Trump vs Comey (and the city of Portland)

49 snips

Sep 29, 2025

A fiery political landscape unfolds as Trump’s Truth Social post incites calls for the prosecution of critics like former FBI director Comey, who now faces perjury charges. The hosts dissect the implications of Trump using the justice system for political revenge and analyze the tense situation in Portland. With federal troops potentially deployed, they evaluate the thin justifications for such moves and the longstanding tensions surrounding protests. They also explore who might be next on Trump's target list, drawing eerie parallels to historical abuses of power.

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ADVICE

Avoid Street Escalation; Fight In Courts

Democratic leaders urged calm and to fight the deployment politically rather than provoke street clashes.
Mayor Ted Wheeler told residents the number of necessary troops is zero and to avoid escalation.

INSIGHT

Television Shapes Presidential Moves

Trump appears influenced by television coverage when deciding where to deploy troops.
Anthony and Sarah highlight Trump watching conservative outlets drove his focus to Portland.

INSIGHT

Antifa Is A Movement, Not A Hierarchy

'Antifa' is not a centralized organization but an anti-fascist movement label.
Anthony explains targeting of Antifa tends to mean going after left-wing funders rather than a formal group.

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It started with a Truth Social post from the president, calling for a handful of his critics to be prosecuted, one of those targeted was the former FBI director James Comey. Less than a week later, he has been indicted and charged with perjury over testimony he gave to Congress five years ago about the FBI's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Prosecutors allege he lied about whether he authorised the leak of classified information to members of the media.

Sarah and Anthony discuss the rocky relationship between Trump and Comey, concerns about whether Trump is weaponsing the justice department to target his political rivals, and who could be next?

And Trump has set his next target for the National Guard to deply to - Portland, Oregon. He says the city is ‘war-ravaged’ and that ICE Facilities are ‘under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists’. What is the reality on the ground? How have Democratic lawmakers in Oregon pushed back? And what precedent could it set if federal troops do march onto the streets?

HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent

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This episode was made by Rufus Gray and Alix Pickles. The technical producer was Ricardo McCarthy. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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