#SenateIntelHearing | James Comey Testimony

Posted on June 8, 2017 by SouthernGirl2

President Trump demanded “loyalty” from former FBI Director James B. Comey and asked him to drop at least part of the bureau’s investigation of former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn, Comey plans to testify to Congress Thursday.

In a prepared statement posted on the Senate Intelligence Committee website, Comey says that in a private dinner with Trump on Jan. 27, the president asked him if he wanted to remain as head of the FBI and told him “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,” Comey says. He told Trump that he could promise “honesty,” he says.

When Trump responded “honest loyalty,” Comey said “you will get that from me.” The two men may have “understood the phrase ‘honest loyalty’ differently,” he said.

The testimony, largely confirms media reports about the content of memos that Comey wrote after his meetings with Trump.

But going beyond those previous accounts, the testimony, describing nine one-on-one conversations between Comey and Trump paints a picture of a president intensely focused on having the FBI publicly say that he, personally, was not under investigation.

About SouthernGirl2

A Native Texan who adores baby kittens, loves horses, rodeos, pomegranates, & collect Eagles. Enjoys politics, games shows, & dancing to all types of music. Loves discussing and learning about different cultures. A Phi Theta Kappa lifetime member with a passion for Social & Civil Justice.
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172 Responses to #SenateIntelHearing | James Comey Testimony

  2. vitaminlover says:
    June 10, 2017 at 11:32 pm

    I truly believe chimp is borderline retarded. Looking at his eyes and how they are placed and those facial expressions if one can call them that.

    Reply
  11. rikyrah says:
    June 9, 2017 at 12:40 pm

    Did Rubio trade the integrity of U.S. for a Cuba-policy shift from Trump?
    BY FABIOLA SANTIAGO

    It may be hard to fathom outside of Miami, but the faraway island of Cuba and Cuban-American politics could have played a role in Thursday’s historic hearing of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election.

    Did the influential Republican senator from Miami on the committee, Marco Rubio, trade the integrity of this country for the pledge of a U.S. policy shift on Cuba from President Donald Trump? The optics — and the timing of a yet unscheduled visit by Trump to Miami to announce a rollback advocated by Rubio of President Barack Obama’s engagement policy — certainly make it seem that way.

    Before Rubio’s intervention, the testimony by former FBI director James Comey had grown impressively damning to President Trump in the same manner a steady, thoughtful, and detail-oriented prosecutor builds a case.

    Comey testified that, in a series of uncomfortable conversations before Trump fired him, the president had given him high praise and demanded loyalty. Trump made it known to him that he wanted the criminal investigation into National Security Adviser Michael Flynn dropped and the “cloud” of the investigation into Trump’s campaign ties to Russian interference “lifted,” Comey said.

    There’s no understating the moment — it was grave.

    Obstruction of justice easily came to mind — but then, it was Rubio’s turn to ask Comey questions.

    Or, more like it, to turn Comey’s testimony around and ask rhetorical questions that inserted doubt into Comey’s candid revelations. Rubio shifted the attention from Trump to leaks to the media. As for information, Rubio seemed most interested in getting Comey to publicly admit that President Trump “was not personally under investigation” than in obtaining any new evidence for the Senate investigation.

    It was as if Rubio — who has become a fixture at the White House and has voted to confirm all of Trump’s controversial appointments — was acting as Trump’s defense attorney instead of as member of a bipartisan committee investigating crucial national security issues.

    Reply
  14. rikyrah says:
    June 9, 2017 at 11:59 am

    Found this at BJ:

    Mike in DC says:
    June 9, 2017 at 12:21 pm
    Contra Kasowitz, Mueller is assembling the legal team equivalent of the 2017 Golden State Warriors. Though it seems like Alan Dershowitz and Jonathan Turley are auditioning for Team Trump

    Reply
  20. rikyrah says:
    June 9, 2017 at 10:07 am

    Trying to get DOJ to go after Comey –a material witness– over “leak” is yet more obstruction of Justice.— Richard W. Painter (@RWPUSA) June 9, 2017

    Reply
  21. SouthernGirl2 says:
    June 9, 2017 at 10:00 am

    What leaks? They were his personal notes. Another buffoon on full display.

    https://twitter.com/TPM/status/873190698236956672

    Reply
    • rikyrah says:
      June 9, 2017 at 10:11 am

      They REALLY don’t understand the position they’re in.

      They think Comey is one of the contractors that they can just sue until they give up.
      This is his personal attorney, and this has been his MO.
      They REALLY do think that they can do this.
      They don’t understand that this is a whole other ballgame.
      Comey’s not some subcontractor.
      And, he’s not playing with you.

      Reply
  23. SouthernGirl2 says:
    June 9, 2017 at 9:51 am

    Stay focused, people. Thug has played this game his whole life. Comey was a private citizen. Information not classified. No there there!

    https://twitter.com/danmericaCNN/status/873159801773195266

    Reply
  29. rikyrah says:
    June 9, 2017 at 9:13 am

    THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW 6/8/17
    Trump lawyer botches NYTimes Comey memo timeline
    Michael Schmidt, New York Times reporter whose work was central to today’s Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, talks with Rachel Maddow about how Donald Trump’s lawyer got the Comey memo timeline wrong in his accusation against the New York Times.

    Reply
  30. rikyrah says:
    June 9, 2017 at 9:12 am

    THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW 6/8/17
    Largely corroborated report under fire at Comey hearing
    Rachel Maddow shows how a New York Times story criticized as false by James Comey is largely corroborated by other news outlets’ reporting as well as Senate testimony by former DNI James Clapper. So what is he saying they got wrong?

    Reply
  31. rikyrah says:
    June 9, 2017 at 9:10 am

    THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW 6/8/17
    Comey testimony fortifies Trump obstruction case
    Rachel Maddow looks at how former FBI Director James Comey’s testimony in the Senate raised questions about A.G. Jeff Sessions, and created a serious obstruction of justice evidence problem for Donald Trump.

    Reply
  32. rikyrah says:
    June 9, 2017 at 8:27 am

    (THREAD) The GOP falsely says today was a win for Trump. In fact, here are some of the BOMBSHELLS that emerged from James Comey’s testimony. pic.twitter.com/5qg9Mrgpcp

    — Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) June 8, 2017

    (2) The brass at the FBI, based on classified intel, decided AG Sessions COULD NOT participate in the Russia probe OR get key intel from it.

    — Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) June 8, 2017

    (4) Comey told Trump he WASN’T under *counter-intelligence* investigation but KNEW that that assessment could well change—and STILL might.

    — Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) June 8, 2017

    (6) Not only did Comey take ON-SITE NOTES about Trump’s Obstruction, and testify about it UNDER OATH, he INVITES Trump releasing ANY tapes.

    — Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) June 8, 2017

    (8) A lawyer himself, Comey has GRAVE concerns on HOW, WHETHER, and WHY AG Sessions remained involved in the Russia probe AFTER his recusal.

    — Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) June 8, 2017

    (10) When Trump decided to OBSTRUCT the Flynn investigation he was going ROGUE—as he’d told NO ONE (even Kushner or his DNI) about his plan.

    — Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) June 8, 2017

    (12) Comey’s recollection of these events is SO IRONCLAD he knew who sat where, which doors he used—SO MUCH DETAIL he CANNOT be impeached.

    — Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) June 8, 2017

    (14) There is SUBSTANTIAL evidence that OTHER witnesses not yet called—Sessions, Kushner, and Priebus—KNEW Trump was acting inappropriately.

    — Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) June 8, 2017

    (16) The former FBI Director thought the U.S. president intended to—and was in a POSITION to—”infect” (his words) a MAJOR FBI investigation.

    — Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) June 8, 2017

    (18) Of the THOUSANDS of open FBI investigations, the ONLY one Trump ever asked his FBI Director about was an investigation of HIS campaign.

    — Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) June 8, 2017

    (20) Trump’s OWN TWEETS—especially one described on this feed as “witness tampering”—led to the appointment of a Special Counsel by the DOJ.

    — Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) June 8, 2017

    (BONUS) The MI6-derived Steele Dossier, SUBSTANTIAL sections of which have been independently CONFIRMED, is UNDER INVESTIGATION by the FBI.

    — Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) June 8, 2017

    Reply
  33. eliihass says:
    June 8, 2017 at 11:16 pm

    The whole world is watching mouth agape, as some in America fret, and with a straight face, exasperatedly demand that the incurious, incompetent, ignorant, conniving, deceitful, corrupt, hollow, treasonous buffoon, aided and abetted and illegitimately installed by Russia, do a better job of using his much touted wily skills to hide his con and treasonous actions..

    These folks are not upset that the buffoon willfully committed/is committing all manner of brazen crimes including treason, they only wish he’d do a better job of the art of the con…of hiding it all…be more ‘smooth’ and ‘dignified’ while he perpetrates his con and treasonous crimes…Like, dressing up his vapid, lying, plagiarizing, uneducated, imported, gold-digging birther 3rd wife in designer clothes, falsely declare that she speaks 5 languages – when she barely speaks discernible English, and obviously doesn’t speak any other language besides her native tongue …and with the internet awash with tons of her sleazy nudes, have her – exaggerated silicone bits and surgically altered and stretched face on full display – faultily read the Lord’s Prayer, ‘hug’ a solitary black kid placed right next to her for a highly-choreographed photo-op, and voila! instantly declare her ‘classy’, ‘caring’ and ‘respectable’…

    All these exasperated folks really want is to quickly normalize and force-feed Americans and the world this fraudulent buffoon, and get on with their agenda….which is to focus their efforts on using his ‘working digits’ to sign and push through the many dubious wicked laws, tax breaks, privatization of thriving and profitable government-owned institutions, multiple deregulation and arms deals etc. that they’re desperate for..

    When you hear these exasperated folks keep talking and writing op-eds…not about removing this illegitimate treasonous buffoon, but unbelievably, about how the buffoon’s ‘tweeting’ and ‘lack of discipline’ is distracting from his ‘agenda’….what they really mean is, *their* agenda…

    They have plans, and country be damned, they intend to carry it out…and they’ll make the best use of the treasonous buffoon and see it all the way through…even if it kills them – and the rest of us..

    Reply
  38. SouthernGirl2 says:
    June 8, 2017 at 9:39 pm

    He’s such a lying thug. I loathe this mofo with everything in me….

    https://twitter.com/BraddJaffy/status/872983672160485376

    Reply
  47. rikyrah says:
    June 8, 2017 at 9:06 pm

    all the pundits trying to grade the inadequate White Man in the White House ON A CURVE….

    Here’s what you call breaking it down to the muthaphuckin’ fraction by Pookey with the gold teeth.

    ” In the Dope Game, it’s called CONSPIRACY”

    https://twitter.com/plies/status/872956528378204160?

    Reply
  48. eliihass says:
    June 8, 2017 at 7:49 pm

    Wonders shall never seize..

    Vexed Jonathan Thurley suddenly hates ‘leaks’ now…? LOL..

    Really..? Really, Mr Thurley..?

    What really gives with Bob Woodward, Alan Dershowitz, Jonathan Thurley et al..

    It wouldn’t matter much if we all hadn’t been paying attention all these years to their various intense faux-righteous outrage and dubious shenanigans that now mostly contradicts their sudden running interference on behalf of the buffoon…

    Reply
    • Ametia says:
      June 8, 2017 at 7:54 pm

      I LOATHE Turley. The hate he has for President Obama was & still is sooo TRANPARENT. Screw Woodward and that Zionist Dershowitz.

      Reply
      • eliihass says:
        June 8, 2017 at 8:13 pm

        I loathe him too…And mostly for the very same reason Ametia..

        Remember when he was the go to resource for, and a permanent fixture on Rachel Maddow’s show..? But Rachel’s seen the light now, and I bet she cringes at the thought that she helped create this monster by propping him up on her show…I remember how much Keith Olbermann hated Turley..

        For years, Turley and Bob Woodward where so obsessive in their anti-Obama spewing and their hate was palpable …

        It’s really something watching these same opportunistic, bitter, jealous, alt-right, faux-patriots/faux-scholars and faux-keepers of the ‘constitution’ and our ‘democracy’, now suddenly alternately defending and demurring in the face of actual treason…And effusively defending and actually running serious interference on behalf of greedy Russian-owned traitors actually perpetrating some serious treasonous stuff right now..

        Reply
    • Ametia says:
      June 8, 2017 at 8:18 pm

      you’d think Woodward would have some semblance of decorum in such matters, but NOPE, he straddles the fence between being o fucking self-righteous and boot-licking these filthy, lying, racists, greedy, power-hungry fucks. I.CAN’T

      Reply
  49. Ametia says:
    June 8, 2017 at 7:22 pm

    Dan Rather: Comey put DAGGER near Keebler Elf-CaC Sessions’ HEART today. LMBAO

    Joy Reid: He’s a marked TARGET

    Reply
  50. Ametia says:
    June 8, 2017 at 7:00 pm

    get the living FUCK.ALL.THE.WAY OUTTA HERE, Granny-starving, zombie-eyed, Eddie Munster Ryan. We’re not buying the “trump aint know nothin’ bout how to be president.”

    Reply
    • eliihass says:
      June 8, 2017 at 8:58 pm

      Hopefully, Paul Ryan and his self-serving, cowardly, weak, unpatriotic b*tt, has now being sufficiently exposed for all to see, as the hollow loser he really is…And there are no more GOP-think-tank purveyors and their oligarch-benefactors left still cheerleading this empty shell of a politician now…

      The idea that this soulless, vacuous, zero-weight has been touted for years as some serious ‘wonk’ and budding ‘star’ by the republicans, can only make those of us who always saw through the crap, chuckle..

      Hopefully, we don’t sleep on that other slimy opportunist Ben Sasse…I see him meandering his transparently slick, hardened, soulless, entitled, self-aggrandizing, alt-right behind, in and out of so-called ‘liberal’ circles…with so-called ‘liberal’ folks yucking it up with him …

      The guy is very much equal parts Paul Ryan, Tom Cotton, and Tucker Carlson…and his being ‘against’ the buffoon should not confuse folks…he’s still supported and voted for every last evil the buffoon and his alt-right cohorts support and have put forward…

      I was quite amused watching folks confused about why Sasse laughed and ‘did and said nothing’ when the Bill Maher N-word exchange happened last week…And I’m thinking, are folks really seriously confused about who this soulless republican opportunistic twerp is..

      Even with Maher’s transgressions, he’s still a far cry from this hardened, alt-right, soulless, Nebraskan republican …

      Hopefully, even as we are aligned with some so-called ‘moderate’/’sensible’ republicans in wanting the treasonous buffoon and his cohorts thrown out of the People’s House, we must never lose sight of the fact that that is where our common interests start and end…

      Beyond that, their agenda is as far from ours and mostly still in line with much of what they’re trying to use the buffoon’s ‘working digits’ to sign off on…Their only problem is that the indisciplined, impulsive, dumb, megalomaniac buffoon unnerves them…and they’d rather have a more stable, soulless, evil, but reliable republican believer robot like Pence, in his place…they need someone who nods, follows instruction well, recites prescribed talking points well, and pretty much stays in his lane and does just as he’s told..

      Reply
  51. Ametia says:
    June 8, 2017 at 6:38 pm

    5 Clues James Comey Just Left Behind
    The ex-FBI director hinted the Trump-Russia investigation could be bigger than previously thought.
    Noah Shachtman
    Spencer Ackerman
    06.08.17 4:08 PM ET

    SNIP

    Mike Check
    Vice President Mike Pence has been portrayed as the main victim of Michael Flynn’s perfidy for lying to him about his call with Kislyak about sanctions. However, Comey said it’s his “understanding” that Pence was aware of the concerns surrounding Flynn prior to or during his tenure as national security adviser. Those concerns included Flynn’s non-disclosure of his lobbying on behalf of Turkey and his payment for a speech to Kremlin-owned network RT. Rep. Elijah Cummings sent a letter to the Trump transition team on Nov. 18 — the day Flynn was announced as national security adviser — informing them of Flynn’s foreign problems. Pence was the head of the transition team, but despite that has claimed he was unaware Flynn was a non-registered foreign agent until Flynn registered with the Justice Department in May.

    And it’s not just Pence. Questions also surround what and when CIA Director Mike Pompeo knew about Flynn – whom Comey confirmed on Thursday has been under active criminal investigation.
    That investigation stemmed from Flynn lying to FBI agents about his conversations with Kislyak, something that then-acting attorney general Sally Yates first warned the White House about on January 26. Yates’ concern, she would later testify, is that the national security adviser was vulnerable to Russian blackmail, the most serious counterintelligence concern a senior U.S. official can face. Yates testified that her concerns were discussed within the U.S. intelligence community. One of the officials who might be expected to have been looped in on that is CIA director Pompeo.
    On May 11, during Senate testimony, Pompeo told Wyden he had no “first-hand” knowledge of Yates’ concerns – nor even any “second-hand or third-hand knowledge of that conversation either.”
    But Comey suggested otherwise on Thursday when Wyden asked if Yates’ fears about Flynn would have been discussed with “anyone at the CIA or Dan Coats’ office, the DNI?”
    Comey was far from definitive, but nevertheless answered: “I would assume, yes.”

    http://www.thedailybeast.com/5-clues-comey-just-left-behind?via=newsletter&source=DDAfternoon

    Reply
    • Ametia says:
      June 8, 2017 at 6:56 pm

      The LIE that #45′ cabal put out about CaC session & orange PO #45 on the outs was as true as my wanting the good old day of jim crow to return!

      Reply
  55. Liza says:
    June 8, 2017 at 5:24 pm

    James Comey certainly has a lot of faith in Robert Mueller, so at this point we just have to hope that he’s right.

    This f***ery has got to end.

    Reply
  56. rikyrah says:
    June 8, 2017 at 2:59 pm

    Kamala Harris: “The oath was to the Constitution of the U.S. Not to an individual. It’s completely inappropriate.”” pic.twitter.com/tDvc5zarLv

    — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) June 8, 2017

    Reply
    • Ametia says:
      June 8, 2017 at 3:16 pm

      Speak! And ALWAYS remember, the rabid #45 base is touted to make it appear they’re his only loyal supporters. BULLSHIT, the ENTIRE GOP supports this shithead, because he is helping them dismantle our DEMOCRACY, OUR BASIC HUMAN & CIVIL RIGHTS.

      Reply
  57. rikyrah says:
    June 8, 2017 at 2:55 pm

    Comey: Reasonable to ask why Sessions, who should have recused himself, was nonetheless involved in my firing. #ComeyHearing

    — Sarah Kendzior (@sarahkendzior) June 8, 2017

    My thread explaining why Trump admin was faking Trump/Sessions feud in advance of Comey hearing https://t.co/d1WTY4F6dz #ComeyHearing

    — Sarah Kendzior (@sarahkendzior) June 8, 2017

    Reply
  58. rikyrah says:
    June 8, 2017 at 2:44 pm

    FBI’s Comey raises the stakes in Trump’s Russia scandal
    06/08/17 01:59 PM
    By Steve Benen

    It was a day much of the political world had circled on its calendar, and for good reason. As the investigation into Donald Trump’s Russia scandal intensifies, former FBI Director James Comey gave sworn testimony this morning before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

    And what, pray tell, did we learn? Quite a bit, actually.

    1. Comey thinks Trump is a liar. Comey’s opening statement called out Trump for making “plain and simple” lies about the FBI, and his testimony made multiple references to Comey’s concerns about the president’s habit of dishonesty, including the explanation about his contemporaneous memos: “I was honestly concerned that he might lie about the nature of our meeting.”

    This may not have been surprising on a substantive level, but to hear a former FBI director give sworn testimony that the president cannot be trusted to tell the truth struck me as amazing.

    2. Obstruction. Asked about Trump’s possible obstruction of justice, which seems more obvious now than ever, Comey twice said that was up to the special counsel, saying it’s a question Bob Mueller and his will “will work toward.” I’d love some additional clarity: did that mean the special counsel could explore alleged obstruction or is already in the process of investigating alleged obstruction?

    Also note, Comey said Trump’s request about the investigation into Mike Flynn is of “investigative interest” to the FBI, which probably isn’t what the White House wanted to hear.

    3. Consider the partisan wagons circled. Those hoping Senate Republicans might eventually break with the White House’s preferred script will apparently have to wait for some other day. GOP senators didn’t defend Trump, per se, but their questions once again proved that tribal loyalties outweigh practically every other consideration, Trump’s 34% approval rating be damned.

    4. Comey made news about Sessions. One of the questions that emerged yesterday is why Comey assumed Attorney General Jeff Sessions would have to recuse himself from the Russia investigation. Comey testified today that Sessions’ role would’ve been “problematic” for reasons the former FBI director couldn’t discuss publicly. That’s a big deal.

    Reply
  59. eliihass says:
    June 8, 2017 at 2:38 pm

    All these greasy mediocre old men who can barely read, but think they’re really slick …and wrestle in the mud for any semblance of a ‘win’…and yet, they are touted as big-time ‘somethings’…

    Someone please wake me up when Mueller concludes this assignment …With all the evidence that would have indicted anyone else, there’s still all this hedging and hemming and hawing that’s now bordering on the ridiculous…

    This whole thing is beyond exhausting …like being stuck in mud with wheels spinning ..

    Comey like Clapper – both republicans – have for whatever reason both chosen to downplay this whole thing whenever they appear before the Senate/congressional committee….even as they are much more certain and effusive …and sounding serious alarm bells, when in other venues…

    What gives…

    Now the greasy New York lawyer cherry-picks and spins Comey’s assertions that he saw nothing implicating the buffoon, and the fact that he thrice reassured the buffoon that he was not personally ‘under investigation’…and sleazily now tries to turn the tables on Comey..

    The buffoon is unabashedly smearing you and you show up at this open hearing with the whole world watching, and play coy still..? 🙄🙄

    Clapper like Comey wouldn’t come right out and call a spade a spade when he too appeared before the committee…then turned around and in a speech in Australia, made all these damning assertions – including comparing the shenanigans to WaterGate on steroids…

    But at least Clapper enthusiastically sent in his resignation before the buffoon and his cohorts ever moved in…

    The only pass I give Comey is for how he unabashedly loves his wife of 30 years…I’m a sucker for a faithful and devoted hubby who after all these years, still takes his wife on dates, and has no problem declaring to the world that he thoroughly enjoys spending time with his wife…I recall when Comey was first announced as the next FBI Chief, how he unabashedly declared his love and gratitude for his wife and credited her with whatever people see as good about him…Awwww…

    For that unabashed love for his wife of 30 years, he gets a reprieve from my annoyance…

    But can Mueller please chop-chop with it..

    Or more appropriately, Побыстрее..

    The longer this plays out, the more even bizarrely Orwellian it all gets …and the more alternative facts are spun to weaken hard evidence …and to pertinently, easily ‘deceive’ or solidify buy-in with the alt-right masses and the gullible…

    Someone please tell McCain and his fellow republicans that the most disturbing Orwellian scenes playing out, are those that feature Elaine Chao aka Mrs McConnell, shamelessly yucking it up and carrying on with the treasonous buffoon in her pretend-capacity as member of his pretend-cabinet …even as her sleazy hubby insists and pretends to be serious about ‘getting to the bottom of the treasonous collusion and interference by a hostile foreign government’ that installed the buffoon that his wife now unapologetically works for…🙄🤔

    Reply
  61. rikyrah says:
    June 8, 2017 at 2:13 pm

    Good comment from BJ:

    D58826 says:
    June 8, 2017 at 1:51 pm
    As I watch all of this a number of thoughts.
    1. In one sense collusion between Trump/others and the Russians is the lesser issue. We can send Flynn/Manafort/etc to jail but the that doesn’t fix the problem.
    2. The larger and more dangerous issue was/is Russian interference in our elections in all of its many facets. Even if no one in the Trump campaign talked to ANY Russian our elections were still compromised.
    3. There are multiple investigations of varying degrees of credibility.
    4. We have to restructure/harden our electoral systems so that the Russians cannot meddle. The former Russian ambassador McFaul is talking about this right now.
    5. At least in public these congressional investigations seem to be rather scattershot in how questions are asked. A member has 5-7 minutes to ask a feew questions with little or no followup. Each critter has his own little list and there is usually no co-ordination
    6. I’m remembering the Watergate hearings in which the majority counsel Sam Dash developed a line of questioning and took as much time as necessary to get the information out. The minority counsel (former Sen. Fred Thompson if I remember) would then put on the defense presentation. So we had days of John Dean and the guy who revealed the taping system.
    7., So this is why I think we need a joint/bipartisan congressional committee or independent commission. Getting to the bottom of what happened in 2016 is important but even more important is putting together the necessary legislation/agencies/etc to prevent Russian interference in the future is even more important. And that is not being done. And I don’t see the GOP going along with the first part let alone the second.

    Reply
  62. Ametia says:
    June 8, 2017 at 2:13 pm

    Has he come for Pence, the DANGEROUS DUNCE yet?

    Reply
  65. Ametia says:
    June 8, 2017 at 1:52 pm

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnUXcjvFWRg

    “LORDY, I HOPE THERE ARE TAPES.”

    Reply
  66. eliihass says:
    June 8, 2017 at 1:29 pm

    Riiiighhhttt, Andy Card, the buffoon is just so naive and ‘unschooled’ in the ways of government…not at all Machiavellian in the least..

    If only someone had ‘schooled’ the poor old ‘naive’ old man..

    🙄🙄

    Reply
  70. rikyrah says:
    June 8, 2017 at 12:07 pm

    Increasingly looking like the RNC put together the best 60-person rapid response team available at minimum wage. https://t.co/vWXLuZY5xM— David Frum (@davidfrum) June 8, 2017

    Reply
    • Ametia says:
      June 8, 2017 at 1:46 pm

      SENILE & IRRELEVANT. ALWAYS remember he unleashed the SNOW HO’ on us.

      Reply
    • Liza says:
      June 8, 2017 at 5:21 pm

      We Zonies are asking that very question, SG2.

      I watched John’s interrogation of James Comey and it was painful. The old boy was clearly struggling and couldn’t seem to grasp the difference between the FBI investigation of Hillary’s private email server and the FBI investigation of the Russian involvement in the presidential election. He seemed to think it was unfair to Trump that Hillary’s investigation was over but this Russian thing had not ended and he called this a “double standard”.

      Well, the old boy was just re-elected and it does appear he should have retired instead.

      Reply
  73. rikyrah says:
    June 8, 2017 at 11:38 am

    THANKS for these threads. I can’t watch, but I’m following it via threads like this on different blogs.

    Reply
  74. yahtzeebutterfly says:
    June 8, 2017 at 11:37 am

    SG2, thanks for your hard work at keeping us informed and up-to-date on the hearing. I just came inside and really appreciate all the info you have posted here.

    Reply
  82. SouthernGirl2 says:
    June 8, 2017 at 11:02 am

    https://twitter.com/OversightDems/status/872838615470149632

    Reply
  83. Ametia says:
    June 8, 2017 at 10:50 am

    Even with all the testimony from Comey, what is the likelihood of GOP bringing obstruction charges & impeachment on #45?

    If #45 is allowed to skate away from collusion/obstruction, aiding and abetting a foreign entity as a sitting president, it will be the BIGGEST FUCK YOU to American democracy ever.

    RACISM, WHITE SUPREMACY IS ALIVE & THRIVING IN AMERICA.

    Reply
    • Liza says:
      June 8, 2017 at 11:51 am

      We have to take back the House and Sentate in 2018. Mueller’s investigation will be going on for awhile, 2018 is about right. Should be the first order of business when the new Congress is seated in 2019. That is the ONLY way it happens.

      Reply
  95. SouthernGirl2 says:
    June 8, 2017 at 10:23 am

    *rubs hands* They have all the goods, the receipts on Jeff Sessions.

    https://twitter.com/TheDailyEdge/status/872834772078407681

    Reply
  110. rikyrah says:
    June 8, 2017 at 9:51 am

    Coded: “Release the Kraken, FBI colleagues.”— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) June 8, 2017

    Reply
  117. rikyrah says:
    June 8, 2017 at 9:05 am

    GOP senators admonish Dem for persistent questioning
    Associated Press
    By MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press

    WASHINGTON — The Republican chairman of the Senate intelligence committee admonished California Sen. Kamala Harris, along with other Democrats, and asked her to be more respectful Wednesday as she pressed top intelligence chiefs testifying before the panel.

    Harris was questioning Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, asking him if he would send a letter to Special Counsel Robert Mueller giving him complete independence in his probe into possible ties between President Donald Trump’s campaign and Russia.

    The exchange was tense, with Harris interrupting Rosenstein as he started to say there wasn’t enough time to explain the answer. When she asked for a yes or no answer, he demurred, and she said, “either you are willing to do that or not.”

    Republican Sen. John McCain first interjected, out of turn, with a plea to the committee chairman, Sen. Richard Burr: “Mr. Chairman, they should be allowed to answer the question.”

    As the exchange between Harris and Rosenstein continued, Burr interjected and asked Harris to suspend.

    Reply
  118. rikyrah says:
    June 8, 2017 at 8:59 am

    THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW 6/7/17
    Case for Trump ‘obstruction of justice’ strengthens
    Nancy Gertner, former U.S. federal judge, talks with Rachel Maddow about whether the pressure Donald Trump exerted to end the FBI investigation into Mike Flynn was merely awkward or actually illegal.

    Reply
  119. rikyrah says:
    June 8, 2017 at 8:58 am

    THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW 6/7/17
    ‘Watergate-level’: Sen Wyden on Trump actions in Comey testimony
    Senator Ron Wyden, member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, calls James Comey’s description Donald Trump’s effort to quash the investigation into Mike Flynn “Watergate-level material.”

    Reply
  120. rikyrah says:
    June 8, 2017 at 8:57 am

    THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW 6/7/17
    Four key points in Comey’s opening statement to Senate Intel
    Rachel Maddow reviews some of the key points in former FBI Director James Comey’s opening statement to the Senate Intelligence Committee before his testimony Thursday.

    Reply
  121. rikyrah says:
    June 8, 2017 at 8:54 am

    THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW 6/7/17
    Trump officials refuse to answer Senate questions about Trump
    Rachel Maddow shows how top Trump intelligence officials refused to answer questions about Donald Trump trying to stop the Mike Flynn investigation, even though they had no legal justification for refusing to answer.

    Reply
  122. rikyrah says:
    June 8, 2017 at 8:43 am

    Found at BJ. Absolutely ON POINT:

    Valued commenter Ruemara eloquently described this reality in a thread yesterday:

    Let’s get honest. There isn’t a damned thing that would get the GOP to impeach this American fascist regime. They could (and are) very much implicated in colluding with a foreign power, they’ve already been shown to be undermining fair & free elections in America and every newspaper could have bombshell testimony that Trump gave the nuclear codes, and the NSA wifi password to Russia and Saudi Arabia and all the GOP would do is justify it. Not to mention that fuckheaded base of craven peasants that are key.

    They are going to crack down on voting in the black, latino and young communities. Meanwhile, Dems and progressives are still humping Wilmer’s leg. We need your help to get us our votes. There is no savior coming out of these hearings. We need to know, but the work is not about knowing this. It was obvious from last May. Systemic voter suppression is why Clinton lost. Illegal voter tampering aided, but it wouldn’t have worked without the blind eye to local seats endemic to liberal & progressive voters and failure to act with full force on getting people registered, and out to vote.

    If I sound angry, you’re goddamned right. Watching yet another person of color get choked to near death on video because the husband(!) of an off-duty sheriff felt he had a right to chokehold him until he stopped moving, while white people blocked access to the pair and tried to block them from taping the assault, it fucking makes me all the more aware of how the results of the 2016 election are affecting my communities. We pay first in our blood while everyone else gets to be “tired” and waiting for someone to say just the right goddamned thing to move people who’ve been proven to have the ethics of a worm.

    Nothing coming out of this week will save this country from a party in control who have abandoned the principles of democracy. They’ve been showing that’s who they are for years. Yes, pay attention to what’s going on in the hearing, but don’t look for some grand denouement of criminality brought to justice. That’s movies and tv. This is real life and the people in charge will glad break this country down to its evil roots of terror, disease and poverty for everyone except a bare few. And enough voters are stupid enough to believe that they’re part of the few.

    Reply
    • Liza says:
      June 8, 2017 at 8:56 am

      Truth.

      I don’t see anything out there except 2018. The GOP House won’t impeach Trump. They’ve got each others backs.

      We have to continuously be raising hell about voter suppression tactics (new and old) and dedicate ourselves to taking back the House and Senate, effectively cutting the nuts off whoever is president and possibly impeaching Trump if he’s still there.

      It’s on us. No saviors. Just us.

      Reply
    • Ametia says:
      June 8, 2017 at 9:45 am

      Ruemara FOR THE WIN!!!

      Reply
    • eliihass says:
      June 8, 2017 at 1:16 pm

      “…every newspaper could have bombshell testimony that Trump gave the nuclear codes, and the NSA wifi password to Russia and Saudi Arabia and all the GOP would do is justify it. Not to mention that fuckheaded base of craven peasants that are key…”

      👌🏻👌🏻

      Reply
  123. rikyrah says:
    June 8, 2017 at 8:36 am

    Comey’s statement points to alleged Trump lies about obstruction
    06/08/17 08:00 AM
    By Steve Benen

    Yesterday afternoon, former FBI Director James Comey’s opening statement to the Senate Intelligence Committee landed on the political world like a bombshell. The remarks, which Comey will deliver under oath this morning, raised the prospect of serious wrongdoing on the part of Donald Trump, with Ben Wittes describing the statement as “the most shocking single document compiled about the official conduct of the public duties of any President since the release of the Watergate tapes.”

    It’s against this backdrop that Marc Kasowitz, Trump’s outside counsel, tried to pretend that Comey’s written version of events is great news for his client.

    “The President is pleased that Mr. Comey has finally publicly confirmed his private reports that the President was not under investigation in any Russian probe. The President feels completely and totally vindicated. He is eager to continue to move forward with his agenda.”

    For the record, I don’t think he was kidding.

    Obviously, attorneys are obligated to represent their clients’ interests, but let’s be clear: Comey’s statement yesterday put Trump’s presidency in jeopardy and may help bring about its premature end. If the former FBI director’s account is accurate, the president demanded Comey’s loyalty, and suggested the demand was tied to Comey’s future career. Trump also personally urged the FBI director to back off an ongoing federal investigation, which looks an awful lot like obstruction of justice.

    The statement from Trump’s outside counsel doesn’t deny, refute, or contest any of these allegations.

    Just as importantly, though Comey’s statement didn’t highlight this, the information the former FBI director documented suggests the president didn’t just obstruct justice – he also brazenly lied about it to the American public.

    Reply
  124. rikyrah says:
    June 8, 2017 at 8:29 am

    Key GOP senator shrugs off Trump’s scandalous demand for loyalty
    06/08/17 09:20 AM
    By Steve Benen

    Donald Trump sat down with Fox News’ Jeanine Pirro last month, and the host, responding to a New York Times account, asked the president if he pressed then-FBI Director James Comey for his loyalty. “No,” Trump replied. “No, I didn’t.”

    We now have reason to believe the president was lying. The Comey statement released yesterday provides the details of the conversation in which Trump reportedly told the head of the FBI, “I need loyalty, I expect loyalty” – and then seemed to connect his expectations to Comey’s continued employment.

    House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) told MSNBC yesterday that it was “obviously” not appropriate for Trump to make such a request. Unfortunately, not every Republican leader agrees. The Washington Post reported:

    Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.), who is leading the Senate probe of possible Russian coordination with Trump associates, said he was not alarmed by Comey’s account.

    “I don’t think it’s wrong to ask for loyalty of anyone inside an administration,” Burr said. “I don’t think of what I’ve read there’s anything of wrongdoing.”

    Note, Burr isn’t rejecting Comey’s account as unreliable. Rather, the North Carolina Republican is saying that if the account is true, he just doesn’t care.

    I realize assorted partisans are going to take steps to defend their party’s leader, but Burr’s quote is unsettling, not just because he’s the chairman of the committee investigating the Russia scandal, but also because he’s completely wrong.

    Reply
  125. rikyrah says:
    June 8, 2017 at 8:17 am

    Eric Boehlert‏ @EricBoehlert

    in her 11 hrs of Benghazi questions did Hillary ever say she didn’t “feel” like answering Q?

    98 replies 1,730 retweets 3,094 likes

    Reply
  127. rikyrah says:
    June 8, 2017 at 7:56 am

    Yashar Ali‏Verified account @yashar

    Who among us hasn’t repeatedly called the FBI Director to deny involvement with Russian hookers?

    267 replies 2,015 retweets 5,689 likes

    Reply
  128. rikyrah says:
    June 8, 2017 at 7:50 am

    Jason Miller‏ @longwall26

    Comey: He’s guilty
    Democrats: He’s guilty
    Trump: I’m guilty
    Republicans: We may never get to the bottom of this

    359 replies 22,305 retweets 55,641 likes

    Reply
  130. CarolMaeWY says:
    June 8, 2017 at 3:16 am

    Do you know what time it starts?

    Reply

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