this is "nightline." >> tonight, fiery fallout. >> he was not doing a good job. >> president trump on the firing of fbi director james comey. and a rising tide of concern by many it's all about alleged campaign ties to russia. >> it's clear he's trying to cut off any investigation. >> some making comparisons to nixon. saying saturday night massacre. many also saying it's time to move on. >> we've got a chance for a fresh start. >> what happens next? plus dirty dancing? >> no, none! >> louder than life dance mom star abby lee miller speaking out after being sentenced to a year and one day in prison for financial crimes. >> i wasn't ever trying to hurt anyone. >> how she plans to spend her time behind bars. but first the "nightline 5."

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former co-workers at the agency. all extreme raerks from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle wondering what this could mean for our country going forward. here's abc's david wright. >> reporter: tonight the president, who complained so loudly about the rigged system in washington, now seems to be holding all the strings. >> why did you fire director comey? >> because he wasn't doing a good job, very simply. he was not doing a good job. >> reporter: not only did the administration brush off questions about trump's firing of fbi director james comey -- >> president trump made the right decision at the right time. >> reporter: the white house also sought to move past comey's ongoing investigation into russian meddling in the november election -- >> which includes whether there was any coordination between people associated with the trump campaign and the russians. >> let's put it behind us, let's move on, let's focus on what we need to do to turn our country around. >> reporter: then today in an ironic bit of timing the president held an oval office meeting with some of the same

russian officials known to be targets of that investigation. there's the president. shaking hands with russian ambassador sergei kislyak. dig smiles all around. the image captured by kremlin photographers. the white house press corps kept out of the room. they weren't far away. >> it was a packed white house briefing room. filling in for sean spicer, sarah huckabee sanders. isn't it true that the president had already decided to fire james comey and he asked the justice department to put together the rationale for that firing? >> no. >> when did he make the decision? >> he made the decision for the final decision to move forward with it was yesterday. but i know that he's been contemplating it for a while. >> the white house story has evolved. last night it was portrayed as simply the president firing comey because of the recommendation of the deputy attorney general. now what we heard -- >> frankly, he'd been considering letting director comey go since the day he was leaked. >> reporter: today comey himself

was back to being a private citizen, spotted outside his home no longer sporting a suit. he sent a letter to his fbi colleagues saying, it is done, and i will be fine. although i will miss you and the mission deeply. here at fbi headquarters there's still a lot of commotion about why this went down the way it did. everyone's confused, stunned, shell shocked. but they're being told by their superiors, do your job. >> reporter: in congress, lawmakers were caught off guard too. including the senator leading one of the key investigations. >> the timing and the reasons for this decision made little sense to me. and i don't think i've heard anything since last night that would clarify that in any way. >> reporter: today sources told us that monday, the day before comey was fired, he'd requested additional resources for the russia investigation, a request the justice department denies. a growing tide of democrats say this is an effort to slow down

that investigation. >> i think it's all about russia. it's not about hillary. >> it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what this is about. >> reporter: on the senate floor -- >> if there was ever a time when circumstances warranted a special prosecutor, it is right now. >> reporter: the democrats' pleas fell on deaf ears. >> our democratic colleagues complaining about the removal of an fbi director whom they themselves repeatedly and sharply criticized. that removal being done by a man, rod rosenstein, whom they repeatedly and efuseively praised. >> reporter: that man, deputy attorney general rod rosenstein, wrote the three-page memo the president cited as his reason for firing comey. rosenstein is a career prosecutor. shortly before his confirmation he spoke with wmar in baltimore about the kinds of challenges he'd likely face as deputy attorney general. >> a new president, a new

attorney general, they have the right to determine where they want to focus their resources. but when it comes down to how we conduct the investigations, who's the target, who we prosecute, those decisions need to be made in a way that is completely independent of politics. >> reporter: sounds about right. but rosenstein probably never imagined he'd make his debut on the national stage quite like this. >> the new deputy attorney general rod rosenstein -- >> one thing pointed out to me is looking closely at that memo, he doesn't actually say you should fire comey. >> that's right. that's right. >> that's because that's not the way it's done? or did the president go beyond what was asked for in the memo? >> well, there is no how it's done. when it comes to dismissing the fbi director. >> tonight's comment on the handle of the white house tapes compromised -- >> reporter: the last time a president was accused of trying to short circuit an investigation against him was a long time ago. >> in the congress for the first time since the watergate case began, talk of presidential

impeachment no longer sounds like idle chatter. that's as a result of the weekend firing of special prosecutor archibald cox -- >> reporter: the so-called saturday night massacre, when nixon's attorney general and deputy attorney general resigned when the president ordered them to fire the watergate special prosecutor archibald cox, who like comey was fiercely independent. >> there was a widespread feeling that there was need for an investigation. >> do you think the watergate comparison is a fair one? >> yes. what we see in both situations is a president feeling that an investigation was getting too close for comfort and trying to shut it down. >> reporter: one key difference between now and then, there was a select committee on watergate holding hearings on capitol hill. there were actual tapes recorded by nixon in the oval office promising direct proof of a cover-up. and there were dogged reporters at "the washington post" and

elsewhere piecing it all together. >> the difference now is that the only one of those checks that is there is the press. and the president has spent a great deal of his presidency undermining the press. >> we need woodward and bernstein. >> right. >> reporter: would bob woodward and carl bernstein have had the same impact in the era of twitter? and so-called fake news? >> we know there's no such thing as fake news. we live in a time when people don't believe facts. and if we can't convince that facts are facts, that's a very difficult situation. >> reporter: tonight the senate intel committee issued a subpoena for documents from general mike flynn, a sign their investigation of him is pressing on. senators are also asking questions about trump's business dealings. >> during your investigation of all things russia, did you ever find a situation where a trump business interest in russia gave

you concern? >> senator graham, i can't comment on that because that impacts an investigation. >> reporter: officials tell abc news that the fbi is increasingly focused on several trump associates, including carter page. brian ross caught up with page who, along with all the others, denies ever colluding with russia. >> it's ridiculous. >> what's ridiculous about it? >> everything. >> reporter: a sentiment shared by vladimir putin. today, as all of this was playing out in washington, putin was playing hockey. asked by cbs about the firing of the fbi director -- putin said it had nothing to do with him. but many would agree we can't just take his word for it. >> our national security is at stake. there is strong indication that russia meddled in our presidential election. one of our core democratic functions. >> reporter: for now, president trump dismisses that notion and so does president putin.

today putin went on to score seven goals for his team. i'm david wright for "nightline" in new york. next, "dance mom" coach abby lee miller on her upcoming one day and a day prison sentence. what olympic gold medalist simone biles said on "dancing with the stars" that is uniting women everywhere. why? terrible toilet paper! i'll never get clean! way ahead of you, big daddy. aww. (avo) charmin ultra strong. it's washcloth-like texture helps clean better. it's four times stronger and you can use less. beautiful view. thanks to charmin. and you, honeybear. awwwww. (avo) we all go. why not enjoy the go with charmin?

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a demanding instructor known for her abrasive personality. now former "dance moms" star abby lee miller taking a different tone, about to serve a

one year and a day prison sentence for monastery crimes including bankruptcy fraud. she spoke to linsey davis about regrets and plans for the future. >> no cry babies, none! >> reporter: abby lee miller, outspoken dance instructor with the big personality from "dance moms." ♪ living on the dance floor >> paige, your elbows are lazy. >> reporter: no stranger when it comes to drama. >> i want perfection. >> reporter: miller was often criticized for her harsh delivery and abrasive teaching style. >> don't get so close! so that you're tumbling into the stool! >> she's not happy unless she's humiliating someone. >> reporter: the world witnessed her push students to the limit. >> why are you laughing? >> because i think you're ridiculous! go, get out of here, go up stairs with your mother. >> reporter: she's learning a tough lesson on her own this week after being sentenced to a year and a day behind bars. the 50-year-old was convicted of bankruptcy fraud and bringing an

unreported $120,000 in foreign corner currency into the united states. a year and a day, seem harsh? >> a year and a day, it sounds like a movie title, it's surreal to me. >> reporter: miller ordered to pay a $40,000 fine and $120,000 money judgment. >> i feel relieved. i feel peaceful. >> you didn't know you were going to serve jail time or not. now you know. and as you came out of the court you said you have peace. >> i have peace. but -- i think i was better off being in limbo business-wise. because now that i know, there's some things that are a little uncertain. i have some new projects that i'm working on and that have been started and that are fabulous and exciting. and now they're put on hold. >> reporter: miller was originally indicted with fraud charges back in 2015 after hiding $775,000 in income from

bankruptcy creditors. she pled guilty to this charge in 2016. >> just a yes or no, you would not trying to hide that? >> no, not intentionally. no. i wasn't ever trying to hurt anyone. >> reporter: the u.s. attorney's office tells abc news, this defendant secreted and structured profits she derived outside the united states from performances by children, adding that her actions undermine our justice system. >> are you ready? >> reporter: abby lee miller took center stage back in 2011 when "dance moms" became an instant hit with viewers. >> hinge, change, up! >> reporter: abc news' john donvan met the reality star at the beginning of it all when the controversial series started to gain momentum. >> you know, getting to the top is one thing. staying there is another thing. let's get a trophy now for being born. now that's participation. give them a t-shirt. give them a sweat towel, a water bottle. something like that. the trophy should be earned.

>> reporter: each week viewers watched as she ranked her students. young girls dancing their way to the top or bottom. >> on the bottom of the pyramid -- >> reporter: of that infamous pyram pyramid. miller defended her technique. >> why are they questioning me? i don't go to anybody's office and say, hey, excuse me, why are you removing that appendix? >> because you're making their kids cry, that's why they question you. >> no. >> you are making their kids cry. >> sometimes. >> sometimes. that's when they -- >> and sometimes i'm making their dreams come true. >> reporter: one of those students maddie gained success, starring in music videos. ♪ i'm going to swing >> reporter: and skyrocketing to fame. after six seasons maddie decided to walk away from miller and the show. >> oh my god, what is mentally wrong with you? >> reporter: my colleague abbie boudreau interviewed the 14-year-old and her mother earlier this year. >> yeah, my sister and i were

like, that's the -- >> they were finished. >> did you ever have that moment as a mother, "dance moms," this is breaking my daughter's spirit? >> yeah, my gosh, absolutely. all the time. >> i was stressed out as a 12-year-old. like that's just really weird to me. but now i just have so much weight off my shoulders. i can just live my life and do something without worrying and thinking, oh, i'm going to get yelled at if i do this. now i can just do whatever i want. >> reporter: miller announced her departure from the lifetime series in march on instagram writing, i will no longer take part in "dance moms." for the past six years, seven seasons, i have asked, begged, demanded creative credit for all the ideas, award-winning routines, themes and costuming to no avail. her legal troubles are now sharing the spotlight. what is the next chapter for you? >> to be a smarter businesswoman. and also to worry about myself.

i have spent so much time and so much energy making other people's children stars. i didn't have any children of my own. deals were my kids. and i raised them like they were my kids. >> you love those kids? >> i do. >> reporter: miller must report to prison in the next 44 days. but for now she's working on future projects and taking some time to reflect. >> shooting a movie, we're on set, and i'm there for ten months, and that's the way it's going to be. >> how do you man spending your days? >> reading, and i want to learn to speak spanish, and -- i'm already working on a new book. >> reporter: as for the abby lee dance company, it will remain open. >> i built that studio. my mom and dad gave me their life savings to buy the land. >> reporter: for "nightline" i'm linsey davis in pittsburgh.

and next, olympic gymnast simone biles, asked why she wasn't smiling on doctore ing i the stars," now her response is going viral. my last wish is for you to do it for me, as a family. love, grandpa. ♪ let us be lovers, we'll marry our fortunes together ♪ older grandaughter: it'll be alright. i know. grandson: how did you meet grandpa? grandmother: actually on a blind date. [ laughter ] i wish he was on the trip with us. he's sitting right between the boys in the back of the car. [ laughter ] ♪ america ♪ all come to look for america ♪ all come to look for america

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finally tonight, turns out simone biles is as quick with the comeback as she is with the double twisting, double back somersault. simone biles showing off her flawless moves on "dancing with the stars." >> simone! >> earn applause from the audience and mixed feedback from the judges. >> sometimes you dance on the metronome beat, so precisely hitting the beat. >> when host tom bergeron weighed in -- >> i was waiting for your to smile at the condominiums, you didn't. >> smiling doesn't win you gold medals. >> reporter: and nobody knows that better than biles. holding 19 olympic and world championship medals. but the fierce competitor's blunt answer igniting a firestorm on social media. uniting women fed up with being told to smile.

one writing, i've been told to smile all my life. especially by men. now i can reply, smile doesn't win gold medals. another tweeting, note to men and negative nellys, a woman's value shouldn't come down to whether she smiles and makes you feel good. tom bergeron taking biles' comment to heart apologizing. the question i should have asked and have of many contestants, what's your reaction to the judges' comments? following up, love at simone biles' crisp response to my clumsy question. curious how she felt about judges' comments. i unwittingly added to the smile pile. biles keeping that classy form writing back, we love you, tom. she is clearly dancing on. back in the ballroom competing next week. good for her. it was mother teresa who said, let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love. thank you for watching abc news. and as always, we're online at

abcnews.com and our "nightline" facebook page. thanks for the company, america. good night.