How Are Local Reps Responding To Comey Firing?

Members of Congress representing Chicago's North Shore released statements Wednesday in response to President Donald Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey.

On Twitter, Trump wrote Comey would be replaced "by someone who will do a far better job, bringing back the spirit and prestige of the FBI." He predicted, "When things calm down, they will be thanking me!"

Find full responses from local members of Congress below.

9th District Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston):

“Earlier in the week we heard former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates tell the United States Senate, under oath, that the Trump Administration actively and willfully ignored her warnings about their own National Security Advisor being vulnerable to blackmail by the Russian government. Yesterday, the man tasked with investigating the connections between the Trump Administration and the Russian government was unceremoniously fired. With U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, Sally Yates, and now James Comey, we have three high-profile examples of the Trump Administration firing the individuals investigating them.

“The need for an independent investigation into the collusion between the Trump campaign and subsequent Administration and the Russian government has never been more clear or more urgent. For the sake of our Democracy and national integrity, we must get to the bottom of this mess.”

10th District Congressman Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield):

“President Trump’s abrupt decision to fire FBI Director James Comey amid an ongoing investigation into the President’s campaign is deeply troubling and raises many questions about both the prospect for a credible investigation and the future independence of the FBI. The sudden dismissal and the inadequate reasoning offered by the Administration reeks of politically-motivated interference.

“The American people deserve the truth about Russia’s meddling in our election. The only way to preserve the public’s confidence after this executive abuse is a fully independent investigation free from political interference.”

Illinois senior U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (VIDEO):

“The termination and removal of James Comey as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation raises the critical question as to whether the FBI investigation of Russian interference in the last presidential campaign will continue and as to whether the investigation of any collusion or involvement by the Trump campaign will also be investigated by the FBI. Any attempt to stop or undermine this FBI investigation would raise grave constitutional issues. Under these circumstances, I renew my call for an independent counsel and a special commission to fully investigate the Russian interference. We await clarification by the White House as soon as possible as to whether this investigation will continue and whether it will have a credible leader so that we know it will have a just outcome.”

Illinois junior U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (VIDEO):

“The President’s actions transcend any one individual and raise significant concerns over the basic rule of law, especially if they are intended to dissuade criminal investigators from digging too deep into Trump Administration officials and associates – or even the President himself. If any doubts remained about the need for a transparent, impartial and independent investigation into the Trump Administration, the firing of Director Comey surely eliminates them. It is not clear why Attorney General Sessions, who previously claimed he would recuse himself from all Russia-related matters, was involved in firing the law enforcement official leading the Russia investigation. There are simply too many questions raised by tonight’s actions, and the American people deserve nothing less than answers from an independent investigator.”

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