Congressman Biggs Reacts to the Inspector General's Report on James Comey

GILBERT, ARIZONA – Today, Department of Justice Inspector General, Michael Horowitz, released his Report of Investigation of Former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey's Disclosure of Sensitive Investigative Information and Handling of Certain Memoranda. The report found that Comey kept FBI memos without authorization, "set a dangerous example for the over 35,000 current FBI employees," and disclosed "sensitive investigative information" without authorization "to achieve a personally desired outcome." Congressman Biggs released the following statement:

"Today's report confirms what many of us in Congress have stated for two years: James Comey leaked government memos without authorization from the Department of Justice or the FBI. Comey used his powerful position in our nation's law enforcement apparatus to manipulate public perception and ongoing investigations in service to his personal views instead of service to his country. His audacity, arrogance, and insubordination know no bounds. He failed to set an example of integrity for his agents, and his actions deserve condemnation. According to the report, even Comey's closest advisors were disappointed in his actions.

"When the government becomes too big to fail, suddenly departments, agencies, and high-ranking officials also become too big to submit to their constitutional constraints. Comey's self-righteousness led him to believe that he was too important to follow FBI policy or the constitutional chain of command. This is not the first time the Inspector General has determined Comey violated department policy in order to achieve a personally desired outcome. This insubordination by Comey did not develop overnight, nor is it limited to the FBI. I applaud Inspector General Horowitz for his exhaustive work on this report, and I look forward to reading his next report on FISA abuses."

Congressman Andy Biggs is a second-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.