What others say: Moving forward after Comey testimony

  • By London Telegraph editorial
  • Monday, June 19, 2017 3:26pm
  • Opinion

Critics of Donald Trump hoped that yesterday’s congressional testimony of James Comey, former director of the FBI, would open a path to the impeachment of the president. Mr Comey said that he accepted Mr Trump’s right to fire him but claimed that the president “lied” about his motives and “defamed” the FBI. Nevertheless, he refused to say whether or not the president had attempted to obstruct justice when Mr Trump asked Mr Comey to let Mike Flynn, the former National Security Advisor, off the hook. He also denied that the president had ordered him to drop the investigation into Russian involvement in last year’s election.

Mr Comey came across as a public servant standing up for the reputation of his former agency, but his own time in office was controversial. Some Democrats blame his last-minute announcement of an investigation related to Hillary Clinton’s emails for losing them the White House, and it is the surprise outcome of the election that is really on trial. Many Americans still cannot believe it or accept it. Did the Russians try to interfere with the contest, senators asked Mr Comey? Yes, he said, but they did not physically change a single vote. And that exchange was typical of the way in which Mr Comey raised hopes of a smoking gun only to dash them.

Perhaps all Mr Trump is guilty of is naivite and ignorance about the FBI’s independence. These are not qualities one would desire in a US president, but nothing is going to change his job title for the moment. Indeed, it would be better if he could just get on with it. Mr Trump’s agenda contains some things that would be good for everyone: cut taxes, deregulate the economy, fight terrorism. He has, however, become bogged down in the very Washington swamp that he promised to drain.

This is in part his own fault. Mr Comey suggested that if Mr Trump had sacked him and stayed silent about his reasons, he might have happily retired into obscurity. Whether this is true or not, life would be less exciting but more peaceful if the president stayed off Twitter. Discipline is a virtue in politics. The White House needs to accept that the investigation is taking place and assist it. The president has to focus on getting legislation through Congress and uniting the free world — to reassert America’s critical leadership in the fight against terror.

— The Telegraph,

June 8

More in Opinion

Dawson Slaughter is president of the Anchor Point Chamber of Commerce and a candidate for State House District 6. (Courtesy photo)
Opinion: Children, education, obligation

Our children and the future children of Alaskans must always be the priority and first in our education concerns

The Exxon Baton Rouge, smaller ship, attempts to off-load crude from the Exxon Valdez that ran aground in Prince William Sound, Valdez, Alaska, spilling over 270,000 barrels of crude oil, shown March 26, 1989. (AP Photo/Rob Stapleton)
Point of View: Exxon Valdez oil spill brought out local heroes

When the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound 35 years ago, local people sprang to respond long before Exxon provided any help

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: No Alaska governor has ever so boldly held schools and students as political hostages

‘Star Trek’ reference looks past real argument for school funding

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, a Soldotna Republican who co-chairs the House Education Committee, speaks in favor overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge: Supporting education

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Rep. Ben Carpenter, a Nikiski Republican, speaks in opposition to overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Ben Carpenter: Education is too important to keep getting wrong

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Point of View: Some state lawmakers need to embrace reality, not PFD political theater

State revenues minus public services do not leave enough in the checkbook to pay an oversized dividend

Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks about teacher bonuses during consideration a bill increasing state funds for public education in the Alaska House of Representatives on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Ben Carpenter: Holding up a mirror to state government

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks in opposition to an executive order that would abolish the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives during a joint legislative session on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman: Ensuring food security for Alaska

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Most Read