Trump-Russia probe: 'There is no smoking gun yet, but lots of smoke'
The FBI and House are conducting parallel investigation into alleged ties between Russia and the Trump campaign team
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The co-chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee said there is no "smoking gun" in the investigation of the Trump campaign teams alleged ties to Russia, but there is a "lot of smoke."
Committee Vice Chair Mark Warner told CNN that the committee is attempting to "sort through" information to determine whether or not Russia interfered in any with the 2016 US election as well.
Former FBI Director James Comey, unceremoniously fired by Donald Trump, is set to testify in front of the committee on 8 June.
Mr Warner said he and colleagues will have to determine whether there is any truth to the reports that Mr Trump asked Mr Comey and other authorities to "downplay" the Russia investigation in any way.
It has been reported that Mr Comey kept detailed memos of his conversations with the President. The memos are now property of the FBI and one allegedly shows, as reported by the New York Times, that Mr Trump asked Mr Comey to "let it go" when it came to the investigation into former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn allegedly receiving illegal payments from the Turkish government and his ties to Russia.
Mr Trump fired Mr Flynn and said publicly the reason was because Mr Flynn had lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his meetings with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak ahead of Mr Trump's inauguration.
“Clearly it would be very very troubling if the president of the United States is interfering in investigations that...affect the president and his closest associates,” Mr Warner said.
Trump aide Kellyanne Conway confirmed to ABC News that Mr Trump will not use his executive privilege to prevent Mr Comey's testimony. Mr Warner said the White House would have been on “shaky ground legally” should they have prevented him from appearing before Congress.
Mr Comey is a private citizen now and so he may be allowed to speak publicly about non-classified information should he want to, regardless of whether he appears before Congress or not.
Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and National Security Agency Director Mike Rogers are also set to appear before the Senate on the matter.
Mr Warner told CBS he would ask Mr Comey and the others "what kind of pressure appropriate, inappropriate, how many conversations he had with the president about this topic, did some of these conversations take place even before the president was sworn in?"
The search for a new FBI Director continues according to the White House.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments