WASHINGTON — Former FBI Director James Comey testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee in Washington on Thursday.
James Comey hearingFormer FBI Director James Comey testifies about President Donald J. Trump. (LIVE UPDATES: http://2wsb.tv/2rF5eGr)
Posted by WSB-TV on Thursday, June 8, 2017
MINUTE-BY-MINUTE UPDATES BELOW:
2:35 p.m.
President Trump's attorney is talking about Comey leaking information.
Pres. Trump's attorney: "Comey has now admitted that he is one of these leakers"; calls memos he gave to media "privileged communications" pic.twitter.com/I3oGEZEvy7
— ABC News (@ABC) June 8, 2017
2:25 p.m.
President Trump's personal attorney says the president "never, in form or substance" directed Comey to stop investigating anyone. That includes former national security adviser, Michael Flynn.
1:35 p.m.
The chairman of the Senate Intelligence committee says there's more work ahead in the committee's investigation after hearing testimony from Comey.
12:40 p.m.
The public portion of the hearing has ended.
Comey says at the end of his testimony that he believes he was fired by President Trump in an effort to affect the Russia investigation.
12:30 p.m.
Comey says it's clear to him he was fired "because of the Russia investigation." He said it was in an effort to change that probe.
#JamesComey - "I was fired in some way to change the way the #RussiaInvestigation was being conducted. That is a very big deal." pic.twitter.com/i9FrIC3PJj
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) June 8, 2017
12:25 p.m.
There is an extremely large crowd of media gathered outside the Comey hearing. We expect the hearing to wrap by 1 p.m.
The scene outside the hearing pic.twitter.com/oI2EMiq14q
— Justin Gray (@JustinGrayWSB) June 8, 2017
12:15 p.m.
Comey was asked if Trump engaged in obstruction of justice. He said, “I don't know. That's Bob Mueller's job to sort that out.”
"Do you believe Donald Trump colluded with Russia?"
— Good Morning America (@GMA) June 8, 2017
Comey: "That's a question I don't think I should answer in an open setting." pic.twitter.com/u3ZOQBuW7f
12:05 p.m.
Comey again urges President Trump to "release the tapes."
Comey says again he hopes there are tapes; "my feelings aren't hurt" as he urges Trump to "release all the tapes."
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) June 8, 2017
Noon
Comey has now been asked about the Clinton email probe several time.
Comey said he was concerned by AG Lynch request to label Clinton email probe a "matter" not an "investigation"
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) June 8, 2017
11:50 a.m.
Comey says he asked a friend to leak the contents of his memo about meetings with President Trump.
He said he didn't give memos to media himself because "I worried it would be like feeding seagulls at the beach."
Comey on giving memos to friend to give to media: “As a private citizen I felt free to share that. I thought it very important.” pic.twitter.com/NIZ7gw8jCa
— ABC News (@ABC) June 8, 2017
11:40 a.m.
Comey says he broke a dinner date with his wife to dine with President Trump.
"I wish I would have kept my date with my wife," he said.
Comey: I had to break a date with my wife to have dinner with President Trump... I wish I would have kept the dinner date with my wife.
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) June 8, 2017
11:30 a.m.
There has been a lot of talk about Russia interference with the elections.
"There should be no fuzz on this. The Russians interfered with our election," he said.
Comey: Russia's interference into the 2016 election is "a long term process," "they'll be back."
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) June 8, 2017
11:20 a.m.
Comey says President Trump was not under investigation on the day he was fired.
Comey says the President was not under investigation by the FBI on the day he was fired.
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) June 8, 2017
11:10 a.m.
There are "watch parties" throughout the country right now during the Comey testimony. We've heard of several here in Atlanta.
Not sports, but former FBI Director James Comey's hearing on TV here at #ManuelsTavern Its quiet too! #reallywatchingandlistening pic.twitter.com/dpptZMSZAB
— Wendy Corona (@WendyCoronaWSB) June 8, 2017
11:00 a.m.
Comey says he hopes there are tapes from the Oval Office.
"Lordy, I hope there are tapes," he said.
Comey says he was "so stunned" by Trump bringing up Flynn investigation in the Oval Office
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) June 8, 2017
10:55 a.m.
President Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., has taken to Twitter to defend his father.
1/3 Flynn stuff is BS in context 2 guys talking about a guy they both know well. I hear "I hope nothing happens but you have to do your job"
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) June 8, 2017
2/3 very far from any kind of coercion or influence and certainly not obstruction!
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) June 8, 2017
3/3 Knowing my father for 39 years when he "orders or tells" you to do something there is no ambiguity, you will know exactly what he means
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) June 8, 2017
10:50 a.m.
Comey says he believed Trump was "looking to get something in exchange for granting my request to stay in the job."
Comey on why he kept notes on meetings with Pres. Trump: "I was honestly concerned that he might lie about the nature of our meeting." pic.twitter.com/FnIACilURo
— ABC News (@ABC) June 8, 2017
10:40 a.m.
Comey says he created memo on January meeting with Trump because, "I was honestly concerned that he might lie."
Comey said he wrote memos about Trump meetings: "I was honestly concerned that he might lie about the nature of our meeting"
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) June 8, 2017
10:35 a.m.
Comey talks about his former FBI colleagues.
"It was the honor of my life to serve beside you...and I will miss it for the rest of my life," he said.
Comey to former FBI colleagues: "It was the honor of my life to serve beside you...and I will miss it for the rest of my life." pic.twitter.com/vqCmLzLXxi
— ABC News (@ABC) June 8, 2017
10:30 a.m.
Comey says President Trump did not ask him to stop the Russia investigation
Comey says that the President did not ask him to stop the Russia investigation
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) June 8, 2017
Comey: “It confused me when I saw on television the president saying that he actually fired me because of the Russia investigation” pic.twitter.com/074SZ7roJP
— ABC News (@ABC) June 8, 2017
10:20 a.m.
Comey takes the oath and gives some opening remarks.
Comey now taking the oath
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) June 8, 2017
Comey says Trump told him repeatedly that he was "doing a great job"
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) June 8, 2017
10:15 a.m.
Sen. Mark Warner talking about President Trump and Comey.
Sen. Warner: "Let me be clear: this is not a witch hunt, this is not fake news. It is an effort to protect our country from a new threat." pic.twitter.com/AZ45rzudQz
— ABC News (@ABC) June 8, 2017
10:05 a.m.
Sen. Richard Burr begins the hearing by addressing Comey directly.
"The American people need to hear your side of the story, just as they need to hear the president's description of events."
Sen Burr begins the hearing by telling Comey that this is his opportunity, "to set the record straight"
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) June 8, 2017
10:00 a.m.
Comey enters the room and the testimony will begin momentarily.
Former FBI Director Comey enters room to testify in front of the Senate Intel Committee. https://t.co/zrn8vQ8mch pic.twitter.com/D1Kywilg8m
— ABC News (@ABC) June 8, 2017
Loud noise of camera shutters as Comey arrives pic.twitter.com/oWEvx78NuZ
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) June 8, 2017
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