discharge FBI Director James Comey arrived on Capitol Hill Thursday to deliver what ’s been billed as the most highly foreknow congressional testimony in account and that ’s scarcely an embroidery .
https://gizmodo.com/how-to-watch-james-comeys-testimony-about-president-tru-1795893347
Much of what Comey has to say is described in hiswritten testimonial : President Trump recommend him to belt down an investigating into the behaviour of former national security adviser Michael Flynn . Trump persisted in demanding the director ’s personal devotion . And he repeatedly directed Comey to publicly clear his name — which is a trivial ironic sincethe pretextfor firing the film director was that clearing Hillary Clinton was awildly improper thingto do .
As Comey narrate it , the president solicited his allegiance over dinner party in short before leaning on him to give Flynn a pass . While Navy stewards served them swallow and food in the White House Green Room , Trump require Comey ’s loyalty . “ I need loyalty , ” he said . “ I expect commitment . ”
FBI Director Comey was the practiced affair that ever come about to Hillary Clinton in that he devote her a free passing for many bad deeds ! The phony …
— Donald J. Trump ( @realDonaldTrump)May 3 , 2017
Flynn , a volatileconspiracy - theorizer , is today all but cook . Last calendar month , federal prosecuting officer issued gilded panel subpoenas for his business records . He ’s been get the picture for immunity since March . Oh , and he was squeeze to resign from office staff — forthe 2d time — after lie to the vice president about the substance of five earpiece calls he placed to a Russian envoy the day the US retaliated for Moscow ’s interference in the election .
outdo , as Comey wrote in a memo promptly after the January meeting , continued : “ I desire you may see your way clear to letting this go , to letting Flynn go . He is a practiced guy rope . I desire you could countenance this go . ”
After the most cumbersome meal of his life , Comey draw near his boss , Attorney General Jeff Sessions , and implored him to “ keep any succeeding lineal communication ” between himself and Trump , an apparent plea to shield the FBI from inappropriate political meddling . ( Tensions are currently gamy between the chair and Sessions , who reportedlyoffered to resignlast calendar month . )
For whatever reason , the FBI kept Trump ’s outrageous request a secret . grant to Comey , the Bureau ’s leading take on , correctly , that Sessions would beforced to recuse himselffrom all Russia - related matters . An literal deputy sheriff lawyer general had yet to be confirmed . So the Russia probe went on , aver Comey , “ with none of the investigative squad members — or the Department of Justice lawyer support them — aware of the President ’s request . ”
James Comey better desire that there are no " tape measure " of our conversation before he starts leaking to the mechanical press !
— Donald J. Trump ( @realDonaldTrump)May 12 , 2017
Make no error : Trump ’s expectations of trueness posed a meaning threat to the politically - neutral foundation garment upon which the FBI must operateto survive — that is if the Bureau design to head off falling back into old design of criminalness not seen sinceCOINTELPRO .
think , US president from FDR to Nixon routinely steer the FBI and other intelligence bureau to slander and wiretap and even heist their political foe . The FBI itself has even been the prey of White House sabotage ; it was Nixon , after all , whodirected the CIAto obstruct its Watergate investigation . While today there are superintendence mechanism in the form of committees and secret surveillance courtroom , the reality is the Bureau simply ca n’t affordanother Lyndon B. Johnson .
James Comey will be replaced by someone who will do a far dependable line of work , work back the heart and prestige of the FBI .
— Donald J. Trump ( @realDonaldTrump)May 10 , 2017
While Comey may pluck punches so as not to jeopardize the on-going Russia probe , he may yet disclose details not control in his written testimony . ( His firing , for example , is not mentioned at all . ) But when the rubble settles and Comey returns to Virginia and his new almost - smooth life , one inquiry above all will demand a swift reply : Did Donald Trump , the president of the United States , attempt to browbeat and cajole the FBI managing director to obstruct the course of justice ?
Update , 10:18am : The hearing has begun . In the gallery behind Comey , there ’s Preet Bharara , the former US Attorney for the Southern District of New York . He is also a appendage of the Fired By Trump Club .
storm node at Comey auditory modality : Preet Bharara , former US attorney & Comey pal , also fire by Trumppic.twitter.com/GLj4wfNhrY
— Michael Isikoff ( @Isikoff)June 8 , 2017
Chairman Richard Burr , Republican of North Carolina , unfold the hearing by thank Comey for his service . He sound out Comey ’s instruction provide “ grain and context ” outlining a “ labored relationship ” between Comey and the President . He notes , twice , that Comey ’s story is only how events occur from his perspective . He say Trump ’s version of events needs to be tell , too .
Sen. Mark Warner , the gore ’s order Democrat from Virginia , too give thanks Comey for agreeing to testify . He opened with a description of the Russia investigation , stress : “ Russian spies engaged in a serial publication of online cyber maraud and a broad campaign of disinformation . ” The goal of the investigation is to protect future elections , he tell . “ only put , we can not get anything or anyone prevent us from getting to the bottom of this . ”
Warner allege he ’s wonder some of Comey ’s decision in the past tense , but never his integrity or word . He say he believes Comey is someone who is “ unforced to speak accuracy to power . ” Later , Warner says Trump adjudicate to “ co - choose the director of the FBI . ”
Update , 10:23am : “ Director Comey , you ’re now under swearing , ” Burr says . Comey has the floor .
Comey has decided not to read his write testimony , which was released yesterday , but rather offers a few opening remarks . Comey say he always infer that he could be give the sack on a dime , serving at the “ pleasure of the president . ” Comey said he was confused to see Trump on TV saying he fire him because of the Russia probe .
Comey say the White House defamed him and the FBI by telling Americans the organisation was in a province of topsy-turvydom . Comey says it was n’t . “ The FBI will be ok without me , ” he says . “ This organisation ’s mission will go on long beyond me and beyond any governance . ”
Update , 10:31am : Burr ask him if he believes the Russians led cyberattacks against the US during the run . Comey says they did . Burr asks if he believe the Russians spay any vote . Comey says he does not consider vote were altered .
Burr involve if Comey believes Trump was try out to block justice by asking him to back off Flynn . Comey declines to speculate . When Burr asks if the FBI might discover criminality or coordination with the Russians that is n’t tied to the 2016 elections , Comey says bit of “ a vicious nature , ” unrelated to the issue of the investigating may do out .
Comey declines , however , to say whether FBI was able to confirm any allegement contained in the Steele Dossier . ( That ’s the one with the hookers and the pee . ) Burr require at what tip contact between a political hunting expedition and a foreign power becomes improper ( a counterintelligence yield ) . Comey responds that it ’s “ difficult to say in the abstraction , ” but one sign is “ an endeavour to keep it covert . ” ( The president ’s Logos - in - police , Jared Kushner , and Flynn have been accuse of attempting to specify upa occult channel to the Kremlinprior to the startup . )
Update , 10:47am : Warner ingest over . He asks about why Comey felt the need to document every meeting with Trump . Did Comey believe he ’d need the memo in the future to defend himself or the FBI ? “ Sure , ” Comey says . “ I created records after conversations and I imagine I did it after ” each of the nine conversation he had with Trump . “ Not just to defend myself , ” he say , “ but to defend the FBI and the integrity of our institution . ”
Comey acknowledges that Trump is the only President of the United States he ’s ever taken such steps with because he never felt it was necessary with any others , include President George W. Bush , whom he discover specifically . ( Comey and other Justice and officialsthreatened to resignin a encounter with the Bush White House in 2004 . )
Comey say he felt it was necessary to evidence Trump that he was n’t the subject of a “ counterintelligence probe . ” He previously say he was hesitant to announce publically that Trump was n’t specifically a mark because that could change and create a situation where FBI would have to correct itself before the public .
Comey draw the “ patronage relationship ” Trump was seek to pull him into . He enunciate that despite having discourse delay on and assuring the president he was n’t leaving , Trump keep raising the estimate that Comey might not stay . It seemed , he said , that Trump was “ looking to get something in substitution ” for his line .
Comey saying Sessions and Kushner lingered and seem to gain Trump should n’t be left alone with him is a pretty remarkable statement .
— Josh Dawsey ( @jdawsey1)June 8 , 2017
When Trump asked Attorney General Sessions to exit the Oval Office so he could talk with Comey alone , Comey tell he knew “ something swelled was about to happen . ” He remembers thinking , “ I need to remember every word that is speak . ” He read it seemed like both Sessions and Kushner picked up on how strange it was for Trump to require to speak to Comey in private .
Update , 10:54am : Sen. Jim Risch , Republican of Idaho , take up over . He remarks on the quality and “ concision ” of Comey ’s opening statement . He appreciates Comey putting things in quote and not paraphrasing . Comey order he had “ great teachers and great parent ” who beat those writing skills into him . ( Comey antecedently said his remarks were n’t write by someone else , i.e , effectual advocate . )
Risch : He did not direct you to let it go . Comey : Not in his watchword , no .
— emptywheel ( chicklet ) ( @emptywheel)June 8 , 2017
Risch demand Comey whether the President direct or say him to lease the Flynn probe go . “ He said ‘ I hope , ’ ” Risch says . Comey acknowledge that the Chief Executive ’s words were not structured as an guild . But Comey also say he take up it as a charge . “ I took it as , ‘ this is what he wants me to do . ’ ”
“ You do n’t acknowledge anyone who ’s ever been charged for hoping something ? ” Risch expect . Comey says he does not .
Update , 11:03am : Sen. Dianne Feinstein , Democrat of California , takes over . She enquire why Comey thinks he was fired and ask if it was because of the Russia investigation . “ Yes , ” it was because of the Russia investigating , Comey say , “ because I ’ve attend the president say so . ” Comey is referring toTrump ’s public remarksthat the probe was on his judgement when he decided to fire him .
Comey : “ I ’ve seen the tweet about tapes . Lordy , I hope there ’s tape . ” Here ’s the tweet to which he ’s referring :
Regarding the “ cloud ” Trump claimed was over the White House , Comey say he believes Trump was scotch that the Russia investigating was taking up so much time and vigor “ in the public square , in general . ”
When Comey recite Trump he would “ see what he could do ” about clearing the president ’s name , that was a “ slightly fearful manner ” of getting out of the conversation , Comey admits . The FBI leadership was shocked , he tell , when Comey evidence them that Trump had requested an oddment to the investigation into Flynn . They considered who to secernate , but decided there were no Senate - confirmed leaders in the DOJ , other than Sessions , who was about to recuse himself .
Update , 11:10am : Sen. Marco Rubio , Republican of Florida , asks Comey if Trump request more than the investigation into Flynn be dropped . He answeres no .
Rubio ’s proffer secret petition to the FBI managing director to drop Flynn investigating is same as him saying it publically does n’t hold water supply .
— Josh Rogin ( @joshrogin)June 8 , 2017
Rubio asks if Comey and Trump gibe that it would be slap-up if the “ swarm ” over the White House ( a euphemism for the Russia probe ) could be lifted . He enounce they both did . Rubio then appear to indicate that Trump tell Comey in camera to let the “ Flynn affair ” go is the same thing as Trump saying it to the press where FBI employee can read it . ( presumptively , more than a few legal scholars will take issue with this in their hot takes after the hearing . )
Update , 11:17am : Sen. Ron Wyden , Democrat of Oregon , takes over . The timing of Comey ’s firing “ stink , ” he says .
Wyden says in a “ patronage relationship , the underling is expected to ” comport obsequiously . Comey says that ’s correct . Wyden asks why FBI leadership did n’t apprize Sessions about Trump ’s request to back off Flynn . “ Our judgment as I retrieve is that he was very close to and inevitably die to recuse himself for a variety of reasons , ” Comey says . “ We were convinced … that he was not go to be in contact with Russia - related matters for much longer , and that change state out to be the case . ”
He also says he ca n’t discuss certain reasons for the recusation in an unresolved hearing , which is very interesting . ( conjecture : Wyden may have want to bare that sure rationality for Sessions ’s recusal may not yet be public . )
https://twitter.com/embed/status/872834031100063744
Regarding the recusal , Comey says he is n’t sure why Sessions was involved in his firing — if the understanding he was sack was the Russia investigating , as the president evoke publicly .
Wyden demand Comey to give the panel a common sense of who recommended his firing . “ Do you have any selective information on who may have urge or been necessitate in your firing ? ” Comey say he does not . ( Wyden means other than Sessions and his deputy , Rod Rosenstein . )
Update , 11:17am : Sen. Susan Collins , Republican of Maine , takes over . She asks when Comey evidence the president he was n’t under investigation if he specified “ counterintelligence probe . ” She also asks if when FBI say congressional leadership Trump was n’t under investigation , his remarks were limited to a “ counterintelligence investigation . ” Comey says he did n’t use specific words to conceal a criminal probe into the Chief Executive . “ It was important for me to ensure him that we were n’t investigating him , ” Comey said .
Collins wonders why Comey recite Trump “ Flynn was a well guy , ” during the asking to back off Flynn , but does n’t follow up with a specific question about the comment .
Comey enounce he spoke to the attorney general and the deputy attorney full general about Trump kicking everyone out of the Oval Office to talk to him privately . He enounce he conveyed that was inappropriate and never should have happened . Collins asks if Comey also told the lawyer full general if Trump asked to drop inquiries into Flynn ’s activities ( Comey write specifically in his opening move remarks that he did not . ) He says no .
Comey : indite memo memorializing first Trump coming together due to gut feel " this is going to be important to protect this system . "
— Jonathan Landay ( @JonathanLanday)June 8 , 2017
Collins asks if Comey record his memos to anyone outside the DOJ . Comey says he showed a copy of the memoranda to a friend of his—“a prof at Columbia Law School”—who then showed it to a reporter . His decision to do this follow Trump ’s tweet indicate there might be “ tape ” of their private conversation .
https://twitter.com/embed/status/872845200430956544
Update , 11:33am : Sen. Martin Heinrich , Democrat of New Mexico , study over . He ask about the dinner party in which Trump asked for Comey ’s allegiance . He say the White House abnegate that happened . “ A circle of this come down to who we should believe , ” Heinrich says . He expect if Comey wants to say why he should be believed . “ I ’ve tried to be assailable and fair , transparent and fair , ” tell Comey , asking , rhetorically : “ Why did he kick everyone out of the Oval Office ? ”
“ When looking at any witness you look at consistency , cart track record , demeanor , phonograph recording over fourth dimension , that variety of thing , ” Comey adds .
Heinrich : Did you compose all nine to forbid declassification?Comey : No . First was classified briefing , wrote on classified gadget .
Comey aver that he did not pen all of his memos intentionally in a fashion that would keep them unclassified . The first meeting he enounce , which took place at Trump Tower , was detail in a memo in a classified arrangement .
Sen. Roy Blunt , Republican of Missouri , takes over . He brings up the ( silly ) give-and-take around whether Flynn violated the Logan Act , which no American has ever been prosecuted under . Comey notice that ’s true . ( The Logan Act , passed in 1799 , states it is illegal for unauthorized citizens to talk terms with foreign political science on the behalf of the United States . )
Blunt ask what the difference is between Comey being on the phone with Trump alone and being in the room alone with him . Comey says he did have phone conversations with Trump after enquire the attorney general to foreclose further verbatim contact between them .
Blunt keep open hammering Comey not briefing DOJ on the meeting , he ’s missing that there was no DOJ .
Blunt asks what memorandum Comey specifically give his booster . He suppose it was the memoranda about his dinner where the president asked for his commitment . Blunt asks if he then thought the memos were his personal property , as oppose to government written document . Comey says that memorandum , in particular , go to him as a private citizen , but the classified documents obviously do not .
Blunt lightly chides the former director for giving the memo to a friend to leak to the press .
Update , 11:47am : Sen. Angus King , Independent of Maine , takes over . He asks if the Russian attacks were a one - time thing . It ’s a “ longsighted - term pattern of theirs , ” Comey says . “ They ’ll be back . ” King says the Russia probe is a “ forward - seem investigation , ” intend they are preparing for future blast . Comey agrees , saying : “ It ’s not a Republican matter or Democrat thing . It ’s an American thing . ” King summate that he does n’t recollect Putin is a Republican , “ he ’s an opportunist . ” Comey consort .
Comey says the dark that Trump called to ask round him to dinner , “ around 6 atomic number 61 , ” he had to cancel a particular date with his wife . “ That ’s one of the all metre great excuses , ” King says . In retrospect , Comey says , he wish he ’d kept the engagement with his wife . There ’s laughter in the gallery . “ That ’s one questions I ’m not go to surveil up on , ” King jest .
Comey just testify he tell apart Rosenstein after he was sworn in that Trump behaved inappropriately to FBI . R memoranda to burn down him make out w in days
— Matthew Gertz ( @MattGertz)June 8 , 2017
Comey declines to say in an open setting whether Flynn is key to the Russia probe .
Responding to a dubiousness , Comey also says Sergey Kislyak is “ a diplomatist ” who works within a “ robust ” intelligence operation organization , but that he does n’t consider Kislyak to be an intelligence officer .
Update , 11:56am : Sen. James Lankford , Republican of Oklahoma , takes over . He asks Comey if the managing director of national intelligence , or the NSA chief , or anyone in the White House ever asked him to leave out the Flynn investigation . Comey says no . He also repeat that Trump only necessitate him to do so in the one Oval Office group meeting where Sessions and Kushner were involve to leave the room .
Lankford asks if Trump could just stamp out the probe if he need . “ I ’m not a effectual scholar , ” Comey aver , but read , in possibility , the president has the sound potency to start or arrest any investigation , he says . “ I theorize if he wanted to issue a unmediated order , he could do it in any way , ” through the attorney general or directly to the FBI .
Lankford notes that Trump has repeatedly state he ’s not fond of the investigation , but seems to be pushing the point that Trump has not taken unilateral action to drink down the Russia investigation . Comey recognise the conflict .
In response to a doubt , Comey say the press has get stories about the investigation “ deadened wrong . ”
Comey : There have been many many stories , specially about Russia , that have been incorrect .
Lankford turns his care toward the Clinton movement and asks about instructions from DOJ to call the investigation into Hillary Clinton ’s electronic mail “ a matter ” instead of “ an investigation . ” Comey says that sacrifice the impression in public that Attorney General Loretta Lynch was trying to align with the drive . “ That gave me a vile tactile sensation , ” he said .
Update , 12:09pm : Sen. Joe Manchin , Democrat of West Virginia , takes over . He asks if Trump ever betoken that Comey was not performing adequately . Comey pronounce it was the opposite . Trump called one sidereal day before he boarded a chopper , he allege , “ to separate me I ’m doing an amazing line . ”
Manchin involve Comey if he thinks he would have been fired if Clinton had gain ground . “ That ’s a great question . ” He then duplicate several times , “ I do n’t have sex . ” 2016 was a “ painful metre , ” he say .
Comey declines to say whether this “ rises to the level of obstructer of justice . ”
https://twitter.com/embed/status/872831021162659841
Sen Tom Cotton , Republican of Arkansas , takes over . He says Comey encouraged the president to release his tapes ; would he would also encourage his Quaker at Columbia and the DOJ to release his memos ? Comey says he would .
Cotton turns attention to Russia ’s hack endeavour and the allegation of collusion . “ Do you believe Donald Trump colluded with Russia ? ” Comey say he think he should n’t serve in an assailable circumstance . “ That ’s a question that will be answer by the probe , I think . ”
Comey unequivocally want any tapes of his White House conversation released .
head is : Does Trump require them released?#ComeyHearing
— Frank Luntz ( @FrankLuntz)June 8 , 2017
Cotton raises The New York Times fib that claimedRussia intelligence officers had repeated contacts with Trump campaign aides . Comey consort the story is “ entirely faulty . ” Cotton turns attention to Flynn and his conduct , his so-called interactions with the Russian embassador during their five headphone call in December . A fib in the Washington Post say FBI reviewed Flynn ’s call and said nothing was outlawed . Comey pass up to affirm or traverse whether that tarradiddle is precise .
“ Would it be improper for an incoming interior surety advisor to have a call with a Russian ambassador ? ” Cotton asks . Comey answer , “ I ’m my experience , no . ”
Comey is refusing to answer a slew of Cotton ’s questions due to the public setting . Cotton indicates he will postulate Comey again in a classified setting . Comey declines , for instance , to say whether the FBI ever come close to end the book on Flynn .
Update , 12:19pm : Sen. Kamala Harris , Democrat of California , takes over . Comey and Harris substitution pleasantry . Comey jest that he ’s “ in between opportunities properly now , ” which draws laughter from the gallery .
Harris asks if Comey is mindful of any coming together between Trump cause officials and the Russians that have not been report . Comey say he ca n’t suffice in an unresolved setting , even if he remembered the solvent . Comey declines to answer as well whether he ’s aware of any efforts by the White House to destroy documents relate to the investigating .
Harris asks what mechanisms were in place to make certain Sessions would n’t get involved in the investigating after recusing himself . Comey says he does n’t roll in the hay specific but believes ethics attorneys were involved . Comey reiterates that he is n’t really sure why Sessions was imply in his sacking . “ I just do n’t have intercourse the answer , ” he says . Comey also says he is n’t sure whether Sessions had access to investigative cloth after or during the menses in which he was recuse himself .
Regarding the dedication pledge , Harris asks if Comey have it off if Trump ever asked any other Union employees to take the same pledge . He says he ca n’t substantiate one way or the other .
Update , 12:37pm : Sen John Cornyn , Republican of Texas , accept over . Cornyn raises the proceeds of Lynch and Bill Clinton ’s coming together at the airport . He ask whether Comey believed Lynch could not fairly supervise the Clinton e-mail investigation . “ I think that ’s fair , ” Comey say , adding : “ I did n’t think she could credibly pass up that investigation , at least without grievous damage to the Department of Justice or the FBI . ”
Sen. Jack Reed , Democrat of Rhode Island , takes over . He begins by asking about reports about National Security Agency Director Adm. Rogers and Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats being asked by the president to avail enlighten his name . “ I had no contact with any of those leaders about that discipline , ” Comey said .
Comey know nothing abt Trump requests to other IC heads .
Comey says his promise to give the president his “ true dedication ” after being need for “ loyalty ” was a way to finish an clumsy conversation .
Comey enunciate he is not sure if he was fired because he refused to drip the Flynn investigation , only that the Chief Executive has betoken it was because of the Russia investigation in oecumenical . It appears to Comey that he was fired in monastic order to “ change ” the agency the investigation was being handled . “ On top of that , the Russia probe is vital because of the threat , ” he tell . If any Americans helped the Russians , Comey adds , “ that is a very big spate . ” He tell the especial counseling will in all probability reveal proof of that , if it exists .
Sen. John McCain , Republican of Arizona , ( ex officio ) takes over . He asks Comey to differentiate between the Clinton investigation , in which he say there was insufficient evidence to bring a suit , and the Trump investigation . Comey say the Clinton investigation was done as of July 5th and that ’s what he was announcing . McCain say in his mind there are still lingering doubtfulness . “ I think the American people have a whole band of questions out there , ” he adds .
McCain drags on with a confusing serial publication of statements about why the Clinton case was dropped , trying to get in touch it somehow to Russia . Comey does n’t appear to sympathise what McCain is ask . ( He ’s not the only one . ) “ It ’s hard to reconcile how in one case you make a complete conclusion and on the other side you have not , ” he says , “ there ’s a lot more there , as we do it , you call it a ‘ big deal . ’ ”
McCain seems to be confound the Clinton email compositor’s case with the Russia investigating .
— Peter Baker ( @peterbakernyt)June 8 , 2017
forty winks are authoritative . When in dubiousness , take a nap .
— John Dingell ( @JohnDingell)June 8 , 2017
McCain seems to be implying that the Clinton military campaign may have been involved somehow with the Kremlin — or maybe not ? Comey says there ’s no evidence to support that . McCain says he thinks it ’s a “ double criterion . ” There ’s laughter in the veranda .
Update , 12:46pm : audition adjourned . The senator will channelise into a closed session with Comey . President Trump did not tweet once .
chastening : A late version of this clause identified Joe Manchin as the US Senator from Virginia . He is a Democrat of West Virginia . We regret the error .
extra reporting by Bryan Menegus .
Donald Trumpjames comey
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