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by James Comey
Former FBI Director
"People have been asking me hard questions. What happened to the leaders in he Trump administration, especially Attorney General William Barr, who I have said was due the benefit of the doubt?
"How could Mr. Barr, a bright and accomplished lawyer, start channeling the president in using phrases like 'no collusion' and F.B.I. 'spying'? And by downplaying acts of obstruction of justice of the president being 'frustrated and angry,' something he would never say to justify the thousands of crimes prosecuted every day that are the product of frustration and anger? . . . .
"How could he write and say things about the report by Robert Mueller . . . that were apparently so misleading that they prompted written protest from the special counsel himself?
"How could Mr. Barr go before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday and downplay President Trump's attempt to fire Mr. Mueller before he completed his work?
"And how could Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, after the release of Mr. Mueller's report that detailed Mr. Trump's determined efforts to obstruct justice, give a speech quoting the president on the importance of the rule of law? . . . .
"What happened to these people? . . . I have some idea from four months of working close to Mr. Trump and many more months him shape others.
"[There are exceptions, like Gen. Jim Mattis, who resigned on principle.] . . . But more often, proximity to an amoral leader reveals something depressing. I think that's at least part of what we've seen with Mr. Barr and Mr. Rosenstein. Accomplished people lacking inner strength can't resist the compromises necessary to survive Mr. Trump, and that adds up to something they will never recover from. It takes character like Mr. Mattis's to avoid the damage, because Mr. Trump eats your soul in small bites.
"It starts with your sitting silent while he lies, both in public and private, making you complicit by your silence. In meetings with him, his assertions about what 'everyone thinks' and what is 'obviously true' wash over you, unchallenged -- as they did at our private dinner on Jan. 27, 2017 -- because he's the president and he rarely stops talking. As a result, Mr. Trump pulls all of those present into a silent circle of assent.
"Speaking rapid-fire with no spot for others to jump into the conversation, Mr. Trump makes everyone a co-conspirator in his preferred set of facts, or delusions. I have felt it -- this president building with his words a web of alternative reality and busily wrapping it around all of us in the room.
"From the private circle of assent, it moves to public displays of personal fealty in places like cabinet meetings. While the entire world is watching, you do what everyone else around the table does -- you talk about how amazing the leader is and what an honor it is to be associated with him. . . . So you praise, while the world watches, and the web gets tighter.
"Next comes Mr. Trump attacking institutions and values you hold dear -- things you have always said must be protected . . . Yet you are silent. Because, after all, what are you supposed to say? He's the president of the United States.
"You feel this happening. It bothers you, at least to some extent. But his outrageous conduct convinces you that you simply must stay to preserve and protect the people, institutions and values you hold dear. . . .
"You can't say this out loud -- maybe not even to your family -- but in a time of emergency, with the nation led by a deeply unethical person, this will be your contribution, your personal sacrifice for America . . . . you are playing a long game for your country. . .
"Of course, to stay, you must be seen as on his team, so you make further compromises. You use his language, praise his leadership, tout his commitment to values.
"And then you are lost. He has eaten your soul."
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No comment necessary. Comey was there, and he speaks from both personal experience and observation.
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