The New York Times reported Tuesday evening that President Trump asked former FBI director James Comey to stop investigating former national security adviser Michael Flynn during a February meeting. This is according to a memo written by Comey after the meeting, which took place a day after Flynn resigned. From the Times:
“I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go,” Mr. Trump told Mr. Comey, according to the memo. “He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go.”
Mr. Comey did not say anything to Mr. Trump about curtailing the investigation, only replying: “I agree he is a good guy.”
The White House denied Comey’s account. “While the president has repeatedly expressed his view that General Flynn is a decent man who served and protected our country, the president has never asked Mr. Comey or anyone else to end any investigation, including any investigation involving General Flynn,” a statement quoted by the Times says. “The president has the utmost respect for our law enforcement agencies, and all investigations. This is not a truthful or accurate portrayal of the conversation between the president and Mr. Comey.”
Correction May 16, 6:16 PM: This post previously stated that President Trump instructed FBI director James Comey to end the investigation of Michael Flynn. President Trump asked Comey to.
By Osita Nwanevu
Slate editorial assistant.
