Phil1111 1,183 #1 April 16, 2018 Obama ethics chief: Comey could sue Trump for libel and might win The top White House ethics lawyer under President Obama said he believes former FBI director James Comey could sue President Trump for libel. The comments come as Trump continues to lash out at Comey after the former FBI director denounced Trump during a scathing interview with ABC News. "This false, malicious accusation of criminal conduct is libel per se by Trump. @Comey could sue—& might win," Norm Eisen tweeted Monday. "Despite absolute official immunity, open legal question whether defamation using personal Twitter may be outside its scope. See Nixon v Fitzgerald." http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/383349-obama-ethics-chief-comey-could-sue-trump-for-libel-and-might-win In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the President is entitled to absolute immunity from liability for civil damages based on his official acts. The court emphasized that the President is not immune from criminal charges stemming from his official (or unofficial) acts while in office. The court noted that a grant of absolute immunity to the President would not leave the President with unfettered power. The Court stated that there were formal and informal checks on presidential action that did not apply with equal force to other executive officials. The court observed that the President was subjected to constant scrutiny by the press. It noted that vigilant oversight by Congress would also serve to deter presidential abuses of office, as well as to make credible the threat of impeachment. The court determined that other incentives to avoid misconduct existed, including a desire to earn reelection, the need to maintain prestige as an element of presidential influence, and a President's traditional concern for his historical stature. This decision was clarified by Clinton v. Jones, in which the Court held that a President is subject to civil suits for actions committed before he assumes the presidency.[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixon_v._Fitzgerald Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,523 #2 April 17, 2018 A few thoughts on this: First off, being called nasty names isn't grounds for a libel suit. The plaintiff needs to prove the false statements caused damage. Not seeing that here. Second, Trump's repeated 'name calling' towards anyone who he's currently mad at may provide some sort of defense. Something of a "He says stuff like this all the time. He does it so often, nobody takes what he says seriously" sort of reasoning. Last, Trump may well have made a major mistake (again). By all accounts, Comey was liked and respected by those he led. One way to really piss off a cop is to go after his colleague. One way to really raise the ire of an FBI guy is to attack the Bureau or it's members. If there is something that the FBI can find, I think the chances of them looking long enough and hard enough to find it, no matter what, have increased dramatically."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowlerk 2,277 #3 April 17, 2018 QuoteOne way to really piss off a cop is to go after his colleague. One way to really raise the ire of an FBI guy is to attack the Bureau or it's members. If there is something that the FBI can find, I think the chances of them looking long enough and hard enough to find it, no matter what, have increased dramatically. Yes. You would think Trump should be old enough and wise enough to pick his enemies more carefully. But no, the man is just too impulsive. Sad.Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,523 #4 April 17, 2018 He's never been held accountable for his actions before. Never in his life. There have been a few times where he's had to pay someone off to get out of trouble, but it's usually been 'chump change' for someone of his means. I honestly don't think he understands the concept of "consequences". Hopefully, he will learn."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #5 April 17, 2018 He should not because there's no need to. It'll be more productive for Comey to stay out of a bitch fest and testify as needed. If he were to enter legal entanglements with Trump his status as a witness would be compromised."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #6 April 20, 2018 QuoteFirst off, being called nasty names isn't grounds for a libel suit. The plaintiff needs to prove the false statements caused damage. Not seeing that here. You don't see how the President of the United States publicly making disparaging comments about someone could be damaging to that person? Comments from the pulpit of a position described as the most powerful position on earth, don't have any impact? Interesting. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #7 April 20, 2018 SkyDekkerQuoteFirst off, being called nasty names isn't grounds for a libel suit. The plaintiff needs to prove the false statements caused damage. Not seeing that here. You don't see how the President of the United States publicly making disparaging comments about someone could be damaging to that person? Comments from the pulpit of a position described as the most powerful position on earth, don't have any impact? Interesting. "The plaintiff needs to prove the false statements caused damage." I think in this case the plaintiff is interested in proving much more important things."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nolhtairt 0 #8 April 20, 2018 To no one in particular: https://www.dailywire.com/news/29672/6-things-you-need-know-about-released-comey-memos-ben-shapiro Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,523 #9 April 20, 2018 SkyDekkerQuoteFirst off, being called nasty names isn't grounds for a libel suit. The plaintiff needs to prove the false statements caused damage. Not seeing that here. You don't see how the President of the United States publicly making disparaging comments about someone could be damaging to that person? Comments from the pulpit of a position described as the most powerful position on earth, don't have any impact? Interesting. What harm can be shown? Not just "he's the president, his statements must have impact." Comey would have to show that he lost a job (already gone), couldn't get another job (don't think he's looking all that hard), couldn't get a book deal or sales of the book were harmed (exact opposite on that one), or some other form of demonstrable harm. And, on the defense for Trump that he insults so many people that nobody takes those insults seriously, the NY Times has compiled a list. 446 people, places and things since announcing his candidacy."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowlerk 2,277 #10 April 20, 2018 nolhtairtTo no one in particular: https://www.dailywire.com/news/29672/6-things-you-need-know-about-released-comey-memos-ben-shapiro Points 1 and 2 in that piece have at least some basis in fact. Points 3 to 6 are simple rehashed conservative talk show host opinions.Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,523 #11 April 20, 2018 gowlerk***To no one in particular: https://www.dailywire.com/news/29672/6-things-you-need-know-about-released-comey-memos-ben-shapiro Points 1 and 2 in that piece have at least some basis in fact. Points 3 to 6 are simple rehashed conservative talk show host opinions. Well, I think #2 is a very long stretch. I have very little doubt that Comey & Trump discussed classified material. I also have very little doubt that Comey's memos contained classified material. But to conclude that the info that Comey released to the press was classified? Do you really think he is so stupid as to: 1 - not know what's classified and what isn't in his own memos? 2 - share classified material with people who aren't cleared? Please."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil1111 1,183 #12 April 20, 2018 gowlerk***To no one in particular: https://www.dailywire.com/news/29672/6-things-you-need-know-about-released-comey-memos-ben-shapiro Points 1 and 2 in that piece have at least some basis in fact. Points 3 to 6 are simple rehashed conservative talk show host opinions. Ben Shapiro is as nutty as they come. point #1 is a barefaced lie. These are examples of his other "penmanship" "This week, the FBI raided the office, hotel room and home of President Trump's personal attorney and self-described "fixer," Michael Cohen. According to various media reports, the Department of Justice signed off on a warrant for the search; presumably, the law enforcement agency is searching for evidence regarding Cohen's $130,000 payment to pornography actress Stormy Daniels, who allegedly had a one-night stand with Trump in 2006. Cohen has openly stated that he paid Daniels to shut up about her peccadillo with Trump — and he has said that Trump had no knowledge of the payment." https://www.cnsnews.com/commentary/ben-shapiro/ben-shapiro-death-doj-and-fbi Ben Shapiro is a lawyer so if anyone knows that a judge is not going to sign off on search warrants of a lawyers offices and home on that basis alone. He does. He plays the race card with the best: Ben Shapiro: If You Don't Agree With Me, You're a Racist Who Likes Death Threats https://www.cnsnews.com/commentary/ben-shapiro/ben-shapiro-if-you-dont-agree-me-youre-racist-who-likes-death-threats Below is a transcript of Ben Shapiro’s comments from his after show on Thursday: “Okay, time for a couple of things that I hate. “So, speaking of the Parkland survivors, Time Magazine, again, in their 100 Most Important [Influential] People, they have now put the Parkland survivors, but not all of them. “Obviously, my friend, Kyle Kashuv, the 16-year-old student over at Parkland, he is not included in the Time 100 of Important People. It’s only the ones that you have already seen: Cameron Kasky and Emma Gonzalez and David Hogg. Those ones are all in there. “And who wrote the profile of them? Who else but Barack Obama? No, I’m not kidding. “You wonder about media bias? Having the former president of the United States write a glowing profile of a bunch of 17-year-olds because he agrees with their agenda, that might be a little bit of media bias. “And I remember that, a couple of years ago, I think it was Malala Yousafzai whose profile is written by Hillary Clinton. [Malala Yousafzai actually wrote a profile of Hillary Clinton for Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2014.] “Okay, Time Magazine is doing that to promote Democratic policies and Democratic politicians. https://www.cnsnews.com/blog/michael-morris/ben-shapiro-jokes-obamas-glowing-profile-parkland-students-time-100-might-be VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/the-daily-wire/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Above is all you need to know about this nutjob. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcd11235 0 #13 April 21, 2018 wolfriverjoeWhat harm can be shown? A recent Opening Arguments episode mentioned some exceptions to the "demonstrate harm" requirement. Apparently, there are some disparaging comments the damage from which is assumed. Edited to add link.Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites