May 9, 2017 - Politics & Policy
Reactions to Trump firing James Comey
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Carolyn Kaster / AP
President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey suddenly on Tuesday evening, noting that his decision came on the recommendations of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and deputy AG Rod Rosenstein. The reactions:
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Trump's firings of Sally Yates, Preet Bharara, and James Comey: "This does not seem to be a coincidence."
- Edward Snowden: "Set aside politics: every American should condemn such political interference in the Bureau's work. 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."
- Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA): Comey firing "disturbingly reminiscent of the Saturday Night Massacre during the Watergate scandal &the natl turmoil that it caused."
- ACLU: "The independence of the FBI director is meant to ensure that the president does not operate above the law. For President Trump to fire the man responsible for investigating his own campaign's ties to the Russians imperils that fundamental principle."
- Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI): My staff and I are reviewing legislation to establish an independent commission on Russia. The second paragraph of this letter is bizarre.
- Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), Intel committee chairman: "I am troubled by the timing and reasoning of Director Comey's termination."
- Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ): "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."
- Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA): "The FBI Director serves at the pleasure of the president. Under these circumstances, president Trump accepted the recommendation of the Justice Department that the Director lacked the confidence needed to carry out his important duties."
- Sen. John McCain (R-AZ): "I am disappointed in the President's decision to remove James Comey from office. James Comey is a man of honor and integrity, and he has led the FBI well in extraordinary circumstances."
- Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), ranking member on House Oversight committee: The firing "harkens back to a similarly tainted decision by President Nixon."
- Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA): "But does anyone seriously believe @realDonaldTrump fired the top person investigating his ties to Russia because he was unfair to Hillary?"
- Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA): "Trump firing Comey shows how frightened the Admin is over Russia investigation."
- Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA): "This is Nixonian." Called for immediate appointment of special counsel on Trump/Russia.
- Fox News' Sean Hannity: "Comey Fired!!! Finally."
- Brian Fallon, national press secretary for Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign: "I'm not shedding any tears for Comey personally -he hurt FBI's reputation- but I do worry whether we ever get to the bottom of Russia now."
- DNC Chair Tom Perez: "Trump fired the man investigating him — a deeply dangerous abuse of power. We need a special prosecutor, now."
- Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD): Calls for emergency hearings, says it's "mind boggling" that Sessions "was directly involved" in call to fire.
- Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA): "Time to revive Watergate vocabulary: obstruction, cover-up, suborn, conspiracy, inoperative, criminal conspiracy, independent prosecutor."
