Comey Slams Barr, Claims ‘Spying’ is ‘Authorized Surveillance’
Former FBI Director weighs in on attorney General's' testimony
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Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey has said he does not agree with Attorney General William Barr's testimony that "spying did occur" on President Trump's 2016 campaign.
Comey claimed the FBI authorized surveillance.
"The FBI conducted court-ordered authorized surveillance. I don't consider that spying," Comey said at the Hewlett Foundation's Verify Conference.
Comey said that Barr's talk of "spying" makes it more difficult to give the attorney general the benefit of the doubt.
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"I have no idea what the heck he's talking about," Comey added.
Barr ignited turmoil among Democrats following his testimony to the Senate Committee.
"I think spying did occur. But the question is whether it was predicated — adequately predicated," Barr testified.
"I'm not suggesting it wasn't adequately predicated, but I need to explore that."
I think it's my obligation. Congress is usually very concerned about intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies staying in their proper lane."
"I think spying on a political campaign is a big deal. It's a big deal," Barr added.
Barr later clarified there was yet no proof of any wrongdoing.
Dem Sen Shaheen to Barr: 'You're not suggesting that spying occurred?' Barr: 'I think spying did occur. The question is whether it was adequately predicated. I'm not suggesting it was not adequately predicated, but I need to explore that.'
— Byron York (@ByronYork) April 10, 2019
BREAKING: AG Barr announces that his investigation of Spygate will cover all Congressional and IG investigations, and will conduct comprehensive review on the spying on a presidential campaign by the Obama admin, and directly compared it to domestic spying during the Vietnam War
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) April 10, 2019
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I am not saying that improper surveillance occurred, I'm saying that I am concerned about it and looking into it, that's all," he said.
The attorney general’s statement came soon after Trump called the FBI’s investigation “illegal,” “crooked,” and an “attempted coup.”
Trump also requested that Barr looks into the origins of the probe.
Yesterday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi questioned Barr's independence from President Donald Trump.
Pelosi claimed that Barr's testimony and the pursuit of 'spying' during the 2016 campaign undermine his position as a law enforcement officer.
The Democrat asserted she was 'very concerned' about Barr's handling of special counsel Robert Mueller's final report which proved there was no Russian conspiracy, according to an interview with the Associated Press.
Pelosi also accused Barr of doing Trump's political bidding in his s testimony at a Senate hearing.
