Skip to main content

Rep. Waters: Republicans Must Join in the Call for an Independent Commission without Delay

May 9, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 9, 2017

Contact: Rykia Dorsey

Email: Rykia.Dorsey@mail.house.gov

Phone: (202) 225-2201

Rep. Waters: Republicans Must Join in the Call for an Independent Commission without Delay

Washington, D.C.—Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, released the following statement today in response to breaking news that President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey:

"Donald Trump should follow his FBI Director out of the door and restore credibility to the White House. Further, that Trump would hang his decision to fire James Comey on Attorney General Jeff Sessions -- a man who delivered false testimony before the U.S. Senate and then had to recuse himself from all matters regarding the Trump-Russia investigation -- is as ridiculous as the letter Trump is planning to have sent to Senator Lindsey Graham certifying that he has no business ties to Russia. Trump could shed light on this question simply by releasing his tax returns, not a meaningless letter from his lawyer.

"Trump's phony concern for the FBI and rule of law is laughable. Donald Trump has undermined the rule of law at every turn. When he's not bullying the intelligence community, federal judges, and his predecessor from his Twitter account, he is sending his operatives out to proliferate lies and falsehoods all while denying the very serious questions about his campaign's communication and possible collusion with Russians to undermine the election.

"Even more troubling is Donald Trump's clear pattern of firing people who are closing in on him or his Administration's questionable conduct. When Sally Yates warned the White House about Mike Flynn possibly being compromised by Russians and refused to enforce Trump's disastrous travel ban, she was fired. After Preet Bharara was asked by outside groups to investigate Trump's foreign business deals, he was fired. Now mere weeks after the FBI Director confirmed that he was investigating Trump's campaign and possible collusion with Russians to undermine our democracy, he was fired. This is all an outrage and unacceptable.

"FBI Director Comey had no credibility, but he was in good company in an Administration that lies as a matter of policy. The Trump Administration cannot be trusted with the Russia investigation. Jeff Sessions cannot be trusted with the Russia investigation. The Republicans in Congress cannot be trusted with the Russia investigation. The only way that we will ever get to the bottom of what happened in the 2016 election is through an independent commission. Republicans truly committed to integrity and the rule of law must join in this effort without delay."