U.S. House members from Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts on the firing of James Comey
Stephen Lynch (D), Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District
U.S. Representative Stephen Lynch released the following statement regarding Comey's firing on May 9, 2017:
| “ | F.B.I. Director Comey’s actions in the closing days of the recent Presidential election constituted a deep failure in judgment. However, in the midst of an F.B.I. investigation into Russian interference with the Presidential election, the timing of his removal raises profound questions regarding the ability and willingness of the Department of Justice to carry out its mission on behalf of the American people. That mission is to enforce the law and ensure the impartial administration of justice even when doing so may reach the highest levels of our Government.
The American people deserve answers and a comprehensive, transparent, and accountable investigation into reports that a foreign government deliberately interfered with our most sacred democratic institution. We also need to reassure all Americans that the rule of law is being followed, and that the President, Attorney General, and Deputy Attorney General are not trying to thwart justice. To this end, it is my intention to persuade my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in Congress that a bipartisan, independent commission appointed by Congress, as well as a Special Prosecutor, are required to conduct a thorough investigation of these matters. Congress must take the necessary steps to see that this investigation is pursued with all deliberate speed and without any interference from the White House or the Department of Justice.[5][6] |
” |
Katherine Clark (D), Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District
U.S. Representative Katherine Clark made the following comments regarding Comey's firing via Twitter:
Trump firing FBI Dir Comey reinforces the need for an immediate independent investigation into Trump's ties to Russia.
— Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) May 9, 2017
William Keating (D), Massachusetts' 9th Congressional District
U.S. Representative William Keating made the following comments regarding Comey's firing via Twitter:
As a former prosecutor, Comey firing again underscores the need for independent investigation of Trump campaign. (1/2)
— Bill Keating (@USRepKeating) May 9, 2017
Richard Neal (D), Massachusetts' 1st Congressional District
U.S. Representative Richard Neal made the following comments regarding Comey's firing via Twitter:
POTUS has now fired FBI Director. Acting AG and US Atty investigated his ties to #Russia. We need independent investigation now.
— Rep. Richard Neal (@RepRichardNeal) May 9, 2017
See also
- 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 Stephen Lynch, "Rep. Lynch Statement on Firing of F.B.I. Director Comey," May 9, 2017
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
