James Comey Reacts to House Republicans Subpoenaing Him: ‘Happy Thanksgiving’

It seems James Comey isn’t particularly worried that Congressional Republicans are demanding that he testify before them on Capitol Hill.

The former FBI director got on Twitter Thursday morning to announce that he has received a Thanksgiving present: a subpoena. Judging by his response, Comey is prepared to appear for a hearing, but says he will push back if it doesn’t happen in public view.

Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans. I’m still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions. But I will resist a “closed door” thing because I’ve seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion. Let’s have a hearing and invite everyone to see.

— James Comey (@Comey) November 22, 2018

Comey’s attorney, David N. Kelley, released a statement to the media elaborating on his client’s request that the hearing be held in the open.

“Mr. Comey embraces and welcomes a hearing open to the public, but the subpoena issued yesterday represents an abuse of process, a divergence from House rules and its presumption of transparency. Accordingly, Mr. Comey will resist in Court this abuse of process.”

Since House Republicans lost their majority to the Democrats in the midterm elections, recent reports have suggested that they were preparing last-ditch efforts to subpoena Comey and former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

Comey’s firing by President Trump has been a major component of the ongoing investigations into Russia’s activities in 2016, and the former FBI chief remains a controversial figure among those who question whether his investigation of Hillary Clinton‘s email scandal was tainted by bias.

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