I recently read books by James R. Clapper and James Comey to get their input on events occurring during the latter year of the Obama administration and the first months of President Trump.  The most obvious contrast between their accounts and more recent statements by Trump supporters concerns the extent to which Russia interfered in our 2016 Presidential election campaign.  Clapper and Comey both emphasized serious Russian efforts to defeat Hillary Clinton and elect Donald Trump, although neither of them suggested that Russian influence was decisive.  This evidence of Russian interference, coupled with release of the spurious Steele dossier, gave rise to concerns about Trump-Russian collusion or a Russian hold on our newly-elected President.   Of course, Clapper, Comey and many other high-ranking Obama insiders were already convinced that Trump was a threat to national security.   

In recent months, revelations by Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, and other Trump supporters painted an entirely different picture. According to them, Obama and his appointed intelligence officials deliberately overstated Russia’s election interference and Putin’s preference for Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton.  They then used this faulty assessment along with the already discredited Steele dossier to justify an inquiry into possible Trump-Russian collusion.  This led to the appointment of a special counsel and a two-year investigation that failed to produce incriminating evidence.  The unfortunate result was a handicapped Presidency, hardened inter-party relationships and a growing public distrust of government and media.

After reading Clapper and Comey’s accounts, I must say that they appear to be honorable men.  I believe they served our nation to the best of their ability.  They did some good things, and they also made some serious mistakes.   Unfortunately, I believe that their extreme dislike and distrust of President Trump caused them to either support or stand silent as the DOJ and their former intelligence community colleagues warped the truth and violated laws in an attempt to destroy the man.

Perhaps the title of Comey’s book, A Higher Loyalty, tells us all we need to know.  Evidently he believes that thwarting or destroying Trump is more important than adherence to the law or protecting his own reputation.

I disagree with Clapper’s and Comey’s analyses.  Their dislike of Trump distorted their understanding.  Despite his flaws, and they are many, Trump may go down in history as a truly great President. 

We shall see.