ADVERTISEMENTFormer FBI chief James Comey today gave much-anticipated testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee over his sacking by Donald Trump and alleged Russian interference in the US presidential election last year.
What you need to know
Comey claimed:
- Trump was “trying to get something” in exchange for letting him stay in his job.
- Trump repeatedly praised Comey’s work before his sacking.
- He was stunned by Trump’s request to drop investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
- It was significant Trump had made request when they were alone in Oval Office.
- He was fired because of FBI’s Russia probe but Trump didn’t ask him to drop it.
- Russia meddled in US election with “sophistication and overwhelming technical effort”.
- Despite meddling, no votes were altered.
- Trump administration put out lies about him (Comey) after his firing.
- He began taking notes during meetings with Trump amid fears he would lie.
- Trump not under investigation at FBI during Comey’s time.
Key exchanges
Comey on what he thought was behind Trump’s request for loyalty during a one-on-one dinner:
Comey comments on a dinner with
realDonaldTrump</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ComeyTestimony?src=hash">#ComeyTestimony</a> <a href="https://t.co/ui6o1gnQf5">https://t.co/ui6o1gnQf5</a> <a href="https://t.co/UbXtpP1kMa">pic.twitter.com/UbXtpP1kMa</a></p>— euronews (euronews) 8 juin 2017
Comey on Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential elections:
“There should be no fuzz on this. The Russians interfered in our election during the 2016 cycle.” #ComeyTestimonyhttps://t.co/ui6o1gnQf5pic.twitter.com/SkRZiuxK2V
— euronews (@euronews) 8 juin 2017
Comey on whether his job depended on his loyalty to Trump:
“I get the sense that my job would be contingent upon…whether I demonstrated loyalty.” #ComeyTestimonypic.twitter.com/SnJMoQV3gM
— euronews (@euronews) 8 juin 2017
Comey on why he began taking notes in meetings with Trump:
Comey explains his decision to document a meeting with
realDonaldTrump</a> in an 'unclassified' memo <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ComeyTestimony?src=hash">#ComeyTestimony</a> <a href="https://t.co/ui6o1gnQf5">https://t.co/ui6o1gnQf5</a> <a href="https://t.co/o8soIg04dv">pic.twitter.com/o8soIg04dv</a></p>— euronews (euronews) 8 juin 2017