How did unprecedented actions by the FBI and Russian interference shape one of the most controversial elections in U.S. history?
1. The FBI's Role in 2016 Originated Long Before the Election
The FBI's involvement in the 2016 election stemmed from events years earlier, primarily the Benghazi attack in 2012. This tragic event not only spurred political divisions but also led to inquiries into Hillary Clinton’s email practices. These investigations would come back to haunt her during her presidential run.
Mitt Romney's aggressive criticism of the Obama administration during Benghazi ignited a partisan shift in American politics. Investigations launched by Republicans into Benghazi in 2014 uncovered Clinton's use of a private email server, though this detail initially seemed insignificant. Over time, however, it became central to discrediting her during her campaign.
Clinton’s private email usage resurfaced as a dominant issue during the election, aided by FBI involvement. This focus amplified her image as untrustworthy, especially among opponents, cementing the FBI’s influence in the political narrative.
Examples
- The 2012 Benghazi attack led to heightened scrutiny of Clinton.
- Congressional Republicans pushed persistent investigations into Clinton's email practices.
- The emergence of her private server fueled distrust during the 2016 election.
2. Comey’s Choice to Speak Out Shook Political Norms
As FBI director, James Comey aimed to be impartial. However, he found himself compelled to speak publicly about Clinton’s emails, departing from typical protocols. His rare press conference and subsequent actions stirred both Republican and Democratic criticism.
Comey believed transparency was necessary to manage the political heat during the election. In July 2016, he held a press conference explaining Clinton’s mishandling of emails but concluded there was no reason to press charges. This announcement pleased no one; Democrats felt it was unnecessary and harmful, while Republicans doubted his rationale.
When a new batch of emails related to Clinton surfaced shortly before the election, Comey sent a letter to Congress to maintain openness. This decision deepened divisions, with many claiming this revelation impacted the election outcome.
Examples
- Comey held a press conference outlining Clinton's email investigation findings in July 2016.
- His decision to notify Congress about new emails just weeks before the election was highly controversial.
- Clinton's campaign blamed Comey’s actions for her electoral loss in crucial states.
3. Comey's Actions Led to Unintended Election Outcomes
Comey’s determination to remain transparent placed him in compromising positions. Though his intentions were to act above partisanship, his decisions unintentionally shaped the 2016 election, even altering public perception.
Clinton’s campaign criticized Comey's October letter as damaging, especially with less than two weeks until the election. Although the FBI quickly cleared Clinton of any new wrongdoing, the timing left little room for recovery. The narrow electoral margins by which Trump triumphed in key states showcased how these developments could have swung outcomes.
This sequence of events ensured Comey’s role was questioned post-election—not only by Clinton’s allies but also by the incoming Trump administration. His continued independence as FBI director soon put him at odds with President Trump.
Examples
- The timing of Comey’s October announcement fed media frenzy.
- Clinton lost decisive states by fewer than 80,000 votes collectively.
- Trump’s disdain for Comey arose in part due to viewed disloyalty from the former FBI director.
4. Investigating Russian Ties to the Trump Campaign
The Russian government interfered in the 2016 election, and the FBI’s investigation into these actions, known as Crossfire Hurricane, highlighted alarming connections between Trump’s campaign and Russian officials.
Advisors like Paul Manafort, George Papadopoulos, and Michael Flynn all linked the campaign to Russian actors. Meetings, promises for political favors, and questionable business dealings raised concerns. Instances such as Flynn’s communication with the Russian ambassador and the infamous Steele Dossier underscored foreign entanglements.
Although the investigation initially didn’t focus on Trump personally, questions loomed over how much he knew about foreign influences on his campaign. Business ties to Russian oligarchs and unexplored finances further fueled suspicions.
Examples
- Flynn’s assurance to the Russian ambassador during sanctions puzzled intelligence.
- Paul Manafort’s debts to Russian oligarchs displayed troubling financial ties.
- The Steele Dossier claimed Russia possessed compromising information on Trump.
5. When Loyalty Collided with Governance
President Trump’s interpretation of loyalty became a recurring conflict, especially with Comey. In private dinners and meetings, Trump pressured the FBI director for allegiance and pushed him to drop investigations into aides like Michael Flynn.
Typically, FBI directors maintain independence to avoid partisan influences. But for Trump, loyalty symbolized personal allegiance. Comey consistently emphasized honesty and professionalism but noted Trump’s fixation on influence. Trump’s mounting frustration led to Comey’s sudden dismissal.
This dismissal, however, heightened suspicion about Trump's involvement in obstruction efforts, marking a dangerous precedent where loyalty outweighed rule of law expectations.
Examples
- Trump explicitly asked Comey for loyalty over dinner at the White House.
- Trump pressured Comey to publicly clear his name from the Russia investigation.
- Comey’s firing amplified accusations of obstruction of justice.
6. McGahn’s Dilemma as an Insider
Don McGahn, a seasoned legal advisor as White House Counsel, attempted to guide Trump while protecting himself from legal fallout. Tasked with policy goals like judicial appointments, he frequently clashed with Trump over procedural irregularities.
McGahn often witnessed questionable behavior, including Trump’s demands to fire Mueller or reinstate Sessions into the Russia probe. To navigate these conflicts, McGahn documented incidents and ultimately cooperated with Mueller’s investigation to protect himself.
McGahn’s dual roles—as a confidant to the President and a witness for the investigation—highlighted the unprecedented challenges of serving in Trump’s administration.
Examples
- Trump demanded McGahn orchestrate Mueller’s dismissal in 2017.
- McGahn advised Trump on legal limits, but tensions escalated.
- McGahn’s cooperation with Mueller included over 1,000 pages of notes.
7. Special Counsel Mueller Faces Limitations
With Robert Mueller appointed as special counsel, the scope of his investigation initially seemed broad. However, limits placed by Rosenstein restricted Mueller from fully examining potential connections between Trump and Russian interference.
Mueller’s efforts uncovered criminal activities involving key campaign personnel, such as Manafort and Flynn, yet his ability to assess presidential wrongdoing faced significant boundaries. Rosenstein's stricter investigative framework shifted focus toward criminal offenses rather than broader intelligence issues.
Ultimately, while the investigation bore numerous convictions, definitive rulings on Trump’s role proved elusive, frustrating critics of the process.
Examples
- Rosenstein redefined Mueller’s investigation as criminal, not intelligence-based.
- Convictions included Paul Manafort’s financial crimes and Flynn’s false statements.
- Mueller reported obstruction concerns but left prosecutorial decisions open.
8. Pardons and Political Favoritism
While investigations into Trump’s actions persisted, his administration wielded presidential pardons to unprecedented ends. These pardons often benefited allies connected to the Mueller investigation or aligned with Trump’s political rhetoric.
Figures like Joe Arpaio and Michael Flynn received such clemency, causing critics to accuse Trump of favoritism and undermining justice. Despite McGahn’s advice, Trump’s pardons reflected his willingness to defend supporters over legal precedent.
The wielding of pardons revealed deeper divides between McGahn and Trump, further isolating the Counsel amid internal White House tensions.
Examples
- Joe Arpaio received a controversial pardon despite criminal findings.
- Michael Flynn’s pardon sparked backlash over its implications for obstruction.
- Trump dismissed McGahn’s cautionary what he called “political maneuvers.”
9. An Administration Divided
Conflicts between Trump’s increasingly loyalist team and those abiding by traditional standards led to frequent turnover, including McGahn’s resignation. Trump’s resistance to legal checks defined his approach to governance.
Disinformation campaigns within the White House and Trump’s aggressive moves against dissenters like McGahn created a precarious environment. By prioritizing loyalty over expertise, Trump’s administration experienced continuous upheaval.
McGahn’s efforts to steer through these challenges while still achieving judicial reforms left a complex legacy, balancing professional duty with personal disillusionment.
Examples
- Jared Kushner allegedly supported spreading disinformation against McGahn.
- McGahn’s departure coincided with Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation.
- Internal discord led to recurring White House turnover.
Takeaways
- Maintain impartiality in leadership roles, even when facing political pressure.
- Document and safeguard professional decisions to protect integrity under scrutiny.
- Evaluate the long-term implications of making politically driven decisions to avoid unintended outcomes.