washington white house officials say friday know yet whether president donald trump would seek block former fbi director jam comey testify congress next week move could spark political backlash speak counsel yet know go respond white house spokesman sean spic tell reporters comey lead federal bureau investigation probe allege russian meddle last year u.s. presidential election possible collusion trump campaign president fire last month critics charge trump seek hind fbi investigation dismiss comey former fbi chief due testify thursday senate intelligence committee part russia-related investigation remark could cause problems republican president comey widely expect ask conversations president reportedly pressure drop investigation trump former national security adviser michael flynn whose tie russia scrutiny critics say pressure could potentially amount obstruction justice presidents assert executive privilege prevent government employees share information however legal experts say clear whether certain conversations trump comey president talk publicly would cover effort block comey private citizen testify could challenge court democratic lawmakers send white house counsel donald mcgahn letter warn invoke executive privilege would see effort obstruct truth congress american people interview abc news white house senior adviser kellyanne conway appear indicate president would allow comey testify watch rest world director comey testify say ask directly whether trump would invoke executive privilege comey testimony add president make decision amid political firestorm touch comey fire justice department appoint special counsel last month take lead russia investigation u.s. intelligence agencies conclude russian government seek influence u.s. election trump favor charge russia deny russian president vladimir putin however say thursday russians may act trump raise doubt u.s. agencies find denounce continue russia probe deny collusion trump block comey testimony white house know yet