Trump eyes more indictments after Comey
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Happy Friday! Who else is watching the Ryder Cup right now? Golf is pretty fun as a team sport, tbh.
In today's issue:
• Trump pushes for more indictments
• 'Let's have a trial,' Comey says
• ICE agent on leave over shoving incident
• New drug tariffs may affect cost, availability
• Hegseth's ‘rare, urgent’ military meeting
TALK OF THE MORNING
Trump’s next targets:
President Trump is defending the move by his administration to target one of his longtime political foes while signaling he wants more indictments.
The administration took the extraordinary step on Thursday of charging former FBI Director James Comey with making a false statement and obstructing a congressional proceeding.
The president spent part of his morning celebrating the Comey indictment and explaining the legal justification.
He posted a lengthy statement on Truth Social, arguing Comey “LIED!” and dubbing him “James ‘Dirty Cop’ Comey” and “a destroyer of lives.” ? Read Trump’s full post
And for what it’s worth, Trump argues “it’s not about revenge,” but it’s about “justice.” ? Watch
^ Keep in mind about Trump’s remarks: Politico’s Kyle Cheney points out: “Trump’s inability to stop live commentary on Comey’s case could actually doom it. This isn’t just a broad ‘no one is above the law,’ he’s doing legal analysis that Comey’s team will plug right into their selective prosecution motion to dismiss the indictment."
Trump already has his next targets: The president said today he hopes others will face charges. “It’s not a list, but I think there will be others. They’re corrupt. These were corrupt, radical-left Democrats,” Trump said on his way to the Ryder Cup golf tournament.
Trump has called for his Justice Department to prosecute more political opponents, including, New York Attorney General Letitia James (D), Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and even Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook. His administration is already advocating for a charge against his former national security adviser John Bolton, possibly this week, per CNN.
FBI Director Kash Patel appears to be on board with the high-profile investigations and prosecutions. The FBI chief posted that “everyone, especially those in positions of power, will be held to account - no matter their perch."
? For context: Trump has spent much of his first nine months in office exacting revenge on his political rivals. Last month, he revoked former Vice President Kamala Harris’s Secret Service protection. He has also revoked security clearances for several high-profile political foes, fired career Justice Department prosecutors and ousted more than a dozen inspectors general — just to name a few.
➤ WHY THE COMEY INDICTMENT IS EXTRAORDINARY:
Over the course of a few hours, Trump went from claiming he didn’t know anything about a possible Comey indictment to posting, “JUSTICE FOR AMERICA!” He chose one of his former personal lawyers — a former insurance lawyer who has never tried a federal criminal case — to head the U.S. Attorney's office bringing the case. She signed the indictment.
Trump had been pressuring his Department of Justice to charge Comey, including directly urging Attorney General Pam Bondi over the weekend to press ahead. The new acting U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan who brought the case was sworn in this week after her predecessor resigned amid pressure to bring charges against Comey.
➤ WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE COMEY CASE:
What are the charges against Comey?: One count of making a false statement to Congress and one count of obstruction of a congressional proceeding. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Comey will be arraigned Oct. 9 in federal court in Alexandria, Va. ? Read the 2-page indictment
Comey declared his innocence and says he looks forward to a trial. ? Watch Comey’s short video
Why Alexandria, Va.?: Comey’s congressional testimony was given remotely from his home in McLean, Va., due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why he was charged in the Eastern District of Virginia.
Quick explainer on the allegations: Comey testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2020. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) asked Comey whether he ever authorized a leak about the FBI’s investigations into Hillary Clinton’s emails and connections between the Trump campaign and Russia. Comey’s former deputy, Andrew McCabe, claimed Comey knew about the leak, while Comey says he was unaware.
By the way: Comey’s son-in-law Troy A. Edwards, quit his job at the Department of Justice after his father-in-law was indicted.
Read more: 5 things to know about Comey’s indictment
? GETTING TRACTION
An ICE agent pushed a woman to the ground:
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent has been placed on leave after he was seen in a viral video pushing a woman to the ground at an immigration courthouse in New York.
The federal agent can be heard on video telling the crying woman, “adios,” before shoving her through a hallway and to the ground. ? Watch the video
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told The Hill on Friday the officer’s conduct "is unacceptable and beneath the men and women of ICE." Read the full statement here.
?️ OTHER NEWS
I’m nosey and must know what this about:
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered hundreds of military generals and admirals to convene in Virginia with little notice and no explanation.
The Pentagon confirmed that Hegseth will be meeting with top military leaders but offered no details. The Washington Post first reported the meeting, which it described as "rare" and "urgent."
“There are about 800 generals and admirals spread across the United States and dozens of other countries and time zones. … Top commanders in conflict zones and senior military leaders stationed throughout Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region are among those expected to attend Hegseth’s meeting.” (The Washington Post)
The Post calculated that the number of people traveling for this meeting could exceed 1,000. “It’s unclear how the military will house them or transport them.”
Why this is unusual: Meetings with top military officials are themselves not unusual. “It is very rare, however, for such a large meeting of top officers in person in one location. The fast timing is also unusual. Such a gathering with senior leadership would typically take months to plan and prior notice would have to be given well in advance, as officers could be coming from the Middle East, Africa and Europe.” (The Hill)
Trump’s next tariff targets: drugs, furniture and heavy trucks:
President Trump announced a slew of new tariffs on specific products.
Drugs: Effective Oct. 1, there will be a 100 percent tariff on any pharmaceuticals whose manufacturers don’t have plants in the U.S. (Experts warn this could cause supply chain issues and make it more difficult and expensive to acquire some drugs.)
Other new tariffs announced by Trump, all effective Oct. 1:
• 50 percent tariff for all kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and related products
• 30 percent tariff on upholstered furniture
• 25 percent tariff on “Heavy (Big!) Trucks” made outside the United States
Read Brett Samuels’s reporting
➤ QUICK HITS:
— There are two storms brewing in the Atlantic. Humberto has strengthened in to a hurricane, but it’s worth keeping an eye on the second disturbance.
— 43 percent of adults under age 30 say they regularly get their news from TikTok, according to a new analysis from Pew Research Center.
— Trump signed an executive order Thursday to approve a deal to keep TikTok available in the U.S.
— Delegates walked out of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s United Nations speech today. He spoke to a near-empty auditorium.
➤ MORE READS:
Politico: Lawmakers are scared and ready to spend $1 billion to stay safe
The Hill: Cracks form among Senate Democrats as Trump threatens big shutdown layoffs
The Wall Street Journal: Spending on AI Is at Epic Levels. Will It Ever Pay Off?
The New York Times: Why Corporate America Is Caving to Trump
NOTUS: ‘Fascism’ Is Republicans’ New F-Word. Democrats Aren’t Deterred.
COMING UP
The House and Senate are out. President Trump is in Bethpage, N.Y. (All times EST)
Noon: Trump attends the Ryder Cup.
3:30 p.m. Trump leaves Bethpage, N.Y.
4:55 p.m. Trump returns to the White House.
6:30 p.m. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will appear on “NBC Nightly News.”
? INTERNET BUZZ
? Celebrate: Today is National Pancake Day!
? AND FINALLY…
Because it’s been yet another intense week, let’s end this on a good note. Let’s all boogie like this fluffy guy this weekend.
