Comey Expected to Testify Before Senate, if He Isnt Blocked

[Kablooie]

Source: NY Times

Senators expect the former F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, to testify next week about his conversations with President Trump, congressional officials said on Wednesday, setting up a test of the White House’s willingness to cooperate with investigations into Mr. Trump’s associates.

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Courts have recognized a president’s constitutional right to keep his discussions a secret in most instances. A White House spokeswoman had no comment on whether Mr. Trump planned to try to block Mr. Comey’s testimony. It is a delicate decision with political and legal consequences.

“If they claim executive privilege, politically it gives the appearance that there’s something to hide, which just amplifies all the criticism,” said Mark J. Rozell, a George Mason University professor and the author of a book on the history of executive privilege.

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Mr. Trump has made it much harder to assert executive privilege by repeatedly and publicly referring to his conversations with Mr. Comey, Mr. Rozell said. “How can you amplify your views publicly and then, in response to a legitimate inquiry, say ‘I’m sorry, I can’t talk about that’?” Mr. Rozell said. Mr. Trump, he said, “has not been careful.”



Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/31/us/politics/james-comey-testify-trump-russia-fbi.html?&hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

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I didn't realize that Trump has the ability to block Comey's testimony.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

[Eyeball_Kid]

1. Can't happen, IMO, as an amateur attorney.

Trumpy already disclosed that he and Comey had a conversation about the investigation. He can't claim executive privilege about an issue that he already brought open to the public.

[iluvtennis]

2. Like your assertion...fingers crossed

[briv1016]

5. But who gets to make that call? The Republican committee chairs?

[Kablooie]

6. Then it will be even more fun if he tries.

[harun]

10. Yeah, his aides will probably try to talk him out of stopping Comey from testifying. Would

actually be worse for him. But left to his own devices Trump would block him from speaking I think.

[Brother Buzz]

3. Unlike the orange anus, Comey has the stamina to brace the upcoming shitstorm

[C Moon]

4. This is fucking insane..."if he isn't blocked."

Who do these assholes think they area?
Put all the traitors in prison for 30 years.

[harun]

11. Trump thinks he is King

[MichMary]

7. Executive privilege

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_privilege#Post-Watergate_era

Here's the wiki article about Executive Privilege. It started with Nixon, and has been used by the last three administrations.

[Adrahil]

8. I don't see what the legal basis for this is...

It's one thing for Trump claim privilege over someone working for him NOW. But a private citizen? Unless the issues discussed were classified, I can't see how the President can claim the authority to prevent that private citizen from testifying, especially when the subject may be the President acting illegally.

[ucrdem]

9. Block 'em up.

What is he going to blabber about? Anthony's Weiner and Hillary's emails. Dollars to donuts.

[luvMIdog]

12. when? what time and what network can I watch this ?

[cpamomfromtexas]

13. Didn't Trump forfeit right to block by tweeting about it?