Former FBI director James Comey is set to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee Thursday morning. Events leading up to the testimony — as well as information, including
Former FBI director James Comey is set to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee Thursday morning.
Events leading up to the testimony — as well as information, including Comey’s prepared statement released Wednesday have been unfolding over the past few months.
Here’s what you can read to better understand Thursday’s testimony, which will air and be live-streamed at 7 a.m. PST Thursday.
• James Comey hearing: When and where to watch on TV and the Internet
On May 9, President Donald Trump abruptly fired the then FBI director Comey. At the time, reasons for the cut were mixed, which spurred rumors and political storms.
• Donald Trump fires FBI Director James Comey — Los Angeles Daily News
• Trump fires FBI Director Comey, setting off U. S. political storm — Reuters
At the time of the firing, Comey was leading an investigation into Russia’s possible involvement with the 2016 election. This prompted some — if not, many — to wonder if Trump fired Comey in order to stop investigations and talks of Russia.
• Days before firing, Comey asked for more resources for Russia inquiry — New York Times
The memos
While Comey was working with Trump, he took down memos, or notes, of remarks that stuck with him at meetings with the president.
One memo, regarding the federal investigation into Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn, reportedly says this: “I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go, ” Trump told Comey. “He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go.”
• Comey Memo Says Trump Asked Him to End Flynn Investigation — New York Times
• Comey documented ‘everything he could remember’ after Trump conversations — CNN
Posted on the U. S. Senate site Wednesday, a prepared statement shows what Comey plans to say tomorrow while testifying.
• Read the document here .
Takeaways from the document include Comey’s plans to testify that Trump pressured him to say that he wasn’ t under investigation, as the New York Times and The Independent write.
• Comey to Testify Trump Pressured Him to Say He Wasn’ t Under Investigation — New York Times
• James Comey confirms Trump tried to make him drop probe into Flynn’s Russia ties and pledge loyalty — The Independent
Others, like Fox News, see important takeaways as being the president urged “loyalty” and the beginning of the document says that Comey told Trump the president was not the focus of the FBI’s Russia investigation.
• 5 Highlights from James Comey’s prepared senate testimony — Fox News
Some wonder what impact, if any, James Comey’s testimony will have on Trump’s presidency and whether it could be a step toward impeachment. Several news organizations have tried to outline what Comey’s hearing means and what could come next for Trump.
• Did Trump obstruct justice? — Politico
• Who is James Comey, former FBI director, and why might he lead to Trump’s impeachment? — Telegraph UK
Other political opinions say that impeachment rumors are too outlandish
• Comey: Yes, Trump Is Shady. No, He Never Obstructed Justice — The Federalist
• Comey Confirms He Thrice Told Trump He Was Not Being Investigated — The Federalist
