A local historian says Thursday's testimony from former FBI Director James Comey ranks up there with some other historic Capitol Hill scandals, like the Watergate hearings and the Iran-Contra Affair.

The fact that people could watch the hearing on TV, phones or tablets and get immediate updates has added to the high drama more than any other event of its kind.

Historian Yohuru Williams, who teaches at Fairfield University, says Americans were engrossed by what Comey had to say during the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing.

Williams says Comey's remarks seem to indicate that the president may have made statements or taken actions to influence the FBI's investigation.

He says this could have all the makings of what happened in the Nixon administration.

"This is critical so early on to have a sitting president find himself embroiled in this kind of controversy is historically significant," Williams says. "And if Comey's testimony bears out to be true, then this could be momentous for Trump's presidency moving forward."

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes says Comey's testimony "provided more transparency and answers to the American public."

Sen. Richard Blumenthal added that Comey "painted a portrait of a president abusing power and seeking to put himself above the law."