"Malevolence": James Comey warns Trump's revenge push isn't over
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Former FBI Director James Comey on Capitol Hill, June 8, 2017. Photo: Cheriss May/NurPhoto via Getty Images.
James Comey slammed President Trump's attempts to prosecute him as "fundamentally un-American," but the former FBI director said he expects the president to try again in his first statement after a judge dismissed the case Monday.
Why it matters: Despite the dismissal, which was a blow to the president's campaign to punish his perceived political enemies, Attorney General Pam Bondi said during a Monday briefing she will "take all available legal action, including an immediate appeal."
What they're saying: "I'm grateful that the court ended the case against me, which was a prosecution based on malevolence and incompetence and a reflection of what the Department of Justice has become under Donald Trump," Comey said in a video posted to his instagram.
- He added that the case sent a message that the president "cannot use the Department of Justice to target his political enemies. I don't care what your politics are, you have to see that as fundamentally un-American and a threat to the rule of law that keeps all of us free."
- "I know that Donald Trump will probably come after me again, and my attitude is going to be the same. I'm innocent, I am not afraid, and I believe in an independent federal judiciary, the gift from our founders that protects us from a would-be tyrant."
- When asked about Comey's response during Monday's press briefing, Bondi sidestepped the reporter's question, saying she's "not worried about someone who has been charged with a very serious crime."
Driving the news: A judge ruled earlier Monday that the cases against Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James must be tossed because the prosecutor's appointment was "defective."
- Trump hand-picked the prosecutor, his personal counsel Lindsey Halligan, as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia after the previous officeholder, Erik Siebert, reportedly declined to charge Comey due to a lack of evidence.
Worthy of your time: In his complaint, Comey cited other lawsuits that had found Trump's appointments lacked legal authority, invalidating their actions.
- Alina Habba, the acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey acted without legal authority for about two months until a judge stepped in to block her in August.
The other side: The White House referred Axios to press secretary Karoline Leavitt's Monday afternoon interview on Fox News.
- "This judge took an unprecedented action to throw these cases out to shield James Comey and Leticia James from accountability based on a technical ruling. The administration disagrees with that technical ruling."
- "We believe the attorney in this case, Lindsey Halligan, is not only extremely qualified for this position, but she was, in fact, legally appointed, and I know the Department of Justice will be appealing this in very short order, so maybe James Comey should pump the brakes on his victory lap."
Zoom out: Comey's prosecution was at the top of the MAGA retribution wishlist, and while it is unclear if the president will truly bring another case against him, Trump's vengeance tour war is not over.
- On Monday, the Department of Defense said it is investigating Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) for participating in a video encouraging troops to disobey unlawful orders, which is their constitutional duty.
Go deeper: "The first domino": Comey indictment sets MAGA retribution in motion
