Posted on 05/10/2017 11:26:13 AM PDT by ColdOne
GOP senators on Comey firing: Where they stand
President Trump’s decision to fire FBI Director James Comey is splitting Senate Republicans.
Several prominent GOP lawmakers have raised concerns about the timing of the decision, which comes as the FBI is investigating the 2016 election and any contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia.
Others, however, have offered support for Trump, arguing the president was well within his authority.
ADVERTISEMENT Trump scored his most prominent defender on Wednesday when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) noted that Democrats had previously criticized Comey and supported Rod Rosenstein’s deputy attorney general nomination.
“Our Democratic colleagues [are] complaining about the removal of an FBI director whom they themselves repeatedly and sharply criticized,” McConnell said on the Senate floor. “That removal being done by a man, Rod Rosenstein, who they repeatedly and effusively praised.”
But that hasn’t quelled concerns from the some the rest of his 52-member caucus.
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
WHO CARES
Comey is fired regardless of “where they stand”
If they stand with Schumer it should be part of the ads that run when they are up for reelection or asking for GOP money
The MSM will be spewing crap about Trumps fully authorized decision to can Comey. You can bet that Trump’s Troops are taking names. These DC pols are just not used to doing their jobs and too used to making decisions based purely on politics.
Go Trump!!!!
Interesting list. Some big government liberals that I expected to oppose President Trump by reflex (Collins, Graham) responded sensibly. McCain and Murkowski were exactly where we all expected to see them.
Who gives a rat's ass where they stand. Meaningless twaddle. Waste of ink.
The ones resisting are vulnerable to grand juries.
What great leverage to get your agenda passed and save America.
Prison or tax cuts
Prison or wall
Prison or immigration policy
Prison or wipe out ISIS
Prison anyway cause I really don’t like you
LOL! Way to go, Marco!
And the GOP Senators are......
it’s lovely to see all the democrat carnage this is causing. Democrats are looking like the stupid immature fools that they are. The GOPe never Trumpers are in bed with the communist democrats, so any of them who side with dems on this are exposing themselves for the Rino’s they are.
Maybe Comey enjoyed some bubbles with little Marco.
OK...Just saw the list...No surprises....
No surprises here.
And because they really really deserve it.
Sasse the Ass. He lied to us and we voted for him. He should be looking for his follow-on job in DC and not come back here. No need to campaign here because his support is falling quickly.
I’m sure there are plenty of reasons why these senators are making the statements the are making, but I tell ya ... Sen. Grassley has had a bug up his @ss about Comey for a while. If Trump had asked for his advice on Comey, I’m sure Grassley would have recommended a public execution instead of just firing him. LOL.
McLame’s on that list. What a surprise.
Without question, but my assumption they are guilty of demonstrable felonies is a sure bet.
Was Marco still wearing his short pants? Wonder when his Mommy will let him wear long pants. Not in the foreseeable future.
Something was seriously wrong with how Comey kept stepping outside of his job description.
This we can post in full:
GOP senators critical/concerned (8)
Sen. Richard Burr (N.C.): The Senate Intelligence Committee chairman said in a statement that he was “troubled by the timing and reasoning of Director Comey’s termination.”
Sen. Bob Corker (Tenn.): Corker said in a statement that “while the case for removal of Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey laid out by Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein was thorough, his removal at this particular time will raise questions.”
Sen. Jeff Flake (Ariz.): Flake said in a tweet that “I’ve spent the last several hours trying to find an acceptable rationale for the timing of Comey’s firing. I just can’t do it.”
Sen. John McCain (Ariz.): McCain said in a statement that “while the President has the legal authority to remove the Director of the FBI, I am disappointed in the President’s decision to remove James Comey from office.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska): Murkowski said in a statement that “whether or not you are a supporter of Mr. James Comey’s actions as FBI director, the timing of his firing — in the middle of an investigation into Russia’s interference in our election — is serious cause for concern.”
Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio): Portman said in a statement that “given the timing and circumstances of the decision, I believe the White House should provide a fuller explanation regarding the president’s rationale.”
Sen. Ben Sasse (Neb.): Sasse said in a statement that “regardless of how you think Director Comey handled the unprecedented complexities of the 2016 election cycle, the timing of this firing is very troubling ... I have reached out to the Deputy Attorney General for clarity on his rationale for recommending this action.”
Sen. John Thune (S.D.): Thune told a local TV station that “there are questions about timing that the administration and Justice Department are going to need to answer in the days ahead.”
GOP senators supportive of Trump (9)
Sen. Roy Blunt (Mo.): Blunt said in a statement that “many, including myself, have questioned [Comey’s] actions more than once over the past year. I believe new leadership at the FBI will restore confidence in the organization.”
Sen. Susan Collins (Maine): Collins said in a statement that “today’s announcement is likely the inevitable conclusion of Director Comey’s decision last July to bypass the longstanding protocols of the Justice Department and publicly announce the reasons he had decided not to recommend an indictment of Hillary Clinton and to offer his personal views of Mrs. Clinton’s actions.”
Sen. John Cornyn (Texas): The Senate’s No. 2 Republican gave some of the earliest support for Trump’s decision, telling reporters that “obviously he’s been the center of controversy both among Democrats and Republicans at different times.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas): Cruz said in a statement that “unfortunately, Mr. Comey had lost the confidence of both Republicans and Democrats, and, frankly, the American people.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.): Graham, a frequent critic of Trump, said in a statement that “given the recent controversies surrounding the director, I believe a fresh start will serve the FBI and the nation well.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa): Grassley said in a statement that “over the course of the last several months, Director Comey’s decisions on controversial matters have prompted concern from across the political spectrum and from career law enforcement experts.”
Sen. James Lankford (Okla.): Lankford said in a statement that “it is unfortunate that over the past year the Director had lost the trust of so many people on both sides of the aisle.”
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.): The Senate’s top Republican hasn’t given his opinion of the firing but defended Trump against a wave of Democratic criticism on the Senate floor. He said “our Democratic colleagues [are] complaining about the removal of an FBI director whom they themselves repeatedly and sharply criticized.”
Sen. David Perdue (Ga.): Perdue said in a statement that “President Trump acted decisively and within his authority, and I stand behind him.”
Neither (4)
Sen. Lamar Alexander (Tenn.) said in a statement that “it would have been easier to explain if the president had fired the FBI Director earlier when Senator Schumer and other Democrats said they’d lost confidence in Mr. Comey. Given the timing, it’s imperative that the Senate, through its confirmation process, makes certain that the new FBI Director is a person of unquestioned integrity who can lead the FBI.”
Sen. Ron Johnson (Wis.): Johnson said in a statement, “I thank Director Comey for his service and wish him well in the future.”
Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.): Rubio told reporters that he didn’t have an “initial reaction” but he had a “good relationship” with Comey.
Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.): Tillis said in a statement that “it is my belief he attempted to lead the FBI to the best of his ability given the difficult circumstances before him and the hyperpartisan political climate that exists in Washington.”
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