A highly charged Senate hearing opened Thursday with fired FBI director James Comey to testify on his bombshell allegations suggesting President Donald Trump sought to interfere with a probe into Russian election meddling.
Hundreds of people squeezed into a jam-packed room, some waiting in line since early morning, for the historic hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee, and US television channels were broadcasting the event across the country live.
On Wednesday Comey released a statement detailing how Trump repeatedly badgered him earlier this year over the sensitive investigation into Russian interference and possible collusion with members of the Trump campaign.
Senators were to focus on whether the actions of Trump, who fired Comey on May 9, added up to obstruction of justice, a serious crime that could potentially undermine the presidency.