Angering Congress, James Comey won't address Trump-Russia inquiry privately

[highplainsdem]

Source: Guardian

Embattled FBI director James Comey has refused to clarify whether his organization is investigating Donald Trump’s ties to Russia in a closed briefing Friday for members of Congress, angering legislators who recall his high-profile interjections about Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential campaign, the Guardian has learned.

Comey’s lack of candor in a classified setting, intended to brief members on the intelligence agencies’ assessment that Russia interfered in the election to benefit Trump, follows a public rebuff this week to senators seeking clarification.
James Comey refuses to tell Senate if FBI is investigating Trump-Russia links
Read more

In that earlier hearing, Comey said he would “never comment” on a potential FBI investigation “in an open forum like this,” raising expectations amongst some attendees of Friday’s briefing that Comey would put the issue to rest in a classified setting.

But according to sources attending the closed-door Friday morning meeting, that was not the case. As such, frustration with Comey was bipartisan and heated, adding to intense pressure on the director of the FBI, whose conduct in the 2016 election itself is now being investigated by an independent US justice department watchdog.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jan/13/fbi-investigation-donald-trump-russia-james-comey-congress

[shraby]

1. What's with that?

[cstanleytech]

6. My guess? Comey probably knew there was a deep link between Trump and Russia

way before the election so he is trying not to investigate it because if it is revealed during an investigation that there is a link and that he knew about it but did not inform Congress like he did with that BS letter over those emails he sent to tilt the election in favor of Trump that his ass is grass and that he could face charges for it.

[triron]

16. May be much truth to that.

[oasis]

23. Bingo. nt

[Tommy_Carcetti]

2. Somebody tell Comey that the election was November 8, 2016.

So even if the argument was they didn't want to play politics with a Trump-Russia connection (even though they appeared to have no problem whatsoever when it came to Hillary Clinton), why still roll out that excuse today? The ship has scaled for that excuse.

[machoneman]

4. He's-a-Republiscum-operative!

Or, he's in the pay of the Russkies!

[Generator]

14. Russkies on the looskies

My whole life has been about Russians. JFK. Born during the Cuban missile crisis and I literally moved to get away from some once. WOW. It never ends.

[cstanleytech]

7. As I said the issue might be that Comey knew about the Trump and Russia link

before the election and that he is doing this because if the investigation were to uncover that he knew and choose to remain silent and not inform Congress that his ass might be grass.

[Generator]

15. What did he know and when did he know it?

Oh well. It's not like Russia is a hostile state or anything.

[montanacowboy]

3. This Ass needs to be in jail

along with his buddy trumpet head

[Freethinker65]

5. Is Comey compromised?

Or does he just personally get a kick out of destroying everyone's faith in the U.S. government? And where is the U.S. press on this matter.....oh, yeah, chasing Trump's latest tweets

[Fast Walker 52]

12. my guess is he is, somehow-- maybe the freaking lizard people have finally taken their true form

[Adrahil]

8. TRAITOR!!!

[AgadorSparticus]

26. Yes he is!!!!! CONEY IS A TRAITOR!!!

[elmac]

9. Comey said he would never comment on a potential FBI investigation in an open forum like this,

But he's more then happy going on national TV to tell the world he reopened the Clinton email investigation.

[DK504]

17. For no reason.

Make me sick he still has a job. He can't comment on an investigation, unless of course it's Hillary, then she's fair game.

The "press" have been as silent as a deep forest with nothing in it except for the ants crawling on the ground.

I have to think they have something on Comey.

[FarCenter]

10. This doesn't seem to be the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

So they are not entitled to be briefed on highly-classified intelligence matters.

[crosinski]

11. But are they entitled to be reassured that the matter is being looked into by the FBI?

Maybe so, maybe not.

I suppose the regular Democratic members of the House haven't been reassured by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, or they wouldn't have had to ask.

[Generator]

13. Fucking shadow government

(a nod to Ace Hayes RIP) Comey is a traitor. Is Comey working with Trump then? Or Putin? My government was hijacked now I know why they are mad.

[forgotmylogin]

18. Would it be at all possible this is part of the privacy?

Is it possible he did inform in the closed-door session, but they are all going with the story that he didn't, which prevents anybody who knows info from being hounded by press?

[oasis]

24. I saw the footage of the Democrat attendees leaving that meeting.

Their level of disgust and frustration with Comey was highly noticeable. They were not putting on an act.

[paleotn]

19. Burn him...

Burn him down.

[SteamAddict]

20. The sleeze knew about the Russia link all along

And he's doing all he can to stay in Fuhrer's favor. Disgusting.

[many a good man]

21. You have to wonder

Makes you wonder if Kremlin cash made it's way into Comey's pockets just like it went into the Trump Campaign's. Someone should investigate.

[UCmeNdc]

22. Comey is a partisan GOP hack.....

His actions are done to protect Trump and hurt Clinton period.

[UpInArms]

25. Methinks Comey is a Russian asset

Eom