Stephen Colbert Gives Republicans Shielding Trump a Class in 'Authoritarianism 101'
President Trump's abrupt firing of FBI director James Comey on Tuesday has raised any number of questions, particularly about Republicans' unflinching loyalty to a transparently unstable president.
"Why did Trump do it?" Stephen Colbert began Wednesday night's "Late Show." "Now, while it looks like Donald Trump fired James Comey to stop the Russian investigation — that is why."Â
"Firing Jim Comey, head of the FBI, really feels like Authoritarianism 101," noted Colbert. "There's no grand strategy; he's not some puppet-master; he's not some wizard playing three-dimensional chess. He's playing Hungry-Hungry Hippos... He's a baby pool. You could not get your ankles wet in Donald Trump."
Colbert read through several possible iterations of Trump's termination letter to Comey, skewering the administration's bizarre reasoning for his dismissal.
"While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the Bureau," Colbert read.
"Did you catch that?" he asked his audience. "He's saying this is not about the Russia investigation in a letter firing Comey for the Russia investigation."
The host concluded Trump's statement was about as "clever" as "carving your alibi on the murder weapon."Â
"Hold on one second!' he pantomimed, as Trump. "Not Donny's gun. I think the maid did it. Sad! Build the wall."
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