Activists prepare for Trump speech
Meanwhile, at a big political event in Washington, there are no TVs, or any sign that people are following the Comey hearing closely, ahead of an expected lunchtime speech from President Trump.
The ballroom of the Omni Shoreham in northwest Washington is slowly filling up with activists from Ralph Reed’s Faith and Freedom Coalition, the social conservatives’ advocacy group that’s hosting the president today as a lunch speaker.
The coalition has thrown itself behind the president’s agenda, pushing for a sweeping executive order expanding religious rights but standing up for the White House when it fell short of some Christian activists’ expectations, and lobbying House members early and often to support the GOP health care bill because of its provisions restricting federal funding for health care providers that carry out abortions, and for the coverage of the procedure in insurance plans.
The Scene at Trump International Hotel
At the Trump International Hotel, three of four large TVs at the bar were tuned to CNN's coverage of the Comey hearing, though as is normally the case, the sound was turned off and incongruous oldies tunes wafted through the lobby. Captions relayed the words spoken for anyone who wanted to read the hearing.
Comey hearing can be seen (but not heard) at Trump International Hotel. pic.twitter.com/R1qdkInga1
— Laura Meckler (@laurameckler) June 8, 2017
White House Press aides huddle in office
As the Senate hearing began, White House communications aides were huddled behind closed doors in Press Secretary Sean Spicer's office, preparing for the daily press briefing scheduled for noon.
Trump's been quiet on Twitter, but his son hasn't
President Donald Trump has so far stayed silent about the Comey hearings, but his son Donald Trump Jr called the former FBI director’s testimony about Michael Flynn “BS.”
His remarks could signal how the White House and its Republican allies will address Comey’s testimony – without giving an inch and arguing Comey didn’t understand what the president was saying.
1/3 Flynn stuff is BS in context 2 guys talking about a guy they both know well. I hear "I hope nothing happens but you have to do your job"
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) June 8, 2017
2/3 very far from any kind of coercion or influence and certainly not obstruction! — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) June 8, 2017
Hoping and telling are two very different things, you would think that a guy like Comey would know that. #givemeabreak
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) June 8, 2017
A highly charged Senate hearing opened Thursday with fired FBI director James Comey to testify on his bombshell allegations suggesting President Donald Trump sought to interfere with a probe into Russian election meddling.
Hundreds of people squeezed into a jam-packed room, some waiting in line since early morning, for the historic hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee, and US television channels were broadcasting the event across the country live.
On Wednesday Comey released a statement detailing how Trump repeatedly badgered him earlier this year over the sensitive investigation into Russian interference and possible collusion with members of the Trump campaign.
Senators were to focus on whether the actions of Trump, who fired Comey on May 9, added up to obstruction of justice, a serious crime that could potentially undermine the presidency.
