The Political Chessboard: Comey, Edwards, and the Ghost of Indictments Past

A fresh wave of political speculation is sweeping through Washington D.C. following the abrupt resignation of Troy Edwards, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Appointed during the Trump administration, Edwards’ departure has sent ripples across the political landscape, with staunch allies of former President Donald Trump openly suggesting it paves the way for a renewed and vigorous pursuit of an indictment against former FBI Director James Comey.

The call for Comey's indictment is far from new.

For years, figures close to Trump have clamored for legal action against the man who once led the nation's premier law enforcement agency, citing various alleged missteps during his tenure. Senator Lindsey Graham, a vocal Trump loyalist, has been at the forefront of this charge, repeatedly demanding accountability for what he perceives as Comey's politically motivated actions.

At the heart of these persistent demands lies Comey's conduct during the highly charged investigations of the Trump administration, particularly concerning former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.

Critics allege that Comey's handling of the Flynn inquiry, his subsequent interactions with President Trump regarding the matter, and his eventual dismissal, all warrant criminal scrutiny. They point to Comey’s own memo detailing his conversations with Trump – a document that quickly became a flashpoint in the tumultuous early days of the Trump presidency.

Further fueling the fire are revelations from the Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz's extensive report.

While the report largely cleared Comey of allegations of political bias in the initiation of the Russia investigation, it did highlight significant concerns about his judgment and adherence to FBI policies in several instances. Notably, the report criticized Comey for deviating from standard FBI procedures by publicly discussing the Hillary Clinton email investigation, and for his handling of sensitive information.

The infamous "insurance policy" text message exchanged between former FBI agents Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, which hinted at measures to prevent a Trump presidency, is frequently invoked by those seeking Comey's indictment.

While the Horowitz report concluded that this text message did not directly demonstrate an intent to sabotage the investigation, for many Trump supporters, it remains a smoking gun, emblematic of a deeper conspiracy within the FBI.

Trump himself, throughout his presidency, repeatedly expressed profound frustration with the Justice Department, lambasting what he saw as a reluctance to prosecute his political opponents, including Comey.

His public pronouncements often underscored a belief that the system was rigged against him and his allies, and that those who investigated him were themselves deserving of investigation and prosecution.

The resignation of Edwards, a Trump appointee, is now being interpreted by some as a strategic move to clear the decks.

The theory posits that with Edwards out, a new U.S. Attorney, potentially more aligned with the political objectives of the former president’s orbit, could be installed to re-examine or accelerate a potential case against Comey. This move would resonate deeply with Trump's base, who have long called for a reckoning for those they believe undermined his administration.

Whether this renewed push will gain traction remains to be seen.

The legal complexities and political sensitivities surrounding any potential indictment of a former FBI Director are immense. However, Edwards’ resignation undeniably injects a fresh dose of intrigue into an already charged political landscape, reigniting hopes among Trump’s most ardent supporters for a dramatic chapter in the ongoing saga of political justice.