The Left is completely up in arms at now-former FBI Director James Comey’s dismissal. While I find quite a bit of irony in this fact, since they all wanted his head on a stick during the election, I can empathize with their concern. From all the reports released thus far, there is zero evidence to support the claim that Trump or his team were in cahoots with the Russians. However, to fire the head of the FBI while he is in the middle of an investigation does give a potential perception issue, and I, for one, am a big believer in the saying that perception is reality.
At the same time, I agree with the decision to replace Comey. I do not in any way doubt his dedication to the United States, nor do I want his reputation smeared because of all that has occurred over the last year and a half. I do not believe that you can find anyone who could honestly say that he was not placed in a losing situation, especially after Loretta Lynch acci-purposely met with Bill Clinton to have a private discussion in the middle of the investigation into his wife’s emails. After that meeting blew up in her face, she put Comey in the spotlight by essentially abdicating her prosecutorial powers to him. To be fair, there was simply no way he was going to escape from harm.
I do believe that Trump was correct in replacing Comey, although I think the way he went about it was undignified and not fitting for someone who has put in the service to country that Comey did. However, there is the problem of optics, and questions remain as to the truth of the Russian involvement. So, I find myself in complete agreement with the Democrats. For any of you who are waiting for the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, I don’t blame you.
For the sake of truth, honesty, and openness, there is simply no other choice than having an independent probe. As a conservative, I believe in the absoluteness of integrity within our government. Therefore, if there was collusion between anyone within the Trump campaign and Russia, then there should be swift and harsh punishments. This is not about ideology, it is about the law.
In order for our country to survive, we must have faith in our elected officials. Clearly this is something that simply does not exist. Trump ran on a platform that stated he was going to “drain the swamp.” If he cannot prove that he is above the fray, then he clearly cannot lead. By coming out and having the attorney general appoint an independent investigator, he will show that there is nothing happening under the cover of darkness.
Read the rest of the piece at OpsLens.
Matthew Wadler is a Senior OpsLens Contributor and U.S. Army veteran.
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