U.S. House members from Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin on the firing of James Comey
Paul Ryan (R), Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District
According to Politico, Speaker Paul Ryan made the following comments regarding the firing of James Comey:
| “ | 'The truth is that James Comey, who is a worthwhile, dedicated public servant, had basically lost the confidence of a lot of Republicans, a lot of Democrats, based on his conduct, his actions and some of the comments he had made. And most importantly, he had lost the confidence of the president,' Ryan told Fox News’ Bret Baier.
Ryan also said 'the president was looking at a situation where you had senior Justice Department officials losing confidence.' 'Trump] does not want to see the FBI in disarray,' he continued. 'He wants to see the FBI running and moving well.'[5][6] |
” |
Mike Gallagher (R), Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District
U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher made the following comments regarding Comey's firing via Twitter:
Like many Americans, I have serious concerns and unanswered questions about the timing of Director Comey's dismissal.
— Rep. Mike Gallagher (@RepGallagher) May 10, 2017
Gwen Moore (D), Wisconsin's 4th Congressional District
U.S. Representative Gwen Moore made the following comments regarding Comey's firing via Facebook:
| “ | As more details emerge regarding the timing of Director James Comey’s removal, it is clear to me that the president will stop at nothing to prevent the truth from emerging about his connection to the Vladimir Putin regime. Despite strong bipartisan consensus regarding Russia’s interference in the presidential election, President Trump remains undeterred in his effort to divert our country’s collective focus away from this fundamental matter of national security.
The idea that President Trump fired Director Comey because of his handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation would be laughable if it wasn’t so ludicrous. The validity of the president’s justification is further compromised after learning that just two days ago, Director Comey requested more funding and resources from the Justice Department to aid the FBI in investing Russian interference in the presidential election. The president’s desperation to stymie the investigation into his ties with Russia have become increasingly clear, especially in the wake of Director Comey’s removal only 48 hours before he was set to testify in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee in an open hearing. These egregious actions lead me to believe the President of the United States is actively involved in a cover-up of unprecedented proportions. Such malfeasance demands the creation of an independent, bipartisan commission to shed light on Russian influence over the president and his administration.[7][6] |
” |
Mark Pocan (D), Wisconsin's 2nd Congressional District
U.S. Representative Mark Pocan made the following comments regarding Comey's firing via Twitter:
After @realDonaldTrump fired FBI Dir. Comey, it's imperative we have a special prosecutor investigate Russia ties. https://t.co/UZ3eLjPSVd
— Rep. Mark Pocan (@repmarkpocan) May 10, 2017
Ron Kind (D), Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District
U.S. Representative Ron Kind released the following statement regarding Comey's firing on May 9, 2017:
| “ | Today's rash decision by President Trump to fire FBI Director James Comey is a grotesque abuse of power. I am unaware of any justifiable reason that would show just cause for the firing of the FBI Director. I call on congressional leadership to schedule hearings so we can get to the bottom of this. I hope and pray this had nothing to do with the FBI's independent investigation into Russian interference and possible collusion of Trump associates with Russia during the 2016 election.[8] [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
- ↑ Politico, "Breaking silence, Ryan backs Trump on Comey firing," May 10, 2017
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Facebook, "Gwen S. Moore," accessed May 14, 2017
- ↑ Congressman Ron Kind, "Rep. Kind’s Statement on Firing of FBI Director James Comey," May 9, 2017
