FBI's Russian Federation investigation now targeting top White House official

The GOP senator's comments come as the Trump administration grapples with series of bombshell stories surrounding the investigation into possible coordination between Trump's campaign and Russian Federation during the 2016 presidential election. As I've said before, no single piece of evidence has thus far been conclusive (and each piece is vulnerable to its own rebuttals), but the evidence taken together is starting to build a case that looks an very bad lot like this: First, Trump - frustrated at the FBI's investigation - strongly hinted to James Comey that he should clear Michael Flynn.

Air Force One departed from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, outside Washington, with the president, first lady Melania Trump, his daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner, as well as a group of senior advisers and journalists covering the trip.

The White House repeated its assertion that a "thorough investigation will confirm that there was no collusion between the campaign and any foreign entity".

It did not deny the Times report that Trump was critical of Comey to the Russians the day after he fired him.

After Rosenstein was nominated by Trump to be deputy attorney general, a friend of Comey's told the former Federal Bureau of Investigation director that he was encouraged by Rosenstein's nomination and likely Senate confirmation, according to an account of the conversation in The New York Times. Former FBI Director James Comey, who was sacked by President Trump last week, will be testifying in an open session before the Senate Intelligence Committee, according to a press release by members of the committee.

Two more bombshell reports published Friday afternoon delivered a one-two punch to the Trump White House regarding the investigation into its potential ties to Russian Federation, capping off a week where each day dealt a fresh blockbuster blow to the administration.

"I hope that former Director Comey's testimony will help answer some of the questions that have arisen since Director Comey was so suddenly dismissed by the President", said Senator Mark Warren, Vice President of the Senate Intel Committee, in the press release.

“By grandstanding and politicizing the investigation into Russias actions, James Comey created unnecessary pressure on our ability to engage and negotiate with Russia, ” Spicer said.

He said he hopes Mr Comey's testimony will answer some of the questions that have arisen since the Federal Bureau of Investigation director was suddenly dismissed last week by President Trump. "Once again, the real story is that our national security has been undermined by the leaking of private and highly classified conversations".

The Washington Post was the first to report on this detail of the investigation, saying a "senior White House adviser" has become "a significant person of interest" in the probe.

A spokeswoman for House Speaker Paul Ryan said he would not discuss information provided in classified briefings and said the House Oversight committee had already asked for documents related to Comeys firing.

"That's taken off. I'm not under investigation".

The newspaper cited the White House's official written account of the Oval Office meeting. Second, Trump got angry when Comey not only ignored his suggestion but instead publicly confirmed the investigation's existence. That's increased the appetite on Capitol Hill to hear directly from Comey himself.

The appointment of Mueller as special counsel has drawn generally favorable comments from Democrats and from some Republicans as well.

“There was considerable frustration in the room, ” said Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., a member of the Armed Services Committee. "This renewed my confidence that we should not have confidence in this administration".

The White House has struggled since Comeys firing to explain the chain of events that led to it and the Justice Departments involvement in that decision.

"My memorandum is not a statement of reasons to justify a for-cause termination", he said. But he added, “I wrote it. "I stand by it", Rosenstein said Friday during his closed-door session with lawmakers at the House of Representatives.