Comey on Trump influencing Barr: "He has eaten your soul"

Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Former FBI Director James Comey addressed what happened in the aftermath of the Mueller report in a New York Times op-ed on Wednesday, the same day that Attorney General William Barr testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee, arguing that "amoral leaders have a way of revealing the character of those around them."

The big picture: Comey referenced Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein's actions surrounding the report, asking "What happened to these people?" He describes Barr as "a bright and accomplished lawyer," immediately followed by concern that Barr has been "channeling the president in using words like 'no collusion.'" Some of the questions Comey covers in the opinion piece he has also publicly pondered on social media.

---

What Comey's saying:

"How could Mr. Barr go before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday and downplay President Trump's attempt to fire Mr. Mueller before he completed his work?"

"And how could Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, after the release of Mr. Mueller's report that detailed Mr. Trump's determined efforts to obstruct justice, give a speech quoting the president on the importance of the rule of law?"

"...You use his language, praise his leadership, tout his commitment to values. And then you are lost. He has eaten your soul."

Go deeper: James Comey slams decision not to charge Trump with obstruction