Former FBI Director James Comey declined to clarify his recent comments labeling the Republican Party as “white supremacist adjacent” during a book signing event for his new crime novel, FDR Drive.
Independent journalist Nicholas Ballasy confronted Comey with questions about an interview he gave on MSNBC where Comey made the incendiary remark while speaking to host Jen Psaki, a former Biden White House press secretary.
“I was gonna ask you about the MSNBC interview,” Ballasy said in a video he posted online. “Because on social media everyone’s saying, ‘He’s talking about the white supremacist adjacent Republican Party. Everybody in the party. Voters.’ Do you want to clarify?”
Comey responded flatly, “I don’t want to answer that one. Thank you, though.”
Ballasy pressed again, asking, “No clarification at all?”
Comey repeated, “No, I’m not going to comment on it,” before turning away to sign another attendee’s book.
Former FBI Director James Comey is questioned after calling the @GOP ‘white supremacist adjacent’ following his “86 47” seashell controversy #JamesComey #DonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/XpExBi1McI
— Nicholas A Ballasy (@NicholasBallasy) May 28, 2025
Comey’s original comments aired during a segment on MSNBC in which Psaki asked whether the current legal system is equipped to deal with threats to democracy.
Comey responded, “Let’s say you work in the FBI; you know that one of the two political parties is — let me put it nicely — white supremacist adjacent, at a minimum.”
James Comey says the Republican Party are White supremacists.
He also called to ass*ssinate Trump.
He’s demonizing an entire group and calling for violence.
He knows exactly what he’s doing.pic.twitter.com/Fv5HUosbpn
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 26, 2025
He went on to suggest that cultural hesitation within law enforcement may prevent agents from investigating certain groups.
The remarks sparked backlash online, with critics accusing Comey of broadly smearing Republican voters and politicizing his former position as head of the FBI.
The exchange sparked swift backlash online, and social media users were quick to mock Comey for dodging the question.
“Outside of his safe space on MSNBC, Comey is too cowardly to expound on his accusation that all Republicans are ‘white supremacist adjacent,’” influencer Tom Elliott posted on X.
“Comey is and has always been a liar. He knew what 8647 meant. He knows what he says about Republicans. But consider where he is sitting, selling books. That’s his grift. He’s seeking attention to sell books. Stop giving liars and grifters attention,” another user posted, referencing a past controversy over a social media post.
Comey recently faced scrutiny after posting an Instagram photo showing seashells arranged in a way that some interpreted as a coded message to “86” (a slang term meaning to get rid of or kill) Trump. The Secret Service reportedly opened an investigation into the post. Comey denied any malicious intent, claiming he was unaware of the number’s meaning.
“This guy is a coward! Nothing more,” one user wrote.
Others poked fun at the setting of the event itself.
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“Why is Comey in the kid’s section?” one commenter scoffed, noting the wall of children’s books behind him during the signing.
“Putting the book signing in the kids section … store owner probably not a fan of the Comey Letter,” journalist Dave Weigel quipped, referencing Comey’s controversial pre-election memo during the 2016 campaign.