Trump’s conduct towards Comey can be wrong without being evil

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the Wisconsin Republican discussed the content of Comey’s seven-page testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee. “The president’s new at this,” Ryan said. “He’s new to government. And so he probably wasn’t steeped in the long-running protocols that establish the relationships between the DOJ, FBI and White House.”

That remark was characterized by many as a defense of Trump’s behavior. But those charges are undermined entirely by Ryan clarifying: “I’m not saying it’s an acceptable excuse. It’s just my observation.”

And, in fact, the unusual behavior Comey described Trump taking part in is unusual for the very fact that it departs from Washington norms. Ryan, for his part, is arguing that Trump’s error is more a product of inexperience than malice. Given that Comey himself testified Trump never asked him to drop the Russia investigation, Ryan’s theory is more plausible than conjecture that Trump acted out of malice.

It is still acceptable to knock Trump without viewing this as impeachment-worthy wrongdoing. After all, his 2016 opponent repeatedly made the argument that he was simply not suited for the office. Experience is a reasonable prerequisite for the presidency, precisely so that we can avoid situations like these. Speaking so loosely with terms like, “I hope you can let this go” in unusual one-on-one meetings with the FBI director is something most politicians (with the exception of Loretta Lynch) would likely know better than to do.

It’s inappropriate, improper, and bizarre.

But chalking that conduct up to inexperience is actually a reasonable argument, especially considering Ryan, in his response, refused to simultaneously argue that this made the behavior acceptable.

It is possible to believe the president’s behavior was wrong without also believing it was willfully corrupt.

Emily Jashinsky is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.