I suspect that Trump”s warning about possible tapes had something to do with Comey’s refusal.
I wish that Trump had fired Comey upon taking office.
For at least the first month after taking office, President Trump had absolutely no one loyal to him is Justice Department leadership. Sally Yates who ordered all Justice attorneys to not defend his executive order was the acting Attorney General. It is entirely reasonable to assume that had he fired Comey at that time, Democrats would have alleged obstruction and asked for appointment of a special prosecutor. She would have certainly complied and we would have a Patrick Fitzgerald type carrying out a four year long witch hunt which would totally derail his administration.
While President Trump is new to the political game, he has good instincts and was being advised by then Senator Jeff Sessions who knows how the Washington power structure works. Fortunately, the Justice Department is in control now and I would doubt that there is any chance at all of a Special Prosecutor being allowed to muck up the works. The media and Democrats will make a lot of noise but they do not have any power.
“I wish that Trump had fired Comey upon taking office.”
He did not have an A.G yet and would have to deal with the second in command which he eventually fired.