This is Rosenstein's first public testimony since appointing former FBI director Robert Muller as special counsel to run the Russian Federation investigation, though he did brief Congress privately about that decision May 18.
The Senate intelligence committee is back in the national spotlight for two days of blockbuster hearings and following news that relations between President Donald Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions had reached a boiling point surrounding his recusal from the Justice Department's Russian Federation investigation.
On February 14, Comey confirms reports that Trump asked him to end the investigation into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, saying "I hope you can let this go".
The questions from the Senate intelligence committee, at a hearing on surveillance law, were in response to news media reports that both Coats and Rogers had been asked by Trump to publicly state that there was no evidence of collusion between Moscow and the Trump campaign. Eric Trump said the allegation that his father's campaign colluded with Russian Federation is "the greatest hoax of all time".
John Cornyn, of Texas, the no. 2 Republican in the Senate, is the closest to an ally Trump has on the committee.
Trump had reportedly asked Comey to pledge his loyalty to him, which Comey had declined to do.
"The president has a very, very busy day, as he does all the time", Spicer said.
On March 22, less than a week after being confirmed by the Senate, Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats attended a briefing at the White House with officials from several government agencies. A source quoted by CNN says Mr Comey will tell senators that he did not say that directly, but had much more complex conversations from which Mr Trump concluded that he was not under investigation.
Five killed in workplace shooting in Orlando
Shelley Adams told ABC News that her sister, a Fiamma employee, saw someone lying on the floor as she walked out of the bathroom. The Italian company released a statement Tuesday calling the shooting an "unspeakable attack upon our loved ones and employees".
President Donald Trump made clear to Hill GOP leaders Tuesday that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin - not Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney - is the administration's point person on the suddenly critical issue of raising the debt ceiling.
"It's got to be reviewed", Spicer said.
Vice President Mike Pence, who was at the Capitol for a meeting with GOP leadership on its stalled health reform bill, also refused to answer questions about the upcoming testimony. She also said she would be open to subpoenaing the information, if necessary.
Rosenstein has been intrinsically wrapped into the Comey firing story, with White House officials citing Rosenstein's memo as the key reason for Comey's ouster. Sen. He said he welcomed the opportunity for the former Federal Bureau of Investigation director to publicly address the American people. "The president shouldn't ask about an ongoing investigation".
His words reveal just how quickly things change in Washington politics.
"He said he had nothing to do with Russia, had not been involved with hookers in Russia, and had always assumed he was being recorded when in Russia", Comey's prepared statement says.
"The FBI director has no credibility", Representative Maxine Waters of California said in January, in what became an Internet-rallying cry for the left.
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