When President Barack Obama nominated James Comey to head the FBI back in 2013, most of us shook our heads and said, Why give the Republican Party anything at this point? As the last couple of years have unfolded, it has become more and more clear that James Comey is one of President Obama’s mistakes. He’s a racist idiot for one. And he’s also doing some really dubious stuff these days with his irresponsibly cryptic and one-sided statements this election cycle. Matthew Miller is the former spokesperson for the Department of Justice. He’s been an outspoken Clinton supporter and very critical of James Comey this election cycle. He just went on a nice rant on Twitter that’s worth your time.
xThis is such an inappropriate public disclosure by Comey. And sadly the latest in a long string of them. https://t.co/8MgrH9UKlR
— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016 xComey refused to even tell Congress if FBI was investigating Trump camp for Russia hack, but regular updates on Clinton are apparently A-ok.
— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016 xHe flagrantly violated DOJ rules with his press conference. Then went on to break new ground discussing details of the case to Congress...2/
— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016 xFollowed by quickly releasing FBI 302's, something they rarely do, and which I doubt they will do for future high-profile cases. 3/
— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016 xEach time, he either violated or seriously stretched DOJ rule & precedent. Press conference was the original sin, & it begat the rest. 4/
— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016 xBut today's disclosure might be worst abuse yet. DOJ goes out of its way to avoid publicly discussing investigations close to election. 5/
— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016 xNot just public discussion either. Often won't send subpoenas or take other steps that might leak until after an election is over...6/
— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016 xWhy? Because voters have no way to interpret FBI/DOJ activity in a neutral way. Who is the target of an investigation? What conduct? 7/
— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016 xThis might be totally benign & not even involve Clinton. But no way for press or voters to know that. Easy for opponent to make hay over. 8/
— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016 xWhich takes us back to the original rule: you don't comment on ongoing investigations. Then multiply that times ten close to an election. 9/
— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016 xFor whatever reason (& there are many theories), Comey continues to ignore that. But only for Clinton. 10/
— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016 xFBI is undoubtedly investigating links between the Russian hack, Manafort, & the Trump campaign. But aren't commenting on it. Good! 11/
— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016 xThey shouldn't be commenting on investigations! But that should apply to all. Instead Clinton consistently treated differently/worse. 12/12
— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016I might not agree with Matthew Miller on everything but I agree with him here, and most specifically in that last tweet.