In a blistering critique of the Trump administration, former FBI director James Comey has accused the ex-president of transforming the US Justice Department into a "dangerously political" institution. The explosive remarks came during a revealing interview where Comey didn't hold back on his assessment of Trump's impact on American democracy.
Comey's Scathing Assessment
The former FBI chief, who was famously fired by Trump in 2017, claimed the Republican leader showed "no understanding" of the rule of law during his presidency. "What we saw was an attempt to turn the Justice Department into a political weapon," Comey stated, warning that such actions could have lasting damage on American institutions.
A Warning for Democracy
Comey expressed particular concern about Trump's repeated attacks on the independence of federal law enforcement. "When a president tries to direct prosecutions or protect allies from investigation, that's crossing a red line," he explained. The former FBI director suggested these actions created a dangerous precedent that future administrations might exploit.
The Mueller Investigation Fallout
The interview also touched on Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, which Trump frequently denounced as a "witch hunt." Comey defended the probe as necessary and legitimate, despite the political firestorm it generated. "The idea that law enforcement should avoid investigating powerful people is antithetical to everything America stands for," he argued.
Current Political Climate
Comey's comments come at a sensitive time in US politics, with Trump considering another presidential run in 2024. The former FBI director warned that another Trump term could further erode democratic norms unless Americans remain vigilant about protecting institutional independence.
