James Comey on Trump's Erratic Nature and His New Thriller 'FDR Drive'

Comey's New Thriller: FDR Drive

• 📚 James Comey discusses his new legal thriller, "FDR Drive," which centers on disinformation and domestic terrorism.
• 🎯 The book features a protagonist battling violence spawned from a demagogue running broadcast platforms and podcasts.
• ✍️ Comey aims to write about real problems investigators and prosecutors face daily, drawing from his experience in organized crime and political corruption.

Personal Experience and FBI Obligations

• ⚠️ Comey must be careful not to reveal classified information or FBI techniques and capabilities.
• 💡 He strives to show readers how institutions he knows well truly operate in a gripping and cool manner.

Rise of Hate Crimes and FBI Challenges

• 📈 Comey notes that the threat of hate crimes is metastasizing, with dangerous motivations emerging.
• 🚨 The FBI faces challenges, including being asked to assist with immigration enforcement, potentially diverting focus from terrorism and counterintelligence.
• 📉 He expresses concern that federal funding cuts have weakened government agencies, leading to a loss of talented personnel and reduced innovation.

Freedom of Speech and Online Disinformation

• 🗣️ Comey believes America leans forward in permitting free speech, allowing people to express opposition.
• 🚫 He opposes lecturing other countries on their constitutional freedoms and public squares.
• ⚠️ The book explores the role of online disinformation and the challenges of holding accountable those who inspire criminal acts.

Trump's Erratic Behavior and Security Concerns

• 🎭 Comey contrasts his firing by Trump with the current drama between Elon Musk and Trump, highlighting Trump's erratic and inconsistent nature.
• 📉 He expresses concern about the absence of "guardrails" around Trump, noting that former high-ranking officials advised against his return to the Oval Office.
• 🤝 Comey suggests allied services must be cautious about sharing information with US security services under a Trump administration due to potential leaks to adversaries like Russia.