Politics

Senate Democrats demand special prosecutor after Comey's firing

By Blair Guild

May 9, 2017 / 10:46 PM EDT / CBS News

Dozens of Senate Democrats are demanding a special prosector be appointed to investigate President Trump's alleged ties to Russia after FBI Director James Comey was abruptly dismissed Tuesday evening.

Reaction pours in over sudden firing of FBI Director James Comey

Mr. Trump's letter addressed to Comey announcing his dismissal states, "While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the Bureau."

As of Tuesday evening, all but 10 of the 46 Democratic members of the Senate have publicly called for a special prosecutor. Multiple Senate Democrats took to Twitter to voice their concerns:

My statement on the firing of FBI Director Comey https://t.co/OiqX0MQlkQ pic.twitter.com/FRsycF3uUM
— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) May 10, 2017

Senate & House Judiciary Committees are going to continue investigating Trump's ties to Russia, but we need a special independent prosecutor
— Sen. Maria Cantwell (@SenatorCantwell) May 10, 2017

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) May 10, 2017

.@POTUS firing #FBIDirector Comey in the middle of his investigation into the Trump campaign demands the appointment of a Special Counsel.
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) May 10, 2017

BREAKING: Sen. Patrick Leahy's REAX To President Trump's Firing Of FBI Director James Comey pic.twitter.com/N6gpSsvMgg
— Sen. Patrick Leahy (@SenatorLeahy) May 9, 2017

Spoke with @PatrickWalker about sudden firing of FBI Dir. Comey and urgent need for independent investigation for Trump/Russia probe. pic.twitter.com/nYdwbMyLfT
— Senator Cortez Masto (@SenCortezMasto) May 9, 2017

Trump’s firing of FBI Dir. #Comey raises serious questions & highlights need for special prosecutor to look into Trump-Russia ties.
— Senator Jack Reed (@SenJackReed) May 9, 2017

Now more than ever, we need an independent investigation into Russian ties to ensure American people can have full confidence in findings. pic.twitter.com/bPrbDnOA4e
— Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) May 9, 2017

.@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) May 9, 2017

This is a direct attack on integrity & independence of FBI. I’m renewing my call for independent prosecutor to take over this investigation
— Martin Heinrich (@MartinHeinrich) May 9, 2017

If we don't get a special prosecutor, every American will rightfully suspect that the decision to fire #Comey was part of a cover-up.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 9, 2017

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

Now it's even more important that an independent special counsel is appointed to investigate the Russian interference in our elections. pic.twitter.com/WcoxtbfSyW
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) May 9, 2017

In case the need for an independent special prosecutor to investigate #TrumpRussia ties wasn’t clear enough already… it sure is now. https://t.co/G3yoovqi0a
— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) May 9, 2017

This is Nixonian. Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein must immediately appoint a special prosecutor to continue the Trump/Russia investigation.
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) May 9, 2017

We cannot wait any longer to have a special prosecutor to oversee the FBI's Russia investigation. https://t.co/gbWy0RCAka
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) May 9, 2017

Comey's firing raises many questions. One thing is clear: an independent special prosecutor is necessary to investigate Russian connections.
— Michael F. Bennet (@SenBennetCO) May 9, 2017

It defies logic to believe @POTUS fired Comey for any other reason than to interfere with the #TrumpRussia investigation. My statement: pic.twitter.com/IONbskhYr2
— Tom Udall (@SenatorTomUdall) May 9, 2017

This is a direct attack on integrity & independence of FBI. I’m renewing my call for independent prosecutor to take over this investigation
— Martin Heinrich (@MartinHeinrich) May 9, 2017

Ensuring credibility and faith in non-political FBI requires appointment of independent special prosecutor. #Comey
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) May 9, 2017

Congress must appoint a special counsel to ensure that findings on Russia's influence in the 2016 election are not clouded by partisanship.
— Senator Tom Carper (@SenatorCarper) May 10, 2017

Deeply troubling that President Trump fired FBI Dir. Comey, who was leading Trump-Russia investigation. We need an independent prosecutor!
— Sen. Debbie Stabenow (@SenStabenow) May 9, 2017

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) May 9, 2017

Really? Firing Jim Comey smack in the middle of a major Russia investigation is very suspect. We need independent prosecutor & commission
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) May 9, 2017

.@POTUS It's now clearer than ever that we need an independent investigation into Trump's ties to Russia.
— Sen. Al Franken (@SenFranken) May 9, 2017

My statement on @realDonaldTrump firing of FBI Director James Comey pic.twitter.com/66C8tTuKnB
— Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (@SenatorShaheen) May 10, 2017

.@POTUS Yet another reason we need an independent prosecutor to investigate Trump's ties to Russia.
— Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) May 9, 2017

My statement on President Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey: https://t.co/kThlghd1YI pic.twitter.com/D04fdGsnwn
— Sen. Maggie Hassan (@SenatorHassan) May 9, 2017