FBI Director James Comey was asked repeatedly Wednesday during a House Judiciary Committee hearing if investigators were looking into political commentator Roger Stone over alleged ties to WikiLeaks.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), who claimed the issue “may pose a current national security threat to the United States,” started his inquiry by referencing an August 30 letter in which ranking members of multiple House committees asked whether the FBI was investigating alleged connections between “Trump campaign officials and Russian interests.”
“The letter said this and I quote,” Nadler began. “‘On August 8, 2016, Roger Stone, a Donald Trump confidant, revealed that he has communicated with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange about the upcoming release of additional illegally hacked Democratic documents. Mr. Stone made these statements during a Republican campaign event while answering a question about a potential ‘October surprise.’”
“Has the FBI interviewed Roger Stone about his communications with Julian Assange or his knowledge of how WikiLeaks got these illegally obtained documents?”
“I can’t comment on that,” Comey replied.
In response, Nadler pushed further, claiming the lack of an investigation showed a double standard in light of Hillary’s email investigation.
“Mr. Stone stated that he has knowledge about upcoming leaks of additional illegally hacked documents,” Nadler stated. “Has the FBI asked him about those communications?”
“I also can’t comment on that,” Comey said, adding that he would not “confirm whether there is or is not an investigation” into Stone.
Following Stone’s initial August 8 comment, in which he said he had “communicated with Assange,” WikiLeaks appeared to deny such contact was made.
@rogerjstonejr Neither @WikiLeaks nor Mr. Assange is aware of any private communications from us to you. Please clarify.
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) August 9, 2016
Stone joined the Alex Jones Show Wednesday to refute allegations by Democrats that he has any connection whatsoever to Russia. The Clinton campaign and its supporters have increasingly labeled anyone opposed to Hillary as secret Russian agents in an attempt to divert attention from the candidate’s email scandal.
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