FBI Investigating Possible Links Between Trump Associates, Russia
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- At a rally in Kentucky Monday night, President Donald Trump ignored the bombshell news that the FBI is looking into Russian interference of the election.
"I have been authorized by the Department of Justice to confirm that the FBI, as part of our counterintelligence mission, is investigating the Russian government's efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election," FBI Director James Comey said.
Lawmakers questioned the FBI and NSA directors in the first public hearing on the issue.
Speaking in Louisville, Kentucky, for 45 minutes, Trump never mentioned the FBI or the investigation into links between his campaign and Russia before concluding his speech.
"We will make America great again," he said.
Earlier in the day, Comey confirmed the agency has conducted a counterintelligence investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign.
"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," Comey said.
Comey repeatedly declined to answer questions, citing the ongoing investigation.
Democrats focused on Trump's campaign aides.
"The people around the president, Michael Flynn, Jeff Sessions, Carter Page, Paul Manafort, have an odd connection to Russia," Democratic Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut said.
Republicans wanted to know who is leaking classified information to the press.
Last month, Flynn was fired as National Security Advisor. Reports surfaced he had undisclosed contacts with the Russian Ambassador to the U.S.
"Is the investigation into the leak of classified information, has it begun yet?" Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., said.
"I can't say because I don't want to confirm that that was classified information," Comey said.
During the hearing Comey also said the Justice Department has no evidence to support Trump's claim that Obama wiretapped Trump Tower during the campaign.
The White House said Trump wasn't being literal, and added that surveillance could happen a variety of ways.