The historic weight of the Comey hearing is disrupting workdays across the country
Millions of people are expected to tune into former FBI Director James Comey's testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday morning, The New York Times reports. "I wouldn't be surprised if people took half-days or take the day off," said Ashley Saunders, the manager of the Union Pub, in Washington, D.C., which is handing out free rounds every time President Trump tweets during the hearing. "If I had a normal job, I don't know what I'd be doing."
At the strategic communications firm Evergreen Partners, in New Jersey, all eyes will be on the TVs. "We canceled meetings when we saw what time it was on," the firm's president, Karen J. Kessler, told the Times. "It's must-see TV."
Some remain skeptical, including retired Navy officer Doug Samuels, who voted for Trump. "The thing with Comey is he wanted to make himself famous," he said. "I don't think he's going to have anything new to say."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But others are comparing the hearing to other explosive moments in U.S. history, including Justice Thomas' Supreme Court confirmation amid swirling sexual harassment allegations in 1991 and Lt. Col. Oliver L. North's testimony at the Iran-contra hearings in 1987.
And, of course, to Watergate: "Comey proved what Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats and National Security Agency Director Michael S. Rogers carefully avoided admitting in their testimony on Wednesday — that the president had specifically attempted to shut off at least a major piece of what Trump calls the 'Russia thing,' the investigation into the misleading statements by fired national security adviser Michael Flynn concerning his role in dealings with the Russians," wrote Philip Allen Lacovara, who served as counsel to Watergate's special prosecutors. "This kind of presidential intervention in a pending criminal investigation has not been seen, to my knowledge, since the days of Richard Nixon and Watergate."
The hearing begins at 10 a.m. ET and is expected to run until at least 1 p.m. Watch on any of the major news networks or online for free at C-Span and CNN.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
Today's political cartoons - October 5, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - gathering funds, juggling tariffs, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 category 5 cartoons about hurricane Helene
Artists take on precarious conditions, planning ahead, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Wolfs: 'comedy thriller' stumbles despite George Clooney and Brad Pitt
While the crime caper might 'pleasingly pass a Saturday night' its star-studded duo cannot ultimately salvage it
By The Week UK Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published