Former FBI Director James Comey announced he would “resist” the Republican subpoena for him to appear in a closed-door hearing, claiming they would “selectively leak” and “distort” his testimony.
Taking to Twitter on Thanksgiving Day, Comey wrote, “Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans. I’m still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions. But I will resist a “closed door” thing because I’ve seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion. Let’s have a hearing and invite everyone to see.”
Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans. I’m still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions. But I will resist a “closed door” thing because I’ve seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion. Let’s have a hearing and invite everyone to see.
— James Comey (@Comey) November 22, 2018
Last week, Comey Tweeted his desire for a public hearing, writing “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
Conservatives like the Washington Examiner’s Byron York were quick to point out the hypocrisy of Comey’s complaint about “selective leaking” given his deliberate leak to the media of his private meetings with President Trump.
James Comey won't talk with House investigators behind closed doors because 'I've seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion.' Selective leaking? Imagine that… pic.twitter.com/UQNsquw4BK
— Byron York (@ByronYork) November 23, 2018
Earlier this week, Congressman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) slammed Comey for calling for a public hearing, claiming it would enable the former FBI Director to hide behind the excuse of not being able to answer the questions in a public setting.
Gowdy told Fox and Friends, “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.”
**LISTEN: Dan calls B.S. on Comey pushing for a public hearing**
“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.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) is planning to have Comey testify on November 29, and former Attorney General Loretta Lynch on December 5.
Goodlatte plans to question the two on matters relating to their “decision making” during the 2016 presidential race.
GOP members of the House Judiciary and Oversight committees are “eager” to question Comey on his controversial decision to not recommend a criminal indictment against Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server while she was Secretary of State.
They also wish to ask Comey about the memos he kept of his meetings and conversations with President Trump.
