James Comey Blasts Trump’s Attacks On FBI: ‘Dangerous Time’ When Leaders ‘Lie About Anything’
Over the period of a week, President Donald Trump has gone from speculating that there might have been an FBI “spy” embedded in his presidential campaign for political purposes to outright asserting that the bureau’s use of a confidential informant is “one of the biggest political scandals in history” while dubbing the episode “SPYGATE!” (no, not that Spygate).
As it is abundantly clear that the president and his allies are trying to completely undermine the FBI, Justice Department and intelligence community in an effort to blow up Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian election meddling, the former leader of the FBI chimed in to give his thoughts.
Ex-FBI Director James Comey — whose firing by Trump a year ago eventually led to the appointment of a special counsel — tweeted out that the bureau’s use of confidential informants is “tightly regulated and essential to protecting the country.” He added that the attacks “on the FBI and lying about its work will do lasting damage to our country.”
Facts matter. The FBI’s use of Confidential Human Sources (the actual term) is tightly regulated and essential to protecting the country. Attacks on the FBI and lying about its work will do lasting damage to our country. How will Republicans explain this to their grandchildren?
— James Comey (@Comey) May 23, 2018
“How will Republicans explain this to their grandchildren?” Comey asked.
In another tweet, the former FBI chief wrote that it was a “[d]angerous time when our country is led by those who will lie about anything.” Remarking that some media outlets “will say anything” to those who “will believe anything,” Comey called on Americans to “break out of that bubble and seek truth.”
Dangerous time when our country is led by those who will lie about anything, backed by those who will believe anything, based on information from media sources that will say anything. Americans must break out of that bubble and seek truth.
— James Comey (@Comey) May 23, 2018
Meanwhile, GOP lawmakers Devin Nunes (yup) and Trey Gowdy will be meeting with senior DOJ, FBI and intelligence officials Thursday to discuss document requests made by House Republicans over the confidential informant. The meeting was brokered by the White House but no White House officials will attend. Democrats will also not be represented at the meeting.
