Donald Trump firing of FBI Director James Comey, 2017-2018
 |
Ballotpedia's scope changes periodically, and this article type is no longer actively created or maintained. If you would like to help our coverage grow, consider donating to Ballotpedia.
On May 9, 2017, President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey. Trump wrote in a letter to Comey, "While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the bureau. It is essential that we find new leadership for the F.B.I. that restores public trust and confidence in its vital law enforcement mission."[1]
At the time of his dismissal, Comey was investigating potential ties between the Trump campaign and the Russian government. He was the third high-profile law enforcement official Trump fired. He also fired Preet Bharara, the former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Sally Yates, the acting attorney general.[2]
After Comey was fired, hearings were held to understand the circumstances behind his termination and the Trump administration's involvement in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Timeline: What events followed Comey's firing?
June 14, 2018: IG releases report on Comey’s handling of Clinton email investigation
On June 14, 2018, Michael Horowitz, the Justice Department’s inspector general, released a 500-page report on James Comey’s handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server while serving as secretary of state. The report found that Comey deviated from FBI and Justice Department procedures in handling the investigation. Horowitz said in the report, “While we did not find that these decisions were the result of political bias on Comey’s part, we nevertheless concluded that by departing so clearly and dramatically from FBI and department norms, the decisions negatively impacted the perception of the FBI and the department as fair administrators of justice.”[6]
The report also stated that Horowitz found a lack of communication between Comey and Attorney General Loretta Lynch before Comey announced on July 5, 2016, that no charges would be filed against Clinton and before he notified Congress on October 28, 2016, that the FBI had found emails relevant to the agency's investigation of Clinton's private email server.[6]
The report stated, "We found it extraordinary that, in advance of two such consequential decisions, the FBI director decided that the best course of conduct was to not speak directly and substantively with the attorney general about how best to navigate those decisions."[6]
May 31, 2018: Trump says he did not fire Comey over Russia investigation
On May 31, 2018, Trump wrote in a tweet, "Not that it matters but I never fired James Comey because of Russia! The Corrupt Mainstream Media loves to keep pushing that narrative, but they know it is not true!"[7]
According to The Hill, "Trump appeared to be referring to a New York Times report that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said the president initially asked him to reference Russia in his memo justifying Comey’s firing, which centered on the FBI chief’s handling of the probe into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server."[7]
April 13, 2018: DOJ Inspector General report says McCabe mislead investigators
On April 13, 2018, the Justice Department’s Inspector General concluded that McCabe misled investigators who were looking into whether McCabe engaged in misconduct by telling a Wall Street Journal reporter about the federal investigation into the Clinton Foundation. The report stated, "We concluded that McCabe’s decision to confirm the existence of the (Clinton Foundation) Investigation through an anonymously sourced quote, recounting the content of a phone call with a senior Department official in a manner designed to advance his personal interests at the expense of Department leadership, was clearly not within the public interest exception." The inspector general also "concluded that McCabe’s disclosure of the existence of an ongoing investigation in the manner described in this report violated the FBI’s and the Department’s media policy and constituted misconduct."[8]
In a statement, McCabe’s lawyer said, "The rush to judgment—and the rush to terminate Mr. McCabe—were unprecedented, unseemly, and cruel."[8]
March 16, 2018: McCabe fired
On March 16, 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the FBI's Office of Professional Responsibility and Office of Inspector General (OIG) found that FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe provided unauthorized information to the media and "lacked candor — including under oath — on multiple occasions." McCabe was fired as a result.[9]
McCabe denied the FBI's findings. In a statement, McCabe wrote, "Here is the reality: I am being singled out and treated this way because of the role I played, the actions I took, and the events I witnessed in the aftermath of the firing of James Comey. The OIG's focus on me and this report became part of an unprecedented effort by the Administration, driven by the President himself, to remove me from my position, destroy my reputation, and possibly strip me of a pension that I worked 21 years to earn."[9]
October 17, 2017: Trump responds to FBI documents showing Comey drafted Clinton email statement in May 2016
October 17, 2017, Trump tweeted, "Wow, FBI confirms report that James Comey drafted letter exonerating Crooked Hillary Clinton long before investigation was complete. Many...people not interviewed, including Clinton herself. Comey stated under oath that he didn't do this-obviously a fix? Where is Justice Dept?"[10][11]
October 16, 2017: Comey drafted Clinton email statement in May 2016
On September 16, 2017, the FBI released documents showing that Comey began drafting his statement about Clinton's use of a private email server in May 2016. According to Newsweek, "The records show that on May 2, 2016, Comey emailed Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, general counsel James Baker and chief of staff and senior counselor James Rybicki. The subject of the email was 'midyear exam,' and though the email says its contents are unclassified, the body of the email is redacted in the release. [T]he bureau also released a response to the May 2 email. Rybicki sent the response, dated May 16, 2016, to several colleagues: Peter Strzok, Jonathan Moffa, Baker, Trisha Anderson and E.W. Priestap. He copied McCabe and David Bowdich, the associate deputy director. In the email, which is marked 'unclassified,' Rybicki wrote, 'Please send me any comments on this statement so we may roll into a master doc for discussion with the Director at a future date. Thanks, Jim.'"[12]
The FBI interviewed Clinton on July 2, 2016, and Comey announced that he would not recommend filing charges against her on July 5, 2016.
September 1, 2017: Trump tweets about Grassley and Graham letter
On September 1, 2017, Trump commented on the August 30, 2017, letter written by Grassley and Graham, tweeting, "Wow, looks like James Comey exonerated Hillary Clinton long before the investigation was over...and so much more. A rigged system!"[13]
August 30, 2017: Grassley and Graham say evidence shows Comey drafted memo rejecting the idea of pressing criminal charges against Clinton before she was interviewed by FBI
On August 30, 2017, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray pertaining to their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Comey’s firing. The letter explained that Comey may have drafted his memo rejecting pressing criminal charges against Clinton for using a private email account before she or members of her staff were interviewed by the FBI.[14]
Citing transcripts of the Office of Special Counsel's interviews with FBI agents, they wrote, "According to the unredacted portions of the transcripts, it appears that in April or early May of 2016, Mr. Comey had already decided he would issue a statement exonerating Secretary Clinton. That was long before FBI agents finished their work. Mr. Comey even circulated an early draft statement to select members of senior FBI leadership. The outcome of an investigation should not be prejudged while FBI agents are still hard at work trying to gather the facts."[14]
July 10, 2017: Trump tweets about Comey's memos
On July 10, 2017, Trump tweeted, "James Comey leaked CLASSIFIED INFORMATION to the media. That is so illegal!"[15]
July 9, 2017: The Hill reports that Comey's memos contained classified information
On July 10, 2017, The Hill reported that Comey's personal memos about his interactions with Trump contained classified information. According to The Hill, "This revelation raises the possibility that Comey broke his own agency’s rules and ignored the same security protocol that he publicly criticized Hillary Clinton for in the waning days of the 2016 presidential election."[16]
During a June 8, 2017, hearing, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) asked Comey about the memos. He asked, “So you didn’t consider your memo or your sense of that conversation to be a government document? You considered it to be, somehow, your own personal document that you could share to the media as you wanted through a friend?”[16]
Comey replied, “Correct. I understood this to be my recollection recorded of my conversation with the president. As a private citizen, I thought it important to get it out.” Comey gave one of the memos to a friend so that it could be leaked to the media.[16]
According to The Hill, the FBI said that all seven memos Comey wrote about his interactions with Trump were considered government documents.[16]
June 22, 2017: Trump says he did not record conversations with Comey
On June 22, 2017, Trump tweeted that he did not record his conversations with Comey. "With all of the recently reported electronic surveillance, intercepts, unmasking and illegal leaking of information, I have no idea whether there are 'tapes' or recordings of my conversations with James Comey, but I did not make, and do not have, any such recordings," he wrote. The White House submitted this statement to the House Intelligence Committee in response to its request for information related to the tapes, if they existed.[17]
June 18, 2017: Trump's lawyer says Trump is not being investigated for obstruction of justice
On June 18, 2017, Jay Sekulow, a personal lawyer for Trump, said that Trump was not being investigated for possible obstruction of justice. He said, “The fact of the matter is, the president has not been and is not under investigation." When asked how he knew Trump was not under investigation, Sekulow said, "Because we've received no notice of investigation. There has been no notification from the special counsel's office that the president is under investigation. In fact, to the contrary, what we know is what James Comey said, the last thing we know when he testified just a couple weeks back, that the president was not and is not a target of an investigation."[18]
June 16, 2017: Trump says he is being investigated
On June 16, 2017, Trump tweeted, "I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director! Witch Hunt." According to The Hill, "While the president’s tweet had the appearance of confirming he is under federal investigation for possible obstruction of justice, it’s not clear what information he used to back up comments. It wasn't immediately clear who Trump was referring to, though it is likely Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein."[19][20]
June 15, 2017: Rosenstein issues statement about anonymous sources
On June 15, 2017, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein issued the following statement: “Americans should exercise caution before accepting as true any stories attributed to anonymous ‘officials,’ particularly when they do not identify the country – let alone the branch or agency of government – with which the alleged sources supposedly are affiliated. Americans should be skeptical about anonymous allegations. The Department of Justice has a long-established policy to neither confirm nor deny such allegations.”[21]
June 14, 2017: The Washington Post reports that Trump is under investigation for possible obstruction of justice, according to five anonymous sources
On June 14, 2017, The Washington Post reported that Trump was under investigation for possible obstruction of justice, according to five anonymous sources. The report stated, "The special counsel overseeing the investigation into Russia’s role in the 2016 election is interviewing senior intelligence officials as part of a widening probe that now includes an examination of whether President Trump attempted to obstruct justice, officials said."[22]
June 14, 2017: Senate Judiciary Committee launches investigation of Comey firing and the Obama administration
On June 14, 2017, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee would begin an investigation into the firing of Comey and possible attempts by the Obama administration to influence FBI investigations into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server.[23]
In a letter, Grassley wrote, "The Judiciary Committee has an obligation to fully investigate any alleged improper partisan interference in law enforcement investigations. It is my view that fully investigating the facts, circumstances, and rationale for Mr. Comey’s removal will provide us the opportunity to do that on a cooperative, bipartisan basis.”[23]
June 13, 2017: Sessions testifies before Senate Intel Committee
On June 10, 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that he would testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee. He said in a statement, “In light of reports regarding Mr. Comey’s recent testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, it is important that I have an opportunity to address these matters in the appropriate forum."[24] On June 12, 2017, Sessions requested that the hearing be made public. A Justice Department spokesperson said in a statement, "The Attorney General has requested that this hearing be public. He believes it is important for the American people to hear the truth directly from him and looks forward to answering the committee's questions tomorrow."[25]
On June 13, 2017, Sessions testified in an open session before the Senate Intelligence Committee where he was asked about his interactions with Russian officials, his recusal from the investigation into Russian interference in the election, and his involvement in the firing of former FBI Director James Comey. He discussed Comey's February 14, 2017, conversation with Trump, saying, "He [Comey] expressed concern about that private conversation. I agreed with him essentially that there are rules on private conversations with the president. It is not a prohibition on a private discussion with the president as I believe he acknowledged six or more himself with President Obama and President Trump. I didn't feel like—he gave me no detail about what it was that he was concerned about. I didn't say I wouldn't be able to respond if he called me. He certainly knew with regard that he could call his direct supervisor which in the Department of Justice, a supervisor to the FBI, the deputy attorney general could have complained any time if he felt pressured, but I had no doubt he would not yield to any pressure."[26]
June 9, 2017: House Intel Committee asks for Trump-Comey tapes
On June 9, 2017, Reps. Mike Conaway (R-Texas) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), leaders of the House Intelligence Committee, asked the White House to confirm whether any tapes containing Trump's conversations with Comey existed. Conaway and Schiff wanted them to be submitted to the committee by June 23, 2017.[27]
Earlier in the day at a press conference, Trump was asked about the existence of the recordings. He said, “I’ll tell you about that maybe sometime in the near future.” He added that reporters would be disappointed to find out the answer.[28]
June 9, 2017: Trump responds to Comey hearing
On June 9, 2017, Trump posted the following tweet about Comey's testimony: "Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindication...and WOW, Comey is a leaker!"[29]
Later the same day during a press conference, Trump was asked if tapes containing his conversations with Comey existed. Trump said, “I’ll tell you about that maybe sometime in the near future.” He added that the answer would be disappointing. Trump also commented on the June 8, Senate Intel hearing, saying that Comey's testimony showed "no collusion, no obstruction" in the Russia investigation. He also said, “He's [Comey’s] a leaker, but we wanna get back to running our great country.” Trump added that he would testify under oath about his interactions with Comey, if asked.[30]
June 8, 2017: The New York Times responds to Comey's statement that February 14 report was untrue
On June 8, 2017, after Comey said that a February 14 report in The New York Times about alleged contacts between Trump allies and Russian officials was not true, the Times defended its reporting.
Times reporters Michael Schmidt, Mark Mazzetti, and Matt Apuzzo wrote, "The article was the first to reveal direct contacts between Trump advisers and Russian officials before the election — contacts that are now at the heart of F.B.I. and congressional investigations. Multiple news outlets have since published accounts that support the main elements of The Times’s article, including information about phone calls and in-person meetings between Mr. Trump’s advisers and Russians, some believed to be connected to Russian intelligence. Mr. Comey did not say exactly what he believed was incorrect about the article, which was based on information from four current and former American officials, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity because the information was classified. The original sources could not immediately be reached after Mr. Comey’s remarks, but in the months since the article was published, they have indicated that they believed the account was solid."[31]
June 8, 2017: Comey testifies before Senate Intel Committee
On June 8, 2017, Comey appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee and delivered his first public comments since being fired by Trump on May 9, 2017. Here are the highlights from the hearing:[32][33][34]
- Comey said that he thought he was fired because Trump wanted to change the course of the investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Comey said, "I know I was fired because of something about the way I was conducting the Russia investigation was in some way putting pressure on him, in some way irritating him, and he decided to fire me because of that.”
- Comey said that the White House lied when it said that FBI agents were unsatisfied with his performance as director. He said, “The administration then chose to defame me and more importantly the FBI, by saying the organization was poorly led. Those were lies, plain and simple.”
- Comey said it was special counsel Robert Mueller’s job to decide whether or not Trump obstructed justice by asking him to end the investigation into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. Comey said, “I don’t think it’s for me to say whether the conversation I had with the president was an effort to obstruct. The special counsel will work … to try and understand what the intention was there.”
- Comey confirmed that he told Trump on three occasions that he was not being investigated by the FBI as part of the ongoing Russia probe.
- Comey asked a friend to leak memos he wrote after his meeting with Trump to The New York Times. He said, "I asked a friend of mine to share the content of a memo with the reporter. I didn't do it myself for a variety of reasons, but I asked him to because I thought that might prompt the appointment of a special counsel."
- Comey said that people leaking classified information to reporters about the Russia probe did not know what they were talking about. Comey said, “The challenge, and I’m not picking on reporters, about writing stories about classified information is the people talking about it often don’t really know what’s going on and those of us who actually know what’s going on are not talking about it. And we don’t call the press and say, ‘Hey, you got that thing wrong.’” He specifically said that a report that appeared in The New York Times in February about alleged contacts between Trump allies and Russian officials was false. Comey said, “In the main, it was not true."[35]
June 7, 2017: CNN corrects report
On June 6, 2017, CNN reported that Comey would state in his testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee that he did not assure Trump that he was not under investigation. The report was compiled by Gloria Borger, Eric Lichtblau, Jake Tapper, and Brian Rokus, and it was based on unnamed sources. While speaking on CNN, Borger said, “Comey is going to dispute the president on this point if he’s asked about it by senators, and we have to assume that he will be. He will say he never assured Donald Trump that he was not under investigation, that that would have been improper for him to do so.”[36]
On June 7, 2016, CNN corrected the report, writing, "CORRECTION AND UPDATE: This article was published before Comey released his prepared opening statement. The article and headline have been corrected to reflect that Comey does not directly dispute that Trump was told multiple times he was not under investigation in his prepared testimony released after this story was published."[37]
June 7, 2017: Comey releases written testimony
On June 7, 2017, Comey released his written testimony that he was prepared to deliver on Thursday, June 8, 2017, to the Senate Intelligence Committee. Highlights from his testimony appear throughout this page under the appropriate dates in gray boxes.[38]
June 7, 2017: Trump announces his pick for FBI director
On June 7, 2017, President Donald Trump announced that he would nominate Christopher Wray as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Trump wrote on Twitter, "I will be nominating Christopher A. Wray, a man of impeccable credentials, to be the new Director of the FBI. Details to follow."[39]
June 5, 2017: Trump will not seek to prevent Comey from testifying
On June 5, 2017, White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that Trump would not seek to assert executive privilege to prevent Comey from testifying.[40]
May 25, 2017: FBI tells Congress Comey memos will not be released
On May 25, 2017, the FBI told Congress that memos written by Comey about his interactions with Trump would be withheld until the bureau could determine how the appointment of Mueller would affect congressional investigations. A senior FBI official wrote, “In light of this development and other considerations, we are undertaking appropriate consultation to ensure all relevant interests implicated by your request are properly evaluated.”[41]
May 22, 2017: Comey postpones testimony before House Oversight Committee
On May 22, 2017, Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) posted the following tweet: "Spoke with Comey. He wants to speak with Special Counsel prior to public testimony. Hearing Wed postponed. @GOPoversight." On May 17, 2017, Chaffetz announced on Twitter that he invited Comey to testify before the committee.[42]
May 19, 2017: Comey agrees to testify before Senate Intel Committee
On May 19, 2017, Comey agreed to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Committee leaders said that the public hearing would occur after Memorial Day.[43]
May 18, 2017: The New York Times reports that Comey tried to avoid Trump by blending in with the curtains
On January 22, 2017, during a ceremony in the Blue Room of the White House, Comey tried to avoid Trump by blending in with the curtains, according to The New York Times. Comey told his friend, Benjamin Wittes, about his effort to avoid the president because he did not want to jeopardize the FBI's independence. According to The Times, "Mr. Comey — who is 6 feet 8 inches tall and was wearing a dark blue suit that day – told Mr. Wittes that he tried to blend in with the blue curtains in the back of the room, in the hopes that Mr. Trump would not spot him and call him out."[44]
Trump, however, saw Comey and said, “Oh and there’s Jim. He’s become more famous than me.”[44]
According to Wittes, “Comey said that as he was walking across the room he was determined that there wasn’t going to be a hug. It was bad enough there was going to be a handshake. And Comey has long arms so Comey said he pre-emptively reached out for a handshake and grabbed the president’s hand. But Trump pulled him into an embrace and Comey didn’t reciprocate. If you look at the video, it’s one person shaking hands and another hugging.”[44]
May 18, 2017: Rosenstein disputes New York Times report that Comey asked for more resources for Russia investigation
While speaking to lawmakers during a closed session on May 18, 2017, Rosenstein disputed a report in the New York Times that said Comey asked for more resources for the FBI's investigation into Russian involvement in the 2016 election. He said, "I'm not aware of any such request. Moreover, I consulted my staff and acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, and none of them recalls such a request."[45]
May 18, 2017: Rosenstein stands by memo outlining his thoughts on Comey's mishandling of the investigation into Clinton's email practices
In his opening statement to lawmakers on May 18, 2017, Rosenstein said that he stands by the letter he wrote outlining his thoughts on Comey's mishandling of the investigation into Clinton's email practices. He said, "It is a candid memorandum about the FBI Director's public statements concerning a high-profile criminal investigation. I wrote it. I believe it. I stand by it. ... My memorandum is not a finding of official misconduct; the inspector general will render his judgement about the issue in due course."[45]
May 18, 2017: Rosenstein briefs lawmakers on Comey firing and appointment of special counsel Mueller
On May 18, 2017, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein briefed lawmakers on Comey firing and appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller.[46]
May 18, 2017: Trump responds to the appointment of a special counsel
On May 18, 2017, Trump responded to the appointment of Robert Mueller as special counsel to the Russia investigation in the following tweets: "This is the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history! With all of the illegal acts that took place in the Clinton campaign & Obama Administration, there was never a special counsel appointed!"[47]
May 17, 2017: Justice Department appoints special counsel to lead investigation into Russia's involvement in the 2016 presidential election
On May 17, 2017, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein named former FBI Director Robert Mueller as the special counsel in charge of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Rosenstein said in a statement, "Based upon the unique circumstances, the public interest requires me to place this investigation under the authority of a person who exercises a degree of independence from the normal chain of command. A special counsel is necessary in order for the American people to have full confidence in the outcome. Our nation is grounded on the rule of law, and the Public must be assured that government officials administer the law fairly."[48]
May 17, 2017: Senate Intelligence and Judiciary Committees ask FBI for Comey memos
On May 17, 2017, two leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee—Sens. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.)—and four leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee—Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)—asked the FBI to give them memos written by Comey about conversations he had with the White House and Justice Department regarding the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Documents concerning communications between the FBI and Trump and the FBI and former President Barack Obama were also requested.[49]
Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said, “We need all those memos. We’re going to try to get not just the Comey memo as you heard in my letter, but all memos, all communications between everybody — Comey, and other people in the hierarchy — and throughout the organization, wherever we have to, and over a long period of time.”[49]
Burr and Warner also sent a letter to Comey asking him to testify in open and closed sessions.[49]
May 17, 2017: Rep. Chaffetz invites Comey to testify
On May 17, 2017, Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) announced on Twitter that he invited Comey to testify before the committee. He wrote, "Officially noticed a hearing for next Wed at 9:30am ET with former FBI Dir Comey. But I still need to speak with him...evidently has a new #."[50]
May 16, 2017: Sen. Graham invites Comey to testify
On May 16, 2017, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) invited Comey to testify publicly during a Senate hearing. Graham said, “I’ve asked Comey to come before the Judiciary Committee to tell his side of the story. I think it would be good for him if he did. It would be good for the country.” According to Politico, "It was not clear whether Graham’s invitation was for a hearing before the full Judiciary Committee or the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, which has jurisdiction over the FBI and is chaired by Graham."[51]
May 16, 2017: New York Times reports Trump asked Comey to end Russia investigation; White House denies claim
The New York Times reported that Trump asked Comey to end the federal investigation into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn’s possible ties to the Russian government, according to a memo written by Comey the day after Flynn resigned. Comey wrote that Trump said, “I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go. He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go.”[52]
According to the Times, “The memo was part of a paper trail Mr. Comey created documenting what he perceived as the president’s improper efforts to influence a continuing investigation. An F.B.I. agent’s contemporaneous notes are widely held up in court as credible evidence of conversations. … The New York Times has not viewed a copy of the memo, which is unclassified, but one of Mr. Comey’s associates read parts of the memo to a Times reporter.”[52]
The White House denied Comey’s account of the meeting in the following statement: “While the president has repeatedly expressed his view that General Flynn is a decent man who served and protected our country, the president has never asked Mr. Comey or anyone else to end any investigation, including any investigation involving General Flynn. The president has the utmost respect for our law enforcement agencies, and all investigations. This is not a truthful or accurate portrayal of the conversation between the president and Mr. Comey.”[52]
The sources that the Times spoke to also said that Comey drafted memos about every phone call and meeting he had with Trump.[52]
May 12, 2017: Comey declines to testify
On May 12, 2017, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) announced that Comey declined to speak to the Senate Intelligence Committee. Warner said, "Yes well, one of the things we did do is we invited Comey to come and testify on Tuesday. He is not going to be testifying on Tuesday, but it is our hope in the not too distant future, that we can find time for him to come in and talk to our committee."[53]
Trump Administration (first term)  Vice President Mike Pence Cabinet • White House staff • Transition team • Trump's second term |
Domestic affairs: Abortion • Crime and justice • Education • Energy and the environment • Federal courts • Firearms policy • First Amendment • Healthcare • Immigration • Infrastructure • LGBTQ issues • Marijuana • Puerto Rico • Social welfare programs • Veterans • Voting issues Economic affairs and regulations: Agriculture and food policy • Budget • Financial regulation • Jobs • Social Security • Taxes • Trade Foreign affairs and national security: Afghanistan • Arab states of the Persian Gulf • China • Cuba • Iran • Iran nuclear deal • Islamic State and terrorism • Israel and Palestine • Latin America • Military • NATO • North Korea • Puerto Rico • Russia • Syria • Syrian refugees • Technology, privacy, and cybersecurity |
| Polling indexes: Opinion polling during the Trump administration |
May 11, 2017: Trump says he was going to fire Comey regardless of the recommendation by DOJ officials
During an interview on May 11, 2016, Trump told NBC News' Lester Holt that he was going to fire Comey regardless of the recommendation to do so made by DOJ officials. Trump said, “I was going to fire regardless of recommendation. He [Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein] made a recommendation. He's highly respected. Very good guy. Very smart guy. The Democrats like him. The Republicans like him. He made a recommendation. But regardless of recommendation, I was going to fire Comey.”[54]
Trump's statement contradicted initial reports from White House officials that Trump fired Comey based on the recommendations of Rosenstein and Sessions. Trump also criticized Comey during the interview, saying, “He's a showboat, he's a grand-stander, the FBI has been in turmoil. You know that, I know that. Everybody knows that. You take a look at the FBI a year ago, it was in virtual turmoil. Less than a year ago, it hasn't recovered from that.”[54]
May 11, 2017: Trump says Comey told him he was not under investigation
During an interview on May 11, 2016, Trump said that Comey told him on three separate occasions that he was not under investigation by the FBI for ties to Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. According to Politico, "News reports in the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal have cited anonymous sources describing that assertion as inaccurate."[54]
Trump said, “I actually asked him. I said, 'If it's possible, would you let me know am I under investigation?' He said, 'You are not under investigation.'"[54]
May 11, 2017: McCabe speaks to Senate Intel Committee
On May 11, 2017, acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe said, "Director Comey enjoyed broad support within the FBI and still does to this day. I can confidently tell you that the vast majority of employees enjoyed a deep and positive connection to Director Comey.”[55]
May 11, 2017: Rosenstein said he did not threaten to resign
On May 11, 2017, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said that he did not threaten to resign, contradicting a Washington Post story. When asked about the story, Rosenstein said, "No, I'm not quitting."[56]
May 10, 2017: The Washington Post reports Rosenstein threatened to resign
On May 10, 2017, The Washington Post reported that “Rosenstein threatened to resign after the narrative emerging from the White House on Tuesday evening cast him as a prime mover of the decision to fire Comey and that the president acted only on his recommendation, said the person close to the White House, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.”[57]
The following day, Rosenstein denied that he threatened to resign.[56]
May 10, 2017: Comey writes farewell letter
On May 10, 2017, Comey sent a farewell letter to FBI staff, agents, and friends. He wrote, "I have long believed that a President can fire an FBI Director for any reason, or for no reason at all. I'm not going to spend time on the decision or the way it was executed. I hope you won't either. It is done, and I will be fine, although I will miss you and the mission deeply. I have said to you before that, in times of turbulence, the American people should see the FBI as a rock of competence, honesty, and independence. What makes leaving the FBI hard is the nature and quality of its people, who together make it that rock for America. It is very hard to leave a group of people who are committed only to doing the right thing. My hope is that you will continue to live our values and the mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution. If you do that, you too will be sad when you leave, and the American people will be safer. Working with you has been one of the great joys of my life. Thank you for that gift."[58]
May 10, 2017: Comey invited to testify before Senate Intelligence Committee
On May 10, 2017, Comey was invited to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee on May 16, 2017. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) later announced that Comey declined to testify.[59][53]
May 9, 2017: McCabe named acting FBI director
On May 9, 2017, Andrew McCabe was named the acting director of the FBI. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe's (D) political action committee Common Good VA donated nearly $500,000 to the unsuccessful state Senate campaign of Jill McCabe, Andrew McCabe's wife. McAuliffe was a friend of the Clintons. According to CBS News, "There have been questions swirling around why Andrew McCabe didn't recuse himself from the email investigation." A retired FBI agent said, "Finding someone both sides will agree on as a replacement will be very tough."[60][61]
Timeline: What events led to Comey's firing?
May 9, 2017: Comey fired
On May 9, 2017, President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey after Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein recommended that Trump do so because of Comey's handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails.[1]
White House rationale for firing Comey
The White House released three letters concerning Comey’s dismissal. The basic rationale was that Comey’s public handling of the Clinton email investigation during the election was inappropriate and eroded public trust in the FBI.[62]
- President Donald Trump: Trump wrote that Comey was “not able to effectively lead the Bureau.”
- Attorney General Jeff Sessions: In a letter addressed to the president, Sessions recommended Comey’s termination, indicating that “a fresh start is needed at the leadership of the FBI.” Sessions based his reasoning on Comey’s decision to comment publicly on the investigation into Clinton’s email use.
- Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein: Rosenstein’s memo, addressed to Sessions, detailed his rationale for termination, focusing primarily on Comey’s decisions to hold a press conference in July and to send two letters to Congress in October and November 2016 concerning Clinton’s email use. Rosenstein said, "The way the Director handled the conclusion of the email investigation was wrong. As a result, the FBI is unlikely to regain public and congressional trust until it has a Director who understands the gravity of the mistakes and pledges never to repeat them. Having refused to admit his errors, the Director cannot be expected to implement the necessary corrective actions."
May 9, 2017: FBI clarifies Comey's comments about Huma Abedin forwarding Clinton's emails
During the hearing on March 20, 2017, Comey testified that Clinton aide Huma Abedin had forwarded a large number of classified emails to her husband. He said, “She forwarded hundreds and thousands of emails, some of which contain classified information.” On May 9, 2017, the FBI sent a supplemental testimony. It stated that Comey’s comments were inaccurate. The testimony concluded that "most of the emails found on Mr. Weiner's laptop computer related to the Clinton investigation occurred as a result of a backup of personal electronic devices, with a small number a result of manual forwarding by Ms. Abedin to Mr. Weiner."[63][64]
May 3, 2017: Comey testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee
On May 3, 2017, Comey testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The hearing was originally called to examine a 2015 terrorist attack in Garland, Texas, but the focus of the hearing became the FBI's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.[65]
May 2017: Comey asks for an increase in funding for Russia investigation; White House denies the request was submitted
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) "told reporters she understood Comey was seeking more resources for the FBI investigation" into possible collusion between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia. According to reports, Comey asked Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein for an increase in resources to speed up the investigation the week before Comey was fired.[66]
Justice Department spokesman Ian Prior said that the reports were false.[66]
In his written testimony, Comey said that Trump called him on April 11, 2017, to ask him what he had done to explain to the public that Trump was not under investigation by the FBI. Comey said that he had spoken to the acting deputy attorney general about the matter, but he had not heard back from him. Comey wrote that Trump said, "'[T]he cloud' was getting in the way of his ability to do his job." Comey added that Trump said, "'Because I have been very loyal to you, very loyal; we had that thing you know.' I did not reply or ask him what he meant by 'that thing.' I said only that the way to handle it was to have the White House Counsel call the Acting Deputy Attorney General. He said that was what he would do and the call ended."[38]
In his written testimony, Comey discussed a phone conversation that he had with Trump on March 30, 2017, about the Russia investigation.
- Comey on Trump discussing how the Russia investigation was preventing him from getting his programs implemented: "He described the Russia investigation as 'a cloud' that was impairing his ability to act on behalf of the country. He said he had nothing to do with Russia, had not been involved with hookers in Russia, and had always assumed he was being recorded when in Russia. He asked what we could do to 'lift the cloud.' I responded that we were investigating the matter as quickly as we could, and that there would be great benefit, if we didn’t find anything, to our having done the work well. He agreed, but then re-emphasized the problems this was causing him."[38]
- Comey on telling Trump that he was not under investigation: "Then the President asked why there had been a congressional hearing about Russia the previous week – at which I had, as the Department of Justice directed, confirmed the investigation into possible coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign. I explained the demands from the leadership of both parties in Congress for more information, and that Senator Grassley had even held up the confirmation of the Deputy Attorney General until we briefed him in detail on the investigation. I explained that we had briefed the leadership of Congress on exactly which individuals we were investigating and that we had told those Congressional leaders that we were not personally investigating President Trump. I reminded him I had previously told him that. He repeatedly told me, 'We need to get that fact out.' (I did not tell the President that the FBI and the Department of Justice had been reluctant to make public statements that we did not have an open case on President Trump for a number of reasons, most importantly because it would create a duty to correct, should that change.) The President went on to say that if there were some 'satellite' associates of his who did something wrong, it would be good to find that out, but that he hadn’t done anything wrong and hoped I would find a way to get it out that we weren’t investigating him."[38]
March 20, 2017: Comey testifies before the House Intelligence Committee
On March 20, 2017, Comey testified before the House Intelligence Committee about the FBI’s counterintelligence activities. During his opening statement, Comey confirmed that the FBI was investigating potential ties between the Trump campaign and the Russian government, although he could not disclose whose conduct was under review.
Comey said, “I’ve been authorized by the Department of Justice to confirm that the FBI, as part of our counterintelligence mission, is investigating the Russian government’s efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. And that includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government, and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia’s efforts.”[67]
February 14, 2017: The New York Times reports that Trump's associates contacted Russian officials; Comey later calls report false
On February 14, 2017, The New York Times reported that "Phone records and intercepted calls show that members of Donald J. Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and other Trump associates had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election, according to four current and former American officials."[68]
During a hearing on June 8, 2017, Comey was asked about the February 14 report. He said, "In the main, it was not true." Comey added, "The challenge, and I’m not picking on reporters, about writing stories about classified information is the people talking about it often don’t really know what’s going on and those of us who actually know what’s going on are not talking about it. And we don’t call the press and say, 'Hey, you got that thing wrong.'"[35]
February 14, 2017: Comey writes memo stating that Trump asked him to end the Flynn investigation, according to The New York Times
The New York Times reported that Trump asked Comey to end the federal investigation into Flynn’s possible ties to the Russian government, according to a memo written by Comey. Comey wrote that Trump said, “I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go. He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go.”[52]
This information was not made public until it was reported by The New York Times on May 16, 2017. The White House denied the claim.[52]
In his written testimony, Comey discussed a conversation that he had with Trump on February 14, 2017, about former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and investigating the leaks of classified information.
- Comey on Trump asking him to drop the investigation of Flynn: "The President then returned to the topic of Mike Flynn, saying, 'He is a good guy and has been through a lot.' He repeated that Flynn hadn’t done anything wrong on his calls with the Russians, but had misled the Vice President. He then said, 'I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go. He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go.' I replied only that 'he is a good guy.' I did not say I would 'let this go.' I had understood the President to be requesting that we drop any investigation of Flynn in connection with false statements about his conversations with the Russian ambassador in December. I did not understand the President to be talking about the broader investigation into Russia or possible links to his campaign. I could be wrong, but I took him to be focusing on what had just happened with Flynn’s departure and the controversy around his account of his phone calls. Regardless, it was very concerning, given the FBI’s role as an independent investigative agency. The FBI leadership team agreed with me that it was important not to infect the investigative team with the President’s request, which we did not intend to abide. We also concluded that, given that it was a one-on-one conversation, there was nothing available to corroborate my account."[38]
February 13, 2017: Flynn resigns as national security advisor
On February 13, 2017, National Security Advisor Michael Flynn resigned amid reports that he did not provide Vice President Mike Pence with accurate information about a conversation that he had with a Russian ambassador concerning sanctions against the country.[69]
January 27, 2017: Trump has dinner with Comey; Trump and Comey have conflicting accounts of the meeting
On January 27, 2017, Trump and Comey met for dinner. During an interview on May 11, 2016, Trump discussed the dinner with NBC News' Lester Holt. Trump said that Comey told him that he was not under investigation in the ongoing probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election while they were having dinner and on two other occasions. Trump also said that Comey was the one who requested to meet and that Comey asked to be kept in place as FBI director.[70]
According to The Hill, "A former senior official said that Comey would never have told the president he was not under investigation." Two people who knew about the dinner between Trump and Comey said that Trump asked Comey for his loyalty, but Comey refused. He promised honesty instead. Additionally, NBC News reported that Trump was the one who requested the dinner, not Comey.[71][70]
Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said, "He [Comey] mentioned that he had been invited to the White House to have dinner with the president and he was uneasy with that. ... [Comey didn't want to create] the appearance of compromising the integrity of the FBI." According to NBC News, "Clapper said it would have been inappropriate and out of character for Comey to have asked for job security, or to have told the president anything about a pending criminal investigation."[70]
In his written testimony, Comey discussed a conversation that he and Trump had during dinner on January 27, 2017.
- Comey on Trump asking him if he wanted to remain the FBI director: "The President began by asking me whether I wanted to stay on as FBI Director, which I found strange because he had already told me twice in earlier conversations that he hoped I would stay, and I had assured him that I intended to. My instincts told me that the one-on-one setting, and the pretense that this was our first discussion about my position, meant the dinner was, at least in part, an effort to have me ask for my job and create some sort of patronage relationship. I replied that I loved my work and intended to stay and serve out my tenyear term as Director. And then, because the set-up made me uneasy, I added that I was not 'reliable' in the way politicians use that word, but he could always count on me to tell him the truth. I added that I was not on anybody’s side politically and could not be counted on in the traditional political sense, a stance I said was in his best interest as the President."[38]
- Comey on Trump asking for his loyalty: "A few moments later, the President said, 'I need loyalty, I expect loyalty.' I 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. The conversation then moved on, but he returned to the subject near the end of our dinner. ... Near the end of our dinner, the President returned to the subject of my job, saying he was very glad I wanted to stay, adding that he had heard great things about me from Jim Mattis, Jeff Sessions, and many others. He then said, 'I need loyalty.' I replied, 'You will always get honesty from me.' He paused and then said, 'That’s what I want, honest loyalty.' I paused, and then said, 'You will get that from me.' As I wrote in the memo I created immediately after the dinner, it is possible we understood the phrase 'honest loyalty' differently, but I decided it wouldn’t be productive to push it further. The term – honest loyalty – had helped end a very awkward conversation and my explanations had made clear what he should expect."[38]
January 26, 2017: Yates tells White House that Flynn could be subject to blackmail
Acting Attorney General Sally Yates told White House Counsel Donald McGahn that the FBI interviewed National Security Advisor Michael Flynn about his conversations with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak. Yates said that Flynn lied to the White House about the nature of his conversations and was open to blackmail by the Russian government.[70]
January 12, 2017: Inspector General review
On January 12, 2017, Michael Horowitz, the Justice Department’s inspector general, announced that he was opening an investigation into how Comey handled public disclosures about Clinton's private email server investigation. Horowitz intended to review Comey's July 2016 press conference, the letter he submitted to Congress in October 2016, and whether the timing and audience of other disclosures were appropriate.[72]
In his written testimony, Comey said that he briefed Trump on the investigation concerning Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 election. He also discussed information that was personally sensitive to the president, including unverified material. Comey also told Trump that the FBI did not have an open counter-intelligence case on him.[38]
- Comey on documenting his interactions with Trump: "I felt compelled to document my first conversation with the President-Elect in a memo. To ensure accuracy, I began to type it on a laptop in an FBI vehicle outside Trump Tower the moment I walked out of the meeting. Creating written records immediately after one-on-one conversations with Mr. Trump was my practice from that point forward. This had not been my practice in the past. I spoke alone with President Obama twice in person (and never on the phone) – once in 2015 to discuss law enforcement policy issues and a second time, briefly, for him to say goodbye in late 2016. In neither of those circumstances did I memorialize the discussions. I can recall nine one-on-one conversations with President Trump in four months – three in person and six on the phone."[38]
November 6, 2016: Decision to not prosecute stands
On November 6, 2016, Comey submitted a second letter notifying Congress that the review of the additional emails had been completed and that the FBI’s conclusion to not prosecute Clinton remained unchanged.[73]
October 28, 2016: More Clinton emails found
On October 28, Comey announced in a letter to 16 members of Congress serving on oversight and intelligence committees that the FBI had found emails related to the agency's investigation of Clinton's private email server use. The emails were discovered on devices seized from Clinton aide Huma Abedin and her husband, former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (R-N.Y.), as part of a separate investigation regarding inappropriate communications sent by Weiner to a minor.[74]
July 2016: FBI opens investigation into Russia's attempt to influence the 2016 election
In July 2016, the FBI opened an investigation into the Russian government's attempts to influence the 2016 presidential election. The FBI began investigating whether there were connections between Russia and Trump’s campaign, but this investigation was not confirmed until March 2017 when Comey testified before Congress.[67]
July 5, 2016: No charges filed against Clinton
On July 5, 2016, after investigating whether Hillary Clinton had committed a crime in her handling of classified materials, Comey held a press conference to announce that the FBI would not file charges against her.
In his statement, he said, "Although there is evidence of potential violations of the statutes regarding the handling of classified information, our judgment is that no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case. ... In looking back at our investigations into mishandling or removal of classified information, we cannot find a case that would support bringing criminal charges on these facts. All the cases prosecuted involved some combination of: clearly intentional and willful mishandling of classified information; or vast quantities of materials exposed in such a way as to support an inference of intentional misconduct; or indications of disloyalty to the United States; or efforts to obstruct justice. We do not see those things here."[75]
July 1, 2016: AG Lynch says she will accept FBI's recommendation
On July 1, 2016, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch stated that she would accept whatever recommendation the FBI made at the conclusion of its investigation. Lynch's announcement came several days after she met with former President Bill Clinton at an airport in Phoenix on June 27, 2016. According to CNN, "The meeting is raising questions about whether the independence of the Justice Department, which is conducting an investigation of Hillary Clinton’s private email server, might have been compromised." When asked about the meeting, Lynch said that she and Bill Clinton discussed his grandchildren. She added, "I certainly wouldn’t do it again."[76][77]
August 4, 2015: FBI begins investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server
- See also: Hillary Clinton email investigation
On August 4, 2015, The Washington Post reported that the FBI was investigating the security of Hillary Clinton's private email server and whether any classified information had been compromised.[78]
See also
- James Comey
- Congressional responses to the firing of James Comey
- Trump administration FBI Director appointment, 2017
- Hillary Clinton email investigation
- Reactions to Comey's letter on Clinton email investigation
- Investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election
- Senate Intelligence Committee investigation on Russian activity in 2016 presidential election
- House Intelligence Committee investigation on Russian activity in 2016 presidential election
- Robert Mueller
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The New York Times, "F.B.I. Director James Comey Is Fired by Trump," May 9, 2017
- ↑ Reuters, "FBI in turmoil over Comey firing, scramble on for new chief," May 9, 2017
- ↑ FBI.gov, "Mission & Priorities," May 15, 2017
- ↑ FBI.gov, "Directors, Then and Now," May 15, 2017
- ↑ Business Insider, "An FBI director has been fired only once before — and it was under dramatically different circumstances," May 11, 2017
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Bloomberg, "Comey Broke From FBI Procedures in Clinton Probe, Watchdog Finds," June 14, 2018
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 The Hill, "Trump claims he did not fire Comey over Russia," May 31, 2018
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 The Wall Street Journal, "Justice Watchdog Says McCabe Misled Investigators," April 13, 2018
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 The Hill, "Sessions fires McCabe from FBI," March 16, 2018
- ↑ Twitter, "Donald J. Trump," October 17, 2017
- ↑ Twitter, "Donald J. Trump," October 17, 2017
- ↑ Newsweek, "Comey Drafted Statement Ending Clinton Email Investigation Months Before Interviewing Her, FBI Confirms," October 16, 2017
- ↑ Twitter, "Donald J. Trump," September 1, 2017
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Judiciary.Senate.gov, "Letter to Christopher Wray," August 30, 2017
- ↑ Twitter, "Donald J. Trump," July 10, 2017
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 The Hill, "Comey’s private memos on Trump conversations contained classified material," July 9, 2017
- ↑ NBC News, "White House Responds to Committee on ‘Tapes’ By Referring to Trump’s Tweets," June 23, 2017
- ↑ CBS News, "Face the Nation June 18, 2017 Transcript: Rubio, Sanders, Sekulow, O'Donnell," June 18, 2017
- ↑ Twitter, "Donald J. Trump," June 16, 2017
- ↑ The Hill, "Trump: 'I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director,'" June 16, 2017
- ↑ Justice.gov, "Statement by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein on Anonymous Allegations," June 15, 2017
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Special counsel is investigating Trump for possible obstruction of justice, officials say," June 14, 2017
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Politico, "Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate Comey firing, Clinton email probe," June 14, 2017
- ↑ The Hill, "Sessions to testify in front of Senate intel committee this week," June 10, 2017
- ↑ The Hill, "Sessions to testify publicly to Senate Intel Committee," June 12, 2017
- ↑ Politico, "Transcript: Jeff Sessions' testimony on Trump and Russia," June 13, 2017
- ↑ Politico, "House Intelligence Committee leaders ask White House for any Comey tapes," June 9, 2017
- ↑ The Hill, "Trump refuses to say whether White House tapes exist," June 9, 2017
- ↑ Twitter, "Donald J. Trump," June 9, 2017
- ↑ The Hill, "Trump refuses to say whether White House tapes exist," June 9, 2017
- ↑ The New York Times, "Comey Disputes New York Times Article About Russia Investigation," June 8, 2017
- ↑ Politico, "Comey blasts White House for ‘lies, plain and simple,'" June 8, 2017
- ↑ The Wall Street Journal, "Ex-FBI Chief James Comey's Senate Testimony: Live Analysis," June 8, 2017
- ↑ NBC News, "James Comey Testimony: Here Are 9 Key Moments from the Hearing," June 8, 2017
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 The Washington Post, "'In the main, it was not true': Comey denounces New York Times story," June 8, 2017 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "main" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ The Hill, "CNN issues correction after Comey statement contradicts reporting," June 7, 2017
- ↑ CNN, "Comey unlikely to judge on obstruction," June 7, 2017
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 38.4 38.5 38.6 38.7 38.8 Intelligence.Senate.gov, "Statement for the Record Senate Select Committee on Intelligence," June 7, 2017
- ↑ Twitter, "Donald J. Trump," June 7, 2017
- ↑ Reuters, "Trump will not block ex-FBI chief Comey's testimony: White House," June 5, 2017
- ↑ The Wall Street Journal, "FBI Holds Off on Giving James Comey’s Memos to Congress," May 25, 2017
- ↑ Twitter, "Jason Chaffetz," May 22, 2017
- ↑ Politico, "James Comey has agreed to testify in a public session at the Senate Intelligence Committee," May 19, 2017
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 The New York Times, "Comey, Unsettled by Trump, Is Said to Have Wanted Him Kept at a Distance," May 18, 2017
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 The Hill, "Rosenstein: I stand by Comey memo," May 19, 2017
- ↑ Politico, "Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein to brief senators Thursday on Comey's firing," May 15, 2017
- ↑ Twitter, "Donald J. Trump," May 18, 2017
- ↑ Politico, "Justice Dept. to appoint special prosecutor for Russia probe," May 17, 2017
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2 Politico, "Senate Intelligence Committee leaders demand Comey memos," May 17, 2017
- ↑ Twitter, "Jason Chaffetz," May 17, 2017
- ↑ Politico, "Graham invites Comey to testify before Senate panel," May 16, 2017
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 52.3 52.4 52.5 The New York Times, "Comey Memo Says Trump Asked Him to End Flynn Investigation," May 16, 2017
- ↑ 53.0 53.1 Reuters, "Comey declined offer to talk to Senate intel panel: MSNBC," May 12, 2017
- ↑ 54.0 54.1 54.2 54.3 Politico, "Trump says it was his call to fire ‘showboat’ Comey," May 11, 2017
- ↑ The Hill, "Acting FBI head contradicts White House: Comey had ‘broad support’ in FBI," May 11, 2017
- ↑ 56.0 56.1 The Hill, "Deputy AG Rosenstein says he's 'not quitting,'" May 11, 2017
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Inside Trump’s anger and impatience — and his sudden decision to fire Comey," May 10, 2017
- ↑ CNN, "First on CNN: Comey sends farewell letter to select FBI staff," May 10, 2017
- ↑ Politico, "Comey invited to testify before Senate panel," May 10, 2017
- ↑ CBS News, "Who is Andrew McCabe, acting director of the FBI?" May 9, 2017
- ↑ The Wall Street Journal, "Clinton Ally Aided Campaign of FBI Official’s Wife," October 24, 2015
- ↑ The Washington Post, "FBI Director James B. Comey's termination: Letters from the White House, Attorney General," May 10, 2017
- ↑ ProPublica.org, "James Comey’s Testimony on Huma Abedin Forwarding Emails Was Inaccurate," May 8, 2017
- ↑ CNN, "FBI issues 'supplement' to clarify Comey's incorrect congressional statement," May 9, 2017
- ↑ CNN, "Comey hearing: FBI chief defends 'right choice' on handling Clinton email probe," May 3, 2017
- ↑ 66.0 66.1 Reuters, "Comey had pushed for more resources for Russia probe before being fired by Trump: source," May 11, 2017
- ↑ 67.0 67.1 The New York Times, "F.B.I. Is Investigating Trump’s Russia Ties, Comey Confirms," March 20, 2017
- ↑ The New York Times, "Trump Campaign Aides Had Repeated Contacts With Russian Intelligence," February 14, 2017
- ↑ The Hill, "National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigns," accessed February 13, 2017
- ↑ 70.0 70.1 70.2 70.3 NBC News, "My Dinner With Comey: Clapper, Others Dispute Trump Account of Meeting With FBI Director," May 12, 2017
- ↑ The Hill, "Trump threatens Comey: Better hope there are no tapes," May 12, 2017
- ↑ The New York Times, "Comey Letter on Clinton Email Is Subject of Justice Dept. Inquiry," January 12, 2017
- ↑ USA Today, "Read the full text of James Comey’s letter on the new Clinton emails," November 6, 2016
- ↑ The New York Times, "Emails in Anthony Weiner Inquiry Jolt Hillary Clinton’s Campaign," October 28, 2016
- ↑ FBI.gov, "Statement by FBI Director James B. Comey on the Investigation of Secretary Hillary Clinton’s Use of a Personal E-Mail System," July 5, 2016
- ↑ The New York Times, "Loretta Lynch to Accept F.B.I. Recommendations in Clinton Email Inquiry," July 1, 2016
- ↑ CNN, "Bill Clinton meeting causes headaches for Hillary," June 30, 2016
- ↑ The Washington Post, "FBI looking into the security of Hillary Clinton’s private e-mail setup," August 4, 2015
| |||||||||||||||||||
