Trump blasts Comey again as he heads to Florida amid fallout from Syria strike, China trade

David Jackson | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Comey delivers scathing account of a 'morally unfit' president When James Comey sat down with USA TODAY to talk about his new book 'A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership,' he made explosive comments about President Trump. He also delved into the Russia investigation, the Clinton investigation and more.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —- President Trump began a week-long trip to Florida on Monday by extolling his recently enacted tax cuts and once again excoriating former FBI director James Comey on the eve of his explosive new book's publication.

“Comey drafted the Crooked Hillary exoneration long before he talked to her," Trump tweeted about the email controversy that clouded the 2016 campaign. He said Comey -- who told USA TODAY Trump is morally unfit to be president —- lied about his actions to Congress and "committed many crimes!"

Clinton and other Democrats, meanwhile, believe Comey cost her the election with his comments about the investigation into her private email system.

The latest anti-Comey tweet by Trump came an hour before he flew to Florida for a week-long stay while juggling challenges that range from Syria to China to North Korea -- as well as Comey's book.

Trump's first made a stop in the Miami area, where he told a group of business owners that cutting taxes and regulations is spurring economic growth. Speaking on Tax Day, Trump proclaimed, "Our country is starting to rock."

Trump then headed to his Mar-a-Lago estate here, which will be the site of a two-day summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Topics at Tuesday and Wednesday meetings are expected to include the brewing trade war with China as well as Trump's planned meeting with North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un.

On Thursday, the president is scheduled to visit the Joint Interagency Task Force South in Key West to talk about drug interdiction efforts.

Comey drafted the Crooked Hillary exoneration long before he talked to her (lied in Congress to Senator G), then based his decisions on her poll numbers. Disgruntled, he, McCabe, and the others, committed many crimes! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 16, 2018

The Florida spring break comes just days after Trump authorized a missile strike on Syria in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack on rebels fighting Bashar al-Assad's government. Russia, Syria's ally, protested the attack but has not retaliated.

During the tax cut roundtable in Hialeah, Fla., Trump praised the missile attack, claiming that "every single one hit its target."

Trump and aides blame Russia in part for the situation in Syria, contending it was supposed to have gotten rid of Syria's chemicals weapons years ago. But they also are sending mixed messages about the way forward with the Russians.

Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said the administration is preparing new sanctions on Russia. She told CBS' Face The Nation that the penalties will target "any sort of companies that were dealing with equipment related to Assad and chemical weapons use."

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders, meanwhile, told reporters Monday that "we're evaluating" new sanctions, but there is "nothing to announce right now." She also said Trump still wants to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Amid rising tensions with Russia and China, Trump also tweeted a complaint that both nations are manipulating the value of their currency to gain a trade advantage.

"Russia and China are playing the Currency Devaluation game as the U.S. keeps raising interest rates. Not acceptable!" Trump said.

Russia and China are playing the Currency Devaluation game as the U.S. keeps raising interest rates. Not acceptable! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 16, 2018

The Florida trip also takes place amid any number of looming political, legal, economic and foreign policy challenges. They include:

Comey

The ex-FBI director's book is scheduled to be published Tuesday, and he has begun a media tour that includes striking criticism of the president who fired him last year.

Comey told USA TODAY he regards Trump as "morally unfit to be president" and believes it's possible the Russians have compromising personal information about the commander-in-chief.

Trump has responded with an extraordinary personal assault, describing Comey as a "slime ball" who should be in jail for leaking classified information.

More: Exclusive: James Comey strikes back against 'morally unfit' Donald Trump in scathing interview

More: In his own words: 8 key quotes from James Comey on Donald Trump and what's next

The Russia investigation

Before his dismissal, Comey headed up an investigation into any links between Trump's 2016 campaign and Russians who sought to influence the presidential election by hacking prominent Democrats and pushing fake news. Comey's firing led to the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

Trump's anger at the Mueller investigation rose after last week's raid on the home and office of his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen. The president's lawyer is under investigation by the local U.S. attorney's office in New York City.

The president is said to be looking at whether to dismiss Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller, and perhaps other ways to limit or somehow end the Russia investigation.

North Korea

Administration officials are negotiating a possible Trump meeting with Kim as the U.S. and allies apply economic pressure on the North Korea leader, seeking to get him to give up nuclear weapons.

North Korea's nuclear weapons program is likely to be a major topic of Trump's meetings with Abe at Mar-a-Lago. Japanese officials are reportedly suspicious of Kim's motives in seeking a meeting with the American president.

China

Another topic of the U.S.-Japan summit: The Trump administration has threatened to put tariffs on Chinese exports in retaliation for what U.S. officials call China's unfair trade practices. China has responded by threatening tariffs on U.S. goods.

The prospect of a trade war has roiled global markets, fearful that global prices will rise as a result of tariffs. Among those concerned: Japan, which worries about getting caught in the middle of a U.S.-China conflict.

The Japanese have also protested the fact that the Trump administration did not grant them a waiver from new tariffs in steel and aluminum announced by Trump this year.

Trump is not expected to return to the White House until the weekend.