Former FBI Director James Comey James Brien ComeyDemocrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate Book: FBI sex crimes investigator helped trigger October 2016 public probe of Clinton emails Trump jabs at FBI director over testimony on Russia, antifa MORE revealed Thursday that he has received a subpoena from House Republicans to testify on Capitol Hill, but said he would refuse to do so unless it is a public hearing.

“Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans. I’m still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions. But I will resist a 'closed door' thing because I’ve seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion," Comey tweeted.

"Let’s have a hearing and invite everyone to see,” he added.

Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans. I’m still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions. But I will resist a “closed door” thing because I’ve seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion. Let’s have a hearing and invite everyone to see. — James Comey (@Comey) November 22, 2018

The Hill reported earlier this month that House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte Robert (Bob) William GoodlatteNo documents? Hoping for legalization? Be wary of Joe Biden Press: Trump's final presidential pardon: himself USCIS chief Cuccinelli blames Paul Ryan for immigration inaction MORE (R-Va.) was planning to subpoena Comey to testify on Capitol Hill before Democrats take control of the committee in January.

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The GOP chairman last week provided notice to Rep. Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.), the top Democrat on the panel and presumed incoming chairman, that he also intended to subpoena former Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

Comey responded by saying he was open to speaking with lawmakers but wanted to do it during an open session.

Republicans are keen to question Comey over records he reportedly made of his private conversations with President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE before he was fired in May 2017.

During congressional testimony last year, the former FBI director said he kept records of such meetings because he felt the president inappropriately asked him to make a loyalty pledge while he was leading the FBI's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

The president has denied making such a request.

Comey has also held that he did not disclose classified information when he shared some of the records' contents with a friend, Columbia University law professor Daniel Richman. Richman shared the information verbally with The New York Times, in what became a successful maneuver to prompt the appointment of a special counsel — Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE.

“It is unfortunate that the outgoing Majority is resorting to these tactics," Nadler said in a statement Friday.

"Months ago, Director Comey and Attorney General Lynch both indicated their willingness to answer the Chairman’s questions voluntarily. My understanding is that the Republicans have had no contact with either the Director or the Attorney General since," he added, stating that the subpoenas are "coming out of the blue."