King Questions Former FBI Director James Comey on Russia's Interference in 2016 Election

Press Release

During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) questioned former FBI Director James Comey about Russia's interference in the 2016 election and the FBI's ongoing investigation into contacts between Russia and the Trump campaign.

Senator King pressed former Director Comey on whether Russia's activity in the 2016 election is a "one-off proposition" or part of a "long-term strategy" in which they would return to meddle in future elections.

Former Director Comey responded, "Oh, it's a long-term practice of theirs. It's stepped up a notch in a significant way in '16. They'll be back."

"I think that's very important for the American people to understand," Senator King said in response. "That is very much a forward-looking investigation in terms of how do we understand what they did and how we prevent it. […] I don't think Putin is a Republican or a Democrat. He's an opportunist."

Senator King also questioned the former Director on his interaction with President Trump in the Oval Office, asking him if he considered the President's message that he hoped Director Comey would drop the investigation into former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn as a directive.

"Yes," Director Comey answered. "It rings in my ear as will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest," speaking in reference to a saying from England's King Henry II in 1170 which was interpreted as the King's desire to have Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury killed. Becket was assassinated days later.

In response to other questions from Senator King, former Director Comey also directly contradicted statements made by President Trump regarding his communications and interactions with President Trump.

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