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All extreme raerks from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle wondering what this could mean for our country going forward. Heres abcs david wright. Reporter tonight the president , who complained so loudly about the rigged system in washington, now seems to be holding all the strings. Why did you fire director comey . Because he wasnt doing a good job, very simply. He was not doing a good job. Reporter not only did the administration brush off questions about trumps firing of fbi director james comey President Trump made the right decision at the right time. Reporter the white house also sought to move past comeys Ongoing Investigation into russian meddling in the november election which includes whether there was any coordination between People Associated with the Trump Campaign and the russians. Lets put it behind us, lets move on, lets focus on what we need to do to turn our country around. Reporter then today in an ironic bit of timing the president held an Oval Office Meeting with some of the same russian officials known to be targets of that investigation. Theres the president. Shaking hands with Russian Ambassador sergei kislyak. Dig smiles all around. The image captured by kremlin photographers. The White House Press corps kept out of the room. They werent far away. It was a packed White House Briefing room. Filling in for sean spicer, Sarah Huckabee sanders. Isnt it true that the president had already decided to fire james comey and he asked the Justice Department to put together the rationale for that firing . No. When did he make the decision . He made the decision for the final decision to move forward with it was yesterday. But i know that hes been contemplating it for a while. The white house story has evolved. Last night it was portrayed as simply the president firing comey because of the recommendation of the Deputy Attorney general. Now what we heard frankly, hed been considering letting director comey go since the day he was leaked. Reporter today comey himself was back to being a private citizen, spotted outside his home no longer sporting a suit. He sent a letter to his fbi colleagues saying, it is done, and i will be fine. Although i will miss you and the mission deeply. Here at fbi headquarters theres still a lot of commotion about why this went down the way it did. Everyones confused, stunned, shell shocked. But theyre being told by their superiors, do your job. Reporter in congress, lawmakers were caught off guard too. Including the senator leading one of the key investigations. The timing and the reasons for this decision made little sense to me. And i dont think ive heard anything since last night that would clarify that in any way. Reporter today sources told us that monday, the day before comey was fired, hed requested Additional Resources for the russia investigation, a request the Justice Department denies. A growing tide of democrats say this is an effort to slow down that investigation. I think its all about russia. Its not about hillary. It doesnt take a Rocket Scientist to figure out what this is about. Reporter on the senate floor if there was ever a time when circumstances warranted a special prosecutor, it is right now. Reporter the democrats pleas fell on deaf ears. Our democratic colleagues complaining about the removal of an fbi director whom they themselves repeatedly and sharply criticized. That removal being done by a man, Rod Rosenstein, whom they repeatedly and efuseively praised. Reporter that man, Deputy Attorney general Rod Rosenstein, wrote the threepage memo the president cited as his reason for firing comey. Rosenstein is a career prosecutor. Shortly before his confirmation he spoke with wmar in baltimore about the kinds of challenges hed likely face as Deputy Attorney general. A new president , a new attorney general, they have the right to determine where they want to focus their resources. But when it comes down to how we conduct the investigations, whos the target, who we prosecute, those decisions need to be made in a way that is completely independent of politics. Reporter sounds about right. But rosenstein probably never imagined hed make his debut on the National Stage quite like this. The new Deputy Attorney general Rod Rosenstein one thing pointed out to me is looking closely at that memo, he doesnt actually say you should fire comey. Thats right. Thats right. Thats because thats not the way its done . Or did the president go beyond what was asked for in the memo . Well, there is no how its done. When it comes to dismissing the fbi director. Tonights comment on the handle of the white house tapes compromised reporter the last time a president was accused of trying to short circuit an investigation against him was a long time ago. In the congress for the First Time Since the watergate case began, talk of president ial impeachment no longer sounds like idle chatter. Thats as a result of the weekend firing of special prosecutor Archibald Cox reporter the socalled saturday night massacre, when nixons attorney general and Deputy Attorney general resigned when the president ordered them to fire the Watergate Special prosecutor Archibald Cox, who like comey was fiercely independent. There was a widespread feeling that there was need for an investigation. Do you think the watergate comparison is a fair one . Yes. What we see in both situations is a president feeling that an investigation was getting too close for comfort and trying to shut it down. Reporter one key difference between now and then, there was a select committee on watergate Holding Hearings on capitol hill. There were actual tapes recorded by nixon in the oval office promising direct proof of a coverup. And there were dogged reporters at the Washington Post and elsewhere piecing it all together. The difference now is that the only one of those checks that is there is the press. And the president has spent a great deal of his presidency undermining the press. We need woodward and bernstein. Right. Reporter would bob woodward and Carl Bernstein have had the same impact in the era of twitter . And socalled fake news . We know theres no such thing as fake news. We live in a time when people dont believe facts. And if we cant convince that facts are facts, thats a very difficult situation. Reporter tonight the Senate Intel Committee issued a subpoena for documents from general mike flynn, a sign their investigation of him is pressing on. Senators are also asking questions about trumps business dealings. During your investigation of all things russia, did you ever find a situation where a trump business interest in russia gave you concern . Senator graham, i cant comment on that because that impacts an investigation. Reporter officials tell abc news that the fbi is increasingly focused on several trump associates, including carter page. Brian ross caught up with page who, along with all the others, denies ever colluding with russia. Its ridiculous. Whats ridiculous about it . Everything. Reporter a sentiment shared by vladimir putin. Today, as all of this was playing out in washington, putin was playing hockey. Asked by cbs about the firing of the fbi director putin said it had nothing to do with him. But many would agree we cant just take his word for it. Our National Security is at stake. There is strong indication that russia meddled in our president ial election. One of our core democratic functions. Reporter for now, President Trump dismisses that notion and so does president putin. Today putin went on to score seven goals for his team. Im david wright for nightline in new york. Next, dance mom coach Abby Lee Miller on her upcoming one day and a day prison sentence. What olympic Gold Medalist simone biles said on dancing with the stars that is uniting women everywhere. Why . Terrible toilet paper ill never get clean way ahead of you, big daddy. Aww. avo charmin ultra strong. Its washclothlike texture helps clean better. Its four times stronger and you can use less. Beautiful view. Thanks to charmin. And you, honeybear. Awwwww. avo we all go. Why not enjoy the go with charmin . They carry your fans shpassions, hopes, and dreams. S. And maybe, a chance at greatness because shoulders were made for greatness. Not dandruff. Its looking up, not down. Ng fits being in motion. Boost® high protein its intelligent nutrition with 15 grams of protein and 26 vitamins and minerals. 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A demanding instructor known for her abrasive personality. Now former dance moms star Abby Lee Miller taking a different tone, about to serve a one year and a day prison sentence for monastery crimes including bankruptcy fraud. She spoke to linsey davis about regrets and plans for the future. No cry babies, none reporter Abby Lee Miller, outspoken dance instructor with the Big Personality from dance moms. Living on the dance floor paige, your elbows are lazy. Reporter no stranger when it comes to drama. I want perfection. Reporter miller was often criticized for her harsh delivery and abrasive teaching style. Dont get so close so that youre tumbling into the stool shes not happy unless shes humiliating someone. Reporter the world witnessed her push students to the limit. Why are you laughing . Because i think youre ridiculous go, get out of here, go up stairs with your mother. Reporter shes learning a tough lesson on her own this week after being sentenced to a year and a day behind bars. The 50yearold was convicted of bankruptcy fraud and bringing an unreported 120,000 in foreign corner currency into the United States. A year and a day, seem harsh . A year and a day, it sounds like a movie title, its surreal to me. Reporter miller ordered to pay a 40,000 fine and 120,000 money judgment. I feel relieved. I feel peaceful. You didnt know you were going to serve jail time or not. Now you know. And as you came out of the court you said you have peace. I have peace. But i think i was better off being in limbo businesswise. Because now that i know, theres some things that are a little uncertain. I have some new projects that im working on and that have been started and that are fabulous and exciting. And now theyre put on hold. Reporter miller was originally indicted with fraud charges back in 2015 after hiding 775,000 in income from bankruptcy creditors. She pled guilty to this charge in 2016. Just a yes or no, you would not trying to hide that . No, not intentionally. No. I wasnt ever trying to hurt anyone. Reporter the u. S. Attorneys office tells abc news, this defendant secreted and structured profits she derived outside the United States from performances by children, adding that her actions undermine our justice system. Are you ready . Reporter Abby Lee Miller took center stage back in 2011 when dance moms became an instant hit with viewers. Hinge, change, up reporter abc news john donvan met the reality star at the beginning of it all when the controversial series started to gain momentum. You know, getting to the top is one thing. Staying there is another thing. Lets get a trophy now for being born. Now thats participation. Give them a tshirt. Give them a sweat towel, a water bottle. Something like that. The trophy should be earned. Reporter each week viewers watched as she ranked her students. Young girls dancing their way to the top or bottom. On the bottom of the pyramid reporter of that infamous pyram pyramid. Miller defended her technique. Why are they questioning me . I dont go to anybodys office and say, hey, excuse me, why are you removing that appendix . Because youre making their kids cry, thats why they question you. No. You are making their kids cry. Sometimes. Sometimes. Thats when they and sometimes im making their dreams come true. Reporter one of those students maddie gained success, starring in music videos. Im going to swing reporter and skyrocketing to fame. After six seasons maddie decided to walk away from miller and the show. Oh my god, what is mentally wrong with you . Reporter my colleague Abbie Boudreau interviewed the 14yearold and her mother earlier this year. Yeah, my sister and i were like, thats the they were finished. Did you ever have that moment as a mother, dance moms, this is breaking my daughters spirit . Yeah, my gosh, absolutely. All the time. I was stressed out as a 12yearold. Like thats just really weird to me. But now i just have so much weight off my shoulders. I can just live my life and do something without worrying and thinking, oh, im going to get yelled at if i do this. Now i can just do whatever i want. Reporter miller announced her departure from the lifetime series in march on instagram writing, i will no longer take part in dance moms. For the past six years, seven seasons, i have asked, begged, demanded creative credit for all the ideas, awardwinning routines, themes and costuming to no avail. Her legal troubles are now sharing the spotlight. What is the next chapter for you . To be a smarter businesswoman. And also to worry about myself. I have spent so much time and so much energy making other peoples children stars. I didnt have any children of my own. Deals were my kids. And i raised them like they were my kids. You love those kids . I do. Reporter miller must report to prison in the next 44 days. But for now shes working on future projects and taking some time to reflect. Shooting a movie, were on set, and im there for ten months, and thats the way its going to be. How do you man spending your days . Reading, and i want to learn to speak spanish, and im already working on a new book. Reporter as for the abby lee dance company, it will remain open. I built that studio. My mom and dad gave me their life savings to buy the land. Reporter for nightline im linsey davis in pittsburgh. And next, olympic gymnast simone biles, asked why she wasnt smiling on doctore ing i the stars, now her response is going viral. My last wish is for you to do it for me, as a family. Love, grandpa. Let us be lovers, well marry our fortunes together older grandaughter itll be alright. I know. Grandson how did you meet grandpa . Grandmother actually on a blind date. [ laughter ] i wish he was on the trip with us. 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Sometimes you dance on the metronome beat, so precisely hitting the beat. When host tom bergeron weighed in i was waiting for your to smile at the condominiums, you didnt. Smiling doesnt win you gold medals. Reporter and nobody knows that better than biles. Holding 19 olympic and World Championship medals. But the fierce competitors blunt answer igniting a firestorm on social media. Uniting women fed up with being told to smile. One writing, ive been told to smile all my life. Especially by men. Now i can reply, smile doesnt win gold medals. Another tweeting, note to men and negative nellys, a womans value shouldnt come down to whether she smiles and makes you feel good. Tom bergeron taking biles comment to heart apologizing. The question i should have asked and have of many contestants, whats your reaction to the judges comments . Following up, love at simone biles crisp response to my clumsy question. Curious how she felt about judges comments. I unwittingly added to the smile pile. Biles keeping that classy form writing back, we love you, tom. She is clearly dancing on. Back in the ballroom competing next week. Good for her. It was Mother Teresa who said, let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love. Thank you for watching abc news. And as always, were online at abcnews. Com and our Nightline Facebook page. Thanks for the company, america. Good night