WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Denouncing President Trump’s firing of FBI Dir. James Comey Tuesday, Indian American lawmakers Raja Krishnamoorthi and Pramila Jayapal joined dozens of their congressional colleagues to demand an independent prosecutor to investigate the president’s Russia ties.
The White House announced Tuesday Comey was being removed from his post in a surprise move. “President Trump acted based on the clear recommendations of both Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Attorney General Jeff Sessions,” the White House said in its statement.
Comey had been appointed to the post by former President Barack Obama in 2013, and was in the process of spearheading an effort by the agency into investigating potential collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign during November’s general election.
“The need for an independent commission or fully independent prosecutor to investigate and bring to light the truth of these matters for the American people is now more clear than ever,” Krishnamoorthi said in a press release. “It is extremely disturbing that the Chief Executive is interfering with an ongoing investigation into his Administration by firing the person charged with conducting it. One cannot help but be reminded of President Nixon’s Saturday Night Massacre. This action only raises further questions regarding the Administration’s ties to Russia,” he added.
Krishnamoorthi said as “a member of the House Oversight Committee,” he would welcome Comey’s “public, sworn testimony on the status of the FBI’s investigation.”
Jayapal, who is currently out of the country visiting India as part of a congressional delegation, shared her colleagues sentiment. “As I have said before, we urgently need a fully bipartisan and independent investigation into Russia’s influence on the White House and the 2016 election,” she said.
In her official statement, Jayapal termed the “manner and suddenness of” the FBI chief’s firing “deeply disturbing.” She added, “Comey’s dismissal, as he was investigating the Trump campaign’s connections to Russia, is yet another alarming sign of how little regard the administration has for ethical lines and the Constitution.”
Sen. Kamala Harris tweeted: “I’ve said it before and will again – we must have a special prosecutor to oversee the FBI’s Russia investigation. This cannot wait.”
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://t.co/Z9eeGNLTzr
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) May 9, 2017
“My staff and I are reviewing legislation to establish an independent commission on Russia,” Republican Rep. Justin Amash tweeted. “The second paragraph of this letter is bizarre.”