Exclusive media partner: The New York Times

Newsletter

Receive regular updates about forthcoming events and other news from Intelligence Squared

Thanks

You have been added to our mailing list and will now be among the first to hear about events.

Play video 1:23:38

Watch

James Comey On Speaking Truth to Power

James Comey reveals what really happened in those strange early months of the Trump presidency and discusses his long career in public service.

‘James Comey is a proven LEAKER & LIAR. Virtually everyone in Washington thought he should be fired for the terrible job he did – until he was, in fact, fired.’ – President Donald Trump

When President Trump sacked James Comey as FBI Director in May last year, he ignited a political firestorm with huge implications for American democracy. Comey’s dismissal led to the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller to look at possible links between the Russian government and the Trump campaign — an investigation which may bring to light dark secrets about President Trump and his close associates. Now to mark the publication of his global bestseller, A Higher Loyalty, Comey comes to the Intelligence Squared stage for an exclusive event. In conversation with the BBC’s Emily Maitlis, he will reveal what really happened in those strange early months of the Trump presidency, as well as his long career in public service and speaking truth to power.

Before his tenure at the head of the FBI under Obama from 2013 to 2017, Comey served in the highest echelons of American law enforcement, first as a senior prosecutor during the Clinton administration and then as Deputy Attorney General under President George W. Bush. His career under both Republican and Democratic presidents brought him to the centre of the most important cases in modern history, including prosecuting the mafia, overhauling the Bush administration’s surveillance and counterterrorism policies, securing the conviction of lifestyle guru Martha Stewart and leading the controversial investigation into Hillary Clinton’s private email server.

In today’s era of fake news, polarised politics and ‘alternative facts’ — when the truth itself often seems under attack — integrity, honesty and ethical leadership seem more important than ever. Comey, who served under four very different presidents, has witnessed and experienced the struggles that arise when patriotism and principles careen headlong into the partisanship that has gripped American politics.


Speakers

Chair

Emily Maitlis

Award-winning journalist and presenter of The News Agents podcast


Award-winning journalist and broadcaster, and presenter of the Gold Award winning daily podcast, The News Agents. Having covered elections in the US and UK for the BBC, she fronted Newsnight, becoming a stalwart of the broadcaster’s news output and a trusted voice with the viewing public. She was recognised by GQ Magazine as one of the most influential people in Britain.  
Featuring

James Comey

Former Director of the FBI and crime novelist. His new novel is Westport.


Director of the FBI from 2013 - 2017 until he was fired by President Donald Trump. He previously worked as an assistant district attorney in New York, prosecuting organised crime figures, and on terrorism cases as assistant DA in Virginia. He moved into federal law enforcement working in the FBI for many years. He is the author of books including A Higher Loyalty and thrillers Central Park West and the forthcoming Westport.