‘The way you normally do investigations is you work from the bottom up, and so they’re getting pretty high. The plea and cooperation by Paul Manafort may represent we’re in the fourth quarter.’ —James Comey
That’s former Federal Bureau Investigation Director James Comey, who was fired by President Trump in May 2017, sharing his thoughts with St. Louis Public Radio about the status of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation.
Comey was referring to the conviction of Trump’s former campaign chair Paul Manafort, the fifth associate of the president’s to plead guilty in connection with the probe.
Comey, however, acknowledged that he has no direct knowledge as to whether Mueller’s investigation is truly almost over.
“The reason I’m hesitant to even say that, is Bob Mueller conducted his investigation like a pro—you know nothing about it except through his public filings, and that’s the way it’s supposed to be,” he said. “And so, I can’t say with certainty where he is.”
Comey also said that while Trump “relentlessly attacks” our institutions, there is reason to be hopeful about the future.
“Americans have awakened to the importance of the rule of law and the danger of its erosion, and that’s a very, very important sort of antibody response,” he said. “And it’s a source for optimism.”
Listen to the full interview:
