James Comey says Trump 'radicalized' followers just as Al-Qaeda recruits members: 'Constant torrent of lies'
Former FBI Director James Comey had some harsh words about President Donald Trump and his followers, comparing them to Al-Qaeda extremists during a guest spot on 'The View'. Comey has been making appearances on several talk shows promoting his new book, 'Saving Justice: Truth, Transparency, and Trust,' a book that calls on his many years of experience to examine issues of justice and fairness in the United States.
Appearing on 'The View' on Friday via video, Comey claimed Trump has radicalized his followers in a similar way that Al-Qaeda recruits and brainwashes new members. Comey was responding to a question from 'The View' co-host Sunny Hostin, who wanted Comey's opinon on the radical Trump followers who attacked the Capitol. Hostin asked, "Director Comey, pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol to protest Trump losing the election. How much of what we saw should be blamed on Trump’s radicalization message of a rigged and stolen election, and what about the rioters who stormed the Capitol? Do you consider them to be domestic terrorists?"
Comey's response was strident, labeling the attackers in the harshest terms. In response, Comey said, "First, they are terrorists. They are people bent on coercing a civilian government, attacking our democracy because of their warped view of reality. The reason their view is warped is because of the president’s lies, and it’s not just the lie about the election, which is the prime mover for this attack on Capitol Hill." Comey blamed Trump's constant penchant for lies for radicalizing his base. He continued, "It’s four years of constant lying about the virus, about our institutions, about our courts, about our democracy. The demagogue’s lies have great power, especially when they’re echoed by his enablers in the Senate and the House and the media. This is how Al-Qaeda radicalized, a constant torrent of lies at vulnerable people."
Comey also emphasized the threat posed by Trump and his followers, once again calling them terrorists. Later in the show, he added, "We have millions of vulnerable people in this country who have consumed these lies, and some portion of them have been radicalized to the point where they believe they’re on the side of the angels who have to engage in violence directed against us. So it’s a serious threat. It’s a terrorism threat." He then went on to call for accountabilty for Trump, his followers, and those who have helped encourage the spread of Trump's lies. "Donald Trump and his enablers," he said, "We want to make sure we keep the receipts because a lot of people are going to deny they had any connection to it come a few months from now, but that group of people is a radicalized group of terrorists."
One of the other questions that Comey was asked is whether or not Donald Trump should be pardoned for his crimes and failings - and Comey's answer was a resounding no.
You can watch the interview on 'The View' below:
James Comey's book, 'Saving Justice: Truth, Transparency, and Trust' is now out on sale wherever books are sold.