Ep. 522 - The Comey Memos

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on the release of James Comey’s memos about Trump, arguing they largely confirm Comey’s prior public claims while raising questions about classified leaks and weak obstruction evidence. Shapiro also covers Rudy Giuliani joining Trump’s legal team, a possible dossier/CNN leak theory, and then pivots to a long mailbag on statues, climate change, education, religion, end-of-life care, and social anxiety.

Main Topics: Comey memos and the Trump-Russia investigation (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues the newly released Comey memos do not reveal major new facts, but instead mostly reinforce Comey’s existing public narrative while weakening claims of obstruction against Trump. Classified information and media release of the memos (Priority: 5/5): He raises concern that redactions imply some memos contained classified material, suggesting Comey may have leaked sensitive information and that the DOJ’s earlier refusal to release them may have been overstated. Dossier, CNN, and the 'news hook' theory (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro highlights a theory from Molly Hemingway that Comey and intelligence figures may have helped create a media hook for the Steele dossier by briefing Trump on it before CNN reported on the allegations. Rudy Giuliani joining Trump’s legal team (Priority: 4/5): He frames Giuliani’s addition as sensible given his legal background and argues Trump’s legal exposure is more likely tied to Michael Cohen-related issues than Russia collusion or obstruction. Mailbag on American history, education, and politics (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro answers listener questions about honoring slaveholding founders, climate change, conservative participation in education, and the value of PhDs, emphasizing nuance, institutions, and responsibility. Culture war examples: Trayon White and Syracuse fraternity video (Priority: 3/5): He contrasts a relatively overlooked Syracuse racist video with broader media attention on Starbucks, arguing the press selectively amplifies some racism stories while minimizing others.

Key Arguments: The Comey memos mostly track what Comey had already said publicly, so they do not provide a dramatic new revelation about Trump. The memos do not show clear obstruction: Trump asked about investigating allegations and Michael Flynn, but Comey never documented feeling threatened or coerced. Redactions and DOJ language suggest some of the memos were classified, which could mean Comey leaked sensitive material. The memos strengthen the claim that Trump was more interested in the salacious dossier allegations than in suppressing the Russia investigation. A plausible alternative theory is that Comey/Clapper/media actors used the dossier briefing to create a reportable story hook for CNN. Trump’s strongest legal exposure is not the Russia probe but potentially the Michael Cohen-related investigation. Statues of founders should honor achievements like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, not slavery, even though the figures were morally flawed. Climate change is real, but disagreement over policy responses is legitimate; acknowledgment of warming is not the same as endorsing any particular solution. Conservatives should engage education through straight teaching, private schools, and books that cultivate independent thinking. Racism should be condemned when evidence is clear, but weak allegations should not be treated as proven simply because they fit a narrative.

Data Points: Employer hiring success rate on ZipRecruiter: 80% - Shapiro cites ZipRecruiter’s claim that 80% of employers posting a job get a quality candidate in one day. Book length of Economics in One Lesson: About 150 pages - Recommended as a concise introduction to economic thinking. Climate change projection cited: 7 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100 - Shapiro references the IPCC-style estimate while distinguishing the fact of warming from policy debates. Daily Wire subscription price: $9.99/month - Promotional pitch for full show and mailbag access. Annual subscription price: $99/year - Includes the Daily Wire beverage vessel as a bonus. Founded/fake news timing around CNN report: January 10, 2017 - Shapiro notes CNN’s story appeared shortly after Comey’s January 6 briefing. Comey memos handed to Congress: 7 memos - He references the DOJ releasing seven memos after a year of wrangling.

Pivotal Quotes: "James Comey memo's just out and show clearly there was no collusion and no obstruction." — Donald Trump: Shapiro cites Trump’s response tweet after the memos were released. "I think it's unlikely, but I think it's possible." — James Comey: Comey’s answer to Jake Tapper on whether Russia had compromising information on Trump. "The memos show that the president made clear he wanted allegations of collusion, coordination, and conspiracy between his campaign and Russia fully investigated." — Rep. Devin Nunes/Bob Goodlatte/Trey Gowdy (jointly cited): Shapiro quotes congressional Republicans arguing the memos cut against obstruction claims.

Implications: The episode suggests the Comey memos are politically explosive but legally thin, strengthening Trump’s position on obstruction while shifting attention toward classified leaks, Cohen-related risks, and media credibility in the Russia narrative.