‘We’re not done yet…’: Kash Patel reveals FBI, DOJ readies new action against Comey, ‘stay tuned…’

Here's a detailed summary of the provided YouTube video transcript:

Key Concepts

• Dismissal of Charges: A federal judge dismissed criminal charges against James B. Comey and Leticia James.
• Unlawful Installation: The prosecutor who filed the charges, Lindseay Hallan, was deemed unlawfully installed.
• Political Motivation: Both Comey and James characterized the prosecutions as politically motivated.
• Trump Administration's Intent: The Trump administration, through figures like Cash Patel, indicated they are not finished pursuing actions against Comey.
• Comey's Defense: James B. Comey asserted his innocence, criticized the prosecution as malevolent and incompetent, and defended the integrity of career DOJ and FBI professionals.
• FISA Abuse Allegations: The transcript includes a detailed exchange regarding alleged errors, omissions, and potential falsifications in the Carter Page FISA application, particularly concerning the Steele Dossier and its funding.
• Leaks and Testimony: Comey's testimony regarding authorizing leaks to the Wall Street Journal is contrasted with statements made by former Deputy Director Andrew McCabe.
• Rule of Law and Liberty: Comey emphasizes the importance of an independent judiciary and standing up to perceived tyranny to protect liberty and the rule of law.

Dismissal of Charges and Legal Proceedings

A federal judge dismissed criminal charges against former FBI Director James B. Comey and New York Attorney General Leticia James on November 24th. The ruling was based on the determination that the Trump-appointed prosecutor, Lindseay Hallan, who initiated these cases, had been unlawfully installed in her position. Comey had pleaded not guilty to the charges, which stemmed from alleged false statements he made during a September 2020 hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The indictment against him was filed shortly before the statute of limitations on the alleged offenses would have expired.

Following the dismissal, AG Bondi defended the credentials of Trump's former attorney, Lindseay Hallan, and stated her intention to pursue all available legal actions, including an immediate appeal of the judge's ruling. FBI Chief Cash Patel also indicated that further action was imminent, suggesting that the Trump administration was not finished with its efforts against Comey and urging viewers to "stay tuned for right after Thanksgiving" for multiple responses. Patel, speaking on a podcast, disclosed that the Trump administration "is not done yet" and that they have "numerous options to proceed" with the FBI and DOJ.

Comey's Response and Perspective

James B. Comey expressed gratitude for the court's decision, characterizing the case against him as a prosecution driven by "malevolence and incompetence" and a disheartening reflection of the Department of Justice under Donald Trump. He stated his innocence and declared he was not afraid, emphasizing his belief in an independent federal judiciary as a safeguard against a "would-be tyrant." Comey acknowledged that standing up to Donald Trump has personal costs for him and his family, but asserted they would "not live on our knees."

He also highlighted the inspiration he drew from career professionals within the DOJ and FBI who refused to participate in what he termed a "travesty," even at the cost of their jobs, thereby preserving their integrity. Comey expressed hope that more lawyers, particularly from large firms, would step forward to protect liberty and the rule of law. He stressed that the case was significant not just personally, but because it sends a message that the President cannot use the Department of Justice to target political enemies, calling such actions "fundamentally unamerican" and a threat to freedom. Comey urged Americans to "stand tall, shine, and keep the faith," and to vote as if their country depends on it.

Allegations Regarding the Russia Investigation and FISA Application

A significant portion of the transcript involves a detailed exchange during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, where Senator Cruz questions James B. Comey about the FBI's handling of the Russia investigation, the surveillance of the Trump campaign, the Carter Page FISA application, and the Michael Flynn investigation.

Key points of contention and Comey's responses:

• Competence and Honesty of the Russia Investigation: Comey stated that, to his knowledge, there was no surveillance of the Trump campaign and that the overall investigation into Russian interference and associated Americans was conducted in an "honest, competent, independent way."
• Carter Page FISA Application Errors: When confronted with the Horowitz Inspector General report detailing 17 significant errors or omissions in the Carter Page FISA application, Comey acknowledged "significant and important failings" in its preparation and renewal but did not agree that the report concluded there were "lies to the court."
• Alteration of Evidence: Senator Cruz presented evidence from the IG report alleging that an FBI attorney, Mr. Klein Smith, deliberately altered an email to the CIA regarding Carter Page's status as a source. The CIA reportedly confirmed Page was a source, but the email was allegedly altered to state "not a source," which was then used in a submission to the FISA court. Comey stated it was "not the practice in the FBI to fraudulently alter anything that is presented to federal courts" and disputed the accuracy of Senator Cruz's summary of the IG findings.
• The Steele Dossier:
  • Funding: Comey stated he first learned of the Steele Dossier in late September 2016 and understood it was funded by "political opposition to President Trump or candidate Trump," but did not know the specifics of the funding source at that time. He testified that he believed the FISA court was alerted to the "possibility that it was a politically biased reporting." Senator Cruz countered that this was inaccurate and that the court was not told it was funded by the DNC, calling it an omission.
  • Subsource Information: Comey stated he did not recall ever being informed of any prior investigation of the Steele Dossier's primary subsource. He became aware of it through public reporting and a DOJ memo. The transcript reveals the subsource was subject to an FBI counterintelligence investigation from 2009-2011 for alleged attempts to recruit spies against the U.S. government. Senator Cruz questioned why this information, particularly the subsource's potential status as a "suspected Russian asset," was not disclosed to the FISA court. Comey stated he did not remember the facts revealed recently about the subsource.
• Leaks to the Wall Street Journal: Senator Cruz questioned Comey about his May 2017 testimony to the committee, where he denied ever being an anonymous source or authorizing anyone at the FBI to be one regarding the Trump or Clinton investigations. This was contrasted with statements by former Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, who publicly stated he leaked information to the Wall Street Journal and that Comey was aware of and authorized it. Comey reiterated that he stood by his previous testimony and would not characterize McCabe's statements, but maintained his own account.

Arguments and Perspectives

• Trump Administration's View: Figures like Cash Patel and AG Bondi represent the perspective that the legal actions against Comey and James were legitimate and that the Trump administration intends to continue pursuing them, viewing the dismissal as a temporary setback. They believe the judicial process offers "numerous options to proceed."
• Comey's View: Comey argues that the prosecutions were politically motivated, driven by "malevolence and incompetence," and represent an abuse of power by the President. He champions the importance of an independent judiciary and the rule of law, urging citizens to resist fear and stand up for their liberties. He also defends the integrity of career professionals within the DOJ and FBI.
• Senator Cruz's View: Senator Cruz's questioning strongly suggests a belief that the FBI and DOJ were "politicized and weaponized" during the Trump administration, leading to "corrupt" investigations. He implies Comey was either "deliberately corrupt or woefully incompetent" regarding the handling of the Russia investigation and FISA applications.

Conclusion

The transcript details the dismissal of criminal charges against James B. Comey and Leticia James due to the unlawful installation of the prosecutor. It highlights the ongoing legal and political battle, with the Trump administration signaling further actions. James B. Comey vehemently defends his innocence, criticizes the prosecution as politically motivated and incompetent, and calls for a defense of the rule of law and an independent judiciary. The transcript also delves into specific allegations of misconduct and omissions related to the Russia investigation and the Carter Page FISA application, particularly concerning the Steele Dossier and its subsource, as well as Comey's prior testimony regarding leaks. The overarching theme is a clash between the Trump administration's perceived efforts to target political opponents and the defense of legal and constitutional principles.