Day 111: Fallout

So, basically everybody criticized Trump for firing Comey today. You should be angry too. This smacks of authoritarianism.

• More fuel for the fire: Comey had asked for extra resources for the Russia investigation. From the person who then wrote a memorandum rationalizing Trump firing him. Note that multiple sources have confirmed this story, while the Department of Justice has denied it. Why is the DoJ lying?
• Staffers at the White house point out that Trump was really frustrated by Comey over a few minor things, and Trump claims he honestly thought that everybody would be happy.
• The White house even claimed that Comey committed "atrocities". Wow. And this was after being helped by the guy. Remember how they didn't want to "smear a good man" regarding Flynn? This is completely bizarre, and most rationally explained by an administration out of control.
• Basically everybody pointed out that Trump's justification was terrible, and a number of people asked how much crap we're going to put up with before we revolt.
• You know you've fucked up when Chaffetz calls for an investigation into Comey's treatment.

In other news:

• The day after firing Comey (ie, today), Trump met with the top Russian diplomats. US Press was not allowed in, but Russian press was. Could the optics be any worse? Why, yes they could! He also met with Henry Kissinger!
• The Senate has formally subpoenaed Flynn in their Russian probe. About time.
• A reporter has been arrested for asking questions of the administration, in particular, Health Secretary Price. Let me stress: a democratic nation does not arrest reporters doing their job. A strong, independent press is vital to the health of a democracy.
• Remember the Dakota Access Pipeline, which Trump pushed through? It's not operation yet, and it's already had an oil spill.
• Some good news: the Senate rejected (barely! 49-51) a measure to overturn an Obama regulation on methane emissions. Note that the Congressional Review Act, the tool that Republicans are using to push all these through, has a timeframe it has to be used within. I thought it was 60 working days. We have to be running out of those days really soon now...

Update:

• One of the reasons Trump cited for firing Comey was a memorandum from Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General. Apparently Rosenstein was furious about being scapegoated, and threatened to resign.