the n, the beginning of book i put somewhat tongue and ruleslist of the economic of the dysfunctional healthcare you think of f healthcare as a business will solve, market you know, you get to crazy places, like, you know, lifetime of treatment is preferable to a cure. i am not saying for a second really thinks that, but that is where market forces put you right now. afterwards sunday night at 9 p.m. eastern. >> "washington journal" continues. again, if you are with us for this remaining 45 minutes of he program, your thoughts on the firing of the f.b.i. director, if you support and oppose it. lines, 202-748-8000 for democrats.

republicans, 202-748-8001. independents, 202-748-8002. the united states, across the united states events from hts yesterday. prot test that took place around in front of also the white house, this is the fresno beat, the lower portion this morning saying, comey said to have sought more aid for the russia is associated probe, story.ciated press the constitution, aftermath of f.b.i. oufter. about the president's role, james comey and potential replacement that could end up up the f.b.i. and the tantrum, , tuchler donald's rage over russia testimony led to acts in the the daily news. elaine, you are up first, ashington, d.c., independent line, good morning. caller: good morning.

wanted to talk i to turley, he is talking about we don'the crime here, have facts. back to the campaign and the invitation. rump himself made the invitation, russia, if you are listening, when the comments hillary clinton thing was really, really more in the press. to alone was invitation russia to get involved, even if they weren't. think that is very important and people keep overlooking that. the second thing, turley something about there needs to be more civility, let's alk about the way he fired comey. unkooth, cooth, embarrassing way he did when los angeles as in and he learned about it at the same time everybody else did, of how trump e oes things, how angry he gets, how knee-jerk and thoughtless he is about many decisions he's

made. want to say. host: james comey wrote a note light of his f in firing, cnn has it, saying, i can fire president director for any reason or no reason at all, i will not spend it on the decision or how was executed. i hope you won't either. will miss you and the mission deeply. i said in times of turbulence, the american people should see of confidencerock and independence, what makes of people,d, quality who together make that rock for america. it is very hard to leave a group people committed to doing the right thing, my hope you will continue to live our value and protecting the american people and upholding the constitution. if you do that, you, too, will sad when you leave and american people will be safer. working with you has been a great joy of my life. thank you for that gift, jim comey. host: sandra from alabama, line, hi.n

caller: yes, i agree totally did. i the president think he should have fired him a long, long time ago. don't understand how they russian, no way in the world i took my voting from a russian. because of hillary clinton needed to be out and rump was the best man and the republicans need to stand behind his president or they're going to lose their office. thank you. new york, nt, in democrats line. hi. caller: hi, how you doing? host: fine, thank you. are on. caller: i had a question. can you think of another person in which a power being investigated has the to terminate a person investigating that? comparisons have been made to richard nixon. happened d look what with him. host: your point?

he's gone. anthony, sierra vista, arizona, independent line. pedro, good morning, you're looking good this morning, hope you are enjoying the weather. say, i support director comey being fired. it actually has to do with health like healthcare. the director comey is honorable than tands taller president trump, then if he was under as his director president trump, surely his ealth would be in terrible or deteriorated condition. i'd like for us to look at this fired, donald trump, president trump, known as the if you resident, but reverse those words, it means -- rift means reduction in everyone 's removing around him that can provide any

of intelligence. o, i support it only because i want our director comey, former f.b.i. director, to live a long prosperous life. host: the f.b.i. director has intelligence committee to testify next week, no indication if he's done that yet. you probably seen the photo of the president meeting in the russia's e with foreign minister and the russian ambassador. this photo provided by russian agency, the agency. some reaction from the white via gym accosta of cnn, tweet saying the white house furious that the government photos of the trump meeting with russian ambassador and the "they tricked er us, an official said of the russians, they lie, adding the didn't anticipate be the photograph would

posted, according to the official," it was the foreign minister asked about ongoing into russia's influence, also asked about his houghts on the james comey firing, as well, here is his response. developed system, resident trump publicly stated on number of occasions what he hinks about accusations and allegations regarding russia's affairs and that for him ere is no need assurance behind closed doors. there is not single facts, no compelling evidence given to anyone regarding russian intervention and that there is not single facts, no s ou are talking about international affairs in your country, why don't you try to the truth and get those

facts? is question that has nothing to do with my authority, lots of examples, n russia, in france, in are appointed and dismissed, that is internal issue. host: janet from kansas, republican line. there. caller: hi there, how are you? host: go ahead. caller: i support president trump and everything he's done. i think that firing comey was best moves. comey basically lost his redibility when he did not go after hillary clinton. think the clintons are still stirring the pot. she ot off scott free when ought to be sitting behind bars. her connections around the world, all the money

the clintons have taken under their foundation, all the connections they have had from through the the way white house and on, beyond, when he was secretary of state, all the lies that she's told, you he dropped the ball on that one. and he should have been fired and there. ntil they start throwing some of these people behind bars that go in, i watch committees, you the fifth.hey take they go in there and they don't anything, except that, you know, i can't answer this because it is classified. know, this is just a witch democrats 's the don't like trump and i don't can be bought, you know. host: janet, when you -- janet, you say witch hunt, are you

talking about the russian investigation, what do you think of the firing g and concerns by democrats and firing ublicans about someone at the head of a current investigation? aller: i think he should have fired him a long time ago, yes. host: you made that point, but russian the investigation going on at the white house? think the clintons are behind that, obama is behind that, their way of distracting people from what going onrats have been for the last eight years under the obama administration. okay, let's go to larry, memphis, tennessee, democrats line. ahead. caller: -- comey wouldn't go with that lie that he put out that president obama had his phone tapped. he was red hot about that, quite hot, you could say. that, people ought to

e -- especially when this man attorney and deputy general, soon as he does that, he's fired when he asks for more money to wrap up the investigation. he gets fired, that tells me all need to know right there. host: what does it tell you? caller: republicans don't like they make up they own truth and their own facts. tennessee, the m "washington post" editors this morning in their pages, how to mess.up the comey this is what editors write. much burden for cleaning up the congress, on community house and senate nvestigation produce valuable testimony, many lawmakers prove themselves incapable of separating politics from work of committees are supposed to be conducting. it is obvious congress should enpanel independent commission to fully investigate moscow hacking attack and russian links trump and campaign. goal should not be to determine

if anyone should be charged with to develop ut also complete picture of russian apabilities and intention and recommendation for mounting defense of u.s. democracy. you, bel morning to air, maryland, on the independent line. caller: hi. hi.: caller: i'm actually just an merican and people keep referring to clinton's benghazi clinton he e-mail, the foundation. well, you know what, it is rhetoric. f you actually look at the government archives from the intelligence community, you'll all of that has been investigated by the government all he has been cleared of that. ut everyone goes back to that distraction. it's just not true. i feel as though from the very this campaign there has been a lot of propaganda

this country about democrats this, republicans that. is a huge division among he people of this country, the politics of this country. a hink that a lot of it is distraction from the issues that are really at hand. i feel this administration and has done parties nothing to serve the american perpetuating this decision. there needs to be -- mary.mary, specifically to the firing, support or oppose it? okay.r: i oppose it. here is why. was lotted o, comey by the president, the timing is suspicious. glad he got fired ecause now he can give testimony under oath.

one is talking about rice, who refused to participate in the hearing. she is his superior or was his uperior, yet she would not allow him to go over the chain and -- nd host: do you mean susan rice? mary, do you -- caller: why not? st. go to john, john in paul, california, republican line. caller: good morning. comey should have been fired and i think it should have een president obama who fired him. now let's put the shoe on the other foot. suppose it was donald trump that server on his -- in his basement. would have indicted trump right then and there. indict hillary clinton because she was a democratic candidate. this whole ed problem, made comey have that

where press conference, he contradicted himself, so this because tarted resident obama was not -- was partisan president and not a fair president. hacking, russian hillary clinton tipped off putin muslim spring when they had the riots in russia. the one thaton was supported the riots anti-putin russia.n remember the pussy riot, the an, that was supported by the american. putin had his own reason for hating hillary. it.p had nothing to do with they have come out several times comey had idn't and five, six months now to come up about trump and he hasn't? please. give me a break, democrats, you gotten sour grapes and

you need to get off it. country, get he behind this guy, let's drain the swamp of guys like comey and get real business about getting this country going again. host: john in california. want to see f you the document that come into question over the last couple of the document by the deputy ttorney general, the letter from president trump, go to our c-span.org to find documents that took place, read them for yourself. for the final half-hour of this program, your thoughts on the of the f.b.i. director. 202-748-8000 for democrats. 202-748-8001 for republicans. 202-748-8002, independents. pence e president, mike on capitol hill yesterday, he talked to reporters about the director, he f.b.i. responded to a question specifically looking at the if

effort to was obstruct current f.b.i. investigation into russia. president's vite response. vice president pence: as you stated repeatedly and the president has been told, investigation and former director clapper of the director of national said, there is no collusion between our campaign and any russian -- let me that is not be clear with you, that was not what this is about. not what this is about. the president took strong and leadership here to put the safety and security of the by ican people first accepting the recommendation of to deputy attorney general remove director comey as the head of the f.b.i. havemerican people have to confidence in the federal bureau

of investigation and because of that the deputy attorney general outlined to the endorsed , that were and agreed with by the attorney general, the president made the decision at the right time and now we look forward to finding that individual who will be able to lead that agency and all the outstanding men and to a of the f.b.i. back place where we move past the politics of the last year that have swirled around trektor comey's leadership and we can move back to a place where every american can know the f.b.i. is able to do its job to enforce our laws and nation.our host: there is acting director of the f.b.i., he is set to senate in front of the today. "wall street journal" looks at who might be named interim director. showing pictures of the potential candidates, adding named director will take control of agency of 13,000

agents and 35,000 employees, those interviewed for the .b.i. position, adam lee, in the richmond office and michael anderson, the chicago office, officials said. senior f.b.i. official oversees cyber crime issues was and the candidates ivinina, illiam overseeing counter intelligence intelligence. glen from illinois, democrats line. go ahead. i don't think they should have done it. i think they threw the assistant a.. the bus, now you watch, there will be a big smoke screen up, trump's file and a about all these 3000 or --

3000 voters that weren't upistered and that is coming today. thank you. maryland, on, independent line, next up. was just trying to get back to the point that trump has banks, after he went bankrupt, he couldn't gets a loan in the united states. money from chinese banks, russian banks, that is what we focusing on here, you know, firing comey is a problem, pretty much a -- kushner, before came to the united states, got a sweetheart deal to save him from his failing hotel, i mean, the list goes on and on know what need to his tax returns are, his ties to loans from russian banks, banks, because conflict of interest is more than what hillary clinton's would have with her foundation.

and, i think they need to keep on the money and things drip, and drip, drip, pretty much we're living in a now. right the trumps make money for themselves, that is what he's doing. host: radio show host hugh hewitt, contributor to "washington post," has a piece looking now. was rumps make at the issue, ts no saturday night massacer, which he writes, anyone who this is connected to cover-up of russian collusion as to believe both rosenstein and sessions participate in such a corrupt scheme, i don't. think that. to we read "the rosie show" memo a a story, there is comey was wrong in july, wrong as recently as last week and error, the story is straight line about rosenstein, we have to endure days of over the top takes from the mainstream media. night not "saturday

massacer," no resignation from instead ce department, recommendation from the justice department. four months into administration, thefour years and in short, overall media toppled into hysteria, again. hugh hewitt, "washington post." ashburg, virginia, republican line, go ahead. caller: hi, this is john kay. my question is, it is very short, why hasn't anybody been in jail?and put if all the things going on in the last several months, nobody put in jail. they always talk about it is a that, but is and nobody been put in jail, i just don't understand. ost: wait a minute, who should be put in jail and for what? caller: for lying. hillary clinton and her the servers know, and all that. assistant hasn't been put in

jail. know, been up u there guilty for something or other, no one put in jail. is always, you know, they always talk about it, but don't i'm sorry about it, that, is my thing, i'm sorry. host: from edward this morning, writes in the comment section of financial times, trump's he says ice massacre, this, the key point, mr. trump him.d the man investigating nixon saturday night massacre the special pros cutesor was three only president, consequences. -- this calls l will amount to special prosecutor to take over the russian investigation. compelled to do so, as was bill clinton. econd consequence, mr. trump will find it impossible to banish russian narrative and down in moscow. russian government made secret contaminate u.s. democracy on tuesday, vladamir

putin chalked up another victory. president did something associated with nondemocracy, interfered with course of nixon fired even the head of the f.b.i. that is the financial times take on events of the last couple of days. virginia, jack, independent line. caller: hi. my opinion is the president has a right to fire the f.b.i. director. the f.b.i. director made mistakes. ofever, he was never accused doing anything unethical or unlawful. servant, whose served honorably, who made to akes, deserves the right resign, in my opinion, not be like you arenguage terminated immediately, immediately, which is ju treated like eing a t.v. prop.

it's disgusting. and inhumane. is a father of children, honorably e his job and he was treated like that ithout the right to resign, i think it was classless, a classless act and for pence to leadership is i think it is just disgusting. but, again, the president had a ight to ask for his resignation, fire him if he didn't offer resignation, but to or him in such a hollywood new york or t.v. prime-time, terminated effectively is completely opposite of classless and a clown act, in my opinion. has "wall street journal" associated press photo of jim comey at home, dressed in casual his firing.is after this is out of his nearby home of irginia outside washington, d.c. katie, from brockton,

line.husetts, democrats caller: good morning. katie, from massachusetts, hi. caller: good morning. and question is, mr. of the new nt page york time and "washington post," russians people does makingonstrate mr. trump america great again, period. not? why caller: why not? because that is not making these great again when people have hacked into our voting and interfering, that is not making again. great host: there is photo, by the way, this is "washington post" photo. and images ctures released by the news agency, that were allowed for and oval office briefing

there it is on the "washington post." in e, that was massachusetts. go to came, lynchburg, virginia, line.ican caller: yes, thank you for taking my call. i don't ike to say, understand why republicans are even take thanksgiving excuse inut comey and what happened july of last year when trump did on that.but praise him actually when he was elected, praised him for the same thing. and now when the investigation is underway he decided comey to step back because he had done something wrong and omething he praised in the beginning, i just don't nderstand why this excuse is flying with anybody. lake, daniel in lazy florida. caller: yes, hi, pedro. how are you? my call. for taking i just wanted to say that i

therstand the president has ability to fire director comey or former director comey, but i there is a lack of tact involved with everything we have been dealing with since candidate trump and now understandrump and i he's my president and i will support this, but i just feel is something wrong. that i not the america grew up in and should have to continue to live in. that is what i want to say. thank you. james off twitter says call me for laying out solid the before coming to tarmac. and news make anies firing by president of the united states, the media. president trump fires someone i'm afraid it e, will be a media event regardless. ff twitter, make your thoughts known as c-span wj, post on facebook.com/c-span, watch us on television, you can

watch the white house press briefing when they air. air them. huckabee, fill nothing for spicer. talked about the firing and things that stem friday that of idea of a special prosecutor came up and asked sanders about it. here is her response. -- continue? >> we don't think it is necessary, you have a house senate committee and department of justice all working on this, i don't think is necessary need at this point to add that, you have deputy attorney general, who i say about as independent as it comes, due to the fact bitart san such support. host: press briefing, by the it, go you want to see to our website at c-span.org. e archive those for you to watch and other things relating

to the events of the last couple days. democrats line. rick, hello. caller: hello. yes, i have a comment about comey getting fired. been k he should have fired during some of the hearings. he was asked questions about how people could get into to unmask and he had nsa chief, the other e knew exactly how many people could do that. host: that photo, by the way, the photo we showed previously president and the russian mbassador and foreign minister, back story to that, too. alex whitesford from politico, personally asked president trump to host the foreign minister in the oval according to susan lasser of politico and that politico take on it, others have

information, as well. florida, a in independent line. caller: thanks for taking my call. 'm so glad to hear another republican talk about trump. trump has so much sense, but hillary. to talk about nobody would have been elected things t with all the that was revealed about trump know, if scalia, had not be , trump would president today. country ns are about first, i'm hopeful for the young people, they are going to put country first, not party first. okay. is a crook, we know it and let's -- power. follow the way, if you us on twitter, you can participate in twitter poll that this topic. on it is framed along lines of what as far as the t.v. audience when it comes to

supporting and opposing the firing of f.b.i. director james comey. opposes outweigh the support on again, not a ut specific poll by any means, just as far as ion, or quick response, as it were. you can make your thoughts known when you go to the twitter page at c-span wj. south carolina, republican line, you are next. caller: hi, how you doing? host: fines, thanks. caller: my opinion is, he should have been fired. i support this, the biggest is independent of both parties, political wise. the justice r department, his whole thing, he went out and was rogue as far as making decisions as he did. i support this as far as what he did in the hillary clinton case in the election. he took this in his own hands, he po this, therefore when he comes into this meeting, he going ate investigation mr po , he still is

liticizing. bring someone in that is independent of all that rhetoric as far as po liticizing any swigz that we have here and make and honest, independent nvestigation of this whole situation. host: you think anybody that will come into the position of be able to tor will do that without some type of question, whoever the president ecides to appoint for the position? caller: yes, i do f. they can get up there and democrats and work together and get up there and choose someone who is not going to this position and this office, then yes, therefore, i think he can go in do an independent investigation without it being either side.iday host: couple other stories taking place on the page of the newspapers today. about transgender cadets in the air force and army. vanderbrook saying

cadets will be allowed to graduate this month in new preferred gender, buts the rank of o join newest officers, according to "u.s.a. today." will not rce and army commission cadets because pept gone has not established accepting new transgender troops in the ranks. the name of cadets and new not released, they must pass exam to graduate. the defense secretary carter rescinded ban on transgender troops. presidency allowed transgender troops to serve openly. for accepting new troop system scheduled to be developed and phased in this year. hat story on the page of "u.s.a. today," you can read that. also include stories about investigation or current actions as far as jim comey is concerned, their main feature, time line of events you can read for yourself. texas, democrats line.

caller: yes, good morning. ahead.o caller: this is for the president, he is not my president. bigoted, w-minded, ugly person. i want to leave this with the democrats and me independents who voted for the man. ou are going to be looking for the -- building to jump off. thank you. south om, anderson, carolina, you're next. that : i just want to say i think comey should have been ago, when he ime thought he was the justice department. over uld have turned that to loretta lynch and told her it was up to her to do an hillary.t on hillary had a private server that she shouldn't have had. allowed to ngs were go by the waste side and i think our dent trump and he is president, the other caller

doesn't think so, he is our united states, just as obama was our president of the united states and we need to move forward. about russia has gone on long too long, let's clear it get it over and move on. they have nothing else to fight about, they lost the election, over, we need to move on and get things done in this country. president is really trying to do that. everybody wants to oppose him on the left. clearing as far as up, you said clearing up the russian thing, how do you do that? investigations in the house, f.b.i. ongoing. do you think with those taking place, it is possible to clear up this matter? a grand jury have investigation, if that is what it takes, but to have a special is just a way , to drag it out for years and indicted ody will be by special prosecutor. bring them in to grand jury that amendment,e the fifth they have to come clean on

everything. that. move forward with have a grand jury, you do not eed to have a special prosecutor. host: another story on the washington times talks about secretary, betsy devos, and the reception she commencement ceremony saying on wednesday she plowed through her first of her ment address tenure over the noisy chorus of the university. after booing and cat calls began devos took the podium, many, but not all students stood up and turned backs on her while one could be heard chanting, every out the ocean center in daytonia beach, there anti-devos signs. early on, the president of the interrupted mrs.

devos to say he would scrap the ceremony unless the crowd quieted. way you want to go,pted he said, in video to the graduation posted by several t.v. stations, the selection of keynote speaker ignited critic when is she students, way you want to go, he facult and he community leaders. d.c., republican line. hello. going. hi, how's it ust wanted to discuss comey firing and discuss the fellow who say that hillary clinton has been doing dealings and -- [cutting out] -- apologize, your dropping off in a really fast way.

i apologize for that. do try scombak we'll see if we can get you back on. christine, rockville, maryland, democrats line. caller: hi. wanted to say that i agree ith the firing of comey, however, i disagree with the timing of it. that this president and about te has lied anything from thousands of cheering as 9/11 hit and and i don't understand how republicans can overlook, i just reasoning, it is because of the way comey handled break., give me a he doesn't care that comey upset hillary. encouraged it. like that, i tuff can't believe anything he says. know, comey n't could have been fired for

legitimate reasons, but the time awfully suspicious. house speaker paul ryan was asked about the firing, here is his response. i think the president lost patience and people in the justice department lost trektortrektor -- director comey himself. were losing confidence and he does not want to see the disarray, but up and running and moving well. issue r comey became an himself, it is within the president's authority and role to do this. an important e decision, decision in his right to do it. forward and find a capable person to replace him. host: next few minutes of the program. on the independent line, this is massachusetts, sharon, hi.

caller: hi, how are you? host: well, thank you. good.: that's i just wanted to, you know, i constantly and c-span. totally sick and tired donald trump won the presidency fair and square. i don't care. russia, whatever f. he wanted to make people believe r let them think this will distract me from russia, this gives anybody more reason to his campaign further. okay. democrats of all, the and all the republicans in the ouse and the senate, they're us.cted by and i really wish that they would all get off their butts and start doing their job so we can have healthcare and so that tax reform bill can go through. they are going to fight this

president, the democrats, the because they can't stop crying that hillary clinton didn't win. host: on our facebook page, 1400 responses to this question so far. ou can post yours there, as well. sue brooks saying, the f.b.i. director serves at the pleasure president, always been so. in fact, bill clinton fired his director, i see nothing forrious, save the out rage another occasion. comey was a threat to trump by resources to e investigation the trump-russian collusion, losing control of not y function, this is going away. again, amongst 1400, plenty of opinions on that. yours to the conversation by visiting facebook.com/c-span. take time to like us, if you haven't already. yours to the follow us at

conversation by c-span wj. brad, in minnesota, republican line. hi there. kwaukt morning, pedro. this whole situation just isn't is actually s telling the people. this was actually to help hillary, this deal with comey coming out, it makes all perfect internal all the polling showed hillary being down. maybe not, those are rigged and fake, internal wereng before the election showing trump winning. this was just to get the last hillary had y that no wrongdoing. this is just foolish. been fired wayve back when. he tried helping hillary, it work. people keep putting stupid nonsense about the russian collusion. the russian collusion was laundering eling, money to the clinton foundation,

story. the real another story, comey tried helping hillary with getting the last jab in. i mean, i don't know why you people keep pushing the stupid know, that u don't r reason, but i know, it's going to come down and come out that what has and what is the right thing to do. so, i enjoy the debate, but i've never lost in this debate, you know, this was for hillary. anyway, so they got to quit crying. betsy devos way, event i told you about the story from the washington times, we event and taped it and will make it on to our c-span website. a lot of commencement speeches take place. one of 26 planned that we plan in.aking betsy devos included, varying stripes and people,

stay close to the website to see as commencement speeches they get on the website at c-span.org. cincinnati, ohio, independent this is gene. hi. hi.er: host: you're on, go ahead. caller: yes, i believe that we a good president. i think trump is one of the best years.nts we've had in host: talk about the firing of jim comey and your thoughts on that. he did the lieve right thing because it's just -- all kinds of things, russia and everything. comey guy would get over of course, be a war everything that's happened. seems like he's constantly, you into having trouble, you know, trouble, trouble, trouble. host: um -- gene, apologys for more call get one

in. a.j. from michigan, democrats line, jump in. hello, thanks for taking my call. this is -- i'm pretty young, so trump got elected, i wanted to look into the nixon thing, in case. and it is amazing to me how up.fectly this all lines also, i guess the second thing, it is surprising to me how often we hear republican line stuff about hillary. she lost, right? we're not worriedabout her, we're about what trump did. i guess i don't support the firing. host: last call on the topic and today in front of the senate committee, it is not director comey, it is acting f.b.i. director, andrew jackson andrew mccabe alongside mike pompeo testifying in front of intelligence committee, the topic is global threats, future of the f.b.i. ay come up in that discussion, asel