FBI Director James Comey confirmed Monday that the FBI is investigating possible "links" between the Russian government and the Trump campaign. "I am authorized by the Department of Justice to confirm that the FBI, as part of our counter-intelligence mission, is investigating the Russian government's efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election," Comey said during a hearing before the House Intelligence Committee. "That includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government, and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia's efforts."
Traditionally, as the Associated Pressnoted in their report, the FBI does not "discuss or even confirm" such investigations. The investigation confirmed Monday will also address whether any crimes were committed. Comedy added that he couldn't provide additional details on the investigation.
Comey also addressed Trump's baseless claims of wiretapping. "With respect to the president's tweets about alleged wiretapping directed at him by the prior administration, I have no information that supports those tweets," Comey said Monday. "We have looked carefully inside the FBI." The Department of Justice, Comey added, also has "no information" that supports Trump's claims. To clarify, this means the sitting U.S. president lied about his predecessor to the American people.
Ahead of Comey’s testimony, Trump—without evidence—accused Democrats of fabricating "the Russian story" in response to their Electoral College loss in the 2016 election:
Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, in response to the Russian investigation's confirmation, called for full impartiality in the proceedings. "The possibility of coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian officials is a serious, serious matter," Schumer said Monday in a statement to the New York Times. "The investigation must be fair, independent, and impartial in every way, and the F.B.I. must be allowed to follow the facts wherever they may lead."
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