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May 22, 2017

Trump Called Comey "Real Nut Job" & Said His Firing Reduced "Pressure" over Russia
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On Capitol Hill, new details emerged Friday about the ongoing scandal
over President Trump's firing of former FBI Director James Comey,
including that President Trump called Comey a "real nut job" during his
meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian
Ambassador Sergey Kislyak earlier this month. Trump also reportedly told
the Russian officials, "I faced great pressure because of Russia. That's
taken off," referring to Comey's firing.

Comey is slated to testify to the Senate Intelligence Committee after
Memorial Day weekend, which coincides with Trump's return from his
foreign trip to Saudi Arabia, Israel and the Vatican.

Trump had said he'd name a new FBI director before departing this past
Friday, but the appointment has been delayed, in part because possible
candidates keep withdrawing their names from consideration. Among those
who have withdrawn their names are former FBI official Richard Mc Feely,
South Carolina Congressmember Trey Gowdy and former Assistant Attorney
General Alice Fisher. Democrats are objecting to the possible
appointment of former Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman as FBI director.
Lieberman currently works for a law firm that had frequently represented
Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post is reporting that a current White House
official is under investigation for possibly colluding with Russian
officials to allegedly hack the 2016 election. The White House official
has not been named. A number of former Trump campaign officials,
including former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and Trump
campaign chair Paul Manafort, are also under investigation.


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