Fired FBI director Comey says Trump 'morally unfit' - ABC News interview

By Amanda Becker and Richard Cowan

 

A copy of former FBI director James Comey's book "A Higher Loyalty" is seen in New York City, New York, U.S. April 13, 2018. REUTERS/Soren Larson

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former FBI director James Comey said in an ABC News interview on Sunday that U.S. President Donald Trump is a dangerous, "morally unfit" leader doing "tremendous damage" to institutional norms.

 

Comey, fired by Trump in May last year, was worried the president may be open to blackmail by Russia given claims he was present when prostitutes urinated on each other during a 2013 Moscow visit.

 

Comey's firing came as the Federal Bureau of Investigation was probing possible connections between Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia's meddling in the American elections.

 

Russia has denied interfering in the election and Trump has denied any collusion or improper activity.

 

Comey said in the exclusive interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, which aired at 10 p.m. on Sunday (0200 GMT on Monday), that it is "possible, but I don't know" whether Russia has evidence to back up the allegations about Trump's Moscow trip.

 

"A person ... who talks about and treats women like they're pieces of meat, who lies constantly about matters big and small and insists the American people believe it, that person's not fit to be president of the United States, on moral grounds. And that's not a policy statement," Comey said.

 

"He is morally unfit to be president," he added.

 

Comey has a tell-all book, "Higher Loyalty," due out on Tuesday.

 

The book's imminent release - and the slated ABC News interview - prompted Trump to hurl a new set of insults at Comey earlier on Sunday, challenging accusations made in the book, and insisting that he never pressed Comey to be loyal to him.

 

"Slippery James Comey, a man who always ends up badly and out of whack (he is not smart!), will go down as the WORST FBI Director in history, by far!" Trump wrote early on Sunday in one of five Twitter posts aimed directly at Comey.

 

Reuters and other news outlets have obtained copies of Comey's book before its formal release. In it, Comey wrote that Trump, in a private meeting, pressed the then-FBI director for his loyalty.

 

Comey told ABC News that the title of the book came from a "bizarre conversation" he had with Trump at the White House in January 2017 shortly after his inauguration.

 

"He asked for my loyalty personally as the F.B.I. director. My loyalty's supposed to be to the American people and to the institution," Comey said in the interview.

 

The FBI has long tried to operate as an independent law enforcement agency.

 

"I never asked Comey for Personal Loyalty. I hardly even knew this guy. Just another of his many lies. His "memos" are self serving and FAKE!" Trump said on Twitter.

 

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, interviewed on NBC's "Meet the Press," expressed qualified support for Comey. Asked whether Comey was a man of integrity, the Republican speaker said: "As far as I know," but added that he did not know him well.

 

Asked about Trump's use last week of the words "slime ball" to describe Comey, Ryan said: "I don't use words like that."

 

(Reporting by Amanda Becker and Richard Cowan; Additional reporting by Sarah Lynch; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Peter Cooney)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-04-16

 "Comey",hated by many! Americans are led to believe that we can trust the FBI top officials and that they never get political,minus J. Edger and A ,McCabe. 

  1-3-17, Democratic  Senator C. Schumer might of said it best,

 

“Let me tell you, you take on the intelligence community, they have six ways from Sunday at getting back at you,” Schumer told MSNBC's Rachel Maddow.

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/312605-schumer-trump-being-really-dumb-by-going-after-intelligence-community

" A person ... who talks about and treats women like they're pieces of meat, who lies constantly about matters big and small and insists the American people believe it, "

Unfortunately Trump is right, many believe all his lies. Or don't care, see Trump's words "I can shoot somebody on 5th Avenue and they wouldn't care'.

Even before he announced his run for president, it was obvious to anyone paying attention that "trump" is a totally corrupt con man that has no business in any public office. But he was elected anyway. Sort of and with Putin's and Comey's help but he still won and he shouldn't have even been close. That's a stain on the American people that will be hard to ever wash away. 

 

I don't go for preachy moral judgments like Comey the "boy scout" does (Oh, Lordy!) but his basic premise is obviously true -- UNFIT! Shouldn't be there. Should be forced out. ASAP. Before he does even more damage.

5 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

. That's a stain on the American people that will be hard to ever wash away. 

 

Harder still when nothing is learned and the same calculating style of voting continues in the next election and the next, until the lesson is learned.

 

Quote

 

Comey Interview: Impeaching Trump ‘Would Let the American People Off the Hook’

“I think impeaching and removing Donald Trump from office would let the American people off the hook and have something happen indirectly that I believe they’re duty bound to do directly,” Comey said, according to a transcript of the interview. “People in this country need to stand up and go to the voting booth and vote their values.”

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/comey-interview-impeaching-trump-let-022621629.html

1 hour ago, lannarebirth said:

Comey Interview: Impeaching Trump ‘Would Let the American People Off the Hook’

“I think impeaching and removing Donald Trump from office would let the American people off the hook and have something happen indirectly that I believe they’re duty bound to do directly,” Comey said, according to a transcript of the interview. “People in this country need to stand up and go to the voting booth and vote their values.”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/comey-interview-impeaching-trump-let-022621629.html

“People in this country need to stand up and go to the voting booth and vote their values.”

 The Constitution makes it law, every 4 years there is a Presidential election in America,the last time was in 2016 ,when America's electorate,   voted their values

6 minutes ago, riclag said:

“People in this country need to stand up and go to the voting booth and vote their values.”

 The Constitution makes it law, every 4 years there is a Presidential election in America,the last time was in 2016 ,when America electorate,   voted their values

 

I wouldn't like to think so. I think thy voted the way they always vote. For the least worst candidate.  Now they see what happens when you don't vote your values but instead vote by cold calculation. You are offered two candidates with no discernible values to speak of and then one of them wins and the next time you get two that are worse still.

1 minute ago, lannarebirth said:

 

I wouldn't like to think so. I think thy voted the way they always vote. For the least worst candidate.  Now they see what happens when you don't vote your values but instead vote by cold calculation. You are offered two candidates with no discernible values to speak of and then one of them wins and the next time you get two that are worse still.

It leaves a lot to be said for the millions who don't bother to vote,because , many feel their values don't mean anything

Believe Comey has it exactly backwards. If anyone is unfit it's him after blatant political bias of the FBI under his 'leadership ". 

28 minutes ago, lannarebirth said:

 

I wouldn't like to think so. I think thy voted the way they always vote. For the least worst candidate.  Now they see what happens when you don't vote your values but instead vote by cold calculation. You are offered two candidates with no discernible values to speak of and then one of them wins and the next time you get two that are worse still.

I disagree.  Millions of voters didn't think Trump would get elected, so they didn't vote for the least worst candidate.  In so doing, we got the worst candidate.

 

Until the US election system is modified to allow for a run-off election when one candidate does not get a majority, then voting for the least worst candidate with a realistic chance of winning is the only sane way to vote.

11 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

Believe Comey has it exactly backwards. If anyone is unfit it's him after blatant political bias of the FBI under his 'leadership ". 

As the facts demonstrate, if there was a bias, it worked against Clinton. Comey made his investigation of hers public, while he kept the investigation of Trump secret.

Add mentally and physically to the list of covfefe.

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Even before he announced his run for president, it was obvious to anyone paying attention that "trump" is a totally corrupt con man that has no business in any public office. But he was elected anyway. Sort of and with Putin's and Comey's help but he still won and he shouldn't have even been close. That's a stain on the American people that will be hard to ever wash away. 

 

I don't go for preachy moral judgments like Comey the "boy scout" does (Oh, Lordy!) but his basic premise is obviously true -- UNFIT! Shouldn't be there. Should be forced out. ASAP. Before he does even more damage.

Trump is the most amoral individual I've ever heard or seen. Real mob bosses have more standards than he does.

 

I recently saw an article stating the claim that future elections will be the same with Democrats getting more votes but Repubs winning elections b/c of the electoral college. I think it's long past due to debate a change in how elections are won. 

. . . claims he was present when prostitutes urinated on each other during a 2013 Moscow visit.

 

From golden rain to golden reign in three short years. Amazing.

Comey's testimony before Congress remains, for me, the most gripping piece of live TV I've ever watched.

 

It even surpassed watching Obama's first presidential election victory being reported on Fox News... it was that good. 

In an about to be aired interview comey says that ' that 'dt leaves a stain on everyone he deals with'.

Looks as though he was wanting those russian working ladies he invited to his room to leave stains in him.

Incredible that this utter misfit is supposesly the leader of the free world.

What a total embarassment.

Based on the Liar in Chiefs rhetoric, his actions, and his immorality, I still think he is a sociopath. Eventually this will lead to his demise as a president and possibly any standing he has in the world. Just look at his tweets calling Comey a "slimeball" etc.....what a pathetic president and a sad human being. The American allies must be cringing or laughing up the sleeves. He makes America look like a tin pot dictatorship lead by a narcissistic self serving liar.

Seems to be a projection by Comey. Obviously Comey was definitily unfit for his job. Heavily biased. Obstructed justice. He still claims there might be a Russian collision. Proof? Nothing.

McCabe lied several times under oath. A bunch of criminals.

Drain the Swamp.




Sent from a so called Smartphone using an App.

13 minutes ago, alocacoc said:

Seems to be a projection by Comey. Obviously Comey was definitily unfit for his job. Heavily biased. Obstructed justice. He still claims there might be a Russian collision. Proof? Nothing.

McCabe lied several times under oath. A bunch of criminals.

Drain the Swamp.




Sent from a so called Smartphone using an App.
 

I know what you mean. He made his investigation of Clinton public and kept his investigation of Trump private.  Clearly biased.

7 hours ago, Boon Mee said:

Believe Comey has it exactly backwards. If anyone is unfit it's him after blatant political bias of the FBI under his 'leadership ". 

You are of course referring to his inappropriate and incorrect decision to announce that they were going to investigate Hilary's e-mails two weeks before the election, the thing that swung the election to Trump, right? Or are you referring to the recent trend whereby pretty much every FBI Director including Comey and Mueller are registered lifelong Republicans?

 

I personally don't think that the political affiliation of civil servants and law enforcement is an issue. There have always been approximately equal numbers of Republicans/Democrats within any government agency because that's the approximate political split between Americans. If you have to change the entire civil service every time there's an election so that the civil service reflects the election results, that would be unwieldy and grossly inefficient. 

 

So perhaps you can clarify for me here about the "blatant political bias of the FBI under his leadership"? Are you referring to the way he basically swung an election to Trump? I fail to see how this Republican and his Republican successor have implemented something in a politically biased way. Are you saying the Republicans are against Trump?

Not ro mention that the POTUS is also grossly physically  and psychologically unfit.

He has a high ugliness quotient in both areas.

4 hours ago, Mansell said:

He makes America look like a tin pot dictatorship lead by a narcissistic self serving liar.

Tragically, I think at the moment that is what it is...

The Kennedy's are great examples of immoral politicians at its best but then they were Democrats and the Kennedys could do no wrong for the Press Corps.  Camelot - what a crock!

The trouble people have with Trump is that he is out front about what he thinks and says it.  I believe that Trump may have asked for loyalty but that doesn't mean he asked Comey to do something unethical or illegal.  There can't be many on either side of the political divide that don't think Comey is just a little slimy.  As with all these books that come out they are often written by a ghost writer who knows how to make a book sell.  It's not about facts as that might be too boring. They spice it up with things that will sell. All the things people really want to know still have not been released so how did they fill all those pages.  A multimillion dollar book deal on leadership from Comey would not sell without a bit of dirt.  I doubt it's worth the paper it's printed on.

they are all self serving. write a book and then make controversial headlines. are you kidding me? i wish we could stop paying attention. i have more respect for the kardashians. 

15 minutes ago, utalkin2me said:

they are all self serving. write a book and then make controversial headlines. are you kidding me? i wish we could stop paying attention. i have more respect for the kardashians. 

Self-serving? This guy dedicated his entire life to working with law enforcement and reached the highest level of the FBI. 

 

What exactly have the Kardashians done to earn any respect? How are they more respectable than this hardworking public servant?

6 minutes ago, JCauto said:

Self-serving? This guy dedicated his entire life to working with law enforcement and reached the highest level of the FBI. 

 

 

And, this guy finally failed badly. Emotionally overwhelmed. Then he wrote a book. For what reason? To revenge him self? Did he really nothing learned form Clinton and Bannon? He should have done rather his job instead to think about what's bad or good for presidential candidates. It wasn't his job to do politics. However, now he is exposing himself. People with some common sense will remember him just as a......clown.

20 minutes ago, JCauto said:

Self-serving? This guy dedicated his entire life to working with law enforcement and reached the highest level of the FBI. 

 

What exactly have the Kardashians done to earn any respect? How are they more respectable than this hardworking public servant?

More important, what has the Trump family done to earn any respect?  What history of service does Commander Bone Spur and his clueless off-spring have?

3 minutes ago, alocacoc said:

And, this guy finally failed badly. Emotionally overwhelmed. Then he wrote a book. For what reason? To revenge him self? Did he really nothing learned form Clinton and Bannon? He should have done rather his job instead to think about what's bad or good for presidential candidates. It wasn't his job to do politics. However, now he is exposing himself. People with some common sense will remember him just as a......clown.

Yes, I agree he failed when he chose to reveal the information about Hillary and swung the election to Trump. And you're of course outraged about that and the way he damaged democracy even though it ended up getting your man Donald in, right? Is there no end to your hypocrisy?

 

He said he wrote the book  because "I was never going to write a book. But I decided I had to write this one to try and be useful. That was my goal after I was fired, to be useful. And it occurred to me maybe I can be useful by offering a view to people, especially to young people, of what leadership should look like and how it should be centered on values."  Remember when conservatives like yourself used to care about and espouse values? Which values that you advocate does Donald embody? Fiscal conservatism? Threw that out with the last Trillion Dollar budget giveaway to the Rich. Religious piety? You're kidding, right. Moral virtue? Uh huh. Non-involvement in Foreign Wars? That's gone. Actually, can you name a single conservative value that this guy possesses and has presided over in this greatest of presidencies?

5 minutes ago, JCauto said:

Yes, I agree he failed when he chose to reveal the information about Hillary and swung the election to Trump. And you're of course outraged about that and the way he damaged democracy even though it ended up getting your man Donald in, right? Is there no end to your hypocrisy?

 

He said he wrote the book  because "I was never going to write a book. But I decided I had to write this one to try and be useful. That was my goal after I was fired, to be useful. And it occurred to me maybe I can be useful by offering a view to people, especially to young people, of what leadership should look like and how it should be centered on values."  Remember when conservatives like yourself used to care about and espouse values? Which values that you advocate does Donald embody? Fiscal conservatism? Threw that out with the last Trillion Dollar budget giveaway to the Rich. Religious piety? You're kidding, right. Moral virtue? Uh huh. Non-involvement in Foreign Wars? That's gone. Actually, can you name a single conservative value that this guy possesses and has presided over in this greatest of presidencies?

Please read my post again. It's not that complicated. He should have done his job. Like a professional. Easy as that.

 

Apart from that, feel free to open a topic about conservative values.