| | | | James Comey, political animal | | Former FBI director James Comey is very, very concerned with ensuring he is not perceived as a political guy.
Sure, he played an outsized role in the 2016 presidential election. Yes, he wrote a book about his time with President Donald Trump. And, OK, in that book, he concluded that Trump was morally unfit to be President of the United States.
But, he's not a political guy, OK?! The book, "A Higher Loyalty," is a book about leadership, not a book about Trump!
Asked by CNN's Jake Tapper on Thursday whether he hated the President, Comey was taken aback -- insisting that not only does he not hate Trump, he doesn't even "dislike" him.
What Comey wants you to believe about his book (and him) is the same thing that your parents used to tell you when you got in trouble: He's not mad, he's just disappointed.
The problem for Comey is that in that same interview with Tapper, he shows his political stripes -- bigly.
Tapper asks Comey if he believes Hillary Clinton would be a better president than Trump. Comey refuses to answer.
WHAAAA?????
Let's remember that Comey has written in his book that Trump lacks the moral character to be president, that he lies, that he is prone to irrational anger, that he is a bully.
But he can't say whether he thinks Clinton would be a better president? If that's true, then Comey believes all those same things about Clinton that he has written about Trump, right? And I doubt he thinks that.
The Point: You don't get to be the FBI director without a) being aware of the political winds and b) being an able navigator of those winds. Comey is now, has been and always will be a political creature. No matter what he says.
-- Chris | | "Human trafficking is worse than it's ever been in the history of the world."
-President Donald Trump | | | GIULIANI JOINS TRUMP'S LEGAL TEAM | | Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani -- and longtime President Donald Trump ally -- is joining the President's legal team.
"I am announcing today that former New York City Mayor and United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Rudy Giuliani is joining the President's personal legal team," Counsel to the President Jay Sekulow said in a statement. "The President said, 'Rudy is great. He has been my friend for a long time and wants to get this matter quickly resolved for the good of the country.'"
The news comes after shake-ups on Trump's legal team. As CNN previously reported, the President has struggled to find people to represent him amid special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe. His official legal defense team consists of two lawyers, Ty Cobb and Sekulow, neither affiliated with a traditional law firm.
In a statement, Giuliani said he is looking forward to "working with the President" and "with Jay, Ty, and their colleagues.'
Read more in CNN's story here. | | | Kanye West announced on Twitter that he's dropping two new albums in June (one with Kid Cudi!). Stream Kanye's most recent album, "The Life of Pablo." | | | Today's topic? Ron Johnson accusing Chris Cuomo of asking him a "gotcha" question. (He didn't.) | | POTENTIAL MCCABE PROSECUTION? | | CNN's Pamela Brown and Laura Jarrett reported Thursday: "The Justice Department's inspector general referred its findings on Andrew McCabe, the former FBI deputy director, to the US Attorney's Office in Washington for possible criminal charges associated with lying to internal investigators, according to a source familiar with the matter."
The news comes one week after the "IG issued a report finding that McCabe 'lacked candor' on four occasions with internal investigators when discussing a Wall Street Journal article about the FBI's Clinton Foundation investigation, according to a copy of the report obtained by CNN." Read more in CNN's full story here.
BTW, during his interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, former FBI Director James Comey was asked if he could end up being a witness should a case be brought against McCabe. Comey's reply: "Potentially." | | TRUMP'S NASA NOMINEE CONFIRMED AFTER SENATE DRAMA | | Lawmakers confirmed Rep. James Bridenstine, an Oklahoma Republican, to be the next NASA administrator on Thursday in a 50-49 vote.
CNN's Daniella Diaz and Ted Barrett have more: "The vote was 50-49. Republicans control 51 seats in the chamber, but Arizona GOP Sen. John McCain has been in Arizona recovering from cancer treatment, meaning that there were 99 senators voting. While Vice President Mike Pence has the ability to break a tie, he wouldn't have been able to overrule Sen. Jeff Flake's would-be no vote in this instance. Democrats strongly oppose Bridenstine, President Donald Trump's nominee to head the space agency, who they believe is not a 'space professional,' in the words of Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson."
Read more in their story here. | | The primary in Tennessee is in August, and former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen and GOP Rep. Marsha Blackburn are locked in a general election battle. On Thursday, President Donald Trump threw his support behind Blackburn, calling her a "wonderful woman" in a tweet. He added he will "be there to campaign with her!"
A recent poll from Middle Tennessee State University showed Bredesen up 10 points on Blackburn, 45% to 35%, driven in part by the 20% support the Democrat received from Republican respondents. According to CNN's most recent Senate Key Race alerts, published on April 8, the race has moved to "leans Republican." | | | From Brenna: "Sen. Tammy Duckworth made history today when she brought her baby, Maile, to the chamber's floor a day after Senate rules changed to allow such a tiny visitor. 'It feels great, it is about time huh?' the senator said. Amen, girlfriend." Thanks for reading The Point! Please, as always, remind people you know to subscribe. | | We'd love to share our other newsletters with you. Follow this link for daily coverage of the world's top stories, savvy market insights, an insider's look into the media, and more. Our authors for The Point are Chris Cillizza and Saba Hamedy. Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris or Saba. Follow on Twitter: Chris and Saba. | | | | | | |
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