On Sunday evening, former FBI director James Comey took to Twitter to share his hopes for the new year.
Comey wrote in the post, seemingly aimed at President Donald Trump: ‘here’s hoping 2018 brings more ethical leadership, focused on the truth and lasting values. Happy New Year, everybody.’
Trump fired Comey back in May, and has said he was acting on the recommendation of Justice Department leaders who had faulted the FBI director for releasing ‘derogatory information’ about Hillary Clinton at the conclusion of the email server investigation months earlier.
Last Saturday, amid reports that FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe – a frequent Trump target – intended to retire, the President also tweeted took aim at Comey.
Former FBI director James Comey took to Twitter to share his hopes for 2018, which include ‘more ethical leadership’
James Comey listens during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, June 8, 2017
President Trump is pictured with son Barron arriving for a new year’s party at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 31, 2017
‘How can FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, the man in charge, along with leakin’ James Comey, of the Phony Hillary Clinton investigation (including her 33,000 illegally deleted emails) be given $700,000 for wife’s campaign by Clinton Puppets during investigation?’
‘The irony is most politicians would recognize that perpetuating silence post-firing would have been the most effective course,’ Jacob Frenkel, a Washington defense lawyer and former prosecutor told Associated Press.
In the event charges are brought or impeachment proceedings are begun, that kind of inconsistent messaging would present ‘entertaining fodder for cross-examination.’
And also, material that could be used to challenge a witness’s credibility, Frenkel explained.
But by the same token, the evolving messaging could oddly benefit Trump by making it difficult for prosecutors to attach any one motive or reason – such as a desire to shut down the Russia investigation – for Comey’s firing.
‘Once you start picking on one tweet or one message, then it becomes, ‘What about this tweet or that message?’ You’re constantly having competing messages,’ he added.
Last Saturday, amid reports that FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe – a frequent Trump target – intended to retire, the President also tweeted took aim at Comey
Trump shakes hands with Comey during an Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders Reception in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017