The constant changing of the reasons for firing of FBI Director James Comey is leaving many in Washington, and around the country, scratching their heads trying to figure out what’s the correct story. The latest turmoil follows NBC’s Lester Holt’s interview with President Trump on Thursday.
Here’s an excerpt, courtesy of NBC News. “I Was Going to Fire Comey Anyway,” Trump Tells Lester Holt in Interview:
The statement by the president that he planned to fire Comey anyway, contradicted statements by Vice President Pence, and most of Trumps spokespeople. The President in his tweets this morning says “As a very active President with lots of things happening, it is not possible for my surrogates to stand at podium with perfect accuracy!..”
Now for some of the morning headlines, and a look at the latest polls:
TheHill: Trump’s Comey firing sets off new round of leaks
President Trump is besieged by internal leaks as he tries to weather the fallout from his firing of FBI director James Comey.
Media reports about the run-up to Trump’s decision paint him as isolated and consumed by anger and paranoia, prompting questions from Trump allies about whose interests these government officials had in mind when they spoke to the press.
RealClearPolitics: Trump: DOJ Advice Followed His Decision to Ax Comey
President Trump decided to fire former FBI Director James Comey well before receiving recommendations from the Justice Department’s top officials this week, he said Thursday.
Trump’s description of his unilateral decision to jettison Comey, whom he described during an NBC News interview as “a showboat” and “a grandstander,” contradicted previous explanations this week by Vice President Mike Pence and the president’s communications team.
Reuters: Trump attacks on fired FBI chief meet resistance; Russia probe proceeds
President Donald Trump on Thursday ran into resistance for calling ousted FBI chief James Comey a “showboat,” an attack that was swiftly contradicted by top U.S. senators and the acting FBI leader, who pledged that an investigation into possible Trump campaign ties to Russia would proceed with vigor.
In his first interview since firing Comey on Tuesday, Trump appeared to try to underscore that Comey’s dismissal was about his performance at the Federal Bureau of Investigation and not about the Russia probe.
Politico: ‘Teflon Don’ faces his biggest test yet
Donald Trump has survived more seemingly fatal political scandals than any American politician before him – but even his allies see the president’s shock decision to fire FBI Director James Comey as an unmatched threat to his young presidency.
Sacking one of the nation’s top law-enforcement officials threatens to bury Trump’s legislative agenda under the rumble of bipartisan outcry – and it’s put the White House on defense explaining why canning the lead investigator into Trump associates’ ties to Russia isn’t an attempt to quash a presidency-threatening probe.
Breitbart: Senate Judiciary Chairman Confirms Trump Is Not Under FBI Investigation
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) on Thursday vouched for President Trump’s assertion in a letter to former FBI Director James Comey that he was not under investigation by the FBI.
Grassley told committee members at an executive meeting that he and Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) had met with Comey last week, and that he had briefed them on who the targets of the various investigations are.
Bloomberg TV: U.S. President Donald Trump explained on Thursday that the decision to fire FBI Director James Comey was his alone, contradicting the message delivered by White House staff earlier in the week. Bloomberg’s Stephanie Baker reports on “Bloomberg Surveillance.”
Latest Polls from RealClearPolitics:
| Thursday, May 11 |
| Race/Topic | Poll | Results | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| President Trump Job Approval | Rasmussen Reports | Approve 48, Disapprove 52 | Disapprove +4 |
| President Trump Job Approval | Gallup | Approve 38, Disapprove 55 | Disapprove +17 |
| Wednesday, May 10 |
| Race/Topic | Poll | Results | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| President Trump Job Approval | Quinnipiac | Approve 36, Disapprove 58 | Disapprove +22 |
| President Trump Job Approval | Economist/YouGov | Approve 43, Disapprove 52 | Disapprove +9 |
| President Trump Job Approval | Reuters/Ipsos | Approve 43, Disapprove 52 | Disapprove +9 |
| Congressional Job Approval | Gallup | Approve 20, Disapprove 74 | Disapprove +54 |
| Congressional Job Approval | Economist/YouGov | Approve 13, Disapprove 64 | Disapprove +51 |
| 2018 Generic Congressional Vote | Economist/YouGov | Democrats 40, Republicans 35 | Democrats +5 |
| Direction of Country | Economist/YouGov | Right Direction 35, Wrong Track 54 | Wrong Track +19 |
| Direction of Country | Reuters/Ipsos | Right Direction 30, Wrong Track 55 | Wrong Track +25 |
