James Comey testimony: A viewing guide to Thursday's Senate hearing

Paul Singer | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption D.C. bar hosting 'Covfefe' viewing party for James Comey's testimony Former FBI Director James Comey’s testimony to Congress on Thursday is one of the most highly anticipated events in politics. Veuer's Nick Cardona (@nickcardona93) has that story.

When does James Comey testify?

The former FBI director testifies at 10 a.m. Eastern time Thursday before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Why is it a big deal?

This is Comey's first public testimony since President Trump fired him in early May. Democrats want to know whether Trump fired Comey as a way to sidetrack the FBI's investigation into Russian meddling on the 2016 election. If Comey says Trump did, Republicans will want to know why he didn't speak up before.

How can I watch?

The cable news networks will all air significant portions of the hearing, but if you really want gavel-to-gavel coverage, it will be airing on C-SPAN 3, and we will be live-streaming on usatoday.com.

Can I go in person?

You can — there will apparently be limited public seating available (Room 216 in the Hart Senate Office Building) — but keep in mind that there is likely to be a long line for very few seats.

Who are the key people to watch?

The chairman of the committee, Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., and the top Democrat, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., have been careful to proceed in a very collegial bipartisan manner, unlike the House Intelligence Committee, which has been riven by partisan tension. It will be interesting to see how they interact with the cameras rolling.

It is also worth noting that the senators on the committee will represent a broad ideological spectrum: John Cornyn, R-Texas, is the second-ranking Republican in the U.S. Senate and was himself considered a top candidate to replace Comey at the FBI until he withdrew his name from consideration last month; Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., serving in her first year in the Senate, has been a vocal part of the Democratic "resistance" to Trump's presidency.

What will Comey say?

The committee on Wednesday released Comey's written opening statement, in which he indicates Trump asked him to back off the investigation of Michael Flynn, the national security adviser Trump had just fired. The written testimony offers a portrait of a president extraordinarily concerned about the investigation. You can read it for yourself here.

More coverage:

Firing James Comey: Was it President Trump's greatest miscalculation?

Republican strategy at Comey hearing? It’s complicated

Ex-FBI director James Comey's political drama: A timeline

Warner: More state election systems were targeted by Russians

Eight senators to watch at Thursday's hearing

Four other times Comey starred in unusual public dramas

Who has said what about James Comey?