Comey: I’m not rooting for Mueller to demonstrate Trump is a criminal

Former FBI Director James Comey wrote in a New York Times op-ed published Thursday that he doesn’t care whether special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation implicates President Trump, only that the probe is allowed to finish.

“I’m not rooting for Mr. Mueller to demonstrate that he is a criminal,” Comey wrote, referring to Trump. “I’m also not rooting for Mr. Mueller to ‘clear’ the president. I’m not rooting for anything at all, except that the special counsel be permitted to finish his work, charge whatever cases warrant charging and report on his work.”

Comey, who has emerged as a vocal critic of Trump, wrote in the piece that he doesn’t know — or care — what the results will be from the nearly two-year probe into ties between Trump campaign officials and Russia during the 2016 election.

{mosads}”I have no idea whether the special counsel will conclude that Mr. Trump knowingly conspired with the Russians in connection with the 2016 election or that he obstructed justice with the required corrupt intent,” he wrote. “I also don’t care.”

“I am rooting for a demonstration to the world — and maybe most of all to our president and his enablers — that the United States has a justice system that works because there are people who believe in it and rise above personal interest and tribalism,” he added.

Comey in his op-ed also condemned Trump’s attacks on the federal probe, the early portions of which Comey led as FBI director before being fired in 2017. Mueller was appointed as special counsel to lead the probe shortly after Comey’s dismissal.

Comey wrote that it is deeply “concerning that the president of the United States would try to protect himself by torching the institutions of justice.” He also reiterated his position that he hopes Trump is not impeached. 

Mueller is investigating whether Russia interfered in the 2016 election, including whether there was coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign. Trump has regularly bashed the investigation and criticized it as a “witch hunt.”