James Comey: Professional Son of a B***h

With the breaking news of James Comey’s indictment, we revisit a February 9, 2025 episode of This Dum Week, where Gator and Alex reviewed the tangled history of Russiagate, strategic leaking, and the political chaos of Trump’s first months in office. The conversation traces how Comey, Benjamin Wittes, and others helped seed media narratives through leaked memos and “tiny cannon booms,” shaping public perception of Trump as compromised even when investigations said otherwise.The hosts reconstruct the Michael Flynn saga, from late 2016 calls with Ambassador Kislyak, to the Logan Act theories floated in the press, to Flynn’s eventual guilty plea — despite FBI agents initially saying they didn’t think he lied. Along the way, they analyze how selective leaks, legal maneuvers, and partisan spin built a perception of collusion and corruption that defined the early Trump presidency.They also revisit infamous episodes like the Steele dossier “pee tape” briefing, Trump’s repeated pleas for Comey to clear him publicly, and the broader media frenzy that elevated minor stories into existential crises. The indictment of Comey serves as a capstone to this retrospective, raising questions about accountability, propaganda, and how institutions bend under political pressure.Topics DiscussedBenjamin Wittes & the “Boom” PhenomenonWittes’ Twitter canon and how he acted as Comey’s narrative amplifierElite networks consuming leaks as daily talking pointsMichael Flynn CaseCalls with Kislyak and accusations of Logan Act violationsFBI notes showing agents didn’t believe Flynn intentionally liedHow the DOJ pursued charges anyway amid media pressureLeaks & Russiagate NarrativesComey’s memos documenting Trump’s “loyalty” requestThe Steele dossier and the infamous “pee tape”Trump’s frustration that the FBI wouldn’t state he wasn’t under investigationMedia & PropagandaHow selective leaks and legal theories were weaponizedThe gap between internal assessments and public perceptionPropagandist framing vs. lawyerly analysis in shaping public opinion This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit doyourownresearch.substack.com