Let's talk about intent for a second—Donald Trump's intent that is. According to James Comey's testimony, Trump dialed him up around "lunchtime" on January 27 to ask him to dinner—a private dinner for two—that same evening.
That's the dinner at which Comey testified and documented that Trump channeled his inner mafioso, saying, "I need loyalty. I expect loyalty." (Trump denied that Friday in the Rose Garden but we're "100 percent" waiting for his sworn testimony on the matter before we draw any conclusions.)
Trump’s loyalty ask was clear and direct enough, but what might have prompted such an ask? What was going on in Trump's head that he felt compelled at that very moment to invite Comey to dinner and assess his level of fealty?
It turns out January 27 was one day after former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates first briefed White House counsel Don McGahn about Michael Flynn's communications with the Russian ambassador.
Yates and the DOJ official presented all the information to McGahn so the White House could take action that they deemed appropriate.
When asked by McGahn if Flynn should be fired, Yates answered, "that really wasn’t our call." [...]
According to White House press secretary Sean Spicer, McGahn briefed Trump immediately following his meeting with Yates.
Yates told the committee today that McGahn never mentioned to her that he briefed the president; instead she found out through media reports. (emphasis added)
So McGahn briefs Trump immediately after his first meeting with Yates ended, and he ultimately asks her back the next day for a second round of questioning on the topic. In the meantime, Trump decides it's as good a time as any to put his FBI director—who would be responsible for investigating Flynn—on notice that his job isn't necessarily a lock. Ya know, put the squeeze on him, feel him out a bit.
Even after McGahn quizzes Yates again on why Flynn's Russia contacts were problematic, he never tells her that he's spoken to Trump about their meeting the day before. Why? Perhaps because Comey reports to Yates and they don't necessarily want either of them to be the wiser about what Trump knows and why, for instance, he might be demanding Comey's loyalty.
Something about that chain of events seems more than coincidental. But one thing is for sure, Trump knew about the Flynn headache coming his way when he picked up the phone to ask James Comey to a private dinner for two on January 27.