Two senior Democratic lawmakers on Friday asked the White House to turn over any recordings or other materials related to President Donald Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey, alleging that the President’s actions raised the possibility of “obstruction of justice.”
“Under Section 1512 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code, it is a crime to intimidate or threaten any potential witness with the intent to influence, delay, or prevent their official testimony,” Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) wrote in a letter to White House Counsel Don McGahn.
“The President’s actions this morning—as well as his admission yesterday on national television that he fired Director Comey because he was investigating Trump campaign officials and their connections to the Russian government—raise the specter of possible intimidation and obstruction of justice,” the lawmakers continued.
Trump tweeted on Friday that Comey “better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations” if he intends to speak to the press.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer repeatedly declined to address the tweet during his daily press briefing, saying there was “nothing further to add on that.”
He did not confirm or deny whether the President had set up recording devices in the Oval Office or elsewhere in the White House.
Conyers and Cummings said that Comey should be allowed to give his account in public testimony, and to receive copies of any recorded conversations between Trump and the former FBI director if they exist.
“We also request all documents, memoranda, analyses, emails, and other communications relating to the President’s decision to dismiss Director Comey,” they added.
Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, also released a statement on Friday calling for the “immediate” release of any such secret recordings.
Read the full letter from Conyers and Cummings below.
While a proper impeachment would be interesting, we’ve seen that before. I’d prefer that this corrupt so-called President spend his sunset years in a Federal prison.
“We also request all documents, memoranda, analyses, emails, and other communications relating to the President’s decision to dismiss Director Comey,”
What is this ‘request’ shit? The word is ‘DEMAND’ and right fucking now.
THAT’S they way to play it Dems!!! Nice job.
We’re at the “Sternly Written Letter” stage.
I’m sure the letters will be followed by subpoenas when there are no responses to those letters.
Let the games begin!!!