Former FBI director-turned-crime-fiction-author James Comey speaks with Andrew Mueller about his new novel, ‘Westport’, the dangers of a new Donald Trump presidency and whether he regrets reopening the Hillary Clinton investigation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
But even if I went back in time, I can't choose the other path.
And one of my very best people in that moment at that conference table when we were wrestling with what to do, asked me, should you consider that what you're about to do may help elect Donald Trump President of the United States?
The answer has to be no.
Because if I start making decisions based on who I think should be president, the FBI is done.
Hello.
Hello and welcome to the Big Interview.
Our guest this week is James Comey, currently an up and coming author of crime fiction.
His second novel, available now, is entitled Westport.
Earlier in life, Comey was a public prosecutor and a private sector counsel.
He is vastly better known, however, as the former Director of the FBI appointed by US President Barack Obama in 2013, sacked by US President Donald Trump in 2017.
In between, James Comey was the key figure in the controversial decision, a few weeks before the presidential election of 2016, to announce the reopening of an investigation into Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton.
There are many Clinton, not least among them, who believe this cost her the election.
I'm Andrew Mueller and I spoke to James Comey for the Big Interview.
Well, first of all, James Comey, welcome to the Big Interview.
Great to be with you.
If I've done my maths right, you should have, in a saner world, finished your 10 year term as FBI director last year.
If you think back to 2013, when President Obama nominated you for the job, did you have any inkling then that you would be on book tour around now?
No, never.
I never imagined.
I actually, I originally said no to being interviewed for the job and was glad that I changed my mind.