President Donald Trump has said James Comey, the ousted FBI director, told him on three occasions that he was not under federal investigation.
ADVERTISEMENT
Trump describes the 3 times he says James Comey told him he wasn't under investigation
Trump's story aligns with a claim he made in a letter to Comey announcing the FBI director's dismissal.
Donald Trump speaks during an interview with NBC News' Lester Holt.
ADVERTISEMENT
Recommended articles
In an interview with NBC News' Lester Holt airing Thursday, Trump said one of the three conversations with Comey took place at a White House dinner.
"Did you ask, 'Am I under investigation?'" Holt asked Trump.
"I actually asked him, yes," Trump said. "I said, 'If it's possible, will you let me know, am I under investigation?' He said, 'You are not under investigation.'"
ADVERTISEMENT
The other two times were over the phone, he said, adding that he initiated one call and Comey the other.
Trump's story aligns with a claim he made in a letter to Comey on Tuesday dismissing the director.
"While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the bureau," Trump wrote.
But during testimony Comey gave before the House Intelligence Committee in March, he confirmed the FBI was investigating whether Trump's campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 election.
"You were the centerpiece of the Trump campaign, so was he being truthful when he says you aren't under investigation?" Holt asked Trump.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I know that I'm not under investigation," Trump said. "Me personally. I'm not talking about campaigns. I'm not talking about anything else. I'm not under investigation."
The White House has denied that Comey's firing was related to the ongoing Russia investigation, saying Trump lost confidence in Comey because he mishandled a probe last year into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server.
However, critics point to reports that Comey had asked the Justice Department before he was fired for more resources for the Russia investigation as an indication that Trump was trying to impede the FBI's progress.
White House deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders flatly denied those claims at a briefing on Thursday and added that the conversations between Comey and Trump did not present a conflict of interest.
During the interview with Holt, Trump also insisted that firing Comey was entirely his decision. The White House has said he was following the recommendations of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
ADVERTISEMENT
Recommended articles
Top 10 African countries with the lowest fuel prices in April 2024
How SafeHamsters unlocks the potential of crypto betting| Insider Tips
A look into the diverse tax reforms being implemented across Africa
Dubai firm to lend South Sudan $12.9 billion in exchange for 20 years oil repayment
China dethrones USA as the most influential global power in Africa: Report
Major African economies expecting inflation ease into next year, except Nigeria
10 African countries with the lowest price changes in household commodities
Dangote refinery outranks Europe's 10 largest refining facilities
