Is President Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey a dangerous moment for American democracy, a justified and long-overdue move, or something in the middle? Like much about the Trump administration, it depends on whom you listen to. Opinions are sharply divided on the surprise firing and the reasons for it, though both sides tend to agree that Comey handled the Hillary Clinton email investigation very poorly. A roundup of opinions:
- This is a "perilous moment" for the US, according to the New York Times editorial board, which says that while Comey certainly bungled the Clinton investigation, it's clear that Trump fired him for other reasons. "The president of the United States, who is no more above the law than any other citizen, has now decisively crippled the FBI's ability to carry out an investigation of him and his associates," the board warns.