Former FBI Director James Comey said Wednesday he wants President Trump to be “successful” in the White House, despite his reservations about the man who fired him.
The comments were made during a CNN town hall event as his alma mater, the College of William & Mary, after the publication of his new book, A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership.
“I write this in the book and I hope I speak for all of us, no matter my concerns about him, I want him to be successful,” Comey said. “I would be so happy if there was a way to peace on the Korean Peninsula.”
“We should root for our president,” Comey added. “That also doesn’t mean we should fail to hold him accountable, especially when he threatens our core values.”
Comey was responding to a William & Mary student who asked what nickname he has for Trump.
“In recent weeks, President Trump has nicknamed you Slippery Comey,” junior Brian Connelly said. “What is your nickname for him?”
“I don’t have a nickname for him,” Comey said. “Honestly, I call him the president of the United States, because I respect the office.”
Last week it was revealed the Justice Department’s inspector general is conducting an investigation into whether Comey, who was fired by Trump in May 2017, leaked classified information when he shared several memos detailing his conversations with Trump.
Redacted versions of the memos were released last week after the DOJ sent them to Congress.
