RNC says Trump knew firing Comey was risky
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Republican National Committee says President Donald Trump knew that firing FBI Director James Comey would be "detrimental to his presidency" but believed it was the right thing to do for the country.
That's among the talking points the RNC is providing to Trump backers ahead of Comey's testimony on Capitol Hill Thursday.
A pair of former White House officials -- Katie Walsh, who left her post as deputy chief of staff in March, and Mike Dubke, who stepped down as communications director last week -- are overseeing the RNC effort to combat Comey's testimony.
The RNC is encouraging supporters to focus on Comey's acknowledgement in his prepared text that he told Trump he was not directly under investigation as part of the FBI's Russia probe.
Republicans also say the president does want the Russia investigations to move forward, an argument the White House has used against Democrats who say Trump fired Comey in an effort to halt the FBI probe
Meanwhile, Speaker Paul Ryan says it's "obviously" inappropriate for a president to ask for loyalty from the FBI director.
Ryan made his comments after testimony emerged from ousted FBI Director James Comey in which he said President Donald Trump sought his loyalty.
Interviewed on MSNBC, the Wisconsin Republican agreed with Greta Van Susteren when she asked whether it that was inappropriate.
Ryan says FBI directors are supposed to be independent, and "that's something that's very critical."