U.S. House members from North Carolina on the firing of James Comey
 |
118th • 117th • 116th • 115th • 114th • 113th • 112th • 111th • 110th |
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 North Carolina on the firing of James Comey
Alma Adams (D), North Carolina's 12th Congressional District
U.S. Representative Alma Adams released the following comments regarding Comey's firing on May 10, 2017:
| “ | This is a troubling sequence of events,' said Congresswoman Adams. 'The timing of the White House’s dismissal of Director Comey, in the midst of the investigation into Russian meddling in our elections, is questionable. Actions such as this detract from the focus of this investigation and erode public trust in the process. It is now more important than ever that an independent special counsel is appointed to investigate Russian interference in our elections.'[5][6] | ” |
G.K. Butterfield (D), North Carolina's 1st Congressional District
U.S. Representative [G.K. Butterfield]] released the following comments regarding Comey's firing on May 11, 2017:
| “ | The timing of President Donald Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey is both suspicious and disturbing. This firing is the latest, and perhaps most obvious, example of the Trump Administration attempting to cover up the investigations into Trump and his associates’ ties to and collusion with Russia. Not since Watergate have we seen a president dismiss the official leading the investigation against him or his associates. An independent special prosecutor must be immediately appointed so Congress and the American people can learn the full extent of Russia’s interference and involvement with Mr. Trump and those associated with him.[7][6] | ” |
Mark Meadows (R), North Carolina's 11th Congressional District
According to WLOS ABC 13, U.S. Representative Mark Meadows made the following comments regarding Comey's firing:
| “ | 'I think I, like everybody else, was caught off guard, surprised by it,' Rep. Meadows said. 'But I can tell you the FBI Director serves at the pleasure of the President. Obviously he [Trump] has the ability to not only fire but appoint.'[8][6] | ” |
David Rouzer (R), North Carolina's 7th Congressional District
U.S. Representative David Rouzer released the following comments regarding Comey's firing on May 10, 2017:
| “ | Sometimes difficult circumstances require a fresh start, and I am confident that the President will appoint a new FBI director who will have the trust of the Congress and the American people to lead the FBI in achieving its core missions with great integrity and excellence. I believe Director Comey to be a very honorable man who has led the FBI at a unique time marked by significantly partisan and difficult circumstances. I commend him for his dedicated service to the country.[9][6] | ” |
Mark Walker (R), North Carolina's 6th Congressional District
According to CNN, U.S. Representative Mark Walker made the following comments 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 that's accurate, I'm hearing that it's not -- to say that we would have some concern would be accurate, that would be troubling,' Walker told CNN. 'To act like it's not a concern would be remiss on my part.'[10][6] | ” |
See also
- Donald Trump firing of FBI Director James Comey, 2017-2018
- 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
- ↑ Congresswoman Alma Adams, "Adams Statement on the Dismissal of FBI Director James Comey," May 10, 2017
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Congressman G.K. Butterfield, "Butterfield Statement on the Firing of FBI Director James Comey," May 11, 2017
- ↑ WLOS ABC 13, "N.C. lawmakers reactions mixed to firing of FBI Director James Comey," May 10, 2017
- ↑ Congressman David Rouzer, "Rouzer statement on Trump's decision to dismiss Comey," May 10, 2017
- ↑ CNN, "Chaffetz: I'm ready to subpoena for Comey memo," May 17, 2017
