# 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:** 14
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/261 "2017-06-06T22:09:08Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > They say a sucker is born every day. Trouble is, its not the same one. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/262 "2017-06-06T22:13:43Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > …Instead, using all the mounting evidence, a quiet communication to Trump’s family will be made. ‘The end is coming’—but if they can get Donald to leave quietly, _they’ll get to keep all the loot_… A markedly intelligent and perceptive observation, and an opinion shared by a growing number of shrewd _punditti_. Concurrence, with confetti. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/263 "2017-06-06T22:16:57Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > …so he kissed the $25 mill goodbye… Are there any actual canceled checks? _That_ one, he paid? ---
**Author:** ![Paranoid\_Randroid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paranoid_randroid/32/18_2.png) [@Paranoid\_Randroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paranoid_Randroid)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/264 "2017-06-06T22:34:40Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Gallup actually shows a _downward trend_–the chart (showing results from the week after Inauguration Day up until June 5): > > [http://www.gallup.com/poll/201617/gallup-daily-trump-job-approval.aspx](http://www.gallup.com/poll/201617/gallup-daily-trump-job-approval.aspx) > > It’s pretty clear. As you say, after a fall there will be a rise–but the overall trend is downward. Here’s 538’s aggregation: > **[How Popular Is Donald Trump?](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/?ex_cid=rrpromo)** > > FiveThirtyEight is tracking Donald Trump’s approval ratings throughout his presidency. Whether Trump’s approval remains steady depends on how far back you want to go. It’s been around 39% for a few weeks now, but there does seem to be a longer term trend downwards. There’ll be a hard approval floor at some point – but I suspect it’s premature to say we’ve arrived already. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/265 "2017-06-06T22:59:36Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Are there any actual canceled checks? _That_ one, he paid? Well, a federal court was involved, so I doubt he had the option to back out. That said, my search doesn’t turn up anything more recent than the signing of the deal, March 31: > **[Judge Approves $25 Million Settlement Of Trump University Lawsuit](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/03/31/522199535/judge-approves-25-million-settlement-of-trump-university-lawsuit)** > > The deal was reached in November but needed the approval of U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel. One student had objected to the settlement, which prevented her from suing Trump on her own. One would think that if Trump fails to live up to the terms, it would make the news. We’ll see, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/266 "2017-06-06T23:02:00Z")
> [@Paranoid\_Randroid](#): > > Here’s 538’s aggregation: > > [How Popular Is Donald Trump? | FiveThirtyEight](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/?ex_cid=rrpromo) > > Whether Trump’s approval remains steady depends on how far back you want to go. It’s been around 39% for a few weeks now, but there does seem to be a longer term trend downwards. There’ll be a hard approval floor at some point – but I suspect it’s premature to say we’ve arrived already. Thanks–interesting. And undoubtedly, though some Trump fans are of the “he’s my guy, right or wrong” variety, some others are capable of being influenced by actual developments. ---
**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 6, 2017, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/267 "2017-06-06T23:05:57Z")
> [@Paranoid\_Randroid](#): > > Here’s 538’s aggregation: > > [How Popular Is Donald Trump? | FiveThirtyEight](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/?ex_cid=rrpromo) > > Whether Trump’s approval remains steady depends on how far back you want to go. It’s been around 39% for a few weeks now, but there does seem to be a longer term trend downwards. There’ll be a hard approval floor at some point – but I suspect it’s premature to say we’ve arrived already. Does anyone remember why Bill Clinton was so unpopular about 150 days into his presidency? He even dipped below Trump for a week or so. :eek: Cool stuff, btw. ---
**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 6, 2017, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/268 "2017-06-06T23:13:27Z")
> [@Paranoid\_Randroid](#): > > Here’s 538’s aggregation: > > [How Popular Is Donald Trump? | FiveThirtyEight](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/?ex_cid=rrpromo) > > Whether Trump’s approval remains steady depends on how far back you want to go. It’s been around 39% for a few weeks now, but there does seem to be a longer term trend downwards. There’ll be a hard approval floor at some point – but I suspect it’s premature to say we’ve arrived already. Remember all those people who weren’t accounted for in the polls because they didn’t feel comfortable saying they were voting for twitler? Now it’s different. They won. _ **Now they are too embarrassed to admit they do not support him anymore.** _ But it’s for sure they all don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/269 "2017-06-06T23:31:35Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Does anyone remember why Bill Clinton was so unpopular about 150 days into his presidency? He even dipped below Trump for a week or so. :eek: > > Cool stuff, btw. Travelgate? Gosh, Clinton scandals seem to quaint now. ---
**Author:** ![sleestak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/270 "2017-06-06T23:35:48Z")
According to ABC news, Comey will not state that Trump interfered with the Flynn probe. [Linky](http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/exclusive-comey-stop-short-trump-obstructed-justice-flynn/story?id=47865739). > [@](#): > > The request made Comey uncomfortable, but the source tells ABC News that Comey has told associates he will not accuse the President of obstructing justice. > > “He is not going to Congress to make accusations about the President’s intent, instead he’s there to share his concerns,” the source said, and tell the committee “what made him uneasy” and why he felt a need to write the memo documenting the conversation. Which, if true, will put Comey back on the Democrats naughty list. Slee ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/271 "2017-06-06T23:42:30Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Does anyone remember why Bill Clinton was so unpopular about 150 days into his presidency? He even dipped below Trump for a week or so. :eek: > > Cool stuff, btw. Was it Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/272 "2017-06-07T00:20:44Z")
> [@sleestak](#): > > According to ABC news, Comey will not state that Trump interfered with the Flynn probe. > > [Linky](http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/exclusive-comey-stop-short-trump-obstructed-justice-flynn/story?id=47865739). > > Which, if true, will put Comey back on the Democrats naughty list. > > Slee Not necessarily. I’d be surprised if he makes an out-and-out accusation couched in criminal law language; instead, I expect he’ll be a “just the facts” kind of guy during his testimony. This story doesn’t change that expectation. [This story also doesn’t change my expectations](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/top-intelligence-official-told-associates-trump-asked-him-if-he-could-intervene-with-comey-to-get-fbi-to-back-off-flynn/2017/06/06/cc879f14-4ace-11e7-9669-250d0b15f83b_story.html?tid=a_breakingnews&utm_term=.6ee2ace636ce) > [@](#): > > On March 22, less than a week after being confirmed by the Senate, Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats attended a briefing at the White House together with officials from several government agencies. As the briefing was wrapping up, Trump asked everyone to leave the room except for Coats and CIA Director Mike Pompeo. > > The president then started complaining about the FBI investigation and Comey’s handling of it, said officials familiar with the account Coats gave to associates. Two days earlier, Comey had confirmed in a congressional hearing that the bureau was probing whether Trump’s campaign coordinated with Russia during the 2016 race. > … > Coats will testify on Wednesday before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Lawmakers on the panel said they would press him for information about his interactions with the president regarding the FBI investigation. Another example of, “Will no one rid me of this troublesome FBI director?” ---
**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 7, 2017, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/273 "2017-06-07T00:41:14Z")
Gee, maybe expending so much time and energy dis’ing the CIA and the FBI wasn’t such a good idea after all!! ---
**Author:** ![skdo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/274 "2017-06-07T01:26:29Z")
The Washington Post just broke a story that Jeff Sessions has offered to resign amid increasing tensions with Trump. The direct link to the WaPo is behind a paywall, but you probably will be able to access it for free thru Google News within the hour. > **[Google News](https://news.google.com/home?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en)** > > Comprehensive up-to-date news coverage, aggregated from sources all over the world by Google News. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/275 "2017-06-07T01:55:06Z")
Gee maybe he can get his old Senate seat back in the December special election. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![skdo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/276 "2017-06-07T02:05:38Z")
> [@skdo23](#): > > The Washington Post just broke a story that Jeff Sessions has offered to resign amid increasing tensions with Trump. The direct link to the WaPo is behind a paywall, but you probably will be able to access it for free thru Google News within the hour. > [https://news.google.com/#pcid=FRONTPAGE](https://news.google.com/#pcid=FRONTPAGE) Here it is for free on CNN: > **[AG Jeff Sessions offered to quit | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/06/politics/trump-and-sessions-have-had-heated-exchange/index.html)** > > President Donald Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions have had a series of heated exchanges in the last several weeks after Sessions recused himself from the Russia probe, a source close to Sessions told CNN Tuesday. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/277 "2017-06-07T02:43:30Z")
> [@Fubaya](#): > > Travelgate? Gosh, Clinton scandals seem to quaint now. The Waco siege also culminated in April 1993. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/278 "2017-06-07T02:58:10Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Gee, maybe expending so much time and energy dis’ing the CIA and the FBI wasn’t such a good idea after all!! You think its just a coincidence that Trump avoids Dallas? ---
**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 7, 2017, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/279 "2017-06-07T11:48:27Z")
> [@sleestak](#): > > According to ABC news, Comey will not state that Trump interfered with the Flynn probe. > > [Linky](http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/exclusive-comey-stop-short-trump-obstructed-justice-flynn/story?id=47865739). > > Which, if true, will put Comey back on the Democrats naughty list. > > Slee OMG a witness isn’t going to draw conclusions on the stand about the accused’s intent? We’re DOOMED, I tell ya! It isn’t Comey’s job to accuse anyone of anything. If he states that he was asked to lay off the Flynn investigation, that’s all he can say. Leave the intent for others to infer. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/280 "2017-06-07T13:08:07Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > OMG a witness isn’t going to draw conclusions on the stand about the accused’s intent? We’re DOOMED, I tell ya! It isn’t Comey’s job to accuse anyone of anything. If he states that he was asked to lay off the Flynn investigation, that’s all he can say. Leave the intent for others to infer. From a criminal law perspective, how Comey felt is relevant. “Nice place you got here; it would be a shame if something happened to it,” can genuinely be a statement of admiration and concern, or a veiled threat. One aspect of determining which it was rests with the listener’s subjective reaction. A threat isn’t a threat unless it’s both objectively reasonable to consider it a threat and it genuinely induces fear on the part of the recipient. It’s similar in this instance. Comey’s reaction is relevant in a criminal inquiry concerning obstruction of justice. Standard disclaimer: yes, yes, Congress is able to impeach for any reason they please, and is not limited by criminal boundaries. Nonetheless, I have said and continue to aver that as a political reality, not as a legal bar, Congress will not impeach unless there is a clear criminal act in play. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792.md?page=15)