Well, today’s the day. The FBI has avoided confirming (or denying) whether there is an investigation into possible ties between the Trump campaign and the Russians for quite some time. Yet, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) said that FBI Director James Comey told him that he would make an announcement today about whether the bureau is looking into connections between Russia, Trump campaign staff, and the 2016 election. CNN’s Manu Raju reported on this development last night with Anderson Cooper (CNN):
Senator: Comey to go public on Trump-Russia probe https://t.co/YZ32bCBsdM @mkraju has more. https://t.co/PCeRjYuex5
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) March 15, 2017
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said Tuesday that FBI Director James Comey promised to tell him Wednesday whether the FBI is investigating ties between Russia and the campaign of President Donald Trump.The Rhode Island Democrat said that Comey made the promise in a March 2 meeting with him and Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina.
According to Whitehouse, Comey assured them he would confirm if an investigation exists "and the scope of their Russia/Trump investigation because he had not been able to at that point say that there was one."
Whitehouse and Graham both asked the Justice Department last week to provide any evidence that would support Trump's claims that former President Barack Obama wiretapped Trump Tower. The two are leading one of three Congressional investigations into Russia's interference in the US elections.
The FBI has not responded to a CNN request for comment on whether Comey will respond by Wednesday.
Graham expressed frustration Tuesday that the Trump administration has not yet provided any evidence of wiretapping and said he plans go "tough" on the administration during Wednesday's hearing.
The wiretaps—that’s a whole other issue as well. Concerning the Russian intrigue, Congress is set to begin a flurry of committee hearings into possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign. There is zero evidence to back up such a claim. Even Senate Democrats on the Intelligence Committee admit that they may never find a smoking gun. House Democrats have threatened to walk away from the investigation if it turns into a “dog-and-pony show,” which is probably what they want to do anyway. Some leading Democrats have peddled the Russia-Trump campaign collusion accusation as fact, which was rightfully shut down by CNN anchors when Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) tried to suggest it on live television. Smear the Trump White House at all costs. That will be the Left's goal with these hearings. Harry Reid has left a lasting impression. In the meantime, stand by for Comey. Also, weren't Democrats trying to run Comey out of town a few months ago?