Comey declines to testify before Senate committee
Source: Politico
Ousted FBI Director James Comey has declined an invitation from the Senate Intelligence Committee to testify in a closed session on Tuesday, according to committee aides.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/12/comey-declines-to-testify-before-senate-committee-238337
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,000 posts)Amaryllis
(9,524 posts)Mad-in-Mo
(229 posts)orangecrush
(19,546 posts)Why would he not do this?
I'm hoping for a good reason...
still_one
(92,181 posts)SunSeeker
(51,550 posts)That way his testimony will be compelled by a bipartisan order and not seen as a partisan attack on Trump. Also, it eliminates any claims from Trump that Comey voluntarily divulged confidential/privileged information.
Same with Susan Rice, who refused to appear without a subpoena.
orangecrush
(19,546 posts)That sounds right.
DK504
(3,847 posts)so he can have his ass covered. He'll be forced to testify.
orangecrush
(19,546 posts)I understand now!
forgotmylogin
(7,527 posts)...when you can impeach the cow?
TomCADem
(17,387 posts)...it drives home that Trump is trying to obstruct investigation.
orangecrush
(19,546 posts)This is intriguing!
orleans
(34,051 posts)DonViejo
(60,536 posts)included) want cover, they want a subpoena to cover them.
Ohioblue22
(1,430 posts)DonViejo
(60,536 posts)tell the truth as they see it. I've been through all of this with govt employees, "subpoena me so I can tell the truth" or, "I won't testify unless I'm subpoenaed."
Ohioblue22
(1,430 posts)maybe he would prefer to speak openly . that was my point
Ohioblue22
(1,430 posts)Clint Watts on Chris Hayes just said Comey turned down senate hearing b/c he would want open hearing
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029056919
Solly Mack
(90,762 posts)jberryhill
(62,444 posts)He should wait until he is subpoenaed.
If he just says, "Sure, I'll be there with bells on", it is a much different optical situation than "I will come if I am required to."
The dynamics are much better if he is not there voluntarily.
And, by the way, why SHOULD he go voluntarily? It's not like anyone is paying for his time. He just lost a job.
underpants
(182,788 posts)He's surely going to get a sweet private sector job but he wants to show that he can be trusted.
still_one
(92,181 posts)elleng
(130,872 posts)Thanks.
still_one
(92,181 posts)elleng
(130,872 posts)but probably doesn't have my 20+ years-worth.
still_one
(92,181 posts)grantcart
(53,061 posts)So no other people aren't paying for their pension, they earned it as part of their compensation.
bresue
(1,007 posts)By Comey delaying his testimony, he is also giving the suggestion that Trump is/could be threatening him. (Even if Dump has nothing to blackmail or discriminate against him). In Comey's strategy, he may be counting on public opinion speculating that he was obstructed from doing his job.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,681 posts)he voluntarily testified in a deliberate attempt to discredit him (Trump). Trump will make that claim anyhow, but testifying under subpoena would make Comey look less biased. Whatever you might think about Comey, he's not stupid and he knows way more about this sort of thing than Trump or most of those senators. He also knows how to manage the media.
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)If I were Comey's attorney, it is what I would advise.
Mad_Mongol
(86 posts)Doing it by the book as compared to he other guy who spews all over is a better strategy.
Why would Comey give the schmuck who fired him, an out?
Also, a subpoena indicates it'll be testimony under oath, whereas an invitation lacks such gravitas.
Have to remember that Comey was a pretty good prosecutor before his stint at the FBI.
4139
(1,893 posts)...I'd be sick of all this sh1t and want to sit on the beach with a bucket of Corona
Aristus
(66,327 posts)That's the trouble with Trumpanzees: no backbone...
Calista241
(5,586 posts)And people need to realize he's not on anyone's side. Not Trump's side and not ours. He might not have a lot to say beyond what he's already said.
Adrahil
(13,340 posts)And I wanna know if violated policy by telling Trump the answers.
Calista241
(5,586 posts)Adrahil
(13,340 posts)That he didn't. I think Trump is lying through his teeth and I want to hear him say it.
JTFrog
(14,274 posts)LS_Editor
(893 posts)lark
(23,097 posts)I hope he will go to the Senate soon and sing like a canary.
Iskander
(12 posts)The (R)ussia party would likely frame this as a personal matter. Odds are Comey wants to avoid:
1. Having this framed as him having an ax to grind.
2. Getting in the way of something he planned/knows is going on.
3. Give a bunch of I can't say answers because of above
4. Waste his time responding to more BUT HER EMAILS bullshit.
Let it hang out there and let Trump continue to rant like a lunatic.
bresue
(1,007 posts)Eugene
(61,874 posts)Source: Associated Press
1 hour ago
WASHINGTON (AP) The Latest on President Donald Trump and the FBI (all times local):
7:30 p.m.
North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr says he expects James Comey will soon speak privately with members of the Senate Intelligence Committee after the former FBI Director declined an invitation to testify before the panel next week.
Burr is the Republican chairman of the committee investigating Russias meddling in last years U.S. presidential election and whether there was any collusion with members of President Donald Trumps campaign.
One of Burrs aides said Friday that Comey declined an invitation to appear before the committee Tuesday. The committee had hoped to hear from Comey in closed session following his abrupt firing this week by Trump.
Burr said in Raleigh, North Carolina, that the committees staff would likely work something out in the not-too-distant future for a meeting with Comey.
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Read more: https://apnews.com/be034d91876e42af97f7fa4e0b39e4f1/The-Latest:-Intel-chair-still-expects-Comey-to-address-panel