FBI Director James Comey reacted strongly to an insinuation by a Florida congressman who used the musical "Hamilton" to imply that the FBI carefully choreographed its decision not to pursue criminal charges over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server.
During a congressional hearing Thursday, Florida Rep. John Mica (R) started off his questioning by asking Comey whether he had seen “Hamilton.” Mica informed Comey that the musical won a Tony award for choreography, then used that to segue into insinuations that the FBI had coordinated events leading up to the announcement that Clinton would not be prosecuted.
Rep. John Mica: Have you seen the Broadway show "Hamilton"?
Comey: Not yet, I'm hoping to https://t.co/ixbo4KdXyehttps://t.co/cZgBC63GIX
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) July 7, 2016
Mica framed his questioning in terms of having to report back to constituents in cafes and other public settings.
Comey did not appreciate the suggestion that he and the bureau he directs did anything corrupt.
"I hope what you'll tell the folks in the cafes is, look me in the eye, and listen to what I'm about to say," Comey said. "I did not coordinate that with anyone. The White House, the Department of Justice, nobody outside the FBI family had any idea what I was about to say. I say that under oath, I stand by that."
Watch the exchange, which begins at about the 1 minute 15 second mark, here:



