U.S. House members from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania on the firing of James Comey
Lloyd Smucker (R), Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District
According to Philly.com U.S. Representative Lloyd Smucker had the following response to Comey's firing:
| “ | Smucker, whose district includes part of Chester County, said the firing 'raises serious and legitimate questions about timing, intent, and the integrity of ongoing investigations. My constituents deserve answers and I hope to see a full explanation soon.'[5][6] | ” |
Charlie Dent (R), Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District
According to Philly.com U.S. Representative Charlie Dent had the following response to Comey's firing:
| “ | Rep. Charlie Dent, of Allentown, called the president's surprise announcement Tuesday night 'both confounding and troubling' adding that 'it is now harder to resist calls for an independent investigation or select committee.' His statement added that Trump 'must provide a much clearer explanation as to the timing and rationale for this action.'[5][6] | ” |
Ryan Costello (R), Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District
According to Philly.com U.S. Representative Ryan Costello had the following response to Comey's firing:
| “ | Similarly, Rep. Ryan Costello issued a statement saying that 'to date, the explanation for the firing has been insufficient and the timing raises additional questions.' The Congressman from Chester County added, 'my constituents must have assurances that a non-partisan investigation will yield independent, well-grounded conclusions, and I certainly support that effort.'[5][6] | ” |
Brian Fitzpatrick (R), Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District
According to Philly.com U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick had the following response to Comey's firing:
| “ | 'Jim Comey is a man of principle and integrity; I have stated that repeatedly in the past, and I feel the same way today,' Fitzpatrick, of Bucks County, said in a statement. 'While the president clearly has the legal authority to remove the director, both the timing and reasoning for his removal clearly raise questions. It is incumbent upon all of us, as Americans -- regardless of party -- to allow all of the facts to be revealed in a timely and thorough manner and to react accordingly based on those facts.'
He said the FBI needs 'an independent leader' to take over so it can 'continue the very significant national security matters currently under investigation, without interruption. We shall not and will not accept anything less.'[5][6] |
” |
Dwight Evans (D), Pennsylvania's 2nd Congressional District
According to Philly.com U.S. Representative Dwight Evans had the following response to Comey's firing:
| “ | And Rep. Dwight Evans, another Democrat from the city, wrote on Facebook that the decision was 'highly questionable behavior' that shows 'the Trump Administration is not ready for primetime.'[5][6] | ” |
Robert Brady (D), Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District
According to Philly.com U.S. Representative Robert Brady had the following response to Comey's firing:
| “ | Reps. Robert Brady and Brendan Boyle, Philadelphia Democrats, both said the firing showed the need for a special prosecutor to investigate any ties between the Trump team and Russia.[5][6] | ” |
Brendan Boyle (D), Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District
According to Philly.com U.S. Representative Brendan Boyle had the following response to Comey's firing:
| “ | Reps. Robert Brady and Brendan Boyle, Philadelphia Democrats, both said the firing showed the need for a special prosecutor to investigate any ties between the Trump team and Russia.[5][6] | ” |
See also
- Donald Trump firing of FBI Director James Comey, 2017-2018
- 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
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Philly.com, "Some Pa., N.J. Republicans raise questions about Comey firing," May 10, 2017
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
