Comey Criticizes Acting AG and Reiterates Support for Clinton Email Investigation

In Washington, former FBI Director James Comey expressed his disapproval of Acting Attorney General Todd Branch’s adherence to protocol, while also reaffirming his choice to reopen the Hillary Clinton email investigation just before the 2016 election. This comes as Comey faces a second indictment.

Indicted last month for supposedly making threats against President Trump in an Instagram post referencing “86 47” in May 2025, Comey criticized Branch’s comments publicly downplaying the social media incident.

During an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Comey remarked, “I won’t discuss the case because federal court rules prohibit me from doing so. I encourage the acting attorney general to reconsider the rules.”

It’s noted by prosecutors that the phrase “86” is often slang for eliminating something, while “47” is connected to the 47th President, Donald Trump.

Comey quickly removed the controversial post after it ignited considerable backlash.

Previously, a judge dismissed a charge against him for allegedly lying to Congress, but a new charge was brought against him last month.

Comey articulated his frustrations with the Justice Department, labeling it “terribly broken at the top,” but advised those at lower levels to stay committed to their work. “I really believe in the folks at the bottom who are striving to keep going, and I encourage them to persist,” he stated. “We can rebuild these systems in two and a half years, but we need great people in those roles. America is capable of that.”

He acknowledged past mistakes, admitting, “There were many things I messed up” during his FBI tenure from 2013 to 2017.

Comey’s relationship with Trump has been strained, particularly regarding the Russia investigation and the events surrounding his dismissal. Conversely, Democrats have been upset with Comey for his decision to revive the investigation into Clinton’s emails just days before the election. While Comey alerted lawmakers, the information was subsequently leaked to the media.

Clinton has argued that this ultimately cost her the election.

When asked if his actions contributed to Trump’s rise, Comey hesitated, saying, “I hope not.” He insisted that during that time, his objective was to avoid political entanglement.

He pointed out that undecided voters leaned toward Trump in the elections of 2016, 2020, and 2024, prompting him to consider whether Trump’s decisions might have negatively affected Clinton’s campaign.

“We chose to act because it seemed the least bad choice,” Comey reflected. “Truthfully, both choices were undesirable, but this one aligned more closely with the department’s values. So despite the pain, I would make the same decision again.”