Posted on 06/08/2017 4:55:50 PM PDT by jazusamo
James Comey’s public testimony exonerates President Trump of obstruction of justice.
To put it simply, “hoping” that something happens is not a crime. The law demands much more than that. Felony obstruction requires that the person seeking to obstruct a law enforcement investigation act “corruptly.” The statute specifically defines what that includes: threats, lies, bribes, destruction of documents, and altering or concealing evidence. None of that is alleged by Comey.
Instead, the fired FBI Director recounts how President Trump expressed compassion for the man he dismissed as his National Security Adviser, calling Michael Flynn “a good guy” who “has been through a lot.” Comey agreed. Then the president said, “I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go.”
The president’s statement is not an order or mandate. It is not even a “request,” though Comey insists he understood it to be. But even if we construe it as such, it is not enough to constitute obstruction. Not even close. There must be a “corrupt” act that accompanies the directive.
For example, if the president had said, “Bury whatever incriminating evidence you have, exonerate Flynn, and terminate the investigation of him entirely… or I will fire you.” That is, arguably, obstruction. It includes two corrupt elements –a threat and concealing evidence. However, this is not what happened.
Comey knows all this. Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, posed the key question: “Do you know of any case in which someone has been charged with obstruction based on the word ‘hope’?” Comey answered, “I don’t.” On that point, Comey is correct.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Either way, I'm thankful he's no longer in charge of the FBI
Actually, he is both of those things.
Based on his testimony, Mr. Comey went into his very first meeting with President Elect Trump convinced that he was a liar. That preconceived belief shaped his interaction with Mr. Trump and caused him to secretly create CYA memos on every conversation they had. I would almost like to see a criminal trial just to watch a real defense attorney cross examine him for a full day or possibly two rather than 7 minute questioning by political hacks.
Guess that would explain why the Obama administration did whatever they wanted to.... and never worried about getting into legal trouble.
Such a pathetically weak person has no business holding the office of Director of the FBI. Pity his dismissal had not occurred on the first day of the new Administration.
Best post on this subject!
Did you hear Judge Nap? He went over to the dark side/
Good choice
Disappointed Jesse wasn’t on. Dana probably had her pal stirewalt steal his spot. The 5 will soon be the 0.
Dick Fowler, Juan Williams clone ...
Even Hannity ruins a perfect line up with “his good friend” Geraldo.
And he has him in the same segment with Greg Harrrt who I wanted to listen to!
I just don’t get why they all insist on having these token lousy guests -
...and nobody tell be its do we can have a healthy debate - they just spew left’s talking points / there’s nothing healthy about it.
I am done listening to morons.,, I really do mute them, I feel no obligation to “hear the other side” - it’s garbage and I’m not going to poison my brain with it.
Geraldo’s gims are flapping right now about some advise he wants Hannity to give Trump - so when I heard that -bam - I muted it. Probably something about Trump shouldn’t tweet... but who knows - it’s muted
Weird world we live in where we have to mute 90% of the “news” because it’s designed to deceive us
And you summed it up even more concisely and well.
Lou Dobbs is so successful because he doesn’t feel the need to argue with a liberal
Ironic that the guy who listed a litany of crimes by Hillary and decided no sane person would prosecute her, becomes a mind reader when it is mentioned that no real purpose is served by going after Flynn - in fact it would have been treating him a little like he treated Hillary only for far l;ess....
Jarret’s analysis misses a major point.
According to Alan Dershowitz, the POTUS has the power to end any FBI investigation. Consequently, if Trump had told Comey to stop the Flynn investigation, Trump would not have been obstructing justice.
10 things we learned: https://i.redd.it/hjtvn88cxi2z.jpg
Regarding Flynn....... Loyalty goes both ways. Trump should support his people. Flynn was dismissed. All the rest is Democrat BS purely political in nature and with out substance.
Hillary must be drawn and quartered and her head on a pike on the Arlington bridge. Her total destruction is the only for Trump to ever have a day without irrelevant pestering. Any others caught up in her machinations should be eliminated as well.
So long as they are alive, there can be no America
Exactly. I cut out most of my cable tv to save money - now I don’t get FBN. For a while there, Hannity was having Dobbs as guest, which was perfect.
Judge Nap off the rails:
http://www.theledger.com/opinion/20170609/napolitano-once-in-while-good-leak
Judge Nap off the rails:
http://www.theledger.com/opinion/20170609/napolitano-once-in-while-good-leak
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The dark hair color (trying to look younger than he is) seems to be clouding his judgement.
I liked him better when he wasn’t all Hollywood about his looks and was sporting his naturally grey hair.
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