# Comey Memo: Trump Told Him - Shut Down Flynn Probe **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 16, 2017, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792 "2017-05-16T21:40:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2017, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/181 "2017-06-04T23:37:04Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Well, you’re wrong. Trump is in charge of the FBI and he can legally ask for something to be shut down. For any reason at all? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2017, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/182 "2017-06-04T23:43:07Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > For any reason at all? That was what you said. Asking to shut down an inquiry is obstruction of justice. Full stop. That is incorrect . ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2017, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/183 "2017-06-04T23:57:21Z")
Sitting in the Oval Office does not entitle one to shut down any investigation, particularly one that is going to reveal that one is a felon. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/184 "2017-06-05T00:07:42Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Sitting in the Oval Office does not entitle one to shut down any investigation, And your source for that is…? > [@](#): > > particularly one that is going to reveal that one is a felon. Well, yeah, that becomes problematic, but only because of the political implications. And, as we know, Trump did not shut down any investigations. Comey is fired, and the investigation continues. It’s unlikely that the Director of the FBI would be personally involved in the investigation anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/185 "2017-06-05T00:07:55Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > It’s no secret that Traitor Trump is mobbed up. Don’t be surprised if Comey is suddenly found dead or disappeared. Why would they do him any favors at this point, especially against one of the highest profile men in the country? What can Trump offer? Money? Favors with his oodles of political capital? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/186 "2017-06-05T00:13:24Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Why would they do him any favors at this point, especially against one of the highest profile men in the country? What can Trump offer? Money? Favors with his oodles of political capital? You clearly do not have the tin-foil of your hat adjusted properly. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/187 "2017-06-05T00:21:09Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > You clearly do not have the tin-foil of your hat adjusted properly. Just roll the brim down, poke some eye holes and then you’ll see clearly what Siam Sam is pointing out. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/188 "2017-06-05T00:28:12Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Just roll the brim down, **poke some eye holes** and then you’ll see clearly what Siam Sam is pointing out. Take it off first. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/189 "2017-06-05T01:10:59Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > And your source for that is…? > > Well, yeah, that becomes problematic, but only because of the political implications. And, as we know, Trump did not shut down any investigations. Comey is fired, and the investigation continues. It’s unlikely that the Director of the FBI would be personally involved in the investigation anyway. The FBI is not the president’s police, the Attorney General is not the president’s lawyer. The DOJ is unique among the cabinet in that they operate pretty much free from White House sway. My source (among many that could be easily found) is [this.](http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-justice-department-white-house-20161123-story.html) > [@](#): > > Long-standing protocol dictates that the FBI and Justice Department operate free of political influence or meddling from the White House. That’s one reason that the FBI director serves a 10-year term and does not turn over the reins as presidential administrations come and go. It also means that presidents are not supposed to supervise, initiate or stop law enforcement investigations. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/190 "2017-06-05T01:28:39Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Why would they do him any favors at this point, especially against one of the highest profile men in the country? What can Trump offer? Money? Favors with his oodles of political capital? He can and is willing to sign their agenda into law. Trump didn’t write the legislation that aims to dump people off their health insurance, “normal” Republicans did. I doubt they’re too choked up about the NOAA no longer conducting research that contradicts their propaganda or that the head of Exxon/Mobil is now Secretary of State as well. The list goes on. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/191 "2017-06-05T02:10:02Z")
Uh, the person I was querying was talking about the Mob, and about having Comey murdered. 🙂 Though I admit a few Congressional Republicans might be up for doing that for Trump… At least, I wouldn’t put money on ALL of them resisting… ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/192 "2017-06-05T02:18:50Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > That was what you said. Asking to shut down an inquiry is obstruction of justice. Full stop. That is incorrect . Originally Posted by drad dog View Post I’m pretty sure that after 2 it’s already obstruction of justice. CarnalK: Well, you’re wrong. Trump is in charge of the FBI and he can legally ask for something to be shut down. What are you talking about? He could not just ask. It must be for cause. O/W it’s obstruction. But in this case the cause is not in dispute. The Orange James Bond already blabbed it out. Therefore after step 2, go to special prosecutor. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/193 "2017-06-05T03:10:36Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > The FBI is not the president’s police, the Attorney General is not the president’s lawyer. The DOJ is unique among the cabinet in that they operate pretty much free from White House sway. > > My source (among many that could be easily found) is [this.](http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-justice-department-white-house-20161123-story.html) Long standing protocol? It is to laugh. So tell me, **Bob** , suppose the FBI decided to open an investigation into the Clinton Pedophile Ring operated out of the DC Pizza joint. Could the president shut that down? ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/194 "2017-06-05T03:31:54Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > Of course the last president who ordered an stop to an investigation lost his presidency. > > [Could President Trump Shut Down An Investigation If He Wanted?](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/could-president-trump-shut-down-investigation-if-he-wanted-n710051) > [@asahi](#): > > True, but he was facing strong opposition in congress. Trump has allies in congress. In fact, Trump was made possible in large part because of the Republican party’s 20-30 year destruction of truth in political discourse. Trump’s not really an outlier when you look at the Republican party as a whole – most of the party now either is extremist or tolerates extremists. Extremism is mainstream GOP now. They have too much to lose to stand by and watch the Constitutional process take its course. Thing is that we have to think about this in proportion and the position of the current pieces, while the impeachment of Nixon took place with a congress that was against the president now the effect of such a gross abuse of power will not generate impeachment, but the sight of the Republican congress defending the indefensible will lead to the removal of many Republicans in congress. So that will be first. Impeachment more likely later. > [@CarnalK](#): > > Yeah of course. So Trump is obviously guilty because Nixon. Nope, I base that on what Trump has declared in public about Comey, it is like if the erased words from Nixon’s tape opened a freak wormhole of guilt up in the fabric of the space-time continuum and carried his intentions to obstruct justice forward in time into the big mouth of Trump. - Tip to the hat to Douglas Adams. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/195 "2017-06-05T03:58:35Z")
> [@The\_Tooth](#): > > He can and is willing to sign their agenda into law. Trump didn’t write the legislation that aims to dump people off their health insurance, “normal” Republicans did. I doubt they’re too choked up about the NOAA no longer conducting research that contradicts their propaganda or that the head of Exxon/Mobil is now Secretary of State as well. The list goes on. I’m sorry, I’m reading this again and having fun imagining Mafia Republicans. 🙂 “I’m gonna make him an offer he cannot refuse: a pay cut to enact trickle down economics and boost the economy.” Then again, some would argue that’s exactly what they are… ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/196 "2017-06-05T04:04:02Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > I’m sorry, I’m reading this again and having fun imagining Mafia Republicans. 🙂 > > “I’m gonna make him an offer he cannot refuse: a pay cut to enact trickle down economics and boost the economy.” > > Then again, some would argue that’s exactly what they are… Hello, Rico? Zat you? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/197 "2017-06-05T05:05:51Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > I’m sorry, I’m reading this again and having fun imagining Mafia Republicans. 🙂 > > “I’m gonna make him an offer he cannot refuse: a pay cut to enact trickle down economics and boost the economy.” > > Then again, some would argue that’s exactly what they are… Not really. The thing about organized crime is, it’s organized. Your current crew of White House buffoons behave like they all come to work in one little red car. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/198 "2017-06-05T05:07:02Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Yeah, Comey would never say anything that could be construed as a political act. Great name/post combo. > [@John\_Mace](#): > > The question will probably be something like: > > _Mr.Comey, we understand that the president asked you if you could end the investigation into \. Did that come across as the president ordering you to do so?_ > > I can’t say for sure, but it’s hard for me to imagine Comey answering “yes” to that. My prediction? Comey: “Well, I thought it was just a suggestion at the time. I made note of it when I returned to the office. But then when I allowed the investigation to continue he fired me, so . . .” > [@elucidator](#): > > He might even believe that. Given his level of sophistication and intelligence, he might even believe that its totally legit for the Prez to talk to his good buddy, the FBI director, and ask for a friendly accomodation. Like, he was _asking_ him, right? Just, you know, could he _see_ it, as a possibility, cut the guy some slack. > > I mean, if a guy says something nice, a compliment, say…like “This is a real nice army base you got here, be a shame if something were to happen to it”. You’d take that as some kind of threat? Or, “Those are some real bad hombres you’ve got over there. Maybe you’d like me to send some soldiers over to deal with 'em for you?” ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/199 "2017-06-05T10:45:58Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Long standing protocol? It is to laugh. So tell me, **Bob** , suppose the FBI decided to open an investigation into the Clinton Pedophile Ring operated out of the DC Pizza joint. Could the president shut that down? Long standing since the founding of the republic for the DOJ and since the founding of the FBI for that institution. The AG is the only cabinet member who isn’t there to further the president’s agenda. Should the FBI decide that the DC pizza thing had any credibility, then they would investigate it and if Obama had said lay off they’d be within their rights to tell him to go suck eggs. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/200 "2017-06-05T10:57:34Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I mean, if a guy says something nice, a compliment, say…like “This is a real nice army base you got here, be a shame if something were to happen to it”. You’d take that as some kind of threat? [Monty Python](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNZKUozrBl4&feature=youtu.be&t=94) has covered this. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792.md?page=11)