# Can Trump fire Comey when Comey is conducting an investigation against Trump? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 20, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641 "2017-03-20T20:23:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/41 "2017-05-10T18:33:38Z")
I’m sure they want him removed from office as well. Thinking that “impeached” means “removed from office” is a common error, but it is an error nonetheless. ETA - I am also sure they would like him to be impeached even if he is not removed from office, just to inflict as much political damage as they can. Whether or not that would happen is problematic - it didn’t seem to with Clinton. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/42 "2017-05-10T18:36:23Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I’m not a lawyer, and even I know impeachment and a vote for removal are two separate processes. So yes, Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton were both impeached, but neither was removed from office. Yes of course they are. But when people want someone Impeached, they dont want just a hearing in the House, they want him removed from Office. “Impeached” is simply shorthand for “Impeached and Removed from Office”. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/43 "2017-05-10T18:42:31Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yes of course they are. But when people want someone Impeached, they dont want just a hearing in the House, they want him removed from Office. > > “Impeached” is simply shorthand for “Impeached and Removed from Office”. I was going to reply to this, but I see that **Shodan** has already said it well enough, so I’ll just quote him for emphasis: > [@Shodan](#): > > I’m sure they want him removed from office as well. Thinking that “impeached” means “removed from office” is a common error, but it is an error nonetheless. > > ETA - I am also sure they would like him to be impeached even if he is not removed from office, just to inflict as much political damage as they can. Whether or not that would happen is problematic - it didn’t seem to with Clinton. > > Regards, > Shodan ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/44 "2017-05-10T18:45:15Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > So, your opinion is your cite? :dubious: My cite is the _common usage of the term_, which Shodan also points out. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/45 "2017-05-10T18:50:46Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > My cite is the _common usage of the term_, which Shodan also points out. You’re nitpicking. Common usage isn’t always correct or precise usage. **Shodan** also pointed out that it is a common error. Also, that people may want him impeached merely to inflict political damage to him, whether he is removed from office or not. I would like to see a cite that actually says that impeachment is synonymous with removal from office. An actual link, if you don’t mind, not merely what you think it means. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/46 "2017-05-10T18:51:29Z")
Is there a reason for this discussion to be bump-worthy after six weeks when there are plenty of other places to discuss it? I don’t hear an answer I like I’m going to direct you fine people to other threads and close this one. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/47 "2017-05-10T18:53:44Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > My cite is the _common usage of the term_, which Shodan also points out. And he also points out it’s an error: > [@Shodan](#): > > Thinking that “impeached” means “removed from office” is a common error, but it is an error nonetheless. Here’s what started this: > [@DrDeth](#): > > In fact , No President has ever been Impeached (yes, I know, due to a odd wording in the Constitution, pedants will insist that the first phase is actually “Impeachment” and thus ClinTon and Johnson were “Ipeached” but since that words means “removed from office” no they werent) and yes, in two cases the House voted but in the most recent case it was a opposition run House who also knew full well the Senate wouldnt confirm. This post contains an error. I understand your reluctance to admit it, since as we all know, the penalty for an admission of error is forcible tattooing of your face with the words, “I was wrong.” (I assume this to be so based on the fervid reluctance to admit error displayed here). Nonetheless, it’s an error. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/48 "2017-05-10T18:55:09Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Is there a reason for this discussion to be bump-worthy after six weeks when there are plenty of other places to discuss it? > > I don’t hear an answer I like I’m going to direct you fine people to other threads and close this one. Not now, when we’re hot on the trail of settling the **DrDeth** mistake on the meaning of “impeachment!” ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/49 "2017-05-10T18:55:19Z")
I know we’re professional pedants here, but come on. When people say they want a president “impeached,” it’s short for “impeached and removed from office” and you know it. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/50 "2017-05-10T18:58:31Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > I know we’re professional pedants here, but come on. When people say they want a president “impeached,” it’s short for “impeached and removed from office” and you know it. Sure! But that doesn’t make it true to say, “In fact , No President has ever been Impeached (yes, I know, due to a odd wording in the Constitution, pedants will insist that the first phase is actually “Impeachment” and thus ClinTon and Johnson were ‘Ipeached’ [sic] but since that words means “removed from office” no they werent)…” In other words, I wouldn’t go after someone for casual misuse; I would (and did) go after someone for elevating his misuse to an insistence that “in fact” his misuse was actually correct. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/51 "2017-05-10T19:00:53Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > I know we’re professional pedants here, but come on. When people say they want a president “impeached,” it’s short for “impeached and removed from office” and you know it. “President” should be capitalized. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/52 "2017-05-10T19:07:10Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > I know we’re professional pedants here, but come on. When people say they want a president “impeached,” it’s short for “impeached and removed from office” and you know it. Exactly my point. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/53 "2017-05-10T19:08:17Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > And he also points out it’s an error: > > Here’s what started this: > > This post contains an error. I understand your reluctance to admit it, since as we all know, the penalty for an admission of error is forcible tattooing of your face with the words, “I was wrong.” (I assume this to be so based on the fervid reluctance to admit error displayed here). Nonetheless, it’s an error. I was absolutely correct about the "pedants will insist " part, you must admit. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/54 "2017-05-10T19:11:27Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > You’re nitpicking. Common usage isn’t always correct or precise usage.\*\* Shodan\*\* also pointed out that it is a common error. Also, that people may want him impeached merely to inflict political damage to him, whether he is removed from office or not. Common “errors” are actually Common usages, as a descriptivist will agree. Yes, the GOP inflicted so much\* political damage\* on Bill Clinton… wait…😛 ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/55 "2017-05-10T19:25:56Z")
For all intensive purposes, you are correct. Irregardless, I find your argument to have little affect on me. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/56 "2017-05-10T19:31:54Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I was absolutely correct about the "pedants will insist " part, you must admit. 😛 Mea maxima culpa, ya got me there. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/57 "2017-05-10T19:32:01Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > For all intensive purposes, you are correct. Irregardless, I find your argument to have little affect on me. Thank you, I offer you my most enthusiastic contrafibularities. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/58 "2017-05-10T19:33:03Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Mea maxima culpa, ya got me there. Bricker, I am anaspeptic, phrasmotic, even compunctious to have caused you such pericombobulation. Allow me to facilitate your velocitous extramuralisation from this thread.😛 ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/59 "2017-05-10T19:46:56Z")
Eschew obfuscatory sesquipedalianism! ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641/60 "2017-05-10T21:21:52Z")
Enough. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trump-fire-comey-when-comey-is-conducting-an-investigation-against-trump/782641.md?page=2)