Vice: Here are all the members of Congress calling for an independent investigation after Comey’s abrupt dismissal
President Donald Trump abruptly fired FBI Director James Comey, prompting practically every member of Congress to weigh in. Many — including some prominent Republicans — are furious, dubbing the dismissal "Nixonian" and "a constitutional crisis."
Weeks before what some are now referring to as the "Tuesday Night Massacre," the now-former FBI director confirmed to Congress that he was spearheading an investigation into possible ties between the Trump administration and Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election. On Tuesday, dozens of senators and representatives called for a special prosecutor to lead an independent investigation into those ties, saying Comey's dismissal tainted the credibility of any future FBI-led investigations.
By late Tuesday evening, two Republicans and two Independents had joined the host of Democrats calling for an independent investigation.
Republican Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan
My staff and I are reviewing legislation to establish an independent commission on Russia. The second paragraph of this letter is bizarre. https://twitter.com/cnn/status/862082478839914497 …
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) 7:37 PM - 9 May 2017
Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona:
Removal of Director Comey only confirms need for select cmte to investigate #Russia's interference in 2016 election https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=press-releases&id=47B82625-B17B-46F3-A0C0-8E05214D9C6E …
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) 7:14 PM - 9 May 2017
Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine
Please see my statement on the President's firing of FBI Director James Comey:
— Senator Angus King (@SenAngusKing) 8:06 PM - 9 May 2017
Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont
We need an independent investigation into the Trump campaign's ties to Russia.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) 7:21 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado:
Comey's firing raises many questions. One thing is clear: an independent special prosecutor is necessary to investigate Russian connections.
— Michael F. Bennet (@SenBennetCO) 6:45 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon:
I've said it before and will say it again: we need an independent prosecutor NOW!
— Earl Blumenauer (@repblumenauer) 7:24 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut:
Ensuring credibility and faith in non-political FBI requires appointment of independent special prosecutor. #Comey
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) 6:09 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey:
Now it's even more important that an independent special counsel is appointed to investigate the Russian interference in our elections.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) 6:23 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio:
Now more than ever, we need an independent investigation into Russian ties to ensure American people can have full confidence in findings.
— Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) 6:52 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland:
Firing the lead investigator into collusion between Russia and Trump campaign officials is beyond the pale. #FBIDirector #Comey
— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) 8:31 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania:
This is Nixonian. Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein must immediately appoint a special prosecutor to continue the Trump/Russia investigation.
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) 6:16 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Kathy Castor of Florida:
What is Trump hiding?! Can't allow #FBI Director #Comey firing to stall Trump/Russia investigation. Independent investigation is imperative!
— US Rep Kathy Castor (@USRepKCastor) 6:36 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts:
Trump firing FBI Dir Comey reinforces the need for an immediate independent investigation into Trump's ties to Russia.
— Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) 7:11 PM - 9 May 2017 · Washington, DC
Democrat Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey:
.@realDonaldTrump, we can read this story in America's history books. We know how it ends:
#TrumpFiresComey
— Bonnie WatsonColeman (@RepBonnie) 7:44 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. John Conyers Jr. of Michigan:
Conyers: Trump's Nixonian Comey Firing is a Clear Cover Up https://democrats-judiciary.house.gov/news/press-releases/conyers-condemns-tuesday-night-massacre …
— House Judiciary Dems (@HouseJudDems) 7:14 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Joe Courtney of Connecticut:
Congress must move immediately to authorize an independent investigation of Russian influence to protect transparency and our democracy.
— Rep. Joe Courtney (@RepJoeCourtney) 6:55 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland:
.@RepCummings .@RepCummings: Congress must restore credibility to this investigation and pass legislation to create an independent commission #TrumpRussia
— House OversightDems (@OversightDems) 7:00 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington:
Americans must know the extent of Russia's grip on Trump. His lack of transparency, and now interference, merit an independent investigation
— Rep. Suzan DelBene (@RepDelBene) 7:48 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Ted Deutch of Florida:
This is how authoritarian leaders operate: fire the ones investigating you. We need a special prosecutor. Now. #FBIDirector
— Rep. Ted Deutch (@RepTedDeutch) 7:43 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois
My statement on the removal of @FBI Director James Comey
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) 6:37 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota:
We are witnessing a Consitutional crisis unfold before our very eyes. My statement on FBI Director Comey's firing here.
— Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) 7:24 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona:
The FBI investigation is tainted. We must appoint an independent special prosecutor to get to the bottom of the administration's Russia ties
— Ruben Gallego (@RepRubenGallego) 7:57 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York:
No more excuses: We need an independent special prosecutor to investigate the Trump Administration's ties to Russia.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) 6:31 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva of Arizona:
Trump to Comey: "You're fired because of #Russia." American people to Trump: #IndependentInvestigationNow
— Raul M. Grijalva (@RepRaulGrijalva) 7:19 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire:
My statement on President Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey: https://bit.ly/2q063c9
— Sen. Maggie Hassan (@SenatorHassan) 6:57 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida:
The #FBIDirector's firing cries out for a Special Prosecutor. Up until the moment of his dismissal, Director #Comey was actively... (1/3)
— Alcee L. Hastings (@RepHastingsFL) 7:33 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Kamala Harris of California:
I've said it before and will again - we must have a special prosecutor to oversee the FBI's Russia investigation. This cannot wait. https://twitter.com/AP/status/862062176659492864 …
— Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) 6:07 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii:
.@realDonaldTrump What do you have to hide? #Comey
— Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) 8:03 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio:
On Comey, this is a flash back to the days of Richard Nixon. We need an independent investigation and Congress must stand up to @POTUS!
— Marcy Kaptur (@RepMarcyKaptur) 8:01 PM - 9 May 2017 · Washington, DC
Democrat Rep. Bill Keating of Massachusetts:
As a former prosecutor, Comey firing again underscores the need for independent investigation of Trump campaign. (1/2)
— Bill Keating (@USRepKeating) 7:24 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois:
President Trump's decision to fire FBI Director Comey is nearly unprecedented. My statement follows #Trumprussia #TrumpRussiaInvestigation
— Raja Krishnamoorthi (@CongressmanRaja) 7:49 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota:
Really? Firing Jim Comey smack in the middle of a major Russia investigation is very suspect. We need independent prosecutor & commission
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) 7:47 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont:
BREAKING: Sen. Patrick Leahy's REAX To President Trump's Firing Of FBI Director James Comey
— Sen. Patrick Leahy (@SenatorLeahy) 6:58 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Sandy Levin of Michigan:
... of Russia's interference in our election and Trump campaign officials' involvement. 2/2 https://twitter.com/repsandylevin/status/862079597348892673 …
— Sandy Levin (@repsandylevin) 6:59 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Ted Lieu of California:
As a former prosecutor, I find Trump's firing of Comey SCREAMS consciousness of guilt and a cover up. We need a special prosecutor NOW. https://twitter.com/chrislhayes/status/862085071045623808 …
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) 7:49 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Patrick Maloney of New York:
I only have two words - independent investigation. #ComeyFiring
— Sean Patrick Maloney (@RepSeanMaloney) 7:29 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts:
.@realDonaldTrump We are careening closer to a Constitutional crisis. We need special prosecutor to investigate any dealings Trump campaign/admin had w Russia
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) 7:15 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Betty McCollum of Minnesota:
.@realDonaldTrump Can anyone appointed by @realDonaldTrump now be trusted to lead the FBI? We urgently need a special prosecutor to investigate #TrumpRussia.
— Rep. Betty McCollum (@BettyMcCollum04) 7:34 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon:
In case the need for an independent special prosecutor to investigate #TrumpRussia ties wasn't clear enough already… it sure is now. https://twitter.com/AP_Politics/status/862060814148284416 …
— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) 6:30 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Gwen Moore of Wisconsin:
This is a page straight out of Nixon's playbook. Only way forward is a special prosecutor to investigate ties between @realDonaldTrump & Russia
— Gwen Moore (@RepGwenMoore) 8:28 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Patty Murray of Washington:
Comey's firing underscores the need for a special prosecutor to examine the Trump campaign's ties to Russia. The public deserves the truth.
— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) 8:08 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts:
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) 7:34 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan:
Trump firing FBI Director investigating his ties to Russia is just latest in long list of reasons why we need special prosecutor re: Russia
— Senator Gary Peters (@SenGaryPeters) 6:43 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island:
President Trump's firing of Dir. Comey amid an active criminal investigation of his inner circle is shocking & disturbing. Full statement:
— Senator Jack Reed (@SenJackReed) 8:03 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio:
Nixon had the Saturday Night Massacre. Now Trump is following suit w/ Tuesday Afternoon Massacre. We need special prosecutor to investigate. https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/862062210880860161 …
— Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) 6:37 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Brian Schatz from Hawaii
The arguments against establishing a Special Prosecutor were weak in the first place. They have now evaporated.
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) 6:23 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee:
Firing of Comey tainted by extraordinary conflict of interest. Independent prosecutor must be appointed to restore any public confidence.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) 7:27 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York:
First Pres Trump fired Sally Yates, then Preet Bharara. Now #Comey. Doesn't seem like an accident. We must have a special prosecutor.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) 7:15 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire:
My statement on @realDonaldTrump firing of FBI Director James Comey
— Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (@SenatorShaheen) 8:01 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona:
It's painfully obvious: Congress must establish an independent investigation into Russian interference in US elections.
— Kyrsten Sinema (@RepSinema) 7:36 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan:
Deeply troubling that President Trump fired FBI Dir. Comey, who was leading Trump-Russia investigation. We need an independent prosecutor!
— Sen. Debbie Stabenow (@SenStabenow) 7:50 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Rep. Tom Suozzi of New York:
Special Prosecutor must be appointed immediately to conduct investigation into the Putin/Russia/Trump relationshiphttps://www.newsday.com/news/nation/donald-trump-fires-fbi-director-james-comey-white-house-says-1.13588733 …
— Tom Suozzi (@RepTomSuozzi) 7:22 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico:
It defies logic to believe @POTUS fired Comey for any other reason than to interfere with the #TrumpRussia investigation. My statement:
— Tom Udall (@SenatorTomUdall) 7:13 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts:
I spoke to @allinwithchris about why we need an independent prosecutor to investigate Trump's ties to Russia. Watch. https://www.facebook.com/senatorelizabethwarren/videos/776403552522140/ …
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) 9:27 PM - 9 May 2017
Democrat Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon:
My full statement: pic.twitter.com/91zeAqYwLx
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) 6:37 PM - 9 May 2017
Several Republican members of Congress also signaled their disapproval over the firing, though they held off on explicitly calling for an investigation, like Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina, who said in a statement that he was "troubled" by the firing, calling it a "loss for the Bureau and the nation." Jeff Flake, a Republican senator from Arizona, also said late Tuesday night that he had yet to find an "acceptable rationale" for firing Comey as Trump did. And Sen. Ben Sasse, a Republican from Nebraska, echoed Burr in calling the timing "very troubling."
my statement on Comey firing
— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) 10:08 PM - 9 May 2017
And Jeff Flake, a Republican senator from Arizona, said late Tuesday night that he had yet to find an "acceptable rationale" for firing Comey as Trump did.
I've spent the last several hours trying to find an acceptable rationale for the timing of Comey's firing. I just can't do it.
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) 9:58 PM - 9 May 2017
I've spent the last several hours trying to find an acceptable rationale for the timing of Comey's firing. I just can't do it.
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) 9:58 PM - 9 May 2017
At least one member of Congress did appear to support Trump's move: Republican Sen. Roy Blunt, of Missouri, who said in a statement, "Many, including myself, have questioned his actions more than once over the past year."
My statement on James Comey
— Senator Roy Blunt (@RoyBlunt) 7:00 PM - 9 May 2017