Last night’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah took on the firing of FBI Director James Comey by unpopular President Donald Trump.
Now, I know what you're thinking. Why did Trump fire Comey when Comey basically got him elected. That's why. Yeah. Because Trump doesn't want to be president. This is his revenge. That's exactly why he did it. Trump is so angry.
[Trump impression] "You gave me this job that I hate. So now you get the worst punishment that I can think of: more time at home with your family. May all of your sons be Erics."
After a few more jokes Noah says “I’m not going to sugarcoat this. This is bad for democracy.” They throw to a variety of news reports with every pundit and expert saying how this kind of thing usually only happens in “third world countries,” and “other places,” coming back to Noah screaming.
Africa! Just say it! Just say it! This is the kind of thing that only happens in Africa!
Noah goes on to show the myriad clips we’ve all seen by now showing candidate Trump praising Comey to no end. Noah calls Trump’s firing simply “Bullshit.” And Jeff Sessions’ recommendation? That’s “Bullshit.”
You sneaky little liar! And I ... I-I just ... I hate him so … I-I wish Jeff Sessions had stayed at his old job. I'm just gonna put it out there.
Noah explains that what’s truly scary here is that this is the difference between Trump’s “words” and his “actions.”
So ... Comey wasn't just any old bureaucrat who Trump fired. Trump fired Comey just as Comey was starting to actively investigate Trump's people. Which, you've got to admit, makes Trump look hella suspicious.
Right? That's like breaking up with your girlfriend right after she asks you if she can look at your phone.
Noah points to our system of checks and balances and then shows Republican leader after Republican leader disappointing the American people by pretending that the firing of James Comey isn’t a big deal.
Here's the thing, here's the thing. Democracies don't go away in a flash. Right? People need to get that into their minds. You don't just wake up one morning and tanks are rolling through the streets. That's not how it works. It's a slow burn, with many steps along the way. And this is a big step. Without Congress to rely on, Comey was the one person we trusted to be unbiased. Whether you liked or hated his decisions, it didn't feel like he was on anyone's side. But now he's out. And with him, so is the people's hopes of holding Trump accountable. Comey basically packed the hopes up in his box, along with his work toothbrush. A lot of people are distraught by this decision. The other people are Russians.
It’s not the funniest Daily Show segment but it’s an important one.