In an interaction with Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Dan Coats stopped just short of pleading the Fifth–but still refused to answer questions pertaining to the controversy still swirling around the firing of former FBI Director James Comey and the ongoing Russia probe.
After his line of questioning was shut down by the DNI, King asked, “What’s the basis for your refusal to answer these questions today?” Stumbling through his words, Coats replied:
“The basis is what I previously explained. I do not believe it is appropriate for me to–“
King interjected, audibly agitated at Coats. Pressing the DNI director on his refusal to testify, the junior Senator from Maine reminded his uncooperative witness that he was under oath and demanded to know the legal basis for his stonewalling. Coats simply answered, “I’m not sure I have a legal basis.”
[image via screengrab]
