There are quite a lot of people who love the Patriots. There are also many, many, many others who hate them. Success creates such polarity. On Monday, we learned which side of the fence the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation sits.
James Comey, director of the FBI, expressed his disdain for the Super Bowl champions during a dramatic meeting of the House Intelligence Committee on the subject of Russia's possible involvement in the 2016 United States election. Comey was making a connection between his rooting interest in football and Russia's alleged motives to help Donald Trump defeat Hillary Clinton.
"I hate the New England Patriots," Comey said, again, during high-leverage testimony before Congress. "No matter who they play, I'd like them to lose. I'm at the same time rooting against the Patriots and hoping their opponent beats them. There's only two teams on the field."
According to The Boston Globe, Representative Chris Stewart had asked Comey if it was possible that the Russians were trying to upend Clinton's presidential bid rather than work in service of Trump.
Hit me with more context, Kate ...
I hope this starts a trend where Congress just becomes a breeding ground for labored metaphors about your favorite NFL team. Up next, U.S. Acting Secretary of Agriculture Mike Young posits why the Jets' enduring inability to locate a franchise quarterback mirrors the impact of global trade policies on food security.
