James Comey says Republicans are paralyzed by their 'fear of Fox News' and 'mean tweets'


Former FBI Director James Comey is back, and he has some harsh words for all Republicans.
After a six-hour, closed-door interview with two House committees on Monday, Comey emerged to slam lawmakers as obsessed with "Hillary Clinton's emails and the Steele dossier." What they should be focused on, Comey said, is how President Trump is "attacking the FBI and attacking the rule of law in this country."
Comey, who used to be a Republican, particularly called out GOP legislators for not facing their "fear of Fox News, fear of their base, fear of mean tweets." And in what seemed to be a direct hit on Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and other departing Republicans, Comey questioned why lawmakers would "slink away into retirement" rather than "stand up for the values of this country."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Reporters later asked if Comey had faith in Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker, to which he said he had "no comment," per CNN. Monday's meeting is the second testimony Comey has given to the House this month, and both addressed the investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails and Russian interference in the 2016 election.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
July 25 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Friday's political cartoons include MAGA talk show hosts, a Japanese trade deal, and military medals
-
Friendship: 'bromance' comedy starring Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson
The Week Recommends 'Lampooning and embracing' middle-aged male loneliness, this film is 'enjoyable and funny'
-
Could Thailand and Cambodia really go to war?
Today's Big Question Thai leader has warned that recent hostilities over border dispute could lead to all-out conflict
-
Columbia pays $200M to settle with White House
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the school of failing to protect its Jewish students amid pro-Palestinian protests
-
Florida judge and DOJ make Epstein trouble for Trump
Speed Read The Trump administration's request to release grand jury transcripts from the Epstein investigation was denied
-
Trump attacks Obama as Epstein furor mounts
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the Obama administration of 'treasonous' behavior during the 2016 election
-
Trump administration releases MLK files
Speed Read Newly released documents on the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not hold any new revelations, King historians said
-
Japan's prime minister feels pressure after election losses
Speed Read Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office
-
President diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency'
Speed Read The vein disorder has given Trump swollen ankles and visible bruising on his hands
-
'Bawdy' Trump letter supercharges Epstein scandal
Speed Read The Wall Street Journal published details of Trump's alleged birthday letter to Epstein
-
Fed chair Powell in Trump's firing line
Speed Read The president considers removing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell