Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

SidDithers

(44,228 posts)
Tue Jan 30, 2018, 10:57 AM Jan 2018

The Hoarse Whisperer - McCabe's replacement is Trump's worst nightmare

Great Twitter thread this morning from The Hoarse Whisperer





The Hoarse Whisperer‏
@HoarseWisperer
Following Following @HoarseWisperer
More
Stressing out about the day's news?

This may help.

A shortie on the doings at the FBI.

1/

Earlier today, it was announced that FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe was leaving effective immediately.

With Trump's endless criticism of McCabe, it's pretty natural that the collective reaction was shock and fear... as if Trump had won here somehow.

2/


In reality, McCabe was poised to leave in two months anyway. He reaches full retirement in March-ish. His departure in and of itself isn't shocking.

The timing seemed sudden and sharp though of course.

3/


The key thing is looking at who Chris Wray appoints to replaces him.

Now, as background, Trump thought Wray was going to be a loyalist because Wray had been involved in helping Chris Christie during Bridgegate.

Wray ain't a dirty bird though.

4/


Wray is ex-Department of Justice. He worked under Jim Comey. He won the highest award for service in DOJ.

He's a Justice Department veteran. He ain't a Trump sleazeball hanger-on.

5/


As FBI Director he has now pushed aside two people Trump was critical of... James Baker and Andrew McCabe.

In normal times, those moves would raise an eyebrow. New bosses bring in their people.

In these abnormal times, they raise plenty of eyebrows.

6/


...but while people worry Wray may be less than a good guy, his actions thus far are incredibly comforting.

After he pushed James Baker aside he appointed someone SURE to rankle Trump. The U.S. Attorney closest to Mueller's investigation. Dana Boente.

7/


Today, immediately after apparently nudging McCabe out the door, Wray announced his replacement...

...and the guy he picked is in many ways Trump's worst nightmare.

David Bowditch. An FBI career man. A mini-Mueller.

8/


Bowditch isn't JUST an FBI veteran, he has the kind of pedigree Republicans would usually experience the kind of erection you have to call your urologist over.

He was a police officer. He joined the FBI and was a sniper on SWAT teams. He was on the Joint Terrorism Task Force

9/


He fought gangs and was instrumental in a history-making gang prosecution.

The guy is a caricature of the kind of "Law and Order" background Trump alleges he cares about.

In a word: he's unimpeachable.

10/


Andrew McCabe had become a distraction and Trump had found some storylines that were effectively muddying the waters.

Chris Wray just did exactly what he did with James Baker's role.

He not only robbed Trump of his ammo, he returned fire with a Howitzer.

11/


Wray just screwed Trump so damn hard, it's gonna leave a mark... and Trump is too dumb to even realize he just got game-set-matched by an appointee who ain't having any of it.

Wray just stole Trump's talking points AND turned up the heat on him.

12/


Even better, Bowditch's elevation entirely earns the trust of the rank and file FBI. They have now seen twice that Wray is on their side not Trump's.

Comey was their homey but now it's Wray all the way.

13/


The most delicious little morsel in this pie to the face is this though...

Chris Wray just sent a 90-decibel message right into Trump's earhole:

"Come after whoever you want. There are a million more behind 'em. There is no stopping the FBI."

So good. So damn good.

END



Sid
42 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The Hoarse Whisperer - McCabe's replacement is Trump's worst nightmare (Original Post) SidDithers Jan 2018 OP
K&R for visibility. Very comforting--thanks. nt tblue37 Jan 2018 #1
He is a registered Republican, made big donations to Rep candidates and was Bridge Gate Cris' lawer. olegramps Jan 2018 #28
K&R PJMcK Jan 2018 #2
I hope this is true cilla4progress Jan 2018 #3
I agree...I hope this is true... Wounded Bear Jan 2018 #4
I share your worry, BUT hueymahl Jan 2018 #31
I do remember that Mark Felt, #2 at the FBI at the time, shanny Jan 2018 #5
Excellent point - cilla4progress Jan 2018 #6
One thing that seems not to bother people, but that I hated... Wounded Bear Jan 2018 #41
Thanks, Sid. brer cat Jan 2018 #7
Woot. sheshe2 Jan 2018 #8
This made me feel better. Thank you! redwitch Jan 2018 #9
McCabe's replacement pamdb Jan 2018 #10
OMG I figured Trump could pick.....OH YIPPEE...... onecent Jan 2018 #11
Really needed to read that. Thanks. Enoki33 Jan 2018 #12
I thought Rachael was saying last nite that the PGIC would appoint Ferrets are Cool Jan 2018 #13
Of course, now the cat is out of the bag, as it were. pangaia Jan 2018 #14
Thanks for posting this Sid. irisblue Jan 2018 #15
Good news cp Jan 2018 #16
I needed that little bit of comfort right now. smirkymonkey Jan 2018 #17
Thanks for the post. Very encouraging when we needed it most. Nitram Jan 2018 #18
This is great news. The FBI with all its career employees is not going to let a R B Garr Jan 2018 #19
Thanks Sid and Hoarse Whisperer mountain grammy Jan 2018 #20
K&R uppityperson Jan 2018 #21
Don't forget - Bowdich was hired by one Robert S. Mueller III !!! This should be good. Although... George II Jan 2018 #22
I'll believe it when I see it blueinredohio Jan 2018 #23
I hear ya SHRED Jan 2018 #24
+1 uponit7771 Jan 2018 #34
I so hope this is true... MontanaMama Jan 2018 #25
Look!! SQUIRREL!!!!!!!! getagrip_already Jan 2018 #26
Okay. Hoping for the best, still fearing the worst. FailureToCommunicate Jan 2018 #27
That's at least three of us who have posted this from various sources Maeve Jan 2018 #29
Unleash the Kracken! SunSeeker Jan 2018 #30
Hope You are Right itcfish Jan 2018 #32
There's nothing in those tweets indicating Bowditch is impartial. Honeycombe8 Jan 2018 #33
This is good news for my weary mind...... a kennedy Jan 2018 #35
I love the Hoarse Whisper Gothmog Jan 2018 #36
David Bowdich is from Albuquerque Desert grandma Jan 2018 #37
If this were true, why is Wray saying he pushed McCabe out OliverQ Jan 2018 #38
I love this tweet Gothmog Jan 2018 #39
This comment bdamomma Jan 2018 #40
We'll see Farmer-Rick Jan 2018 #42

olegramps

(8,200 posts)
28. He is a registered Republican, made big donations to Rep candidates and was Bridge Gate Cris' lawer.
Tue Jan 30, 2018, 12:30 PM
Jan 2018

He will either play along with this evil administration or be shoved out like Comey. Sorry I don't share your enthusiasm. I will be surprised it he pursues a vigorous investigation. He won't imped it but give it lukewarm attention.

cilla4progress

(24,736 posts)
3. I hope this is true
Tue Jan 30, 2018, 11:07 AM
Jan 2018

Should we verify? If so, how, where?

I follow HW on twitter and like him/her. Would like to know who it is.

Wounded Bear

(58,660 posts)
4. I agree...I hope this is true...
Tue Jan 30, 2018, 11:13 AM
Jan 2018

but I'm not that certain that a career officer is a saint. You can tell by the enthusiasm with which ICE is rounding people up that there is a nasty element infusing much of our law enforcement nation-wide. And I worry a LOT about the NY office of the FBI, Giulianni's cronies. I'm pretty sure the anti-Hillary cabal was/is centered there.

hueymahl

(2,496 posts)
31. I share your worry, BUT
Tue Jan 30, 2018, 12:54 PM
Jan 2018

ICE is a LONG way from the FBI. An apt comparison I have heard is they are basically dogcatchers vs. real cops. Both have a badge, but they are not in the same universe.

 

shanny

(6,709 posts)
5. I do remember that Mark Felt, #2 at the FBI at the time,
Tue Jan 30, 2018, 11:13 AM
Jan 2018

turned all Deep Throat on Nixon in order to protect the integrity and independence of the FBI. tRump will call it Deep State; I call it institutional memory.

Wounded Bear

(58,660 posts)
41. One thing that seems not to bother people, but that I hated...
Tue Jan 30, 2018, 08:09 PM
Jan 2018

and it is something that is getting more common in the Repub party.

When Felt finally came out, assholes like Liddy and North (I hate that bastard) were opining how Felt had been a traitor, not to the US but to Reagan. They got that cult of personality thing ahead of what was good for the country. We saw a taste of that under Dubya, and Trump is that way in spades. He demands loyalty from people working under him, but offers none to anybody else. Classic authoritatian response, then and now.

redwitch

(14,944 posts)
9. This made me feel better. Thank you!
Tue Jan 30, 2018, 11:20 AM
Jan 2018

I really need to be calmer and recognize that there are decent and competent people doing all they can to end this nightmare.

pamdb

(1,332 posts)
10. McCabe's replacement
Tue Jan 30, 2018, 11:24 AM
Jan 2018

McCabe is only 49. If it hadn't been for the big orange pussy grabber, I would imagine he was planning on staying for at least 10 more years. Now he has to find another job.

Does trump have to approve the replacement?

I guess the question is when McCabe has actually, completely, retired and is safe. Will he talk to Mueller? Apparently he knew what was going on.

R B Garr

(16,954 posts)
19. This is great news. The FBI with all its career employees is not going to let a
Tue Jan 30, 2018, 11:36 AM
Jan 2018

vulgar punk like Trump get away with treason and with maligning them. I'm sure they have info galore on him that will be strategically leaked when useful or necessary.

Great find! Thanks for posting.

George II

(67,782 posts)
22. Don't forget - Bowdich was hired by one Robert S. Mueller III !!! This should be good. Although...
Tue Jan 30, 2018, 11:44 AM
Jan 2018

....they're in different positions, this is reminiscent of Nixon firing Archibald Cox. Turns out his replacement, Leon Jaworski, was even tougher and more relentless than Cox. Let's hope that's the case here, too.

getagrip_already

(14,752 posts)
26. Look!! SQUIRREL!!!!!!!!
Tue Jan 30, 2018, 12:23 PM
Jan 2018

Nothing to see under that sanctions rock. Nope. No need to look over there.

Media fell for it again.

Maeve

(42,282 posts)
29. That's at least three of us who have posted this from various sources
Tue Jan 30, 2018, 12:35 PM
Jan 2018

Which is not a bad thing, understand--just an indicator of what optimism/hope we still have!
(I found it on Daily Kos)
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/1/30/1737140/-Freaked-out-by-yesterday-s-news

Honeycombe8

(37,648 posts)
33. There's nothing in those tweets indicating Bowditch is impartial.
Tue Jan 30, 2018, 01:07 PM
Jan 2018

So I don't know how the tweeter can make the argument he makes: "Trump...take that! You've been manipulated!" No, there's nothing to indicate that at all. Just a bio of the man's background. Which says nothing about impartiality and willingness to go against others when his livelihood and career are on the line.

But we'll see.

Desert grandma

(804 posts)
37. David Bowdich is from Albuquerque
Tue Jan 30, 2018, 03:25 PM
Jan 2018

originally, where he was an APD officer. His dad, whom I knew, Joe Bowdich is a former APD officer and a former Bernalillo County Sheriff. He is also a registered DEMOCRAT. David, the son, might be a registered Republican, but I do believe that he will be a FBI "Country First" professional. If that is the case, I don't believe we have anything to fear from him, although Trump and some of his party might.

 

OliverQ

(3,363 posts)
38. If this were true, why is Wray saying he pushed McCabe out
Tue Jan 30, 2018, 04:10 PM
Jan 2018

due to the report that's comping out from the Investigator General claiming McCabe did something proper related to Hillary's investigation?

bdamomma

(63,849 posts)
40. This comment
Tue Jan 30, 2018, 08:06 PM
Jan 2018

is most helpful.

"Come after whoever you want. There are a million more behind 'em. There is no stopping the FBI."




Latest Discussions»General Discussion»The Hoarse Whisperer - Mc...