The Department of Justice’s internal watchdog agency is investigating whether James Comey leaked classified material within days of his departure from the FBI; saying at least two of his memos contained sensitive information.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the Justice Department Inspector General is probing whether the former bureau chief broke the law when he “leaked” details of his private conversations with President Trump to a longtime associate.
“The Justice Department inspector general is now conducting an investigation into classification issues related to the Comey memos, according to a person familiar with the matter. Mr. Comey has said he considered the memos personal rather than government documents,” writes the WSJ.
The bureau boss found himself in hot-water Thursday night after the DOJ released the ‘Comey Memos’ to Congress, revealing the documents did -in fact- contain material that required redacting.
President Trump weighed-in on the issue Friday morning, saying his former FBI director intentionally “leaked classified information.”
“James Comey Memos just out and show clearly that there was NO COLLUSION and NO OBSTRUCTION. Also, he leaked classified information. WOW! Will the Witch Hunt continue?” asked Trump on twitter.
COMEY GRILLED: Meghan McCain SCOLDS James Comey To His Face
Meghan McCain publicly scolded James Comey on live television Wednesday, blasting the former FBI director for “sounding like a politician” and asking what he was truly “trying to gain” in writing his recent book.
Comey was sitting down with the hosts of ABC’s The View when McCain lashed-out, saying she wishes him “no disrespect” but wasn’t interested in his “take on the current Republican party.”
.@MeghanMcCain: "The big issues I have — I don't want to know your politics. And a lot of the things you're saying are highly political."
James @Comey: "I don't think of it as my politics, I think of it as my values." pic.twitter.com/LGXpcWBCCV
— The View (@TheView) April 18, 2018
“I want to believe you’re not a political person, you’re the head of the FBI,” said McCain. “The big issue I have is I don’t want to know your politics. A lot of the things you’re saying and doing is highly political. I don’t understand what you gain by trying to clear the deck here.”
“I don’t think of it as my politics, I think of it as my values,” Comey fired-back.
“No disrespect, but what your take on the current Republican Party is… I’m more interested in what you know about national security,” said McCain.
Watch the fiery exchange above.
DAY OF RECKONING: Congress to Receive Secret 'COMEY MEMOS' Within Hours
Officials at the Department of Justice are poised to transmit the so-called “Comey memos” to Congressional leaders Thursday; allowing lawmakers to see the sensitive documents for the first time since learning of their existence.
According to the Washington Examiner, federal authorities are set to release the material to the House Oversight Committee and the House Intelligence Committee after the panels sent a scathing letter to the DOJ saying there was no “legal basis” to withhold the information.
James Comey made national headlines last year when he testified before Congress over his recent removal by President Trump; telling lawmakers he drafted secret memos following private meetings with the Commander-in-Chief.
“Copies of any unclassified memos should be produced to all three Committees in unredacted form. Copies of any memos containing classified information should be produced to all three Committees in both (1) unredacted form, in an appropriately secure setting; and (2) declassified form, with appropriate redactions,” said the original letter.
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