A Higher Loyalty

1. FBI's independence is crucial for justice and democracy

The FBI and its director are not on anyone's political team.

Institutional integrity: The FBI's effectiveness hinges on its ability to remain apolitical and independent from the executive branch. This separation allows the Bureau to investigate matters impartially, even when they involve high-ranking government officials.

Public trust: The FBI's credibility stems from its reputation for objectivity and adherence to the rule of law. By maintaining distance from political influence, the Bureau preserves its ability to serve as a reliable arbiter of justice, regardless of which party holds power.

Historical context: Comey draws contrasts between his approach and that of J. Edgar Hoover, who famously used the FBI for personal and political gain. By emphasizing the importance of independence, Comey argues for a modern FBI that learns from past mistakes and prioritizes ethical conduct over political expediency.

2. Ethical leadership requires balancing confidence with humility

Doubt, I've learned, is wisdom. And the older I get, the less I know for certain.

Self-awareness: Effective leaders recognize their own limitations and biases, allowing them to make more informed decisions and seek diverse perspectives.

Openness to feedback: By cultivating humility, leaders create an environment where team members feel comfortable challenging assumptions and offering alternative viewpoints.

Continuous learning: Balancing confidence with humility enables leaders to:

• Admit mistakes and learn from them
• Adapt to changing circumstances
• Foster a culture of innovation and improvement

3. Trump's leadership style echoes Mafia dynamics, prioritizing personal loyalty

The silent circle of assent. The boss in complete control. The loyalty oaths. The us-versus-them worldview. The lying about all things, large and small, in service to some code of loyalty that put the organization above morality and above the truth.

Demand for loyalty: Trump's approach to leadership emphasizes personal allegiance over institutional integrity, mirroring Mafia dynamics where loyalty to the boss supersedes all other considerations.

Information control: Like Mafia organizations, Trump's administration sought to tightly control narratives and information flow, often at the expense of transparency and truthfulness.

Consequences: This leadership style:

• Erodes institutional norms and checks on power
• Discourages dissent and critical thinking
• Prioritizes personal interests over public good

4. Clinton email investigation: A no-win situation with far-reaching consequences

I have spent a great deal of time looking back at 2016. And even though hindsight doesn't always offer a perfect view, it offers a unique and valuable perspective.

Unprecedented challenge: The Clinton email investigation presented a unique dilemma, forcing the FBI to navigate intense political pressures while maintaining its integrity and independence.

Decision-making under scrutiny: Comey's choices throughout the investigation, particularly his public statements, were subject to intense criticism from both sides of the political spectrum.

Long-term impact: The investigation's handling:

• Influenced public perception of the FBI's impartiality
• Potentially affected the outcome of the 2016 election
• Highlighted the challenges of conducting high-profile investigations in a polarized political environment

5. Russian interference in 2016 election: A complex web of motives and actions

We were sneaking in to tell him what Russia had done to try to help elect him.

Multi-faceted operation: Russian interference efforts included hacking, social media manipulation, and potential coordination with campaign officials.

Intelligence community consensus: Despite Trump's reluctance to acknowledge the extent of Russian involvement, U.S. intelligence agencies unanimously concluded that Russia had interfered to benefit Trump's campaign.

Ongoing implications: The Russian interference campaign:

• Exposed vulnerabilities in U.S. election systems
• Heightened tensions between the intelligence community and the incoming Trump administration
• Sparked ongoing investigations into potential collusion

6. Comey's controversial decision to reopen Clinton investigation before election

I had never seen anything like it in the Oval Office.

Ethical dilemma: Comey faced a difficult choice between concealing potentially relevant information or risking influence on the election outcome.

Transparency vs. prudence: The decision to inform Congress about new emails related to the Clinton investigation exemplified the tension between transparency and avoiding undue influence on the electoral process.

Unintended consequences: The reopening of the investigation:

• Dominated news cycles in the final days of the campaign
• Potentially swayed undecided voters
• Led to intense scrutiny of Comey's decision-making process

7. Trump's attempts to compromise FBI's independence and demand loyalty

"I need loyalty. I expect loyalty."

One-on-one meetings: Trump repeatedly sought private conversations with Comey, attempting to establish a personal relationship that could compromise the FBI's independence.

Pressure tactics: The president used various methods to influence Comey, including:

• Flattery and attempts at building rapport
• Implicit and explicit demands for loyalty
• Requests to drop investigations into associates like Michael Flynn

Resistance: Comey's efforts to maintain professional boundaries and uphold FBI independence created tension with the administration and ultimately contributed to his dismissal.

8. The importance of documenting interactions in high-stakes situations

To protect the FBI, and myself, I needed a contemporaneous record.

Creating a paper trail: Comey's practice of immediately documenting conversations with Trump served multiple purposes:

• Preserving accurate accounts of potentially problematic interactions
• Protecting himself and the FBI from potential misrepresentation
• Providing a record for future reference or investigation

Anticipating challenges: By meticulously recording these encounters, Comey demonstrated foresight in preparing for potential conflicts or disputes about the nature of his interactions with the president.

Institutional safeguard: This practice of documentation serves as a crucial tool for maintaining accountability and transparency in high-level government interactions.

9. Ethical leaders prioritize truth and institutional integrity over personal gain

Ethical leaders lead by seeing beyond the short-term, beyond the urgent, and take every action with a view toward lasting values.

Long-term perspective: Ethical leadership requires looking beyond immediate pressures or personal interests to consider the broader implications of decisions.

Commitment to principles: Leaders must be willing to make difficult choices that may be personally or professionally costly in order to uphold core values and institutional integrity.

Building trust: By consistently prioritizing truth and ethical conduct, leaders:

• Foster a culture of integrity within their organizations
• Earn the respect and trust of their teams and the public
• Set a standard for future leaders to follow

Last updated: January 22, 2025