James Comey and Ben Wittes: A Demagogue Our Founders Feared
May 22, 2024
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Former FBI Director James Comey and Ben Wittes discuss integrity, principles, and the Trump trial. Comey talks about choices made in 2016 and maintaining integrity. Ben updates on the Trump trial and praises Judge Merchan's fairness
Navigating political pressures while upholding integrity in institutions like the FBI and DOJ.
Defense of institutions against demagogues like Trump and maintaining ethical standards.
Balancing public perception with ethical standards in government roles and sacrifices made.
Deep dives
Ethical Dilemmas in Protecting Institutions
Facing the challenging decisions of upholding integrity while navigating political pressures within institutions like the FBI and Department of Justice. James Comey reflects on the moral balancing act of sticking to principles while negotiating the turbulent political landscape.
Protecting Institutions from Demagoguery
Exploring the impact of a demagogue like Donald Trump on institutions and the difficult choices leaders face in defending these institutions. Comey delves into the internal struggles and strategies employed to safeguard against threats to the rule of law and integrity.
Challenges of Public Perception and Sacrifices in Defense of Principles
Reflecting on the complexities of managing public perception while remaining steadfast in upholding ethical standards within government roles. Comey shares personal experiences and insights into the sacrifices made in defense of principles amidst challenging political environments.
Challenges in Transitioning from Nonfiction to Fiction Writing
Transitioning from nonfiction to fiction writing posed challenges in character development and story creation. The speaker found it difficult to invent characters and ensure their consistency. Assistance from the speaker's wife, an avid fiction reader, was crucial in maintaining character distinctiveness. Reading dialogues aloud and visualizing familiar individuals helped anchor the characters' traits, making the fiction writing process more manageable.
Upcoming Books and Reflections on Writing Journey
The speaker delves into upcoming writing projects, hinting at a series of novels exploring white identity extremism. Reflecting on the joy of writing, the speaker expresses gratitude for the collaborative process with family members in editing and providing creative inputs. Exploring the freedom of fiction writing to depict varied institutions and personal experiences, the journey of writing novels serves not only as a professional endeavor but also as a means to stay connected with family and embrace challenging storytelling.
Former FBI Director James Comey joins Tim Miller to discuss the choices he made in 2016, the DOJ's self-sabotaging avoidance of the media, and how to maintain your integrity and principles in the face of a lying, lawless bastard. Plus, Ben Wittes in New York updates the status of the Trump trial, and praises the fairness of Judge Merchan.
