Middle East: Rouhani Leaves the Door Open for Dialogue

Hasan Rouhani, whose first round victory in last Friday's election was seen as a win for pragmatists against conservatives, telling a news conference that Iran's "waiting for the new government to find stability and continuity in its policies,” adding that last week's election showed Iranians wanted more democracy and interaction with the world.

Was Trump Convincing? – Inside Story

Donald Trump's first trip abroad as president was to Saudi Arabia, and the capital Riyadh laid on a grand royal welcome.

A business deal worth 350billion dollars was signed between the United States and Saudi Arabia - about one-third of which was for weapons.

The visit also provided an opportunity to realign perceptions of power in the region. Trump's predecessor Barack Obama seemed to distance himself from Saudi Arabia, by working with Iran as a regional leader. As a long-time critic of Iran, Trump is looking to reverse that policy.

But it was his speech, addressing the Muslim world, at the Arab Islamic American summit, that was most widely anticipated - a world he'd been strongly critical of during his election campaign.

Now he was urging Muslim leaders to share the burden in defeating those he described as Islamist extremists, saying a better future was only possible if they helped "drive out the terrorists".

He stuck to the speech written by his Senior Adviser Stephen Miller. But was the overture from Trump genuine? | Presenter: Richelle Carey | Guests: Robert Jordan, former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia: Ahmed Alibrahim, a Saudi affairs specialist; Henri Barkey, Director of the Middle East Program at Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; Sadegh Zibakalam, Professor of Political Science at the University of Tehran

"I Could Have Died": Protesters Detail Violent Attack by Turkish President Erdogan's Guards in Washington DC

Last week Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s security detail assaulted a group of peaceful protesters outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence. Video from the scene shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan looking on during the assault. It’s not clear if Erdogan gave the order for the attack. The assault came shortly after Erdogan was welcomed to the White House by President Trump. For more, we speak with Seyid Riza Dersimi, who was violently attacked during the protest and rushed by ambulance to the hospital, where he received stitches on his nose and was treated for a head injury. We also speak with Ruken Isik, a Kurdish activist and Ph.D. student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She attended last week’s protest and wrote a piece for The Huffington Post titled "Will Erdogan’s Thugs Face No Consequences for Attacking Us on U.S. Soil?"

As Iranian Voters Reject Hardliner, Trump Embraces Saudi Monarch & Vows to Isolate Iran

President Trump vowed to isolate Iran during his major address to Gulf leaders in Saudi Arabia. He accused Iran of funding, arming and training militias and other extremist groups in region while ignoring Saudi Arabia’s role in destabilizing the region. Trump’s remarks came just two days after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was re-elected in a landslide vote Friday. Rouhani’s main challenger, hardline judge Ebrahim Raisi, received only 38 percent. For more on Trump’s trip to Saudi Arabia and Iran’s election, we speak with Trita Parsi founder and president of the National Iranian American Council. He’s the author of the new book "Losing an Enemy: Obama, Iran, and the Legacy of Diplomacy," out next week.

Medea Benjamin: Congress Should Halt Trump's $110B Arms Deal over Saudi Atrocities in Yemen & Region

In his first foreign trip abroad as president, Donald Trump traveled this weekend to Saudi Arabia, where he signed an arms deals totaling $110 billion. This comes in addition to more than $115 billion offered in arms deals to Saudi Arabia by President Obama during his time in office. The deal also includes precision-guided munitions, which the Obama administration had stopped selling Saudi Arabia out of fear they would be used to bomb civilians amid the ongoing Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen. Since 2015, 10,000 people have been killed in the ongoing fighting, which has also decimated the country’s health, water, sewage and sanitation systems. Over 10,000 civilians have died since the Saudi invasion began in 2015. The arms deal includes tanks, artillery, ships, helicopters, a missile defense system and cybersecurity technology. We speak to Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CodePink and author of the book "Kingdom of the Unjust: Behind the U.S.-Saudi Connection."

Trump in Israel: US President Visits the Western Wall in Jerusalem

Trump Foreign Trip: "The Israeli Government Wants the Old Trump Back!"

Middle-East: Can Israeli-Palestinian Talks Succeed under Trump?

Netanyahu: "Israel's Hand Is Extended to Peace with All Our Neighbours, Including Palestinians"

Trump in Israel: "We Have a Rare Opportunity to Bring Security, Stability and Peace to This Region"

Iran Presidential Election: Joy in the Streets after Rouhani's Victory

Iran: Hassan Rouhani Says Vote Shows Iran Has Rejected Extremism, Isolation

Tony Schwartz: The Truth About Trump | Oxford Union Q&A

Philippines President Encourages Vigilantes To Attack

Trump in Saudi Arabia

President Trump spoke about a renewed effort to stamp out extremism during a centerpiece speech to Muslim leaders in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Ian McEwan: ‘Brexit Was a Huge Mistake’ - BBC Newsnight

Evan Davis interviews author Ian McEwan on Brexit, the Labour Party and his writing, and McEwan reads extracts from his new book, 'Nutshell'.

LIVE: President Trump’s Speech at the Arab Islamic American Summit – May 21, 2017

Ann Coulter: Trump Should Replace Much of His Cabinet

May. 19, 2017 - 6:12 - Political commentator Ann Coulter on the mainstream media attacks against President Trump and why he needs to replace members of his cabinet.

Tillerson: Today Is Historic for US-Saudi Arabia Relations

May. 20, 2017 - 3:46 - U.S. secretary of state talks new strategic partnership between two nations

Kellyanne Conway Talks Trump's Historic Trip Abroad

May. 20, 2017 - 7:21 - Senior counselor to the president weighs in on 'Justice with Judge Jeanine'

To Trump, Human Rights Concerns Are Often a Barrier to Trade

THE NEW YORK TIMES: RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson had some advice on Saturday for Iran’s newly re-elected president. The Trump administration, he said, hopes Tehran “restores the rights of Iranians to freedom of speech, to freedom of organization, so that Iranians can live the life that they deserve.”

As he said that at a news conference, Mr. Tillerson was standing next to the Saudi foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, who represents a government that does not guarantee free speech or many other rights. When Mr. Tillerson turned to leave, a reporter asked if he had anything to say about human rights in Saudi Arabia. The secretary departed without answering.

President Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia underscored the calculation he and his foreign policy advisers have made when it comes to questions of human rights around the world.

Mr. Trump and his team made clear they are willing to publicly overlook repression in places like Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states whose leaders are meeting here this weekend — as long as they are allies in areas the president considers more important, namely security and economics. » | Peter Baker and Michael D. Shear | Saturday, May 20, 2017

Investigation into Russian Ties to White House Now Focuses on Current Official

Read the Washington Post article here

Princesses Of The World | Full Story of Different Princesses

Secrets of The Royal Kitchen – Royal Family Documentary

Former Royal Chef Graham Newbould who was once a chef on the Royal Yacht Britannia for the Queen reveals what goes on in the kitchens of the famous House of Windsor.

From TV suppers at Buckingham Palace, to poached salmon caught and cooked at the Royal Family’s Scotland retreat at Balmoral, Graham shows the viewers how to cook food fit for a Queen. He goes back on board the Royal Yacht Britannia where he makes good use of the Royal ice cream machine, and even recreates the wedding breakfast he helped serve up for the Prince of Wales and Princess Diana. He also gives a fascinating insight into the day-to-day food in a Palace – from eight sided cucumber sandwiches to a special dish of liver and rice, a firm favourite with the ever-present Royal corgis.

BBC Question Time – May 18, 2017

FULL Ceremony: US President Donald Trump Arrives in Saudi Arabia (May 20, 2017)

Dogged by controversy at home, President Donald Trump opened a nine-day foreign trip on Saturday in Saudi Arabia, looking to shift attention from a spiraling political firestorm over his firing of former FBI Director James Comey last week.

With delicate diplomatic meetings facing him, including three summits, Trump faces a challenge of advancing his "America First" agenda without alienating key allies during his first trip abroad.

Stepping off Air Force One in 100-degree heat with his wife, Melania, Trump and his entourage received a red-carpet welcome from Saudi King Salman.

A Danger to the World: It's Time to Get Rid of Donald Trump

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: Donald Trump has transformed the United States into a laughing stock and he is a danger to the world. He must be removed from the White House before things get even worse.

Donald Trump is not fit to be president of the United States. He does not possess the requisite intellect and does not understand the significance of the office he holds nor the tasks associated with it. He doesn't read. He doesn't bother to peruse important files and intelligence reports and knows little about the issues that he has identified as his priorities. His decisions are capricious and they are delivered in the form of tyrannical decrees.

He is a man free of morals. As has been demonstrated hundreds of times, he is a liar, a racist and a cheat. I feel ashamed to use these words, as sharp and loud as they are. But if they apply to anyone, they apply to Trump. And one of the media's tasks is to continue telling things as they are: Trump has to be removed from the White House. Quickly. He is a danger to the world. » | A DER SPIEGEL Editorial by Klaus Brinkbäumer | Friday, May 19, 2017

Trump's White House: A Vortex of Scandal, Chaos and Absurdity

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: The White House is becoming more chaotic by the day. Now, a special counsel has been brought in to investigate possible connections between President Donald Trump's team and Russia. But the most important question is now whether Trump is mentally stable enough to be president.

On Wednesday, a few hours before the special counsel was set loose on him, Donald Trump was standing before the graduates of the Coast Guard Academy. He was supposed to hold an inspiring talk, to spread a positive message, as one does at graduation speeches. Instead, he once again spoke about himself. "Over the course of your life, you will find that things are not always fair," he said to the graduating students. "Look at the way I've been treated, especially by the media," Trump said. "No politician in history, and I say this with great surety, has been treated worse or more unfairly."

No politician in history. Not Nelson Mandela. Not Mahatma Gandhi, not John F. Kennedy. Him. There stood a billionaire, inhabiting the most powerful office in the world, complaining about how unfair the world was. Because there seems to be one rule with Donald Trump: He is never to blame, even though almost everything currently happening to him is his fault. » | Mathieu von Rohr | Friday, May 19, 2017

Trump and Omar al-Bashir Won't Cross Paths in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Authorities to Serve Donald Trump 'Steak and Ketchup' on First Official Visit

Arab Islamic American Summit »

Trump On The Run? Upheaval At Home Overshadows First Foreign Tour

Al Andalus – Spain – الأندلس

Ryan M. Reeves (PhD Cambridge) is Assistant Professor of Historical Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Has Venezuela Reached a Tipping Point? – UpFront

Waves of anti-government protests continue to rock Venezuela as its economic and political crises deepen. Is there a way forward? In this UpFront special, we speak to the secretary general of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro, about his stance on Venezuela. And in the Arena, we debate whether the Venezuelan government is authoritarian.

Chechen Government: Kill Your Gay Children Or We Will

Top US & World Headlines — May 19, 2017

Human Rights Lawyer: Sweden Dropping Investigation of WikiLeaks' Assange Is "Long Overdue Decision"

Swedish prosecutors have dropped an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Assange has denied the allegations, which he calls a pretext for his ultimate extradition to the U.S. to face prosecution under the Espionage Act. Since 2012, Assange has taken refuge in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London. It’s not clear whether Assange will emerge any time soon. "This is a small victory, but in this long road to free Julian Assange and all the people working for WikiLeaks," says our guest Renata Avila, a Courage Foundation trustee and human rights lawyer. "But it will finally help us lawyers to focus on the main issue, which is the persecution, the political persecution, and imminent prosecution of Julian Assange in the United States."

Trump's FCC Is About To Ruin The Internet By Killing Net Neutrality

Did Turkey Pay Mike Flynn To Help ISIS?

Mike Flynn appears to be a national disgrace. Cenk Uygur, host of The Young Turks, breaks it down

Trump Foreign Trip: "The US Wants to Create a NATO-like Structure in the ME, United against Iran"

Assange Charges Dropped by Swedish Prosecutors

Swedish prosecutors announced today that the preliminary investigation into Julien Assange has been dropped

Theresa May to Create New Internet That Would Be Controlled and Regulated by Government

THE INDEPENDENT: The proposals come soon after the government won the right to collect everyone's browsing history

Theresa May is planning to introduce huge regulations on the way the internet works, allowing the government to decide what is said online.

Particular focus has been drawn to the end of the manifesto, which makes clear that the Tories want to introduce huge changes to the way the internet works.

"Some people say that it is not for government to regulate when it comes to technology and the internet," it states. "We disagree."

Senior Tories confirmed to BuzzFeed News that the phrasing indicates that the government intends to introduce huge restrictions on what people can post, share and publish online.

The plans will allow Britain to become "the global leader in the regulation of the use of personal data and the internet", the manifesto claims. » | Andrew Griffin | Friday, May 19, 2017

'The Russians Are Coming!'

White House in Crisis: Will Donald Trump Take His Problems Overseas?

Is Saudi Arabia on the Brink of Bankruptcy?

Up until now, oil has allowed the payment of all kinds of bills. Citizens have got used to a high level of subsidies and allowances, and not having to pay any taxes. But since the falling of the oil prices, everything has changed for Saudi Arabia. In 2015, the deficit reached 15% of the GDP with the situation continuing in 2016 and threatening to swallow up every penny saved during the “black gold” years in a very short period of time. 70% of the Saudi population is under 30 and they will require two million jobs over the next decade. In this video, we talk about the plan that Saudi Arabia is trying to follow to escape from this scenario.

Kellyanne Conway Cancels Fox Appearance – Even She Can’t Defend Trump Anymore

Iran Presidential Election: High Stakes Poll Goes Down to Wire

The Crisis In French Multiculturalism (2015)

French Connection (2002): How tension over immigration has put French multiculturalism on the ropes.

China's Ruthless Crackdown On Its Muslim Population

Crackdown: Muslims make up the majority of China's province of Xinjiang. Following Uyghur protests, China has cracked down on its native Muslim population, with no consideration for Human Rights in its campaign of oppression.

The Harsher Face Of Islam

The reality of Sudan's brutal Islamic leadership is revealed in this comprehensive and highly shocking documentary from 1994 which was nominated for Amnesty International Press Awards.

Theresa May Conservative Manifesto Speech - BBC News

Conservative manifesto includes big changes to social care funding and aims to balance the budget by 2025.

Trump Slams Special Counsel Appointment as a 'Witch Hunt'

May. 18, 2017 - 1:17 - White House learned about appointment during FBI interviews

'Angela Merkel Owes France's Macron a Debt of Gratitude'

Social Inequality on the Rise in Tehran

Iranian Election: What Impact on the Culture World?

Iranian Election: Taking the Pulse in Tehran's Bazaar

How President Trump Could Be Removed from Office

Donald Trump is facing a backlash after host of allegations of presidential misconduct. Here, we explain the main routes that could lead to his ultimate downfall: impeachment and the 25th Amendment to the Constitution.

French Revolution: Will Macron Blow Up Traditional Left-Right Divide? (Parts 1 & 2)

Divided Kingdom: Why Education Could Determine How You Vote – BBC Newsnight

Class used to be an accurate indicator of voting habits - but that's no longer the case. In the first of a three-part 'Divided Kingdom' series for BBC Newsnight, Katie Razzall reports on one of the new key political divides - education.

Trump Defends Sharing Classified Intel with Russians: Can He Keep a Secret? (Parts 1 & 2)

Violent Brawl Outside Turkish Embassy in Washington DC

May. 17, 2017 - 0:28 - Clashes erupt between protestors and supporters of Turkish president Erdogan

Joe To Republicans: ‘Donald Trump Is Not Worth It’ | Morning Joe | MSNBC

Joe Scarborough says Trump is sullying the reputations of career public servants and urges them to reconsider their unwavering support of the president.

America Simply Can’t Afford The Rising Costs Of Trump’s Nonstop Vacations

The cost of Donald Trump’s vacations and golf outings are growing out of control and he’s already on track to be the most expensive president in the history of the United States. So, simply by following the logic of conservatives, we have to get rid of Donald Trump because we simply can’t afford him anymore. Sorry, Donald. Ring of Fire’s Farron Cousins discusses this.

Hannity: 5 Major Forces Are Aligning to Take Down Trump

The destroy Trump propaganda media, the Washington deep state, Democrats, establishment Republicans and never Trumpers are now working together in an unprecedented attack against a sitting president

Watergate Prosecutor: Well On Our Way To Impeachment Of President Trump | The 11th Hour | MSNBC

Jill Wine-Banks, Assistant Watergate Special Prosecutor, and former U.S. prosecutor Paul Butler discuss the revelations that have come to light from the Comey memo.

Trump Could Be Going Down Sooner Than You Think

Multiple new indicators are pointing to Trump’s downfall. Cenk Uygur, host of The Young Turks, breaks it down.

Bill O'Reilly Got A New Job

That didn’t take long. Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian, the hosts of The Young Turks, tell you where Bill O’Reilly landed.

United States: Donald Trump and the Russian Connection

Violence Erupts at Erdoğan Protest in Washington DC

The Armenian National Committee of America has captured scenes of violent protests on the streets of Washington, DC after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with US President Trump at the White House. According to witnesses, the brawl erupted when the Turkish president’s security detail attacked protesters carrying the flag of the Kurdish PYD party outside the residence.

Read the Guardian article here

Notes Made by Former FBI Director Comey Say Trump Pressured Him to End Flynn Probe

Read the Washington Post article here

Even Ann Coulter Is Ready To Jump Off The Trump Train

The Daily Caller interviewed Ann Coulter to get her thoughts on Donald Trump, and she didn’t have very many kind words for the president. In fact, she said that she’s ready to turn on him and abandon the Trump train because he and his GOP allies in Congress have proven to be completely useless. Ring of Fire’s Farron Cousins discusses this.

Eric Shawn Exclusive: A Plea for a Free Iran

Exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi calls for non-violent civil disobedience

Fox News Scandal Threatens To Take Down Aspiring Republican Politicians

Sean Spicer, Steve Bannon, And Sarah Huckabee Sanders Erupt In Argument After Intel Leak

Following the news that the president leaked classified information to Russian officials during a meeting, reporters said that Sean Spicer, Steve Bannon, and Sarah Huckabee Sanders entered a room and began yelling at each other. Reporters said that the TVs in the area were turned up to full volume to drown out the shouting. Ring of Fire’s Farron Cousins discusses this.

Why I Am Suing Trump: Washington State Attorney General Fights Admin on Muslim Ban, Drilling, Drug War & More

On Monday, a federal appeals court in Seattle, Washington, heard arguments over Trump’s second travel ban, which sought to prohibit all refugees and citizens of six majority-Muslim nations from entering the United States. This is the second such court review this month. This marks Trump’s second attempt to roll out a nationwide Muslim ban. We speak to the man who successfully blocked Trump’s first attempt—and ignited a legal firestorm of resistance: Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson.

Breathtakingly Irresponsible: Former Bush Iraq Adviser on Trump Sharing Secret Intel with Russians

President Trump has appeared to confirm parts of a bombshell Washington Post story that he had disclosed highly classified intelligence last week to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak last week during a meeting at the White House. Earlier this morning Trump wrote on Twitter, "As President I wanted to share with Russia (at an openly scheduled W.H. meeting) which I have the absolute right to do, facts pertaining to terrorism and airline flight safety. Humanitarian reasons, plus I want Russia to greatly step up their fight against ISIS & terrorism." According to The Washington Post, Trump disclosed highly classified intelligence—what’s known as code-name information—about the possible threat of ISIS launching an attack on an airplane using a computer bomb. We speak to Stanford professor Larry Diamond of the Hoover Institute. He served as senior adviser to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad.

US - President Donald Trump Defends ‘Absolute Right’ to Share Intel with Russia

Changing EU Treaty ‘Not Taboo’ for France Anymore – Macron after Meeting Merkel

The European Union’s need for deep reforms is so dire that even the idea of changing the EU treaty is “not taboo,” new French President Emmanuel Macron said at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Monday.

'Digital Strip-search' UK Muslim Activist Faces Charges for Not Giving Up Passwords at Airport

Imagine arriving in the UK, going through airport security and then being ordered to hand over your phone and laptop with all passwords - for examination. A British Muslim activist was arrested after he refused to do it.

The 51% -- Women Lead Prayers in Portugal after Priest Shortage

US - Did Trump Just Share Classified Information to Russia?

Could North Korea Trigger a Nuclear War?

After successfully test-firing a rocket at the weekend, North Korea now claims to have a missile with a warhead that could reach the United States.

Chemical Attack, Syria: Lavrov Shuts Rex Tillerson Down

Could Brexit Lead Way to a United Ireland – BBC News

The BBC’s Fergal Keane travels from Belfast to Cork to understand what effect Brexit is having on the future of the island.

Frontline: The Secret History of ISIS

Macron : The Youngest President Of France, Emmanuel Macron

From Awkward to Icy: Eight French Presidential Handovers

French President Emmanuel Macron Parades on Champs-Elysées Avenue

France: Emmanuel Macron Officially Inaugurated President of the French Republic

Emmanuel Macron's First Speech as President of the French Republic

The White House Press Briefing Is Dying

James Comey's firing has undermined the credibility of the White House press briefing – and Trump knows it.

Trump's Shifting Story on Firing James Comey: A Closer Look

Read the Vanity Fair article here

Caitlyn Jenner: 'Being Transgender Is Very Difficult' - BBC News

Reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner says she is considering entering US politics in a bid to promote transgender issues. She told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme she had been "really upset" by some of President Donald Trump's policies on the LGBT community. The ex-Olympic athlete, who changed her name and transitioned to living as a woman aged 65, said Mr Trump was being "influenced by people around him". Jenner said her life was "much simpler" now she was living openly as a woman. Over the past two years, Jenner has become the most famous transgender person in the world.

Cyber Attack: Ransomware Causing Chaos Globally - BBC News

Tens of thousands of organisations have been caught out by a computer virus called WannaCry. The malicious software locks data away and demands a payment of up to $300 (£230) a time before it will restore scrambled files. In the UK, many hospitals fell victim and some health organisations diverted ambulances and cancelled non-essential services as they sought to contain and clean up the infection. Infections in more than 99 nations are being reported by security firms. It appears that the hardest hit are Russia and Spain.

Jake Tapper Destroys Donald Trump On Firing Of James Comey

Al Franken's Brilliant Breakdown of Trump’s Firing of Comey

Bill Maher’s Hilarious Reaction to Trump Firing FBI Director Comey

Bill Maher blasted Donald Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey on Friday night, comparing it to a scene from Trump’s reality TV game show, “The Apprentice.”

Trump Threatens FBI: Stop Leaks Or I'll Expose Secret Comey Tapes!

Trump, Russia, and Comey Firing - What Does This Mean for US-Russian Relations?

What is the real state of US-Russian relations? Twitter has exploded with speculation about “collusion,” but what are the chances that President Trump or his staff colluded with Russia? Columbia University Professor Levgold explains that the firing of Director Comey may be “a cover up that is greater than the crime.”

Our Dishonest President

LOS ANGELES TIMES: It was no secret during the campaign that Donald Trump was a narcissist and a demagogue who used fear and dishonesty to appeal to the worst in American voters. The Times called him unprepared and unsuited for the job he was seeking, and said his election would be a “catastrophe.”

Still, nothing prepared us for the magnitude of this train wreck. Like millions of other Americans, we clung to a slim hope that the new president would turn out to be all noise and bluster, or that the people around him in the White House would act as a check on his worst instincts, or that he would be sobered and transformed by the awesome responsibilities of office.

Instead, seventy-some days in — and with about 1,400 to go before his term is completed — it is increasingly clear that those hopes were misplaced. » | The Times Editorial Board | Sunday, April 2, 2017

President Donald Trump On His Firing Of James Comey (Extended Exclusive) | NBC Nightly News

In an NBC News exclusive interview, President Trump revealed to Lester Holt that he was preparing to fire FBI Director James Comey regardless of recommendations from the attorney general and deputy attorney general.