In Wake of Comey Firing, Amash and McCain Demand Special Commission
"My staff and I are reviewing legislation to establish an independent commission on Russia," Amash tweets.
President Donald Trump's decision to fire FBI Director James Comey earlier tonight is raising neck hairs across the political spectrum. Already, Freedom Caucus Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) have called for the appointment of a special commission to investigate Russia's involvement in the 2016 presidential campaign:
Removal of Director Comey only confirms need for select cmte to investigate #Russia's interference in 2016 election https://t.co/LfKlwSw6iQ
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) May 9, 2017
My staff and I are reviewing legislation to establish an independent commission on Russia. The second paragraph of this letter is bizarre. https://t.co/wXeDtVIQiP
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 9, 2017
"This is a desperate act by a vulnerable, comprised president to avoid accountability," tweeted third party presidential candidate Evan McMullin:
This is a desperate act by a vulnerable, comprised president to avoid accountability. The people's Congress must step up its investigations! https://t.co/N36p68pVPM
— Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) May 9, 2017
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is also calling for a special committee:
We need a real, independent prosecutor who @realDonaldTrump can't fire, Sessions can't intimidate, & Congress can't muzzle. We need it now.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) May 9, 2017
And here's Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oreg.)
Comey should be immediately called to testify in an open hearing about the status of Russia/Trump investigation at the time he was fired.
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) May 9, 2017
(Wyden's full statement is here.)
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY.) has a theory:
AG Sessions lied under oath about meetings with Kislyak. One way to exert control after recusal is by getting rid of FBI Director. Chilling.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) May 9, 2017
Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is "troubled by the timing and reasoning" of Comey's dismissal:
"I am troubled by the timing and reasoning of Director Comey's termination," Sen. Burr (R-NC) says https://t.co/RYsIHJPnLI pic.twitter.com/DIdXa3vVdI
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 9, 2017
Even Edward Snowden is bothered:
This FBI Director has sought for years to jail me on account of my political activities. If I can oppose his firing, so can you. https://t.co/zUp5kquy8q
— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) May 9, 2017
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is not bothered:
Susan Collins, whole-heartedly backing Trump's decision to can Comey. pic.twitter.com/PzjITco6AS
— Matt Viser (@mviser) May 10, 2017
(Timing could definitely be better. Trump is reportedly meeting tomorrow with Russia's foreign minister.)
The Nixon Presidential Library, meanwhile, wants Twitter to stop calling this a "Nixonian" play:
FUN FACT: President Nixon never fired the Director of the FBI #FBIDirector #notNixonian pic.twitter.com/PatArKOZlk
— RichardNixonLibrary (@NixonLibrary) May 9, 2017