Andrew McCabe: Trump blasts James Comey and ex-deputy as a “den of thieves and lowlifes” after publication of damning official report
Mr Trump made the attack on Twitter
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump has launched attack on James Comey and his former deputy, calling them a “den of thieves and lowlifes” after the publication of a damning official report.
The Department of Justice’s inspector general published a report into the behaviour of former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, saying he had repeatedly lied to investigators about his role in giving information to a reporter.
The report, delivered to politicians on Friday, detailed an investigation that Attorney General Jeff Sessions cited when he fired Mr McCabe last month, hours before Mr McCabe was set to retire and receive his full pension, according to the Associated Press. The report had nothing damaging to say about Mr Comey.
Mr Trump leapt on the report with apparent glee.
“DOJ just issued the McCabe report - which is a total disaster,” he tweeted. “He LIED! LIED! LIED! McCabe was totally controlled by Comey - McCabe is Comey!! No collusion, all made up by this den of thieves and lowlifes!”
Mr Trump had accused Mr McCabe of bias, and the president’s critics said he as being fired as part of a Republican effort to discredit a federal probe into alleged ties between Russia and the Trump presidential campaign.
The report, authored by inspector general Michael Horowitz, said McCabe “lacked candour” in conversations with Mr Comey and other officials about his role in providing information to a Wall Street Journal reporter about an probe into Hillary Clinton, according to the AP.
Mr McCabe, who has argued he was being singled out because he was a witness into whether Mr Trump tried to obstruct the federal probe, said in a statement on Friday he was authorised to share that information with reporters and had not intentionally misled anyone.
“McCabe had no motive to lie or mislead about media contacts he had the authority to direct,” said Mr McCabe’s lawyer, Michael Bromwich.
Mr Bromwich also said he was considering filing a defamation lawsuit against Mr Trump and his “colleagues”.
The remarks came on the day Mr Trump was attacked by Mr Comey as unethical in excerpts of an forthcoming memoir.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments