Break yofrg night former fbi director james comey speaks out for the very First Time Since his abrupt firing. He released a farewell letter to employees after his stunning ouster writing quote i have long believed that a president can fire an fbi director for any reason or for no reason at all. It is done. And i will be fine. As reports surface the president ordered attorney general Jeff Sessions and ag Rod Rosenstein to provide in writing the case for firing comey. Multiple news outlets from the New York Times to the Associated Press report comey had just requested more resources to pursue his investigation in russias meddling in the 2016 election and possible involvement of Trump Associates before his termination. It is fielding questions as it was the true motive behind his firing. The White House Deputy press secretary says the decision had everything to do with his handling of the confidence in director comey, and frankly, hed been considering letting director comey go since the day he was elected. I think also having a letter like the one that he received and having that conversation that outlined the basic just atrocities in circumventing the chain of command in the department of justice. The president responded to comeys firing when meeting with nixons former secretary of state henry kissinger. Why did you fire director comey . Because he wasnt doing a good job. Very simply. He was not doing a good job. As he fought off claims the termination centered on the russia investigation the president had an awkwardly timed meeting with russias foreign minister and their ambassador to the united states. News outlets were shut out. It was up to russia news for images you see here. In a poll now puts president s approval at 36 with 58 disapproving. His standing among independents, noncollege educated white voters and white men the key constituencies that voted him into office dropping. The reaction from congress to the comey firing has been massive. Kristen welker reports. Reporter amid mounting outrage on capitol hill some lawmakers questioning the countrys very foundation. Do you see this as a constitutional crisis . Absolutely. This is a stress test what were living in. Reporter its not just democrats. Increasing number of republicans richard burr chairs the Senate Intelligence committee. 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. The white houses timing was less than puzzled as to the timing. Reporter threes seven Senate Republicans expressed skepticism or outright anger. Today will no doubt hear calls for a new investigation which could only serve to impede the current work being done to not only discover what the russians may have done. House Speaker Paul Ryan defending mr. Trump. It is entirely within the president s role and authority to relieve him and thats what he did. Democrats are demanding the department of justice appoint a special prosecutor to take over the investigation into russias meddling in the u. S. Election, some threatening to try to block trumps pick for the next fbi director until one is appointed. I will vote against any confirmation of an fbi director unless there is support for a special prosecutor. That was chris kin welker re out add to the headaches. Jason cha vits calling for the watchdog to investigate the decision that led to comeys firing. In the senate we are expected to hear from comeys interim replacement Andrew Mccabe as he testifies in comeys place. Were joined by tracie potts in washington. Certainly so much to digest. What more can we learn . Reporter mccabe is in charge of that russia investigation for now until they replace the fbi director. He is coming to this hearing in place of jim comey who was supposed to testify today, he will talk about worldwide threats along with other members of the intelligence community, the nsa and others. Jim comey has been asked to come back and testify sometime next week. So, we may hear from him and it will be interesting now after his firing what he has to say about reports that are being disputed this morning by the Justice Department that he had russia investigation. Meantime, the Senate Intelligence committee for the First Time Since its 9 11 investigation is using its subpoena power trying to get documents on trump ties to russia. They have asked fired National Security adviser mike flynn to turn over documents and first it was a request, now its a subpoena. He of course had asked for immunity, that has been denied. So we wait to find out what the timeline is for him to turn over whatever documents this committee asked for. So many time lines with many questions around them. Tracie potts for us. Hoping to get many answers when our lester holt will interview President Trump tonight at the white house with highlights on nbc nightly news and right here on early today. A far west area of china is recovering this morning from an earthquake that killed eight people. And injured at least 20. The 5. 4 magnitude quake hit a remote surveillance captured the jolts in the Early Morning hours. Over 180 homes were damaged or destroyed. Awful tragedy the wife of long time espn broadcaster chris berman has died. Police say 67yearold kathy berman was one of two People Killed in a car crash in woodbury, concontinue according to police bermans car rearended a vehicle, then veered off the road and landed in water. Berman died at the scene. While the other cars driver was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Espn president john skipper gave his condolences saying this is a devastating tragedy and difficult to comprehend. Our thoughts and prayers are with chris, meredith, doug and the family. Chris and kathy were married over 33 years. The clashes and demands for new elections in venezuela show no signs of letting u. Protestersac countrys national guard. Troops fired Water Cannons and tear gas as demonstrators used shields. Dozens were hurt and one man killed bringing the death toll to 39 since the clashes began six weeks ago. More than 1300 people have been arrested so far. According to the Associated Press over 250 civilian detainees have been brought before military courts rather than civilian ones sparking outcry from human rights activists. Education secretary betsy devos receives boos giving a speech at historically black university in day for that beach, florida. I am honored to become a wildcat. Outside protesters organized by the local naacp stood for hours, theyre upset that devos called historically black colleges and universities great examples of school choice. Protesters say those schools were creat no other choice. Meanwhile t disruption continued inside, at one point the School President warned graduates if their behavior continued this would happen. Your degrees will be mailed to you. Several people were escorted out of the auditorium by security though it did not appear any of the graduates were among them. Along the georgia Florida Border a wild fire continues to burn forcing a mandatory evacuation in the southern half of Charlton County in georgia. More than 144,000 acres have burned and so far the fire is only about 12 contained. Before we look at that lets check with bill karins keeping a close watch on 22 million at risk today from severe thunderstorms, bill. What are we looking at . Not too many tornados today. Mostly looking at heavy rain, maybe isolated flash flooding and wind and hail damage. Clusters of ss southern indiana, another southern portions of illinois. We go throughout the afternoon well get storms that will move and form in oklahoma and arkansas then heading through areas of kentucky, west virginia, and also down in areas around North Carolina and richmond. 22 million at risk as we mentioned. Isolated tornados, large hail the biggest problem today out in oklahoma and texas. We have still that hot weather in areas of the deep south. Pictures of the fire in florida that dry hot weather continues today. Thats a look at the big weather story of the day. Now a closer look. As we watch out in areas of dallas early today for the storms they move to the east in the afternoon. The southeast very hot. Orlando today 97 degrees near record highs from orlando, Daytona Beach to jacksonville. Of course, this weekend frances we have the noreaster t same storm plaguing the middle of the country coming up the seaboard for a soaking rain. The timing on that coming up. Were not goi happy about that when it comes to moms and celebrations. I want to ask you this. What to get moms for mothers day. You may want to avoid breakfast in bed. 4 of moms surveyed say thats what they want. 53 want to dine out with family and 39 brefr brunch. Picking a restaurant steer clear of loud music, and restaurants that dont take reservations. Did the russians pull a fast one on President Trump . We cant stay here 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 . What twisted ankle . Ask what muscle strain . 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Lower fares, more on time flights and believe it or not, historically low bump rates all contributed to the score. The Washington Post reports former u. S. Intelligence officials are alarmed that a photographer for the russian stateowned news agency was allowed into the Oval Office Wednesday during Donald Trumps meetings with the Russian Foreign minister and ambassador to the united states. The Officials Say that person could have brought in a listening device or other surveillance equipment. The white house downplayed the danger saying the photographer and his equipment were screened before they entered the grounds. The richest rappers on the music scene, can you name them . How about this. His top spot this year. With six albums, a deal and a stake in a new tv knelt work diddy has a net worth of 820 million. In second is who i thought bould be first, jayz, his fortunes round out to 810 million. And dr. Dre, his deal brings his worth to 740 million. 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The ban is in place on nights from eight countries in the middle east and africa due to fears they could conceal a bomb. Members of the International Olympic committee in los angeles to evaluate the city as host of the 2024 summer games. The plan calls for the use of existing sports venues and athletes to be housed in dorms at ucla. And more than a dozen works by a british artist are going up for auction in l. A. , that is umel berlin. It could go for 100,000. If you cant buy them beat them at their game, facebooks battle for snapchats 166 million daily users. New details on the battle. Nancy, i had that on facebook. I skip over it but seems they want everybody to go and do it. And use it. Reporter to have all of the filters with the cat ears and the pig noses. That instagrams story feature, the first Earnings Report since snaps anticipated market debut disappointing analysts especially on revenue and the user growth. 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