President Trump goes on tweet storm to threaten James Comey
Listen to this articlePresident Donald Trump hinted that he had tapes of conversations with ousted FBI Director James Comey. (WhiteHouse.gov)
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump lashed out in six tweets within an hour Friday morning, threatening ousted FBI Director James Comey as well as the media.
One tweet said: “James Comey better hope that there are no “tapes” of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!”
In his Tuesday letter to Comey firing him, the president referred to three instances when Comey had assured him that he was not under investigation. Comey was overseeing the probe into whether there was any collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia to interfere with the 2016 presidential election.
On Thursday, Trump told NBC’s Lester Holt in an exclusive interview that he was referring to a dinner and he and Comey had, a phone call that Comey initiated, and a phone call that the president initiated. Trump called Comey a “showboat and a “grandstander.”
Many legal analysts say it was inappropriate for the president to inquire if he was under investigation, and say it would be very unusual for an FBI director to reveal the status of a probe under such circumstances.
Trump’s barrage of tweets also railed at the media, in his continuing war against the fourth estate and what he considers “the opposition party” that produces “fake news.” He has threatened to cancel press briefings and distribute written responses to reporters’ queries.
“As a very active President with lots of things happening, it is not possible for my surrogates to stand at podium with perfect accuracy!…. …Maybe the best thing to do would be to cancel all future “press briefings” and hand out written responses for the sake of accuracy???”
The White House press office has come under fire for inconsistencies in their accounting of why Comey was terminated and who actually made the decision. On Tuesday the White House released a memo Deputy U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein sent to his boss, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, urging that Comey be fired. Sessions in turn sent Trump a letter reiterating that sentiment; the White House also released that letter on Tuesday, along with Trump’s curt letter to Comey firing him.
The press briefings this week have been handled by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Press Secretary Sean Spicer is fulfilling a National Guard commitment at the Pentagon.
When James Clapper himself, and virtually everyone else with knowledge of the witch hunt, says there is no collusion, when does it end?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2017
James Comey better hope that there are no “tapes” of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2017
…Maybe the best thing to do would be to cancel all future “press briefings” and hand out written responses for the sake of accuracy???
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2017
As a very active President with lots of things happening, it is not possible for my surrogates to stand at podium with perfect accuracy!….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2017
The Fake Media is working overtime today!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2017
Again, the story that there was collusion between the Russians & Trump campaign was fabricated by Dems as an excuse for losing the election.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2017
On Thursday afternoon the president provoked his long-time nemesis, comedian Rosie O’Donnell. He retweeted a two-word tweet, “Fire Comey,” she wrote on Dec. 20 in reply to a tweet from former Hillary Clinton press secretary Brian Fallon, Trump wrote: “Finally we agree on something Rosie.”
In response, O’Donnell called Trump sadistic and told him he didn’t realize the trouble he is in.
@realDonaldTrump – u don’t even realize the kind of trouble u r in – comeys people believe in him – for real – they have the proof – u r a sadistic man #USA
— ROSIE (@Rosie) May 11, 2017
The president is the subject of most of O’Donnell’s recent tweets and retweets.
This article was republished with permission from Talk Media News.
Regina Holmes has more than two decades of experience as a journalist –editing and reporting for news dailies including the Miami Herald, Newsday and the Baltimore Examiner. She also launched an award-winning investigative news website that tackled police and political corruption in Baltimore. She has worked as a consultant for the World Bank and Baltimore County Public Schools. Regina became a journalist because even as a child she was fascinated by the power of the press: how it could force a president out of office, elect a president, expose corruption, and shine a light on discrimination. She is passionate about giving a voice to people who are disenfranchised, ignored or powerless, including people of color, senior citizens, the impoverished, people with disabilities, veterans, and children. Issues in which she is particularly interested include race relations, criminal justice, and police brutality. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from Vassar College and a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University. She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists. In her spare time, Regina enjoys traveling,antiquing, window-shopping for carsand watching HGTV.