With Comey hearing, Trump is up against an audience of distrustful Americans

Trump peers out at the crowd at Ford's Theatre.
(Image credit: Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)

Sixty percent of Americans believe that President Trump fired former FBI Director James Comey in order to "protect himself," rather than "for the good of the country," a new ABC News/Washington Post poll has found. A vast majority, seven in 10, also distrusts President Trump's statements about Russia, with half of Americans saying they have no trust in Trump's word on the matter whatsoever.

The poll comes a day before Comey's highly anticipated testimony before the Senate, during which he will answer questions about reports that Trump tried to pressure him to drop an FBI probe into ousted National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, who reportedly also faced pressure from the president to curb the FBI's investigation, will testify today. Trump is reportedly prepared to "punch" back at Comey, with some White House aides saying to expect him to fire off tweets describing his reactions.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.