Former FBI Director James Comey has agreed to testify behind closed doors this Friday after initially stating he would “resist” House Republicans’ subpoena, claiming his interview would be “selectively leaked.”
On Friday, attorneys for Comey filed suit in federal court to challenge the subpoena. However, on Sunday, it was announced the former FBI Director and the Republicans had come to an agreement. The arrangement would include a transcript of the interview which will be made public within 24 hours. It also enables Comey to speak publicly about his testimony.
Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Comey wrote “Grateful for a fair hearing from judge. Hard to protect my rights without being in contempt, which I don’t believe in. So will sit in the dark, but Republicans agree I’m free to talk when done and transcript released in 24 hours. This is the closest I can get to public testimony.”
Grateful for a fair hearing from judge. Hard to protect my rights without being in contempt, which I don’t believe in. So will sit in the dark, but Republicans agree I’m free to talk when done and transcript released in 24 hours. This is the closest I can get to public testimony.
— James Comey (@Comey) December 2, 2018
Comey had previously stated he wanted to testify in public, writing on Twitter on Nov. 16, “House Republicans can ask me anything they want but I want the American people to watch, so let’s have a public hearing. Truth is best served by transparency.”
House Republicans can ask me anything they want but I want the American people to watch, so let’s have a public hearing. Truth is best served by transparency. Let me know when is convenient.
— James Comey (@Comey) November 16, 2018
A public testimony, however, would hinder his ability to answer certain questions. Congressman Trey Gowdy recently appeared on Fox News and slammed Comey for his calls for a public hearing.
“Did he interview Hillary Clinton in public? Did he interview George Papadopoulos in public? Did he interview Michael Flynn in public? Did he interview Huma Abedin…Cheryl Mills? Has the FBI ever conducted an interview in public and has the FBI ever conducted an interview where you are limited to five minutes, which is what happens in Congressional hearings.”
“The last time I saw Jim Comey in a public Congressional hearing, almost 100 times he said ‘I can’t answer in this setting,’ he continued. So why in the world would he want to go back to a setting where he knows he can’t answer all the questions? I’m sure he only wants me to have five minutes. I’m sure of that,” he said.
Early on Sunday, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) joined Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo where he said he was expecting Comey to withdraw his motion to challenge the GOP subpoena.
“I expect that later today Mr. Comey will withdraw his motion to quash our subpoena and agree to voluntarily appear for a transcribed interview…the counsel for the house and the counsel for Mr. Comey have been working cooperatively and I expect that to happen.”
