All this talk of the FBI in tatters…

In a letter released earlier Wednesday, we get a look at how FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe handled news of the firing of FBI Director James Comey back in May 2017.

Comey was fired after repeated requests for loyalty from President Trump, and for not stopping the Russia investigation.

Hey, that’s what Trump told NBC’s Lester Holt.

Yes, I know. Trump’s people said it was for how Comey handled the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s email scandal – a very valid reason – but Trump blew that cover the day after he trotted out H.R. McMaster to pee on our legs and tell us it was raining.

McCabe’s letter was sent to FBI personnel as a pep talk, in order to keep morale up, after Comey’s firing.

“First, thank you. Thank you for continuing to do the great work of this organization. […] [d]espite the fact that we are still trying to adjust to an FBI without Director Comey,” McCabe wrote.

“So please — hang in there. As men and women of the FBI, we are at our best when times are tough. Please stay focused on the mission, keep doing great work, be good to each other and we will get through this together,” he said.

That’s touching, actually. They must have really respected Comey as their director.

That explains the reports of FBI agents and their “Comey is my homie” t-shirts.

No matter the narrative pushed by the administration, James Comey was actually respected by those working under him.

It’s good that McCabe wrote that memo. It shows a brotherhood within the bureau. Not the “tatters” or dysfunction we’ve been hearing about.

It’s certainly a contrast to the message sent by Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

“The president of the United States has exercised his lawful authority to remove James B. Comey, Jr. as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” Sessions wrote, adding, “As you well know, the FBI is an exceptional law enforcement and intelligence agency. It is made so by you, the devoted men and women who work tirelessly to keep our country safe.”

Easy, guy. It kind of sounds like he was exercising the right of jus primae noctis or something.

Of course, he was right. In fact, the president doesn’t need a reason to fire the FBI director. He could do it on a whim.

But that’s not what he did.

The beatings will continue until morale improves.

Anyway, it’s not quite clear why the FBI released these letters today. Maybe they’re just hoping to end some controversy?