Mon Sep 23 22:55:54 UTC 2024: ## Trump’s Pattern of Targeting Political Opponents: Former FBI Director Comey and Others Targeted
**WASHINGTON, D.C.** – New York Times Investigative Reporter Mike Schmidt joined Nicolle Wallace on “Deadline White House” to discuss President Trump’s history of using the presidency to launch attacks and investigations against his political opponents.
Schmidt highlighted a disturbing pattern, citing several examples:
* **James Comey:** Trump abruptly fired FBI Director James Comey in 2017, sparking accusations of obstruction of justice. The firing was widely seen as an attempt to hinder the FBI’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
* **Hillary Clinton:** Throughout the 2016 campaign and beyond, Trump relentlessly attacked his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, focusing on her use of a private email server while serving as Secretary of State.
* **Andy McCabe:** Former FBI Deputy Director Andy McCabe was fired by Trump in 2018 amidst accusations of misconduct. Some observers criticized this move as politically motivated, pointing to McCabe’s role in the Russia investigation.
Schmidt argued that these actions represent a concerning trend, highlighting the potential for abuse of power when the president uses his position to target political opponents. He emphasized the importance of holding Trump accountable for his actions and ensuring the integrity of government institutions.
“This is a pattern of behavior that we’ve seen from Trump throughout his presidency,” Schmidt stated during the interview. “He uses his power to attack his opponents, often with baseless accusations and innuendos.”
The interview sparked renewed discussion about the potential dangers of politicizing law enforcement and the importance of protecting democratic norms.
First Piper 