Trump Told Russians That Firing ‘Nut Job’ Comey Eased Pressure From Investigation -

Trump Told Russians That Firing ‘Nut Job’ Comey Eased Pressure From Investigation -
By MATT APUZZO, MAGGIE HABERMAN and MATTHEW ROSENBERGMAY 19, 2017
WASHINGTON — President Trump told Russian officials in the Oval Office this month that firing the F. B.I.
Senator Mark Warner, Democrat of Virginia, said he expects Mr. Comey to “shed light on issues
critical to this committee’s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election.”
The day after firing Mr. Comey, Mr. Trump hosted Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, in
the Oval Office, along with the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey I. Kislyak.
Mr. Trump added, “I’m not under investigation.”
The conversation, during a May 10 meeting — the day after he fired Mr. Comey — reinforces the notion
that Mr. Trump dismissed him primarily because of the bureau’s investigation into possible collusion between his campaign and Russian operatives.
The idea, the official suggested, was to create a sense of obligation with Russian officials and to coax concessions out of Mr. Lavrov — on Syria, Ukraine and other issues — by saying
that Russian meddling in last year’s election had created enormous political problems for Mr. Trump.
“By grandstanding and politicizing the investigation into Russia’s actions, James Comey created
unnecessary pressure on our ability to engage and negotiate with Russia,” Mr. Spicer said.