But that same day, FBI leadership reportedly discussed hauling Comey in rather than waiting for him to appear on his own. A source familiar with the conversations told CBS News that leadership wanted “large, beefy” agents to carry out the arrest “in full kit,” including Kevlar vests and outerwear emblazoned with the FBI logo.
The plan, according to the source, was for a supervisory special agent in the violent crimes division of the Washington Field Office to assemble the team. However, the agent refused, believing such a display would be “inappropriate and highly unusual” for a white-collar defendant like Comey.
The FBI is said to be moving forward with efforts to put together another team to arrest Comey between now and his scheduled court appearance. However, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the situation, other supervisors have also refused to cooperate.
The charges allege that Comey lied during a Senate hearing five years ago when he claimed he had not authorized anyone at the FBI to serve as an anonymous source in media reports about investigations into Hillary Clinton. The indictment does not specify who he allegedly authorized or what the leak involved. Comey has denied any wrongdoing. Continue reading…
