President Donald Trump's decision to fire FBI Director James Comey earlier tonight is raising neck hairs across the political spectrum. Already, Freedom Caucus Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) have called for the appointment of a special commission to investigate Russia's involvement in the 2016 presidential campaign:
Removal of Director Comey only confirms need for select cmte to investigate #Russia's interference in 2016 election https://t.co/LfKlwSw6iQ — John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) May 9, 2017
My staff and I are reviewing legislation to establish an independent commission on Russia. The second paragraph of this letter is bizarre. https://t.co/wXeDtVIQiP — Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 9, 2017
"This is a desperate act by a vulnerable, comprised president to avoid accountability," tweeted third party presidential candidate Evan McMullin:
This is a desperate act by a vulnerable, comprised president to avoid accountability. The people's Congress must step up its investigations! https://t.co/N36p68pVPM — Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) May 9, 2017
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is also calling for a special committee:
We need a real, independent prosecutor who @realDonaldTrump can't fire, Sessions can't intimidate, & Congress can't muzzle. We need it now. — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) May 9, 2017
And here's Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oreg.)
Comey should be immediately called to testify in an open hearing about the status of Russia/Trump investigation at the time he was fired. — Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) May 9, 2017
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY.) has a theory:
AG Sessions lied under oath about meetings with Kislyak. One way to exert control after recusal is by getting rid of FBI Director. Chilling. — Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) May 9, 2017
Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is "troubled by the timing and reasoning" of Comey's dismissal:
"I am troubled by the timing and reasoning of Director Comey's termination," Sen. Burr (R-NC) says https://t.co/RYsIHJPnLI pic.twitter.com/DIdXa3vVdI — CBS News (@CBSNews) May 9, 2017
Even Edward Snowden is bothered:
This FBI Director has sought for years to jail me on account of my political activities. If I can oppose his firing, so can you. https://t.co/zUp5kquy8q — Edward Snowden (@Snowden) May 9, 2017
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is not bothered:
Susan Collins, whole-heartedly backing Trump's decision to can Comey. pic.twitter.com/PzjITco6AS — Matt Viser (@mviser) May 10, 2017
(Timing could definitely be better. Trump is reportedly meeting tomorrow with Russia's foreign minister.)
The Nixon Presidential Library, meanwhile, wants Twitter to stop calling this a "Nixonian" play:
FUN FACT: President Nixon never fired the Director of the FBI #FBIDirector #notNixonian pic.twitter.com/PatArKOZlk — RichardNixonLibrary (@NixonLibrary) May 9, 2017
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