Confirmed: Short-list for new FBI director

[tlwwake]

• Ray Kelly, the former and longest-serving New York City police commissioner
• Mike Rogers, former House Intelligence Committee chairman & former FBI
• Former Assistant Attorney General Alice Fisher
• Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C.
• Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas
• Paul Abbate, exec assistant director of Criminal/Cyber/Response Services
• Former New York prosecutor Mike Garcia
• Mayor of Colorado Springs John Suthers
• Former federal appellate court Judge Michael Luttig, now a VP of Boeing
• Larry Thompson, former deputy attorney general under Pres George W. Bush
• Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe

Per @BrookeFoxNews on Twitter

 

[JimmyBob]

I have a better shot at getting the job than McCabe does.

 

[tlwwake]

Pulling for Trey Gowdy.

 

[Been Jammin]

Questions....

I always assumed that the Director of the FBI was an FBI guy elevated to that position. Clearly I was mistaken. Seems like that would make sense. After all, you don't make an outsider Chief of Police in a particular city, you pick a policeman from that city or from another city and offer him the position. Can someone give me an explanation as to why they would choose someone who knows little to nothing about how the FBI does business?

Also, was Comey and FBI guy before he got the job?

 

[GL97]

Also, was Comey and FBI guy before he got the job?

Comey was a DOJ guy from 1987 to 2005. He served as an Asst. U.S. Attorney and then the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. He then became Deputy Attorney General in 2003. He also was counsel to the Senate Whitewater Committee back in the mid 90s.

After leaving the DOJ in 2005, he worked for Lockheed Martin, Bridgewater, and Columbia Law School before being appointed FBI Director.

As an aside, it was Comey who prosecuted Martha Stewart. He was also in on the prosecuting of the Gambino family back in the late 80s and early 90s.

 

[CowboyJD]

Questions....

I always assumed that the Director of the FBI was an FBI guy elevated to that position. Clearly I was mistaken. Seems like that would make sense. After all, you don't make an outsider Chief of Police in a particular city, you pick a policeman from that city or from another city and offer him the position. Can someone give me an explanation as to why they would choose someone who knows little to nothing about how the FBI does business?

Also, was Comey and FBI guy before he got the job?

Outsiders are often made Chiefs of Police.

If you believe you have a "cancer" situation in an agency or need a serious change in direction, you don't hire from within.

 

[Been Jammin]

Outsiders are often made Chiefs of Police.

If you believe you have a "cancer" situation in an agency or need a serious change in direction, you don't hire from within.

Outsiders, as in non-police guys/girls? I stated in my post that it is common to bring in a Chief from another city, but (as far as I know), it is always an individual who was on the force in that city.

 

[GL97]

I always assumed that the Director of the FBI was an FBI guy elevated to that position.

We have only had seven FBI Directors (not counting "acting" directors).

Hoover came up through the DOJ, Kelly was an FBI guy, Webster was a federal judge, Sessions was DOJ, Freeh was both an FBI and DOJ guy and served as a federal judge, and Mueller was DOJ.

 

[CowboyJD]

Outsiders, as in non-police guys/girls? I stated in my post that it is common to bring in a Chief from another city, but (as far as I know), it is always an individual who was on the force in that city.

Outsiders in the sense of non-municipal LEO for a city chief position, etc.

Example Bob Ricks....FBI Special Agent to Edmond Chief of Police.

Also, the FBI isn't really like a municipal police office. It's affiliated with the DOJ. A former Assistant AG, a former prosecutor, a former USAtty....I wouldn't consider anyone previously involved in the investigation and/or prosecution of crimes to be an "outsider".

 

[Been Jammin]

Thanks for the information, all. Interesting stuff.

 

[GL97]

The next FBI Director has to be independent of Trump. He or she also needs to be someone who will command respect within both the FBI and the DOJ. Finally, he or she needs to calm the concerns of Democrats and worried Republicans.

If Trump wants things to calm down and encourage some amount of unity (while being politically smart), he should nominate someone like Merrick Garland. However, if his goal is to continue to disrupt the FBI and cause division, he will nominate someone highly partisan.

 

[Been Jammin]

The next FBI Director has to be independent of Trump. .

Not going to happen. Not his M.O.

 

[CowboyJD]

If Trump wants things to calm down and encourage some amount of unity (while being politically smart), he should nominate Merrick Garland. However, if his goal is to continue to disrupt the FBI and cause division, he will nominate someone highly partisan.

Merrick Garland?

Really?

Oh lord.

I'll say this. I would highly enjoy the wailing and gnashing of teeth, but Garland ain't getting appointed to a dog catcher position by the Donald.

 

[GL97]

Not going to happen. Not his M.O.

I agree but he will have a hard time selling someone who is closely connected to him in the current environment.

Again though, if he wants division and chaos, he will most likely go down that path. And it will continue to showcase why he is a horrible President.

 

[GL97]

Merrick Garland?

Really?

Someone like Garland, yes. Such a nomination would shock the Democrats and calm the fears of worried GOP Senators. It would also make Trump appear presidential for once.

How would the Democrats oppose someone like Garland? Not to mention, how would the Democrats be able to claim Trump is trying to control the FBI or control the Russia investigation with a nominee like Garland?

If Trump really doesn't have anything to worry about in terms of Russia, picking someone like Garland would be a savvy political move.

but Garland ain't getting appointed to a dog catcher position by the Donald.

I agree because I think Trump will prefer a nominee that causes more division and chaos.

 

[mseabolt]

Outsiders, as in non-police guys/girls? I stated in my post that it is common to bring in a Chief from another city, but (as far as I know), it is always an individual who was on the force in that city.

Edmond's (not sure if he is still police chief) came from DPS .. was highway patrol before that.

 

[TheRedSon]

He's going to have a hard time getting a lackey through nomination.

It will only take three Republican Senators to stop a nomination.

 

[Been Jammin]

I agree but he will have a hard time selling someone who is closely connected to him in the current environment.

Again though, if he wants division and chaos, he will most likely go down that path. And it will continue to showcase why he is a horrible President.

He doesn't have to pick someone closely connected. He can just pick someone who would seem to have no shot at such a high profile job and who feels like he owes the Donald a debt for elevating him.

Or, he can pick a guy who is easily bullied into doing what Trump wants him to do.

 

[GL97]

It will only take three Republican Senators to stop a nomination.

Look at who some GOP Senators are suggesting...

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/333049-gop-senators-pitch-merrick-garland-for-fbi-director

 

[GL97]

He doesn't have to pick someone closely connected. He can just pick someone who would seem to have no shot at such a high profile job and who feels like he owes the Donald a debt for elevating him.

Or, he can pick a guy who is easily bullied into doing what Trump wants him to do.

Sure he could. But like RedSon posted, he will have a hard time getting a lackey through the Senate. Not to mention the perception such a nomination would create...

 

[anon_xl72qcu5isp39]

A good start is no more new yorkers.

The SC guy got his ass handed to him by Hillary. No thank you.

Merick Garland won't happen, but if it does then Biff looks innocent and Presidential for a change.

He'll screw it up. Watch. He'll want the black sheriff from Milwaukee or some wild man moron.

 

[imprimis]

• Ray Kelly, the former and longest-serving New York City police commissioner - yes

• Mike Rogers, former House Intelligence Committee chairman & former FBI - no

• Former Assistant Attorney General Alice Fisher - don't know

• Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C. - yes

• Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas - Hell no

• Paul Abbate, exec assistant director of Criminal/Cyber/Response Services - don't know

• Former New York prosecutor Mike Garcia - don't know

• Mayor of Colorado Springs John Suthers - don't know

• Former federal appellate court Judge Michael Luttig, now a VP of Boeing - maybe

• Larry Thompson, former deputy attorney general under Pres George W. Bush - maybe

• Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe - Hell no

 

[07pilt]

• Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas

I have been hearing Cornyn too, but is FBI director a big enough job to unseat a high ranking Senator?

 

[tlwwake]

I have been hearing Cornyn too, but is FBI director a big enough job to unseat a high ranking Senator?

I think so.

 

[EvilPOKES]

I am in the Gowdy circle. Love that guy!

 

[Tulsaaggieson]

Outsiders in the sense of non-municipal LEO for a city chief position, etc.

Example Bob Ricks....FBI Special Agent to Edmond Chief of Police.

Also, the FBI isn't really like a municipal police office. It's affiliated with the DOJ. A former Assistant AG, a former prosecutor, a former USAtty....I wouldn't consider anyone previously involved in the investigation and/or prosecution of crimes to be an "outsider".

I would add that the FBI is considered an intelligence agency these days in addition to its DOJ enforcement role.

The FBI is part of the Executive branch's structure. Not the legislative or judiciary. While the house and Senate have some oversight in budget, their authority stops there.

 

[windriverrange]

Trey Gowdey all the way!

 

[tlwwake]

 

[GL97]

It isn't going to be Gowdy either...

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/201...imself-out-running-for-fbi-director-post.html

 

[GL97]

No new FBI Director till a special prosecutor is appointed?...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-democrats-demand-chuck-schumer-a7737056.html

 

[CowboyJD]

Gonna need at least three Republicans to agree with him on that.

Bet he doesn't get them.

 

[GL97]

Gonna need at least three Republicans to agree with him on that.

Bet he doesn't get them.

I think this will depend on who Trump nominates.

Again, if Trump was smart (and really not concerned about the Russia investigation), he would nominate someone the Democrats can't oppose.

 

[JohnVoight]

Does it not worry anybody that the swamp is pushing Garland? I get the optics of it. Just worries me that maybe Garland could be another swamp creature they could control.

 

[GL97]

Just worries me that maybe Garland could be another swamp creature they could control.

Well if that is true, then even more reason for Trump to nominate him since Trump has no intention of "draining the swamp".

Problem for Garland though is (1) he most likely won't protect Trump's interests and (2) nominating him wouldn't create chaos. Both negatives in Trump's world.

 

[CowboyJD]

I think this will depend on who Trump nominates.

Again, if Trump was smart (and really not concerned about the Russia investigation), he would nominate someone the Democrats can't oppose.

My statement took into consideration the type of person I anticipate he will appoint.

IMO, there isn't a candidate that the Democrats might concede they can't oppose. Shumer's statements are setting up a play that no one will be considered until there is a special investigator.

Therefore, Trump needs only submit a name marginally acceptable to at least 50 of the Republicans. If he was smart, he'd whip the votes informally before appointing someone.

I think it will end up looking very similar to the Gorsuch nomination.

 

[GL97]

IMO, there isn't a candidate that the Democrats might concede they can't oppose.

I disagree. A Garland-type nominee would make it almost impossible for the Democrats to oppose or continue the narrative they have chosen. It would completely undermine the claims Democrats have been making. Some may still try, but it wouldn't fly. And I think any honest Democrat would concede this right now.

It would be a masterful political move by Trump and might even help him somewhat reset the conversation on a number of the problems he is facing.

 

[anon_xl72qcu5isp39]

Isn't the crazy Milwaukee sheriff like catnip to the BIff sniffers?

 

[CowboyJD]

I disagree. A Garland-type nominee would make it almost impossible for the Democrats to oppose or continue the narrative they have chosen. It would completely undermine the claims Democrats have been making. Some may still try, but it wouldn't fly. And I think any honest Democrat would concede this right now.

It would be a masterful political move by Trump and might even help him somewhat reset the conversation on a number of the problems he is facing.

Your opinion is duly noted.

Disagree all you like.

They're both just opinions not subject to objective evidence of correctness.

 

[CowboyJD]

Well if that is true, then even more reason for Trump to nominate him since Trump has no intention of "draining the swamp".

Problem for Garland though is (1) he most likely won't protect Trump's interests and (2) nominating him wouldn't create chaos. Both negatives in Trump's world.

Another problem.....

I can't imagine why Garland would even want to leave a lifetime appointment as Chief Justice of the D.C. Circuit COA for a 10 year term limited position that serves at the discretion of President Trump or whomever the next President is.

 

[GL97]

I can't imagine why Garland would even want to leave a lifetime appointment as Chief Justice of the D.C. Circuit COA for a 10 year term limited position that serves at the discretion of President Trump or whomever the next President is.

Good point.

Freeh did give up a District Court judgeship to be FBI Director as did Sessions (who was a District Court Chief Justice). Neither were a COA Chief Justice though.