Where Trump's lawyer eyes vindication, others see obstruction

Washington

DONALD Trump's lawyer says former FBI director James Comey's testimony about nine private conversations with the president put his client in the clear. Some legal experts say that's wishful thinking.

If the president tried to hinder or block a federal investigation into Russian meddling in last year's election, he may have committed a crime. Mr Comey didn't go that far when he testified on Thursday before the Senate Intelligence Committee, but his narrative of events amped up debate about whether the president crossed a line into corruption.

Mr Comey "clearly treated" Mr Trump's behaviour as potential obstruction of justic…