Inspector General Finds Former FBI Director Comey Violated DOJ Policy by Leaking Trump Memos

The Dept. of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) on Thursday released a report that former FBI Director James Comey violated departmental policies by leaking memos regarding his meetings with President Donald Trump before his termination in an effort to trigger a special counsel investigation.

The OIG ― which is also preparing an investigative report on the origins of the Russia collusion probe that’s expected to be released in the next few months ― concluded that Comey made unauthorized disclosures of the memos through his lawyers to the media:

“By not safeguarding sensitive information obtained during the course of his FBI employment, and by using it to create public pressure for official action, Comey set a dangerous example for the over 35,000 current FBI employees ― and the many thousands more former FBI employees ― who similarly have access to or knowledge of non-public information. Comey said he was compelled to take these actions “if I love this country… and I love the Department of Justice, and I love the FBI.” However, were current or former FBI employees to follow the former Director’s example and disclose sensitive information in service of their own strongly held personal convictions, the FBI would be unable to dispatch its law enforcement duties properly, as Comey himself noted in his March 20, 2017 congressional testimony…

In a country built on the rule of law, it is of utmost importance that all FBI employees adhere to Department and FBI policies, particularly when confronted by what appear to be extraordinary circumstances or compelling personal convictions. Comey had several other lawful options available to him to advocate for the appointment of a Special Counsel, which he told us was his goal in making the disclosure. What was not permitted was the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive investigative information, obtained during the course of FBI employment, in order to achieve a personally desired outcome.”

This report was referred to the Dept. of Justice by the OIG for charging decisions, and the DOJ has declined to prosecute Comey for the disclosures. Comey took to Twitter to express vindication because the report found his unauthorized memo disclosures didn’t include classified information:

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Girard At Large via Flickr / Creative Commons)