Comey’s Testimony Creates Political Storm in US

Fired FBI Director, James Comey has created a political storm with his allegations against President, Donald Trump who has asked him to stop investigation against his former ‘National Security Advisor’- Michael Flynn. Trump was believed to seek ‘loyalty’ from the former FBI Director.

The Testimony

The seven page written testimony gave details about the interaction Comey had with Trump. This has been the most controversial congressional testimony in the recent decades. Comey has stated that Trump’s behaviour was ‘inappropriate’ and ‘illegal’. Trump has been accused for demanding loyalty from the FBI Director. The US President was also known to have been interfering in the Federal investigation and then firing Comey after his requests were not granted.

According to Comey, the behaviour of Trump has ‘obstructed justice’; he has been blamed for disregarding the ‘Rule of Law’. Such remarks made by Comey in his testimony had disturbed the Congress. The fact that a President would ask the chief law enforcement officer for ‘loyalty’ in exchange for ‘job security’ is baffling. Congressman, Jim Himes said that such statements by the President reveal that he is obsessed with loyalty and secrecy; exerting inappropriate pressure to achieve these goals.

However, Comey is being questioned about not doing much with regard to Trump interfering in the Federal investigation. At the same time, Comey’s testimony has been very controversial as the congressmen who seized the document said that Comey had written in his testimony twice that Trump would not be personally investigated in the Russia probe.

Trump requests to forgo Flynn’s investigation case

Michael Flynn had misled Vice President Mike Pence, White House Chief of Staff, Reince Priebus and Press Secretary, Sean Spicer about conversations he had with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak, allowing all three to make repeated false public statements. He did not tell Pence the truth until the facts were finally revealed. Spicer said that Trump knew about Flynn’s inaccurate statements for nearly three weeks and had fired him because of an eroding level of trust.

Comey in his testimony said that Trump had asked him to stop probing into Flynn’s investigation case centering on his calls with the Russian ambassador during his transition and asked him to publicly declare that he was not under investigation. However, Donald Trump at a press conference on 18^th May had denied his interference in the investigation case.

Assessment

Comey’s testimony reveals that Trump has been very secretive and can adopt inappropriate measures to achieve his goals. His involvement in the investigation is something to worry about as President of the United States. He has tried to shatter the independent status of the FBI in the executive branch. The allegations that have been put against him, if proven correct can have dire consequences on his presidency. With these increasing allegations against him, he can lose the support of many Congressmen which could even eventually lead to his impeachment.