After the blockbuster Senate Intelligence Committee testimony of ex-FBI Director James Comey, the White House allegedly wants Republicans to defend U.S. President Donald Trump on TV. The administration reportedly asked select congressmen and congresswomen from the party to appear on Fox News Channel, CNN, and MSNBC, according to the Daily Caller.
Although Trump refrained from tweeting throughout Thursday, he was obsessed and watched every channel that live streamed the testimony, the conservative news website claimed. The request to defend the president was made because of an observation from the inner circle of Trump that House Republicans were not doing enough to battle the allegations that the president may have obstructed justice when he ordered Comey to drop the investigation of ex-National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.
Very disturbing thing
Comey considered the request from the president to drop the probe on Flynn as a disturbing thing and very concerning. He stopped short of saying that Trump obstructed justice. The former FBI director said he is sure that Special Counsel Robert Mueller will investigate the possible impeachable offense if it obstructed justice, The New York Daily News reported.
Although all the major broadcasters live streamed the testimony of Comey, a large number of Americans preferred to be present at the hearing. ABC reported that as early as 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, people lined up for a seat in the Senate.
Testimony lived up to the hype
The Slate observed that the most anticipated Senate testimony of the year lived up to the hype.
Although Trump did not tweet throughout the day, contrary to expectations, his lawyer issued a statement. The lawyer claimed that the president did not ask for loyalty from Comey, but it would be appropriate for Trump to ask for it.
The attorney also said that Trump did not direct or suggest, in form or in substance, for Comey to stop investigating anyone or for the FBI to let Flynn go.
Since it is Comey’s word against Trump’s, Sen. Chris Murphy called for the president to also testify under oath if he insisted that what Comey said was not true.
What would establish who is saying the truth would be tapes of their conversations if any exist. Rep. Adam Schiff urged that if there are tapes, they must be preserved and be made available immediately to Congress and Mueller.
Comey expressed confidence that if there is evidence that some Americans, likely from Trump’s campaign staff, connived with the Russians to interfere in the 2016 election, he said Mueller will find that proof.
