Donald Trump urged to come clean over alleged James Comey recordings

Donald Trump said he feels 'totally vindicated' by former FBI director James Comey.
AP
Jonathan Mitchell12 June 2017

Donald Trump is being urged to come clean over claims he has tapes of private conversations with sacked FBI director James Comey.

Republican politicians have called on the US President to release any of the alleged recordings of the conversations, after Mr Comey made an explosive testimony to the senate last week revealing details of his sacking.

The former FBI director accused the President of telling “lies, plain and simple” after he was fired from the intelligence service last month.

The Republican request is the latest in a series of scandals following Mr Comey's three-hour intelligence committee grilling.

Testimony: Former-FBI Director James Comey testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington
AP

"I don't understand why the president just doesn't clear this matter up once and for all," said Senator Susan Collins, a member of that committee, referring to the existence of any recordings.

She described Mr Comey's testimony as "candid" and "thorough" and said she would support a subpoena if needed. Mr Trump "should voluntarily turn them over," Ms Collins said.

Senator James Lankford, a member of the same committee, agreed the panel needed to hear any tapes that exist. "We've obviously pressed the White House," he said.

Meanwhile, the Senate investigation into collusion with Russia or obstruction of justice is extending to a Trump Cabinet member.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions is in for sharp questioning by senator on Tuesday when he stands in from of the Intelligence Committee, however, it is not yet known whether his hearing will be public or closed.

Mr Trump's aides have dodged questions about whether conversations relevant to the Russia investigation have been recorded, and so has the president.

Pressed on the issue Friday, Mr Trump said: "I'll tell you about that maybe sometime in the very near future."

Mr Lankford said Mr Sessions's testimony will help flesh out the truth of Mr Comey's allegations, including Mr Sessions's presence at the White House in February when Mr Trump asked to speak to Mr Comey alone.

Mr Comey alleges that Mr Trump then privately asked him to drop a probe into former national security adviser Michael Flynn's contacts with Russia.

Ousted FBI director James Comey is sworn in during a hearing before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
AFP

The former security director also has said Mr Sessions did not respond when he complained he did not "want to get time alone with the president again".

The Justice Department has denied that, saying Mr Sessions stressed to Mr Comey the need to be careful about following appropriate policies.

Mr Trump on Sunday accused Mr Comey of "cowardly" leaks in a tweet and predicted many more from him.

Several Republican politicians also criticised Mr Comey for disclosing memos he had written in the aftermath of his private conversations with Mr Trump and branded the leaks "inappropriate". But, added Mr Lankford "releasing his memos is not damaging to national security".

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