TRUMP TAKES FIGHT TO COMEY
Prez says he’s ready to testify, denies ex-FBI chief’s claims
President Trump finally fought back against James B. Comey’s bombshell allegations, denying that he demanded loyalty from the ousted FBI director or urged him to drop the Russia investigation — and vowed to testify under oath, if necessary.
“One hundred percent,” Trump said in the Rose Garden yesterday afternoon when asked if he’d make the same claims in sworn testimony to Special Counsel Robert Mueller if asked.
In his first public in-person comments since the hearing, Trump summed up Comey’s nearly three-hour testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee in seven words: “No collusion, no obstruction — he’s a leaker.”
The Trump team believes he’s vindicated after Comey revealed that the president wasn’t under FBI investigation while he was the bureau’s chief. But Comey also testified he believes Mueller will look into allegations Trump pressured him into dropping the probe into ousted national security adviser Michael Flynn, which could create more headaches for the president.
Standing next to the president of Romania, Trump denied trying to get Comey to drop the Flynn case.
“I didn’t say that,” said Trump. “And there’d be nothing wrong if I did say it, according to everyone I’ve read today.”
He also denied requiring Comey to pledge his personal loyalty, insisting it “doesn’t make any sense” to do so.
“I hardly know the man,” said Trump. “Who would say that?”
Trump also hinted that secret recordings of conversations between him and Comey may not exist after all, but refused to confirm either way, instead promising to reveal “over a fairly short period of time.”
“Oh, you’re going to be very disappointed when you hear the answer,” said Trump.
He’ll have to act soon. The House Intelligence Committee yesterday sent a letter to the White House asking whether any tapes or memos of Trump’s conversations with Comey exist and if so, to deliver them by June 23.
The panel also requested Comey’s notes and memos.
Trump had been uncharacteristically quiet on Thursday, refraining from live-tweeting Comey’s testimony and relying on his personal attorney to respond afterward. But Trump broke his silence at 6:10 a.m. by tweeting: “Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindication ... and WOW, Comey is a leaker!”
He also re-tweeted a message from Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz and praised Fox News’ reporting. But he bashed other media during the news conference, wondering aloud at one point which reporter he should call on for the next question.
“Should I take one of the killer networks that treat me so badly as fake news?” he pondered.
While playing defense, Trump is also trying to go on the offensive against Comey, particularly on the revelation that Comey leaked a memo about the meeting about Flynn to a Columbia Law School professor who then handed it to The New York Times.
Comey said he wanted to make sure it was made public after Trump tweeted he might have recordings of their conversations. But critics argue Comey acted inappropriately by leaking information about a private meeting with the president, although Comey insists it contained nothing classified.
Trump’s private attorney Marc Kasowitz is expected to file a complaint with the Justice Department inspector general next week, The Associated Press reported.