CNN's Top Legal Analyst on Comey Memo Revelation: 'Three Words - Obstruction of Justice'

News & Politics

The New York Times reported Tuesday afternoon that former FBI director James Comey wrote a memo alleging President Donald Trump asked him to drop the investigation into his campaign. CNN’s legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin explained why that is so significant.


“Three words: Obstruction of justice,” Toobin told Wolf Blitzer. “Why do you think Comey wrote a memo to the file about it? Because he was so appalled that a president of the United States would behave in this way. ‘Close it down’ is an instruction to stop investigating. Richard Nixon was [nearly] impeached for asking the FBI to stop an investigation into his campaign.”

David Axelrod, former senior aide to President Barack Obama, noted that he has not been one to rush to say the word “impeachment,” but that this is downright explosive.

Last week, Trump tweeted that Comey shouldn’t leak any information to the press because Trump could have taped their conversations. If Trump did tape the conversation, Toobin noted it could either prove Trump’s innocence or guilt and that the tapes should be released to prove more than a “he said, he said” statement.

Watch the exchange below:


Jeffrey Toobin shocked by explosive Comey memo… by sarahburris

Understand the importance of honest news ?

So do we.

The past year has been the most arduous of our lives. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to be catastrophic not only to our health - mental and physical - but also to the stability of millions of people. For all of us independent news organizations, it’s no exception.

We’ve covered everything thrown at us this past year and will continue to do so with your support. We’ve always understood the importance of calling out corruption, regardless of political affiliation.

We need your support in this difficult time. Every reader contribution, no matter the amount, makes a difference in allowing our newsroom to bring you the stories that matter, at a time when being informed is more important than ever. Invest with us.

Make a one-time contribution to Alternet All Access, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you.

Click to donate by check.

DonateDonate by credit card
Donate by Paypal
{{ post.roar_specific_data.api_data.analytics }}
@2023 - AlterNet Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. - "Poynter" fonts provided by fontsempire.com.