On Wednesday, President Trump’s legal counsel released a statement saying that Trump “feels completely and totally vindicated” by former FBI Director James Comey’s written testimony, which contains revelations about Trump asking Comey for a personal loyalty pledge and to a request to quash the investigation into Michael Flynn.
Comey refused both requests before he was fired last month amid an active FBI investigation into the Trump campaign for possible collusion with Russia.
But as Comey’s testimony began on Thursday, Trump walked back his lawyer’s statement.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Source: Trump `disputes' Comey's claim that he asked for loyalty and to let go of the Flynn probe.
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) June 8, 2017
Trump move to dispute key facts presented in Comey’s testimony comes through an anonymous source. The president is reportedly watching Comey’s testimony alongside his legal team and advisers.
JUST IN: Senior WH aide tells @PeterAlexander Trump will monitor #Comey in a WH dining room with his legal team & some of closest advisers.
— NBC News PR (@NBCNewsPR) June 8, 2017
Despite some Republicans’ insistence that Comey’s testimony was insignificant, Trump’s move to dispute key aspects of it amounts to a tacit acknowledgment that it is in fact damaging for him.