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Comey: ‘No idea’ what Mueller will conclude — ‘I also don’t care’

Posted at 5:03 AM, Mar 22, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-21 21:52:43-04

Former FBI Director James Comey said he does not know what special counsel Robert Mueller will conclude in regard to President Donald Trump, and does not care so long as the investigation was completed properly.

“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,” Comey wrote in a New York Times op-ed published Thursday. “I also don’t care. I care only that the work be done, well and completely.”

Comey’s article came as many await the end of the Mueller probe, a lengthy investigation that began after Trump’s sudden decision to dismiss Comey in May 2017.

Comey wrote that despite his belief Trump is “morally unfit” for the presidency, he is “not rooting” for Mueller to demonstrate criminality by Trump.

“I’m also not rooting for Mr. Mueller to ‘clear’ the president,” Comey wrote. “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.”

Since his removal from the FBI, Comey has been an outspoken critic of Trump’s attacks against the Mueller probe, the Justice Department and Comey himself.

He said a thorough and proper report would demonstrate the the integrity and independence of the justice system in the US, and he called for “maximum transparency about the special counsel’s work.”

Comey added that he hoped Congress did not impeach and remove Trump from office ahead of the next presidential election, warning that many would not accept the result as fair.

“If Mr. Trump were removed from office by Congress, a significant portion of this country would see this as a coup,” Comey warned, going on to say he hoped for Trump’s defeat at the ballot box in 2020.