Andrew McCabe says his lawsuit settlement with the DOJ is ‘an incredible relief’ but ‘also kind of sad’

On Anderson Cooper 360 Thursday, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe gave his first interview since the Justice Department agreed to restore his full pension earlier in the day. It was part of a settlement from a lawsuit McCabe filed 20 months ago, which argued that his March 2018 dismissal by then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions was a political move ordered by then-President Donald Trump.

“I can't tell you what this has been like going through. What this whole campaign has put my wife through. My children. My parents,” McCabe said. “To have a settlement of this lawsuit and one that so clearly indicates this should never have happened, it is both an incredible relief. It's satisfying, but it's also, you know, it's also kind of sad.”

And while his pension has been restored and the legal drama is over, McCabe doesn’t necessarily feel all that free, since he expects to still be caught in the wrath of Trump.

“I mean, I feel better, but I don't feel free. I don't kid myself to think that the president is going to put aside his horrific judgment, his constant lying and his tormenting of me and my family,” McCabe said. “I'm sure this will just add another log to the fire. He'll probably be saying all kinds of things about it tomorrow. But you know what? I'm just to the point where I don't care. I don't care what that guy has to say.”

Video Transcript

ANDREW McCABE: Anderson, I can't tell you what this has been like going through what this whole vindictive campaign has put my wife through, my children, my parents.

KYLIE MAR: Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe visited Anderson Cooper 360 Thursday for his first interview since the Justice Department agreed to restore his full pension earlier in the day, part of a settlement from a lawsuit McCabe filed after he was fired by Donald Trump in 2018.

ANDREW McCABE: To have a settlement of this lawsuit and one that so clearly indicates this should never have happened. It is both an incredible relief. It'S-- it's satisfying, but it's also, you know, it's also kind of sad.

KYLIE MAR: McCabe who was fired just hours before he was going to begin his retirement and then waited 20 long months for this to be resolved, said he has stuck with it because a message needed to be sent.

ANDREW McCABE: I mean, it's a great thing for my family. But I think it's a message to government employees, the civil servants everywhere. This is the current Department of Justice standing up for fairness and standing up for the rule of law.

KYLIE MAR: And while his pension has been restored and the legal drama is over, McCabe who took a lot of criticism from Donald Trump on social media over the years is expecting more of the same.

- Do you feel free today?

ANDREW McCABE: I mean, I feel better but I don't feel free. I'm sure this will just add another log to the fire. We'll probably be seeing all kinds of things about it tomorrow. But you know what? I'm just to the point where I don't care. I don't care what that guy has to say.