In an ingenious bit of Machiavellian jujitsu, Trump fired Comey for incompetence, simultaneously: (1) eliminating an independent official who might act as a check on illegal behavior, (2) paving the way for the appointment of a stooge, and (3) enhancing Trump’s tough-guy image. Meanwhile, the Democrats are rendered mute by their earlier charge that Comey mishandled the Clinton email investigation, and Trump can no longer be accused of rewarding Comey for handing over the election to him. It’s hard to imagine a tidier outcome for Trump.