Comey firing increases Tester desire for investigation

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said Wednesday he is concerned about President Donald Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey and reiterated his call for an independent investigation into possible Russian interference in last year’s presidential election.

“There may be nothing to this, but, if there is, we need to hold people accountable and move forward,” Tester said. “I’ve pushed hard for an independent prosecutor on this and I think it’s time. This isn’t about politics; this is about getting to the bottom of a foreign government’s attempts to undermine our democracy.”

Trump fired Comey Tuesday afternoon while Comey was leading his bureau’s probe into possible connections between Trump campaign aides and Russia.

Tester said he doesn’t want the issue to slow down or derail the work of Congress.

“I came here to get stuff done, and I don’t think we ought to be obstructing stuff. By the same token I also feel strongly we need to have an independent special prosecutor, too,” Tester said.

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., expressed support for Trump’s dismissal of Comey.

“Director Comey has lost the confidence and respect of both sides of the aisle including the organization he was charged with leading. I look forward to new leadership that will regain public trust and restore integrity to the FBI,” Daines said in a statement Tuesday.