CNN legal analyst Laura Coates was very critical of former FBI Director James Comey for his “smug” response to the Justice Department inspector general’s report.
The report, which was released on Thursday, detailed Comey’s handling of “sensitive information.” The investigation found “no evidence” that the former FBI director or his attorneys “released any of the classified information” to the press, but it did come to the conclusion that he “violated Department or FBI policy.”
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
Following its release to the public, Comey tweeted, “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.”
CNN’s Brianna Keiler discussed the IG report and Comey’s reaction with Coates and columnist A.B. Stoddard.
“I wouldn’t be quite as smug as he is. There still was a very damning report by the I.G. that said, look, you had an obligation to relinquish any files you had,” Coates stated. “You don’t take information that you have gained through the course of your employment, even when you have an employment agreement, and then hand over to have a political outcome maybe be achieved. That’s the big criticism that still stands, which is why his Twitter account is a little bit too dismissive of what he actually was accused of doing.”
Stoddard agreed, “I think it’s one of those days where there’s something for everyone on two sides of the political battle, but I don’t think that James Comey should feel great.”
Coates went on to call the report “almost like poetic justice” for how he handled the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails in regards to the press conference he held at its conclusion.
