Paula Broadwell broke her silence as she tries to put the past behind her.
The ex-mistress of David Petraeus, the disgraced former general and CIA honcho, says he would make a fine secretary of state despite the sex scandal that cost him his last government position.
Read: Donald Trump Named TIME's Person of the Year
Paula Broadwell was writing Petraeus's biography in 2012 when it was revealed he was having an extramarital affair with her and that he had given her classified information in connection with an biography Broadwell was writing about Petraeus. As a result, Petraeus, a highly decorated Army general, was forced to resign as CIA director.
“I’ve been strongly advised to not talk to the press, and I understand that. Sometimes it’s better to remain silent. I’ve had that philosophy for the last five years,” Broadwell told CBS This Morning Thursday. "But I – I’ve reached a point where I feel like, ‘You know what? I need to fight back for my life.'"
In 2015, Petraeus pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of “unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents.” He was fined $100,000 and put on probation, which he is currently still serving.
He is now a candidate to be Donald Trump's secretary of state. Should he be picked, he would need special permission to take the job.
Broadwell told CBS This Morning co-host Norah O'Donnell: “I think he’s unequally qualified for many positions, but that’s not my position to say. I think the president-elect would have to decide and members of the Senate.
“I woke up to the news, you know, it was a bit of a shocker that he was being considered for a Cabinet position, and I was — I was both shocked that I’m still in this tenuous position, and yet happy because I think he should be able to go on with his life. He’s earned it, and so should his family. But then it begged the question of, ‘Why shouldn’t I be able to go on?’”
Read: First Pup? Meet the Adorable Dog That Has Captured the Hearts of the Trump Family
Broadwell, who was never criminally charged, told CBS This Morning that she wants to put the scandal behind her.
“It’s time to move on,” she said.
Watch: Alec Baldwin Responds to Trump's 'SNL' Criticism: 'Release Your Tax Returns and I'll Stop'
