Trump will not block Comey from testifying, says White House

Donald Trump will not use his presidential powers to prevent ex-FBI chief James Comey from testifying to Congress, the White House has said, bracing for an explosive testimony that is expected to delve into the agency's Russia probe.

"The President's power to assert executive privilege is well-established.

However, in order to facilitate a swift and thorough examination of the facts sought by the Senate Intelligence Committee, President Trump will not assert executive privilege regarding James Comey's scheduled testimony," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said in a statement. Comey is set to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday in a hearing that will likely shed light on his conversations and interactions with Trump.

Trump fired Comey early last month amid FBI's probe into possible collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia to tilt the election in the Republican's favour. Comey is expected to be questioned about the circumstances of his firing and allegations that Trump tried to stifle the agency's Russia investigation.