In war of words with Donald Trump, James Comey wins But former FBI director's book, and its timing, reinforce questions about his judgment: Our view

The Editorial Board | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Comey delivers scathing account of a 'morally unfit' president When James Comey sat down with USA TODAY to talk about his new book 'A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership,' he made explosive comments about President Trump. He also delved into the Russia investigation, the Clinton investigation and more.

At 6-foot-8, former FBI director James Comey tends to stand out in a crowd. And, as Comey starts a national publicity tour for his book A Higher Loyalty, he'll be hard to miss.

Already, blockbuster interviews and reports about the book have pitted Comey in an extraordinary war of words against Donald Trump, the president he unwittingly helped elect and was later fired by.

"Morally unfit to be president," Comey told USA TODAY and ABC News. A “slimeball” and the “WORST FBI director in history,” Trump shot back.

OPPOSING VIEW: Comey on a mission to undermine the president

What to make of all the sound and fury?

Let's start with this: In a credibility contest with the factually challenged president, Comey wins hands down. A lifelong Republican who has served three presidents, he has a well-earned reputation for integrity, courage, ethical leadership and respect for the rule of law.

The former FBI director is right that Trump is unfit. That Trump is “untethered to truth.” That he operates like a mob boss seeking fealty from all those around him. That he might have been obstructing justice when he asked Comey to go easy on former national security adviser Michael Flynn. That there's something suspicious about Trump's dealings with Russia.

That said, Comey also has a flair for the dramatic and a taste for the spotlight, and can often come across as sanctimonious or self-righteous. His memoir and the timing of its publication also reinforce questions about his own judgment — most infamously his decision, 11 days before the 2016 election, to reopen the Hillary Clinton email investigation.

Clinton’s standing in the polls dropped after the announcement. Days later, the investigation was closed again. There had been nothing new in the emails. But the damage was done.

Comey reveals in his book that he was influenced by the widespread assumption that Clinton would win, and he didn’t want to conceal information that could later taint her presidency. That doesn’t sound much like the by-the-book, removed-from-politics lawman Comey was supposed to be.

Also questionable is the decision to release his memoir at this critical juncture, when his testimony and credibility could be central to special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of the president. By attempting to settle scores now, Comey hands the president and his enablers a new excuse to attack law enforcement.

To be sure, Comey isn't the first FBI director to have frosty relations with a president. Louis Freeh chose to distance himself from scandal-plagued Bill Clinton, insulting the president in the process. J. Edgar Hoover intimidated several presidents, especially John F. Kennedy, with secret files.

But there has been nothing quite like this public blood feud between Comey and his erstwhile boss. The exquisite irony, of course, is that the same official who inadvertently boosted Trump toward the Oval Office might well play a pivotal role in his departure from it.

USA TODAY's editorial opinions are decided by its Editorial Board, separate from the news staff. Most editorials are coupled with an opposing view — a unique USA TODAY feature.

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