Comey, McCabe slams Justice for dropping Flynn case: ‘Pure politics designed to please’ Trump

Former FBI Director James Comey and former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe slammed the Justice Department’s decision to drop its case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn on charges he lied to the FBI about his contacts with Russians. 

“The DOJ has lost its way. But, career people: please stay because America needs you. The country is hungry for honest, competent leadership,” Comey tweeted.

The DOJ has lost its way. But, career people: please stay because America needs you. The country is hungry for honest, competent leadership.

— James Comey (@Comey) May 7, 2020

McCabe said in a statement Flynn had “high level interactions with Russian officials” whom he “actively tried to influence.” He also said Flynn had lied about the substance of his talks with Russian officials.

“His lies added to our concerns about his relationship with the Russian government,” said McCabe. “Today’s move by the Justice Department has nothing to do with the facts or the law — it is pure politics designed to please the president.” 

In a court filing Thursday, the Justice Department said it was moving to drop its case against Flynn and was no longer sure it could make its case.

McCabe and Comey were both ousted from their positions at the FBI by Trump and have had long public feuds with the president. 

McCabe was accused of lying to investigators about a leak to the media, but the Justice Department in February decided against bringing charges against him. 

Comey was criticized by the Justice Department’s inspector general in an August 2019 report over his handling of memos on his conversations with Trump and the FBI.