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| Russia hearing: Comey says no information to confirm Trump's wiretap claims – as it happened | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 7.58pm GMT | 7.58pm GMT |
| 19:58 | 19:58 |
| The House intelligence committee hearing on Russian tampering in the US election has wrapped, as has day one of judge Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation hearings. Here’s what happened: | The House intelligence committee hearing on Russian tampering in the US election has wrapped, as has day one of judge Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation hearings. Here’s what happened: |
| FBI director James Comey announced for the first time that “the FBI, as part of our counter-intelligence mission, is investigating the Russian government’s efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, and that includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government, and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia’s efforts.” | FBI director James Comey announced for the first time that “the FBI, as part of our counter-intelligence mission, is investigating the Russian government’s efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, and that includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government, and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia’s efforts.” |
| Trump campaign figures mentioned at the hearing included Michael Flynn, Carter Page, Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, JD Gordon, Jeff Sessions and Kellyanne Conway. Comey declined to say whether the president was or is being personally investigated. | Trump campaign figures mentioned at the hearing included Michael Flynn, Carter Page, Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, JD Gordon, Jeff Sessions and Kellyanne Conway. Comey declined to say whether the president was or is being personally investigated. |
| Comey knocked down Trump’s assertion on Twitter that Barack Obama had “wire tapped” him. “We do not have any information that supports those tweets,” Comey said. | Comey knocked down Trump’s assertion on Twitter that Barack Obama had “wire tapped” him. “We do not have any information that supports those tweets,” Comey said. |
| Republican chairman Devin Nunes admitted that “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.” | Republican chairman Devin Nunes admitted that “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.” |
| Tweets sent from the @potus account during the hearing mischaracterized Comey’s testimony and that of NSA director Michael Rogers. One tweet said the witnesses had told Congress that Russia “did not influence electoral process”. | Tweets sent from the @potus account during the hearing mischaracterized Comey’s testimony and that of NSA director Michael Rogers. One tweet said the witnesses had told Congress that Russia “did not influence electoral process”. |
| Comey was asked about the tweet. “We’ve offered no opinion, have no view, have no information on potential impact, because it’s not something we’ve looked at,” Comey said. “It certainly wasn’t our intention to say that today.” | Comey was asked about the tweet. “We’ve offered no opinion, have no view, have no information on potential impact, because it’s not something we’ve looked at,” Comey said. “It certainly wasn’t our intention to say that today.” |
| Rogers denied a White House claim that the Obama administration asked GCHQ to conduct surveillance on Trump, saying it would have been a violation of US law to ask the British to conduct such an operation. | Rogers denied a White House claim that the Obama administration asked GCHQ to conduct surveillance on Trump, saying it would have been a violation of US law to ask the British to conduct such an operation. |
| Republicans called for punishment for anyone who leaked classified information to the press, concerning Flynn’s contacts with Russian operatives or other issues. One member promised to grill former CIA director John Brennan and former director of national intelligence James Clapper about leaks next week. | Republicans called for punishment for anyone who leaked classified information to the press, concerning Flynn’s contacts with Russian operatives or other issues. One member promised to grill former CIA director John Brennan and former director of national intelligence James Clapper about leaks next week. |
| It emerged that the FBI investigation of Russian tampering was launched in late July, although the public did not learn of the investigation for months, well after the FBI saw fit to announce its investigation of Hillary Clinton’s emails. | It emerged that the FBI investigation of Russian tampering was launched in late July, although the public did not learn of the investigation for months, well after the FBI saw fit to announce its investigation of Hillary Clinton’s emails. |
| The first day of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation hearings began with lengthy statements by Senate judiciary members and with an opening statement by Gorsuch. | The first day of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation hearings began with lengthy statements by Senate judiciary members and with an opening statement by Gorsuch. |
| Gorsuch was advised by Democrats to publicly and explicitly reject Trump’s attacks on the independence of the judiciary. Gorsuch, looking relaxed, quipped, “I appreciate all of the attention.” | Gorsuch was advised by Democrats to publicly and explicitly reject Trump’s attacks on the independence of the judiciary. Gorsuch, looking relaxed, quipped, “I appreciate all of the attention.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.28pm GMT | at 8.28pm GMT |
| 7.23pm GMT | 7.23pm GMT |
| 19:23 | 19:23 |
| Republicans urge FBI haste in concluding investigation | Republicans urge FBI haste in concluding investigation |
| Nunes asks Comey about specific administration figures. Nunes asks whether Comey has “any evidence that any current White House official coordinated with Russian” operatives. | Nunes asks Comey about specific administration figures. Nunes asks whether Comey has “any evidence that any current White House official coordinated with Russian” operatives. |
| “I’m not going to comment on that,” Comey says. “Don’t overinterpret the fact that I say I can’t comment, I’m not going to comment on anybody.” | “I’m not going to comment on that,” Comey says. “Don’t overinterpret the fact that I say I can’t comment, I’m not going to comment on anybody.” |
| Kellyanne Conway? | Kellyanne Conway? |
| Nope, no comment. | Nope, no comment. |
| Nunes voices frustration, at how the FBI investigation of possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia is inconvenient: | Nunes voices frustration, at how the FBI investigation of possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia is inconvenient: |
| There is a big gray cloud that you’ve now put over people who have very important work to do to lead this country. So the faster that you can get to the bottom of this” the better. | There is a big gray cloud that you’ve now put over people who have very important work to do to lead this country. So the faster that you can get to the bottom of this” the better. |
| Gavel. That’s it for the hearing today. | Gavel. That’s it for the hearing today. |
| 7.19pm GMT | 7.19pm GMT |
| 19:19 | 19:19 |
| Comey: back to work. | Comey: back to work. |
| [As soon as Trey Gowdy gets done talking?] | [As soon as Trey Gowdy gets done talking?] |
| In any case, the intelligence committee hearing is winding down. | In any case, the intelligence committee hearing is winding down. |
| Comey says he didn't want to testify today, but "now we're going to close our mouths and do our work" | Comey says he didn't want to testify today, but "now we're going to close our mouths and do our work" |
| After Gorsuch’s opening statement, the senate judiciary committee adjourns. They’ll be going all week, folks. | After Gorsuch’s opening statement, the senate judiciary committee adjourns. They’ll be going all week, folks. |
| 7.15pm GMT | 7.15pm GMT |
| 19:15 | 19:15 |
| Comey says that if he had to do it all over again, “We would have sent up a much larger flare,” meaning he would have raised a more urgent alarm about Russian hacking at the DNC, and sooner. | Comey says that if he had to do it all over again, “We would have sent up a much larger flare,” meaning he would have raised a more urgent alarm about Russian hacking at the DNC, and sooner. |
| “I might have walked over there myself, knowing what I know now,” Comey said, referring to the DNC. | “I might have walked over there myself, knowing what I know now,” Comey said, referring to the DNC. |
| He said the FBI had to notify more than a thousand organizations of the Russian tampering attempts. | He said the FBI had to notify more than a thousand organizations of the Russian tampering attempts. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.15pm GMT | at 7.15pm GMT |
| 7.00pm GMT | 7.00pm GMT |
| 19:00 | 19:00 |
| Gorsuch reads opening statement | Gorsuch reads opening statement |
| Trump’s supreme court nominee has just told his wife he loves her very much. Now he is narrating his biography. He’s smiling, turning on the charm. Here’s the video feed again: | Trump’s supreme court nominee has just told his wife he loves her very much. Now he is narrating his biography. He’s smiling, turning on the charm. Here’s the video feed again: |
| 6.56pm GMT | 6.56pm GMT |
| 18:56 | 18:56 |
| Heck, the Washington Democrat, calls the facts of the FBI investigation “dirty” and “sleazy.” He says that Trump is historically compromised. | Heck, the Washington Democrat, calls the facts of the FBI investigation “dirty” and “sleazy.” He says that Trump is historically compromised. |
| “We’ve heard nothing but terribly disturbing evidence of what has happened to our country at the hands of our greatest adversary,” Heck says. | “We’ve heard nothing but terribly disturbing evidence of what has happened to our country at the hands of our greatest adversary,” Heck says. |
| The evidence indicates “that this was in part an inside job,” Heck says. | The evidence indicates “that this was in part an inside job,” Heck says. |
| Correction: This post has been updated to reflect that Heck is from Washington not DC. | Correction: This post has been updated to reflect that Heck is from Washington not DC. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.46pm GMT | at 7.46pm GMT |
| 6.51pm GMT | 6.51pm GMT |
| 18:51 | 18:51 |
| Rep Elise Stefanik of New York, a Republican, asks why it took the FBI months to notify Congress of its investigation into Russian election tampering, an investigation that opened in June 2016. | Rep Elise Stefanik of New York, a Republican, asks why it took the FBI months to notify Congress of its investigation into Russian election tampering, an investigation that opened in June 2016. |
| “Because of the sensitivity of the matter,” Comey says. | “Because of the sensitivity of the matter,” Comey says. |
| Stefanik then gets Comey to acknowledge that Russian hacking targeted both Republican- and Democratic-affiliated entities. But he doesn’t specify what Republican outfits were targeted. | Stefanik then gets Comey to acknowledge that Russian hacking targeted both Republican- and Democratic-affiliated entities. But he doesn’t specify what Republican outfits were targeted. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.52pm GMT | at 6.52pm GMT |
| 6.48pm GMT | 6.48pm GMT |
| 18:48 | 18:48 |
| Here’s video of the moment when Trump’s tweets about the intelligence hearing were fact-checked at the intelligence hearing (the fact check concluded: tweets not accurate but we apologize if we failed to make ourselves clear). | Here’s video of the moment when Trump’s tweets about the intelligence hearing were fact-checked at the intelligence hearing (the fact check concluded: tweets not accurate but we apologize if we failed to make ourselves clear). |
| Lol they're just fact-checking tweets now pic.twitter.com/OZzgGb8dhj | Lol they're just fact-checking tweets now pic.twitter.com/OZzgGb8dhj |
| 6.40pm GMT | 6.40pm GMT |
| 18:40 | 18:40 |
| Rick Crawford, Republican of Arkansas, extends thanks on behalf of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for the FBI’s helping to recover his stolen Super Bowl jersey, Comey’s under-oath hatred of the Patriots notwithstanding. What does this guy from Arkansas have to do with the Patriots? | Rick Crawford, Republican of Arkansas, extends thanks on behalf of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for the FBI’s helping to recover his stolen Super Bowl jersey, Comey’s under-oath hatred of the Patriots notwithstanding. What does this guy from Arkansas have to do with the Patriots? |
| Comey says he hates the Patriots because of their “sustained excellence” which offends him as a New York Giants fan. | Comey says he hates the Patriots because of their “sustained excellence” which offends him as a New York Giants fan. |
| Basically, he’s sick of winning. | Basically, he’s sick of winning. |
| 6.38pm GMT | 6.38pm GMT |
| 18:38 | 18:38 |
| Comey: Russia targeted voter registrations rolls, not voting machines or tabulation | Comey: Russia targeted voter registrations rolls, not voting machines or tabulation |
| Denny Heck, Democrat of Washington, asks Comey what elections apparatus Russia targeted, exactly. | Denny Heck, Democrat of Washington, asks Comey what elections apparatus Russia targeted, exactly. |
| Not voting machines, Comey says: “We saw no indication of that.” | Not voting machines, Comey says: “We saw no indication of that.” |
| They saw “efforts to penetrate state boards of election, voter registration databases.” But not to penetrate the vote itself. “Their efforts were aimed at voter registration systems in various states...” not as far as the FBI knows at “voting machines, vote tabulation.” | They saw “efforts to penetrate state boards of election, voter registration databases.” But not to penetrate the vote itself. “Their efforts were aimed at voter registration systems in various states...” not as far as the FBI knows at “voting machines, vote tabulation.” |
| Correction: This post has been updated to reflect that Heck is from Washington not DC. | Correction: This post has been updated to reflect that Heck is from Washington not DC. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.46pm GMT | at 7.46pm GMT |
| 6.35pm GMT | 6.35pm GMT |
| 18:35 | 18:35 |
| Comey declines comment on whether Manafort subject of investigation | Comey declines comment on whether Manafort subject of investigation |
| Joaquin Castro, Democrat of Texas: “the coincidences keep piling up.” | Joaquin Castro, Democrat of Texas: “the coincidences keep piling up.” |
| He asks: Is Paul Manafort a subject in your investigation? | He asks: Is Paul Manafort a subject in your investigation? |
| Comey: I’m not going to comment on that. | Comey: I’m not going to comment on that. |
| 6.29pm GMT | 6.29pm GMT |
| 18:29 | 18:29 |
| Comey and Rogers contradict Trump tweets about what they said earlier | Comey and Rogers contradict Trump tweets about what they said earlier |
| Himes, the Connecticut Democrat, gets Comey and Rogers to knock down the Trump tweets in real time. | Himes, the Connecticut Democrat, gets Comey and Rogers to knock down the Trump tweets in real time. |
| First Himes reads Trump’s tweet that Comey and Rogers had testified “that Russia did not influence electoral process.” | First Himes reads Trump’s tweet that Comey and Rogers had testified “that Russia did not influence electoral process.” |
| “I haven’t been following anybody on Twitter while I’ve been sitting here,” Comey says. | “I haven’t been following anybody on Twitter while I’ve been sitting here,” Comey says. |
| “This tweet has gone out to millions of Americans, 16.1m to be exact,” Himes says. “Is that accurate?” | “This tweet has gone out to millions of Americans, 16.1m to be exact,” Himes says. “Is that accurate?” |
| Comey says they have not testified about the potential impact of Russia’s tampering on the vote tally: | Comey says they have not testified about the potential impact of Russia’s tampering on the vote tally: |
| We’ve offered no opinion, have no view... on potential impact, because it’s not something that we’ve looked at... It certainly wasn’t our intention to say that today because we don’t have any information on that subject. And it wasn’t something that was looked at. | We’ve offered no opinion, have no view... on potential impact, because it’s not something that we’ve looked at... It certainly wasn’t our intention to say that today because we don’t have any information on that subject. And it wasn’t something that was looked at. |
| Himes asks Rogers about a second Trump tweet, “NSA Director Rogers tells Congress unmasking individuals endangers national security.” | Himes asks Rogers about a second Trump tweet, “NSA Director Rogers tells Congress unmasking individuals endangers national security.” |
| “I assume the comment is designed to address the leaking of such information,” Rogers says. But he hasn’t read it. | “I assume the comment is designed to address the leaking of such information,” Rogers says. But he hasn’t read it. |
| Lol they're just fact-checking tweets now pic.twitter.com/OZzgGb8dhj | Lol they're just fact-checking tweets now pic.twitter.com/OZzgGb8dhj |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.39pm GMT | at 6.39pm GMT |
| 6.22pm GMT | 6.22pm GMT |
| 18:22 | 18:22 |
| Comey, describing Russia’s disposition on Trump, falls back on a football analogy. | Comey, describing Russia’s disposition on Trump, falls back on a football analogy. |
| “I hate the New England Patriots, and no matter who they play I would like them to lose,” he says. “The hatred for Mrs Clinton was all the way along. When Mr Trump became the nominee, there was some sense that it would be great if he could win, it would be great if we could help him” but at least we have to hurt her if we can. | “I hate the New England Patriots, and no matter who they play I would like them to lose,” he says. “The hatred for Mrs Clinton was all the way along. When Mr Trump became the nominee, there was some sense that it would be great if he could win, it would be great if we could help him” but at least we have to hurt her if we can. |
| Rogers jumps in and says they had a lot of evidence pointing in the same direction, in terms of Russia’s preferences, actions and intentions. “There’s a reason why we had a high level as confidence in everything.” | Rogers jumps in and says they had a lot of evidence pointing in the same direction, in terms of Russia’s preferences, actions and intentions. “There’s a reason why we had a high level as confidence in everything.” |
| 6.18pm GMT | 6.18pm GMT |
| 18:18 | 18:18 |
| I don’t know him, I’ve never met him, and we never got along. | I don’t know him, I’ve never met him, and we never got along. |
| Wow - Spicer now describing Manafort as playing a "very limited role" for a "very limited" time. He was chairman of the campaign!!! | Wow - Spicer now describing Manafort as playing a "very limited role" for a "very limited" time. He was chairman of the campaign!!! |
| Why would you tell such embarrassing falsehoods unless you were worried about what Comey might turn up? https://t.co/8HuuqgbbrD | Why would you tell such embarrassing falsehoods unless you were worried about what Comey might turn up? https://t.co/8HuuqgbbrD |