No bombshell in James Comey explosion

Washington: Former FBI Director James Comey’s testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee about his interactions with President Donald Trump and the ongoing probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election  was largely defined by what was left unsaid.

According to reports, the testimony featured several jaw-dropping moments— like Mr Comey coolly explaining why he thought the President couldn’t be trusted — but those who tuned in hoping for a bombshell that could lead directly to Trump’s impeachment walked away disappointed. Similarly, there were no new revelations about the FBI’s Russia investigation.

Mr Comey repeatedly declined to answer the committee’s most substantial questions saying he could not disclose classified or sensitive information in an “open setting.”

A document compiled by a former British intelligence officer contains explosive allegations about Mr Trump’s relationship with Russia, including the rumored existence of a video — the so-called “pee tape” — that could potentially be used for blackmail. The dossier was the subject of Mr Comey’s first one-on-one meeting with Mr Trump, an encounter the ex-FBI director described in vivid detail in his written testimony.

Senator Angus King brought up the dossier asking Mr Comey if it is “being reviewed or investigated or followed up on in any way.” He replied, “I obviously can’t comment either way,” and said it’s up to special counsel Bob Mueller to provide answers.

As things currently stand, it’s essentially Mr Comey’s word versus Mr Trump’s about what happened during their discussions. Mr Comey says he took detailed notes after each of the conversations while Mr Trump suggested on Twitter days after he fired Comey that he may have secretly recorded their conversations.