DON DEFIANT
Trump: ‘No one treated worse than me’ Republicans scramble, market tumbles
At the Coa s t Guard Academy yesterday, President Trump argued that “No politician in history . . . has been treated worse or more unfairly” as the fallout from James Comey’s memo and firing engulfed Capitol Hill.
A defiant President Trump complained about how “unfairly” he’d been treated and insisted he never colluded with Russia Wednesday — as the Justice Department named a special counsel to look into any possible ties between his campaign and the Kremlin.
“A thorough investigation will confirm what we already know — there was no collusion between my campaign and any foreign entity,” Trump declared. “I look forward to this matter concluding quickly.”
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller (inset) to oversee the independent investigation into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
Hours before news of the investigation was revealed, Trump addressed the graduation ceremony at for the US Coast Guard Academy, lamenting how he’d been treated during his first four months in office.
“No politician in history, and I say this with great surety, has been treated worse or more unfairly,” he said. “You can’t let them get you down.”
He also advised the class to never give up — before getting in a swipe at the media.
“Over the course of your life, you will find that things are not always fair. You will find that things happen to you that you do not deserve and that are not always warranted,” Trump told the 186 grads and hundreds of officials and guests under sunny skies in New London, Conn.
“But you have to put your head down and fight, fight, fight. Never, ever, ever, give up. Things will work out just fine.
“Look at the way I’ve been treated lately, especially by the media,” the president added, to laughter.
Trump will likely face even more scrutiny as Mueller, a former prosecutor who served as FBI director under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, has been given wide powers as head of the investigation to determine whether there was any collusion between Team Trump and Russia.
“A special counsel is necessary in order for the American people to have full confidence in the outcome,” Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein said in a statement.
The appointment comes as the White House faces a firestorm of criticism after it was reported that Trump asked then-FBI Director James Comey to drop the investigation into his national security adviser, Michael Flynn.
Flynn resigned after just 23 days when he was caught misleading Vice President Mike Pence about his communications with Russia’s ambassador to the United States.
Later in the Coast Guard event, Trump was presented with a ceremonial saber, prompting Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to quip, “You can use that on the press,” in a comment caught on a hot mic.
In his address, thehe president slammeded the growing numberer of politicians whoho have been critical of his performance.
“You can’t let the critics and the naysay-sayers get in the wayy of your dreams. I guessuess that’s why we won. Ad-Adversity makes youyou stronger. Don’t givee in. Don’t back down, and never stop doing what you know is right,”,” he thundered to cheers.s. TThe president went on to ppat himself on the back for whatw he said were his many achievements — especiapecially more funding for the military, including monemoney for the Coast GuarGuard’s ice cutters. “I’vI’ve accomplished a tremendmendous amount in a very short time as president,” he said. “Jobs are pouring back into oour country. A brandnewnew SSupreme Court justice who is going to be fantastic for 45 yyears, a historic investmentment in our military.”