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Trump Called Comey “Real Nut Job” & Said His Firing Reduced “Pressure” over Russia

HeadlineMay 22, 2017

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 Among those who have withdrawn their names are former FBI official Richard McFeely, South Carolina Congressmember Trey Gowdy and former Assistant Attorney General Alice Fisher.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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