FBI Director James Comey went before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday where he was grilled by partisan Democrats about his supposed influence in Hillary Clinton’s defeat. Of the Big Three Networks ABC appeared to be the most irate over Comey’s sworn testimony. “Comey, animated in his answers, facing questions about whether his decision just 11 days before the election affected the outcome,” announced Anchor David Muir at the start World News Tonight.
“And he was pressed: Why didn’t he reveal the investigation into Donald Trump’s associates and Russia, but did go public when it came to Hillary Clinton,” Muir continued before handing the story over to Senior Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas, who took shot after shot at the FBI Director.
Thomas started off his report by playing a clip of him from January 10 badgering Comey, asking: “Director Comey, were you comfortable with the role you played in the investigation?” He also opened by chiding that Comey had been “under the microscope since the election” and that he was once again “in the hot seat.”
“Hillary learning when the plane landed, Director Comey had reopened the e-mail investigation. The revelation dominating the front pages in the final week and a half,” Thomas whined on Clinton’s behalf. He, like every other member of the Big Three, reminded viewers that on Tuesday Clinton placed part of the blame for her humiliating defeat on Comey’s shoulders.
The ABC correspondent then seemed to try and twist what Comey knew about Clinton’s e-mails and when he knew it:
Today, an emotional Comey in perhaps his most dramatic testimony as Director explained why he went to Congress about Clinton's e-mails discovered on her aide Huma Abedin's spouse's computer. E-mails that would not change the case!
It’s ridiculous for Thomas to exclaim that the e-mails would not change Comey’s initial decision since he and the FBI couldn’t possibly know what was in there without looking. By him putting emphasis on that point, it makes it seem as though Comey knew there was nothing there when he made the announcement that the case would be re-opened.
He also backed up Senate Democrats like Dianne Feinstein, who said: “I join those who believe that the actions taken by the FBI did, in fact, have an impact on the election.” He touted how they “pounced” on Comey for speaking publicly about Clinton’s investigation but not Trump’s. There was no mention that his explanation was that the Justice Department had previously disclosed the Clinton case.
In closing out his report, Thomas complained that Comey planned not to share any information about the ongoing investigation into Russian election meddling and possible connections to the Trump campaign. “Comey said you won't hear a peep from him until the Russia investigation is over. And even that’s not guaranteed, David,” bemoaned Thomas.
It’s nearly impossible to prove that Comey’s public comments about Clinton’s e-mail investigation swayed the election. Even as the results were first coming in conventional thought indicated that Clinton was going to be the president.
Transcript below:
ABC
World News Tonight
May 3, 2017
6:31:13 PM EasternDAVID MUIR: Good evening and it's great to have you with us here on a Wednesday night. And we begin tonight with the FBI Director James Comey. His most forceful answers yet amid that grilling on Capitol Hill today. Comey, animated in his answers, facing questions about whether his decision just 11 days before the election affected the outcome. Comey using those words saying it makes me quote, “mildly nauseous” to think that he might have swayed the election. And he was pressed: Why didn’t he reveal the investigation into Donald Trump’s associates and Russia, but did go public when it came to Hillary Clinton? ABC Senior Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas leading us off.
[Cuts to video]
PIERRE THOMAS: Under the microscope since that election result came in. Director Comey, were you comfortable with the role you played in the investigation? Tonight FBI Director James Comey back in the hot seat.
JAMES COMEY: Tell me what you would do.
THOMAS: At issue, that bombshell 11 days before the election. Hillary learning when the plane landed, Director Comey had reopened the e-mail investigation. The revelation dominating the front pages in the final week and a half. Just yesterday, Clinton in part blaming Comey for her November loss.
HILLARY CLINTON: I was on the way to winning-- if the election had been on October 27th I'd be your president.
THOMAS: Today, an emotional Comey in perhaps his most dramatic testimony as Director explained why he went to Congress about Clinton's e-mails discovered on her aide Huma Abedin's spouse's computer. E-mails that would not change the case!
(…)
Democrats pounced, asking: Why reveal Hillary Clinton's investigation, pointing out that Comey had concealed the fact that he was investigating Trump's associates for alleged ties to Russia throughout the summer and fall. Only telling congress after the election.
DIANNE FEINSTEIN: I join those who believe that the actions taken by the FBI did, in fact, have an impact on the election.
(…)
MUIR: So let's get to Pierre Thomas live at the FBI tonight. Pierre, you heard Director Comey pressed about the investigation and the Donald Trump campaign and any possible collusion with Russia. He acknowledged the investigation is ongoing, but he's not saying anything more?
THOMAS: David, Senators got nowhere. Comey said you won't hear a peep from him until the Russia investigation is over. And even that’s not guaranteed, David.
