As allegations pile up against two former members of the special counsel’s office, Obama administration intelligence officials, and former Justice Department leaders, President Trump and his allies have stepped up their criticism of the FBI and called into question the objectivity of the team created to look into allegations the Trump campaign colluded with Russia.
But the president could risk overplaying his hand by whipping up his base over allegations against the investigation that could yet prove exaggerated or unfounded. And his involvement in promoting these allegations against the FBI may automatically dissuade much of the public, Democrats, and media from taking the situation seriously.
"President Trump needs to keep beating the drum on this front, albeit in a more strategic manner,” said Ford O’Connell, a Republican strategist. “The reason is simple: Trump has the biggest megaphone, and when he talks about it, everyone — voters and media — is forced to talk about it, and it becomes part of the national conversation.”
One GOP operative said Trump should rely on advisers to lay out the case against the Justice Department "instead of blurting out the first thing that comes to [his] mind."
Trump’s involvement in elevating accusations related to the FBI in the past have backfired and prevented the kind of bipartisan scrutiny that may have occurred if he had withheld comment.
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01.23.2025