The New Zealand Herald

Comey already haunting Trump

Former FBI chief’s memo causes new controvers­y for President

- — AP Did Trump break the law? A22

a special prosecutor to investigat­e.

Some Republican­s also called for action, asking Comey to speak to Congress and demanding that any memos or recordings of his conversati­ons with the President be presented to them.

Comey, appointed as FBI director in 2013 by President Barack Obama, spoke often about his desire to be as transparen­t as possible about FBI actions and about proving to the public that his agency was independen­t, competent and thorough.

“We’re not on anybody’s side, ever,” he said in a March speech. “We’re not considerin­g whose ox will be gored by this action or that action, whose fortunes will be helped by this or that — we just don’t care and we can’t care.” He riled administra­tions of both parties with his moral certitude and decisions that critics said strayed from ordinary protocol, such as his public announceme­nt — without the involvemen­t of the Justice Department — that the FBI would not recommend criminal charges against Hillary Clinton for her email use. Testifying before Congress is familiar to Comey, a former Justice Department official in

Soon after the firing, a Comey associate told the AP that Comey recounted being asked by Trump at a January dinner if he would pledge his loyalty. The White House has denied that report.

After yesterday’s revelation, the White House said in a statement, “While the President has repeatedly expressed his view that General Flynn is a decent man who served and protected our country, the President has never asked Mr Comey or anyone else to end any investigat­ion, including any investigat­ion involving General Flynn.”

There is no sign the FBI’s Russia investigat­ion is closing. Acting FBI director Andrew McCabe told Congress last week that the investigat­ion was “highly significan­t” and said Comey’s dismissal would do nothing to impede the probe.

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 ?? Pictures / AP ?? Donald Trump has said he was going to fire James Comey regardless of what he was advised to do.
Pictures / AP Donald Trump has said he was going to fire James Comey regardless of what he was advised to do.
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