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7A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2017 Comey sought more Russia resources before firing President Trump says both parties will thank him By ERIC TUCKER, EILEEN SULLIVAN and JULIE PACE Associated Press WASHINGTON — In the days before his firing by President Donald Trump, FBI Director James Comey told U.S. lawmakers he had asked the Justice Department for more resources to pursue the bureau’s investigation into Russia’s interference in last year’s presidential election, three U.S. offi- cials said today. The officials said Comey met last week with Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, to make the request. Comey then alerted lawmakers with ties to the concurrent congressional investigations into Russia’s meddling, according to the officials, who insisted on anonymity in order to disclose the private conversations. Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said it was false that Comey had asked Rosenstein for money for the Russia investigation. The revelations raise new questions about what prompted Trump’s deci- sion to fire Comey. The White House has cited a memo from Rosenstein, in which he criticizes Comey’s handling of last year’s investigation into Dem- ocrat Hillary Clinton’s email practices Rosenstein’s memo makes no men- tion of the FBI’s Russia investigation, which is probing both Russia’s hack- ing of Democratic groups last year and whether Trump campaign asso- ciates had ties to Moscow’s election interference. AP Photo/Evan Vucci President Donald Trump talks to reporters during a meeting with Dr. Henry Kissinger, former secretary of state and national security adviser under President Richard Nixon, at the White House today in Washington. Nominated in 2013 AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster FBI Director James Comey lis- tens on Capitol Hill in Washing- ton earlier this month. President Donald Trump has fired Comey. In a statement Tuesday, Trump says Comey’s firing “will mark a new beginning” for the FBI. Defending decision Trump defended his decision today, asserting in a flurry of tweets that both Democrats and Republicans “will be thanking me” for his action. He did not mention any effect the dis- missal might have on the FBI and con- gressional investigations into contacts between his 2016 election campaign and Russia. “He wasn’t doing a good job. Very simply. He was not doing a good job,” Trump said in brief remarks to report- ers in the Oval Office, where he was joined by former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. The abrupt firing of Comey threw into question the future of the FBI’s investigation and immediately raised suspicions of an underhanded effort to stymie a probe that has shadowed the administration from the outset. Trump has ridiculed the investigations as “a hoax” and denied any campaign involvement with the Russians. Democrats compared Comey’s ouster to President Richard Nixon’s “Saturday Night Massacre” during the Watergate investigation and renewed AP Photo/Jon Elswick The termination letter from President Donald Trump. calls for the appointment of a special prosecutor. Ironically, Kissinger, who was meeting with Trump, was Nixon’s sec- retary of state in 1973, just moved over from being Nixon’s national security adviser. Earlier today, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York urged Attorney General Jeff Sessions and his deputy, Rosenstein, to appear before the Senate to answer questions about the circumstances surrounding Trump’s action. However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell brushed aside calls for a special prosecutor, saying a new investigation into Russian meddling would only “impede the current work being done.” He noted that Democrats had repeatedly criticized Comey and some had called for his removal. W EDNESDAY E VENING (2) (-) (-) (6) (-) (8) (9) (10) (12) (13) (-) (20) (-) (29) (30) (31) (32) (34) (35) (36) (38) (39) (43) (44) (45) (46) (47) (48) (49) (50) (51) (52) (53) (54) (56) (57) (58) (61) (63) (64) (65) (162) L KATU KOMO KING KOIN KIRO KGW KRCW KOPB KPTV KPDX KCPQ TBS KZJO ESPN ESPN2 NICK DISN FAM FMC LIFE ROOT FS1 SPIKE COM HIST A&E TLC DISC NGEO TNT AMC USA FOOD HGTV FX CNN FNC CNBC BRAV TCM SYFY RFD (2) (4) (5) (-) (7) (-) (3) (10) (12) (-) (13) (20) (22) (29) (30) (31) (32) (34) (35) (36) (38) (39) (43) (44) (45) (46) (47) (48) (49) (50) (51) (52) (53) (54) (56) (57) (58) (61) (63) (64) (65) (162) 6 PM Trump made a case on Twitter, say- ing Comey had “lost the confidence of almost everyone in Washington,” add- ing: “When things calm down, they will be thanking me!” Vice President Mike Pence said at the Capitol that Trump had made “the right decision at the right time.” The Justice Department said Ses- sions was interviewing candidates to serve as an interim replacement. Comey’s deputy, FBI veteran Andrew McCabe, became acting director after Comey was fired. Restoring ‘trust’ In his letter Tuesday to Comey, Trump said the firing was neces- sary to restore “public trust and con- fidence” in the FBI. The administra- tion paired the letter with a scathing review by Rosenstein, the recently confirmed deputy attorney general, of how Comey handled the investigation into Clinton’s email practices, includ- ing his decision to hold a news con- ference announcing its findings and releasing “derogatory information” about Clinton. “You can’t make this stuff up,” Rep. Adam Schiff of California, top Dem- ocrat on the House intelligence com- mittee, said today on MSNBC. As to Trump’s contention that the firing had to do with Comey’s decision-making on such matters as the Clinton emails, he said, “Nobody believes that.” Trump, in his letter, pointedly thanked Comey for telling him three times “that I am not under investiga- tion.” The FBI has not confirmed that Comey ever made those assurances to the president. In public hearings, Comey has declined to answer when asked if Trump is under investigation, urging lawmakers not to read anything into that statement. LISTINGS THE DAILY ASTORIAN A While Comey has drawn anger from Democrats since he reopened the email investigation in the clos- ing days of last year’s campaign, they didn’t buy that justification for his fir- ing. Several Republicans joined them in raising alarms of how it could affect probes into possible coordination between Trump associates and Russia to influence the election. In one of the strongest statements by Republicans, Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina, chairman of the Sen- ate intelligence committee, said, “I am troubled by the timing and reasoning of Director Comey’s termination.” “His dismissal further confuses an already difficult investigation by the committee,” Burr said. Schumer told Trump in a phone call he thought dumping Comey was a mistake. Today, Trump labeled the Senate minority leader “Cryin’ Chuck Schumer.” Trump will now appoint a succes- sor at the FBI, who will almost cer- tainly have an impact on how the probe moves forward and whether the public will accept its outcome. It was only the second firing of an FBI director in history. President Bill Clinton dismissed William Sessions amid allegations of lapses in 1993. Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona said Congress must form a special committee to investigate Rus- sia’s interference in the election. Comey, 56, was nominated by President Barack Obama for the FBI post in 2013 to a 10-year term, though that appointment does not ensure a director will serve the full term. Praised frequently by both parties for his independence and integrity, he spent three decades in law enforce- ment. Before the past months’ con- troversies, the former deputy attorney general in the George W. Bush admin- istration was perhaps best known for a remarkable 2004 standoff with top officials over a federal domestic sur- veillance program. In March of that year, Comey rushed to the hospital bed of Attorney General John Ashcroft to physically stop White House officials in their bid to get his ailing boss to reauthorize a secret no-warrant wire- tapping program. But his prominent role in the 2016 presidential campaign raised questions about his judgment and impartiality. Though the FBI did not recommend charges against Clinton for mishan- dling classified information, Comey was blisteringly critical of her decision to use a personal email account and private internet server during her four years as secretary of state. Comey strongly defended his deci- sions during a Senate Judiciary Com- mittee hearing last week. He said he was “mildly nauseous” at the thought of having swayed the election but also said he would do the same again. Evening listings WEDNESDAY M AY 10 A - Charter Astoria/ Seaside - L - Charter Long Beach 6:30 7 PM 7:30 8 PM 8:30 9 PM 9:30 10 PM 10:30 11 PM 11:30 KATU News at 6 Jeopardy! Wheel of Fortune The Goldbergs (N) Speechless (N) Modern Family (N) Black-ish (SF) (N) Designated Survivor "Bombshell" (N) KATU News at 11 (:35) Jimmy Kimmel KOMO 4 News Wheel of Fortune Jeopardy! The Goldbergs (N) Speechless (N) Modern Family (N) Black-ish (SF) (N) Designated Survivor "Bombshell" (N) KOMO 4 News (:35) Jimmy Kimmel NBC Nightly News KING 5 News KING 5 News Evening Blindspot "Mom" (N) Law & Order: S.V.U. "Spellbound" (N) Chicago P.D. "Army of One" (N) KING 5 News (:35) Tonight Show KOIN Local 6 at 6 CBS Evening News Extra Ent. Tonight Survivor: Game Changers (N) Criminal Minds "Red Light" (SF) (N) Crim. Minds: Borders "Obey" (N) KOIN 6 News @ 11 (:35) Colbert KIRO 7 News CBS Evening News The Insider Ent. Tonight Survivor: Game Changers (N) Criminal Minds "Red Light" (SF) (N) Crim. Minds: Borders "Obey" (N) KIRO News (:35) Colbert KGW News at 6:00 p.m. Live at 7 Inside Edition Blindspot "Mom" (N) Law & Order: S.V.U. "Spellbound" (N) Chicago P.D. "Army of One" (N) KGW News at 11 (:35) Tonight Show Last Man Standing Last Man Standing Modern Family Modern Family Arrow "Honor Thy Fathers" (N) The 100 "The Other Side" (N) KGW News at 10 Two and a Half Two and a Half Met Your Mother Journeys in Japan Business (N) PBS NewsHour Nature Nova "Arctic Ghost Ship" Plants Behaving "Sex and Lies" (N) Is America in Retreat? 6 O'Clock News Family Feud Family Feud Shots Fired "Hour 8: Rock Bottom" (N) Empire "Absent Child" (N) 10 O'Clock News 11 O'Clock News 2 Broke Girls Mike & Molly Mike & Molly Big Bang Theory Big Bang Theory FOX 12's 8 O'Clock News on PDX-TV FOX 12's 9 O'Clock News on PDX-TV Family Guy Family Guy American Dad Cleveland Show Modern Family Modern Family Big Bang Theory Big Bang Theory Shots Fired "Hour 8: Rock Bottom" (N) Empire "Absent Child" (N) Q13 News at 10 Q13 News The Simpsons Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld Big Bang Theory Big Bang Theory Big Bang Theory Big Bang Theory Big Bang Theory Full Frontal (N) Conan (N) Two and a Half Two and a Half Last Man Standng Last Man Standng Modern Family Modern Family Q13 News at 9 Big Bang Theory Big Bang Theory Friends Friends Pt. 1 of 2 (4:00) MLB Baseball St. Louis vs Miami (L) Baseball Tonight (L) SportsCenter SportsCenter SportsCenter SportsCenter (5:00) 30 for 30 "The Two Escobars" 30 for 30 "Catholics vs. Convicts" We the Fans/ Soldier Jalen & Jacoby (N) 30 for 30 "Believeland" Henry Danger Henry Danger The Thundermans The Thundermans NickyRickyDicky Game Shakers 1/2 Full House Full House Full House Full House Friends Friends Bunk'd Bizaardvark K.C. Undercover (:35) Bizaardvark Stuck in Middle Good Luck Charlie Tangled-Series K.C. Undercover Liv Maddie Cali Bunk'd Jessie Jessie Aladdin (‘92, Ani) Voices of Scott Weinger, Linda Larkin, Robin Williams. The Middle The Middle The Middle Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings The 700 Club (4:45) Unbroken (‘14, Bio) Finn Wittrock, Jack O'Connell. (:35) Unbroken (2014, Biography) Finn Wittrock, Jai Courtney, Jack O'Connell. (:25) FXM Presents Chronicle (2012, Drama) Alex Russell, Dane DeHaan. Little Women: Atlanta "Stage Fight" LW Atlanta "Good Deed Gone Bad" Little Women ATL "Miami Vices" (N) LW Atlanta "Cruise Control" (N) Little W. Dallas "Mini-Disaster" (SF) (N) Little W (N) / (:05) Little W (5:30) MLB Baseball Seattle Mariners at Philadelphia Phillies Site: Citizens Bank Park -- Philadelphia, Pa. Post-game In Depth (N) Triathlon 2016 Island House Invitational UFC Unleashed "Souza vs. Belfort" (N) Main Event (N) TUF 25 "Iron Sharpens Iron" The Ultimate Fighter "Piece of Us" (N) TUF Talk (N) MLB Whiparound (L) UFC Top Ten The Ultimate Fighter "Piece of Us" TUF Talk UFC Tonight Happy Gilmore (‘96, Com) Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, Adam Sandler. The Longest Yard (2005, Comedy) Chris Rock, Burt Reynolds, Adam Sandler. (5:00) Bedtime Stories Adam Sandler. Movie (:15) Futurama (:50) South Park "Conjoined Fetus Lady" (:25) South Park South Park South Park South Park South Park ComedyJam (N) South Park The Daily Show (N) @midnight (N) American Pickers "Good and Evel" American Pickers "Signs of Struggle" American Pickers "Jersey's Jackpot" American Pickers "Picker's Code" (:05) American Pickers "Hello Jell-O" (:05) American Pickers "Mike's Bikes" The First 48 "The Chase/ One Shot" Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars (N) Storage Wars (N) Exterminator (N) Exterminator (N) (:05) Storage Wars (:35) Storage Wars My 600-lb Life "Nikki" Pt. 1 of 2 My 600-lb Life "Nikki" Pt. 2 of 2 My 600-lb Life "Dottie and June" Dottie's weight loss journey is in danger. (N) My 600-lb Life "Dottie and June" The Last Alaskans "Killer Instinct" The Last Alaskans "Spirit of the Hunter" The Last Alaskans "Pray for Snow" Last Alaskan "Race Against the Sun" (N) Where the Wild Men Are "Texas" Bush People "Dead in the Water" Alaska Troopers "Armed and Squatting" Life and Death Row "Truth" Life and Death Row "Crisis Stage" Life and Death Row "Judgment" Life and Death Row "Execution" Life on Lockdown "Notorious" (4:00) NBA Basketb. NBA Basketball Playoffs Inside the NBA NBA Basketball Playoffs Speed (1994, Action) Sandra Bullock, Keanu Reeves. (5:30) Lethal Weapon (1987, Action) Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mel Gibson. Lethal Weapon 2 (1989, Action) Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Mel Gibson. Independence Day (1996, Sci-Fi) Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Will Smith. Tropic Thunder (2008, Comedy) Jack Black, Ben Stiller. (5:00) The Other Guys (2010, Comedy) Will Ferrell. Chopped Chopped Cooks vs. Cons "Fry, Fry Again!" Cooks vs. Cons "Cajun Nation" (N) Cooks vs. Cons "Crab Cake Crazy" Cooks vs. Cons "Gone Bananas" Buying and Selling "Lesson in Location" Buying and Selling Property "Rustic Meets Modern Design" Buying/ Sell "Michelle and Danielle" (N) House Hunters (N) House Hunters Property Brothers (4:00) Total Recall Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014, Action) Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor, Mark Wahlberg. Fargo "The Narrow Escape Problem" (N) (:10) Fargo "The Narrow Escape Problem" Anderson Cooper 360 CNN Tonight With Don Lemon CNN Tonight With Don Lemon Anderson Cooper 360 Anderson Cooper 360 CNN Tonight With Don Lemon The Five Hannity Tucker Carlson Tonight The Five Hannity Tucker Carlson Tonight Shark Tank Rich Guide (N) Shark Tank Shark Tank Shark Tank Filthy Rich Guide Paid Program Paid Program The Real Housewives "A New Low" Wives "The Etiquette of Friendship" Housewives "The Politics of Friendship" Housewives "Wishful Invitation" (N) Andy Cohen's Then and Now (N) WatchWhat (N) Real Housewives How to Marry a Millionaire (‘53) Betty Grable, Marilyn Monroe. The French Line (‘54, Musical) Gilbert Roland, Arthur Hunnicutt, Jane Russell. A Life of Her Own (‘50) Lana Turner. (5:00) Cover Girl (‘44) Rita Hayworth. I, Frankenstein (2014, Fantasy) Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Yvonne Strahovski. The Da Vinci Code (2006, Drama) Audrey Tautou, Jean Reno, Tom Hanks. Odd Thomas (‘13, Com) Anton Yelchin. (5:00) Where the Fast Lane Ends W. Rodeo (N) Equestrian Nation Total Team Roping Rural Eve. News The Final Spin WesternSport Cowboy TV Cowboy Moments Product Showcase
