Testimony Transcript On Trump and Russia - POLITICO

6/8/2017 Full text: James Comey testimony transcript on Trump and Russia - POLITICO
FormerFIDirectorJamesCometestifieseforetheenateelectCommitteeonIntelligenceon
CapitolHillonJune8.|Gett
Fulltext:JameCometetimontrancriptonTrumpandRuia
POLITICOTAFF|06/08/201711:14AMDT|Updated06/08/201701:48PMDT
AtrancriptofformerFIDirectorJameCome'tetimoneforetheenateIntelligence
CommitteeonJune8.
N.RICHARDURR:Icallthihearingtoorder.DirectorCome,Iappreciateour
willingnetoappeareforethecommitteetoda,andmoreimportantlIthankoufor
ourdedicatederviceandleaderhiptotheFederalureauofInvetigation.Your
appearancetodapeaktothetrutwehaveuiltovertheearandI'mlookingforward
toaveropenandcandiddicuiontoda.I'dliketoremindmcolleaguethatwewill
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/06/08/full-text-james-comey-trump-russia-testimony-239295 1/66
reconveneincloedeionat1:00P.M.toda,andIakthatoureerveforthatvenuean
quetionthatmightgetintoclaifiedinformation.Thedirectorhaeenvergraciou
withhitime,thevicechairmanandIworkedoutaverpecifictimelineforhi
commitmenttoeonthehill,owewilldoeverthingwecantomeetthatagreement.
TheenateelectCommitteeonIntelligenceexittocertiffortheother85memerof
theUnitedtateenateandtheAmericanpeoplethattheintelligencecommuniti
operatinglawfull,andhathenecearauthoritieandtooltoaccomplihitmiion,
andkeepAmericaafe.Partofourmiion,eondtheoverightwecontinuetoprovideto
theintelligencecommunitanditactivitie,itoinvetigateRuianinterferenceinthe
2016U..election.Thecommittee'workcontinue.Thihearingrepreentpartofthat
effort.Jim,allegationhaveeenwirlinginthepreforthelateveralweekandtodai
ouropportunittoettherecordtraight.Yeterda,Ireadwithinteretourtatement
fortherecord,andIthinkitprovideomehelpfuldetailurroundingourinteraction
withthepreident.Itclearllaoutourundertandingofthoedicuion,actionou
tookfollowingeachconverationandourtateofmind.
Ivermuchappreciateourcandor,andIthinkitprovidehelpfuldetailurrounding
ourinteractionwiththepreident.Itclearllaoutourundertandingofthoe
dicuion,actionoutookfollowingeachconverationandourtateofmind.
Ivermuchappreciateourcandor,andIthinkit'helpfulaweworkthroughto
determinetheultimatetruthehindpoileRuianinterferenceinthe2016election.
Yourtatementaloprovidetextureandcontexttoourinteractionwiththepreident,
fromourvantagepoint,andoutlineatrainedrelationhip.TheAmericanpeopleneedto
hearourideofthetor,jutatheneedtohearthepreident'decriptionofevent.
Theeinteractionalohighlighttheimportanceofthecommittee'ongoinginvetigation.
Ourexperiencedtaffiinterviewingallrelevantpartieandomeofthemotenitive
intelligenceinourcountr'poeion.Wewilletalihthefacteparatefromrampant
peculationandlathemoutfortheAmericanpeopletomaketheirownjudgment.
TheWhiteHouereadit.Doou?
ignupforPOLITICOPlaookandgetthelatestnews,evermorninginourinox.

Youremail
signingupouagreetoreceiveemailnewslettersoralertsfromPOLITICO.Youcanunsuscrieatantime.
Onlthenwillweaanationealetomoveforwardandtoputthiepiodetoret.There
areeveralouttandingiuenotaddreedinourtatementthatIhopeou'llclearup
fortheAmericanpeopletoda.Didthepreident'requetforloalt,ourimpreion,let
theone-on-onedinnerofJanuar27thwaandIquoteatleatinpartanefforttocreate
omepatronagerelationhipandMarch30thphonecallakingwhatoucoulddotolift
thecloudofRuiainvetigationinanwaalterourapproachoftheFI'invetigation
intogeneralFlnnortheroaderinvetigationintoRuia,andpoilelinktothe
campaign?InouropiniondidpotentialRuianefforttoetalihalinkwithindividual
intheTrumporitrietothelevelwecoulddefineacolluionorwaitacounter-
intelligenceconcern?There'eenaignificantpulicpeculationaoutourdeciion-
makingrelatedtotheClintonemailinvetigation.Whdidoudecidepulicl,topulicl
announce,FI'recommendationthattheDepartmentofJuticenotpuruecriminal
charge?Youhavedecrieditaachoiceetweenaaddeciionandaworedeciion.The
Americanpeopleneedtoundertandthefactehindouraction.Thicommitteei
uniqueluitedtoinvetigateRuia'interferenceinthe2016election.Wealohavea
unifiedipartianapproachtowhatiahighlchargedpartianiue.Ruianactivitie
during2016electionmahaveeenaimedatonepart'candidate,utamcolleague
enatorRuioafrequentl,in2018and2020,itcouldeaimedatanone,athomeor
aroad.
Mcolleague,enatorWarnerandI,haveworkedtotainlockteponthiinvetigation.
We'vehadourdifferenceonapproach,attime,utI'vecontantltreedthatweneed
toeateam,andIthinkenatorWarneragreewithme.Wemutkeeptheequetion
aovepoliticandpartianhip.It'tooimportanttoetaintedanonetringtocore
politicalpoint.Withthat,again,Iwelcomeoudirector,andIturntothevicechairmanfor
ancommenthemighthave.
N.MARKWARNR:Thankou,Mr.Chairmanandletmetartagainaolutel
thankingallthememerofthecommitteefortheeriouneinwhichthe'vetakenon
thitak.Mr.Come,thankouforagreeingtocometetifapartofthicommittee'
invetigationintoRuia.Irealizethihearinghaeenovioulthefocuofalotof
Wahington,inthelatfewda.utthetruthi,manAmericanwhomaetuningin
todaproalhaven'tfocuedonevertwitandturnoftheinvetigation.oI'dliketo
riefldecrie,atleatfromthienator'tandpoint,whatwealreadknow,andwhat
we'retillinvetigating.Toeclear,thiinvetigationinotaoutrelitigatingtheelection.
It'notaoutwhowonorlot.AnditureaheckinotaoutDemocratveru
Repulican.Wearehereecaueaforeignadverarattackedurighthereathome,plain
andimple.Notgunormiile,utforeignoperativeeekingtohijackourmot
importantdemocraticproce,ourpreidentialelection.Ruianpieengagedinaerie
ofonlinecerraid,andaroadcampaignofdiinformation,allultimatelaimedat
owingchaotounderminepulicfaithinourproce,inourleaderhip,andultimatelin
ourelve.
Andthat'notjutthienator'opinion.Ititheunanimoudeterminationoftheentire
U..intelligencecommunit.owemutfindoutthefulltor,whattheRuiandid,and
candidlaomeothercolleaguementioned,whthewereoucceful,andmore
importantlwemutdeterminethenecearteptotaketoprotectourdemocracand
enurethecan'tdoitagain.Thechairmanmentionedelectionin2018and2020,inm
hometateofVirginia,wehaveelectionthiearin2017.implput,wecannotlet
anthingoranonepreventufromgettingtotheottomofthi.NowMr.Come,letme
aattheoutet,wehaven'talwaagreedoneveriue.InfactI'veoccaionall
quetionedomeoftheactionou'vetaken,utI'veneverhadanreaontoquetionour
integrit,ourexpertie,orourintelligence.You'veeenatraighthooterwiththi
committeeandhaveeenwillingtopeaktruthtopower,evenattherikofourown
career,whichmakethewainwhichouwerefiredthepreidentultimatelhocking.
Recallweeganthientireprocewiththepreidentandhitafffirtdeningthatthe
Ruianwereeverinvolvedandthenfalelclaimingthatnoonefromhiteamwaever
intouchwithanRuian.Weknowthat'jutnotthetruth.NumerouTrumpaociate
hadundicloedcontactwithRuianeforeandaftertheelection,includingthe
preident'attornegeneral,hiformernationalecuritadvierandhicurrentenior
advier,Mr.Kuhner.Thatdoen'tevenegintocountthehotofadditionalcampaign
aociateandadvierwhohavealoeencaughtupinthimaivewe.
WeawMr.Trump'campaignmanager,Mr.Manafort,forcedtotepdownovertieto
Ruianackentitie.Thenationalecuritadvier,GeneralFlnn,hadtoreignoverhi
lieaoutengagementwiththeRuian,andweawthecandidatehimelfexprean
oddandunexplainedaffectionfortheRuiandictatorwhilecallingforthehackingofhi
opponent.There'alottoinvetigate.nough,infact,thatdirectorComepulicl
acknowledgedthathewaleadinganinvetigationintothoelinketweenMr.Trump'
campaignandtheRuiangovernment.AthedirectoroftheFI,Mr.Comewa
ultimatelreponileforconductingthatinvetigation,whichmightexplainwhou're
ittingnowaaprivatecitizen.Whatwedoknowwaattheametimethatthi
invetigationwaproceeding,thepreidenthimelfappeartohaveeenengagedinan
efforttoinfluenceoratleatco-optthedirectoroftheFI.ThetetimonMr.Come
umittedfortoda'hearingiverdituring.Forexample,onJanuar27th,after
ummoningDirectorCometodinner,thepreidentappeartohavethreateneddirector'
jowhiletellinghim"Ineedloalt.Iexpectloalt."Atalatermeeting,onFeruar14th,
thepreidentakedtheattornegeneraltoleavetheOvalOffice,othathecouldprivatel
akDirectorComeagain"ToeewacleartolettingFlnngo."Thatiatatementthat
DirectorComeinterpretedaarequetthathedroptheinvetigationconnectedtogeneral
Flnn'faletatement.
Thinkaoutit.ThepreidentoftheUnitedtateakingtheFIDirectortodropan
ongoinginvetigation.Andafterthat,thepreidentcalledtheFIDirectorontwo
additionaloccaion,March30thandApril11thandakedhimagain"Toliftthecloudon
theRuianinvetigation."Now,DirectorComedeniedeachoftheeimproperrequet.
Theloaltpledge,theadmonitiontodroptheFlnninvetigation,therequettoliftthe
cloudontheRuianinvetigation.Ofcoure,afterhirefual,DirectorComewafired.
Theinitialexplanationforthefiringdidn'tpaanmelltet.onowDirectorComewa
firedecauehedidn'ttreatHillarClintonappropriatel.
Ofcourethatexplanationlatedaoutada,ecauethepreidenthimelfthenmade
verclearthathewathinkingaoutRuiawhenhedecidedtofireDirectorCome.
hockingl,reportuggetthatthepreidentadmittedamuchinanOvalOfficemeeting
withtheRuianthedaafterdirectorComewafired.Diparagingourcountr'toplaw
enforcementofficialaanutjo,thepreidentallegedluggetedthathifiringrelieved
greatpreureonhifeelingaoutRuia.Thiinothappeninginiolation.Attheame
time,thepreidentwaengagedintheeeffortwithDirectorCome,hewaaloatleat
allegedlakingeniorleaderoftheintelligencecommunittodownplatheRuia
invetigationortointervenewiththedirector.YeterdawehadDNIDirectorCoatand
NADirectorAdmiralRoger,whowereofferedanumerofopportunitietoflatlden
thoeprereport.Theexpreedtheiropinion,utthedidnottakethatopportunit
todenthoereport.Thedidnottakeadvantageofthatopportunit.Melief,that'not
howthePreidentoftheUnitedtatehouldehave.Regardleoftheoutcomeofour
invetigationintotheRuialink,DirectorCome'firingandhitetimonraieeparate
andtroulingquetionthatwemutgettotheottomof.Again,aIaidattheoutet,I've
eenfirthandhowerioulevermemerofthicommitteeitakinghiwork.I'mproud
ofthecommittee'effortofar.Letmeeclear.Thiinotawitchhunt.Thiinotfake
new.ItianefforttoprotectourIcanfromanewthreatthatquitehonetlwillnotgo
awaantimeoon.
oMr.Come,ourtetimonheretodawillhelpumovetowardthatgoal.Ilook
forwardtothattetimon.Thankou,Mr.Chairman.
WHITHOU
ComelatWhiteHoueforlie,plainandimple
ComelatWhiteHoueforlie,plainandimple
JOHGRTINandKYLCHNY
URR:Thankou,vicechairman.Directorhadicuedwhenouagreedtoappear
eforethecommitteeitwouldeunderoath.I'dakoutopleaetand.Raieourright
hand.
Doouolemnlweartotellthetruth,thewholetruthandnothingutthetruthohelp
ougod?
FORMRFIDIRCTORJAMCOMY:Ido.
URR:Pleaeeeated.DirectorComeou'renowunderoath.AndIwouldjutnoteto
memer,ouwillerecognizedenioritforaperioduptoevenminute,andagain,it
itheintenttomovetoacloedeionnolaterthan1:00P.M.WiththatdirectorCome,
ouarerecognized,ouhavethefloorforalongaoumightneed.
COMY:Thankou,Mr.Chairman,rankingmemerWarner,memerofthecommittee,
thankouforinvitingmeheretotetiftoda.I'veumittedmtatementfortherecord,
andI'mnotgoingtorepeatitherethimorning.IthoughtIwouldjutofferomeverrief
introductorremarkandIwouldwelcomeourquetion.WhenIwaappointedFI
Directorin2013,IundertoodthatIervedatthepleaureofthepreident.venthoughI
waappointedtoa10-earterm,whichCongrecreatedinordertoundercorethe
importanceoftheFIeingoutideofpoliticandindependent,IundertoodthatIcould
efiredapreidentforanreaonorfornoreaonatall.AndonMatheninth,whenI
learnedthatIhadeenfired,forthatreaonIimmediatelcamehomeaaprivatecitizen.
utthentheexplanation,thehiftingexplanation,confuedmeandincreaingl
concernedme.TheconfuedmeecauethepreidentandIhadhadmultiple
converationaoutmjo,otheforeandafterhetookoffice,andhehadrepeatedltold
meIwadoingagreatjo,andhehopedIwouldta.AndIhadrepeatedlauredhim
thatIdidintendtotaanderveouttheearofmterm.Hetoldmerepeatedlthathe
hadtalkedtolotofpeopleaoutme,includingourcurrentAttorneGeneral,andhad
learnedthatIwadoingagreatjo,andthatIwaextremelwell-likedtheFI
workforce.
oitconfuedmewhenIawonteleviionthepreidentaingthatheactuallfiredme
ecaueoftheRuiainvetigation,andlearnedagainfromthemediathathewatelling
privatelotherpartiethatmfiringhadrelievedgreatpreureontheRuian
invetigation.IwaaloconfuedtheinitialexplanationthatwaofferedpuliclthatI
wafiredecaueofthedeciionIhadmadeduringtheelectionear.Thatdidn'tmake
enetomeforawholeunchofreaon,includingthetimeandallthewaterthathad
goneundertheridgeincethoeharddeciionthathadtoemade.Thatdidn'tmakean
enetome.AndalthoughthelawrequirednoreaonatalltofireanFIdirector,the
adminitrationthenchoetodefamemeandmoreimportantltheFIaingthatthe
organizationwaindiarra,thatitwapoorlled,thattheworkforcehadlotconfidence
initleader.Thoewerelie,plainandimple.AndIamoorrthattheFIworkforce
hadtohearthem,andI'moorrthattheAmericanpeopleweretoldthem.
IworkedeverdaattheFItohelpmakethatgreatorganizationetter,andIahelp,
ecaueIdidnothingaloneattheFI.TherenoindipenalepeopleattheFI.The
organization'greattrengthithatitvalueandailitierundeepandwide.TheFIwill
efinewithoutme.TheFI'miionwillerelentlelpurueditpeople,andthat
miionitoprotecttheAmericanpeopleandupholdthecontitutionoftheUnitedtate.
Iwilldeeplmieingpartofthatmiion,utthiorganizationanditmiionwillgoon
longeondmeandlongeondanparticularadminitration.IhaveameageeforeI
cloeformformercolleagueoftheFIutfirtIwanttheAmericanpeopletoknowthi
truth.TheFIihonet.TheFIitrong.AndtheFIiandalwawilleindependent.
Andnowtomformercolleague,ifIma.IamoorrthatIdidn'tgetthechancetoa
goodetoouproperl.Itwathenorofmlifetoerveeideou,toepartoftheFI
famil,andIwillmiitfortheretofmlife.Thankoufortandingwatch.Thankoufor
doingomuchgoodforthicountr.Dothatgoodalongaeveroucan.Andenator,I
lookforwardtoourquetion.
URR:Director,thankouforthattetimon,othoralandthewrittentetimonthatou
providedtothecommitteeeterdaandmadepulictotheAmericanpeople.Thechair
wouldrecognizehimelffirtfor12minute,vicechairfor12minute,aeduponthe
agreementwehave.Director,didthepecialcounel'officereviewand/oreditour
writtentetimon?
COMY:No.
URR:DoouhaveandoutthatRuiaattemptedtointerfereinthe2016election?
COMY:None.
URR:DoouhaveandoutthattheRuiangovernmentwaehindtheintruionin
theDtripleCtemandtheuequentleakofthatinformation?
COMY:No,nodout.
URR:
URR:DoouhaveandouttheRuiangovernmentwaehindthecerintruionin
thetatevoterfile?
COMY:No.
URR:Areouconfidentthatnovotecatinthe2016preidentialelectionwerealtered?
COMY:I'mconfident.WhenIleftadirectorIhadeennoindicationofthatwhatoever.
URR:DirectorCome,didthepreidentatantimeakoutotoptheFIinvetigation
intoRuianinvolvementinthe2016U..lection?
COMY:Nottomundertanding,no.
URR:Didanindividualworkingforthiadminitration,includingthejutice
department,akoutotoptheRuianinvetigation?
COMY:No.
URR:Director,whenthepreidentrequetedthatou,andIquote"LetFlnngo,"General
FlnnhadanunreportedcontactwiththeRuian,whichianoffene,andifpre
accountareright,theremighthaveeendicrepancieetweenfactandhiFI
tetimon.Inouretimation,wageneralFlnnatthattimeinerioulegaljeopard,and
inadditiontothat,doouenethatthepreidentwatringtootructjuticeorjuteek
forawaforMikeFlnntoaveface,giventhathehadalreadeenfired?
COMY:GeneralFlnnatthatpointintimewainlegaljeopard.TherewaanopenFI
criminalinvetigationofhitatementinconnectionwiththeRuiancontact,andthe
contactthemelve,andothatwamaementatthetime.Idon'tthinkit'formeto
awhethertheconverationIhadwiththepreidentwaanefforttootruct.Itookitaa
verdituringthing,verconcerning,utthat'aconcluionI'murethepecialcounel
willworktowardtotrandundertandwhattheintentionwathere,andwhetherthat'
anoffene.
URR:Director,iitpoilethat,apartofthiFIinvetigation,theFIcouldfind
evidenceofcriminalitthatinottiedtothe2016election,poilecolluion,or
coordinationwithRuian?
COMY:ure.
URR:
URR:otherecouldeomethingthatfitacriminalapecttothithatdoen'thave
anthingtodowiththe2016electionccle?
COMY:Correct,inancomplexinvetigation,whenoutartturningoverrock,
ometimeoufindthingthatareunrelatedtotheprimarinvetigationthatarecriminal
innature.
URR:Director,Come,ouhaveeencriticizedpuliclforthedeciiontopreentour
findingontheemailinvetigationdirectltotheAmericanpeople.Haveoulearned
anthingincethattimethatwouldhavechangedwhatouaidorhowouchoeto
informtheAmericanpeople?
COMY:Honetl,no.ItcauedawholelotofperonalpainformeutaIlookack,
givenwhatIknewatthetimeandevenwhatI'velearnedince,Ithinkitwatheetwato
trtoprotectthejuticeintitution,includingtheFI.
URR:Inthepulicdomainithiquetionoftheteeldoier,adocumentthatha
eenaroundoutinforoveraear.I'mnoturewhentheFIfirttookpoeionofit,ut
themediahaditeforeouhaditandwehadit.AtthetimeofourdeparturefromtheFI,
watheFIaletoconfirmancriminalallegationcontainedintheteeldocument?
COMY:Mr.Chairman,Idon'tthinkthat'aquetionIcananwerinanopenetting
ecaueitgoeintothedetailoftheinvetigation.
URR:Director,thetermwehearmotoftenicolluion.Whenpeoplearedecriing
poilelinketweenAmericanandRuiangovernmententitierelatedtothe
interferenceinourelection,wouldouathatit'Normalforforeigngovernmentto
reachouttomemerofanincomingadminitration?
COMY:Ye.
URR:Atwhatpointdoethenormalcontactcrothelineintoanattempttorecruit
agentorinfluenceorpie?
COMY:Difficulttoaintheatract.Itdependuponthecontext,whetherthere'an
efforttokeepitcovert,whatthenatureoftherequetmadeoftheAmericantheforeign
governmentare.It'ajudgmentcallaedonawholelotoffact.
URR:Atwhatpointwouldthatrecruitmentecomeacounterintelligencethreattoour
countr?
COMY:
COMY:Again,difficulttoanwerintheatract,utwhenaforeignpoweriuing
epeciallcoercion,oromeortofpreuretotrandco-optanAmerican,epecialla
governmentofficial,toactonitehalf,that'aeriouconcerntotheFIandattheheart
oftheFI'counterintelligencemiion.
URR:oifou'vegota36-pagedocumentofpecificclaimthatareoutthere,theFI
wouldhavetoforcounterintelligencereaon,trtoverifanthingthatmighteclaimed
inthere,one,andproalfirtandforemot,ithecounterintelligenceconcernthatwe
haveaoutlackmail.Wouldthateanaccuratetatement?
COMY:Ye.IftheFIreceiveacredileallegationthatthereiomeefforttoco-opt,
coerce,direct,emploeecovertlanAmericanonehalfoftheforeignpower,that'the
aionwhichacounterintelligenceinvetigationiopened.
URR:Andwhenoureadthedoier,whatwaourreaction,giventhatitwa100%
directedatthepreident-elect?
COMY:NotaquetionIcananwerinopenetting,Mr.Chairman.
URR:Oka.Whendidouecomeawareofthecerintruion?
COMY:Thefirtcertherewaallkindofcerintruiongoingonallthetime.
ThefirtRuian-connectedcerintruionIecameawareofinthelateummerof2015.
URR:Andinthattimeframe,thereweremorethantheDNCandtheDtripleCthatwere
target?
COMY:Correct,amaiveefforttotargetgovernmentandnongovernmental,near
governmentalagencielikenonprofit.
URR:WhatwouldetheetimateofhowmanentitieouttheretheRuian
pecificalltargetedinthattimeframe?
COMY:It'hundred.Iuppoeitcouldemorethan1,000,utit'atleathundred.
URR:Whendidouecomeawarethatdatahadeenexfiltrated?
COMY:I'mnotureexactl.Ithinkeitherlate'15orearl'16.
URR:Anddidou,thedirectoroftheFI,haveconverationwiththelat
adminitrationaouttherikthatthipoed?
COMY:
COMY:Ye.
URR:Andharewithu,ifouwill,whatactionthetook.
COMY:Well,theFIhadalreadundertakenanefforttonotifallthevictim,andthat'
whatweconidertheentitieattackedapartofthimaivepear-phihingcampaigno
wenotifiedtheminanefforttodiruptwhatmighteongoing,andthentherewaaerie
ofcontinuinginteractionwithentitiethroughtheretof'15into'16,andthenthroughout
'16,theadminitrationwatringtodecidehowtorepondtotheintruionactivitthatit
aw.
URR:AndtheFIinthicae,unlikeothercaethatoumightinvetigate,didouever
haveaccetotheactualhardwarethatwahacked,ordidouhavetorelonathirdpart
toprovideouthedathatthatthehadcollected?
COMY:InthecaeoftheDNC,andIelievetheDtripleC,utI'muretheDNC,wedid
nothaveaccetothedevicethemelve.Wegotrelevantforenicinformationfroma
privatepart,ahighclaentit,thathaddonetheworkutwedidn'tgetdirectacce.
URR:utnocontent.
COMY:Correct.
URR:In'tcontentanimportantpartoftheforenicfromacounter-intelligence
tandpoint?
COMY:Itiutwhatwariefedtomethepeoplewhoweremfolkatthetimei
thatthehadgottentheinformationfromtheprivatepartthattheneededtoundertand
theintruionthepringof2016.
URR:LetmegoackifIcanverriefltothedeciiontopuliclgooutwithour
reultontheemail.Waourdeciioninfluencedtheattornegeneral'tarmac
meetingwiththeformerpreident,illClinton?
COMY:Ye.Inultimatelconcluivewathatwathethingthatcappeditforme,thatI
hadtodoomethingeparateltoprotectthecrediilitoftheinvetigation,whichmeant
oththeFIandthejuticedepartment.
URR:Werethereotherthingthatcontriutedtothat,thatoucandecrieinanopen
eion?
COMY:
COMY:Therewereotherthingthatcontriutedtothat.OneignificantitemIcan'tut
knowthecommittee'eenriefedon,there'eenomepulicaccountofitwhichare
noneneutIundertandthecommitteehaeenriefedontheclaifiedfact.Proal
theonlotherconiderationthatIgueIcantalkaoutinopenettingithatatonepoint
theattornegeneralhaddirectedmenottocallitaninvetigation,utinteadtocallita
matter,whichconfuedmeandconcernedme,utthatwaoneoftherickintheload
thatledmetoconcludeIhavetotepawafromthedepartmentifwe'retocloethicae
credil.
URR:Director,mlatquetion,ou'renotonlaeaonedproecutor.You'veledtheFI
forear.Youundertandtheinvetigativeproce.You'veworkedwiththicommittee
cloel,andwe'regratefultoou,ecaueIthinkwe'vemutualluilttrutinwhatour
organizationdoe,andwhatwedo.Ithereandoutinourmindthatthicommittee
carroutitoverightroleinthe2016Ruiainvolvementwiththeelectioninparallel
withthenowpecialcouneletup?
COMY:No,nodout.Itcanedone.RequirelotofconverationutoMuelleri
oneofthethicountrgreat,greatproandI'mureou'llealetoworkitoutwithhim
torunitinparallel.
URR:Thankou.Iturnitovertothevicechairman.
WARNR:Thankou,directorCome,again,forourervice.YourcommenttoourFI
famil,Iknowwereheartfelt.Knowthatthereareomeintheadminitrationwhotriedto
mearourreputation.YouhadActingDirectorMcCaeinpulictetimonafewweek
ack,andinpulictetimoneterdareaffirmthatthevatmajoritinFIcommunit
hadgreattrutinourleaderhip,andovioultrutinourintegrit.Iwanttogo
throughanumerofthemeetingthatoureferencedinourtetimon,andlet'tart
withtheJanuar6thmeetinginTrumpTower,whereouwentupwithaerieofofficial
toriefthePreident-electontheRuiainvetigation.Mundertandingiouremained
afterwardtoriefhim,onagain,"omeperonallenitiveapectoftheinformationou
relaed."Nowouaidafterthatriefingoufeltcompelledtodocumentthatconveration
thatouactualltarteddocumentingitaoonaougotintothecar.
Nowou'vehadexteniveexperienceatthedepartmentofjuticeandattheFI.You've
workedunderpreidentofothpartie.Whatwaaoutthatmeetingthatledouto
determinethatouneededtotartputtingdownawrittenrecord?
COMY:
COMY:Acominationofthing.Ithinkthecircumtance,theujectmatter,andthe
peronIwainteractingwith.Circumtance,firt,Iwaalonewiththepreidentofthe
Unitedtate,orthepreident-elect,oontoepreident.TheujectmatterIwatalking
aoutmatterthattouchontheFI'corereponiilit,andthatrelatetothepreident,
preident-electperonall,andthenthenatureoftheperon.Iwahonetlconcernedhe
mightlieaoutthenatureofourmeetingoIthoughtitimportanttodocument.That
cominationofthingIhadneverexperiencedefore,uthadledmetoelieveIgotto
writeitdownandwriteitdowninaverdetailedwa.
WARNR:Ithinkthat'averimportanttatementoujutmade.Then,unlikeour
dealingwithpreidentofeitherpartieinourpatexperience,ineveruequent
meetingorconverationwiththipreident,oucreatedawrittenrecord.Didoufeelthat
ouneededtocreatethiwrittenrecordoftheememo,ecauethemightneedtoe
reliedonatomefuturedate?
COMY:ure.IcreatedrecordafterconverationthatIthinkIdiditaftereachofour
nineconveration.IfIdidn't,Ididitfornearlallofthemepecialltheonethatwere
utantive.IknewtheremightcomeadawhenIwouldneedarecordofwhathad
happened,notjuttodefendmelf,uttodefendtheFIandourintegritaan
intitutionandtheIndependenceofourinvetigativefunction.That'whatmadethio
difficultiitwaacominationofcircumtance,ujectmatterandtheparticularperon.
WARNR:Andoinallourexperience,thiwatheonlpreidentthatoufeltlikein
evermeetingouneededtodocumentecaueatomepoint,uingourword,hemight
putoutanon-truthfulrepreentationofthatmeeting.
COMY:That'right,enator.AIaid,aFIdirectorIinteractedwithPreidentOama,I
pokeonltwiceinthreeear,anddidn'tdocumentit.WhenIwaDeputAttorne
GeneralIhadaoneone-on-onewithPreidentuheenIentanemailtomtaffutI
didn'tfeelwithpreidentuhtheneedtodocumentitinthatIwa.Again,ecaueofthe
cominationofthoefactor,jutwan'tpreentwitheitherPreidentuhorPreident
Oama.
WARNR:Ithinkthativerignificant.Ithinkotherwillproalquetionthat.Now,
thechairmanandIhaverequetedthoememo.ItiourhopethattheFIwillgetthi
committeeaccetothoememooagain,wecanreadthatcontemporaneourenditiono
thatwe'vegotourideofthetor.NowIknowmemerhaveaidandprehaveaid
thatagreatdealhaeenmadewhetherthepreidentakedandindicatedwhetherthe
preidentwatheujectofaninvetigation,andmundertandingipriortoour
meetingonJanuar6th,oudicuedwithourleaderhipteamwhetherouhoulde
preparedtoaurethenPreident-electTrumpthattheFIwanotinvetigatinghim
peronall.Now,Iundertandthatourleaderhipteam,agreedwiththatutwathata
unanimoudeciion?Wathereandeateaoutthat?
COMY:Wan'tunanimou.Oneofthememeroftheleaderhipteamhadaviewou
thatalthoughitwatechnicalltruewedidnothaveacounter-intelligencefilecaeopen
onthenPreident-electTrump.Hiconcernwaecauewe'relookingatthepotential,
again,that'theujectoftheinvetigation,coordinationetweenthecampaignand
Ruia,ecaueitwaPreidentTrump,Preident-electTrump'campaign,thiperon'
viewwa
inevitalhiehavior,hiconductwillfallwithinthecopeofthatwork.Andohewa
reluctanttomakethetatement.Idiagreed.Ithoughtitwafairtoawhatwaliterall
true.TherewanotacounterintelligenceinvetigationofMr.Trump,andIdecidedinthe
momenttoait,giventhenatureofourconveration.
WARNR:Atthatmomentintime,didoueverreviitthataintheuequenteion?
COMY:WiththeFIleaderhipteam?ure.Andtheleaderhadthatviewthatdidn't
change.Hiviewwatillthatitwaproalalthoughliteralltrue,hiconcernwait
couldemileading,ecauethenatureoftheinvetigationwauchthatitmightwell
touch,ovioulitwouldtouch,thecampaign,andtheperonthatheadedthecampaign
wouldethecandidate,andothatwahiviewthroughout.
WARNR:LetmemovetotheJanuar27thdinner,whereouaid"Thepreidentegan
akingmewhetherIwantedtotaonaFIdirector.
Healoindicatedthatlotofpeople"againourword,"Wantedthejo."Yougoontoa
thedinneritelfwa"eeminglaneffortto"toquotehaveouakhimforourjoand
createome"patronage"relationhip.Thepreidenteemfrommreadingofourmemo
toeholdingourjoorourpoiilitofcontinuingourjooverourheadinafairl
directwa.Whatwaourimpreion,andwhatdidoumeanthinotionofapatronage
relationhip?
COMY:Well,mimpreion,andagainit'mimpreion,Icouldalwaewrongut
mcommonenetoldmewhatwagoingoni,eitherhehadconcludedoromeonehad
toldhimthatoudidn't,ou'vealreadakedCometota,andoudidn'tgetanthingfor
it.Andthatthedinnerwaanefforttouildarelationhip,infact,heakedpecificall,of
loaltinthecontextofakingmetota.AIaid,whatwaoddaoutthatiwe'dalread
talkedtwiceaoutitthatpointandheaidIvermuchhopeou'llta.Infact,Ijut
rememeredittingathird,whenou'veeenthe.ICtourofmewalkingacrothelue
room,andwhatthepreidentwhiperedinmearwa"Irealllookforwardtoworking
withou."oafterthoeencounter
WARNR:Thatwaafewdaeforeourfiring.
COMY:Ontheundaaftertheinauguration.ThenextFridaIhavedinnerandthe
preidenteginwantingtotalkaoutmjoandoI'mittingtherethinkingwaita
minutethreetimewe'vealread,ou'vealreadakedmetotaortalkedaoutme
taing.Mcommonene,againIcouldewrongutmcommonenetoldmewhat'
goingonherei,he'lookingtogetomethinginexchangeforgrantingmrequettota
inthejo.
WARNR:Again,weailundertand,Iwaagovernor,Ihadpeopleworkformeutthi
contantrequetandagainquotingou,himaingthathe,depiteouexplainingour
independence,heaidIneedloalt,Iexpectloalt.Haveoueverhadanofthoekind
ofrequeteforefromanoneeleou'veworkedforinthegovernment?
COMY:No,andwhatmademeuneaatthatpointI'mthedirectoroftheFI.Thereaon
thatCongrecreatedat10-eartermiothatthedirectorinotfeelingaifthe're
ervingat,withpoliticalloaltowedtoanparticularperon.Thetatueofjuticehaa
lindfoldon.You'renotuppoedtopeekouttoeethereourpatronwapleaepleaed
withwhatou'redoing.That'whIecameFIdirectortoeinofthatpoition.That'
whIwaunea.
WARNR:Feruar14th,eemtrange,ouwereinameeting,andourdirectuperior
theattornegeneralwainthatmeetingawell,etthepreidentakedeveronetoleave,
includingtheattornegeneraltoleave,eforeheroughtupthematterofgeneralFlnn.
Whatwaourimpreionofthattpeofaction?Haveouevereenanthinglikethat
efore?
COMY:No.Mimpreionwaomethingigiaouttohappen.Ineedtorememer
everinglewordthatipoken,andagain,Icouldewrong,I'm56earold,I'veeen,
eenafewthing,menewatheattornegeneralknewhehouldn'teleavingwhich
wawhhewaleavingandIdon'tknowKuhnerwellutIthinkhepickedupontheame
thingoIknewomethingwaaouttohappenthatIneededtopavercloeattentionto.
WARNR:Ifounditverinteretingthat,thatinthememothatouwroteafterthi
Feruar14thpull-aide,oumadeclearthatouwrotethatmemoinawathatwa
unclaified.Ifouaffirmativelmadethedeciiontowriteamemothatwaunclaified,
wathatecaueoufeltatomepoint,thefactofthatmeetingwouldhavetocomeclean
andcomeclear,andactuallealetoeclearedinawathatcouldeharedwiththe
Americanpeople?
COMY:Well,Irememerthinking,thiiaverdituringdevelopment,reall
importanttoourwork.Ineedtodocumentitandpreerveitinawa,andthicommittee
getthiutometimewhenthingareclaified,ittangledthemup.
WARNR:Amen.
COMY:It'hardtoharewithinaninvetigativeteam.Youhavetoecarefulhowou
handleditforgoodreaon.IfIwriteituchawathatdoentincludeanthingofa
claification,thatwouldmakeiteaierfortoudicuwithintheFIandthe
government,andtoholdontoitinawathatmakeitacceiletou.
WARNR:Wellagainit'ourhopeparticularlinceouareaprettknowledgealegu
andwrotethiinawathatitwaunqualifiedthicommitteewillgetaccethat
unclaifieddocument.IthiIitwilleimportanttoourinvetigation.Letmeakouthi
incloing.HowmanongoinginvetigationatantimedoetheFIhave?
COMY:Tenofthouand.
WARNR:Tenofthouand.Didthepreidenteverakaoutanotherongoing
invetigation?
COMY:No.
WARNR:Didheeverakaoutoutringtointerfereonanotherinvetigation?
COMY:No.
WARNR:Ithink,again,thipeakvolume.Thidoen'tevengettothequetion
aroundthephonecallaoutliftingthecloud.Iknowothermemerwillgettothat,utI
reallappreciateourtetimon,andappreciateourervicetoournation.
COMY:Thankou,enatorWarner.I'mittingheregoingthroughmcontactwithhim.
Ihadoneconverationwiththepreidentthatwaclaifiedwhereheakedaoutour,an
ongoingintelligenceinvetigation,itwariefandentirelprofeional.
WARNR:Hedidn'taktooutakeanpecificaction?
COMY:
COMY:No.
WARNR:Unlikewhatwedidvi--viwillFlnnandtheRuiainvetigation?
COMY:Correct.
WARNR:Thankou,ir.
URR:enatorRich?
N.JAMRICH:Thankouvermuch.Mr.Come,thankouforourervice.
Americaneedmorelikeouandwereallappreciateit.Yeterda,Igotandeverodgot
theevenpageofourdirecttetimonthatinowapartoftherecordhere.Andthefirt
Ireadit,andthenIreaditagain,andallIcouldthinkwanumerone,howmuchhated
theclaoflegalwritingwhenIwainlawchool,andouaretheguthatproalgotthe
Aafterreadingthi.Ifinditclear.Ifinditconcie,andhavingeenaproecutorfora
numerofearandhandlinghundred,maethouandofcaeandreadpolicereport,
invetigativereport,thiiagoodaitget,andIreallappreciatethat.Notonlthe
concieneandtheclearneofit,utalothefactthatouhavethingthatwerewritten
downcontemporaneoulwhenthehappened,andouactuallputtheminquoteowe
knowexactlwhathappenedandwe'renotgettingomerenditionofitthat'inourmind.
COMY:Thankou,ir.
RICH:You'retoecomplimented.
COMY:Ihadgreatparentandgreatteacherwhoeatthatintome.
RICH:That'oviou,ir.Thechairmanwalkedouthroughanumerofthingthatthe
Americanpeopleneedtoknowandwanttoknow.Numerone,ovioul,weallknow
aouttheactivemeaurethattheRuianhavetaken.Ithinkalotofpeoplewere
urpriedatthi.Thoeofuthatworkintheintelligencecommunit,itdidn'tcomeaa
urprie,utnowtheAmericanpeopleknowthi,andit'goodtheknowthi,ecauethi
ieriouandit'aprolem.Ithinkecondl,Igatherfromallthithatou'rewillingtoa
nowthat,whileouweredirector,thepreidentoftheUnitedtatewanotunder
invetigation.Ithatafairtatement?
COMY:That'correct.
RICH:Allright,othat'afactthatwearerelon?
COMY:
COMY:Ye,ir.
RICH:Irememer,outalkedwithuhortlafterFeruar14th,whenthe"NewYork
Time"wroteanarticlethatuggetedthatthetrumpcampaignwacolludingwiththe
Ruian.Doourememerreadingthatarticlewhenitfirtcameout?
COMY:Ido,itwaaoutallegedlexteniveelectronicurveillanceintheir
communication.
RICH:Correct.Thatupetoutothepointwhereouurveedtheintelligence
communittoeewhetherouweremiingomethinginthat.Ithatcorrect?
COMY:That'correct.Iwanttoecarefulinopenetting,ut
RICH:I'mnotgoingtogoanfurtherthanthat,othankou.Inadditiontothat,after
that,ououghtoutothRepulicanandDemocratenatortotellthemthat,he,Idon't
knowwherethiicomingfrom,utthiinotthecae.Thiinotfactual.Doourecall
that?
COMY:Ye.
RICH:Oka.oagain,otheAmericanpeoplecanundertandthi,thatreportthe
NewYorkTimewanottrue.Ithatafairtatement?
COMY:Inthemain,itwanottrue.Andagain,allofouknowthi.MaetheAmerican
peopledon't.Thechallenge,andI'mnotpickingonreporteraoutwritingtorieaout
claifiedinformation,ithepeopletalkingaoutitoftendon'treallknowwhat'going
on,andgoingonarenottalkingaoutit.Wedon'tcallthepretoa,he,oudon'tthat
thingwrongaouttheenitivetopic.Wehavetoleaveitthere.
ImentionedtothechairmanthenonenearoundwhatinfluencedmetomaketheJul5th
tatement.Nonene.utIcan'tgoexplaininghowitinonene.
RICH:Thankou.Allright.othoethreethingwenowknowregardingtheactive
meaure,whetherthepreidentiunderinvetigationandthecolluionetweenthe
trumpcampaignandtheRuian.Iwanttodrillrightdown,amtimeilimited,tothe
motrecentdutupregardingallegationthatthepreidentoftheUnitedtateotructed
jutice.o,ounailedthidownonpage5,paragraph3.Youputthiinquote.Word
matter.Youwrotedownthewordowecanallhavethewordinfrontofunow.There'
28wordnowinquote.Ita,quote,Ihope--thiithepreidentpeakingIhopeou
caneeourwacleartolettingthigo,tolettingFlnngo.Heigoodgu.Ihopeoucan
letthigo.Now,thoearehiexactword,ithatcorrect.
COMY:Correct.
RICH:Youwrotethemhereandputtheminquote.
COMY:Correct.
RICH:Thankouforthat.Hedidnotdirectoutoletitgo?
COMY:Notinhiword,no.
RICH:Hedidnotorderoutoletitgo?
COMY:Again,thoewordarenotanorder.
RICH:Heaid,Ihope.Now,likeme,ouproaldidhundredofcae,mae
thouandofcae,chargingpeoplewithcriminaloffeneand,ofcoure,ouhave
knowledgeofthethouandofcaeouttherewherepeoplehaveeencharged.Doou
knowofancaewhereaperonhaeenchargedforotructionofjuticeor,forthat
matter,anothercriminaloffene,wheretheaidorthoughtthehopedforanoutcome?
COMY:Idon'tknowwellenoughtoanwer.ThereaonIkeepainghiwordiItookit
aadirection.
RICH:Right.
COMY:Imean,thiiapreidentoftheUnitedtatewithmealoneaingIhopethi.I
tookita,thiiwhathewantmetodo.Ididn'toethat,utthat'thewaItookit.
RICH:Youmahavetakenitaadirectionutthat'notwhatheaid.
COMY:Correct.
RICH:Heaid,Ihope.
COMY:Thoearehiexactword,correct.
RICH:Youdon'tknowofanoneevereingchargedforhopingomething,ithatafair
tatement?
COMY:Idon'taIithere.
RICH:
RICH:Thankou,Mr.Chairman.
URR:enatorFeintein?
N.DIANNFINTIN:Thankvermuch,Mr.Chairman.Mr.Come,Ijutwant
outoknowthatIhavegreatrepectforou.enatorCornnandIitonthejudiciar
committeeandwehavetheoccaiontohaveoueforeu.You'reamanoftrengthandI
regrettheituationweallfindourelvein.Ijutwanttoathat.Letmeeginwithone
overarchingquetion.Whdoouelieveouwerefired?
COMY:IgueIdon'tknowforure.IelieveIthinkthepreident,athiword,thatI
wafiredecaueoftheRuiainvetigation.omethingaoutthewaIwaconductingit,
thepreidentfeltcreatedpreureonhimthathewantedtorelieve.Again,Ididn'tknow
thatatthetime.Iwatchedhiinterview.Ireadthepreaccountofhiconveration.I
takehimathiwordthere.Look,Icouldewrong.Maehe'aingomethingthat'not
true.Itakehimathiword,atleataedonwhatIknownow.
FINTIN:Talkforamomentaouthirequetthatoupledgeloaltandour
reponetothatandwhatimpactouelievethathad.
COMY:Idon'tknowforureecaueIdon'tknowthepreidentwellenoughtoreadhim
well.Ithinkitwafirtofall,relationhipdidn'tgetofftoagreattart,giventhe
converationIhadtohaveonJanuar6th.Thididn'timprovetherelationhipecaueit
waver,verawkward.Hewaakingforomething,andIwarefuingtogiveit.Again,I
don'tknowhimwellenoughtoknowhowhereactedtothatexactl.
FINTIN:DoouelievetheRuiainvetigationplaedarole?
COMY:InwhIwafired?
FINTIN:Ye.
COMY:Ye.I'veeenthepreidentao.
FINTIN:Let'gototheFlnniue.Theenatoroutlined,Ihopeoucouldeeour
watolettingFlnngo.Heiagoodgu.Ihopeoucanletthigo.utoualoaidin
ourwrittenremark,andIquote,thatouhadundertoodthepreidenttoerequeting
thatwedropaninvetigationofFlnninconnectionwithfaletatementaouthi
converationwiththeRuianamaadorinDecemer,.Pleaegointothatwithmore
detail.
COMY:
COMY:Well,thecontextandthepreident'wordarewhatledmetothatconcluion.A
Iaidinmtatement,Icouldewrong,utFlnnhadeenforcedtoreignthedaefore.
AndthecontroveraroundgeneralFlnnatthatpointintimewacenteredonwhetherhe
liedtothevicepreidentaouthinatureofconverationwiththeRuian,whetherhe
hadeencandidwithotherinthecoureofthat.othathappenonthedaefore.On
the1,thepreidentmakereferencetothat.Iundertoodwhathewantedmetodowa
dropaninvetigationconnectedtoFlnn'accountofhiconverationwiththeRuian.
FINTIN:Now,here'thequetion,ou'reig.You'retrong.Iknowtheovaloffice,and
Iknowwhathappentopeoplewhenthewalkin.Thereiacertainamountof
intimidation.utwhdidn'toutopanda,Mr.Preident,thiiwrong.Icannotdicu
thiwithou.
COMY:It'agreatquetion.MaeifIweretronger,Iwouldhave.Iwaotunned
theconverationthatIjuttookin.TheonlthingIcouldthinktoa,ecaueIwa
plainginmmind--ecaueIcouldrememereverwordheaid--Iwaplainginm
mind,whathouldmreponee?That'whIcarefullchoetheword.Look,I'veeen
thetweetaouttape.Lord,Ihopetherearetape.Irememeraing,Iagreeheiagood
gu,aawaofaing,I'mnotagreeingwithwhatouakedmetodo.Again,maeother
peoplewouldetrongerinthatcircumtance.That'howdmelf.IhopeI'llneverhave
anotheropportunit.MaeifIdiditagain,I'ddoitetter.
FINTIN:Youdecrietwophonecallthatoureceivedfrompreidenttrump.Oneon
March30thandoneonApril11.He,quote,decriedtheRuiainvetigationaacloud
thatwaimpairinghiailit,endquote,apreident,andakedou,quote,toliftthe
cloud,endquote.Howdidouinterpretthat?Whatdidouelievehewantedoutodo?
COMY:IinterpretedthatahewafrutratedthattheRuiainvetigationwatakingup
omuchtimeandenerg.Ithinkhemeantoftheexecutiveranch,utinthepulicquare
ingeneral.Itwamakingitdifficultforhimtofocuonotherprioritieofhi.utwhathe
akedmewaactuallnarrowingthanthat.Ithinkwhathemeantthecloudand,
again,Icouldewronguttheentireinvetigationitakingupoxgenandmakingit
hardformetofocuonwhatIwanttofocuon.TheakwatogetitoutthatI,the
preident,amnotperonallunderinvetigation.
FINTIN:AfterApril11th,didheakoumoreeveraouttheRuiainvetigation?Did
heakouanquetion?
COMY:WeneverpokeagainafterApril11th.
FINTIN:
FINTIN:Youtoldthepreident,Iwouldeewhatwecoulddo.Whatdidoumean?
COMY:Itwakindofacowardlwaoftringtoavoidtellinghim,we'renotgoingtodo
that.ThatIwouldeewhatwecoulddo.Itwaawaofkindofgettingoffthephone,
frankl,andthenIturnedandhandedittotheactingdeputattornegeneral.
FINTIN:oIwanttogointothat.Whodidoutalkwithaoutthat,liftingthecloud,
toptheinvetigationackattheFI,andwhatwatheirrepone?
COMY:TheFI,duringoneofthetwoconverationI'mnotrememeringexactlI
thinkthefirt,mchiefoftaffwaittinginfrontofmeandheardmendofthe
converationecauethepreident'callwaaurprie.Idicuedtheliftingthecloud
andtherequetwiththeeniorleaderhipteamwho,tpicall,andIthinkinallthe
circumtance,wathedeputdirector,mchiefoftaff,thegeneralcounel,thedeput
director'chiefcouneland,Ithinkinanumerofcircumtance,thenumerthreeinthe
FIandafewoftheconverationincludedtheheadofthenationalecuritranch.The
groupofuthatleadtheFIwhenitcometonationalecurit.
FINTIN:YouhavethepreidentoftheUnitedtateakingoutotopan
invetigationthatianimportantinvetigation.Whatwathereponeofourcolleague?
COMY:IthinkthewereahockedandtrouleditaIwa.omeaidthingthatled
metoelievethat.Idon'trememerexactl.utthereactionwaimilartomine.The're
allexperiencedpeoplewhoneverexperienceduchathing,othewereverconcerned.
Thentheconverationturnedtoaout,owhathouldwedowiththiinformation?That
waatruggleforu.ecauewearetheleaderoftheFI,oit'eenreportedtou,andI
hearditandnowhareditwiththeleaderoftheFI,ourconverationwa,houldwe
harethiwithaneniorofficialatthejuticedepartment?Ourprimarconcernwa,we
can'tinfecttheinvetigativeteam.Wedon'twanttheagentandanaltworkingonthi
toknowthepreidentoftheunitedtatehaaked,andwhenitcomefromthepreident,
Itookitaadirection,togetridofthiinvetigationecauewe'renotgoingtofollowthat
requet.owedecided,wehavetokeepitawafromourtroop.
Ithereanoneeleweoughttotellatthejuticedepartment?Weconideredwhetherto
tell--theattornegeneralaidweelieverightlhewahortlgoingtorecue.Therewa
nootherenateconfirmedleaderinthejuticedepartmentatthatpoint.Thedeput
attornegeneralwaMr.oente,actinghortlintheeat.Wedecidedtheetmove
wouldetoholdit,keepitinaox,documentit,awe'dalreaddone,andthi
invetigationigoingtodoon.Figureoutwhattodowithitdowntheroad.Ithereawa
tocorroorateit?Itwaourwordagaintthepreident'.Nowatocorrooratethi.M
viewofthichangedwhenthepropectoftapewaraied.That'howwethoughtaoutit
then.
FINTIN:Thankou,Mr.Chairman.
N.MARCORUIO:DirectorCome,themeetingintheovalofficewherehemadethe
requetaoutMikeFlnn,wathatonltimeheakedoutohopefullletitgo?
COMY:Ye.
RUIO:Andinthatmeeting,aouundertoodit,hewaakingnotaoutthegeneral
Ruiainvetigation,hewaakingpecificallaoutthejeopardthatFlnnwain
himelf ?
COMY:That'howIundertoodit.Ye,ir.
RUIO:Aouperceivedit,whilehehopedoudidawawithit,ouperceiveditaan
order,giventheetting,thepoitionandomeofthecircumtance?
COMY:Ye.
RUIO:Atthetime,didouaomethingtothepreidentaout,thatinotan
appropriaterequet,ordidoutellthewhitehouecounel,it'notanappropriaterequet?
omeoneneedtotellthepreidenthecan'tdotheething.
COMY:Ididn't,no.
RUIO:Wh?
COMY:Idon'tknow.IthinkaIaidearlier,Ithinkthecircumtancewereuchthatit
waIwaaittunnedanddidn'thavethepreenceofmind.Idon'tknow.Idon'twant
tomakeououndlikeI'mcaptaincourageou.Idon'tknowifIwouldhaveaidtothe
preidentwiththepreenceofmind,ir,that'wrong.Inthemoment,itdidn'tcometom
mind.Whatcametommindiecarefulwhatoua.Iaid,IagreeFlnniagoodgu.
RUIO:Onthecloud,wekeeptalkingaoutthicloud,ouperceivethecloudtoethe
Ruianinvetigationingeneral?
COMY:Ye,ir.
RUIO:
RUIO:Hipecificakwaou'dtelltheAmericanpeoplewhatou'dtoldhim,toldthe
leaderofCongre,DemocratandRepulican,hewanotperonallunder
invetigation?
COMY:Ye,ir.
RUIO:Whathewaakingoutodo,wouldouhavedoneheretoda?
COMY:Correct.Ye,ir.
RUIO:Again,atthatetting,didouatothepreident,itwouldeinappropriatefor
outodooandthentalktotheWhiteHouecouneloromeodohopefullthe'd
talkedtohimandtellhimhecouldn'tdothi?
COMY:FirttimeIaid,I'lleewhatwecando.econdtime,Iexplainedhowithould
work,thattheWhiteHouecounelhouldcontactthedeputattornegeneral.
RUIO:Youtoldhimthat?
COMY:Thepreidentaid,oka.Ithinkthat'whatI'lldo.
RUIO:Toeclear,foroutomakeapulictatementthathewanotunderinvetigation
wouldn'teillegalutoufeltitcouldpotentiallcreateaduttocorrectifcircumtance
changed?
COMY:Ye,ir.Wewretledwithiteforemtetimon,whereIconfirmedthatthere
waaninvetigation.Thereweretwoprimarconcern.Onewaitcreateaduttocorrect,
whichI'velivedefore,andouwanttoevercarefulaoutdoingthat.Andecond,itia
lipperlope.Ifweathepreidentandthevicepreidentaren'tunderinvetigation.
Whatitheprincipledinvetigationfortopping?otheleaderrhip,atjutice,acting
attornegeneraloenteaid,ou'renotgoingtodothat.
RUIO:OnMarch30thduringthephonecallaoutgeneralFlnn,ouaidhearuptl
hiftedandroughtupomethingthatoucall,quote,unquote,theMcCaething.
pecificall,theMccaethingaouundertooditwathatMccae'wifehadreceived
campaignmonefromwhatIaumemeanTerrMcAuliffe?
COMY:Ye.
RUIO:CloetotheClinton.Didhea,Idon'tlikethiguecauehegotmonefrom
omeonecloetoClinton?
COMY:
COMY:HeakedmeaoutMcCaeandaid,howihegoingtoewithmeapreident?
Iwaroughonhimonthecampaigntrail.
RUIO:RoughonMccae?
COMY:hiownaccount,heaidhewaroughonMcCaeandMr.McCaeonthe
campaigntrail.Howihegoingtoe?Iharedwiththepreident,Andiapro.Noiueat
all.YouhavetoknowpeopleoftheFI.The'renot
RUIO:othepreidentturntoouanda,rememer,IneverroughtuptheMcCae
thingecaueouaidhewaagoodgu,didouperceivethattoeatatementthat,I
tookcareofou.Ididn'tdoomethingecaueoutoldmehewaagoodgu.oI'm
akingoupotentiallforomethinginreturn.Ithathowouperceivedit?
COMY:Iwan'turewhattomakeofit.That'poile.ItwaooutofcontextIdidn't
haveaclearviewofwhatitwa.
RUIO:Onanumerofoccaionhere,ouringuplet'talkaoutthegeneralRuia
invetigation,OK?Page6ofourtetimonoua,thefirtthingouai,heakedwhat
wecoulddoto,quote,unquote,liftthecloud,thegeneralRuiainvetigation,ou
reponded,weareinvetigatingthematteraquicklawecouldandtherewouldegreat
enefitifwedidn'tfindanthingforhavingdonetheworkwell.Heagreed.Heemphaized
theprolemitwacauinghim.Heagreedit'degreattohaveaninvetigation,allthe
factcameoutandwefoundnothing.Heagreedthatwouldeideal,utthiclouditill
meingupmailittodotheretofmagenda.Ithatanaccurateaement?
COMY:Ye,ir.Hewentfartherthanthat.Heaid,andifomeofmatellitedid
omethingwrong,it'degoodtofindthatout.
RUIO:Thatitheecondpart.Theatellite,ifoneofmatellite,Iimaginehemeant
omeofthepeopleurroundinghicampaign,didomethingwrong,it'degreattoknow
that,awell.
COMY:Ye,ir.That'whatheaid.
RUIO:Arethoetheonltwointanceinwhichthatackandforthhappened,where
thepreidentwaaicallaing,andI'mparaphrainghere,it'oka.DotheRuia
invetigation.Ihopeitallcomeout.IhavenothingtodowithanthingRuia.It'de
greatifitallcameout,peoplearoundmeweredoingthingthatwerewrong?
COMY:
COMY:Ye.AIrecordeditaccuratelthere.Thatwatheentimenthewaexpreing.
Ye,ir.
RUIO:Whatitcomedowntoithepreidentakedthreethingofou.Akedforour
loalt.Youaidou'deloallhonet.
COMY:Honetlloal.
RUIO:Honetlloal.HeakedouononeoccaiontolettheMikeFlnnthinggo
ecauehewaagoodgu.thewa,ou'reawareheaidtheamethingintheprethe
nextda.Heiagoodgu,treatedunfairl,etc.IimagineourFIagentreadthat.
COMY:I'murethedid.
RUIO:Thepreident'wihewereknowntothem,certainlthenextdawhenhehad
apreconferencewiththeprimeminiter.Goingack,thethreerequetwere,numer
one,eloal.Numertwo,lettheMikeFlnnthinggo.Heiagoodgu,eentreated
unfairl.Numerthree,canoupleaetelltheAmericanpeoplewhattheeleaderin
congrealreadknow,whichoualreadknowandwhatoutoldmethreetime,thatI'm
notunderperonallunderinvetigation.
COMY:That'right.
RUIO:Welearnmorefromthenewpaperometimethantheopenhearing.Doou
everwonderwh,ofallthethingintheinvetigation,theonlthingneverleakedithe
factthepreidentwaneverperonallunderinvetigation,depitethefactthatDemocrat
andRepulicanandtheleaderhipofcongrehaveknownthatforweek?
COMY:Idon'tknow.Ifindmatterthatareriefedtothegangofeightarepretttightl
held,inmexperience.
RUIO:Finall,whoarethoeeniorleaderattheFIouharetheeconveration
with?
COMY:AIaidinreponetoen.Feintein'quetion,deputdirector,mchiefof
taff,generalcounel,deputdirectorchiefcouneandthen,moreoftenthannot,the
numerthreeperonattheFI,theaociatedeputdirector.Andquiteoften,headofthe
nationalecuritranch.
URR:enator?
N.RONWYDN:
N.RONWYDN:Mr.Come,welcome.YouandIhavehadignificantpolic
differenceovertheear,particularlprotectingAmericanaccetoecureencrption.
utIelievethetimingofourfiringtink.Yeterda,ouputontherecordtetimon
thatdemontratewhtheodorofpreidentialaueofpoweriotrong.Now,tom
quetion.IntalkingtoenatorWarneraoutthidinnerthatouhadwiththepreident,I
elieveJanuar27th,allinonedinner,thepreidentraiedourjopropect,heakedfor
ourloaltanddeniedallegationagainthim.Alltookplaceoveroneupper.Now,ou
toldenatorWarnerthatthepreidentwalookingto,quote,getomething.Lookingack,
didthatdinneruggetthatourjomightecontingentonhowouhandledthe
invetigation?
COMY:Idon'tknowthatI'dgothatfar.Igottheenemjowouldecontingentupon
howhefeltIexcuemehowhefeltIconductedmelfandwhetherIdemontrated
loalt.utIdon'tknowwhetherI'dgoofaratoconnectittotheinvetigation.
WYDN:Heaidthepreidentwatringtocreateomeortofpatronage.ehavingina
mannerconitentwiththewiheoftheo?
COMY:Ye.Atleatconiderhowwhatou'redoingwillaffecttheoaaignificant
conideration.
WYDN:Letmeturntotheattornegeneral.Inourtatement,ouaidthatouandthe
FIleaderhipteamdecidednottodicuthepreident'actionwithAttorneGeneral
eion,eventhoughhehadnotrecuedhimelf.Whatwaitaouttheattornegeneral'
interactionwiththeRuianorhiehaviorwithregardtotheinvetigationthatwould
haveledtheentireleaderhipoftheFItomakethideciion?
COMY:Ourjudgment,aIrecall,ithathewavercloetoandinevitalgoingto
recuehimelfforavarietofreaon.WealowereawareoffactthatIcan'tdicuinan
openingettingthatwouldmakehicontinuedengagementinaRuia-related
invetigationprolematic.owewereconvincedinfact,Ithinkwe'dalreadheardthe
careerpeoplewererecommendingthatherecuehimelf,thathewanotgoingtoein
contactwithRuia-relatedmattermuchlonger.Thatturnedouttoethecae.
WYDN:HowwouldoucharacterizeAttorneGeneraleion'adherencetohi
recual?Inparticular,withregardtohiinvolvementinourfiring,whichthepreident
haacknowledgedwaecaueoftheRuianinvetigation.
COMY:That'aquetionIcan'tanwer.Ithinkitiareaonalequetion.If,athe
preidentaid,IwafiredecaueoftheRuiainvetigation,whwatheattornegeneral
involvedinthatchain?Idon'tknow.oIdon'thaveananwerforthequetion.
WYDN:Yourtetimonwathatthepreident'requetaoutFlnncouldinfect
invetigation.Hadthepreidentgotwhathewantedandwhatheakedofou,whatwould
haveeentheeffectontheinvetigation?
COMY:WewouldhavecloedaninvetigationofgeneralFlnninconnectionwithhi
tatementandencountertatementaoutencounterwithRuianinthelatepartof
Decemer.Wewouldhavedroppedanopencriminalinvetigation.
WYDN:oineffect,whenoutalkaoutinfectingtheenterprie,ouwouldhave
droppedomethingmajorthatwouldhavepokentotheoverallailitoftheAmerican
peopletogetthefact?
COMY:Correct.Andagoodaourpeopleare,ourjudgmentwa,wedon'twantthem
hearingthatthepreidentoftheUnitedtatewantthitogoawaecaueitmighthave
aneffectontheirailittoefair,impartialandaggreive.
WYDN:ActingAttorneGeneralYatefoundoutMikeFlnncouldelackmailedthe
Ruianandwentimmediateltowarnthewhitehoue.Flnnigone,utother
individualwithcontactwiththeRuianaretillinextremelimportantpoitionof
power.houldtheAmericanpeoplehavetheameeneofurgencnowwithrepectto
them?
COMY:IthinkallIcana,enator,iit'athepecialcounel'invetigationiver
important,undertandingwhatefforttherewereorareRuiangovernmentto
influenceourgovernmentiacriticalpartoftheFI'miion.Andou'vegottheright
peroninoMuellertoleadit,itiaverimportantpieceofwork.
WYDN:VicepreidentPencewatheheadofthetranition.Toourknowledge,wahe
awareoftheconcernaoutMichaelFlnnpriortoorduringgeneralFlnn'tenurea
nationalecuritadvier?
COMY:Idon'tou'reakingincludinguptothetimewhenFlnnwa
WYDN:Right.
COMY:Forcedtoreign?Mundertandingithathewa.I'mtringtorememerwhere
Igetthatundertandingfrom.IthinkfromactingattornegeneralYate.
WYDN:
WYDN:oformeractingattornegeneralYatetetifiedconcernaoutgeneralFlnn
weredicuedwiththeintelligencecommunit.Wouldthathaveincludedanoneatthe
CIAorDanCoatoffice,theDNI?
COMY:Iwouldaume,e.
WYDN:MichaelFlnnreignedfourdaafterattornegeneraleionwawornin.
DoouknowiftheattornegeneralwaawareoftheconcernaoutMichaelFlnnduring
thatperiod?
COMY:Idon'taIithere.Idon'trecallthathewa.Icouldewrong,utIdon't
rememerthathewa.
WYDN:Let'eeifoucangiveuomeeneofwhorecommendedourfiring.eide
theletterfromtheattornegeneral,thedeputattornegeneral,doouhavean
informationonwhomahaverecommendedoreeninvolvedinourfiring?
COMY:Idon't.Idon't.
WYDN:Thankou,Mr.Chairman.
URR:enatorCollin?
N.UANCOLLIN:Thankou,Mr.Chairman.Mr.Come,letmeeginthanking
ouforourvoluntarcompliancewithourrequettoappeareforethicommitteeand
aituinthiverimportantinvetigation.Iwantfirttoakouaoutour
converationwiththepreident,threeconverationinwhichoutoldhimthathewa
notunderinvetigation.ThefirtwaduringourJanuar6thmeeting,accordingtoour
tetimon,inwhichitappearthatouactuallvolunteeredthataurance.Ithatcorrect?
COMY:That'correct.
COLLIN:Didoulimitthattatementtocounterintelligenceinvetinvetigation,or
wereoutalkingaoutanFIinvetigation?
COMY:Ididn'tuethetermcounterintelligence.Iwariefinghimaoutalaciouand
unverifiedmaterial.Itwainacontextofthatthathehadatronganddefenivereaction
aoutthatnoteingtrue.Mreadingofitwaitwaimportantformetoaurehimwe
werenotperoninvetigatinghim.othecontextthenwaactuallnarrower,focuedon
whatIjuttalkedtohimaout.Itwaverimportantecaueitwa,firt,true,andecond,
IwaworriedvermuchaouteinginkindofaJ.dgarHoover-tpeituation.Ididn't
wanthimthinkingIwariefinghimonthitoortofhangitoverhiminomewa.Iwa
riefinghimonitecaue,ecauewehadeentoldthemediaitwaaouttolaunch.
Wedidn'twanttoekeepingthatfromhim.Heneededtoknowthiwaeingaid.Iwa
verkeennottoleavehimwithanimpreionthattheureauwatringtodoomething
tohim.othat'thecontextinwhichIaid,ir,we'renotperonallinvetigatingou.
COLLIN:Thenandthat'whouvolunteeredtheinformation?
COMY:Ye,ma'am.
COLLIN:ThenontheJanuar27thdinner,outoldthepreidentthathehoulde
carefulaoutakingoutoinvetigateecaue,oumightcreateanarrativethatweare
invetigatinghimperonall,whichweweren't.Again,wereoulimitingthattatementto
counterintelligenceinvetigation,ormoreroadl,uchaacriminalinvetigation?
COMY:Ididn'tmodifthewordinvetigation.Itwa,again,hewareactingtrongl
againttheunverifiedmaterial,aingI'mtemptedtoorderoutoinvetigateit.Inthe
contextofthat,Iaid,ir,ecarefulaoutit.Imightcreateanarrativewe'reinvetigating
ouperonall.
COLLIN:TherewatheMarch30thphonecallwiththepreidentinwhichoureminded
himthatcongreionalleaderhadeenriefedthatwewerenoperonalltheFIwa
notperonallinvetigatingpreidenttrump.And,again,wathattatementto
congreionalleaderandtothepreidentlimitedtocounterintelligenceinvetigation,or
waitaroadertatement?I'mtringtoundertandwhethertherewaankindof
invetigationofthepreidentunderwa.
COMY:No.I'morr.IfImiundertood,Iapologize.Weriefedthecongreional
leaderhipaoutwhatAmericanwehadopenedcounterintelligenceinvetigationcae
on.Wepecificallaid,thepreidentinotoneofthoeAmerican.uttherewano
otherinvetigationofthepreidentthatwewerenotmentioningatthattime.Thecontext
wa,counterintelligence,utIwan'ttringtohideomecriminalinvetigationofthe
preident.
COLLIN:AndwathepreidentunderinvetigationatthetimeofourdimialonMa
9th?
COMY:No.
COLLIN:
COLLIN:I'dliketonowturntotheconverationwiththepreidentaoutMichael
Flnn,whichhadeendicuedatgreatlength.
Firt,letmemakeverclearthatthepreidentneverhouldhaveclearedtheroomandhe
neverhouldhaveakedou,aoureported,toletitgo,tolettheinvetigationgo.utI
remainpuzzledourrepone.MichaelFlnniagoodgu.Youcouldhaveaid,Mr.
Preident,thimeetingiinappropriate.Thireponecouldcompromiethe
invetigation.Youhouldnotemakingucharequet.It'fundamentaltotheoperation
ofourgovernment,theFIeinulatedfromthikindofpoliticalpreure.Youtalkedait
todaaoutthatouweretunnedthepreidentmakingtherequet.utmquetionto
ouilateron,uponreflection,didougotoanoneatthedepartmentofjuticeandak
themtocallthewhitehouecounel'officeandexplainthatthepreidenthadtohaveafar
etterundertandingandappreciationofhirolevi--vitheFI?
COMY:Ingeneral,Idid.Ipoketotheattornegeneralandpoketothenewdeput
attornegeneral,Mr.Roentein,whenhetookofficeandexplainedmeriouconcern
aoutthewainwhichthepreidentiinteracting,epeciallwiththeFI.AIaidinm
tetimon,Itoldtheattornegeneral,itcan'thappenthatougetkickedoutoftheroom
andthepreidenttalktome.Whdidn'tweraiethepecific?Itwaofinvetigative
interettofigureout,whatjuthappenedwiththepreident'requet?Iwouldn'twantto
alertthewhitehoueithadhappeneduntilwefiguredoutwhatweweregoingtodowithit
invetigativel.
COLLIN:Yourtetimonwathatouwenttoattornegeneraleionandaid,don't
everleavemealonewithhimagain.Areouaingthatoualotoldhimthathehadmade
arequetthatouletitgowithregardtopartoftheinvetigationofMichaelFlnn?
COMY:No.Ipecificalldidnot.Ididnot.
COLLIN:Oka.Youmentionedthatfromourverfirtmeetingwiththepreident,ou
decidedtowriteamemomemorializingtheconveration.Whatwaitaoutthatverfirt
meetingthatmadeouwriteamemowhenouhavenotdonethatwithtwopreviou
preident?
COMY:AIaid,acominationofthing.Agutfeelingianimportantoverla,utthe
circumtance,thatIwaalone,theujectmatterandthenatureoftheperonIwa
interactingwithandmreadofthatperon.Yeah,andrealljutgutfeel,laingontopof
allofthat,thatthiigoingtoeimportanttoprotectthiorganization,thatImakerecord
ofthi.
COLLIN:
COLLIN:Finall,didouhowcopieofourmemotoanoneoutideofthe
departmentofjutice?
COMY:Ye.
COLLIN:Andtowhomdidouhowcopie?
COMY:IakedthepreidenttweetedonFridaafterIgotfiredthatIetterhope
there'nottape.IwokeupinthemiddleofthenightonMondanightecaueitdidn't
dawnonmeoriginall,thattheremightecorroorationforourconveration.Theremight
atape.Mjudgmentwa,Ineedtogetthatoutintothepulicquare.Iakedafriendof
minetoharethecontentofthememowithareporter.Didn'tdoitmelfforavarietof
reaon.IakedhimtoecaueIthoughtthatmightprompttheappointmentofapecial
counel.Iakedacloefriendtodoit.
COLLIN:WathatMr.Witte?
COMY:No.
COLLIN:Whowait?
COMY:AcloefriendwhoiaprofeoratColumialawchool.
COLLIN:Thankou.
N.MARTINHINRICH:Mr.Come,priortoJanuar27thofthiear,haveouever
hadaone-on-onemeetingoraprivatedinnerwithapreidentoftheUnitedtate?
COMY:No.Dinner,no.Ihadtwoone-on-onewithPreidentOama.Onetotalkaout
lawenforcementiue,lawenforcementandrace,whichwaanimportanttopic
throughoutformeandforthepreident.Thenonceverrieflforhimtoagoode.
HINRICH:Werethoeriefinteraction?
COMY:No.Theoneaoutlawenforcementandraceandpolicing,wepokeforproal
overanhour,jutthetwoofu.
HINRICH:Howunuualiittohaveaone-on-onedinnerwiththepreident?Didthat
trikeouaodd?
COMY:Yeah.omucho,Iaumedtherewouldeother,thathecouldn'tpoile
havingdinnerwithmealone.
HINRICH:
HINRICH:Doouhaveanimpreionthatifouhadfoundifouhadehaved
differentlinthatdinner,andIamquitepleaedthatoudidnot,utifouhadfounda
watoexpreomeortofexpreionofloaltorgivenomeuggetionthattheFlnn
criminalinvetigationmightepuruedlevigoroul,doouthinkouwouldhavetill
eenfired?
COMY:Idon'tknow.It'impoiletoalookingack.Idon'tknow.
HINRICH:utoufeltlikethoetwothingweredirectlrelevanttothekindof
relationhipthatthepreidentwaeekingtoetalihwithou?
COMY:ure,e.
HINRICH:ThepreidentharepeatedltalkedaouttheRuianinvetigationintothe
U..orRuia'involvementintheU..lectionccleaahoaxandfakenew.Canou
talkalittleitaoutwhatouawaFIdirectorand,ovioul,onlthepartthatoucan
hareinthiettingthatdemontratehoweriouthiactionactuallwaandwhthere
waaninvetigationinthefirtplace?
COMY:Ye,ir.Therehouldenofuzzonthiwhatoever.TheRuianinterferedin
ourelectionduringthe2016ccle.Thedidwithpurpoe.Thediditwithophitication.
Thediditwithoverwhelmingtechnicaleffort.Itwaanactivemeaurecampaigndriven
fromthetopofthatgovernment.Thereinofuzzonthat.Itiahighconfidencejudgment
oftheentireintelligencecommunitandthememerofthicommitteehaveeenthe
intelligence.It'notacloecall.Thathappened.That'aoutaunfakeaoucanpoil
get.Itiver,vereriou,whichiwhit'orefrehingtoeeaipartianfocuonthat.
ThiiaoutAmerica,notaoutaparticularpart.
HINRICH:ThatiahotileacttheRuiangovernmentagaintthicountr?
COMY:Ye,ir.
HINRICH:Didthepreidentinanofthoeinteractionthatou'veharedwithutoda
akouwhatouhouldedoingorwhatourgovernmenthouldedoingorthe
intelligencecommunittoprotectAmericaagaintRuianinterferenceinourelection
tem?
COMY:Idon'trecallaconverationlikethat.
HINRICH:Never?
COMY:
COMY:No.
HINRICH:Dooufindit
COMY:NotwithPreidentTrump.
HINRICH:Right.
COMY:IattendedafairnumerofmeetingonthatwithPreidentOama.
HINRICH:DooufinditoddthatthepreidenteemedunconcernedRuia'action
inourelection?
COMY:Ican'tanwerthatecaueIdon'tknowwhatotherconverationhehadwith
otheradvierorotherintelligencecommunitleader.Ijutdon'tknowittinghere.
HINRICH:Didouhaveaninteractionwiththepreidentthatuggetedhewataking
thathotileactionerioul.
COMY:Idon'trememeraninteractionwiththepreidentotherthantheinitial
riefingonJanuarthe6th.Idon'trememercouldewrong,utIdon'trememeran
converationwithhimatallaoutthat.
HINRICH:Aou'reveraware,itwaonlthetwoofouintheroomforthatdinner.
YoutolduthepreidentakedoutoackofftheFlnninvetigation.Thepreidenttolda
reporter
COMY:Notinthatdinner.
HINRICH:Fairenough.Toldthereporterheneverdidthat.You'vetetifiedthatthe
preidentakedforourloaltinthatdinner.Whitehouedeniethat.Alotofthicome
downtowhohouldweelieve.Doouwanttoaanthingatowhwehouldelieve
ou?
COMY:MmotherraiedmenottoathinglikethiaoutmelfoI'mnotgoingto.I
thinkpeoplehouldlookatthewholeodofmtetimon.AIuedtoatojurie,when
Italkedaoutawitne,oucan'tcherrpickit.Youcan'ta,Iliketheethingheaidut
onthi,he'atenliar.Youhavetotakeittogether.I'vetriedtoeopen,fair,tranparentand
accurate.OfignificantfacttomeiowhdidhekickeverodoutoftheOvalOffice?
Whwouldoukicktheattornegeneral,thepreident,thechiefoftaffouttotalktomeif
itwaaoutomethingele?othat,tome,aaninvetigator,iaignificantfact.
HINRICH:
HINRICH:Awelookattetimonoracommunicationfromothofou,wehould
proalelookingforconitenc?
COMY:Well,inlookingatanwitne,oulookatconitenc,trackrecord,demeanor,
recordovertime,thatortofthing.
HINRICH:Thankou.otherearereportthattheincomingTrumpadminitration,
eitherduringthetranitionand/oraftertheinauguration,attemptedtoetupaortof
ackdoorcommunicationchannelwiththeRuiangovernmentuingtheirinfratructure,
theirdevice,theirfacilitie.Whatwouldetherik,particularlforatranition,
omeonenotactuallintheofficeofthepreidentet,toettingupunauthorizedchannel
withahotileforeigngovernment,epecialliftheweretoevadeourownAmerican
intelligenceervice?
COMY:I'mnotgoingtocommentonwhetherthathappenedinanopenetting,utthe
rikiprimarrikioviou.YouparetheRuianthecotandefforttoreakinto
ourcommunicationchanneluingtheir.Youmakeitawholeloteaierforthemto
captureallofourconveration.ThentouethoetotheenefitofRuiaagaintthe
unitedtate.
HINRICH:Thememothatouwrote,ouwrotedidouwriteallnineofthemina
wathatwadeignedtopreventthemfromneedingclaification?
COMY:No.Onafewoftheoccaion,IwroteIentemailtomchiefoftaffonome
oftheriefphoneconverationIhad.Thefirtonewaaclaifiedriefing.Thoughitwa
inaconferenceroomatTrumpTower,itwaaclaifiedriefing.Iwrotethatonaclaified
device.TheoneItartedtpinginthecar,thatwaaclaifiedlaptopItartedworkingon.
HINRICH:Anreaoninaclaifiedenvironment,inakiff,thatthicommittee,it
wouldnoteappropriatetoeethoecommunicationatleatfromourperpectiveathe
author?
COMY:No.
HINRICH:Thankou,Mr.Chairman.
URR:enator?
N.ROYLUNT:Thankou,Mr.Chairman.Mr.Come,whenouwereterminatedat
theFI,Iaid,andtillcontinuetofeel,thatouhaveprovidedearofgreatervicetothe
countr.IaloaidthatI'dhadignificantquetionoverthelatearaoutomeofthe
deciionthatoumade.Ifthepreidenthadn'tterminatedourervice,wouldoutille,
inouropinion,thedirectoroftheFItoda?
COMY:Ye,ir.
LUNT:ooutookaadirectionfromthepreidentomethingouthoughtwaeriou
andtrouleomeutcontinuedtohowupforworkthenextda?
COMY:Ye,ir.
LUNT:ixweeklaterweretilltellingthepreidentonMarchthe30ththathewanot
peronallthetargetofaninvetigation?
COMY:Correct.OnMarchthe30th,andIthinkagainonApril11th,awell,Itoldhim
we'renotinvetigatinghimperonall.Thatwatrue.
LUNT:Thepointtome,theconcerntometherei,alltheethingaregoingon.Younow
inretropect,oratleattothicommittee,ouhaderiouconcernaoutwhatthe
preidenthad,ouelieved,directedoutodo,andhadtakennoaction.Hadn'teven
reportedupthechainofcommand,aumingouelievethereiachainofcommand,that
theethinghappened.Doouhaveaenelookingackthatthatwaamitake?
COMY:No.Infact,IthinknoactionwathemotimportantthingIcoulddo.
LUNT:OntheFlnniuepecificall,Ielieveouaidearlierthatouelievethe
preidentwauggetingoudropaninvetigationofFlnn'accountofhiconveration
withtheRuianamaador.Whichwaeentiallmileadingthevicepreidentand
other?
COMY:Correct.I'mnotgoingtogointothedetailutwhethertherewerefale
tatementmadetogovernmentinvetigator,awell.
LUNT:AnuggetionthattheGeneralFlnnhadviolatedtheLoganAct,Ialwa
findincredile.TheLoganActhaeenontheookover200ear.Noodhaevereen
proecutedforviolatingtheLoganAct.Menewouldethatthedicuion,notthe
prolem,mileadinginvetigatororthevicepreidentmighthaveeen?
COMY:That'fair.Ye,ir.
LUNT:HadouprevioulonFeruar14thdicuedwiththepreidentinthepreviou
meetinganthingourinvetigatorhadlearnedortheirimpreionfromtalkingto
Flnn?
COMY:No,ir.
LUNT:oheaidhe'agoodgu.Youaidheiagoodgu.Thatwanofurtheraction
takenonthat?
COMY:Heaidmorethanthat,uttherewanotheactionwa,Iwroteitup,riefed
oureniorteam,triedtofigureoutwhattodowithitandmadeadeciion.We'regoingto
holdthiandeewhatwemakeofitdowntheroad.
LUNT:DiditmeanouhadnoreponiilittoreportthattotheJuticeDepartmentin
omewa?
COMY:Ithinkatomepoint,andIdon'tknowwhatDirectorMuellerigoingtodowith
it,utatomepoint,Iwaureweweregoingtoriefittotheteaminchargeofthecae.
utourjudgmentwainthehortterm,doen'tmakeenetonofuzzonthefactI
reportedtotheattornegeneral.That'whItreedhehouldn'tekickedoutofthe
room.Didn'tmakeenetoreporttohimnow.
LUNT:Youaidtheattornegeneralaid,Idon'twanttoeintheroomwithhimalone
again,utoucontinuedtotalktohimonthephone.Whatithedifferenceineinginthe
roomalonewithhimandtalkingtohimonthephonealone?
COMY:IthinkwhatItreedtotheattornegeneralwaroaderthanjuttheroom.I
aid,Ireporttoou.Itiverimportantoueetweenmeandthewhitehoue.
LUNT:Afterthatdicuionwiththeattornegeneral,didoutakephonecallfromthe
preident?
COMY:Ye,ir.
LUNT:Whdidoujutaouneedtowhdidn'toua,I'mnottakingthatcall.
Talktotheattornegeneral?
COMY:IdidontheApril11thcall.IreportedthecalltheMarch30thcallandthe
April11thcalltomuperior,whowatheactingdeputattornegeneral.
LUNT:Idon'twanttorunoutoftimehere.Inreadingourtetimon,Januarthe3rd,
Januarthe27thandMarchthe30th,itappeartomeonallthreeofthoeoccaion,ou
unolicitedthepreident,madethepointtohimhewanotatargetofaninvetigation?
COMY
COMY:Correct.Ye,ir.
LUNT:One,IthoughttheMarch30th,verintereting,ouaid,well,eventhoughou
don'twantoumanotwantthatwa27th,whereheaid,whdon'toulookinto
thatmore?Youaid,oumanotwantthatecauewecouldn'tawithwecouldn't
anwerthequetionaoutoueingatargetoftheinvetigation.Youdidn'teemtoe
anweringthatquetionanhow.enatorRuiopointedouttheoneunanwered,unleaked
quetioneemtohaveeenthat.Inthiwholeperiodoftime.Youaidomethingearlier
andIdon'twanttofailtofollowupon,ouaidafterdimied,ougaveinformationtoa
friendothatfriendcouldgetthatinformationintothepulicmedia.
COMY:Correct.
LUNT:Whatkindofinformationwathat?Whatkindofinformationdidougivetoa
friend?
COMY:ThatthetheFlnnconveration.ThepreidenthadakedmetolettheFlnn
forgettingmexactownword.uttheconverationintheOvalOffice.
LUNT:ooudidn'tconiderourmemooroureneofthatconverationtoea
governmentdocument.Youconideredittoe,omehow,ourownperonaldocument
thatoucouldharetothemediaaouwantedthroughafriend?
COMY:Correct.Iundertoodthitoemrecollectionrecordedofmconverationwith
thepreident.Aaprivatecitizen,Ithoughtitimportanttogetitout.
LUNT:Wereallourmemothatourecordedonclaifiedorothermemothatmight
eouraaprivatecitizen?
COMY:I'mnotfollowingthequetion.
LUNT:Youaidouuedclaified
COMY:Nottheclaifieddocument.Unclaified.Idon'thaveanofthemanmore.I
gavethemtothepecialcounel.Mviewwathatthecontentofthoeunclaified,
memorializationofthoeconverationwamrecollectionrecorded.
LUNT:owhdidn'tougivethoetoomeodourelfratherthangivethemthrough
athirdpart?
COMY
COMY:ecaueIwawearthemediawacampingattheendofmdrivewaatthat
point.Iwaactuallgoingoutoftownwithmwifetohide.Iworrieditwouldefeeding
eagullattheeach.IfitwaIwhogaveittothemedia.Iakedmfriend,makeurethi
getout.
LUNT:Itdoeeemtomewhatoudothereicreateaourcecloetotheformer
directoroftheFIaoppoedtotakingreponiilitourelfforaing,herearethe
record.Likeeverodele,IhaveotherthingI'dliketogetintoutI'moutoftime.
N.ANGUKING:Firt,I'dliketoacknowledgeenatorlumenthalandenator
Nelon.Theprincipalthingou'lllearnithechairtherearemoreuncomfortalethanthe
chairhere.utwelcometothehearing.Mr.Come,aroadquetion.WatheRuian
activitinthe2016electionaoneoffpropoition,orithipartofalong-termtrateg?
Willtheeack?
COMY:Oh,itialong-termpracticeoftheir.It'teppedupanotchinaignificantwa
in'16.The'lleack.
KING:Ithinkthat'verimportantfortheAmericanpeopletoundertand.Thatthii
vermuchaforwardlookinginvetigationintermofhowdoweundertandwhatthedid
andhowdowepreventit.Wouldouagreethatiaigpartofourrolehere?
COMY:Ye,ir.ItinotaRepulicanthingorademocraticthing.ItreallianAmerican
thing.The'regoingtocomeforwhateverpartthechooetotrandworkonehalfof,
andthe'renotdevotedtoeither,inmexperience.The'rejutaouttheirownadvantage.
Thewilleack.
KING:That'moervation.Idon'tthinkPutiniaRepulicanoraDemocrat.He'an
opportunit.
COMY:Ithinkthat'afairtatement.
KING:Withregardtotheeveraloftheeconveration,inhiinterviewwithLeter
HoltonNC,thepreidentaid,Ihaddinnerwithhim.Hewantedtohavedinnerecaue
hewantedtotaon.Ithianaccuratetatement?
COMY:No,ir.
KING:Didouinanwainitiatethatdinner?
COMY:
COMY:No.Hecalledmeatmdekatlunchtimeandakedme,waIfreefordinnerthat
night.Calledhimelf.aid,canoucomeoverfordinnertonight?Iaid,e,ir.Heaid,
will6:00work?Ithink6:00firt.Thenheaid,Iwagoingtoinviteourwholefamilut
we'lldoitnexttime.Ithatagoodtime?Iaid,ir,whateverworkforou.Heaid,how
aout6:30?Iaid,whateverworkforou,ir.ThenIhungupandhadtocallmwifeand
reakadatewithher.Iwauppoedtotakehertodinnerthatnight.
KING:Oneoftheall-timegreatexcueforreakingadate.
COMY:Yeah.Inretropect,IlovependingtimewithmwifeandIwihIwouldhave
eentherethatnight.
KING:That'onequetionI'mnotgoingtofollowupon,Mr.Come.Inthatame
interview,thepreidentaid,inonecaeIcalledhimandinonecae,hecallme.Ithatan
accuratetatement?
COMY:No.
KING:Didouevercallthepreident?
COMY:No.ImighttheonlreaonI'mheitatingi,Ithinktherewaatleatone
converationwhereIwaakedtocalltheWhiteHouewitchoardtoeconnectedto
him.Ineverinitiatedacommunicationwiththepreident.
KING:InhipreconferenceMa18th,thepreidentreponded,quote,no,no,when
akedaoutakingoutotoptheinvetigationintogeneralFlnn.Ithatatrue
tatement?
COMY:Idon'telieveiti.
KING:Inregardtohimeingperonallunderinvetigation,doethatmeanthatthe
doierinoteingreviewedorinvetigatedorfolloweduponinanwa?
COMY:Iovioulcan'tcommenteitherwa.Italkinanopenettingaoutthe
invetigationaitwawhenIwaheadoftheFI.ItioMueller'reponiilitnow.I
don'tknow.
KING:Clearl,ourtatementtothepreidentackonthevarioutimewhenou
auredhimitwan'tunderinvetigation,aofthatmoment,iitcorrect?
COMY:Correct.
KING:
KING:Now,ontheFlnninvetigation,iitnottruethatMr.Flnnwaandiacentral
figureinthientireinvetigationoftherelationhipetweentheTrumpcampaignandthe
Ruian?
COMY:Ican'tanwerthatinanopenetting,ir.
KING:Certainl,Mr.Flnnwapartoftheo-calledRuianinvetigation?Canouanwer
thatquetion?
COMY:Ihavetogiveoutheameanwer.
KING:Allright.We'llehavingacloedeionhortlowe'llfollowuponthat.Interm
ofhicommenttoouaoutIthinkinreponetoenatorRich,heaid,Ihopeou'll
holdackonthat,utwhenougetawhenapreidentoftheUnitedtateintheOval
Officeaomethinglike,IhopeorIuggetorwouldou,dooutakethataadirective?
COMY:Ye.Itringinmeara,well,willnooneridmeofthimeddleomepriet.
KING:Iwajutgoingtoquotethat,in1179,Decemer27th,HenrIIaid,whowillridme
ofthemeddleomepriet,andthenextda,hewakilled.xactltheameituation.We're
thinkingalongtheameline.everalotherquetion,andtheearealittlemoredetailed.
WhatdoouknowaouttheRuianankV?
COMY:NothingthatIcantalkaoutinanopenetting.Iknow
KING:Thattakecareofthenextthreequetion.
COMY:Iknowitexit.
KING:WhatirelationhipofamaadortheamaadorfromRuiatotheUnited
tatetotheRuianintelligenceinfratructure?
COMY:He'adiplomatwhoithechiefofmiionattheRuianma,which
emploaroutcohortofintelligenceofficer.o,urel,heiwhitingoftheiraggreive
intelligenceoperation,atleatomeofitintheUnitedtate.Idon'tconiderhimtoean
intelligenceofficerhimelf.He'adiplomat.
KING:DidoueverdidtheFIeverrieftheTrumpadminitrationaoutthe
adviailitofinteractingdirectlwithAmaadorKilak?
COMY:AllIcanaithereithereareavarietofdefeniveriefinggiventothe
incomingadminitrationaoutthecounterintelligencerik.
KING:
KING:acktoMr.Flnn.WouldthewouldcloingouttheFlnninvetigationhave
impededtheoverallRuianinvetigation?
COMY:No.Well,unlikel,excepttotheextentthereialwaapoiilitifouhavea
criminalcaeagaintomeoneandqueezethem,flipthemandthegiveouinformation
aoutomethingele.utIawthetwoatouchingeachotheruteparate.
KING:Withregardtoourmemo,in'tittruethatinacourtcaewhenou'reweighing
evidence,contemporaneoumemoandcontemporaneoutatementtothirdpartieare
conideredproativeintermofthevaliditoftetimon?
COMY:Ye.
KING:Thankou.Thankou,Mr.Chairman.
URR:enatorLankford?
LANKFORD:FormerDirectorCome,goodtoeeouagain.
COMY:You,too.
LANKFORD:Multipleopportunitietoviit,aeveronehereha.Iappreciateouand
ourerviceandwhatouhavedoneforthenationforalongtime,whatoucontinueto
do.Itoldoueforeintheheatoflatear,whenwehadanopportunittoviitperonall,
thatIpraforouandourfamilecaueoucarratremendouamountoftre.That
itilltruetoda.
COMY:Thankou.
LANKFORD:Letmewalkthroughacouplethingwithou.Yournoteareovioul
exceptionallimportantecauethegivearapidaccountofwhatouwrotedownand
whatouperceivedhappenedinthoedifferentmeeting.Haveouhadtheopportunitto
referencethoenotewhenouwerepreparingthewrittentatementouputforward
toda?
COMY:Ye.Ithinknearlallofmwrittenrecordingofmconveration,Ihada
chancetoreviewthemeforefilingmtatement.
LANKFORD:Doouhaveacopofanofthenoteperonall?
COMY:Idon't.IturnedthemovertooMueller'invetigator.
LANKFORD:
LANKFORD:Theindividualthatoutoldaoutourmemo,thatthenwereentonto
TheNewYorkTime,didouhaveacopofthememoortoldorall?
COMY:Hadacopatthetime.
LANKFORD:Dothetillhaveacopofthoememo?
COMY:Goodquetion.Ithinko.IgueIcan'taforureittinghere,utIgueI
don'tknow.utIthinko.
LANKFORD:othequetioni,couldouakthemtohandthatcoprightacktoouo
oucanhandthemovertothicommittee?
COMY:Potentiall.
LANKFORD:Iwouldliketomovethatfrompotentialltoeeingifwecanakthat
quetionowecanhaveacopofthoe.Ovioul,thenotearereallimportanttou,o
wecancontinuetogettothefactaweeeit.Thewrittendocumentareexceptionall
important.
COMY:Yeah.
LANKFORD:Werethereotherdocumentweneedtoeawareofouuedinour
preparationforourwrittentatementwehouldalohavethatwouldaituinhelping
uwiththi?
COMY:NotthatI'mawareof,no.
LANKFORD:PattheFeruar14thmeeting,whichianimportantmeetingawedicu
theconverationhereaoutMichaelFlnn,whenthepreidentakedouaouthehope
thatouwouldletthigo,andtheconverationackandforthaouteingagoodgu,after
thattime,didthepreidenteverringupanthingaoutMichaelFlnnagaintoou?Had
multipleotherconverationouhaddocumentwiththepreident.
COMY:Idon'trememerhimringingitupagain.
LANKFORD:Didamemerofthewhitehouetaffcomeuptoouakingoutodropthe
MichaelFlnncae,anthingreferringtothat?
COMY:No.
LANKFORD:DidtheDirectorofNationalIntelligencetalktoouaoutthat?
COMY:
COMY:No.
LANKFORD:Didanonefromtheattornegeneral'office,thedepartmentofjuticeak
aoutthat?
COMY:No.
LANKFORD:DidtheheadofNAtalktoouaoutthat?
COMY:No.
LANKFORD:Thekeapecthereiifthieemtoeomethingthepreidentitringto
getoutodropit,iteemlikealighttouchtodropit,toringitupatthatpoint,theda
afterhehadjutfiredFlnn,tocomeackhereanda,Ihopewecanletthigo,thenit
neverreappearagain.Diditlowdownourinvetigationoraninvetigationthatmaor
manoteoccurringwithMichaelFlnn?
COMY:No.AlthoughIdon'tknowthereareanmanifetationetweenFeruar14th
andwhenIwafired.Idon'tknowthatthepreidenthadanwaofknowingwhetherit
waeffectiveornot.
LANKFORD:Oka.Fairenough.Ifthepreidentwantedtotopaninvetigation,how
wouldhedothat?Knowingitianongoingcriminalinvetigationorcounterintelligence
invetigation,wouldthateamatterofgoingtoou,ouperceive,anda,oumakeittop
ecauehedoen'thavetheauthorittotopit?Howwouldthepreidentmakeanongoing
invetigationtop?
COMY:I'mnotalegalcholar,utaalegalmatter,thepreidentitheheadofthe
executiveranchandcoulddirect,intheor,wehaveimportantnormagaintthi,ut
couldanoneeinvetigativeornot.Ithinkhehathelegalauthorit.Allofuultimatel
reportintheexecutiveranchtothepreident.
LANKFORD:Wouldthatetoou,ortheattornegeneralorwho?
COMY:Iuppoehecouldifhewantedtoiueadirectordercoulddoitanwa.
Throughtheattornegeneraloriueitdirectltome.
LANKFORD:Well,ithereanquetionthatthepreidentinotrealfondofthi
invetigation?Icanthinkofmultiple140-wordcharacterexpreionthathe'pulicl
expreedhe'notfondoftheinvetigation.Iheardourefertoeforetringtokeepthe
agentawafromancommentthatthepreidentmahavemade.Quitefrankl,the
preidenthainformedaround6illionpeoplethathe'notrealfondofthiinvetigation.
Doouthinkthere'adifferenceinthat?
COMY:Ye.There'aigdifferenceinkickinguperiorofficeroutoftheovaloffice,
lookingtheFIdirectorintheeeandaingIhopeouletthigo.Ithinkifagentagood
atheareheardthepreidentoftheUnitedtatedidthat,there'arealrikofachilling
effectontheirwork.That'whwekeptitotight.
LANKFORD:OK.Youhadmentionedeforeaoutomenewtorieandnewaccount.
Withouthavingtogointoallofthenameandpecifictimeandtoealetodipintoallof
that.HavethereeennewaccountaouttheRuianinvetigationorcolluionaoutthe
wholeeventoraoureadthetorouwerewrongaouthowwrongthegotthefact?
COMY:Ye,therehaveeenman,mantorieaedonwell,lotoftuffutaout
Ruiathataredeadwrong.
LANKFORD:Iwainteretedinourcommentthatoumadeawellthatthepreident
aidtoouiftherewereomeatelliteaociateofhithatdidomethingwrong,itwould
egoodtofindthatout.DidthepreidenteemtotalktooupecificallonMarch30th
aingI'mfrutratedthatthewordinotgettingoutthatI'munderinvetigation.utif
therearepeopleinmcirclethatare,let'finihtheinvetigation,ithathowoutookit?
COMY:Ye,ir.Ye.
LANKFORD:Thenoumadeacommentearlieratheattornegeneral,thepreviou
attornegeneralakingouaouttheinvetigationontheClintone-mailaingouwere
akedtonotcallitaninvetigationanmore.utcallitamatter.Youaidthatconfued
ou.Youcangiveuadditionaldetailonthat?
COMY:Well,itconcernedmeecauewewereatthepointwherewerefuedtoconfirm
theexitenceawetpicalldoofaninvetigationformonth.Andwagettingtoaplace
wherethatlookedillecauethecampaignwe'retalkingaoutinteractingwiththeFI
inthecoureofourwork.TheClintoncampaignatthetimewauingallkindof
euphemim,ecuritmatter,thinglikethatforwhatwagoingon.Weweregettingtoa
placewheretheattornegeneralandIwereothgoingtotetifandtalkpuliclaoutitI
wantedtoknowwahegoingtoauthorizeutoconfirmwehaveaninvetigation.heaid
e,don'tcallitthat,callitamatter.IaidwhwouldIdothat?heaid,jutcallita
matter.Youlookackinhindight,ifIlookedackandaidthiin'tworthdingonoI
jutaidthepreigoingtocompletelignoreit.That'whathappenedwhenIaidwe
openedamatter.TheallreportedtheFIhaaninvetigationopen.othatconcernedme
ecauethatlanguagetrackedthewathecampaignwatalkingaouttheFI'workand
that'concerning.
LANKFORD:Yougaveimpreionthatthecampaignwaomehowuingthelanguagea
theFIecaueouwerehandedthecampaignlanguage?
COMY:Idon'tknowwhetheritwaintentionalornotutitgavetheimpreionthatthe
attornegeneralwalookingtoalignthewawetalkedaoutourworkwiththewaitwa
decriingthat.Itwainaccurate.WehadaninvetigationopenfortheFederalureauof
Invetigation,wehadaninvetigationopenatthetime.Thatgavemeaqueafeeling.
URR:enatorManchin.
N.JOMANCHIN:Thankou.Iappreciateeinghere.WetVirginiaiinteretedin
thehearwe'rehavingtoda.I'vehadover600requetforquetiontoakoufromm
fellowWetVirginian.Motofthemhaveeenakedandthereareometoeakedifthe
claifiedhearing.Iwanttothankoufirtofallforcomingtoehereandvolunteeringto
taintheclaifiedhearing.Idon'tknowifouhadachancetowatchourhearing
eterda
COMY:Iwatchedpartofit,e.
MANCHIN:Anditwaquitetrouling.Mcolleaguehadverpointedquetionthe
wantedanwerto.Andtheweren'tclaifiedandcouldhaveeenanweredintheopen
ettingandtherefuedto.othatmakeumuchmoreappreciativeofourcooperation.
ir,theeriouneoftheRuiainvetigationandknowingthatitcaneongoinga
enatorKeeganalludedto.Whatareourconcernthere?Americanpulicaingwhare
wemakingaigdealofthiRuianinvetigation?Canoutellmeaoutourthought?
COMY:Ye,ir.
MANCHIN:Finall,didthepreidenteverhowanconcernorinteretorcurioitaout
whattheRuianweredoing?
COMY:Thankou,enator.AIaidearlier,Idon'trememeranconverationwiththe
preidentaouttheRuiaelectioninterference.
MANCHIN:Didheeverakouanquetionconcerningthi?
COMY:Well,therewaaninitialriefingofourfinding.AndIthinktherewa
converationthereIdon'trememerexactlwhereheakedwhatIfoundandwhatour
ourcewereandwhatourconfidencelevelwa.Thereaonthiiuchaigdeal.Wehave
thiigmewonderfulcountrwherewefightwitheachotherallthetime.utnood
telluwhattothink,whattofightaout,whattovoteforexceptotherAmerican.And
that'wonderfulandoftenpainful.utwe'retalkingaoutaforeigngovernmentthatuing
technicalintruion,lotofothermethodtriedtohapethewawethink,wevote,weact.
Thatiaigdeal.Andpeopleneedtorecognizeit.It'notaoutRepulicanorDemocrat.
The'recomingafterAmerica,whichIhopeweallloveequall.Thewanttoundermine
ourcrediilitinthefacetheworld.Thethinkthatthigreatexperimentofouria
threattothem.othe'regoingtotrtorunitdownanddirtitupamuchapoile.
That'whatthiiaoutandthewilleack.ecaueweremainadifficultawecan
ewitheachother,weremainthathiningcitonthehill.Andthedon'tlikeit.
MANCHIN:It'extremelimportant,extremeldangerouwhatwe'redealingwithand
it'needediwhatou'reaing.
COMY:Ye,ir.
MANCHIN:Doouelievetherewereantapeorrecordingofourconverationwith
thepreident?
COMY:Itneveroccurredtomeuntilthepreident'tweet.I'mnoteingfacetiou.Ihope
thereare.
MANCHIN:othofouareintheamehere,ouothhopetherearetapingand
recording?
COMY:WellallIcandoihope.Thepreidenturelknowifhetapedme.Ifhedid,m
feelingaren'thurt.ReleaeallofthetapeI'mgoodwithou.
MANCHIN:ir,doouelievethatRoertMueller,ournewpecialveru,onRuia,will
ethoroughandcompletewithoutinterventionandwouldouaoutconfidentonhi
recommendation?
COMY:Ye,oMuellerioneofthefinetpeopleandpulicervantthicountrha
everproduced.Hewilldoitwell.He'adogged-toughperonandoucanhavehigh
confidencewhenhe'done,he'turnedoveralloftherock.
MANCHIN:You'veeenakedawidevarietofquetionandwe'regoingtohavemorein
ourclaifiedhearing.omethingeleIliketoakfolkwhenthecomehere,whatdetail
oftheagahouldweefocuedonandrecommendthatwedodifferentl?Toadjutour
perpectiveonthi.
COMY:Idon'tknow.OneofthereaonI'mpleaedtoehereIthinkthicommitteeha
howntheAmericanpeoplealthoughwehavetwopartieandwediagreeonthingwe
canworktogetherwhenitcometothecountr.oIwouldhopethatouwouldjutkeep
doingwhatouredoing.Anditagoodexampleforkid.Thatitgoodinandofitelfut
weareanadultdemocrac.
MANCHIN:Youmentionedixtimeonthephonewithpreidentdidoueveralludethat
ouwereperforminginadequatel?
COMY:No,quitethecontrar.Iwaaouttogetonahelicopteronetime.Theheadofthe
DAwainthehelicopterwaitingforme.HecalledintocheckinandtellmeIwadoing
anaweomejo.AndwantedtoeehowIwadoing.IaidI'mdoingfine,ir.ThenI
finihedthecallandgotonthehelicopter.
MANCHIN:Mr.Come,doouelieveouwouldhaveeenfiredifHillarClinton
ecamepreident?
COMY:That'agreatquetion.Idon'tknow.Idon'tknow.
MANCHIN:Haveouhadanthoughtaoutit?
COMY:Imighthaveeen.Idon'tknow.Look,I'veaidefore,thatwaanextraordinaril
difficultandpainfultime.IthinkIdidwhatIhadtodo.Iknewitwagoingtoeverad
formeperonall.AndtheconequencemighthaveeenifHillarClintonwaelectedI
mighthaveeenterminated.Idon'tknow.Irealldon't.
MANCHIN:Mfinalquetion,aftertheFeruar14thmeetingintheovalofficeou
mentionedtoAttorneGeneralJeffeion.DidoueverconiderwhAttorneGeneral
eionwanotakedtotaintheroom?
COMY:Oh,ure.Idid.Andhave.Andinthatmoment,Iknew
MANCHIN:Didouevertalktohimaoutit?
COMY:No.
MANCHIN:YouneverhadadicuionwithJeffeiononthi?
COMY:No,notatall.
MANCHIN:
MANCHIN:Onanofourmeeting?
COMY:No.
MANCHIN:Didheinquire?Didhehowaninquirwhatoeverwhatwathatmeeting
aout?
COMY:Noou'reright.Ididatohim.I'dforgottenthi,Italkedtohimandaidou
havetoeetweenmeandthepreidentandthat'incredilimportant.Iforgotmexact
wordIpaedalongmthepreident'meageaouttheleak.Ipaedthatalongtothe
attornegeneralIthinkitwathenextmorninginthemeeting.utIdidnottellhimaout
theFlnnpart.
MANCHIN:Doouelievethirietootructionofjutice?
COMY:Idon'tknow,that'oMueller'jotoortthatout..
MANCHIN:Thankou,ir.
N.TOMCOTTON:Mr.Chairman.
URR:enatorCotton.
COTTON:Mr.Come,ou'reencouraged.preidentwillreleaethetapewillou
encourageMr.Muellertoreleaeourmemo?
COMY:ure.
COTTON:YouaidoudidnotrecordourconverationwithPreidentOamaor
Preidentuhinmemo.DidoudoowithAttorneGeneralJeffeionoranother
eniormemerofthetrumpDepartmentofJutice?
COMY:No.IthinkIamorr.
COTTON:Didourecordconverationormemowiththeattornegeneraloranother
eniormemeroftheOamaadminitration?
COMY:No.
COTTON:Twophonecall,fourphonecallarenotdicuedinourtatement,forthe
record.Whathappeninthoephonecall?
COMY:
COMY:ThepreidentcalledmeIelievehortleforehewainauguratedaafollow-up
toourconveration,privateconverationonJanuarthe6th.Hejutwantedtoreiteratehi
rejectionofthatallegationandtalkaout-he'dthoughtaoutitmore.Andwhhe
thoughtitwan'ttrue.Theverifiedunverifiedpart.Andduringthatcall,heakedme
again,hopeou'regoingtoa.You'redoingagreatjo.ItoldhimthatIintendedto.There
waanotherphonecallthatImentionedcouldhavethedatewrong,March1t,wherehe
calledjuttocheckinwithmeaIwaaouttogetonthehopital.Itwaaecurecallwe
hadaoutanoperationalmatterthatinotrelatedtoanofthi.omethingthattheFIi
workingon.HewantedtomakeureIundertoodhowimportanthethoughtitwa.A
totallappropriatecall.Andthenthefourthcall,proalforgettingmahaveeenI
mahavemetthecallwhenhecalledtoinvitemetodinner.I'llthinkaoutitaI'm
anweringotherquetionutIthinkIgotthatright.
COTTON:Let'turnourattentiontotheunderlingactivitatiuehere.Ruia'hacking
ofthoee-mailandtheallegationofcolluion.DoouthinkDonaldTrumpcolludedwith
Ruia?
COMY:That'aquetionIdon'tthinkIhouldanwerinanopeningetting.AIaid,
whenIleft,wedidnothaveaninvetigationfocuedonpreidenttrump.utthat'a
quetionthatwilleanweredtheinvetigation,Ithink.
COTTON:Letmeturntoacoupletatementoneofmcolleague,enatorFeintein.
hewatherankingmemeronthicommitteeuntilJanuar,whichmeanthathehad
accetoinformationthatonlheandChairmanurrdid.he'nowtheeniorDemocrat
ontheFICommittee,whichmeanhehadaccetoinformationthatmanofudont.
OnMa3rdontheWolflitzerhowhewaakedDoouelieveouhaveevidencethat
infactthattherewacolluionetweenTrumpaociateandRuiaduringthecampaign?
heanwerednotatthitime.OnMa18th,ontheamehow,Mr.litzeraid,Thelat
timeoucameonthihowIIakedifouhadeenanevidencethatRuiahadcolluded
withtheTrumpcampaign."Youaidnotatthitime.Haanthingchangedincewelat
poke?enatorFeinteinaidno,ithant.Doouhaveanreaontodoutthoe
tatement?
COMY:Idon'tdoutthattheenatorFeinteinundertoodwhatheaid.Ijutdon't
wanttogodownthatrouteanmoreecaueI'mIwanttoefairtoPreidentTrump.I
amnottringtouggetomethingnefariouutIdon'twanttogetintotheuineof
nottothiperon,nottothatperon.
COTTON:
COTTON:OnFeruar14ththeNewYorkTimepulihedthetor,theheadlineofwhich
waTrumpcampaignaidehadrepeatedcontactwithRuianintelligence.Youwere
akedifthataaninaccuratetor.Woulditefairtocharacterizethattoraalmot
entirelwrong?
COMY:Ye.
COTON:Doouhaveatthetimethetorwapulihed,anindicationofancontact
etweenTrumppeopleandRuian,intelligenceofficer,othergovernmentofficialor
cloeaociateoftheRuiangovernment?
COMY:That'oneIcan'tanwerittinghere.
COTTON:Wecandicuthatintheclaifiedettingthen.Iwanttoturnourattention
nowtoMr.Flnn.Theallegationofhiunderlingconducttoepecific.Hialleged
interactionwiththeRuianamaadoronthetelephoneandthenwhatheaidtoenior
TrumpadminitrationofficialandDepartmentofJuticeofficial.Iundertandthereare
otheriuewithMr.Flnnrelatedtohireceiptofforeignmonieordicloureever
officialadvocac,thoeareeriouallegationthatI'murewillepuruedutIwantto
peakpecificallaouthiinteractionwiththeRuianamaador.There'atoron
Januar23rdinTheWahingtonPotthata,entitledFIreviewedcallwithRuian
amaadorutfoundnothingillicit.Ithitoraccurate?
COMY:Idon'twanttocommenttonthatenator.I'mpretturetheureauhanot
confirmedaninterceptionofcommunication.o,Idon'twanttotalkaoutthatinan
openingetting.
COTTON:Woulditeimproperforanincomingnationalecuritadviortohavea
converationwithaforeignamaador?
COMY:Inmexperience,no.
COTTON:utoucan'tconfirmordenthattheconverationhappenedandwewould
needtoknowthecontentofthatconverationtoknowifitinfactwaproper.
COMY:Idon'tthinkIcantalkaoutthatopeningetting.Again,I'veeenoutof
governmentamonth.o,Ialodon'twanttotalkaoutthingwhenit'nowomeod
ele'reponiilit.utmaeintheclaifiedettingwecantalkmoreaoutthat.
COTTON:YoutatedearlierthattherewaanopeninvetigationofMr.FlnnandtheFI.
DidouoranFIagenteverenethatMr.Flnnattemptedtodeceiveouormakefale
tatetoanFIagent?
COMY:Idon'twanttogotoofar.Thatwatheujectofthecriminalinquir.
COTTON:DidouevercomecloetocloingtheinvetigationonMr.Flnn?
COMY:Idon'tthinkIcantalkaoutthatinopenettingeither.
COTTON:Wecandicutheemoreinthecloedettingthen.Mr.Come,in2004,ou
wereapartofawell-pulicizedeventaoutanintelligenceprogramthathadeen
recertifiedeveraltime.AndouwereactingattornegeneralwhenAttorneGeneral
JohnAhcroftwaincapacitatedduetoillne.Therewaadramatichowdownatthe
hopitalhere.Thenextdaouaidouthatwrotetheletterofreignation,ignedit,went
tomeetwithPreidentuhandexplainedwhouproducedtocertifitithataccurate?
COMY:Ye.
COTTON:AtantimeduringFIdirectordidoueverwriteandignaletterof
reignation?
COMY:Letterofreignation?No,ir.
COTTON:Depiteallofoffthattetifiedtotodaoudidn'tfeelthiroetoalevelof
honetdifferenceofopinionetweenaccomplihedandkilledlawerinthat2004
epiode.
COMY:Iwouldn'tcharacterizetheeventin2004thatwauttoanwer,no,Ididn'tfind,
encounterancircumtancethatledmeintendtoreign,conidertoreign.No,ir.
COTTON:Thankou.
URR:enatorHarri.
N.KAMALAHARRI:DirectorCome,Iwanttothankououarenowaprivate
citizenandou'reenduringaenateIntelligenceCommitteehearing.achofugeteven
minuteinteadoffivetoakouquetion,thankou.
COMY:I'metweenopportunitienowo
HARRI:YouareI'mureou'llhavefutureopportunitie.YouandIareothformer
proecutor.I'mnotgoingtorequiretoouanwer.Ijutwanttomakeatatementthatin
mexperienceofproecutingcaewhenaroerheldaguntoomeod'headandaidI
hopeouwillgivemeourwallet,thewordhopewanottheoperativewordatthat
moment.utoudon'thavetorepondtothatpoint.Ihaveaerieofquetiontoakou.
Andthe'regoingtotartwith:Areouawareofanmeetingetweenthetrump
adminitrationofficialandRuiaofficialduringthecampaignthathavenoteen
acknowledgedthoeofficialintheWhiteHoue?
COMY:That'notevenifIrememeredclearl,that'notaquetionIcananwerin
openetting.
HARRI:AreouawareofanquetionTrumpcampaignofficialoraociateofthe
campaigntohidetheircommunicationwithRuiaofficialthroughencrptedmean?
COMY:Ihavetogiveoutheameanwer.
HARRI:InthecoureoftheFI'invetigationdidouevercomeacroanthingthat
uggetedthatcommunication,record,documentorotherevidencehadeendetroed?
COMY:Ithinkagottogiveoutheaimanweriecaueitwouldtouchoninvetigative
matter.
HARRI:Andareouawearofanpotentialefforttoconcealetweencampaign
officialandRuianofficial?
COMY:Ihavetogiveoutheaimanweri.
HARRI:Thankou.Aaformerattornegeneral,Ihaveaerieofquetionin
connectionwithourconnectionwiththeattornegeneralwhileouwereFIdirector.
WhatiourundertandingoftheparameterofAttorneGeneraleion'recualfrom
theRuiainvetigation?
COMY:Ithinkit'decriedinawrittenreleaefromDOJwhichIdon'trememeritting
hereutthegitihewillerecuedfromallmatterrelatingtoRuiaorthecampaign.
OrtheactivitieofRuiaandthe'16electionoromethinglikethat.
HARRI:o,iourknowledgeoftheextentoftherecualaedonthepulictatement
he'made?
COMY:Correct.
HARRI:IthereankindofmemorandumiuedfromtheattornegeneraltotheFI
outliningtheparameterofhirecual?
COMY:
COMY:NotthatI'mawareof.
HARRI:DoouknowifhereviewedanDOJdocumenteforehewarecued?
COMY:Idon'tknow.
HARRI:Andafterhewarecued.I'maumingameanwer?
COMY:ameanwer.
HARRI:Andaidefromannoticeormemorandumthatwanotentorwawhat
procewouldetomakeurethattheattornegeneralwouldnothaveanconnectionto
theinvetigationtorionourknowledge?
COMY:Idon'tknowforure.Iknowhehadconultedwithcareerethicofficialthat
knowhowtorunarecualatDOJ.utIdon'tknowwhatmechanimtheetup.
HARRI:Andtheattornegeneralrecuedhimelffromtheinvetigation,doouelieve
itwaappropriateforhimtoeinvolvedinthefiringofthechiefinvetigatorofthatcae
thathadRuiainterference?
COMY:It'omethingthatIcan'tanwerittinghere.It'areaonalequetion.Itwould
dependonalotofthingIdon'tknow,likedidheknow,whatwahetold,didherealizethe
invetigation,thinglikethat.Ijutdon'tknowtheanwer.
HARRI:Youmentionedinourtetimonthatthepreidenteentiallakedoufora
loaltpledge.Areouawareofhimmakingtheamerequetofanothermemerthe
cainet?
COMY:Idon'tknowonewaoranother.I'veneverheardanthingaoutit.
HARRI:Youmentionedouhadtheconverationwherehehopedthatouwouldletthe
FlnnmattergoonFeruar14.Orthereaout.It'mundertandingthatMr.eion
warecuedfromaninvolvementintheinvetigation,aoutafulltwoweeklater.To
ourknowledge,watheattornegeneral,didhehaveaccetoinformationaoutthe
invetigationinthoetwoweek?
COMY:Intheor,ure.ecauehe'theattornegeneral.Idon'tknowwhetherhehad
ancontactwithmaterialrelatedtothat.
HARRI:Toourknowledgewathereandirectivethathehouldnothaveancontact
withaninformationaouttheRuianinvetigationetweentheFeruar14thdateand
thedahewaultimatelrecuedhimelfonMarch2nd.
COMY:Nottomknowledge.Idon'tknowonewaoranother.
HARRI:AnddidoupeaktotheattornegeneralaouttheRuiainvetigationaout
hirecual?
COMY:Idon'tthinko,no.
HARRI:Doouknowifanoneinthedepartment,intheFI,forwardedandocument
orinformationonmemoofanort,totheattentionoftheattornegeneraleforehi
recual?
COMY:Idon'tknowofanorrememeranignaturinghere.It'poile.
HARRI:Doouknowiftheattornegeneralwainvolved,infact,involvedinanapect
oftheRuiainvetigationafterthe2ndofMarch?
COMY:Idon't.Iwouldaumenot.Letmeathiwa,Idon'tknowofaninformation
thatwouldleadmetoelievehedidomethingtotouchtheRuiainvetigationafter
recual.
HARRI:Inourwrittentetimon,ouindicatethatafterouwereleftalonewiththe
preident,oumentionedthatitwainappropriateandhouldneverhappenagaintothe
attornegeneral.Andapparentl,hedidnotrepl.Andouwrotethathedidnotrepl.
Whatdidhedo,ifanthing?Didhejutlookatou?Wathereapaueforamoment,what
happened?
COMY:Idon'trememerrealclearl.Ihavearecollectionofhimjutkindoflookingat
me.ItwaadangerI'mprojectingontohimothimighteafaultmemor.utIkindof
gothiodlanguagegavemeaenelikewhatamIgoingtodo.
HARRI:Didhehrug?
COMY:Idon'trememerclearl.IthinkthereaonIhavethatimpreioniIhaveome
recollectionofalmotimperceptilelikewhatamIgoingtodo.utIdon'thaveaclear
recollectionofthatofthat.Hedidn'taanthing.
HARRI:OnthatameFeruar14thmeetingouaidouundertoodthepreidenttoe
requetingthatoudroptheinvetigation.Afterthatmeeting,however,oureceivedtwo
callfromthepreidentMarch30thandApril11th,wherethepreidenttalkedaoutcloud
overhipreidenc.Haanthingou'velearnedinthemonthinceourFeruar14
meetingchangedourundertandingofthepreidentrequetIguethatwoulde
whatheaidinpulicdocumentorpulicinterview?
COMY:Correct.
HARRI:Andithereanthingaoutthiinvetigationthatouelieveiinanwa
iaedor,orinoteinginformedaproceofeekingthetruth?
COMY:No.Theappointmentofapecialcounelhouldoffergreatepeciallgiven
whothatperoni,greatcomforttoAmerican.Nomatterwhatourpoliticalaffiliationi,
thatthiwilledoneindependentl,confidentlandhonetl.
HARRI:Anddoouelievehehouldhavefullauthorit,Mr.Mueller,toealeto
puruethatinvetigation?
COMY:Ye.Andknowinghimwell,overtheear,ifthere'omethingthathethinkhe
need,hewillpeakupaoutit.
HARRI:Doouelievehehouldhavefullindependence?
COMY:Oh,eah.Andhewouldn'tepartofifhewan'tgoingtogetfullIndependence.
HARRI:Thankou,Mr.Chairman.
CORNYN:Mr.ComeI'llrepeatwhatIaidinpreviouhearingthatIelieveou'rea
goodanddecentmanwhohaeendealtwithadifficulthandtartingackwiththe
Clintone-mailinvetigation.Iappreciateoueingherevoluntariltocooperationwith
theinvetigation.Aageneralmatter,ifanFIagenthareaontoelievethatacrimeha
eencommitted,dothehaveaduttoreportit?
COMY:That'agoodquetion.Idon'tknowthatthere'alegalduttoreportit.The
certainlhaveacultural,ethicalduttoreportit.
CORNYN:You'reunurewhetherthewouldhavealegaldut?
COMY:That'agoodquetion.Ihavenotthoughtaoutthatefore.There'atatutethat
prohiitthefelon,knowingafelonandtakingteptoconcealitutthat'adifferent
quetion.Letmeeclear,IwouldexpectanFIagentwhohainformationaoutacrime
toreportit.
CORNYN:Me,too.
COMY:
COMY:utwhereouretthatoligation,Idon'tknow.Itexit.
CORNYN:Andletmeuggetaageneralpropoition,ifou'retringtomakean
invetigationgoawa,ifiringanFIdirectoragoodwatomakethathappen?that,I
mean--
COMY:Itdoen'tmakealotofenetomeutIovioulamhopeleliaedgivenI
watheonefired.
CORNYN:Iundertandit'peronal.
COMY:GiventhenatureoftheFI,ImeantwhatIaid.Foralltheindipenalepeople
intheworld,includingtheFI,there'lotofadthingformenoteingattheFI,motof
themforme,uttheworkigoingtogoon.
CORNYN:Nothingthatoutetifiedtoatotoda,haimpededtheinvetigationofthe
FIordirectorMueller'ailittogettotheottomofthi?
COMY:Correct.peciall,DirectorMuelleriacriticalpartofthatequation.
CORNYN:LetmetakeouacktotheClintone-mailinvetigation.Ithinkou'veeen
tankedagencaherooravillain,dependingonwhoepoliticaloxieinggoredatman
differenttimeduringthecourtoftheClintone-mailinvetigation,andevennowperhap.
utouclearlweretrouledtheconductoftheittingAttorneGeneralLorettaLnch
whenitcametotheClintone-mailinvetigation.Youmentionedthecharacterizationthat
ou'deenakedtoaccept.Thatthiwaamatter.Andnotacriminalinvetigation.Which
ouaiditwa.TherewathematterofPreidentClinton'meetingonthetarmac.With
theittingattornegeneralatthetimewhenhiwifewaaujecttoacriminal
invetigation.Andouuggetedthatperhapthereareothermatterthatoumaeale
toharewithulateroninaclaifiedetting.utiteemtomethatouclearlelieve
thatLorettaLnch,theattornegeneral,hadanappearanceofaconflictofinteretonthe
Clintone-mailinvetigation.Ithatcorrect?
COMY:That'fair.Ididn'telievehecouldcredildeclinethatinvetigation.Atleat
notwithoutgrievoudamagetotheDepartmentofJuticeandtotheFI.
CORNYN:AndunderDepartmentofJuticeandFInorm,wouldn'tithaveeen
appropriatefortheattornegeneral,orifhehadrecuedherelfwhichhedidnotdofor
thedeputattornegeneraltoappointapecialcounel.That'eentiallwhat'happened
withdirectorMueller.Wouldthathaveeenanappropriatetep?
COMY:
COMY:Certainl,e,ir.
CORNYN:AndwereouawareM.Lnchhadeenrequetednumeroutimetoappoint
apecialcounelandhadrefued.
COMY:Ye.From,Ithink,Congrehadmemerofcongrehadrepeatedlaked,
e,ir.
CORNYN:Yourtruldidonmultipleoccaion.Andthatheightenedourconcern
aouttheappearanceofaconflictofinteretwiththeDepartmentofJuticewhichcaued
outomakewhatouhavedecriedaanincorrectlpainfuldeciiontoaicalltakethe
matterupourelfandledtothatJulpreconference?
COMY:Ye,ir.IakafterPreidentClinton,formerPreidentClintonmetonthe
planewiththeattornegeneral,IconideredwhetherIhouldcallfortheappointmentofa
pecialcounel.AnddecidedthatwouldeanunfairthingtodoecaueIknewtherewa
nocaethere.Weinvetigateditver,verthoroughl.Iknowthiiaujectofpaionate
diagreementutIknewtherewanocaethere.Andcallingfortheappointmentof
pecialcounelwoulderutallunfairecaueitwouldendthemeage,uh-huh,there'
omethinghere.That'mjudgment.Lotofpeoplehavedifferentviewaoutitutthat'
whatIthoughtaoutit.
CORNYN:Wellifapecialcounelhadeenappointedthecouldhavemadethat
determinationtherewanothingthereanddeclinedtopurueit,right?
COMY:ure.utitwouldhaveeenmanmonthlateroraearlater.
CORNYN:LetmejutouaktogiventheexperienceoftheClintone-mail
invetigationandwhathappenedthere.Doouthinkit'unreaonaleforanone,an
preident,whohaeenauredonmultipleoccaionthathe'nottheujectofanFI
invetigation,doouthinkit'unreaonaleforthemtowanttheFIdirectortopulicl
announcethat,othatthicloudoverhiadminitrationwoulderemoved?
COMY:Ithinkthat'areaonalepointofview.Theconcernwoulde,ovioul,ecaue
athatoomerangcomeackit'goingtoeaverigdealecauetherewilleadutto
correct.
CORNYN:Well,weawthatintheClintone-mailinvetigation.
COMY:Ye,Irecallthat.
CORNYN:
CORNYN:Iknowoudo.o,letmeakou,finall,intheminutewehaveleft.Therewa
thiconverationackandforthaoutloalt.AndIthinkweallappreciatethefactthatan
FIdirectorianuniquepulicofficialintheenehe'nothe'apoliticalappointeein
oneene.uthehaadutofindependencetopuruethelawpuruanttothe
ContitutionandlawoftheUnitedtate.Andowhenthepreidentakedouaout
loalt,ougotinthiackandforthaout,well,I'llpledgeoumhonet.Thenitlook
likefromwhatI'vereadouagreeduponhonetloalt.Ithatthecharacterization?
COMY:Ye.
CORNYN:Thankouvermuch.
COMY:Ye,ir.
URR:enatorReed.
RD:Thankou,Mr.Chairman,thankou,DirectorCome.Therehaveeenpre
reportthatthepreident,inadditiontoakingtooudroptheFlnninvetigationha
akedothereniorintelligenceofficialtotaketepwhichwouldtendtounderminethe
invetigationofRuia.Therearereportthathe'akedDanCoatandMikeRogerto
makepulictatementexoneratinghimortakingthepreureoffofhim.Andaloreport
aoutAdmiralRogerandDirectorPompeotointerveneandreachouttotheFItoak
them.Areouawareofanofthee--doouhaveaninformationwithrepecttoanof
theeallegation?
COMY:Idon't.I'mawareofthepulicreportingutIhadnocontact.Noconveration
withanofthoeleaderaoutthatuject.
RD:Thankou.Youhavetetifiedthatouinterpretthedicuionwiththepreident
aoutFlnnaadirectiontotoptheinvetigation,ithatcorrect?
COMY:Ye.
RD:Youtetifiedthatthepreidentakedoutoliftthecloudepeciallmaking
pulictatementdihonoringhimandperhapother,andourefued,correct?
COMY:Ididn'tdoit.Ididn'trefuethepreident.Itoldhimwewouldeewhatwecan
do.Theecondtimehecalled.Itoldhiminutance,that'omethingourlawerwill
havetotakeupwiththeJuticeDepartment.
RD:
RD:Andpartoftheunderlinglogicawedicuedmantimethroughoutthi
morningitheduttocorrect.Thationeofatheoreticaliueutaloaverpractical
iue.Wathereourfeelingthatthedirectionontheinvetigationcouldinfactinclude
thepreident?
COMY:Well,intheor.Imean,aIexplained,theconcernofoneofmeniorleader
colleaguewa,ifou'relookingatpotentialcoordinationetweenthecampaignand
Ruia,theperonattheheadofthecampaignithecandidate.o,logicall,thiperon
arguedthecandidate'knowledge,undertanding,wouldlogicallecomeapartofour
inquirifitproceed.o,Iundertandthatargument.utmviewwathatwhatIaidto
thepreidentwaaccurateandfair.Andfairtohim.Ireitedtheideaofpuliclaingit.
AlthoughiftheJuticeDepartmenthadwantedtoIwouldhavedoneitecaueofthedut
tocorrectandthelipperlopeprolem.
RD:Now,again,alo,ou'vetetifiedthatthepreidentakedourepeatedltoeloal
tohim.Andourepondedou'dehonetlloal.WhichiourwaofaingI'lle
honetandI'lleaheadoftheFIindependent,ithatfair?
COMY:Correct.Itriedhonetfirt.Andalo,oueeitinmtetimon.Ialotriedto
explaintohimwhit'inhiinteretandeverpreident'interetfortheFItoeapart,in
awa,ecaueit'crediilitiimportanttoapreidentandtotalcountr.Ando,Itriedto
holdtheline.Holdtheline.Itgotverawkward.AndthenIaidou'llalwahavehonet
fromme.Heaidhonetloalt.AndIthenIproceededwiththataIawthataawato
addthiawkwardne.
RD:Ithereanexplanation?
COMY:Therewaanexplanation,Ijutdon'tuit.
RD:Our,e,oou'refired.Doouelieveou'refiredecaueourefuedtotakethe
preident'direction,ithattheultimatereaon?
COMY:Idon'tknowforure.IknowIwafired.Again,Itakethepreident'word,I
knowIwafiredecaueofomethingaoutthewaIwaconductingtheRuia
invetigationwainomewaputtingpreureonhim,inomewairritatinghim.Andhe
decidedtofireheecaueofthat.Ican'tgofartherthanthat.
RD:Now,theRuianinvetigationaou'vepointedoutandmcolleagueioneof
themoteriouhotileactagaintthicountr'hitorunderminingourcoreof
electioninotadicreteevent.Itwilllikeloccuragainandilikeleingpreparedfor'18,
'20andeond.AndetthepreidentoftheUnitedtateadviedouecaueatourown
omerelationhiptotheinvetigation.ThenhehowupintheOvalOfficewiththe
Ruianforeignminiterfirtaclaifingouacrazandarealnutjo.HeaidIfaced
greatpreureecaueofRuia;thattakenoff.Yourconcluionwouldethatthe
preident,Iwouldthinkidownplaingtheeriouneofthithreat.Infact,tookpecific
teptotopathoroughinvetigationoftheRuianinfluence,andalofromwhatou've
aidorwhatwaaidthimorning,doen'teemparticularlinteretedintheehotile
threattheRuian.Ithattrue?
COMY:Idon'tknowthatIcanagreetothatlevelofdetail.There'nodoutit'afair
judgment.It'mjudgmentIwafiredecaueoftheRuiainvetigation.Iwafiredin
omewatochangeortheendeavorwatochangethewatheRuiainvetigationi
eingconducted.Thatiaverigdeal.Andnotjutecaueitinvolveme.Thenatureof
theFIandthenatureofitworkrequirethatitnotetheujectofpolitical
conideration.Andontopofthat,ouhavetheRuiainvetigationitelfivital,ecaue
ofthethreat.AndIknowIhouldhaveaidthiearlier,utit'oviou,ifanAmerican
werepartofhelpingtheRuiandothattou,thatiaverigdeal.AndI'mconfidentif
thatithecae,directorMuellerwillfindthatevidence.
RD:Finall,thepreidenttweetedthatJameComeetterhopetherearenotapeof
ourconverationeforethetartleakingtothepre.Wathataratherunutleattempt
tointimidateoufromtetifingandintimidateanonewhoerioulcroehipath
fromdoingit?
COMY:I'mnotgoingtoithereandtrtoattemptthepreident'tweet.Tome,it'
majorimpact.Itoccurredinthemiddleofthenight,holcow,theremightetape.If
there'tapeit'notjutmwordagainthimonthedirectiontogetridoftheFlnn
invetigation.
RD:Thankouvermuch.
URR:enatorMcCain.
McCAIN:InthecaeofHillarClinton,oumadethetatementthattherewan't
ufficientevidencetoringtheuitagainther,althoughithadeenvercareleintheir
ehavior.utoudidreachaconcluion,inthatcaethatitwanotnecearfurther
purue.YetattheametimeinthecaeofMr.Come,ouaidthattherewanotenough
informationtomakeaconcluion.Tellmethedifferenceetweenourconcluionafara
formerecretarClintoniconcernedandMr.Trump?
COMY:
COMY:TheClintoninvetigationwaacompletedinvetigationthattheFIhadeen
deeplinvolvedin.o,Ihadanopportunittoundertandallofthefactandapplthoe
factagaintthelawaIundertoodthem.Thiinvetigationwaunderwa,tillgoing,
whenIwafired.oit'nowherenearintheameplace.Atleatitwan'twhenIwa
McCAIN:utit'tillongoing?
COMY:Correct.AfaraIknow.ItwawhenIleft.
McCAIN:Thatinvetigationigoingon.Thiinvetigationigoingon.Toreacheparate
concluion?
COMY:No,thatonewadone.
McCAIN:ThatinvetigationhaveaninvolvementofecretarClintonoranofher
aociateicompleted?
COMY:Ye,aofJul5th,theFIcompleteditinvetigativework.That'whatIwa
announcingwhatwehaddoneandwhatwehadfound.
McCAIN:Well,atleatinthemind-etofthimemer,there'awholelotofquetion
remainingaoutwhatwenton,particularlconideringthefactthat,aoumention,it'a,
quote,igdealatowhatwentonduringthecampaign.o,I'mgladouconcludedthat
partoftheinvetigation.utIIthinkthattheAmericanpeoplehaveawholelotof
quetionoutthere,particularlinceoujutemphaizedtherolethatRuiaplaed.And
ovioul,hewaacandidateforpreidentatthetime.o,hewaclearlinvolvedinthi
wholeituationwherefakenew,aou'vejutdecriedit,aigdeal,tookplace.And
ou'regoingtohavetohelpmeouthere.Inotherword,we'retheinvetigationthat
anthingformerecretarClintonhadtodoandwedon'thavetoworraoutitanmore?
COMY:WithrepecttoI'malittleconfued,enator.WithrepecttoecretarClinton
weinvetigatedherueofaperonale-mailerver.
McCAIN:Iundertand.
COMY:That'theinvetigationofJul5ththatIconcluded.
McCAIN:o,attheametime,oumadetheannouncementtherewouldenocharge
roughtagaintthen-ecretarClintonforanactivitieinvolvedintheRuia
involvementandourengagementinourelection.Idon'tquiteundertandhowoucane
donewiththat,utnotdonewiththewholeinvetigationoftheirattempttoaffectthe
outcomeofourelection?
COMY:No,I'morr,whenIwafiredonMa9th[therewa]tillanopeninvetigation
toundertandtheRuianandwhetheranAmericanworkedwiththem.
McCAIN:Andtheconcluiontherewanoneedtoringchargeagaintecretar
Clinton?o,oureachedtheconcluionwithregardtothePreidentComethecaeof
PreidentTrump,ouhadanongoinginvetigation.o,ou'vegotonecandidatewho
ou'redonewith.Andanothercandidatethatouhavealongwatogo.Ithatcorrect?
COMY:Idon'tknowhowfartheFIhatogo,ut,e...Clintonclintone-mail
invetigationwacompleted.TheinvetigationofRuia'effortinconnectionwiththe
election.AndwhethertherewaancoordinationandwithwhomtheRuiacampaigni
ongoingwhenIleft.
McCAIN:Youjutmadeitclearouaid,quote,thiiaquote,igdeal,unquote.Ithink
it'hardtorecognizeinonecaeoureachacompleteconcluion.Andontheotheride,
ouhavenot.Andouinfact,ovioul,there'alotmorethereaweknow.Aoucalled
ita,quote,igdeal.he'oneofthecandidate.utinhercae,ouatherewilleno
charge,incaeofPreidentTrump,theinvetigationcontinue.Whathaeenrought
outinthihearingimoreandmoreemphaiontheRuianengagementofand
involvementinthicampaign.Howerioudoouthinkthiwa?
COMY:Vereriou.Iwanttoaomethingtoemadeclear,wehadnotannounced
norprovocationtoannouncethattheRuianmahavecoordinatedwithecretar
Clinton'campaign.
McCAIN:Well,themanothaveeeninvolvedwithhercampaign.Thewereinvolved
withtheentirepreidentialcampaign,ovioul.
COMY:Ye,ir.ThatitheinvetigationthateganlatummerandofaraI'maware
continue.
McCAIN:oothPreidentTrumpandformercandidateClintonareothinvolvedinthe
invetigation,etoneofthem,ouaid,there'goingtoenocharge.Andtheotherone,
theinvetigationcontinue.Well,Ithinkthere'adouletandardtheretotellouthe
truth.Thenwhenthepreidentaidtoou,hetalkedaouttheApril11thphonecall,he
aid,quote,ecaueI'veeenverloaltoou.Verloal.Wehadthatthing,ouknow.
Doethataroueourcurioitatowhatquotethatthingwa?
COMY:
COMY:Ye.
McCAIN:Whdidn'touakhim?
COMY:Itdidn'teemtometoeimportantfortheconverationwewerehavingto
undertandthatItookittoeomeanefforttocommunicatetomethithatthereia
relationhipetweenuwhereI'veeengoodtoou,ouhouldegoodtome.
McCAIN:Yeah,utIthinkitwouldintenitarouemcurioitifthepreidentofthe
Unitedtateaidwehadthatthing,ouknow.I'dliketoknowwhatthehellthatthingi,
particularlifI'mthedirectoroftheFI.
COMY:Yeah,Igetthat,enator.Honetl,I'lltellouwhat:thiipeculationutwhatI
concludedatthetime,inhimemor,hewaearchingacktoourencounteratthedinner
andwapreparinghimelftoaIofferedloalttoou,oupromieloalttome.Allofa
udden,Ithinkhimemordidnothappenandhepulleduphort.
McCAIN:Wewouldhavehadconverationifthathappenedtome,toehonetwithou.
Areouawareofanthingthatwouldleadoutoelievethatthepreident,ormemerof
theadminitrationormemerofthecampaign,couldpotentialleuedtocoerceor
lackmailtheadminitration?
COMY:That'aujectforinvetigation.NotomethingIcancommentonittinghere.
McCAIN:utoureachedthatconcluionafaraecretarClintonwaconcerned?ut
ou'renotreachingaconcluionafarathiadminitrationiconcerned?Areouaware
ofanthingthatwouldleadoutoelievethatinformationexitthatcouldcoerce
memeroftheadminitrationorlackmailtheadminitration?
COMY:That'notaquetionIcananwer,enator.
URR:ir,time'expired.
McCAIN:Thankou.
URR:Timehaexpiredforthehearing.CanIaformemer.We'llreconvenepromptl
at1:00P.M.Inthehearingroom.Wehaveavotecheduledfor1:45,Iwoulduggetthatall
memerpromptlethereat1:00,wehaveaoutthreeminute.I'dliketohaveorder.
Photographer--photographerreturntowhereouwere,pleae.Thihearinginot
adjournedet.itherthat,orwe'llremoveou.Tomemer,wehaveaoutthreeminute
ofupdatethatwewouldlovetocoveraoonawegetintothecloedeioneforewe
haveanopportunittopendometimewithdirectorCome.aedonouragreement,it
wouldemintentiontoadjournthatcloedhearingetween2:00and2:10omemer
wouldgovoteandIwouldurgeoutoeatatthattime.Jim,everalmemerofthi
committeehavehadanopportunittoworkwithouinceouwalkedinthedoor.Iwant
toaperonallonehalfofallthecommitteememerwe'regratefulforourerviceto
thecountrnotjutinourcapacitaFIdirectorutaproecutor,andmore
importantleingomeodthatlovethicountrenoughtotellitlikeiti.Iwanttoa
toourworkforce,thatwe'regratefultothemwiththelevelofcooperationthatthehave
hownu.Withthetrutweuiltetweenothorganization.Thecongreandthe
ureau.Wecouldn'tdoourjoifitwan'tfortheirwillingnetoharecandidl,withu,
theworkthatweneedtoee.Thihearing'theninthpulichearingthicommitteeha
hadthiear.That'twicethehitoricalearlongaverageofthicommittee.Ithinkthevice
chairmanandmiggetchallengewhenthiinvetigationhaconcludeditoreturnour
hearingtotheecrecofacloedhearing.Toencourageourmemernottofreeltalk
aoutintelligencematter,pulicl.
Andtorepectthefactthatwehaveahugejo.
Andthat'torepreenttheentireodoftheUnitedtateenateandtheAmerican
people.Tomakeurethatweworkwiththeintelligencecommunittoprovideouthe
tooltokeepAmericaafe.Andthatou'lldoitwithinthelegallimitorthoelimitthat
areettheexecutiveranch.Wecouldnotdoitifitwan'tforourtrutedpartnerhip
thatouhaveeenaletoleadandothereforeou.o,awedepartfromthi,thiia
pivotalhearinginourinvetigation.We'regratefulfortheprofeionalimou'veeaon
andourwillingne,IwouldturntotheViceChairman.
WARNR:Iimplwanttoecho,again,thethankforourappearance.Andthereclearl
tillremainanumerofquetion.AndtheonethingIwanttocommittoouandmore
importantl,JimandIwanttocommittoallofutillpotentiallwatching,following,
there'tillalotofunanweredquetion.Andwe'regoingtogettotheottomofthi,
we'regoingtogetthefactout.TheAmericanpeopledeervetoknow.There'implication
ofthetrumpofficialandtheRuian.utthemacro.AndIthinkit'importantthatall
Americanrealizethatthreatireal.It'continuou.It'notjuttowardournation.It'
towardallweterndemocracieandwehavetocometoaelection.
URR:Director,Ithankou.Onehalfofthecommittee,thihearingiadjourned.

Testimony Transcript On Trump and Russia - POLITICO

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Testimony Transcript On Trump and Russia - POLITICO

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

6/8/2017 Full text: James Comey testimony transcript on Trump and Russia - POLITICO

You might also like