I have been authorized by the Department of Justice to confirm that the FBI, as part of our counter-intelligence mission, is investigating the Russian government’s efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. And that includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia’s efforts.
— FBI Director James Comey
With that blockbuster opening, James Comey confirmed in today's House Intelligence Committee hearing that U.S. law enforcement agencies are conducting an investigation into potential "coordination" between the Republican presidential campaign and foreign intelligence agents. For those who missed today's events, a brief roundup of today's hearing and other related news:
• The purpose of today's hearing was to update the House as to the state of U.S. investigations into state-sponsored Russian hacking and propaganda efforts aimed at the 2016 presidential elections, efforts which the intelligence community has confirmed were aimed at damaging Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and aiding Republican candidate Donald Trump.
• In his own opening statement, ranking Democratic committee member Adam Schiff outlined the extensive list of known Trump campaign ties to Russia that are already publicly known. From Paul Manafort to Carter Page to Roger Stone, the "coincidental" links between campaign figures and Russian figures and interests continues to grow by the week.
• While Comey's acknowledgement of a counterintelligence investigation focusing a Republican presidential campaign was incendiary and unprecedented, you wouldn't know from House Republican questioning today. Republican after Republican instead devoted themselves to the "criminal" leaks through which the public has learned of the extent of Russian involvement. House Intelligence Chair Devin Nunes, Benghazi "investigator" Trey Gowdy, and Tom Rooney pressed Comey repeatedly on the outrageousness of the leaks while ignoring Comey's declaration of possible campaign coordination. Rep. Nunes even asked, while providing no substantive evidence of his own, whether Comey would investigate the Hillary Clinton campaign or Clinton foundation for ties to Russia as well.
• Finally asked by House Republican Michael Turner what would have prompted an investigation into potential campaign collusion with Russia, Comey responded "a credible allegation of wrongdoing."
• Comey confirmed that no U.S. president has the power to order "wiretapping" of Donald Trump, despite Trump's evidence-free tweets to the contrary.
• Comey confirmed that Russian agents used WikiLeaks to disseminate materials gained from their espionage efforts, and that Russian operatives performed similar espionage efforts against Republican targets—but did not engage in similar dissemination of Republican materials.
• After Trump himself falsely tweeted that Comey "refuses to deny he briefed President Obama on calls made by Michael Flynn to Russia," we were treated to the extraordinary spectacle of FBI Director Comey being asked about Trump's tweet during the very same briefing—upon which Comey refuted the false tweet himself. So yes, that would be the director of the FBI personally confirming a lie by the sitting president.
• One particularly bizarre outcome of the meeting: White House press secretary Sean Spicer took to his podium to issue a nonsensical stream of denials and distancing, including the assertions that national security adviser Michael Flynn was merely a campaign "volunteer," security adviser Carter Page was a mere "hanger-on," and that Paul Manafort, Trump campaign chair, played only a "very minimal role" in that campaign. (Michael Flynn was at one point being floated as a potential Trump running mate; in addition to being Donald Trump's campaign chair and chief strategist, Paul Manafort has lived in Trump Tower since 2008.)
• Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper released a statement today calling it "in the best interests of all Americans—Republicans and Democrats alike—that we get to the bottom" of collusion charges between the Trump team and Russia.
• If there was one specific loser in today's hearing it was Republican chair Devin Nunes, whose efforts at discrediting any investigation into Trump campaign ties to Russia continue to become more and more acrobatic.
This is of course preposterous, and is almost certainly a direct lie. Nunez's continued efforts to stall and muddy the investigation he is ostensibly in charge of clearly demonstrate the need for the investigation to be stripped from his committee and referred to an independent commission.