Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) has sent a letter with a demand to the FBI that could spell a lot of problems for President Trump – it asks for all communications produced between former FBI Director Comey and the president to investigate alleged obstruction of justice.
The request follows upon a report from the New York Times claiming the former FBI Director had documented an interaction in February where Trump allegedly told him to stop the investigation into Mike Flynn’s ties to the Russians.
“Today, the New York Times reported former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey memorialized the content of phone calls and meetings with the President in a series of internal memoranda,” the letter read. “At least one such memorandum reportedly describes a conversation in which the President referenced the FBI investigation of former National Security Advisor Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn and said to Comey, ‘I hope you can let this go.'”
“According to the report,” it continued, quoting the New York Times, “‘Mr. Comey created similar memos – including some that are classified – about every phone call and meeting he had with the president.’ If true, these memoranda raise questions as to whether the President attempted to influence or impede the FBI’s investigation as it relates to Lt. Gen. Flynn.”
“So the Committee can consider that question,” it added, “and others, provide, no later than May 24, 2017, all memoranda, notes, summaries, and recordings referring or relating to any communications between Comey and the President.”
Chaffetz, the chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, had said on his social media account that he would make sure the Comey memo was produced, even if he had to file a subpoena for it. “I need to see it sooner rather than later,” he posted, “I have my subpoena pen ready.”
.@GOPoversight is going to get the Comey memo, if it exists. I need to see it sooner rather than later. I have my subpoena pen ready.
The New York Times story is based on anonymous sources, but has been confirmed by CNN and NBC. The White House has completely denied the story, saying that Trump never tried to obstruct any investigation in any way.
“While the president has repeatedly expressed his view that General Flynn is a decent man who served and protected our country,” the statement read, “the president has never asked Mr. Comey or anyone else to end any investigation, including any investigation involving General Flynn.”
Democrats and others have begun calling for impeachment, including Independent Senator Angus King from Maine, who said he would reluctantly support impeachment if the report was true.
