Saying "people should look at the whole body of my testimony," former FBI Director James Comey has testified at a much-anticipated hearing before the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee.
Comey was fired from his position May 9, just days after he requested additional resources for his investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. Presidential election.
At the time of his dismissal, President Donald Trump, in a letter to Comey, suggested he was released because of his handling of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's hacked emails on the eve of the vote. Later, Trump admitted it was because of the investigation.
Starting off his testimony on Thursday, Comey told committee members he had no doubt the Russians hacked Democratic National Committee emails, interfered in the election, and that officials in that country knew about it.
Sen. Burr: "Do you have any doubt that Russia attempted to interfere in the 2016 elections?" Comey: "None."https://t.co/DyQZxVmTkz pic.twitter.com/uUIppC8sAX— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 8, 2017
Later, Comey said he believed the Russians would make another attempt to interfere in American politics.
"There should be no fuzz on this whatsoever: The Russians interfered in our election," #JamesComey says https://t.co/DyQZxVmTkzpic.twitter.com/I0U9JO9Wp4— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 8, 2017
Senator Tom Cotton asked if he felt Trump had colluded with the Russians, to which Comey responded, "that's a question that will be answered by the investigation, I believe."
Wednesday, Comey released a copy of his testimony saying that he first spoke with Trump on January 6 about a dossier alleging financial conflicts of interest and behavior in a Moscow hotel. At the time, Comey voluntarily told the president he was not under investigation. Repeatedly throughout his presentation, he told committee members Trump was not under investigation at any time during his tenure.
A week after the inauguration, Comey met with Trump again. This time, he says Trump made several attempts to get him to pledge his loyalty during a private dinner at the White House.
#JamesComey concerned @realDonaldTrump might subsequently lie so he documented convos, didnt have same concerns about Bush or Obama,— Paula Reid (@PaulaReidCBS) June 8, 2017
At another meeting alone with Trump, Comey testified the president encouraged him to drop the investigation into then National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.
Senator James Risch asked Comey whether the president directed, or ordered him to stop the probe. Comey replied no, and although it was not explicitly said he felt directed.
To Senator Dianne Feinstein, he said he was stunned by the question, and had he been a stronger man, he might have told Trump that what he was asking was wrong.
"Lordy, I hope there are tapes" of Trump's Flynn request, James Comey testifies at hearing https://t.co/ZqRwwAcU1ihttps://t.co/TFr2yn7QkjComey was also asked about Attorney General Jeff Sessions involvement in the investigation. He said the FBI figured Sessions would step aside from the probe for a "variety of reasons" but refused to say more in public.— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) June 8, 2017
Trump reportedly watched the hearing off site with his lawyer, and Mark Kasowitz is expected to make a statement following the hearing.
Donald Trump Jr., however tweeted frequently.
So if he was a "Stronger guy" he might have actually followed procedure & the law? You were the director of the FBI, who are you kidding??— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) June 8, 2017
