There’s an old saying that the plot thickens. Well, nothing about the Trump era is normal. And in the case of the firing of FBI Director James Comey, the plot has thinned. The official White House line was that Comey was fired after President Trump had reviewed the memo written by Rod Rosenstein. This version of reality was pushed out through all the tentacles of the White House media machine, including in statements from VP Mike Pence, and within the Dear James letter Trump delivered to Comey. The contention was so farcical that anyone who’s been paying attention knew that storyline was false. But sticking to “alternate facts” has been a mainstay of this administration. So it comes as somewhat of a surprise that the president himself has already walked back the official talking point. In an interview with NBC’s Lester Holt, Trump called Comey a “showboat” and a “grandstander,” and made it clear that he was going to fire Comey “regardless of the recommendation” from the attorney general’s office. (Actually, he didn’t walk back the official White House position. He backed over it.)

+ “I said, ‘If it’s possible would you let me know am I under investigation?’ He said ‘You are not under investigation.'” And Trump again asserts that Comey told him on three occasions he was not under investigation. (Anyone want to place a bet about whether that assertion holds up?)

+ Here’s Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe during Senate testimony. “I hold Director Comey in the absolute highest regard. I have the highest respect for his considerable abilities and his integrity, and it has been the greatest privilege and honor of my professional life to work with him. … [He] enjoyed broad support within the FBI and still does.” (Damn, it’s hard for a president to find good help these days.)