Ashley Verdugo/ Contributing Writer
It’s been a little over two weeks since former FBI Director James Comey was fired by President Donald Trump, and the media has the story on an endless loop. Republicans and Democrats alike had mixed feelings on Comey’s firing, but FIU students have elicited understanding, shock and shade towards the president’s bold move.
Comey has not proven to be trustworthy since the Clinton investigations and as more information leaks, it seems he was indeed unethical and irresponsible in his position.
“I feel like everything has been so shady with our government and I just want transparency as a citizen,” said Jake Ceballo, a junior majoring in political science. “I was just surprised that Trump would go so far as to fire Comey. It seems like there’s something they’re trying to cover up,” said Ceballo.
On May 9, President Trump declared in a letter to the FBI that former Director Comey was no longer “able to effectively lead the Bureau.” Many rejoiced, but others pointed out that the timing of his firing was suspicious.
Cristhian Plasencia, a senior majoring in broadcast journalism, says the media needs to quit being so “anti-Trump” about the firing.
“It’s dangerous to jump to conclusions so quickly,” Plasencia said, “Everyone is jumping to the anti-Trump conclusion.” Though Plasencia didn’t vote for Trump during the presidential election, he believes we need to view the situation in a broad scope.
Comey came into the media scene during the 2016 Presidential Election. During Clinton’s email investigation, he first recommended that “no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case.”
Democrats rejoiced because this meant that Clinton was in the clear. But 11 days before the presidential election, Comey reopened the investigation as new evidence was found on Anthony Weiner’s laptop.
Sabrina Rosell, a sophomore majoring in international relations, thought the firing was a defensive move on Trump’s behalf, but after reading up she said, “I think it was a smart and politically sound decision. He fired him on just grounds.”
Rosell didn’t vote for Trump during the election, but believes Comey became too “politicized” to continue being the director of the FBI.
“As a citizen, I wouldn’t want to think the FBI director’s motives had anything to do with the political realm,” Rosell said.
For months the media claimed Comey handed the election to President Trump and became increasingly untrustworthy of him. But now, they have jumped to his defense for being fired.
Who cares what happens to Comey? FIU students do — as I’m sure most of America does too.
“There needs to be clarity in the political realm,” said Plasencia. Meanwhile, Rosell said, “This is a reflection of Trump’s character.”
Comey asked to publicly testify in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee after Memorial Day where he will unveil the memos he has from various meetings with President Trump.
“I think he’s going to re-cap everything we’ve heard and then drop a bombshell,” said Ceballo. “But the hopeful American in me thinks it won’t be a big deal.”
Rosell added, “He’s going to try and save himself and make Trump look bad.”
President Trump had complete jurisdiction to fire Comey just as President Clinton did in 1993. But Trump fired Comey while he was still under investigation — shady timing. It’s a given that Comey mishandled Clinton’s investigation and possibly changed the outcome of the election.
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Photo taken from Flickr.
