Wow! Even for Trump, the audacity of this, and the absurdity of the stated rationale, is breathtaking.
Whether you agree with his actions during the campaign or not, there can be no doubt that Comey politicized the Bureau to an unprecedented and uncomfortable degree, so there is a compelling argument for getting rid of him and making a fresh start. That isn’t what Trump is trying to do. Everything about this episode suggests that he is attempting to eliminate an independent check on his powers and weaponize law enforcement in his own interests.
A great deal rests on his choice of Comey’s successor. If, against my expectations, he selects a respected, nonpartisan law enforcement figure, this could ultimately be for the best. If, more plausibly, he chooses a Jeff Sessions crony, all hell will break loose.
GOP senators, are you paying attention?