“The president has removed the sitting FBI director in the midst of one of the most critical national security investigations in the history of our country — one that implicates senior officials in the Trump campaign and administration,” Leahy, a longtime member and former chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in a written statement. “This is nothing less than Nixonian.”
Sanders called Comey’s firing “deeply troubling” and said it “raises serious questions about what his administration is hiding.”
“President Trump has repeatedly taken steps to kill inquiries into Russia’s involvement in the U.S. election,” Vermont’s junior senator said in his own written statement. “It is clear that whomever President Trump handpicks to lead the FBI will not be able to objectively carry out this investigation.”
In a four-page letter to Comey released late Tuesday, Trump said he had accepted recommendations from Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to dismiss the FBI director.
“While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the Bureau,” the president wrote. “It is essential that we find new leadership for the FBI that restores public trust and confidence in its vital law enforcement mission.”
In a separate letter released by the White House, Rosenstein said he had lost confidence in Comey over his handling of an investigation into 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s private email server.
Leahy took exception to that argument.
“No one should accept President Trump’s absurd justification that he is now concerned that FBI Director Comey treated Secretary Clinton unfairly,” Leahy wrote. “The president in fact celebrated the director’s egregious mistakes in that investigation.”
Both senators said Comey’s firing demonstrates the need for an independent investigation into Trump’s alleged ties to Russia.
“There simply is no avoiding the compelling fact that this cascading situation demands the prompt appointment of an independent special counsel to pick up the pieces of these investigations,” Leahy wrote.
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But Hillary Clinton did have a private server that she misused. When those emails were hacked and released they revealed a slimy person, at best. The DNC forced Clinton on its constituents and the constituents didn’t buy her, hence Trump.
What more does anyone need to show the character of our Senators? They are disgusting excuses for honesty in government. Throw the bums out. Comey has been defending the Clinton criminal ring for many years.. decades. It is all unraveling. Hurray !
This means a new set of final eyes on the Federal Jane Sanders criminal investigation.
Chances of a similar Hillary-Pass for her are dwindling.
Both of these life long politicians were calling for Comey’s head no less than 6 months ago for costing their girl Hillary the election, now they are calling a special investigations. All that Leahy and Sanders are good at is wasting the American people’s money and time. Let’s vote these bums out and get some people into Washington that will move America forward. I hope that a new FBI director looks into Bernie and Jane for their theft of BC funds and puts them in Levenworth in a cell next to the Clintons. Lock them up and drain the swamp. #timetovotethebaldguysout.
Leahy and Sanders are a disgrace to Vermont and to the Country..Both are useless..they don’t care about Vermont or our Country..Sanders saying “Comey’s firing “deeply troubling” and said it “raises serious questions about what his administration is hiding.” Mmm sanders what are you and your wife hiding? Lies about pledges amount..lies about taking money from Killary..Did you returned the donations from people when you became a sell out?? What happened to that money.. You both put Comey down when he was investigating Clinton..he was no good..now all of a sudden you are sticking up for him.you both are a disgrace ..They are not worthy of being a senator..