Former FBI Director James Comey says he would be happy to testify publicly before the joint House Judiciary and Oversight committee, but, through his lawyer, tells House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte and House Oversight Chairman Trey Gowdy a private conversation is out of the question.
“Mr. Comey respectfully declines your request for a private interview,” Comey’s attorney David Kelley wrote in a response to the committee’s request. “He would, however, welcome the opportunity to testify at a public hearing.”
Kelley noted that Comey “no longer has a security clearance” and said that should make his public testimony easier to arrange. He added that any questions about Comey’s tenure at the FBI would presumably be cleared with the bureau.
CNN:
According to a person familiar with the discussions between Comey and the House Judiciary Committee, Comey did not want selective leaks to occur regarding what was discussed behind closed doors with lawmakers, but instead preferred an open hearing where the public can hear his words directly.
In response to Comey's letter, a Judiciary Committee aide said Goodlatte is prepared to issue a subpoena for Comey to appear for a transcribed interview if he won't do so voluntarily.
Goodlatte and Gowdy are trying to talk to Comey and a number of other current and former FBI and Justice Department officials as part of their investigation into the FBI's handling of the Hillary Clinton email and Russia investigations.
Goodlatte invited Comey to testify as part of a last-minute flurry of requests for high-profile Obama administration FBI and Justice Department leaders, including former Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates. He threatened to subpoena them if they didn’t come in voluntarily.
The committee has been investigating GOP-driven allegations of anti-Trump bias in the bureau since last year, an effort that Democrats and FBI defenders have argued is an attempt to shield Trump from the encroaching Mueller probe. The committee investigation has included testimony from top Justice Department and FBI officials, including Comey’s former deputy Andrew McCabe, as well as FBI officials Lisa Page and Peter Strzok.
CNN:
This month, the committees are also interviewing former FBI general counsel James Baker, who was a close adviser to Comey at the bureau, and Nellie Ohr, a Fusion GPS contractor married to Justice Department official Bruce Ohr, who was questioned himself last month.
Comey declines House GOP interview — but offers to testify publicly (CNN)
Comey offers to testify in public about GOP's FBI bias claims (Politico)