James Comey: Don't Worry About Threats From MAGA Supporters

James Comey, former director of the FBI, wrote in the Washington Post on Jan 10 that people shouldn’t worry about MAGA threats interfering with Trump’s criminal cases. He argued that individuals almost never go beyond empty threats.

Firm commitment

“We must not let the idea of Trumpian violence become some kind of boogeyman,” Comey argued, “frightening us away from our commitment to the rule of law.”

Stupidity not malice

riot, capitol — Image by lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Comey argued that only a minority of Jan 6 rioters had truly “seditious intent.” Most of the crowd “were morons who bought Trump’s lies,” he wrote.

No excuse

Illustration. Image credit: gints.ivuskans via Depositphotos

“They must be held accountable,” Comey clarified, “but they shouldn’t be the monster under our national bed.”

Threat passed

Image by rarrarorro via Depositphotos.com

Comey argued that the vast majority of MAGA supporters are normal people, who might “feel a sense of grievance” but would not “die for [Trump], or even go to jail for him.”

Questionable argument

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However, as Comey himself pointed out, as of the third anniversary of the attack, more than 1,265 people have been charged in relation to the Jan 6 riot. Roughly 750 have been sentenced, of which about 500 will spend time in prison.

Empty threats

Warning, whisper, stop, secret — Illustration. Image credit: Depositphotos

“I know from professional — and, unfortunately, personal — experience,” Comey wrote, “that people mostly tend to threaten because they want to live rent-free in your head,” even if they don’t intend on actually carrying out their threats.

Under the spotlight

Comey caused headlines — and drew controversy — for his handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails during the 2016 election. Trump fired him after taking the White House.

Accusations

X twitter social network on laptop screen. — Photo by Depositphotos.com

“Strong words from the guy who threw the 2016 election in Trump’s favor,” one user on X, formerly Twitter, wrote in response to Comey’s article.

Not popular

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“James Comey’s antics destroyed the reputation of the FBI,” another user commented. “He should be shunned not given columns.”

Continuing violence

corridor of a prison with bars and open cell door. 3d render. concept of retention, crisis, loneliness, consequences. Crime. — Illustration. Image by Depositphotos.com

Despite Comey’s claims, multiple Trump supporters have been arrested for allegedly committing or attempting to commit violent acts in the last year. On Jan 11, before the closing arguments of Trump’s civil fraud case in New York, a bomb threat was called into the judge’s home.

Targeting the judiciary

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The day before, the judge in Trump’s election interference case was the target of a swatting call. Two weeks earlier, Special Counsel Jack Smith was similarly swatted.

Very real

In mid-December, the New York Fire Department claimed that a man had deliberately started a fire in the court building where Trump’s civil trial is being held. Seventeen people were injured in the blaze.

Shots fired

Denver, USA - May 25, 2016: The main entrance of the Colorado Supreme Court building. A man is coming down the stairs. — Image by mixmotive via Depositphotos.com

In early January, police said a man broke into the Colorado Supreme Court after judges ruled that Trump was ineligible to appear on the ballot. The man held a guard at gunpoint and later opened fire, though no one was injured.

Anger leads to violence

In March 2023, a MAGA supporter was arrested outside a Manhattan courthouse for allegedly pulling out a knife and threatening a woman and her children.

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