According to foreign media reports such as "Capitol Hill" on the 6th, former US President Trump recently said something in an interview that aroused concern. He said in the interview that if he had not fired james Comey, the former director of the FBI, he might not have been able to stay in the White House for four years.
Former U.S. President Trump Image Source: People's Vision
In an interview broadcast on the 5th local time, Trump told Fox News host Mark Levin, "Many people say to me, how you survived [from the presidency], this is one of the most incredible things." He continued, "Don't forget, I fired Comey. If I hadn't fired Comey, you probably wouldn't be talking to me now about this beautiful book about my four years in the White House, and we'll wait and see into the future. The future will be very interesting. ”
Trump accepted the interview to sell a new album about his life in the White House. But the interview evolved into his complaints about grievances and bragging about his four-year term. But Trump's public admission to firing Comey has raised particular concerns. Critics argue that if Trump dismisses the FBI director in charge of investigating Trump's "Russiagate," it would constitute obstruction of justice. Steve Benin, a producer at Microsoft National Broadcasting Corporation (MSNBC), said, "If anyone is curious, the statute of limitations for federal obstruction of justice is five years." Trump fired Comey four and a half years ago. ”
Former FBI Commissioner James Comey Source: The New York Times
Comey announced in March 2017 that he was investigating ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. Less than two months later, on May 9 of that year, Trump fired Mr. Comey. Trump has repeatedly called the so-called "Russiagate" investigation a "hoax."
Trump also mentioned Comey again in this interview, directly saying that "what I wanted to say before is that if I don't fire Comey, they will want to bring down the president of the United States." "Now, those people say it's the most incredible instinctive action they've ever seen, because I'm not going to be able to — I'll probably sit with you, maybe we'll talk about something else," he said. But I thought that if I didn't fire him, I might not survive because it was like a honeycomb. ”
Trump and Comey New York Times infographic
After Trump fired Comey, the U.S. Department of Justice appointed Robert Mueller as the special prosecutor for "Russiagate." Trump has given various explanations for why He fired Comey, sometimes acknowledging that the "Russiagate" investigation has played a role. But the interview broadcast on the 5th is one of the most direct statements Trump made on this matter, that is, the dismissal of the former FBI director may prevent his own presidency from being removed.
In a 2019 report, Mueller listed 10 examples of Trump's possible obstruction of justice, one of which was to fire Comey. But Mueller refused to prosecute Trump at the time because the incumbent president could not be prosecuted. Then-U.S. Attorney General Barr released his own report, saying Mueller's investigative evidence was insufficient to prove Trump had committed obstruction of justice. (Editor: HHJ)