Lawfare editor and Comey ally deems former FBI director's opening statement 'the most shocking single document' since Watergate

After reading former FBI Director James Comey's opening statement for Thursday's congressional hearing, Lawfare editor-in-chief Benjamin Wittes concluded that President Trump's behavior as outlined by Comey is "conduct that a society committed to a rule of law simply cannot accept in a president." Comey's introductory statement outlines several of his one-on-one conversations with Trump, in which Trump urges him to "get out" that he isn't personally being investigated, pushes him to "let go" of the investigation into ousted National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, and pressures Comey to pledge his "loyalty."

Wittes, who has openly described himself as a friend of Comey's, deemed the prepared statement "the most shocking single document compiled about the official conduct of the public duties of any president since the release of the Watergate tapes." While Comey's account "draws no conclusions, makes no allegations, and indeed, expresses no opinions, " Wittes argued that it's still incredibly damning:

Wittes concluded that perhaps the biggest question presented by Comey's opening statement is whether we can trust Trump "to supervise the law enforcement apparatus of the United States in fashion consistent with his oath of office." "I challenge anyone to read this document and come away with a confidently affirmative answer to that question," Wittes wrote.

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Read Wittes' full analysis of Comey's statement at Lawfare.