Politics: Here's how US lawmakers are reacting to James Comey's firing

The reactions range from agreement to dismay in light of the multiple controversies surrounding the Trump administration.

US lawmakers have been sounding off after President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday.

The reactions range from agreement to dismay in light of the multiple controversies surrounding the Trump administration — chief among them, the inquiry into Russia's meddling in the 2016 US election. Comey had been leading that investigation on behalf of the FBI.

Bipartisan investigation of the Trump campaign's contacts with Russia are ongoing in the House and Senate.

Here's a look at how Democrats and Republicans are reacting to the FBI director's firing.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, Republican, South Carolina

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina says he is on board with President Donald Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey. In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, Graham said, "given the recent controversies surrounding the director, I believe a fresh start will serve the FBI and the nation well. I encourage the president to select the most qualified professional available who will serve our nation's interests."

Graham chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism. He led hearings on Monday in which former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper testified about Trump's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who was fired in February over his contacts with Russian operatives prior to Trump's inauguration.

Graham has been an infrequent critic of Trump before and after the 2016 election, and has been vocal about getting to the bottom of the Russia investigation. As recently as Tuesday, Graham said he has questions about potential business ties Trump may have with the Kremlin.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, Democrat, New York

Schumer is the Senate Minority Leader. He said during a press conference on Tuesday: "I told the president, Mr. President, with all due respect, you're making a big mistake," referring to a phone call he had with President Donald Trump, informing Schumer of Comey's firing.

"The first question the administration has to answer is 'why now,'" Schumer said. "If the administration has objections to the way Director Comey handled the Clinton investigation, they had those objections the minute the president got into office, but they didn't fire him then. Why did it happen today?"

Schumer continued:

"We know the House is investigating Russian interference in our elections that benefited the Trump campaign. We know the Senate is investigating. We know the FBI has been looking into whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians. A very serious offense. Were these investigations getting too close to home for the president? It is troubling that Attorney General [Jeff] Sessions, who had recused himself from the Russia investigation, played a role in firing the man leading it."

Watch Schumer's entire press conference below:

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Democrat, California

Feinstein, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said "The next FBI director must be strong and independent and will receive a fair hearing in the Judiciary Committee."

Sen. Bob Casey, Democrat, Pennsylvania

Casey said in a statement on Tuesday: "This is Nixonian. Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein must immediately appoint a special prosecutor to continue the Trump/Russia investigation."

Sen. Chuck Grassley, Republican, Iowa

"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," Grassley said in his statement.

"The handling of the Clinton email investigation is a clear example of how Comey's decisions have called into question the trust and political independence of the FBI."

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Democrat, Maryland

Van Hollen, ranking member of the House Budget Committee, said on Twitter: "The 'you're fired' approach doesn't work when you're President. POTUS you're creating a crisis of confidence in our Justice Department."

Sen. Mark Warner, Democrat, Virginia

"The President’s actions today are shocking. It is deeply troubling that the President has fired the FBI director during an active counterintelligence investigation into improper contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia," Warner's statement read.

He continued: "The President’s actions today make it clear to me that a Special Counsel also must be appointed. That’s the only way the American people will be able to trust the results of any DOJ investigation."

Sen. Richard Burr, Republican, North Carolina

Burr, who chairs Senate Intelligence Committee said, "I am troubled by the timing and reasoning of Director Comey’s termination."

The reactions range from agreement to dismay in light of the multiple controversies surrounding the Trump administration. Read Full Story