Trump’s Year Of Obstruction And Interference

Tomorrow, January 27, 2018, will mark the one-year anniversary of the first of a long series of attempts by President Trump to obstruct and interfere in the Russia investigation. On that day in 2017, after learning that Michael Flynn had been interviewed by FBI agents about his contacts with the Russian ambassador, Trump invited then-FBI Director James Comey to the White House and demanded his loyalty in a private dinner. Since then, Trump has repeatedly attempted to obstruct investigations into himself and his campaign, either on his own or by pressuring other officials. “Corrupt intent” is necessary for an obstruction of justice case – and there is plenty of evidence to choose from. See for yourself:

 

JAN 2017:

 

Trump asked FBI Director James Comey for his loyalty on the same day that he learned Michael Flynn had been questioned by FBI agents.

 

FEB 2017:

 

Trump pressures Comey to drop the FBI’s investigation of Michael Flynn, a day after Flynn resigns from the White House.

 

MAR 2017:  

 

Trump pressured Attorney General Jeff Sessions not to recuse himself.

 

Trump asks DNI Director Dan Coats and CIA Director Mike Pompeo to intervene with Comey and get him to back off the Flynn investigation.

 

Trump asks NSA Director Mike Rogers to publicly state that there was no evidence of collusion.

 

Trump pressures Comey to publicly state that he is not under investigation.

 

Trump begins to openly discuss firing Comey after the FBI Director publicly confirms the collusion investigation in a hearing.

 

APR 2017:  

 

Trump pressures Comey again to publicly state that he is not under investigation.

 

MAY 2017:

 

Trump fires Comey, who is leading the investigation of possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

 

Trump asks acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe who he voted for in the 2016 election.

 

Trump’s anger at Sessions for his Russia recusal results in Sessions sending him a resignation letter, which Trump rejects.

 

JUN 2017:  

 

Trump orders the firing of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, but backs off when the White House counsel threatens to quit.

 

JUL 2017:

 

Trump crafts a misleading statement in response to initial reports of the now-infamous Trump Tower meeting between his campaign and Russian representatives.

 

Trump renews his attacks on Sessions, publicly berating him in tweets and interviews, specifically referencing his recusal from the Russia investigation.

 

AUG 2017:  

 

Trump’s new FBI Director, Christopher Wray, is confirmed and begins receiving pressure from Sessions to fire Deputy Director McCabe, reportedly leading him to threaten to resign.

 

Trump complains to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that he has not protected him from the Russia investigation, and pressures multiple members of Congress to help bring it to a close.  

 

OCT 2017:  

 

Trump dismisses indictments of Paul Manafort and Rick Gates and calls for the FBI to investigate Hillary Clinton.

 

DEC 2017:  

 

Trump reacts to the guilty plea of Michael Flynn by again calling on the FBI to investigate Hillary Clinton.

 

JAN 2018:  

 

Trump refuses to say whether he has confidence in the FBI, and compares missing texts (which are recovered the next day) to the infamous 18-minute gap in the Nixon tapes.