(CNN)Former FBI Director James Comey warned that if President Donald Trump ever tries to fire special counsel Robert Mueller, then it would be the President's "most serious attack yet on the rule of law," and said that "it's possible" the Russians could have information
on Trump that could be used to compromise him.
Comey also said Trump is "morally unfit to be president" and claimed there is "certainly some evidence of obstruction of justice" by Trump.
The comments came during a wide-ranging, exclusive interview with ABC News chief anchor George Stephanopoulos. The media appearance is the first time Comey has sat for a televised interview since Trump fired him last year. It also kicks off a promotional tour that the former FBI director is embarking on to promote the release of his new book, "A Higher Loyalty."
During the interview, Stephanopoulos asked Comey what it would "mean if President Trump tries to fire Robert Mueller." Comey responded, "It would, I hope, set off alarm bells that this is his most serious attack yet on the rule of law. It would be something that ... is higher than all the normal fights about policy. It would be to the everlasting shame of partisans if they were unable to see that higher level and to protect it."
Mueller is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and any potential ties between Trump campaign associates and Russia. Trump has repeatedly called the investigation a witch hunt and denied any collusion.
Stephanopoulos also asked Comey if he thinks the President has been compromised by the Russians.
"I think it's possible, I don't know," Comey said. "I wish I wasn't saying it, but it's the truth. It always struck me, and still strikes me, as unlikely, and I would have been able to say with high confidence about any other president I dealt with, but I can't, it's possible."
Comey expanded on that statement in an interview USA Today published early Monday morning.
"There's a non-zero possibility that the Russians have some, some sway over him that is rooted in his personal experience, and I don't know whether that's the business about the activity in a Moscow hotel room or finances or something else," Comey said.
In the ABC News interview, Comey offered a scathing judgment about whether Trump is qualified to serve as president, saying that he believes Trump is "morally unfit" to serve in the nation's highest office.
The former FBI director went on to say that a person "who talks about and treats women like they're pieces of meat, who lies, constantly, about matters big and small, and insists that the American people believe it -- that person is not fit to be president of the United States on moral grounds."
But Comey said he does not want to see Trump impeached. When Stephanopoulos asked the former FBI director if Trump should be impeached, Comey said, "I hope not, because I think impeaching and removing Donald Trump from office would let the American people off the hook -- people in this country need to stand up, go to the voting booth, and vote their values. Impeachment, in a way, would short-circuit that."
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