06/07/2017
A day before he is scheduled to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Former FBI Director James Comey released the prepared statement he plans to offer the committee before being questioned.
Contained in the prepared statement are detailed notes of nine instances where Comey and Trump interacted. The discussions regarded reports that Russia held compromising information on Trump, Michael Flynn’s involvement with Russia, and Trump’s demand for loyalty. The notes also described Trump’s desire to secure assurances that he himself, was not under investigation, an assurance Comey never offered. The opening statements give the impression that Comey was detailed in his notes regarding the interactions, and to whom and when he shared details of the interactions with others.
The statement gives the impression that Trump certainly expressed his hope that the Former FBI Director would let any investigation involving Michael Flynn go. Whether this constitutes an obstruction of justice is remains to be seen, but by simply voicing his wishes Trump ventured into questionable territory. The fact that Trump requested to speak with the Director alone is also troubling, and should not have happened. This fact was clear to Comey, who later requested AG Jeff Sessions never leave him alone with the president.
The statement also contained notes regarding Trump’s attempt for Comey to pledge his loyalty to the president. At a private dinner, Comey reports that Trump stated “I need loyalty. I expect loyalty”. In response, Comey noted he “didn’t move, speak, or change my facial expression in any way during the awkward silence that followed. We simply looked at each other in silence.”
Interested readers can read the entire document here: Comey prepared statements
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