[inaudible conversation] [inaudible conversation] [inaudible conversation] were calling back to order the confirmation hearing of the nominee of the fbi director of Christopher Rankin will begin with senator kearns. Thank you for the opportunities to question the witness. Mr. Ray, thank you for your Prior Service in your continued willingness to serve our country, particularly at this important a difficult time. I know this may not need repeating. Let us not forget why we are having this hearing. Your predecessor, james comey was not even at the Halfway Point of his ten year term of fbi director and President Trump abruptly fired him, without cause and without warning. President trump said when he fired director, that he was thinking about the fbis investigation of russian interference in our election, and investigation that director comey was overseen. Now, more than ever i believe it to be crucial the next fbi director be prepared to be steadfastly independent. As we had a chance to
[inaudible conversation] [inaudible conversation] [inaudible conversation] were calling back to order the confirmation hearing of the nominee of the fbi director of Christopher Rankin will begin with senator kearns. Thank you for the opportunities to question the witness. Mr. Ray, thank you for your Prior Service in your continued willingness to serve our country, particularly at this important a difficult time. I know this may not need repeating. Let us not forget why we are having this hearing. Your predecessor, james comey was not even at the Halfway Point of his ten year term of fbi director and President Trump abruptly fired him, without cause and without warning. President trump said when he fired director, that he was thinking about the fbis investigation of russian interference in our election, and investigation that director comey was overseen. Now, more than ever i believe it to be crucial the next fbi director be prepared to be steadfastly independent. As we had a chance to
An effort to cut the flow of money to north korea. Will it put the pressure on kim jongun to rein in his threats. And frustrated state, secretary of state tillerson is said to be upset as dozens of positions in his staff remain unfilled. Im wolf blitzer. Youre in the situation room. The white house is defending President Trump as he faces auburn condemnation over one of his most inflammatory twitter attacks since taking office. The president lashed out at msnbc anchors Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski singling out her disparaging remarking about her intelligence and appearance. A number of Congressional Republicans rebuking the president. White house saying, quote, he fights fire with fight. Meanwhile the investigation into russian entire fierce into the president ial election are heating up. The House Intelligence Committee is threatening to sum the white house for information about recordings President Trump suggested he had of his conversations with former fbi director james come
The Johnson Administration and the Nixon Administration regularly tried to politicize on weapon eyes the fbi. Against civil rights activists and lots of other people who werent able to fight back against that big and overreaching state. One of the reasons why you have earned so much support for the way you conceived of this mission end of this calling today is because of the ways you have made it clear how you think this oath obligates you to work for the constitution and in defense of the constitution on behalf of the American People, not on behalf of either political party. As you have reiterated again and again, the willingness to resign and put aside the investigation, i think that is why you hear so much bipartisan support for your confirmation today. Would you also pledged to this committee that if ever directed by the white house to shut down or curtail an investigation that you would report that back to this committee . Not necessarily in a public setting but at the very least
But also there was politicalization about that all regularly tried to politicize and weaponize the fbi against civil rights activists and against lots of other people that werent able to fight back against that big and overreaching state. And i think one of the reasons that youve received so much support for this mission and this calling today, is that you think this mission and this oath to defend the american constitution on behalf of the people not on any thats why you have so much bipartisan support for your confirmation today. Would you also pledge to this committee that if ever directed by the white house to shut down or curtail an investigation that you would report that back to this committee . Not necessarily in a public setting, but at the very least in a classified setting, would you commit to that any influence from the white house to curtail or end an investigation you would report it back to this committee. I would make sure that i was compliant in all my legal duties but