Politics & Government

Is Trump Recording Conversations? Illinois Congressman Wants The Tapes

In light of the firings of James Comey and Michael Flynn, he says the recordings must be released.

SCHAUMBURG, IL -- An Illinois Congressman is asking the White House for answers -- and recordings -- after President Donald J. Trump appeared to threaten fired FBI Director James Comey with possible "tapes" of their private conversations. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Schaumburg), a member of the House Oversight Committee, sent a letter to White House Counsel Donald F. McGahn Friday saying if any secret recordings exist, they must be released. During a Friday afternoon briefing, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer refused to deny that Trump records conversations.

Trump created a stir with a Friday-morning tweet saying, "James Comey better hope that there are no 'tapes' of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!"

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Krishnamoorthi reacted to the tweet on Friday afternoon.

"In light of the varied and divergent statements from the White House press briefing room regarding the firing of both former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and former FBI Director James Comey, the production of such tapes would allow the facts of these terminations to come to light," he said in his letter to the White House.

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He asked McGahn to confirm the existence of "'tapes' and/or a taping system" as well as "how long it has been active, who ordered the installation, and what is done with the recordings?"

Krishnamoorthi went on to demand that if in fact recordings exist, the following "tapes" or recordings must be released: discussions with Comey, any conversations regarding the hiring or firing of Flynn, and this week's meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and Ambassador Kislyak "that were closed to the American press, but not their Russian counterparts."

With the hashtag "#TrumpRussia," Krishnamoorthi repeated his demand on Twitter, saying, "White House Counsel should provide investigators with the tapes threatened FBI Dir Comey with."


Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi/photo provided


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