(CNN) — The bizarre saga of President Donald Trump‘s claims that he was wiretapped by President Barack Obama last year reaches a dramatic climax Monday with FBI Director James Comey’s testimony to the House Intelligence Committee.
It’s a moment of political theater that could end in humiliation for Trump, with Comey expected to say that there was no wiretapping, debunking allegations that Trump has repeatedly refused to withdraw.
The hearing could also shed light on the state of FBI investigations into the extent of Russian meddling in the election campaign. Republicans hope Comey will state that there is no evidence of collusion between Trump aides and officials from Moscow, a move that could begin to break up a cloud of Russian intrigue that has stifled the early weeks of the administration.
Trump was trying to shift attention away from the wiretapping claims in a series of Monday morning tweets.
“James Clapper and others stated that there is no evidence Potus colluded with Russia. This story is FAKE NEWS and everyone knows it!” Trump wrote shortly after 6:30 a.m. ET, followed by: “The Democrats made up and pushed the Russian story as an excuse for running a terrible campaign. Big advantage in Electoral College & lost!”
Watch Live: House hearing on Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election
The controversy over the wiretapping claims was unleashed by stunning early morning tweets from the President at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida two weeks ago. He drew parallels to Watergate and McCarthyism and said Obama was a “Bad (or sick) guy!” for ordering surveillance of his New York residence — allegations the former president quickly denied through a spokesman.
https://twitter.com/Evan_McMullin/status/843936977036677127
https://twitter.com/DavidCornDC/status/843910949681664001
https://twitter.com/latimes/status/843965394780127233
https://twitter.com/JoyAnnReid/status/843897418680811520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
WARN
James Comey testified to Congress today about the FBI’s investigations of Donald Trump. Apparently, Trump’s treasonous cabal has been the subject of an active investigation since at least July of last year. Yet, Comey–a Republican–chose to publicly discuss the non-scandal involving Hillary Clinton’s emails and thus influence the election in favor of Donald Trump.
SNIP
Trump will survive. His cadre will continue their effort to destroy the United States government from within unabated. He is a post modern president. Truth no longer applies. The BBC had a great short video on this new reality and how a framework developed to speak back to and undermine Power has now been repurposed in service of it.
Thoughts or predictions about Comey, Trump, and what comes next?
http://www.chaunceydevega.com/2017/03/the-postmodern-president-will-survive.html
https://twitter.com/DavidCornDC/status/843915751811702788?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/funder/status/843870533687099393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
From BJ:
https://twitter.com/lrozen/status/843905919503208449
https://twitter.com/JohnJHarwood/status/843905476584706048
Gowdy is a piece of work here. He doesn’t want the truth to come out. He is fiercely fighting against it. #ComeyHearing
https://twitter.com/3ChicsPolitico/status/843900991745347584
Comey: Trump lied about Obama wiretap and we are investigating potential Russian treason
GOP reps: Who leaked our treason?
#ComeyHearing— Todd Temkin (@ToddTemkin) March 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/ShaunKing/status/843892361155526657
https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/843865267008655360
https://twitter.com/AhmedBaba_/status/843866236526256129
https://twitter.com/funder/status/843884185010016256
https://twitter.com/ProfDeanMiller/status/843874613897641989
https://twitter.com/MSNBC/status/843886668381851648
Well, I guess I was wrong. I thought it would take the Birther King at least six months to commit an impeachable offense. He did it in less than two.
Jeff Sessions has to go as AG. And then lock him up.
https://twitter.com/ClimateTalker/status/843876013260132352
https://twitter.com/AndreaChalupa/status/843868250102362112
https://twitter.com/foreignpolicy77/status/843862483190382592
https://twitter.com/BBCBreaking/status/843861692140412928
Just look at this idiot…
https://twitter.com/JohnJHarwood/status/843871118574473217
https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/843863057516380161
https://twitter.com/thehill/status/843820186742525952
https://twitter.com/Amy_Siskind/status/843845780658159616
https://twitter.com/Amy_Siskind/status/843844900135325696
#MichaelFlynn should be in jail. #ComeyHearing
https://twitter.com/maggieNYT/status/843856639274991616
https://twitter.com/goldengateblond/status/843854097497300992
https://twitter.com/MalcolmNance/status/843856110079696896
https://twitter.com/Deemoney521/status/843854968763420674
https://twitter.com/MalcolmNance/status/843853835525406722
https://twitter.com/TheDailyEdge/status/843852586927226880
STFU Gowdy!
Now can we dispense with this charade of proving Trump’s a LIAR about PBO alleged wiretapping of Trump Tower?
Enough of this BULLSHIT, COMEY & Company. Investigate Trump & his RUSSIAN CONNECTIONS.
https://twitter.com/MalcolmNance/status/843849811157811200
https://twitter.com/RogerJStoneJr/status/843847938828881923
@Stone, I’m sure you’re going to use the next 2 days to prepare your LIES to defend against the TRUTH of your “Collusion with RUSSIANS.”
https://twitter.com/jaketapper/status/843846480939094016
https://twitter.com/MalcolmNance/status/843848759108952064
https://twitter.com/jaketapper/status/843843717144502273
Roger Stone’s name keeps ringing like a bell during #ComeyHearing
Stone’s going to be the FALL GUY?
@TGowdySC seems to want a pound of flesh from leakers more than Russia interfering with our elections. What’s up with that? #ComeyHearing
https://twitter.com/MalcolmNance/status/843845715520606210
https://twitter.com/csdickey/status/843840803013300224
https://twitter.com/MalcolmNance/status/843839935811649536
Remember…
Nunes has RUSSIAN BUSINESS PARTNERS WITH TIES TO PUTIN.
Remember, Nunes was on the Trump transition team, strongly defended Mike Flynn, and did public relations on the Trump White House’s orders.
https://twitter.com/BostonGlobe/status/843836248125071360
James Comey on Trump wiretapping claims: “I have no information that supports those tweets.” #ComeyHearing
https://twitter.com/justinhendrix/status/843838096559034368
https://twitter.com/McFaul/status/830156591173230592
Watch Live: House hearing on Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election
https://twitter.com/rafalhill/status/843831650945568768
https://twitter.com/esaagar/status/843833865441558528
https://twitter.com/BBCJonSopel/status/843827806089990145
Breaking…
https://twitter.com/TheAPJournalist/status/843832735152070665
https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/843825494726533120
https://twitter.com/BBCJonSopel/status/843831306966458368
https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/843830551312121857
https://twitter.com/tommyxtopher/status/843827195789361152