After Comey Firing, Calls For Independent Probe Come In Lots Of Flavors

NPR ^ | 05/10/2017 | Scott Horsley

[SeekAndFind]

President Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey has reignited calls for some form of independent investigation into Russian meddling in last year's election and possible ties to the Trump campaign. Comey confirmed in March that the FBI was looking into the matter (as are congressional committees).

But these calls come in various flavors.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer wants a "special prosecutor." He warns via Twitter, "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."

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California is calling for an "independent prosecutor." Feinstein says in a statement that she also supports the appointment of a "special counsel" by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona wants to see a "special congressional committee." That's not a new request from McCain, but he argues Comey's firing "only confirms the need and urgency of such a committee."

Republican Congressman Justin Amash of Michigan says he's leaning toward an "independent commission" to investigate Russian meddling.

Meanwhile, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is pooh-poohing all of these suggestions. On the Senate floor Wednesday morning, McConnell warned a new investigation "could only serve to impede the current work being done" by the FBI and the Senate Intelligence Committee.

[Helicondelta]

Only Trump and Sessions can appoint a special prosecutor.

These democrats are either stupid or they are trying to con their base into donating more money.

[onyx]

NO SPECIAL OR INDEPENDENT ANYTHING.

ENOUGH OF THIS SH!T.

Move their partisan witch hunts to Moscow!

[virgil]

Don’t you have to have evidence of a crime before you call for a special prosecutor?

[BenLurkin]

Special prosecutor to Investigate Hillary. Please.

[JamesP81]

Every one of these requests can go straight down to hell.

[liberalh8ter]

And not a word from one of these people on Clinton.

[Vendome]

Really?

I guess if Hillary won and ultimately fired Comey, which she absolutely would have, the Reoublicans would be carping about the same thing and getting very little air play or having their positions “Contextualized” by the Enemedia...

And so forth and so on....

[Vaduz]

Chuck Schumer spear heading the unicorn hunt has photo shop proof they exist crowd follows with glee.

[Nifster]

Bogus dim whining....fact is all of said complainers called for his firing or resignation right after election day

[matthew fuller]

This case (The Clinton organized crime Cartel) demands a Special Prosecutor: Judge Jeanine Pirro.

The firing of James Comey also demands a Special Prosecutor: Judge Andrew Napolitano.

[apillar]

The post Watergate Special Counsel statute expired in 1999 mainly due to democrat attempts to protect Bill Clinton. It was never renewed, so technically there is no legally binding way to appoint a "Special Prosecutor". However, the Justice Department has their own internal procedures for appointing "Special Prosecutors" as they did in the Valerie Plame investigation during the Bush administration. Although it is debatable how much actual authority these "Special Prosecutors" have since, unlike under the Special Counsel Statute, they are not independent and serve at the will of the Attorney General (and like all Executive Branch positions, the will of the President as well).

So the only options democrats would have is to try and get the Justice Department to appoint a not-really-independent Special Prosecutor with limited authority, or to pass legislation that would appoint a Special Prosecutor with real teeth (which Trump could, and very well might, simply veto).

[Grampa Dave]

Busy fake news today.

[AU72]

Trump should at least call as many special prosecutors as Obama has.

[dirtboy]

Calls For Independent Probe Come In Lots Of Flavors

Flavors of bullsh**,horsesh**,pigsh**, and so forth around the barnyard.

[HotHunt]

The reason for a special prosecutor would be you have evidence of something.

These people don't have any evidence of anything after looking for over six months. I keep hearing the media say that the investigation has to keep going because they haven't found anything to nail Trump with yet.

And therein lies the real reason for this Russian collusion investigation. If the democRATS look long enough, they are certain they will find some evidence.

In the absence of finding any evidence, they will fabricate something to make Trump look guilty of winning because of the Russian influence.

The special prosecutor needs to look into Bill and Hillary's Russian connections because there is hard evidence already publicly known that would warrant that.

But in the absence of any evidence or proof of Trump colluding with the Russians, this is all a fishing expedition to take the focus off of the Clinton's crimes.

[Mike Darancette]

A special commission or persecutor could well revisit Hillary’s emails, leaking and unmasking too.