Yuri Gripas
President Trump reportedly told Russian officials on May 10 in the Oval Office that firing “nut job” ex-FBI Director James Comey relieved “great pressure” on him, according to The New York Times. “I just fired the head of the FBI. He was crazy, a real nut job,” Trump allegedly said, based on a document read to the Times by an official. “I faced great pressure because of Russia. That’s taken off,” Trump continued, the day after firing Comey. “I’m not under investigation.” The conversation, according to the Times, reinforces the theory that Trump fired him largely over the bureau’s probe into possible collusion between Russian operatives and Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. The report indicates that White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer did not dispute the account. Following the Times story’s publication, Spicer released a statement claiming that Comey created “unnecessary pressure” on the White House’s ability to engage and negotiate with Russia. “The real story is that our national security has been undermined by the leaking of private and highly classified conversations.”