This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2017/mar/20/donald-trump-campaign-russia-fbi-nsa-live

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Trump-Russia ties: FBI and NSA heads face grilling – live Trump-Russia ties: FBI and NSA heads face grilling – live
(about 1 hour later)
2.14pm GMT
14:14
Schiff says the committee will explore “the potential involvement of US citizens in a Russian attack on our democracy.”
2.13pm GMT
14:13
Schiff: 'we do not yet know whether the Russian operation had help from US citizens'
Ranking Democrat Adam Schiff is reading an opening statement. He portrays the purpose of the hearing quite differently, saying “we do not yet know whether the Russian operation had help from US citizens, including people with the Trump campaign... if the Trump campaign, or anyone associated with it, aided or abetted the Russians, it would not only be a serious crime, it would be one of the most shocking” betrayals of the national trust in history.”
We will never know whether the Russian action was determinative in such a close election... it does not matter... The Russians successfully meddled in our democracy, and our intelligence agencies have concluded that they will do so again.
2.10pm GMT
14:10
Nunes: 'We know there was not a physical wiretap at Trump Tower'
The House intelligence committee hearing is live. Chairman Devin Nunes of California, a Republican, is reading an opening statement.
Nunes says the questions at hand include Russia’s tampering in the US election – and then two questions favorable to Trump: was any surveillance conducted appropriate? And where are these intelligence community leaks coming from?
Nunes says at the top that there was no tap of Trump Tower, as the president continues to insist.
We know there was not a physical wiretap at Trump Tower. However it is possible that other surveillance technology was used against President Trump and his associates.
2.07pm GMT
14:07
Trump’s still tweeting, first about CNN’s polling – on a day when Galliup has showing his approval rating at 37%:
Just heard Fake News CNN is doing polls again despite the fact that their election polls were a WAY OFF disaster. Much higher ratings at Fox
Gallup poll: Trump's job approval rating drops to 37% while 58% of Americans disapprove of his performance so far https://t.co/Q9diBIGQkr pic.twitter.com/qefJGicy6e
And then more misdirection on his allies’ Russia ties:
What about all of the contact with the Clinton campaign and the Russians? Also, is it true that the DNC would not let the FBI in to look?
1.49pm GMT
13:49
We’ve placed a video feed of the House select committee on intelligence hearing atop the blog. It’s due to start in 10 minutes.
The Gorsuch hearing starts at 11am ET. We’ll post a feed when the time comes.
12.55pm GMT12.55pm GMT
12:5512:55
Hello and welcome to our live-blog coverage of a high-stakes day on Capitol Hill for Donald Trump. His supreme court nominee, Judge Neil Gorsuch, will begin what are expected to be days of testimony before the Senate. At the start of the process, Gorsuch appears to enjoy reasonable goodwill on both sides of the aisle, although Democrats have doubts and have not forgotten their Republican colleagues’ terminal stalling on Barack Obama’s last nominee, Merrick Garland.Hello and welcome to our live-blog coverage of a high-stakes day on Capitol Hill for Donald Trump. His supreme court nominee, Judge Neil Gorsuch, will begin what are expected to be days of testimony before the Senate. At the start of the process, Gorsuch appears to enjoy reasonable goodwill on both sides of the aisle, although Democrats have doubts and have not forgotten their Republican colleagues’ terminal stalling on Barack Obama’s last nominee, Merrick Garland.
Read further on Gorsuch:Read further on Gorsuch:
The action the president is focused on this morning, however, is the testimony of a couple of intelligence directors, FBI director James Comey and NSA director Mike Rogers, about ties between Trump associates and Russia. The two are appearing before the House intelligence committee for the first day of its hearings into Russia’s efforts to influence last year’s presidential election.The action the president is focused on this morning, however, is the testimony of a couple of intelligence directors, FBI director James Comey and NSA director Mike Rogers, about ties between Trump associates and Russia. The two are appearing before the House intelligence committee for the first day of its hearings into Russia’s efforts to influence last year’s presidential election.
Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the committee, said on Sunday that “there is circumstantial evidence of collusion” between the Trump team and Moscow. “There is direct evidence, I think, of deception and that’s where we begin the investigation.”Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the committee, said on Sunday that “there is circumstantial evidence of collusion” between the Trump team and Moscow. “There is direct evidence, I think, of deception and that’s where we begin the investigation.”
Trump denied that charge this morning on Twitter, pointing to a statement a couple of weeks ago by former director of national intelligence James Clapper that he’d seen no evidence of such collusion. (Clapper added that such evidence “could have unfolded or become available in the time after I left the government”.)Trump denied that charge this morning on Twitter, pointing to a statement a couple of weeks ago by former director of national intelligence James Clapper that he’d seen no evidence of such collusion. (Clapper added that such evidence “could have unfolded or become available in the time after I left the government”.)
The real story that Congress, the FBI and all others should be looking into is the leaking of Classified information. Must find leaker now!The real story that Congress, the FBI and all others should be looking into is the leaking of Classified information. Must find leaker now!
The Democrats made up and pushed the Russian story as an excuse for running a terrible campaign. Big advantage in Electoral College & lost!The Democrats made up and pushed the Russian story as an excuse for running a terrible campaign. Big advantage in Electoral College & lost!
Comey is also expected to face questions about Trump’s incendiary claim that Barack Obama wiretapped Trump Tower during the election, a claim that only Trump and his press secretary seem to believe. The president and Sean Spicer dug themselves further into this hole last week by seeming to endorse a Fox News item claiming British intelligence had helped with the supposed tapping, an allegation the British furiously denied and Fox News disavowed.Comey is also expected to face questions about Trump’s incendiary claim that Barack Obama wiretapped Trump Tower during the election, a claim that only Trump and his press secretary seem to believe. The president and Sean Spicer dug themselves further into this hole last week by seeming to endorse a Fox News item claiming British intelligence had helped with the supposed tapping, an allegation the British furiously denied and Fox News disavowed.
Read further on Comey:Read further on Comey:
In addition, Trump and his health secretary, Tom Price, have more meetings today with Republicans in an effort to get the GOP healthcare bill through a House vote expected later this week. Trump will cap the day with an evening rally in Louisville, Kentucky, to pitch the bill.In addition, Trump and his health secretary, Tom Price, have more meetings today with Republicans in an effort to get the GOP healthcare bill through a House vote expected later this week. Trump will cap the day with an evening rally in Louisville, Kentucky, to pitch the bill.