Video statement: the Comey firing is an abuse of power that jeopardizes the #TrumpRussia investigation.
We must have a special prosecutor. pic.twitter.com/5Ec7pZG7K8
— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) May 10, 2017
Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) says President Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey is “outrageous” and comparable to President Nixon’s “Saturday Night Massacre” firing of a special prosecutor during Watergate.
Eschewing the usual written statement and press release, Beyer released a video statement (above) via social media Wednesday morning, followed by additional tweets expressing his misgivings about the timing of the firing. The FBI is currently investigating Russian ties among key Trump campaign and administration figures.
Beyer, who represents Arlington in the House of Representatives, acknowledged that many Democrats disapproved of Comey’s handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails during the presidential campaign, but said that Trump’s explanation of the firing was “flimsy.”
Firing Comey guaranteed that things will *never* "calm down." #TrumpRussia can't go away until we get a special prosecutor. No other way. https://t.co/oBDuD2XJ58
— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) May 10, 2017
To state the obvious, we can disapprove of both Comey's handling of Clinton investigation and the circumstances of his firing.
— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) May 10, 2017
The White House's flimsy excuses for firing Comey mean that breaking #TrumpRussia stories like this one will be hard to treat as coincidence https://t.co/39lJsCVZrm
— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) May 10, 2017
Just a few months ago, however, some of Beyer’s constituents were urging him to support the firing of Comey.
.@RepDonBeyer next time you’re in session, please introduce impeachment against FBI Director James Comey. He needs to go.
— Lawrence (@lawrence_s) November 7, 2016
@RepDonBeyer So FBI integrity restored after Comey's meddling in election? I'm finding it hard to keep up…
— LeBeau la Resistance (@Bernie_Gilbert) December 16, 2016
And why does Comey still have a job? #resist @timkaine @MarkWarner @RepDonBeyer https://t.co/NPvZbUUDCx
— Fast GIS (@GISfast) December 18, 2016
@RepDonBeyer @PrincessBravato Let's hope he takes Comey with him! They're a disgrace to my L.E. family, I'm truly embarrassed!
— Dee (@deecal102163) March 2, 2017