Trump defying critical FBI storm
US President Donald Trump defied a storm of criticism over his firing of FBI director James Comey, by inviting Russia’s foreign minister to the White House, as Democrats demanded an independent probe of Moscow’s alleged meddling in the US elections.
Trump’s decision to sack Comey on Tuesday immediately drew comparisons to the Watergate scandal that brought down the Richard Nixon administration, and stunned Washington.
James Comey and Donald Trump
“James Comey will be replaced by someone who will do a far better job, bringing back the spirit and prestige of the FBI.” Trump tweeted.
“Comey lost the confidence of almost everyone in Washington, Republican and Democrat alike. When things calm down, they will be thanking me!”
Under Comey, the FBI was investigating whether Trump campaign aides colluded with Russia in an attempt to sway the US election in the Republican’s favor.
Trump used a letter to Comey, who was appointed only four years ago in the ten year role, to try to distance himself from the ever-deepening scandal over Russia’s involvement in the election.
“I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation,” Trump wrote.
Trump said he was acting on recommendations of his attorney general and deputy attorney general, the latter of whom, Rod Rosenstein, accused the 56-year-old Comey of “serious mistakes” in his handling of an investigation into Hillary Clinton’s e-mail.
The FBI director had antagonized both Democrats and Republicans by closing the e-mail probe against the Democratic candidate by reopening it days before the November presidential elections.
But Democrats and some Republicans saw the move to get rid of Comey as an assault on the FBI’s Russia probe and demanded that it be turned over to an independent special prosecutor or commission.
“This is nothing less than Nixonian,” said Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont. “That fig leaf explanation seeks to cover the undeniable truth.
“The president has removed the sitting FBI director in the midst of one of the most critical national security investigations in the history of our country — one that implicates senior officials in the Trump campaign and administration.”
Yet the president appeared to dig in his heels.
Hours after the firing, the White House announced Trump would be meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the White House.
“Just as we do, the Americans need this meeting,” Lavrov told Russian television.
Lavrov, who has not set foot in Washington since 2013, is the most senior Russian official to meet with Trump since he took office in January.
Despite Trump’s admiring comments about Russian President Vladimir Putin during the presidential campaign, relations between the two powers remain at a low point.
Trump’s decision to fire the FBI director is virtually unprecedented. Only one director has previously been fired in the bureau’s century-long history.
The top Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, said Trump had made a “big mistake.”
Unless the administration appoints an independent special prosecutor to probe the Russian meddling, Schumer added, “every American will rightly suspect that the decision to fire director Comey was part of a cover up.”
Trump fired back on Twitter: “Cryin’ Chuck Schumer stated recently, ‘I do not have confidence in him (James Comey) any longer.’ Then acts so indignant. #draintheswamp.”
Source:.shanghaidaily.com