Former FBI Director James Comey has reported multiple times that he took notes on all his conversations with Donald Trump, but the memos themselves have never been made public — until now.
On Thursday, the partially-redacted memos detailing Comey’s seven conversations with Donald Trump were finally released to both Congress and members of the press. Not surprisingly, the documents include many references to the infamous Steele dossier, Trump’s many personality quirks, and the president’s bizarre intimidation techniques.
While it’s unclear what weight these memos will hold in the current Russia investigation, there’s quite a bit to unpack. (You can read through the memos in their entirety here.)
In the memos, Comey discusses informing Trump of the existence of the Steele dossier.
Comey also describes Trump rambling on about the size of the crowds at his inauguration (sounds about right), and details an instance in which Trump essentially invited him to step down from his position if he felt so inclined.
A conversation where Trump practically demands Comey’s loyalty is also included.
(For the record, it should be noted that Trump lied to Comey’s face when he said that he didn’t stay overnight in a Russian hotel — he stayed at the Ritz-Carlton in Moscow for two nights.)
People noted that Trump’s reaction to the news of the Steele Dossier was particularly odd. Rather than denying the report entirely, Trump simply denies that the women were prostitutes.
5/ Trump doesn’t say, “Nonsense!” or “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about!” or even “What? There were never any women in my room!” Instead: “There were no prostitutes; there were never prostitutes.” To *many* that’ll suggest Trump had women up didn’t consider them prostitutes.
— Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) April 20, 2018
It’s also odd that Trump would ask an FBI director for “loyalty” if he weren’t concerned about protection from any ongoing investigations.
12/ A typical president would have no clear idea what major cases the FBI was working on when he came into office—and would simply want a competent FBI Director. Trump knew two things about Comey and the FBI: they were working the Trump-Russia case and knew of the Steele dossier.
— Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) April 20, 2018
Comey reported that Trump repeatedly dismissed the Steele dossier, saying that “the hookers thing is nonsense” — but he also writes that “Putin had told [Trump] ‘we have some of the most beautiful hookers in the world.’”
Naturally, this particular note garnered plenty of attention on Twitter.
Honestly in this post dossier world I bring up Russian prostitutes during 5/5 conversations pic.twitter.com/xqXQSuWnba
— audible gasp (@morninggloria) April 20, 2018
BREAKING: Comey memo: Trump said Vladimir Putin told him, ‘We have some of the most beautiful hookers in the world’
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 20, 2018
Shonda going out with a bang https://t.co/cYy2UpTYOp
— Ira Madison III (@ira) April 20, 2018
While many would take Comey’s memos as evidence of Trump’s obstruction of justice (such as when Trump strongly suggested that Comey should pardon General Flynn), many conservatives have misinterpreted the memos as “proof” that nothing indecent occurred, since Comey never reported feeling threatened.
27/ Breaking in on the thread: here’s what Republicans are saying about the memos. Not surprisingly, their claims don’t track at all with the memos, and as the GOP well knows, whether Comey “felt” obstructed—he’s said he felt ordered—is legally irrelevant. https://t.co/Ln5ittwHNV
— Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) April 20, 2018
Even Trump himself seems to think that memos absolve him of any wrongdoing — when in fact, such a claim remains to be seen.
James Comey Memos just out and show clearly that there was NO COLLUSION and NO OBSTRUCTION. Also, he leaked classified information. WOW! Will the Witch Hunt continue?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 20, 2018
The unredacted, classified version of the memos will be presented to Congress in a secure setting on Friday.