Former FBI Director James Comey testifies about President Trump before the Senate Intelligence Committee in early June.

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

FBI Director James Comey drafted a statement about the conclusion of the Hillary Clinton investigation months before the former secretary of state was even interviewed, according to documents released Monday. 

A vast majority of the documents were redacted and posted to the FBI’s “Vault” Freedom of Information Act reading room.

The documents confirm assertions by Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. Lindsey Graham that Comey drafted his statement ahead of the investigation’s closure.

It’s unclear whether the Comey violated any rules by drafting the statement before the interview with Clinton.

President Trump, via White House

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

Amid months of speculation that Donald Trump may fire the Justice Department’s special counsel, the president said Monday he is not considering terminating Robert Mueller, who is leading the investigation into Russia’s role in the 2016 presidential election.

Trump made the pronouncement when asked about the investigation by reporters in the Rose Garden, CNN reports. 

“The whole Russian thing was an excuse for the Democrats losing the election,” Trump said before adding there’s been “absolutely no collusion.”

“It’s been stated that they have no collusion. They ought to get to the end of it because I think the American public is sick of it.”

Rep. Tom Marino

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

President Trump’s top pick for the nation’s drug czar, Rep. Tom Marino, has withdrawn his name from consideration, Trump tweeted Tuesday morning.

Calls mounted for Trump to dump Marino following a scathing Washington Post/“60 Minutes” story that exposed the congressman for siding with drug companies over the DEA’s battle to address the opioid crisis.

On Twitter, Trump wrote, “Rep.Tom Marino has informed me that he is withdrawing his name from consideration as drug czar. Tom is a fine man and a great Congressman!”

Trump told reporters Monday that he “will make a change” if he decides Marino’s actions curbed the fight against opioid abuse.

Other Stories of Interest

• FBI Report Accounts for 118 Police Officers Killed in Line of Duty in 2016
• FBI, DC Police Ask for Public’s Help Finding Missing 11-Year-Old
• Thurgood Marshall Had a Secret Relationship with the FBI
• FBI: 16-Year-Old Used Nude Photos Blackmail Dozens of Classmates
• DEA to Kick Off Annual Red Ribbon Campaign