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answered his question.

Mr. Gowdy. So it is possible that a question be properly asked but it needs to go a different route. And I assume by that you meant White House Counsel needs to ask the Attorney General and then it filtered down to you?

Mr. Comey. I'm sorry. I'm not following your question, Mr. Gowdy.

Mr. Gowdy. I'm assuming that there is a category of questions that it is permissible or okay to ask but it has to be asked in a different route, through a different mechanism.

Mr. Comey. In general, yes, that there are norms and traditions and policies that guide communications. And I was trying to help him understand some of those here.

Mr. Gowdy. Does the President have the ability to end an investigation?

Mr. Comey. That's a legal question, Mr. Gowdy, I don't think I'm qualified to answer.

Mr. Gowdy. Oh, Director Comey, you've had a distinguished career in the Southern District of New York, you've worked for the Department of Justice, you've headed the world's premier law enforcement agency. You're plenty a good enough lawyer to take a crack at whether or not the Chief Executive can end an investigation.

Let me do it this way. If you don't feel comfortable, what does the word "plenary" mean?

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