Ron Johnson: It Would Be ‘Troubling’ If Trump Recorded Comey Conversations

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, said it would be “troubling” if President Donald Trump recorded conversations with former FBI Director James Comey.

Speaking with reporters at the annual state Republican convention in the Wisconsin Dells, Johnson wouldn‘t say if there should be an investigation into whether the tapes exist.

“I don’t want to keep talking about hypotheticals and other suspicions,” Johnson said. “Let’s wait for the Senate Intelligence Committee to complete their work, and then see if there’s further action required on either my committee or on the part of the United States Senate.”

Johnson is chair of the Senate’s Homeland Security Committee.

Trump tweeted Friday, “James Comey better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!”

James Comey better hope that there are no “tapes” of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2017

Johnson said he thought that meant Comey may have recordings of the conversations. The White House has declined to say whether it has any tapes.

Johnson also said it’s too soon to say if a special prosecutor should be appointed to investigate possible Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential election.

The senator also spoke with reporters about the Senate taking up the American Health Care Act. He said the Senate will focus on bringing down premiums, and that he believes that will be possible without revoking coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions.

“I think it’s very achievable to cover pre-existing conditions without skyrocketing these premiums, without collapsing these markets,” Johnson said.