Does consistency demand those who objected Comey's ‘16 actions feel the same re Jack Smith's in ‘24?

[cinbadras]

Jack Smith was appointed in November of 2022. The case has dragged on due to Trump's delay tactics, numerous appeals, and then the Supreme Court sitting on the immunity case for months. Should Trump win Smith's silence because the delays resulted in this case ending up now right ahead of the election? You don't think that was the whole plan?

[clickeric]

Comey was reopening the investigation which is far different that a case that has already be brought by the special counsel and is being adjudicated. It is not up to the DOJ anymore, they are not in charge or the rules or the decisions being made about the the Jan 6th case. They can make appeals to the Court but the judge decides for themselves. The pillars of each situation are so different that you can't directly compare what Comey did to what Jack Smith is doing. One stage is still investigating and the other is already well into litigation. They are not comparable, and pretending they are is just as bad because it is superfical.

What Elie Honig has said in his op-ed doesn't make much sense for that reason. The rules he is talking about are not relevant once a case has been brought, so the premise of his criticism that it's a cheap shot is just as cheap. The Special Counsel, knows that their filing will be read by the public, defense and the Judge and it was made with all three audiences in mind as well as SCOTUS. That is why statements are there that might not make ultimately not make the cut are there, for context not only for the Judge but for the public. I don't follow traditional media and remain skeptical of what most pundits say, I don't hold anyone or their op

[bendarey]

Michael I typically find your commentary refreshing because of its nuance. On this I’m a bit unsettled. Jack Smith isn’t interfering with an election he’s trying to interfere with criminality. He has been pursuing this for done time but for the delays it’s now at the front door. I also think if people are undecided, they have a right to know about what a candidate first the list powerful position in the world did to actually interfere with an election. Thus is not the equivalent to what Comey disclosed back in 2016, first starters Clinton had not been President. That aside, people were left to decide on their choice in 2016 armed with information, albeit, scant, and decide they did. Where’s the error in Jack Smith actions?

Timing - really? So justice should be delayed because it may influence someone’s opinion? Either reasonable people can agree that this is or is not a legitimate pursuit. If not, then dismiss it if so then pursue it with all deliberate speed! Trump has managed to hijack the narrative and in fact is like the only resin he chose to run to get the martyrdom sympathy benefit - poor Donald why can’t they just forgive all his past transgressions and just let him run? But more seriously, we would not be here but for the vents leading up to and what occurred on J6, now the burden of not moving forward is on everyone else? And finally, let’s be very honest if this is postponed, will it ever see a disposition if DT is elected? It may not even if KH is elected in the name of healing a country that the former has so violently sickened. I believe that history has taught us all too well what becomes of justice delayed.

[B.madrigal]

Jack Smith is doing his job, trying to get this pending issue regarding the Suoreme Court ruling answered. This is apples and oranges compared to Comey issue. Michael, I keep hearing you defend Trump. I am disappointed.

[nathancurland]

Michael: Consistency is not a virtue. Truth is. Comey had nothing to prove anything ... that's why the prosecution went nowhere. Smith has a busload of evidence. Dumb question.

[peterkalis]

Sometimes, especially lately Michael, you are letting your Republican bias slip through. 1. Questioning Harris’s lack of specifics while Trump doesn’t have any. 2. Now this. Comey was releasing speculation only last time. Jack Smith is following up with something substantive filled with clear evidence. This is not true to your middle and independent stance.

Weird take. One was an investigation the other an indictment and this is part of motions in a trial. Investigations are typically not public. Trials are public. Not sure if you’re an attorney but there is a great difference.

[jeannehood]

This should have come out months ago but for Trumps delays.

[philiplogan]

If it was okay for Comey it should be okay for Smith.

[NeoRambo-fwce]

Michael, your MAGA is showing & it is getting outta control... Boo Hoo Boo Hoo!

[deadgolfer]

It's all a bunch of lawfare anyway right?

[estebancolon]

What goes around, come around, Two, can play the same 💯%

[jimmyjackson]

Michael, you will never satisfy double minded people! Consistency is like common sense, it’s not as common as it once was.

[ainsgrant]

I’m gonna be as upset as Donald Trump was in 2016.😒

[Steve-qgym]

The justice system in this country isn't impartial, lady justice isn't blind. You have judges donating to political parties, DA's running on prosecuting their parties political opponents etc. The issue here is, justice dept norms, filing norms, and timelines have all been thrown aside to get this info out before the election. Why? For political reasons. If you are a dem, it was for vital information before the election. If you are a Republican, it was lawfare and political. But isn't the system supposed to be blind? Shouldn't the system follow norms/procedures in order to be the bedrock we claim it to be? If we break with procedures and norms for the "greater good" well ask yourself this, who decides what the greater good is? The political party in power of course. This will be a back and forth. Lawfare is here to stay and going to get much worse.

[ainsgrant]

I’m gonna be as upset as Donald Trump was in 2016.😊

[pamelacorbett]

1. Comey was the FBI Director. Jack Smith is a Special Counsel. Different responsibilities.
2. Smith FILED this report. The judge is the one who DECIDED to release it.
3. Timing has been driven by Trump lawyers’ delays. Jack Smith has moved with lightning speed.
4. Most importantly, this filing adds little new information but to delay it renders the action moot if Trump is elected.

[tomjones]

That'll never come out of Brasile's lips.

[gregroseberry]

How many times does this Rizzo Lover have to make excuses for Trump's criminal behavior? So much for consistency..

[NiecyB]

I agree. Thank you for helping me figure out why something didn't seem right about this. We need to have strict rules, and no matter who it is, everyone has to be treated the same. Right is right, and wrong us wrong no matter who it is. Even if the other side cheats someone has to maintain integrity in the 3 branches of our government.