# 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:** 40
**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 13, 2017, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/781 "2017-06-13T05:22:27Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Exactly. That hardly guarantees the D’s win next time. [shrug] You were telling us that we should not count on FUBAR, just saying that it seems that you were missing it. In any case, I think that regarding the D’s you seem to also go for demanding their perfection when that is the enemy of the good. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/782 "2017-06-13T05:48:16Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > [shrug] > > You were telling us that we should not count on FUBAR, just saying that it seems that you were missing it. > > In any case, I think that regarding the D’s you seem to also go for demanding their perfection when that is the enemy of the good. I said _relying on the other guy making everything FUBAR is not a winning strategy_. Whether it already is FUBAR is not the point. ---
**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 13, 2017, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/783 "2017-06-13T05:57:31Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > I said _relying on the other guy making everything FUBAR is not a winning strategy_. Whether it already is FUBAR is not the point. What else could be there to FUBAR if it is already FUBAR? I guess you are missing the point that, at least speaking for myself, I actually did hope for a few days that Trump would not make much of a mess, but here we are now. If the Republicans in congress want to continue with their “see no evil” act then the efforts need to be geared to get rid of them first. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/784 "2017-06-13T06:02:28Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > …If the Republicans in congress want to continue with their “see no evil” act then the efforts need to be geared to get rid of them first. Or better yet, take back the state legislatures and governor’s mansions. Grassroots is the key. I haven’t seen anything to indicate the DNC is doing that. ---
**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 13, 2017, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/785 "2017-06-13T06:18:25Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Or better yet, take back the state legislatures and governor’s mansions. Grassroots is the key. I haven’t seen anything to indicate the DNC is doing that. “I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat.” - Will Rogers It falls on many others the need then to make a difference. > **[This grassroots resistance group — not the DNC — propelled Democrats to their...](https://www.vice.com/en/article/evae7n/this-grassroots-resistance-group-not-the-dnc-propelled-democrats-to-their-first-big-election-win-under-trump)** > > VICE is the definitive guide to enlightening information. > [@](#): > > The Women’s March and town hall protests, for example, have been organized almost entirely outside of the existing Democratic Party infrastructure. During the Women’s March, all but one of the candidates for DNC chair were at an exclusive donor retreat instead of with their progressive base at the march. > > At the end of January, Fiddler said she hadn’t heard of Flippable, which had only launched the previous month. She knows about it now, she confirmed to VICE News Wednesday, and the DLCC has had multiple discussions with the group to better coordinate their efforts. > > “We’re really looking forward to working with them because we don’t want them to reinvent the wheel, and we want to make sure we’re not overlapping,” she said. > > Democratic Party officials have scrambled in the past several weeks to arrange meetings with several new grassroots organizations that are now leading the movement against Trump — groups like Flippable, Code Blue Nation, Swing Left, Knock Every Door, and Sister District. To me the most important bit is the last line: > [@](#): > > “A lot of liberals are down and despondent about the election and the actions already occurring from Trump,” he said. “For me personally, I’m fired up and ready to go.” I do see it like what took place in California, Just a few years back most of the people were not seeing the Republicans as more than conservatives with good ideas to have a responsible government; unfortunately, the Republicans added even more hate and ignorance to their ideas and Californians learned first hand how the Republicans had changed. We need just a few states more to learn that lesson. (Of course if Texas and Florida do, then the rust belt can oxidate as much as it wants) ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/786 "2017-06-13T10:55:48Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > A Constitutional law professor educates the MSNBC journalist that: > > [FBI is not independent, is not supposed to be independent, and Comey was “absolutely, as a legal matter, utterly and completely false” claiming that.](https://videos.files.wordpress.com/LuVCxXtx/elizabeth-foley-on-indepedent-fbi_hd.mp4) It is so nice to see an American who is arguing his country should look more like a South American banana republic pseudo-democracy than a western democracy. Maybe you Americans will soon learn to stop using that annoying ‘leader of the free world’ phrase as you become more and more the laughing stock of the world. ---
**Author:** ![snoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@snoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snoe)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/787 "2017-06-13T15:41:06Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > A Constitutional law professor educates the MSNBC journalist that: > > [FBI is not independent, is not supposed to be independent, and Comey was “absolutely, as a legal matter, utterly and completely false” claiming that.](https://videos.files.wordpress.com/LuVCxXtx/elizabeth-foley-on-indepedent-fbi_hd.mp4) > > and > > [that cannot be any “obstruction of justice” in Trump’s actions even if there was “corrupt intent”. President’s power in these matters is plenary and the only consequences can be political.](https://videos.files.wordpress.com/AipXc56i/eliabeth-foley-on-trump-obstruction-of-justice_hd.mp4) For another point of view, listen to the first segment in the latest Amicus podcast: nuanced conversation between Dahlia Lithwick of Slate and Robert Weisberg of Stanford. Weisberg, a criminal law expert, talks in some depth about the complexities of the obstruction of justice laws and how they may or may not apply in this case. [The meaning of obstruction of justice.](http://www.slate.com/articles/podcasts/amicus/2017/06/the_meaning_of_obstruction_of_justice.html) ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/788 "2017-06-14T22:44:14Z")
Well, the Washington Post is reporting that the special counsel is [investigating Trump for obstruction](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/special-counsel-is-investigating-trump-for-possible-obstruction-of-justice/2017/06/14/9ce02506-5131-11e7-b064-828ba60fbb98_story.html?pushid=5941b725658e691d00000050&tid=notifi_push_breaking-news&utm_term=.0d97abde2cd1). I don’t think that’s a surprise to anyone, given he actually said he fired Comey over the Russia thing. Collusion is not referenced in the article at all. Just want to be clear on that. It does report that investigators have been looking for evidence of financial crimes among Trump associates. I expect they’ll find some. I expect Trump is guilty of financial crimes. Sad as it is, I do not think there is a single politician out there that, were I to learn they were guilty of financial crimes, I would be actively surprised. Maybe I’m just too cynical. It’s not that I think they’re all guilty; it’s just that I think enough of them are that no given one surprises me. Especially when it comes to those I don’t know much about, I tend to think there’s at least a 20% chance. Some people seem more concerned about this leak, because it reveals details of an ongoing investigation. But everyone’s obviously going to read anyway (doesn’t do any good not to). ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/789 "2017-06-14T23:13:04Z")
Well, he can no longer say that he is not under investigation. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/790 "2017-06-14T23:15:29Z")
I think the long game is in following the money. That takes time, but maybe not too much time. I think a lot of people overlook the fact that Comey began his investigation last summer. He will have made a lot of progress. My understanding based on a lot of reading over these months is that the Steele dossier has proved to be an extremely accurate road map of Trump’s various involvements with the Russians and has provided invaluable aid in pursuing all the various rabbit warrens. I imagine Mueller is much farther along in the investigation than most realize. It’s a complex case with lots of complicated entanglements, hidden with shell corporations and a willful intent to deceive – because many of the activities are illegal. I also think Mueller understands the urgency of the situation. His recent hires of Andrew Weissmann and Michael Dreeben indicate to me he’s getting top prosecutors up to speed. It may yet be some months before Mueller offers his report, but when he does, I expect it to be a complete annihilation of Trump on both the obstruction and collusion issues. I also expect Trump is fearful enough he will attempt to fire Mueller at some point before the report is released. I think Mueller’s move today to leak the information about Trump being personally under investigation on his birthday is an attempt to goad Trump into doing this sooner rather than later, if he’s going to do it. The sooner Trump attempts to fire Mueller, the sooner Congress will be pressured to do something meaningful about this… indescribable mess. JMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/791 "2017-06-14T23:25:41Z")
> [@Tzigone](#): > > Well, the Washington Post is reporting that the special counsel is [investigating Trump for obstruction](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/special-counsel-is-investigating-trump-for-possible-obstruction-of-justice/2017/06/14/9ce02506-5131-11e7-b064-828ba60fbb98_story.html?pushid=5941b725658e691d00000050&tid=notifi_push_breaking-news&utm_term=.0d97abde2cd1). I don’t think that’s a surprise to anyone, given he actually said he fired Comey over the Russia thing. So, like, not vindicated, huh? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/792 "2017-06-14T23:34:33Z")
> [@Tzigone](#): > > Well, the Washington Post is reporting that the special counsel is [investigating Trump for obstruction](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/special-counsel-is-investigating-trump-for-possible-obstruction-of-justice/2017/06/14/9ce02506-5131-11e7-b064-828ba60fbb98_story.html?pushid=5941b725658e691d00000050&tid=notifi_push_breaking-news&utm_term=.0d97abde2cd1). I don’t think that’s a surprise to anyone, given he actually said he fired Comey over the Russia thing. Aye: > [@](#): > > Trump had received private assurances from then-FBI Director James B. Comey starting in January that he was not personally under investigation. Officials say that changed shortly after Comey’s firing. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/793 "2017-06-15T00:30:28Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Well, he can no longer say that he is not under investigation. Of course he can. Since when has Trump been constrained by the truth? ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/794 "2017-06-15T01:19:20Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Well, he can no longer say that he is not under investigation. Which, I think, is absolutely hilarious. He was so obsessed with making sure everybody knows that he’s not under investigation…and look where it got him. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Fair\_Rarity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fair_rarity/32/153_2.png) [@Fair\_Rarity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fair_Rarity)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/795 "2017-06-15T01:32:04Z")
Ok, let’s say Mueller finds sufficient cause for obstruction. What then? Do we think the GOP-led congress is going to do anything? Even with a 60% disapproval for Trump? I do take some small comfort in being right on this fucking orange idiot, but “I told you so” doesn’t change a damn thing. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/796 "2017-06-15T01:33:57Z")
> [@Fair\_Rarity](#): > > Ok, let’s say Mueller finds sufficient cause for obstruction. What then? Do we think the GOP-led congress is going to do anything? Even with a 60% disapproval for Trump? > > I do take some small comfort in being right on this fucking orange idiot, but “I told you so” doesn’t change a damn thing. Wow a whiff of reality in the middle of fantasy land. How refreshing. ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/797 "2017-06-15T01:43:23Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I think the long game is in following the money. That takes time, but maybe not too much time. I think a lot of people overlook the fact that Comey began his investigation last summer. He will have made a lot of progress. My understanding based on a lot of reading over these months is that the Steele dossier has proved to be an extremely accurate road map of Trump’s various involvements with the Russians and has provided invaluable aid in pursuing all the various rabbit warrens. > > I imagine Mueller is much farther along in the investigation than most realize. It’s a complex case with lots of complicated entanglements, hidden with shell corporations and a willful intent to deceive – because many of the activities are illegal. > > I also think Mueller understands the urgency of the situation. His recent hires of Andrew Weissmann and Michael Dreeben indicate to me he’s getting top prosecutors up to speed. > > It may yet be some months before Mueller offers his report, but when he does, I expect it to be a complete annihilation of Trump on both the obstruction and collusion issues. > > I also expect Trump is fearful enough he will attempt to fire Mueller at some point before the report is released. I think Mueller’s move today to leak the information about Trump being personally under investigation on his birthday is an attempt to goad Trump into doing this sooner rather than later, if he’s going to do it. The sooner Trump attempts to fire Mueller, the sooner Congress will be pressured to do something meaningful about this… indescribable mess. > > JMHO. I agree with every word of this. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/798 "2017-06-15T01:52:16Z")
> [@Fair\_Rarity](#): > > Ok, let’s say Mueller finds sufficient cause for obstruction. What then? Do we think the GOP-led congress is going to do anything? Even with a 60% disapproval for Trump? > > I do take some small comfort in being right on this fucking orange idiot, but “I told you so” doesn’t change a damn thing. The tide is beginning to turn, and the Republicans have started to cut bait. It won’t take too many to induce a stampede for the door. (Sorry for mixed metaphors.) Chuck Grassley, Republican Chairman of the Judiciary Committee in the Senate, has agreed to open a probe into Trump’s potential obstruction of justice. That’s a big change. Paul Ryan recently said he supports Mueller’s investigation and is willing to let the chips fall where they may. These sentiments are newly joined by several other prominent Republicans. No more knee jerk defenses – unless you believe every word that comes out of Louie Gohmert’s mouth. (I wouldn’t.) It’s hard to be patient, but Republicans have begun to do the math and accept that continued support of Trump is a losing proposition. We may save our representative democracy yet. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/799 "2017-06-15T01:56:36Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > The tide is beginning to turn, and the Republicans have started to cut bait. It won’t take too many to induce a stampede for the door. (Sorry for mixed metaphors.) Nobody wants to be either the first or the last rat off the ship. The Russia sanctions vote today at 97-2 was pretty telling. This was the president’s own party telling their party leader that they don’t trust him to sell out the United States. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/800 "2017-06-15T01:58:26Z")
[Senate approves new Russia sanctions](http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/14/politics/senate-new-russia-sanctions/index.html) Passed 97-2. This is the most hopeful sign that Trump has been crossing a bridge too far for even Senate Republicans. The only holdouts were Mike Lee of Utah and Rand Paul. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792.md?page=39) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792.md?page=41)