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Connecticut Lawmakers Agree: Independent Probe Needed After Comey's Firing

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. — Connecticut's delegation to Washington expressed shock after President Donald Trump fired Westport resident James Comey as FBI director and called it a political move. 

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes

Photo Credit: Meredith Guinness

Many were calling for an independent investigation into the firing and its possible connection to an investigation into White House ties to Russia. 

“The need for a special prosecutor is now crystal clear. President Trump has catastrophically compromised the FBI’s ongoing investigation of his own White House’s ties to Russia," said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). "Not since Watergate have our legal systems been so threatened, and our faith in the independence and integrity of those systems so shaken. The only way to restore faith in a nonpolitical, nonpartisan FBI is to appoint an independent special prosecutor."

U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-5th District) kept her message short. "We need an independent investigation. Now," she said via Twitter. 

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-4th District) also questioned the firing of Comey, who was once a top lawyer for Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund.  

“I am deeply troubled by President Trump’s firing of FBI Director Comey in the middle of a investigation into possible links and connections between Trump, his campaign and associates and Russia. The White House cited Director Comey’s handling of the investigation into Secretary [Hillary] Clinton’s emails as the reason for the firing, but many will be rightly skeptical of that explanation," Himes said.

“Whatever the merits of Director Comey’s decisions, the investigated has just fired the investigator. That should never have occurred prior to the full and complete insulation of the FBI’s investigation through the appointment of an independent prosecutor and other measures. The faith of the American people in their government will be shaken if we cannot rely on the instruments of justice to function free of political interference. In this situation the interference appears political and adds to a narrative of deception, denial and obfuscation.

“I will do everything in my power to ensure that this irresponsible move doesn’t end the necessary work law enforcement is conducting to discover the truth about Russia, its interference in our democracy and any and all who might be complicit.”

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