Comey: I Was Actually Trying to Withdraw from Public Life After the Last Election, But I Had to Speak Out Against Trump

PSAKI: “I don’t know if you’ve been in touch with Chris Krebs or any of these people. What should they be doing? There are people who are even less famous than Chris Krebs and Miles Taylor who will be targeted. What should they do when they’re targeted?”
Comey: “Probably two things I learned to do with these kind of threats at the same time that seem contradictory. First, see it clearly. Understand that there really is a threat. Second, don’t let it overwhelm you. Don’t give them that. Don’t let it freak you out and dominate your life. Take prudent steps, but don’t give — part of the roar of Trump is to freak out his victims, the people he targets. So don’t give them that. But don’t — also, don’t neglect the threat. Protect yourself.”
PSAKI: “You’re promoting a book, which we’ll talk about that, and you’ve had to respond to these questions about the seashells. But you could choose to not be out there publicly and talking about these issues. Why have you chosen to be out there?”
Comey: “I was actually, I’m embarrassed to say, trying to withdraw a little bit, especially since last November, be a grandfather, be an author, wear t-shirts and jeans all the time. And the reason I’m dressed in my old uniform is to remind myself, that’s the coward’s way. You must stand up and speak. Everyone who can speak, I can speak about the rule of law especially, needs to be out there because there are real serious threats. And the only thing that’s necessary for them to triumph is for good men and women to be silent.”