The news media has fastened onto the Comey story in two ways: one, as a potential obstruction of justice in the matter of Russian interference with the US presidential election, and two, speculation about whether Comey’s successor will pursue that investigation adequately and independently. I fear that these approaches are short-sighted and miss the real point of the firing of Mr. Comey.
The greater concern is that Trump will choose the next FBI Director primarily on the basis of his/her loyalty. Here, Loyalty is defined as “interpersonal, i.e., a relationship between a lord and vassal, parent and child…” It also means “This relates to the authority of a master over his servants (as per Ephesians 6:5), who, according to Biblical law, owe undivided loyalty to their master (as per Leviticus 25:44–46). [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loyalty] And a Loyalist is a person who is loyal; a supporter of the sovereign or of the existing government, especially in time of revolt. [http://www.dictionary.com/browse/loyalist].
Now put that view together with the fact that Trump learned his theory of politics and governing at the knee of Roy Cohn, possible the most deliberately self-centered and evil man to walk the planet [“Citizen Cohn”, Nicholas von Hoffman] since Reynald of Chatillon [“The Crusades Through Arab Eyes” Amin Maalouf, p. 156].
Comey exhibited ethics, a respect for the rule of law, and a willingness to a fault to defend the independence of the FBI from politics. Comey was fired in large part because of these; because in Trump’s view he was not pursuing leaks and “unmaskings,”as directed, instead focusing on links between the Trump campaign and Russia, and thereby displaying disloyalty. This fact has not been much addressed by the press, maybe because it makes the press part of the story. It is likely that Comey’s more loyal replacement will follow directions, investigating leaks. Leaks are evidence of intolerable disloyalty.
The extreme danger is that this will lead to the use of the FBI much like the NKVD was used by Stalin to purge enemies, silence dissent, and punish opponents in Congress, the courts, the media, and the public at large. That would be consistent with the approach of Roy Cohn. By compiling dossiers as J. Edgar Hoover did during his tenure as FBI Director, subtle or overt blackmail and extortion for political advantage is likely. This is not a fantasy; it happened under Hoover and Beria. It also happened and is now happening under a variety of despots – Peron, Erdogan, Hugo Chavez/Maduro are just a few examples.
Those who should be made most aware of this potential are the senators who must advise and consent on the appointment of the next FBI Director. They must ensure that his/her loyalty is not to President Trump, but to America, the Constitution and the rule of law. But such a person is not likely to be nominated by Mr. Trump.