FBI Director James Comey has caused consternation by his public actions. There is much discussion trying to understand what is really going on. One explanation, I believe, is that Director Comey is at war with the Justice Department.
The FBI’s responsibility is to investigate. However, they can only do that if they get help from the Justice Department. Lacking such cooperation, the FBI is put in the position that they cannot fully proceed and complete their investigation.
This would explain why in July, Director Comey went public and made the case for possible crimes by Hillary Clinton, but also said, “no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case.” This public position was inconsistent and baffled Congress and the public. Put in an impossible position by the Justice Department, Director Comey felt he had to disclose what he considered damning evidence while at the same time trying to send the message that “he could not find a reasonable prosecutor to bring the case.” His subsequent testimony to Congress reinforces such an interpretation.
Fast forward to present day and the most recent disclosure by Director Comey. Leaks indicated that Director Comey was having difficulty getting a search warrant to allow the examination of Huma Abedin’s emails. It appears that the FBI New York office first discovered the existence of such emails as part of their separate investigation of Anthony Weiner’s sexting. It seems reasonable that Director Comey had unofficially been informed of the content of these emails and again reinforced his earlier concern that crimes had possibly been committed. Once again, blocked by the Justice Department, the only thing he can do is go public and essentially in what looks like a call for help indicates that there is a need to pursue his investigation. As a result of going public, two days later he is granted a search warrant by the Justice Department that he previously could not obtain.
Director Comey, I feel, is a person of character. It is hard to believe that he has suddenly gone rogue. It is more plausible to conclude that what the public is observing is a man who is trying to prevent the Justice Department from continuing a cover up. If Hillary Clinton wins on November 8th the cover up will most likely continue. If she loses, then we will find out exactly what was going on and the process of seeking justice will proceed.
The Obama administration wants Clinton to win. The active campaigning by President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on behalf of Clinton is unusual and further reinforces the view that much more than an election is at stake. President Obama and Hillary Clinton have much to lose if they have been active participants in a cover up. If it’s found a cover up extends into the White House reputations will be forever damaged and that is ignoring the damage from any possible future prosecutions for crimes committed.
The stakes this Tuesday have never been higher. If there is no wrongdoing, then the Justice Department should have no problem cooperating fully in supporting the FBI in pursuing its investigations. What ultimately is at stake is whether or not we are a nation of laws.
Dick Sim is the author of Freedom to Argue: We the People Versus They the Government. He spent thirty years traveling the world overseeing global industrial operations, which included serving as CEO and Chairman of two NYSE public companies. He has an intimate knowledge of global capitalism, cultures and the role that technology plays in transforming society. For more information, please visit www.freedomtoargue.com.
