Several top Democrats – and at least one Republican – criticized President Trump for firing FBI Director James Comey. Senator Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pennsylvania) compared Trump to President Richard Nixon in the way he terminated Comey in the midst of an investigation into Russian collusion, Fox News reports.
“This is Nixonian. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein must immediately appoint a special counsel to continue the Trump/Russia investigation… This investigation must be independent and thorough in order to uphold our nation’s system of justice,” Casey said in a statement.
This is Nixonian. Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein must immediately appoint a special prosecutor to continue the Trump/Russia investigation.
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) May 9, 2017
Former 2016 vice presidential candidate Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) echoed Casey, firing off a series of tweets accusing Trump of firing Comey as a way to interfere in any investigation the FBI was conducting on his alleged Russian ties.
Trump firing Comey shows how frightened the Admin is over Russia investigation
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) May 9, 2017
Comey firing recommended by Sessions. I thought he had recused himself from Russia investigation!
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) May 9, 2017
Comey firing part of a growing pattern by White House to cover-up the truth
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) May 9, 2017
Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland jabbed Trump over his reality show punchline, “You’re Fired,” saying that it “doesn’t work” in politics.
The "you're fired" approach doesn’t work when you're President. @POTUS you're creating a crisis of confidence in our Justice Department.
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) May 9, 2017
Libertarian-leaning Rep. Justin Amash (R-Illinois) said he is studying whether it would be appropriate to call for an independent investigation into Russia’s actions during the election, since Comey is no longer at his post.
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
Senator Richard Burr (R-North Carolina), the chairman of the intelligence committee, criticized Trump’s firing of Comey:
New York’s junior senator Kirsten Gillibrand also pointed to recent accusations of Russian collusion in her criticism of Comey’s dismissal:
No more excuses: We need an independent special prosecutor to investigate the Trump Administration’s ties to Russia.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) May 9, 2017
Senate Minority Whip Richard Durbin (D-Illinois) released a lengthy statement on the matter:
My statement on the removal of @FBI Director James Comey pic.twitter.com/w8BpVateeq
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) May 9, 2017
Senator Edward Markey (D-Massachusetts) said Comey’s firing reminded him of the “Saturday Night Massacre” in the 1970s, when Nixon fired an independent prosecutor and accepted the resignation of a number of DOJ officials in the midst of the Watergate affair.
“President Trump’s firing of Director Comey sets a deeply alarming precedent as multiple investigations into possible Trump campaign or administration collusion with Russia remain ongoing, including an FBI investigation.
This episode is disturbingly reminiscent of the Saturday Night Massacre during the Watergate scandal and the national turmoil that it caused.
We are careening ever closer to a Constitutional crisis, and this development only underscores why we must appoint a special prosecutor to fully investigate any dealings the Trump campaign or administration had with Russia.”
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland), the second-highest ranking Democrat in the House, said Comey’s firing is “deeply troubling and raises serious questions.”
Senator Bill Nelson of Florida called for an independent investigation into Russian interference after hearing of Comey’s firing.