“By grandstanding and politicizing the investigation into Russia’s actions, James Comey created unnecessary pressure on our ability to engage and negotiate with Russia,” Mr. Spicer said.
“The investigation would have always continued, and obviously, the termination of Comey would not have ended it.
The day after firing Mr. Comey, Mr. Trump hosted Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, in the Oval Office, along with the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey I. Kislyak.
The meeting ignited controversy this week when it was revealed that Mr. Trump had disclosed intelligence from an Israeli counterterrorism operation.
Many Democrats, and some Republicans, have said that the president may have tried to obstruct justice by firing Mr. Comey.
The Times reported the day after Mr. Comey was fired that the president had told aides there was “something wrong with” Mr. Comey.
He told the Russians that his poll numbers remained strong and that Americans wanted the government to have a healthy relationship with Russia. »
