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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2017/may/10/donald-trump-fires-fbi-director-james-comey-reaction-live
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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| James Comey firing: FBI director's dismissal rocks Washington – live | James Comey firing: FBI director's dismissal rocks Washington – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.18pm BST | |
| 16:18 | |
| Oh, Kislyak was there too, Moscow informs us: | |
| Ambassador Kislyak and President Trump / Посол С.Кисляк и Президент Д.Трамп pic.twitter.com/Ckkx2YL9KX | |
| 4.13pm BST | |
| 16:13 | |
| The Washington Post’s Dave Weigel compares Republicans’ reactions to the Comey firing to their reactions to the Trump “grab ’em by the pussy” audio. Outrage followed by silence. | |
| For all the attention on Rs with Comey questions, the story is most of the GOP and conservative media closing ranks. https://t.co/aSvDKvZw26 | |
| Reminiscent of the “Access Hollywood” fallout — lots of attention on Trump critics, who eventually shrugged it off. https://t.co/NDx3xklo9J | |
| 4.06pm BST | |
| 16:06 | |
| Moscow releases photo of Lavrov-Trump meeting | |
| #Lavrov - @realDonaldTrump meeting has just started | В Овальном кабинете началась встреча С.Лаврова с Д.Трампом#RussiaUSA #РоссияСША pic.twitter.com/7raFrkWhiC | |
| First photo of this meeting, which was closed to the press, comes from the Russian government. https://t.co/OdDDF16JAW | |
| 4.04pm BST | |
| 16:04 | |
| Pence: 'right decision, right time' | |
| Pence walking through the Capitol responds to questions about Comey firing: "Right decision, right time." | |
| 4.02pm BST | |
| 16:02 | |
| Here’s further reaction, from centrist Republican senator Rob Portman, who asks for a “fuller explanation regarding the president’s rationale”: | |
| I want to thank Director Comey for his service to our country. Regardless of his handling of the Clinton email matter during the presidential election last year — for which both parties had questions and concerns — he has always done what he believed was in the best interest of the country. Given the timing and circumstances of the decision, I believe the White House should provide a fuller explanation regarding the president’s rationale. The American people must have faith in a strong, independent FBI. I’m concerned about eroding trust in this premier law enforcement agency. It is important that whoever is nominated to succeed Director Comey is a highly-qualified and respected leader who will provide a fresh start for the bureau. | |
| And here is part of a transcript of majority leader McConnell’s remarks earlier on the senate floor. He accuses Democrats of playing politics: | |
| So what we have now, Mr. President, is our Democratic colleagues complaining about the removal of an FBI Director whom they themselves repeatedly and sharply criticized, by a man, Rod Rosenstein, whom they repeatedly and effusively praised — when Mr. Rosenstein recommended Mr. Comey’s removal for many of the very reasons they have complained about. | |
| McConnell also opposes “a new investigation,” ie a special prosecutor, and voices support for Rosenstein: | |
| Two investigations are currently ongoing: the Senate Intelligence Committee’s review of Russian active measures and intelligence activities, and the FBI investigation disclosed by Director Comey. Today we will no doubt hear calls for a new investigation which could only serve to impede the current work being done to not only discover what the Russians may have done, but also to let this body and the national security community to develop the countermeasures and warfighting doctrine to see that it doesn’t occur again. Partisan calls should not delay the considerable work of Chairman Burr and Vice Chairman Warner — too much is at stake. | |
| Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein was just confirmed on a bipartisan basis — 94 to 6 — and that sort of fair consideration should continue when the Senate receives an FBI Director nominee. As I said yesterday, once the Senate receives a nomination to fill this position, we will all look forward to a full, fair, and timely confirmation process. This is a critical role that is particularly important as our country continues to face serious threats at home and abroad. | |
| (thanks @smithinamerica) | |
| 3.51pm BST | |
| 15:51 | |
| Rubio, who earlier was “surprised” at the Comey firing, does now have questions, he says: | |
| Sen Marco Rubio R-FL on Comey firing: "I do have questions about why he was dismissed at this time" | |
| Lisa Murkowski, the Republican senator from Alaska, agrees that the timing looks suspicious and is open to a special prosecutor: | |
| Should there be a special prosecutor?Murkowski: "I think it needs to be considered."Does the timing look suspicious?Murkowski: "Sure." | |
| Republican senator James Lankford is “surprised in the timing”: | |
| Sen James Lankford R-OK on Comey: "A little surprised in the timing; trying to find out why this was the moment" | |
| Updated | |
| at 3.52pm BST | |
| 3.42pm BST | 3.42pm BST |
| 15:42 | 15:42 |
| Rosenstein declines comment | Rosenstein declines comment |
| A Boston Globe reporter reached on his cell phone deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, who signed the letter that Trump said motivated Comey’s firing. | A Boston Globe reporter reached on his cell phone deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, who signed the letter that Trump said motivated Comey’s firing. |
| Rosenstein declined comment. | Rosenstein declined comment. |
| .@AnnieLinskey reached Rosenstein on cell"I'm not going to talk about that. Are you surprised by that?" re letterhttps://t.co/slqw8M2LlE | .@AnnieLinskey reached Rosenstein on cell"I'm not going to talk about that. Are you surprised by that?" re letterhttps://t.co/slqw8M2LlE |
| 3.35pm BST | 3.35pm BST |
| 15:35 | 15:35 |
| Lavrov arrives at White House | Lavrov arrives at White House |
| Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov is meeting with Trump at the White House, the Associated Press reports: | Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov is meeting with Trump at the White House, the Associated Press reports: |
| Russian President Vladimir Putin’s top diplomat did not speak to reporters and as he walked into a side entrance Wednesday morning. | Russian President Vladimir Putin’s top diplomat did not speak to reporters and as he walked into a side entrance Wednesday morning. |
| 3.29pm BST | 3.29pm BST |
| 15:29 | 15:29 |
| Cruz says Comey had 'lost the confidence' of country | Cruz says Comey had 'lost the confidence' of country |
| Senator Ted Cruz is not known for sacrificing political expediency on the altar of personal principle. In any case his statement about Comey’s firing, just out, says Comey had to go (thx @smithinamerica): | Senator Ted Cruz is not known for sacrificing political expediency on the altar of personal principle. In any case his statement about Comey’s firing, just out, says Comey had to go (thx @smithinamerica): |
| The Director of the FBI needs to be above reproach, with an unquestioned reputation for fairness and impartiality. Unfortunately, Mr. Comey had lost the confidence of both Republicans and Democrats, and, frankly, the American people. The next Director needs to be someone of the utmost integrity who can successfully restore the public’s confidence and lead the men and women of the FBI who selflessly serve and defend our great nation. | The Director of the FBI needs to be above reproach, with an unquestioned reputation for fairness and impartiality. Unfortunately, Mr. Comey had lost the confidence of both Republicans and Democrats, and, frankly, the American people. The next Director needs to be someone of the utmost integrity who can successfully restore the public’s confidence and lead the men and women of the FBI who selflessly serve and defend our great nation. |
| 3.25pm BST | 3.25pm BST |
| 15:25 | 15:25 |
| Counselor Kellyanne Conway dismisses the notion that Trump’s firing of Comey was “Nixonian”: | Counselor Kellyanne Conway dismisses the notion that Trump’s firing of Comey was “Nixonian”: |
| was it "Nixonian" for Trump to fire Comey? Kellyanne Conway: "ridiculous" | was it "Nixonian" for Trump to fire Comey? Kellyanne Conway: "ridiculous" |
| And the Richard Nixon presidential library agrees with her! | And the Richard Nixon presidential library agrees with her! |
| FUN FACT: President Nixon never fired the Director of the FBI #FBIDirector #notNixonian pic.twitter.com/PatArKOZlk | FUN FACT: President Nixon never fired the Director of the FBI #FBIDirector #notNixonian pic.twitter.com/PatArKOZlk |
| And the FBI website still lists James Comey as the current director https://t.co/iG75FaoQk2 pic.twitter.com/qM1H3UINRP | And the FBI website still lists James Comey as the current director https://t.co/iG75FaoQk2 pic.twitter.com/qM1H3UINRP |
| BREAKING: Justice Department officials say search for interim FBI director underway; Comey deputy has job now | BREAKING: Justice Department officials say search for interim FBI director underway; Comey deputy has job now |
| The FBI director is meant to have a 10-year term designed not frequently to overlap with presidential terms in order to promote continuity and insulate the work of law enforcement from the vagaries of politics. | The FBI director is meant to have a 10-year term designed not frequently to overlap with presidential terms in order to promote continuity and insulate the work of law enforcement from the vagaries of politics. |
| 3.17pm BST | 3.17pm BST |
| 15:17 | 15:17 |
| Republican senator John McCain: | Republican senator John McCain: |
| “When you fire probably arguably the most respected person in America, you better have a very good explanation, and so far I haven’t seen that.” | “When you fire probably arguably the most respected person in America, you better have a very good explanation, and so far I haven’t seen that.” |
| On the explanation that Comey mishandled the Clinton emails inquiry: | On the explanation that Comey mishandled the Clinton emails inquiry: |
| “I don’t believe that that is sufficient rationale for removing the director of the FBI”: | “I don’t believe that that is sufficient rationale for removing the director of the FBI”: |
| Sen. John McCain says the Hillary Clinton email investigation is not “sufficient rationale” for firing James Comey https://t.co/b1BlZOC7SE pic.twitter.com/KISC170oKk | Sen. John McCain says the Hillary Clinton email investigation is not “sufficient rationale” for firing James Comey https://t.co/b1BlZOC7SE pic.twitter.com/KISC170oKk |
| 3.11pm BST | 3.11pm BST |
| 15:11 | 15:11 |
| Here’s additional video of Lavrov’s sarcastic reaction to a question about Comey’s firing: | Here’s additional video of Lavrov’s sarcastic reaction to a question about Comey’s firing: |
| Lavrov's attitude here (his cocky body language & scornful sarcasm) is very disturbing. https://t.co/q2NnrmYEDZ | Lavrov's attitude here (his cocky body language & scornful sarcasm) is very disturbing. https://t.co/q2NnrmYEDZ |
| 3.07pm BST | 3.07pm BST |
| 15:07 | 15:07 |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has rejected calls for a special prosecutor to investigate ties between Russia and the Trump campaign. “Today we’ll no doubt hear calls for a new investigation, which could only serve to impede the current work being done,” McConnell said on the senate floor. | Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has rejected calls for a special prosecutor to investigate ties between Russia and the Trump campaign. “Today we’ll no doubt hear calls for a new investigation, which could only serve to impede the current work being done,” McConnell said on the senate floor. |
| Republican senator Rand Paul is also with the “meh” crowd: | Republican senator Rand Paul is also with the “meh” crowd: |
| Hypocrisy and fake outrage? Dems had been calling for months for the firing of Comey! | Hypocrisy and fake outrage? Dems had been calling for months for the firing of Comey! |
| 3.03pm BST | 3.03pm BST |
| 15:03 | 15:03 |
| Another Republican congressman with “concerns”... | Another Republican congressman with “concerns”... |
| Like many Americans, I have serious concerns and unanswered questions about the timing of Director Comey's dismissal. | Like many Americans, I have serious concerns and unanswered questions about the timing of Director Comey's dismissal. |
| ...and Trump won his district by 17 points. | ...and Trump won his district by 17 points. |
| 3.01pm BST | 3.01pm BST |
| 15:01 | 15:01 |
| Republican senator Ted Cruz reacts... sort of: | Republican senator Ted Cruz reacts... sort of: |
| Asked about Comey firing, Sen Ted Cruz R-TX tells reporters he will put out a written statement | Asked about Comey firing, Sen Ted Cruz R-TX tells reporters he will put out a written statement |
| 2.59pm BST | 2.59pm BST |
| 14:59 | 14:59 |
| Republican elected officials continue to express misgivings about the Comey firing. Here’s Arizona senator Jeff Flake, a longtime Trump critic: | Republican elected officials continue to express misgivings about the Comey firing. Here’s Arizona senator Jeff Flake, a longtime Trump critic: |
| I've spent the last several hours trying to find an acceptable rationale for the timing of Comey's firing. I just can't do it. | I've spent the last several hours trying to find an acceptable rationale for the timing of Comey's firing. I just can't do it. |
| And here’s Virginia congresswoman Barbara Comstock calling for an independent investigation: | And here’s Virginia congresswoman Barbara Comstock calling for an independent investigation: |
| Another Republican, Rep. Barbara Comstock of Virginia, calls for an independent investigation into Russia/2016. pic.twitter.com/zzZ2GXPq6Z | Another Republican, Rep. Barbara Comstock of Virginia, calls for an independent investigation into Russia/2016. pic.twitter.com/zzZ2GXPq6Z |