Former FBI director James Comey's memos have been released to Congress
- Former FBI director James Comey's memos, some of which documented his conversations with President Donald Trump, have been released to members of Congress.
- The Justice Department said that the "unusual events occurring since the previous limited disclosure" allowed them to release Comey's memos.
- Republicans sought the immediate release of the memos and said there was "no legal basis for withholding these materials from Congress."
Former FBI director James Comey's memos, some of which documented his conversations with President Donald Trump, have been released to members of Congress on Thursday, after House Republicans fought for unredacted copies of the documents.
"In light of the unusual events occurring since the previous limited disclosure, the Department has consulted the relevant parties and concluded that the release of the memoranda to Congress at this time would not adversely impact any ongoing investigation or other confidentiality interests of the Executive Branch," the Justice Department said in a letter to lawmakers.
"This decision does not alter the Department's traditional obligation to protect from public disclosure witness statements and other documents obtained during an ongoing investigation."
Earlier in April, Republicans sought the immediate release of the memos and said there was "no legal basis for withholding these materials from Congress."
Some of the memos, which were written by Comey during his tenure as FBI director, contained the details of private interactions with Trump and had become a source of controversy since Comey's firing in May 2017.
The memos also became evidence for a potential obstruction of justice case against Trump, after he allegedly pushed Comey to drop the FBI's investigation into former national security adviser, Mike Flynn.