This week's edition of The 45th newsletter. Subscribe here to receive The 45th in your inbox.

Tuesday's release of former FBI director James Comey's book, A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership, and the accompanying press tour has dominated the president's attention for nearly a week despite allied air strikes on Syria and continued attention on the raid of Trump attorney Michael Cohen. 

Comey has been deeply critical of the president, characterising him as morally unfit to occupy his office in both the book and media interviews. Trump has labeled Comey as a "slimeball", a liar and leaker, suggesting he be sent to jail and tweeting about him a dozen times in the past week, including just hours before announcing military action against the Syrian regime. 

Trump administration officials meanwhile have painted Comey as a disgruntled ex-employee looking to settle scores, with press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders last week stating that his firing was “one of the president's greatest achievements”.