings will continue.
But if Trump went down, we end up with Pence, not Hillary, sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
@Nostradamus: Well, then they start on Pence. I mean, it’s not like they need FACTS in order to invent an accusation. Besides, they have damaged the Republican brand and would hope that would show the Republicans are worse than the totally worthless Democrats (a tall order) and win them some elections. This is the entire objective.