Where's the Comey Testimony Thread?

[Great2BAKnight2]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised since his Testimony criticizes both sides. Here's the transcript:
http://time.com/4810345/james-comey-testimony-real-time-transcript/

I haven't finished reading through it but here's a few that stick out:

Chairman Richard Burr - North Carolina:
Let me go back, If I can, very briefly to the decision to publicly go out with your results on the e-mail. Was your decision influenced by the attorney general's tarmac meeting with the former president, bill clinton?

James Comey:
Yes, In an ultimately conclusive way that's the thing that capped it for me that I had to do something separately to protect the credibility of the investigation which meant both the FBI and the justice department.

Chairman Richard Burr - North Carolina:
Director Comey, did the president at any time ask you to stop the FBI Investigation into Russian involvement in the 2016 U.S. elections?

James Comey:
Not to my understanding, no.

Chairman Richard Burr - North Carolina:
Did any individual working for this administration, including the Justice Department, ask you to stop the Russian investigation?

James Comey:
No.

Chairman Richard Burr - North Carolina:
Director, when the president requested that you -- and I quote -- let Flynn go, General Flynn had an unreported contact with the Russians. Which is an offense. And if press accounts are right, there might have been discrepancies between facts and his FBI testimony. In your estimation, was general Flynn at that time in serious legal jeopardy? In addition to that, do you sense that the President was trying to obstruct justice or just seek for a way for Mike Flynn to save face, given he had already been fired?

James Comey:
General Flynn at that point in time was in legal jeopardy. There was an open FBI criminal investigation of his statements in connection with the Russian contacts. And the contacts themselves. And so that was my assessment at the time. I don't think it's for me to say whether the conversation I had with the president was an effort to obstruct. I took it as a very disturbing thing, very concerning. But that's a conclusion I'm sure the special counsel will work towards to try and understand what the intention was there and whether that's an offense.

 

[UCFKnight85]

The only interesting thing was McCain confusing everyone and blaming it on late night baseball.

Go DBacks!

 

[Bob the Citronaut]

He really didn't say anything we already didn't know.

- Trump isn't under investigation
- Russia tried to influence the election
- There was no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia
- Trump says stupid stuff
- Comey has been and is only in it for himself and deserved to be fired

 

[UCFKnight85]

Comey is a douche though. He wants a spotlight just as bad as Trump does.

I couldn't even tell you the name of a former FBI Director aside from J Edgar yet Comey is a household name now thanks to his antics.

Trump was right about one thing, he's a showboat

 

[btbones]

Comey is a douche though. He wants a spotlight just as bad as Trump does.

I couldn't even tell you the name of a former FBI Director aside from J Edgar yet Comey is a household name now thanks to his antics.

Trump was right about one thing, he's a showboat

Exactly wit the 2 couldn't work together . Both have huge egos

 

[Sir Galahad]

He really didn't say anything we already didn't know.

- Trump isn't under investigation
- Russia tried to influence the election
- There was no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia
- Trump says stupid stuff
- Comey has been and is only in it for himself and deserved to be fired

You left out a big one we already knew.

The Obama DOJ actually did obstruct justice.

 

[Ace of Knights]

He really didn't say anything we already didn't know.

- Trump isn't under investigation
- Russia tried to influence the election
- There was no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia
- Trump says stupid stuff
- Comey has been and is only in it for himself and deserved to be fired

It was a bad day for Trump and for Lynch. I'll give Comey credit, he was fair. But you're Miss interpreting one huge part of his testimony. Trump WASN'T under investigation. Bu the things Comey couldn't answer in a public setting says that he is being investigated currently by Mueller. Obstruction of justice is being investigated but the other thing of interest is the fact that they are really looking into the scandalous dossier because he couldn't talk about that either.

 

[Bob the Citronaut]

There was no obstruction of Justice. Comey said it himself. If they were investigating obstruction of Justice Mueller wouldn't have let his star witness go out and tell Congress everything.

 

[Ace of Knights]

There was no obstruction of Justice. Comey said it himself. If they were investigating obstruction of Justice Mueller wouldn't have let his star witness go out and tell Congress everything.

They are investigating obstruction of justice and that will be up to Mueller. You're not giving Comey any credit. There was definitely some theater here but the man is smart. He knows Washington and being a former federal prosecutor he knew what he could say yesterday that wouldn't jeopardize Mueller's criminal investigation.

 

[Knight_Light]

Thought one of the most humerus (because it was soooo true) was when Sen Rubio said this to Comey:


"Do you ever wonder why, of all the things in this investigation, the only thing that's never been leaked is the fact that the president was not personally under investigation?" – Marco Rubio during Comey hearing

 

[KnighttimeJoe]

 

[Bob the Citronaut]

They are investigating obstruction of justice and that will be up to Mueller. You're not giving Comey any credit. There was definitely some theater here but the man is smart. He knows Washington and being a former federal prosecutor he knew what he could say yesterday that wouldn't jeopardize Mueller's criminal investigation.

How can you prosecute someone of obstruction when your only witness publically said it didn't happen under oath on two occasions?

 

[UCFKnight85]

Awesome. The same people crying about Comey (Trump crony!!!!!) ruining everything for HRC are now Comey fanboys again.

I believe there's a word for that. It begins with an H and ends with a Y.

 

[Sir Galahad]

It was a bad day for Trump and for Lynch. I'll give Comey credit, he was fair. But you're Miss interpreting one huge part of his testimony. Trump WASN'T under investigation. Bu the things Comey couldn't answer in a public setting says that he is being investigated currently by Mueller. Obstruction of justice is being investigated but the other thing of interest is the fact that they are really looking into the scandalous dossier because he couldn't talk about that either.

I didn't take it that way at all. Comey can't speak to an investigation he is not conducting. He is also a private citizen so he has no access to information anymore. Comey also could have perjured himself with his timeline to his leaked documents. Trump only looks bad if you believe comey' s character which I find hard. So he felt he should take notes on Trump because he felt threatened but did not take notes on AG Lynch when she directly asked him to change the story on the Clinton investigation. Also, why didn't he ever swear in Hillary during her questioning?

 

[Ace of Knights]

How can you prosecute someone of obstruction when your only witness publically said it didn't happen under oath on two occasions?

Because he never said that. He said that he believed he was fired because of the Russia investigation and that any decision on obstruction would be left to the special investigation. Here are his direct words- "That's a conclusion I'm sure the special counsel will work towards, to try and understand what the intention was there and whether that's an offense." - speaking about obstruction.

Im not saying he did obstruct justice, but this notion that he isn't being investigated for it simply isn't true and Comey never flat out said he didn't obstruct justice. He just said Mueller will determine that.

 

[Ace of Knights]

I didn't take it that way at all. Comey can't speak to an investigation he is not conducting. He is also a private citizen so he has no access to information anymore. Comey also could have perjured himself with his timeline to his leaked documents. Trump only looks bad if you believe comey' s character which I find hard. So he felt he should take notes on Trump because he felt threatened but did not take notes on AG Lynch when she directly asked him to change the story on the Clinton investigation. Also, why didn't he ever swear in Hillary during her questioning?

Who knows. We'll all know more when Mueller concludes his investigation. You may not give Comey any credibility but every single one of those Senators did. There wasn't one attack on his character or any attempt to besmirch him. That speaks volumes and leads me to think they believed him.

 

[Bob the Citronaut]

Because he never said that. He said that he believed he was fired because of the Russia investigation and that any decision on obstruction would be left to the special investigation. Here are his direct words- "That's a conclusion I'm sure the special counsel will work towards, to try and understand what the intention was there and whether that's an offense." - speaking about obstruction.

Im not saying he did obstruct justice, but this notion that he isn't being investigated for it simply isn't true and Comey never flat out said he didn't obstruct justice. He just said Mueller will determine that.

He said multiple times Trump never directed or asked him to stop an investigation and my point still stands about not letting your only witness give public statements about the investigation. Like you said Comey and Mueller are smart guys, they know that you don't let witnesses make public statements.

 

[Ace of Knights]

He said multiple times Trump never directed or asked him to stop an investigation.

There's some truth to that. But he also said that he took the statement "I hope you can see to let this go" about Michael Flynn as a directive. There was also some quid pro quo stuff about Comey's job and the reasonable belief that Comey was fired because the Russian investigation was occurring. All of this is for Mueller to decide and whether there was the intent to obstruct the investigation into Flynn.

 

[Ace of Knights]

The crazy thing about all this is Trump wasn't even personally under investigation. His associates were/are and that bugged him. Firing Comey was the straw that broke the camel's back and ultimately led to this investigation.

Can we all at least agree that Trump is his own worst enemy? He shoots himself in the foot and undercuts himself all the time because he can't restrain the things he says or tweets.

 

[ucfchris1285]

Can we all at least agree that Trump is his own worst enemy? He shoots himself in the foot and undercuts himself all the time because he can't restrain the things he says or tweets.

I agree with you but a part of me thinks that its a smoke screen for everyone while he tries to pass his agenda. I don't think he's an idiot, but Washington works differently than the private sector.

 

[UCFWayne]

Can we all at least agree that Trump is his own worst enemy? He shoots himself in the foot and undercuts himself all the time because he can't restrain the things he says or tweets.

he definitely hurts himself. he really should stop tweeting so much

 

[Ace of Knights]

I agree with you but a part of me thinks that its a smoke screen for everyone while he tries to pass his agenda. I don't think he's an idiot, but Washington works differently than the private sector.

Yep. He doesn't understand that government isn't the business world. I disagree with your comment about the agenda though. Outside of his executive orders, nothing has been accomplished. I mean, how many positions have been left unfilled where he hasn't even nominated anyone for them? I think he'll have an even harder time getting anything done with a special council investigating him. Especially if the Republicans fearing for their own electability start distancing themselves from him.

I don't like Trump, but this is bad. It's really bad for the country as a whole.

 

[Bob the Citronaut]

Can we all at least agree that Trump is his own worst enemy? He shoots himself in the foot and undercuts himself all the time because

That was put to bed during the primary. It's who he is, it's not going to change. I'd argue the constant faux raging over every tweet hurts his detractors more than him. People are sick of all crying wolf.

 

[Poolside Knight]

even if there isn't a smoking gun that testimony is very damaging to Trump & his character. It was getting viewed all over the country like a World Cup game. His approval rating may go below 30% sometime soon.

 

[ucfMike]

even if there isn't a smoking gun that testimony is very damaging to Trump & his character. It was getting viewed all over the country like a World Cup game. His approval rating may go below 30% sometime soon.

Sure

 

[MACHater02]

That was put to bed during the primary. It's who he is, it's not going to change. I'd argue the constant faux raging over every tweet hurts his detractors more than him. People are sick of all crying wolf.

Eric Trump, is that you?

 

[Great2BAKnight2]

It was a bad day for Trump and for Lynch. I'll give Comey credit, he was fair. But you're Miss interpreting one huge part of his testimony. Trump WASN'T under investigation. Bu the things Comey couldn't answer in a public setting says that he is being investigated currently by Mueller. Obstruction of justice is being investigated but the other thing of interest is the fact that they are really looking into the scandalous dossier because he couldn't talk about that either.

Agree. I think Comey comes across fair. He talks about how the meeting with Lynch and Bill Clinton on the tarmac led him to publicly disclose the results of the investigation. He also said releasing the memo to the public was done to get a special prosecutor put on the investigation. Definitely seems to care about the independent nature of the FBI and doesn't want it tainted by political leanings, whether to the right or left.

 

[Bob the Citronaut]

Agree. I think Comey comes across fair. He talks about how the meeting with Lynch and Bill Clinton on the tarmac led him to publicly disclose the results of the investigation. He also said releasing the memo to the public was done to get a special prosecutor put on the investigation. Definitely seems to care about the independent nature of the FBI and doesn't want it tainted by political leanings, whether to the right or left.

Why didn't he want a special prosecutor for the Clinton's after the DoJ was tainted with the tarmac meeting and/or Lynch pressuring him not to say investigation? Trump saying he hopes Flynn gets off pales in comparison to that.

 

[Great2BAKnight2]

Why didn't he want a special prosecutor for the Clinton's after the DoJ was tainted with the tarmac meeting and/or Lynch pressuring him not to say investigation? Trump saying he hopes Flynn gets off pales in comparison to that.

Maybe he did; we don't know. He took a similar action in going public but got different outcomes.

 

[Boston.Knight]

 

[Bob the Citronaut]

Maybe he did; we don't know. He took a similar action in going public but got different outcomes.

With as public as he's been about everything else the last year, he certainly would have made that public if he wanted it. Obama and Lynch obviously would have shot him down for a request like that. He's not a fair guy. He has an ax to grind with Trump because he fired him. He would have gone after Hillary the same way with leaks and what not when she fired him right after inauguration.

 

[UCFKnight85]

Comey DID say bluntly that The NY Times was publishing fake news and that their Feb 14 hit piece, alleging direct collusion from their "sources", was entirely wrong.

The NYT had to issue a tweet last night saying "they're looking into it".

Amazing- a media outlet with an agenda using fake sources to publish fake news

 

[NinjaKnight]

 

[Bob the Citronaut]

Eric Trump, is that you?

He's saying the same stuff as me? He must be a smart guy.

 

[NinjaKnight]

He's saying the same stuff as me? He must be a smart guy.

He's making unsubstantiated claims then ignoring a request for facts to back up those claims?

 

[Sir Galahad]

Comey came across weak and ineffective for the role. By his own admissions of weakness he should have been fired.

I'm sure Comey was telling the truth as he saw it but his "gut feelings" is not proof that Trump did anything wrong. Trump's biggest advantage outside the beltway is his biggest disadvantage inside the beltway. That is he speaks like abnormal person who's every word is not crafted for a certain impact. I believe this was the problem between Trump and Comey.

 

[UCF11and1]

Comey came across weak and ineffective for the role. By his own admissions of weakness he should have been fired.

I'm sure Comey was telling the truth as he saw it but his "gut feelings" is not proof that Trump did anything wrong. Trump's biggest advantage outside the beltway is his biggest disadvantage inside the beltway. That is he speaks like abnormal person who's every word is not crafted for a certain impact. I believe this was the problem between Trump and Comey.

No, the problem between Trump and Comey is/was that the president shouldn't tell the FBI to drop an investigation

 

[KnighttimeJoe]

No, the problem between Trump and Comey is/was that the president shouldn't tell the FBI to drop an investigation

100 puhcent fauxlse. He's the leakah.

 

[NinjaKnight]

That is he speaks like abnormal person who's every word is not crafted for a certain impact. I believe this was the problem between Trump and Comey.

Let me tell you *hand gestures* there has never been someone more right than you in the history of ever. Bigly right.

Covfefe.

 

[Bob the Citronaut]

No, the problem between Trump and Comey is/was that the president shouldn't tell the FBI to drop an investigation

When did he tell him that?