Comey’s Thursday hearing will be only public testimony

Fired FBI Director James Comey’s hotly-anticipated testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday will be his only public testimony, according to Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.).

“I don’t know what he’s going to talk about. I know he accepted our invitation and he expressed that this would be the only public hearing he would hold,” Burr told reporters on Tuesday. 

Comey has already turned down an invitation to testify publicly before the Senate Judiciary Committee, frustrating the leaders of that panel. 

Chairman Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) has hinted that the committee “could” subpoena the former director. 

Together with ranking member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), he warned that his committee won’t be sidelined and the two sent a flurry of statements following Comey’s refusal, noting their committee has jurisdiction over the FBI.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), alongside Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) reiterated Tuesday that they wanted to see Comey appear before that committee as well. 

Jordain Carney contributed.