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Shouldn't Comey's testimony be public?

Sunstone

De Diablo Del Fora
Premium Member
Republicans don't like transparency in government? Who would have thought?

I agree with those who are saying the most likely reason the Republicans want a closed hearing is so they can selectively leak information about it in highly spun and distorted ways -- basically, that is, so they can lie about what the investigation finds.
 

Stanyon

WWMRD?
I just wonder what is the argument against such an public approach. Is there any good argument?

MI6 has been wanting the U.S. to keep things quiet for certain things because of fears of exposing agents. Comey was the one that briefed Trump on the dossier that was authored by a former MI6 agent. Some of Comeys possible answers may be seen as something they don't want made public but that is just a guess.
 

Curious George

Veteran Member
MI6 has been wanting the U.S. to keep things quiet for certain things because of fears of exposing agents. Comey was the one that briefed Trump on the dossier that was authored by a former MI6 agent. Some of Comeys possible answers may be seen as something they don't want made public but that is just a guess.
That sounds like a stretch. I would certainly hope that Comey would not intentionally expose any MI6 agents. I am not sure how that acts as an argument for the United States citizens or how it serves the constituents of any congressional representative who might suggest a closed testimony is better.
 

sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
That sounds like a stretch. I would certainly hope that Comey would not intentionally expose any MI6 agents. I am not sure how that acts as an argument for the United States citizens or how it serves the constituents of any congressional representative who might suggest a closed testimony is better.
Besides which, public testimony happens all the time with people who have highly classified information. It's no big deal to avoid such areas.
 

Stanyon

WWMRD?
E
That sounds like a stretch. I would certainly hope that Comey would not intentionally expose any MI6 agents. I am not sure how that acts as an argument for the United States citizens or how it serves the constituents of any congressional representative who might suggest a closed testimony is better.

There may be more involved, is it possible the U.K. attempted to meddle in the 2016 U.S. election against Trump? There was also several stories that touched on the idea that Israel meddled in the 2016 elections in Trumps favour and that the U.S. medfled in Israel's under Obamas watch.
 
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Curious George

Veteran Member
E


There may be more involved, is it possible the U.K. attempted to meddle in the 2016 U.S. election against Trump? There was also several stories that touched on the idea that Israel meddled in the 2016 elections in Trumps favour and that the U.S. medfled in Israel's under Obamas watch.
Is it possible? Sure. I still do not see how that argument works though.
 

metis

aged ecumenical anthropologist
IMO, it should be public because the Republican members on the House "intelligence" Committee could say there's "evidence" whereas the Democrats could not likely counter that because that might involve disclosing confidential documents, which they cannot do. The Republican on that committee have done everything they could to try and defend Trump.
 

Shad

Veteran Member

A closed session prevents him from using classified and other security excuses to avoid answering questions regarding topics which have security barriers. A public session is not going to spout off classified information. It is a double-edge sword but Comey only wants the drones to see one side.
 
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Shad

Veteran Member
I just wonder what is the argument against such an public approach. Is there any good argument?

Yes. Classified information and security issues. Comey knows he can not talk about said information in a public session but has to in a close session. A public session gives him an out.
 

Shaul

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Republicans don't like transparency in government? Who would have thought?

I agree with those who are saying the most likely reason the Republicans want a closed hearing is so they can selectively leak information about it in highly spun and distorted ways -- basically, that is, so they can lie about what the investigation finds.
I think it is something else. The reason for the closed session is so Comey must testify about confidential matters. Then he will risk indictments based on Special Counsel Huber’s. Comey doesn’t know what Huber has. If Comey “comes clean” he could incriminate himself or political allies. If he doesn’t, he faces contempt or obstruction charges. That’s the real reason he doesn’t want to testify in closed session. That’s also why his testimony and Huber’s report are getting done during the lame duck sessions. There will be indictments (Comeynd others) undermining Mueller’s investigation ready before Mueller can work with the incoming Democrats of the House. This in also why Sessions was replaced.

All the anti-Trumpers have been fixated on Mueller. They forgot about Huber.
 

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
I think it is something else. The reason for the closed session is so Comey must testify about confidential matters. Then he will risk indictments based on Special Counsel Huber’s. Comey doesn’t know what Huber has. If Comey “comes clean” he could incriminate himself or political allies. If he doesn’t, he faces contempt or obstruction charges. That’s the real reason he doesn’t want to testify in closed session.
Comey does have the Fifth. He doesn't have to say anything that would incriminate himself.
 

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
Republicans don't like transparency in government? Who would have thought?

I agree with those who are saying the most likely reason the Republicans want a closed hearing is so they can selectively leak information about it in highly spun and distorted ways -- basically, that is, so they can lie about what the investigation finds.
That wouldn't surprise me given Comey's concerns regarding Trump (such as Trump wanting Comey's loyalty and Comey not wanting to be left alone with Trump) and how the Republicans have come to back him. And because there is a narrative that Trump firing Comey wasn't suspicious at all, Comey could reasonably assume he wouldn't be met with fairness or partisanship in such a hearing.
But, with him being a former FBI director, I would hope he could stall something for a few more weeks until the new Congress comes into office.
 

Shad

Veteran Member
What drones and who's side? Comey isn't a Democrat or bleeding heart Liberal, after all.

Yes that's why he was openly supporting the Dems after he was fired.

Drone as in anti-Trump people that favour any jab over details of the situation thus blind themselves to other issues such as the one I pointed out.
 

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
Yes that's why he was openly supporting the Dems after he was fired.

Drone as in anti-Trump people that favour any jab over details of the situation thus blind themselves to other issues such as the one I pointed out.
Until Comey was fired by Trump he was a registered Republican, and now he is unaffiliated.
And what evidence do you have to support the idea that Comey is trying to basically work a crowd? He's not a television star like Trump.
 

Shad

Veteran Member
Until Comey was fired by Trump he was a registered Republican, and now he is unaffiliated.

Yet openly supporting Dems in public statements.

And what evidence do you have to support the idea that Comey is trying to basically work a crowd? He's not a television star like Trump.

By the very fact classified information will be discussed. A public session prevents that due to security issues. As the former head of the FBI he not only knows this but has done this in sessions as part of his job. It is not rocket science. Heck Comey's last public session he declined to answer like 100 questions. Go watch the C-span recording....

Have you every watched an open session when classified information is brought up? Every time the person questioned declines to answer. This should be basic knowledge regarding Congress and current investigations at play....
 
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Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
Go watch the C-span recording....
I already did. It's not Comey's fault there are guidelines in place he has to follow in such proceedings.
This should be basic knowledge regarding Congress and current investigations at play....
As should the fact Trump fired Comey and Republicans have been lending partisan support to Trump. A private hearing for Republicans means the Republicans get to tell the public how it happened. There is a clear conflict of interest.
 
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