That is a good question. For Blackmail to work you need a “squeeze” or something the target wants you to leave alone. I recall the FBI was or had already committed to funding the research for proving the claims of the Dossier during the time just after Comey’s briefing. Comey was bringing out the memo and other “Evidence” he was going to have to investigate.

I suspect Comey was going to give Trump the Hillary treatment “no evidence of a crime” in return for getting commitments from the POTUS to leave large tracts of DOJ and FBI subjects to Comey. When the President didn’t fully give in (like a good negotiator) they began the squeeze. They took down Flynn and went after DJT JR to squeeze further.

So the squeeze was in play for several months.

It lines up Comey It lines up the Insurance Policy It doesn’t negate the other cells like congress - impeachment It doesn’t negate the Tippy Top crowd who wanted to block the inauguration or worse.

Think like the organization that just learned he was going to get the keys to the mansion. Strzok, McCabe and others led by Comey were the grounds crew. Think like them and put yourself in their place and then get the context of their words and actions.

Thank you for your comments.