5 Takeaways From James Comey's Testimony

By Michael Gryboski, Editor
Thursday, June 08, 2017

4. Comey Cannot Discuss Jeff Sessions Recusal in Public Setting

U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., an advisor to U.S. President Elect Donald Trump, speaks to members of the Media in the lobby of Trump Tower in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York November 17, 2016. | (Photo: Reuters/Mike Segar)

Senator Ron Wyden asked Comey about the details regarding the recusal of Attorney General Jeff Sessions from the ongoing investigation into Russian collusion with the Trump Administration.

Comey responded that the FBI believed at the time that Sessions was "inevitably going to recuse himself for a variety of reasons."

"We also were aware of facts that I can't discuss in an opening setting that would make his continued engagement in a Russia-related investigation problematic," said Comey.

"So we were convinced — in fact, I think we'd already heard the career people were recommending that he recuse himself, that he was not going to be in contact with Russia-related matters much longer. That turned out to be the case."

Talking Points Memo described Comey's comment about being unable to discuss the Sessions recusal as a "tantalizingly vague statement."