Conservative Host Ben Ferguson Clashes with Panelists, Accusing Democrats of Staging a ‘Coup’ Using Debunked Steele Dossier
A panel discussion on CNN’s “NewsNight” devolved into a fiery confrontation on Thursday, centered on the recent indictment of former FBI Director James Comey and accusations that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is being “weaponized” against political rivals.
Conservative talk show host Ben Ferguson was the driving force behind the escalating tensions, directly challenging his fellow panelists over the actions taken by Democrats during the Trump administration, particularly in relation to the Steele dossier and the Russia collusion allegations. Comey is currently facing charges of making a false statement to Congress and obstruction of justice.
The debate, which focused on the legitimacy of the DOJ’s charges against Comey, quickly broadened to a bitter rehash of the 2016 election’s aftermath. Ferguson accused Democrats of attempting to “overthrow the will of the people” with the now-debunked narrative that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia.
“You literally said the Steele dossier was user-generated at the FBI and then you weaponize it to go after Donald Trump to stage a coup against the sitting President of the United States of America,” Ferguson charged at Harvard University Fellow Charles Blow. “And you want to lecture me right now about right and wrong? Come on, man.”
Blow quickly countered, stating, “You are destroying the record. You’re muddying the waters,” but Ferguson immediately reiterated his claim that “You guys weaponized the government.”
The Steele dossier, a report by ex-British spy Christopher Steele, falsely alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. A subsequent investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller found no evidence that the Trump campaign conspired with Russia. RELATED: Fines For Lying About The Anti-Trump Steele Dossier That Tore Nation Apart, Not Justice Many On The Right Want Or Deserve
Former Obama-era White House official Johanna Maska voiced concerns that the Trump administration’s indictment of Comey was setting a “dangerous precedent.” As Maska attempted to pivot the conversation to Russian interference in U.S. elections, saying, “Russia tries to interfere in every election,” Ferguson interrupted, escalating the personal nature of the conflict by adding that the Obama campaign allegedly spied on the 2016 Trump campaign.
Maska became visibly angry and started shouting, but Ferguson pressed his point: “You accused Donald Trump of working with the Russians and you knew it was a lie.” The clash was ultimately cut short when CNN host Abby Phillip intervened, informing Ferguson that he “lost [his] chance” to respond.
The charges against Comey stem from his September 2020 testimony to Congress, where he told Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) that he never authorized the leak of information to the press.
This contradicts previous statements by former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, who claimed Comey approved his leak of information related to an investigation into the Clinton Foundation to The Wall Street Journal. The grand jury indictment was led by White House aide Lindsey Halligan.
READ: Top US Law Enforcement Leaders Vow Accountability After Comey Indictment
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