Fired FBI Director James Comey spent the morning spiking the proverbial football over a newly-released Inspector General report concluding that while he did not violate the law by exposing classified material, he did engage in professional misconduct and non-permitted leaking. Comey, who oozes sneering self-righteousness, is brazenly claiming vindication while lashing out at his critics. Sadly, this sort of unseemly unprofessionalism is not unexpected at this point:
DOJ IG "found no evidence that Comey or his attorneys released any of the classified information contained in any of the memos to members of the media." I don’t need a public apology from those who defamed me, but a quick message with a “sorry we lied about you” would be nice.
— James Comey (@Comey) August 29, 2019
The little lecture wasn't over:
And to all those who’ve spent two years talking about me “going to jail” or being a “liar and a leaker”—ask yourselves why you still trust people who gave you bad info for so long, including the president.
— James Comey (@Comey) August 29, 2019
It's certainly true that some critics went too far in their attacks and conjecture; confidently predicting legal outcomes can often backfire. But pretending as if the IG findings debunk the notion that he's a leaker is effectively a lie unto itself -- so "liar and a leaker" sounds about right:
Final lines of IG report on Comey, on page 61:
— Andrew Clark (@AndrewHClark) August 29, 2019
"What was not permitted was the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive investigative information, obtained during the course of FBI employment..."
"...in order to achieve a personally desired outcome." pic.twitter.com/zeKitNFRwp
IG report details how Comey, after he was fired, leaked (via text message) a memo he personally believed was evidence of obstruction on the Flynn investigation to the New York Times.
— Andrew Clark (@AndrewHClark) August 29, 2019
The NYT published a story that same day. pic.twitter.com/GtgaIb4tYD
An "unauthorized disclosure" is official speak for a leak. And as the IG points out, Comey's leaking was undertaken to "achieve a personally desired outcome." A political agenda and/or personal vendetta. That seems healthy coming from the guy who ran the FBI for years. Comey surely views his actions as heroic, truth-telling endeavors -- but that's how he seems to view all of his own conduct. Despite being weary and beleaguered, I shall heroically press on, which is what heroic heroes such as myself do in pursuit of heroism:
Tonight, I told a former colleague that I’m tired of being a Trump critic. He responded with encouraging words that apply to all of us: “Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country.” He’s right. Keep speaking out.
— James Comey (@Comey) August 28, 2019
Insufferable. As he omits, glides over and downplays his own demonstrable misconduct, in favor of a self-serving narrative, Comey will undoubtedly cast himself as a guardian of truth and justice. As he does so, please recall his early and vocal (later rocky) support for Andrew McCabe. McCabe was fired for repeatedly lying under oath to federal investigators...about leaking. That firing was spurred by previous findings from the nonpartisan Inspector General, and was recommended by career nonpartisan ethics officials at DOJ. McCabe, much like Peter Strzok, was not a victim. Neither is Comey. In case you missed it, I'll leave you with this:
CNN reports on “damning” IG report on Comey violating FBI policeshttps://t.co/zTHFc6JQt4 pic.twitter.com/vMqYMttIia
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) August 29, 2019
They're going to hire him soon, aren't they?