The FBI is a world-famous crime fighting organization. It is synonymous with solid professionalism. I have never heard anyone say they didn’t want the FBI working their case after a crime has been committed.
The FBI is like all organizations, imperfect. In the post 9/11 era, its anti-terrorism focus was at times thought to be overzealous, generating complaints from multiple sources including minority communities, and civil libertarians. The fast and loose ways of the J.Edgar Hoover FBI are long gone. The infamous founder of the crime fighting agency was famous for pursuing personal vendettas and agendas. But since FBI Associate Director, Mark Felt was discovered to be “Deep Throat”, the secret source for the Washington’s Post’s insight into the corrupt Nixon administration, a large majority of Americans have viewed the FBI as an honest and neutral bulwark against criminals of all kinds, inside and outside of the government.
Last weekend, in a rush of tweets Trump took aim at targets old and new. Trump criticized the FBI and raised questions about the special prosecutor’s investigation into Russian election meddling and the possible ties to the Trump campaign.
In that storm of tweets, more than a dozen–came after his former NSA, Mike Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. In one of his posts Trump once again denied that he had asked former FBI Director James Comey for a loyalty pledge, or directed him to stop investigating Flynn. Trump called the nation’s top law enforcement agency a biased institution whose reputation was “in Tatters–worst in History!” and urged FBI Director Chris Wray to “clean house.” Trump personally promised in his tweet meltdown to “bring it back to greatness.”
Eric Holder, former FBI Director, tweeted in response, “Nope. Not letting this go. The FBI’s reputation is not in ‘tatters.’ It’s composed of the same dedicated men and women who have always worked there and who do a great, apolitical job. You’ll find integrity and honesty at FBI headquarters and not at 1600 Penn Avenue right now.”
Trump had seized on reports that a veteran FBI counterintelligence agent, Peter Strzok was removed by special counsel Mueller last summer after the discovery of an exchange of text messages that were viewed as potentially anti-Trump. The agent, had also worked on the investigation of Democrat Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server.
The attacks against the agency by a sitting president are unprecedented. Trump, a man of proven low moral character, claimed in a Tweet Saturday that the agency’s stature is in “tatters'” It was amazing to hear a man of Trump’s reputation and known habit of lying, attack the reputation and honesty of the FBI.
The president’s reaction to the FBI’s legally sanctioned investigation of Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential election may be understandable from a man who views himself as a street fighter, however intentionally running down the FBI at the same time when it has literally hundreds of investigations underway, some of them dangerous is not a wise move by the nation’s chief executive officer, who oversees the FBI, and ought to be more concerned for the agents’ welfare and safety.
The Republican Party was once the defender of law and order. Now, we have a Republican leader and a gang of his cult cohorts now turning their weaponry against the world’s foremost police agency. An agency that has effectively fought organized crime, terrorism, both foreign and home-grown.
It is not uncommon for political candidates to criticize governmental agencies, but it is quite another to sabotage agencies after an election. In the mean time, we as citizens need our government to work. And I for one, want and expect the FBI to continue doing its job with expected honesty and dedication.
There is no evidence that the FBI is in “tatters.” Robert Mueller, the retired FBI director who is now in charge of the independent investigation of Russian election interference, promptly relieved Strzok because of the pro-Clinton emails. This, to me at least, is a sign that the FBI has a self-correction mechanism. Mueller has demonstrated objectivity, fairness and truthfulness in a 50 year career of public service, in contrast to Donald Trump. Trump is clearly unfit to occupy any kind of public office, certainly not the presidency.
There is no parallel in our history for such a president as Donald Trump. In “History’s First Draft” historical critics frame Trump’s presidency this way, “His time in office, like so much of his life, will be deemed a corrupt messy shambles.” The emerging question is what extent will be the damage that he inflicts, before he is forced from office.
In fact, ethics evaporate when discussing Trump. Just accept the obvious. Trump is simply trying to derail an investigation that is now penetrating into the central core of the White House. We as citizens must make certain that Robert Mueller and the FBI stay on the job. At least 65% of Americans believe the Russian government interfered in the 2016 election, and that the Trump campaign team actively participated in that interference.
There is a common denominator to Trump’s endless attacks on everyone from Jimmy Kimmel to Robert Mueller. His method is; attack, deflect, distract, attack, deflect, distract. As he sees it, to inflict wounds is a sign of strength. He will then move on to new enemies doing the same pattern. attack, deflect, distract, wounding and then moving on, often in fact returning at a later time to launch a fresh barrage of attacks. at a previously injured target.
In Trump’s mind, to offer solace or attempt to heal a situation is a sign of weakness. Trump has ripped the fabric of our country apart, and he hopes to feed on that division. Over and over Trump succeeds in keeping the media, and the citizenry off-balance. Speaking for myself, I am daily left to bat at wild pitches and dangerously close curve balls. It is exhausting.
Trump Twitter Rages Are Bad For The Country
There are troubling signs ahead for Trump and his most inner circle. The investigation of the Russian meddling will certainly end badly for a number of Trump associates, and most likely Jared Kushner, the Trump family and Donald Trump himself; and they will have no one to blame, but themselves. In the meantime, I believe the intensity and anger of Trump’s tweets will increase dramatically. Disinformation will fly wildly, issued by a man who knows the jig is just about up.
Yesterday I watched on television as FBI Director Christopher Wray counters attacks by Donald Trump, saying, “There is no finer institution than the FBI.”
Wray was testifying before the House Judiciary Committee as Democrats and Republicans clashed over the significance of Trump’s attacks on the FBI. The Democrats encouraged Wray to push back forcefully against the Trump attacks, while the Republicans on the committee fanned the fire created by Trump’s outrage, suggesting a political bias at the foundation of the Mueller investigation.
Wray conceded that agents do make mistakes, but said there are processes in place to hold people accountable. “There is no shortage of opinions out there, but what I can tell you is that the FBI that I see is tens of thousands of agents and analysts and staff working their tails offs to keep Americans safe.” Wray, who has headed the embattled agency for only four months, continued, “The FBI that I see is tens of thousands brave men and women working as hard as they can to keep people they will never know safe from harm.”
Given the world’s problems, from income inequality, to terrorism to climate change, the timing of bringing a man like Donald Trump into the presidency could prove disastrous for our country. Multiple actions he has taken internationally are undermining 75 years of State Department policy. The longer he is allowed to monkey with our government the more difficult it will be to put it back together again.
We as citizens must be a visible presence for the Resistance. Hit the streets. Be Loud. Be Strong. Be Persistent. Be Visible. Protest this administration in any way that you can. Call, email, tweet your lawmakers, repeatedly. Protest in the streets.
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Dar
