Trump Sets a Precedent That Could Haunt His Allies

“The indictment of the former FBI director James Comey demanded by President Trump sent a shiver of fear through others on the so-called enemies list of the current FBI director Kash Patel. But one other person who might have reason for concern is Kash Patel himself,” the New York Times reports.

“There will, presumably, come a time when the Republican Party is no longer in control. A precedent has now been set for prosecuting a former FBI director disfavored by the current administration for allegedly lying to Congress. Democrats already are accusing Mr. Patel of having lied to Congress in his confirmation hearings when he promised not to engage in political retaliation.”

“Mr. Trump’s campaign to imprison, fire or otherwise punish his political foes and use government power to crack down on free speech he does not like has broken norms that stood for generations. But it has also established new standards for what a president can do that even some conservatives worry may come back to bite them.”