前联邦调查局局长詹姆斯·科米开玩笑说,如果唐纳德·特朗普总统在2020年赢得连任,他将搬到新西兰。周六,他详细谈论了多样性和美国人民的正直将如何战胜任何一届政府。
科米于2017年5月被特朗普解雇,本周末在《政治周刊》上谈到了他对国家前进的希望和渴望。他专注于他的信念,即有一套将美国人团结在一起的“价值观”,而“共同祖先”和“共同信仰”在过去就是这样。MSNBC主持人尼科尔·华莱士(Nicolle Wallace)希望让科米回归现实,他问这位前联邦调查局局长,如果特朗普在2020年获胜,他是否还会持有如此崇高的观点。
“如果[·特朗普再次获胜呢?你还会相信吗?”华莱士问科米。
“我会的,”科米回答说,在补充说“从我在新西兰的新家开始,我仍然相信美国”之前,他加倍强调了他对一套共同的美国价值观的信念
此前,华莱士要求科米详细谈谈共和党人、民主党人和无党派人士能够一起工作和生活向前发展的任何希望。科米用不那么微妙的措辞明确表示,他希望特朗普在即将到来的选举中落败。
“谈谈你想为这个国家和总统任期的结束做些什么,你想让它尽早到来吗?”华莱士周六问科米。
“本届政府的变化是什么?是的。我很乐观,但是即使没有弹劾程序和免职,不管是否发生,美国人民将会对我们想要成为什么样的更好的国家做出判断,”科米回答。
“我们在政策上有强烈的分歧,我希望在政策上有多样性。我不在乎你的看法。我希望你能清楚地表达、捍卫、倾听和辩论它们——这很重要。但是我们有共同点...我们在这个国家的核心有一套价值观,将这个地方维系在一起。我试图向孩子们解释一些你们大多数人都知道的事情,我们不应该存在。”
华莱士曾经说过开玩笑一张照片让他进来纽约时报制作了一篇文章,其中有一张他站在被玩具包围的客厅里的照片。科米总结说,他认为美国不仅将战胜特朗普政府,而且将能够解决移民、堕胎、枪支和税收改革等问题。
科米继续说:“以上是我们不可协商的共同点。我们的领导人必须反思将我们团结在一起的粘合剂。不可能有人一直说谎。他们就是不能。我希望无论是共和党人还是民主党人,都能看到这一点。”
2018年12月17日,前联邦调查局局长詹姆斯·科米抵达国会山,向众议院司法、监督和政府改革委员会作证。他在推特上引用了乔治·华盛顿告别演说中针对外国干涉美国事务的一段话。
FORMER FBI DIRECTOR JAMES COMEY SAYS HE'LL LIVE IN NEW ZEALAND IF TRUMP WINS REELECTION
Former FBI Director James Comey joked that he'll move to New Zealand should President Donald Trump win reelection in 2020, talking at length Saturday about how diversity and the American people's integrity will outlast any one administration.
Comey, who was fired by Trump in May 2017, spoke at Politicon this weekend about his hopes and desires for the country moving forward. He focused on his belief that there is a "set of values" which holds Americans together, where "common ancestry" and "common faith" did in the past. Looking to perhaps bring Comey back to reality for a second, MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace asked the former FBI director if he will still hold such lofty views if Trump wins against in 2020.
"What if [Trump] wins again? Will you still believe that?" Wallace asked Comey.
"I will be," Comey replied, doubling down on his belief in a common set of American values, before adding, "From my new home in New Zealand, I will still believe in America."
Previously, Wallace asked Comey to talk at length about any hope for Republicans, Democrats and Independents being able to work and live together moving forward. Comey made it clear in less subtle terms that he would like to see Trump lose in the upcoming election.
"Talk about what do you want for this country and for the end of this presidency, do you want it to come sooner rather than later?" Wallace asked Comey Saturday.
"The change in this administration? Yea. I'm optimistic but even if there isn't an impeachment proceeding and a removal from office, whether or not that happens, the American people are going to pass judgment on what kind of better country we want to be," Comey replied.
"We have strong disagreement on policy grounds and I hope there's diversity on policy here. I don't care what your views are. I hope you articulate and defend and listen and debate them — That's important. But we have something in common...We have a set of values at the core of this country that hold this place together. I tried to explain to kids something that most of you know, we shouldn't exist."
Wallace at one point poked fun at a photograph Comey him in The New York Times producing an article which featured a photograph of him standing in his living room surrounded by toys. And Comey concluded that he thinks the U.S. will not only overcome the Trump administration, but will be able to tackle such issues as immigration, abortion, guns and tax reform.
Comey continued: "Above that is something we have in common that's non-negotiable. Our leaders must reflect on the glue that holds us together. There cannot be people who lie all the time. They just can't. I hope people see that is true whether they are Republicans or Democrats."
Ex-FBI Director James Comey arrives before testifying to the House Judiciary and Oversight and Government Reform committees on Capitol Hill December 17, 2018. He has tweeted a quote from George Washington's farewell address taking aim at foreign interference in U.S. affairs.