Americans trust Comey over Trump following his ‘prevalent’ leaks – poll

A poll conducted following former FBI chief James Comey’s testimony has shown that Americans find the fired intelligence official more trustworthy than President Trump. The latter, however, has slammed some of Comey’s actions as being “cowardly.”

Read more

House intel panel demands 'Comey tapes' as Trump razzes on their existence

Forty-six percent of US citizens aged 18 and over think Comey is “more honest and trustworthy” than US President Donald Trump, who is trusted by 26 percent of the respondents, a recent Huffington Post/YouGov poll has shown. Almost a third of the 1,000 people interviewed said they are “not sure” which of the two they trust more.

Trump’s favorability rating also appeared not to be too favorable for him, as 43 percent of those asked find the president “very unfavorable.” In regard to Comey, respondents appeared to be less decisive, with 12 percent having a “very favorable” opinion of the former official, and 16 percent – “very unfavorable.” Thirty-two percent said they were not sure how to reply.

Forty-five percent also believe Trump has made a mistake by firing Comey, with 28 percent saying they see the president’s decision as “right.” Almost half of the respondents said they think “Trump fired Comey at least partly to disrupt the Russia investigation,” and 29 percent said the dismissal “was unrelated” to it.

In light of Comey’s testimony, more US officials will appear before the Senate panel, with US Attorney General Jeff Sessions confirming he will testify before the intelligence committee next week.

The web-based interviews were conducted from June 8 to 9, following the former FBI boss’ Thursday testimony.

Outlining his relationship with Trump, Comey confirmed that he had leaked his meeting with the US president to the media. He also accused the Trump administration of having defamed him personally “and, more importantly, the FBI,” by saying they had lost confidence in him.

In response to Comey’s testimony, Trump has already accused the former FBI director of “false statements” and “lies.” On Sunday, he went on to suggest that Comey’s “leaks will be far more prevalent than anyone ever thought possible.” He also proclaimed ex-FBI boss’ actions as “very ‘cowardly.’”

Trump has also denied Comey’s claims that the president had asked him to pledge loyalty. However, according to the poll, half of US citizens appear to be on Comey’s side on this point, saying they think Trump did ask the former FBI chief “to pledge loyalty to him.” Only 15 percent said they thought “he did not ask this.”

Comey was asked explicitly whether Trump requested him to stop the investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US election, to which the former FBI head responded by saying “not to my understanding, no.” He then went on to say that he had not been asked by anyone to end the investigation.

According to the poll, 36 percent see “the Trump administration’s relationship with Russia” as “a very serious problem.” Twenty-two percent regard it as “not a problem at all.”