What others say: Moving forward after Comey testimony

  • By London Telegraph editorial
  • Monday, June 19, 2017 3:26pm
  • Opinion

Critics of Donald Trump hoped that yesterday’s congressional testimony of James Comey, former director of the FBI, would open a path to the impeachment of the president. Mr Comey said that he accepted Mr Trump’s right to fire him but claimed that the president “lied” about his motives and “defamed” the FBI. Nevertheless, he refused to say whether or not the president had attempted to obstruct justice when Mr Trump asked Mr Comey to let Mike Flynn, the former National Security Advisor, off the hook. He also denied that the president had ordered him to drop the investigation into Russian involvement in last year’s election.

Mr Comey came across as a public servant standing up for the reputation of his former agency, but his own time in office was controversial. Some Democrats blame his last-minute announcement of an investigation related to Hillary Clinton’s emails for losing them the White House, and it is the surprise outcome of the election that is really on trial. Many Americans still cannot believe it or accept it. Did the Russians try to interfere with the contest, senators asked Mr Comey? Yes, he said, but they did not physically change a single vote. And that exchange was typical of the way in which Mr Comey raised hopes of a smoking gun only to dash them.

Perhaps all Mr Trump is guilty of is naivite and ignorance about the FBI’s independence. These are not qualities one would desire in a US president, but nothing is going to change his job title for the moment. Indeed, it would be better if he could just get on with it. Mr Trump’s agenda contains some things that would be good for everyone: cut taxes, deregulate the economy, fight terrorism. He has, however, become bogged down in the very Washington swamp that he promised to drain.

This is in part his own fault. Mr Comey suggested that if Mr Trump had sacked him and stayed silent about his reasons, he might have happily retired into obscurity. Whether this is true or not, life would be less exciting but more peaceful if the president stayed off Twitter. Discipline is a virtue in politics. The White House needs to accept that the investigation is taking place and assist it. The president has to focus on getting legislation through Congress and uniting the free world — to reassert America’s critical leadership in the fight against terror.

— The Telegraph,

June 8

More in Opinion

A cherished "jolly Santa head" ornament from the Baisden Christmas tree. (Photo provided)
Opinion: Reflections of holidays past

Our family tradition has been to put up our Christmas tree post-Thanksgiving giving a clear separation of the holidays

Screenshot. (https://dps.alaska.gov/ast/vpso/home)
Opinion: Strengthening Alaska’s public safety: Recent growth in the VPSO program

The number of VPSOs working in our remote communities has grown to 79

Soldotna City Council member Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings participates in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL candidate forum series, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: I’m a Soldotna Republican and will vote No on 2

Open primaries and ranked choice voting offer a way to put power back into the hands of voters, where it belongs

Nick Begich III campaign materials sit on tables ahead of a May 16, 2022, GOP debate held in Juneau. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: North to a Brighter Future

The policies championed by the Biden/Harris Administration and their allies in Congress have made it harder for us to live the Alaskan way of life

Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Vote yes to retain Judge Zeman and all judges on your ballot

Alaska’s state judges should never be chosen or rejected based on partisan political agendas

A vintage Underwood typewriter sits on a table on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the Homer News in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Point of View: District 6 needs to return to representation before Vance

Since Vance’s election she has closely aligned herself with the far-right representatives from Mat-Su and Gov. Mike Dunleavy

The Anchor River flows in the Anchor Point State Recreation Area on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Opinion: Help ensure Alaskans have rights to use, enjoy and care for rivers

It is discouraging to see the Department of Natural Resources seemingly on track to erode the public’s ability to protect vital water interests.

A sign directing voters to the Alaska Division of Elections polling place is seen in Kenai, Alaska, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Vote no on Ballot Measure 2

A yes vote would return Alaska to party controlled closed primaries and general elections in which the candidate need not win an outright majority to be elected.

Derrick Green (Courtesy photo)
Opinion: Ballot Measure 1 will help businesses and communities thrive

It would not be good for the health and safety of my staff, my customers, or my family if workers are too worried about missing pay to stay home when they are sick.

A sign warns of the presence of endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales at the Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Could an unnecessary gold mine drive Cook Inlet belugas extinct?

An industrial port for the proposed Johnson Tract gold mine could decimate the bay