His requests for loyalty have a pretty innocuous explanation, that is hinted by Comey himself - this was in the midst of an anonymous revolt from intelligence a

His requests for loyalty have a pretty innocuous explanation, that is hinted by Comey himself - this was in the midst of an anonymous revolt from intelligence agencies against the President, with constant leaks hitting the press every day. Alongside the leaks the President also had to contend with insubordination, e.g. Ms. Yates refusing to follow his executive orders. Regardless of the merit you see in his orders, it is logically consistent that a President who faces obstruction when trying to enact his vision would be specifically looking for loyalty among his subordinates.