Trump Expresses Hope for Further Prosecutions Following Comey Indictment
On the White House’s south lawn, Donald Trump addressed reporters, sharing his thoughts on the recent indictment of former FBI Director James Comey.
“This is about justice, not vengeance,” the president emphasized regarding the charges against Comey. He accused the ex-FBI chief, whom he dismissed in 2017, of believing he would evade accountability. “He thought he wouldn’t get caught, but he did,” Trump stated, adding, “He lied-repeatedly.”
Trump also voiced his expectation that “others will face prosecution“ in connection with ongoing investigations.
Without elaborating, the president mentioned that he “believes a deal with Gaza is in place.”
“I think this agreement will secure the release of hostages and bring an end to the conflict,” he said.
He further remarked, “That will mark the eighth conflict resolved,” referencing his previously disputed claims about the number of wars he has ended since returning to office.
Following Donald Trump’s directive to Attorney General Bondi to “act immediately” in pursuing charges against James Comey and other officials he views as adversaries, an indictment was swiftly issued. This directive, conveyed through an unusually blunt social media message, starkly disregarded the Justice Department’s longstanding principle of independence.
This development occurred shortly after Lindsey Halligan was appointed as the chief federal prosecutor for Virginia’s Eastern District. Halligan replaced Erik Siebert, who was dismissed by Trump after declining to file charges against Comey due to a lack of sufficient evidence.
Halligan, previously a White House aide and former legal counsel for Trump without prior prosecutorial experience, received a memo earlier this week outlining reasons against pursuing charges. Nevertheless, sources familiar with the situation confirmed that the Justice Department proceeded with the indictment.
Senator Mark Warner, Virginia’s senior Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, commented:
“Donald Trump has made it clear that he aims to weaponize our justice system to punish and silence his critics.”
In response to the indictment, Comey posted a video on Instagram asserting his innocence and expressing readiness for trial.
“My family and I have long understood the consequences of standing up to Donald Trump, but we refuse to live in submission, and neither should you,” Comey declared.
Related: Ex-FBI director James Comey indicted on two charges as Trump pushes to prosecute political enemies
Additional updates:
- Authorities confirmed that the suspect involved in Wednesday’s shooting at a Texas Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center expressed explicitly anti-ICE sentiments. However, investigators found no evidence linking the individual to any organized group or specific government agency beyond ICE.
- The Open Society Foundations (OSF), funded by George Soros, condemned the Trump administration for “politically motivated assaults on civil society“ following reports that the Justice Department directed federal prosecutors to devise strategies to investigate the foundation.
- Donald Trump issued a presidential memorandum targeting what he described as a radical left-wing domestic “terror network.” Critics argue this move could face significant legal challenges, viewing it as a pretext for broad suppression of political opponents.
- Trump announced new punitive tariffs, including a 100% duty on imported branded pharmaceuticals, 25% on heavy-duty trucks, and 50% on kitchen cabinets. Additionally, a 30% tariff on upholstered furniture imports is set to begin next week.
- The president signed an executive order formalizing a deal to transfer TikTok’s US operations to an American owner. Trump stated that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached an agreement allowing TikTok to continue functioning in the US, separating it from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, in compliance with legislation that would have otherwise forced the app’s shutdown.
- A group of Disney shareholders is demanding access to documents related to the company’s temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show. The move comes amid allegations that the media giant may have capitulated to censorship pressures.
- An unauthorized statue depicting Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands was swiftly removed from the National Mall in Washington, DC, just one day after anonymous artists installed it.
House Democrats Convene Virtual Caucus Meeting as Government Funding Deadline Nears
The House Democratic caucus is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting today at 2 p.m. EST, as the threat of a government shutdown looms just five days away.
So far, Democrats in Congress have stood united in opposing the Republican-crafted resolution that aims to extend government funding only until November 21. Meanwhile, President Trump has canceled a planned meeting with Democratic leaders that was set for this week.
Democrats have also criticized a recent memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which instructed federal agencies to prepare for potential layoffs if a shutdown occurs, labeling it a scare tactic.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sharply rebuked OMB Director Russ Vought earlier this week, calling him a “malignant political hack” and telling him to “get lost.” Jeffries emphasized, “We will not be intimidated by your threat to engage in mass firings.”
ACLU Denounces James Comey Indictment as a Stark Misuse of Presidential Authority
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) released a statement condemning the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, describing it as a blatant misuse of presidential power.
Mike Zamore, the ACLU’s national director of policy and government affairs, stated, “By dismissing his own appointed U.S. Attorney and installing a loyalist to pursue criminal charges on his behalf, President Trump has once again shown contempt for the foundational principles that have made America strong.” Zamore added, “This administration has corrupted the justice system to transform a personal vendetta into a legal reality.”
Donald Trump Departs White House for Ryder Cup Golf Event in New York
President Donald Trump is set to leave the White House around 9:50 a.m. EST to attend the Ryder Cup golf tournament in Bethpage, New York. Observers will be watching closely for any remarks he might make to reporters during his transit.
He plans to spend the day at the tournament before returning to Washington, D.C., at approximately 3:30 p.m. EST.
Trump Asserts South Korea Will Commit Billions in Upfront Investments Despite Economic Concerns
President Trump has reiterated his expectation that South Korea will provide billions of dollars in upfront investments, despite Seoul’s warnings that meeting U.S. demands without protective measures could trigger a financial crisis.
In July, South Korea pledged $350 billion toward U.S. projects but has resisted U.S. demands for control over these funds. South Korean officials report that negotiations to finalize their trade agreement have stalled.
Earlier this month, Trump secured a trade deal with Japan, which included reduced tariffs on Japanese car imports and other goods in exchange for $550 billion in Japanese investments in U.S. projects. U.S. officials have since urged South Korea to follow Japan’s lead.
“Japan has committed $550 billion, South Korea $350 billion. That’s upfront,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, highlighting the financial gains from his broad tariff policies.
However, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung recently told Reuters that without safeguards like a currency swap agreement, South Korea’s economy could face severe instability.
Background: Trump’s Indictment of James Comey and Its Political Implications
Donald Trump’s persistent efforts to have someone within his administration pursue criminal charges against James Comey, the former FBI director he dismissed in 2017, culminated in an indictment announced on Thursday.
Trump’s overt hostility toward Comey and his public calls for Comey’s imprisonment may complicate prosecutors’ attempts to demonstrate that the case is free from political motivations.
Comey was removed from his position after reportedly refusing to pledge personal loyalty to Trump and revealing to Congress that the FBI was investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Ironically, Comey’s firing prompted then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to appoint former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to oversee the investigation into Russian election interference and related matters.
Mueller’s 2019 report found no conclusive evidence that the Trump campaign conspired with Russia but confirmed that Russia sought to influence the election in Trump’s favor and that the campaign anticipated benefiting from the stolen information released by Russian operatives.
The indictment of Comey emerges as Trump attempts to leverage the Justice Department’s authority to target a key figure in the Russia probe, which he has repeatedly dismissed as a “witch hunt” and “hoax.”
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