The RNC cites Comey's opening statement as proof that the former FBI director reassured Trump he wasn't under investigation

James Comey.
(Image credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Following the publication of former FBI Director James Comey's bombshell opening statement for Thursday's Senate hearing, the Republican National Committee took the opportunity to point out that the testimony in fact corroborates a hotly debated detail in the letter President Trump sent to Comey notifying him of his termination. In the letter, Trump referred to three separate times Comey told the president he was not under investigation.

Whether or not Comey assured Trump is up for debate, although pretty much everyone agrees Trump asked. As of Tuesday, though, CNN was reporting that Comey was expected to "refute" Trump's claim that he received the reassurance he sought. However:

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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.