James Comey believes not prosecuting Trump would be 'greatest punishment he could imagine'

Former FBI director James Comey appeared on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” Tuesday, where he discussed the recent attack on the Capitol building which left five people dead. And while he believes President Trump incited the insurrection, he does not agree with several lawmakers that Trump should be charged.

“I just don't think that the mission Joe Biden has before him,” said Comey, “which is to heal our country both spiritually and literally because so many of our fellow Americans are dying, is not advanced by having Donald Trump get what he wants most, which is to be in the drama, in Washington every single day.”

Comey is concerned that a national trial would only provide a platform for the president, who has been banned by most popular social media platforms.

“I'd rather the lights go out,” said Comey. ‘Which is the greatest punishment he could imagine. Stand on your lawn at Mar-a-Lago and yell at cars, but not have the lights on there, and let Joe Biden get on with the business of the United States.”

Video Transcript

[WHOOSH]

JAMES COMEY: I just don't think that the mission Joe Biden has before him, which is to heal our country both spiritually and literally because so many of our fellow Americans are dying, is not advanced by having Donald Trump get what he wants most, which is to be in the drama in Washington every single day.

KYLIE MAR: Former FBI director James Comey appeared on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" Tuesday, where he discussed the recent attack on the Capitol building, which left 5 people dead, including a police officer. And while he believes President Trump incited the insurrection, he does not agree with several lawmakers that Trump should be charged.

JAMES COMEY: I'd rather the lights go out, which is the greatest punishment he could imagine. Stand on your lawn at Mar-a-Lago and yell at cars but not have the lights on there, and let Joe Biden try to get on with the business of the United States.

KYLIE MAR: Comey did, however, warn that the former reality-TV-star-turned-president does crave a lot of attention and affirmation. And since he has been banned from social media, he may act out before the transfer of power on January 20.

JAMES COMEY: This is a person, as you know, for whom affirmation is like oxygen. He craves it. He needs it. And now he's not only not getting it, he will perceive betrayal by those closest to him. And this is gonna be a very, very difficult time for our country over the next eight days.

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