U.S. House members from Florida on the firing of James Comey
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President Donald Trump (R) fired Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey on May 9, 2017. Trump stated in a letter that he no longer had confidence in Comey's ability to lead the agency.[1]
Comey's dismissal occurred after Trump received a memo from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to Attorney General Jeff Sessions recommending Comey's removal. According to the memo, Rosenstein recommended Comey's ouster due to what Rosenstein and his colleagues viewed as mistaken actions taken by Comey during the course of the investigation into former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's private email server. Trump later stated that he had lost confidence in Comey's ability to lead the agency and had made the decision to fire Comey prior to receiving the memo. According to White House Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the memo was the "final straw that pushed [Trump]" to remove Comey from the post.[2][3]
Comey's dismissal sparked varying responses from congressional members. Many Democrats and Republicans expressed concern over the firing in light of the FBI's ongoing investigation into Russia's involvement in the 2016 presidential election. Others supported Trump's decision, stating that he had acted within his authority as president and citing many Democrats' prior condemnations of Comey during the course of the Clinton email investigation. Comey's removal also sparked calls from a number of Democrats to appoint a special prosecutor to lead the FBI's Russia investigation.[2][3]
On May 16, 2017, The New York Times reported that Comey had penned a memo documenting a conversation in which Trump allegedly asked Comey to halt an investigation into former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. The report generated additional responses by congressional members.[4]
U.S. House members from Florida on the firing of James Comey
Val Demings (D), Florida's 10th Congressional District
U.S. Representative Val Demings released the following statement regarding comey's firing on May 11, 2017.
| “ | The circumstances surrounding the firing of FBI Director James Comey, from the timing, to the justification, to the individuals involved, are very concerning.
We need to restore the American people's faith in the ability of the FBI to conduct a fair and non-partisan investigation. That starts with the investigation into the Russian interference of the 2016 election, and the Trump campaign's collusion with Russia. It's time for all of us to put partisanship aside, and do what's best for the future of our democracy.[5][6] |
” |
Carlos Curbelo (R), Florida's 26th Congressional District
According to The Washington Post, U.S. Representative Carlos Curbelo made the following comments regarding Comey's firing:
| “ | Today’s extraordinary decision raises many questions all of which must be answered. Congress and the American people need a transparent explanation as to how this decision was reached and why it was executed at this time. It is critical that the FBI can continue all of its pending work with independence and integrity – especially the investigation into the Russian government’s efforts to influence our last election and undermine American democracy. Today I reiterate the need for Congress to establish a Select Committee with full investigatory powers to thoroughly examine this matter. [7][6] | ” |
Curbelo made the following comments via Twitter regarding reports that Comey had penned a memo documenting a conversation in which Trump allegedly asked Comey to halt an investigation into former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn:
If recent allegations are true, they mark the beginning of a new and very sad chapter of scandal and controversy in our country.
— Rep. Carlos Curbelo (@RepCurbelo) May 16, 2017
Ron DeSantis (R), Florida's 6th Congressional District
U.S. Representative Ron DeSantis made the following comments regarding Comey's firing via Twitter:
President Trump made the right decision to relieve FBI Director James Comey of his duties.
— Ron DeSantis (@RepDeSantis) May 9, 2017
I look forward to the President nominating a strong director who will keep the FBI focused on core mission & out of the political thicket.
— Ron DeSantis (@RepDeSantis) May 9, 2017
Theodore Deutch (D), Florida's 21st Congressional District
U.S. Representative Theodore Deutch made the following comments regarding Comey's firing via Twitter:
I thought the Attorney General recused himself from the Russia investigation - the one the #FBIDirector was leading. #SpecialProsecutor now.
— Rep. Ted Deutch (@RepTedDeutch) May 9, 2017
Deutch made the following comments via Twitter following reports that Comey had penned a memo documenting a conversation in which Trump allegedly asked Comey to halt an investigation into former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn:
Asking FBI to drop an investigation is obstruction of justice. Obstruction of justice is an impeachable offense.https://t.co/cQT5kVuWeD
— Rep. Ted Deutch (@RepTedDeutch) May 16, 2017
Alcee Hastings (D), Florida's 23rd Congressional District
U.S. Representative Alcee Hastings made the following comments regarding Comey's firing via Twitter:
The American people deserve to know why Director #Comey was fired without reason & Donald Trump needs to explain himself immediately. (3/3)
— Alcee L. Hastings (@RepHastingsFL) May 9, 2017
See also
- Congressional responses to the firing of James Comey
- House Intelligence Committee investigation on Russian activity in 2016 presidential election
- Hillary Clinton email investigation
Footnotes
- ↑ The New York Times, "F.B.I. Director James Comey Is Fired by Trump," May 9, 2017
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 CNN, "Trump: I was going to fire Comey regardless of DOJ recommendation," May 11, 2017
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 NPR, "'I Will Be Fine,' Comey Reportedly Tells FBI Agents In Farewell Letter," May 10, 2017
- ↑ The Atlantic, "The House Demands to See the Comey Memos," May 16, 2017
- ↑ U.S. Representative Val Demings, "REP. VAL DEMINGS RESPONDS TO FIRING OF FBI DIRECTOR," May 11, 2017
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Comey firing: Reaction from members of Congress on FBI director’s dismissal," May 9, 2017
