Why would President Trump post this as a tweet instead of discussing it directly with Comey or firing him in favor of someone who will do the job? I would expect the CiC to command in this situation.
Because Trump knows that his base of support is the American people. He's stated that his Twitter feed will be used for transparency and he's providing it. He's not going to allow himself to get bogged down in closed door discussions with the FBI Director about Counter-Intelligence matters (which this is).
This is about creating a climate of fear in the federal bureaucracy to ensure it bends to the President's will. The people leaking turned this into a public spectacle so Trump is responding in kind.
Otherwise, he turns into Nixon and starts employing plumbers again and we don't want to go there.
‘instead of discussing it directly’
And you know this hasn’t previously been discussed directly...how?
I suspect that he already has, and that the wheels are already turning. This is aimed at drawing attention to the problem so that people will see it resolved. And the media will whine as their spigot of information is weeded out.
If you were a supporter of his from the beginning, you should get it. He's always preparing the media ground for the battle, or responding to public attacks, or resistance to his policies. It is because he recognizes the importance in his efforts of having public support. I suspect the first spade has been turned in a bruising battle with the alphabets.
I rather think he is.
It's a different style - AND we don't know what's also going on behind the scenes, but his engagement of the public is brilliant.
This acts as a "pep talk" to the soldiers - the American people. That is, in fact, an element of leadership.
It also very commonly has no relationship to the command actions taken outside the limelight.
As a warning to do a better job, or else.
Preparing his followers for a Friday afternoon dismissal of Comey? I’d be glad to see it.