(Washington DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the lead Democrat on the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the Department of Justice, released the following statement after learning President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey today:
“President Trump’s firing of FBI Director Comey is very disturbing and opens a Pandora’s box of additional questions regarding the ongoing investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. This unprecedented interference by the President of the United States in an ongoing criminal investigation leaves no doubt that the only way to uncover the truth about Russian interference in our election is with an independent investigation.
“It’s well past time for Republicans in Congress to put country above party and support the appointment of an independent counsel. The American public has a right to know to what end Russia interfered in our election. Now more than ever, there should be a bipartisan agreement to get to the bottom of this.”
Sen. Maggie Hassan’s statement:
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan released the following statement on President Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey:
“President Trump’s abrupt decision to fire FBI Director Comey raises many serious questions. The American people deserve a full accounting of the process that went into this decision and deserve to know whether the FBI’s ongoing investigation into the Trump campaign and Russian interference in the 2016 election had any influence on the President’s action. This episode reinforces the need for both a special prosecutor as well as a thorough Congressional investigation to get to the bottom of Russia’s interference and any connection to President Trump’s campaign in order to ensure complete confidence in our democratic institutions.
“It is essential that the next FBI director be able to demonstrate true independence from the political influence of this Administration and commit to following the facts of any ongoing or future investigations, no matter where they lead.”
Washington Post story of Comey firing