BREAKING: Senate Intel Committee releases James Comey's opening Statement for tomorrow's hearing

[brooklynite]

"I need Loyalty; I want Loyalty"
https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/sites/default/files/documents/os-jcomey-060817.pdf

[MFM008]

1. That says

I want you to do what I want.
Always
And forever.

[demmiblue]

2. A sampling:

[OliverQ]

3. I'm dumbfounded that Comey apparently did tell Trump he's not under investigation?

[Xolodno]

18. At the time, was probably true.

This was an investigation into the Trump Campaign and collusion with Russian hackers who were likely indirectly state sponsored.

At that point, it was Flynn, Mantafort, Jared, etc. Trump probably didn't have any known direct contact, so, he wasn't under investigation. So it really isn't surprising.

But Trump pressuring him to say so publicly...which would have political fall out, put a damper on House and Senate investigations and trying to get him to drop the whole investigation completely...well... that's some bad ju ju right there.

[OliverQ]

21. Interesting note is he mentioned Counter Intel investigation, not Criminal.

[iluvtennis]

26. Yep, very interesting wording

[Honeycombe8]

30. What I've always thought about that is...Trump PERSONALLY is NOT the focus of any investigation.

Even now. The investigation is about Russia's cyberhacking & interference with our election system, and possible collusion between members of the TRUMP TEAM and Russia.

The investigation has never been focused on ONE PERSON. Or at least at that time.

KUSHNER was also not the focus of any investigation, personally. But NOW, he is, because of what was found in the investigation into Russia's interference and possible collusion with the Trump Team.

Semantics.

[crazylikafox]

4. Why would he release this in advance of the hearing?

[bettyellen]

6. It really takes away any claims that people today weren't pressured- despite the "feelings" they

Described today. Comey can say he didn't feel pressured too, but there it is.

[Phoenix61]

7. He didn't

The Senate Intelligence Committee did.

[crazylikafox]

9. Got it. I guess they're really pissed after today's hearing.

[Phoenix61]

10. That was my take on it

[chillfactor]

8. he did not release it....

the senate did.

[chillfactor]

5. WOW!

The orange one is not going to like that at all! Hope he shits his pants all day tomorrow!

[MontanaMama]

11. Holy hell.

I just read the transcript. I don't know which is worse. FF45's naivete about protocol and the law or his blatant disregard for protocol and the law. He's ridiculous. He's guilty as sin. I'm a little surprised that this was released a day ahead. What's up with that?

It does make for pretty good reading, I must say.

[MissB]

14. One pissed off Senate committee

I think that's a fair guess anyway.

[Kentonio]

12. The part about him not being under investigation is worrying

But then again it doesn't even matter if Trump has since commited obstruction anyway.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

16. He doesn't have to be the target of an investigation at the time to obstruct it.

And the fact that you weren't the target of an investigation before doesn't preclude you from being a target down the line.

And the fact that you seek to obstruct the investigation--and mince no words, that's exactly what Comey is saying even if he doesn't offer his own legal opinion--clearly adds incentive to include him as an added target of the investigation.

[Kentonio]

17. Yeah exactly.

Although I've just read the whole statement, and Comey also makes very clear that he was talking about the counter-intelligence investigation, not any potential criminal investigation.

[iluvtennis]

27. +++ agree

[The_jackalope]

34. not under COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE investigation.

The status of criminal investigations didn't come up. Trump heard what he wanted to hear, and tweeted "not under investigation" with no qualifiers. That's NOT what Comey (a man who appears to be extraordinarily careful with words) told him.

[demmiblue]

13. Also, hookers.

Link to tweet

[progressoid]

31. The bit about the hookers sort of overshadows the other part.

He says he had nothing to do with Russia....BUT...always assumed he was being recorded while in Russia!

Kind of hard to have nothing to do with Russia when you are IN THAT FUCKING COUNTRY ALL THE TIME.

[Tatiana]

15. I love it. Comey is going straight for Trump's throat.

Did he really mention "hookers?"

And just in the opening statement?

This upcoming testimony might be a bit more interesting than I thought.

[mcar]

19. Going to be an interesting day tomorrow

[Johnny2X2X]

20. Hookers

The phone call on March 30th...Wow. The President of the US having to say he wasn't with hookers. This should lead.

And if Trump wasn't under investigation then, he surely is now.

[brooklynite]

32. "Russian hookers" was always a ridiculous allegation...

Everyone knows Trump buys American...

[Adrahil]

22. Wow..... blockbuster stuff. NT

[berksdem]

23. I can't wait

to hear Angus tomorrow!!! He was pissed today and he is going to be one to look out for tomorrow.

[Mountain Mule]

24. WOW! Pretty damning!

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

25. Full text from Politico..

The full text is on Politico. Posted w/no other comment


http://www.politico.com/story/2017/06/07/james-comey-trump-russia-testimony-2017-239253

[StarzGuy]

28. I read the entire statement by Comey

and it is clear to me that tRump was in fact, clear as a bell, without a doubt, actually was obstructing justice. That Piece of S**t should just resign and save us all from his f-ing up our country any further.

Now, as far as that other POS Pence, the same for him too. And also the same for the other POS Sessions needs to go as well.

[Bayard]

29. I'm very curious about the hooker reference as well

When Comey said they were briefing Rump on this, it sounds like they had some kind of evidence.

Hope its not as anti-climatic as today's hearing.

[MiddleClass]

33. Two Corinthians, a good guy, hookers, a bunch of Russians walked into a bar

Donald J Trump is president