Today: Comey and Trump’s Loyalty Demand: ‘We Simply Looked at Each Other in Silence’

All eyes will be on Washington this morning, and the focus won’t be on “infrastructure week.” James Comey will be testifying about President Trump. I'm Davan Maharaj, editor-in-chief of the Los Angeles Times. Here are some story lines I don't want you to miss.


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Comey and Trump’s Loyalty Demand: ‘We Simply Looked at Each Other in Silence’

“When the door by the grandfather clock closed, and we were alone, the President began by saying, ‘I want to talk about Mike Flynn.’ ” James Comey goes in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee at 7 a.m. Pacific, but his written testimony (read it here) has already provided details within its novel-like passages of the encounters the fired FBI director had with President Trump. “I need loyalty, I expect loyalty,” Comey says Trump told him at a dinner for two. After Wednesday’s hearing in which senior intelligence officials repeatedly refused to answer questions, today’s could be a landmark in shaping opinion about the president’s conduct. Watch with us and our live coverage.

Must-See TV: What to Look for in Today’s Comey Hearing


The Comey hearing is being billed as the must-see TV event of the year, with viewing parties being organized, bars opening early and odds being laid on the number of tweets Trump will send. As Washington bureau chief David Lauter writes, Comey’s written testimony has already deepened the president’s problems in at least three areas, while one thing potentially helps Trump. You can guess what conservative media are focusing on. And in case you missed it yesterday, gear up with our guide to the hearing.