The looming showdown between President Donald Trump and his fired FBI Director James Comey promises to have major implications for the longevity of the new administration, CNN reported.
In the end, it all comes down to whether Americans believe Trump or Comey, according to the news network.
The New York Times reported Trump had asked Comey to shut down the probe into the president's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, according to a memo written by Comey.
"The documentation of Mr. Trump's request is the clearest evidence that the president has tried to directly influence the Justice Department and FBI investigation into links between Mr. Trump's associates and Russia," the Times' Michael Schmidt reported.
But the White House has officially denied the report, NPR noted.
"America faces a fateful choice: Does it believe Donald Trump or James Comey?" wrote CNN's Stephen Collinson.
He added: "There doesn't seem to be a way that both men could survive the contest with their reputations intact."
"The prospect of a new arm's length confrontation with Comey might also be causing Trump to second guess himself after suddenly firing the former director last week, then admitting on television that he did so because he was frustrated about a Russia probe he has called a waste of taxpayer money."
Meanwhile, Congress is demanding answers, which sets the stage for the showdown, CNN reported. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Comey needs to come before the Senate Judiciary Committee and explain why he wrote the memo.
"OK, well, he's got to come in and tell us why," Graham said. "We're not going to try somebody on a piece of paper."
And a spokesperson for House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said it is appropriate for the House Oversight Committee to request the memo.
CNN noted a Comey hearing would likely become one of the most significant congressional appearances in modern times.
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