Comey Firing: Rep. Velázquez and N.Y Attorney General Schneiderman Call for Special Prosecutor

2017-05-09 23

James Comey. Photo –Brookings Institution/Flickr.

Following the firing of FBI Director James Comey today Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez and New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman have called for a Special Prosecutor to handle the investigation of whether President Donald Trump’s associates colluded with Russian agents during the presidential election.

Trump fired Comey today citing the handling of Hillary Clinton’s e-mail scandal last year.

Several Democrats have questioned the timing of the firing and said it raised questions about whether the White House trying to undermine investigations into Russiagate–whether Russian agents worked with Trump campaign operatives to help him win the November election.

“In December, I wrote outgoing Attorney General Lynch to ask that a Special Counsel be appointed to investigate Russia’s meddling in our election,” Rep. Velazquez (D-NY) said. “The American people need confidence that a fair, thorough investigation is being conducted. Unfortunately today’s turn of events casts great doubt on the effectiveness of the FBI probe.”

She added: “The Attorney General of the United States recused himself from any investigation into Russian interference of American elections, yet just saw fit to fire the person purportedly investigating. The Deputy Attorney General must appoint a Special Counsel immediately so the American people’s faith in our democratic institutions remains intact.”

New York Attorney General Schneiderman said: “The president’s actions today threaten both critical investigations now underway, and the integrity and independence of the FBI, which is a critical partner to my office and to law enforcement agencies across the country. It is now clear that we need a special prosecutor to investigate interference by the Russian government into our presidential election and any potential ties to the Trump campaign or campaign associates. We need our leaders in Washington to put partisanship aside and call on President Trump and Department of Justice to do the right thing. The American people deserve nothing less.”

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