Wednesday, May 17, 2017

PKG: Trump Presidency imperiled by disclosure of Comey memos

Major questions exist today about the future of Donald Trump's Presidency after the disclosure that his fired FBI Director kept detailed memos of every conversation he had with America's new leader.

In February, James Comey claims the President urged him to shut down his investigation into ties between one of Donald Trump's top aides and the Russians.

Republicans are in turmoil:  Senator John McCain publicly equated the scandal with the Watergate crisis that forced Richard Nixon from office.

Others say they want the FBI Director to testify publicly about what he discussed with the President.

Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.

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The Trump White House is no stranger to crisis….but this one is of a different quality to all the others.
The disclosure that James Comey, the ousted FBI Director, kept memos of all his conversations with Presdent Trump is political and possibly legal kryptonite.
He claims that in February, one-on-one in the Oval Office, the President urged him to drop his investigation into ties between National Security Adviser Michael Flynn - a key member of the President's campaign team last year - and the Russians.
If it's true, it's the clearest evidence yet that the President was trying to obstruct justice.

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That's Jason Chaffetz…the chairman of the House of Representatives Oversight Committee…..just one of a growing number of President Trump's fellow Republicans now actively distancing themselves from the White House.
In a letter he ordered the FBI to hand copies of all Mr. Comey's memos over to his Committee by the middle of next week.
Other Republicans say Mr. Comey to testify publicly on Capitol Hill about his notes and the conversations they record.
Democrats are salivating:  Charles Schumer leads them in the US Senate.

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On America's news programs, the talk is of possible moves to impeachment….

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That's Senator Angus King an independent from Maine.
But some Republicans, like Senator Lindsay Graham expressed irritation that Mr. Comey is leaking news of the memos to the press…not talking directly to lawmakers.

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At the White House, they are under siege.
President Trump said to be isolated, angry and no longer trusting even his closest aides.
In a statement, the White House denied the President ever instructed his FBI Director to terminate the investigation….setting up a direct clash between Donald Trump's version of events and James Comey's.
But with the credibility of the White House already at a very low ebb….that very battle itself is politically perilous for President Trump,

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