The decision to fire FBI Director James Comey will make it even more difficult to resist calls for an independent investigation into Russia's potential involvement in the 2016 presidential election, Rep. Charlie Dent said Wednesday.
"He's a good and honorable man," the Pennsylvania Republican told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program. "He was a good man in a tough spot. I'm most concerned right now how this firing is going to affect both the congressional investigation as well as the FBI investigation. I think they owe us an explanation. It's very perplexing and surprising to say the least."
The Trump administration has denied that the firing was related to the Russian investigation, but Dent said that will remain a question that needs to be asked.
"Russia meddled," said Dent. "We know that. Nobody denies that. I can't explain the timing. Look, I'll be very honest with you. A lot of my Democratic colleagues have wanted Director Comey's head on a plate. They have been hyperventilating for some time. I've witnessed this on many occasions."
Dent continued that he hopes the firing has nothing to do with the investigation, "but it's pretty tough to fire the guy who's investigating your campaign. I understand it's a counterintelligence investigation, not necessarily a criminal investigation, but these are the questions we'll have to ask."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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