The ongoing love/hate relationship between Trump and Comey
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
J. Scott Applewhite, Alex Brandon / AP
First he was accused of causing Hillary's loss in November, and now FBI Director James Comey has the power to do serious damage to Trump's presidency with an investigation into Trump-Russia contacts. As Comey went back and forth on Hillary's email scandal, Trump went back and forth on his feelings for Comey. Below is a timeline of their relationship, from early July until today:
1. Trump hates Comey, July 5-October 27, 2016. Comey got his first dose of hate from Donald Trump and his supporters during the Clinton email scandal. In July, Comey announced there was nothing to indict Hillary Clinton for, but then went on to contradict Clinton's statements about how she used her personal server.
FBI director said Crooked Hillary compromised our national security. No charges. Wow! #RiggedSystem — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 5, 2016
2. Trump loves Comey, October 28-November 6. The tables turned when Comey reopened the case after new emails were found on Anthony Wiener's laptop. With fewer than 2 weeks before the election, Trumpworld became Comey's loudest defender, and Clintonworld his most ardent accuser.
Hillary and the Dems loved and praised FBI Director Comey just a few days ago. Original evidence was overwhelming, should not have delayed! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 30, 2016
3. Trump hates Comey, November 6-9. There was nothing in the new emails,, and 2 days before the election Comey repeated his July decision that Clinton hadn't done anything wrong. But the damage had already been done, according to Clinton's campaign and supporters.
FBI COMEY COMEDY: Mr Trump blasts FBI Director James Comey : 'You can't review 650,000 new emails in 8 days' ! #electionmockery #rigedsystem pic.twitter.com/0gJrawJlRE — TRUMP ANOMALY® (@ANOMALY1) November 7, 2016
4. Trump loves Comey, January 11-March 20. With Clinton's emails behind him, the FBI quietly pivoted to investigation — Trump and Russia. When questioned by the Senate in early January whether the FBI was investigating connections, Comey refused to say. Trump also let Comey keep his job.
5. Today, Comey revealed that the FBI was investigating Trump contacts with Russia during the House Select Intelligence Committee's hearing, but he couldn't give details. Comey also said there's no evidence to back up Trump's allegations of Obama wiretapping, adding that "no president" could order a wiretap.
Before the hearing, Trump tweeted:
Afterward, when asked if the President still had complete trust in Comey, Sean Spicer said, "There's no reason to believe he doesn't at this time."
