U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor and Charlie Crist say the firing of FBI director James Comey is suspect.

TAMPA BAY – The firing of FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday (May 9) could be a tactic to distract Americans from allegations of conflicts of interest and ties to Russia in the Trump Administration, according to U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-St. Petersburg, also weighed in on Comey’s firing, saying he wasn’t against it but believes the timing is “extremely suspect.”

Here are their statements:

Castor:

“President [Donald] Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey is a blatant attempt to stall the FBI’s ongoing investigation of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. It is also part of a disturbing trend — first, former acting Attorney General Sally Yates is fired by Trump after informing the White House of deep concerns about Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and his activities with Russia. Now, Comey is fired by Trump a week after testifying that the FBI is conducting its investigation.

“Trump may well be trying to distract the American people from the very troubling conflicts of interest, and those connections between Trump’s former national security adviser and Russia that were known about for some 18 days before Trump reluctantly fired Flynn. It is past time for an independent, bipartisan investigation.  Trump may want to bury the investigation, but his presidency will continue under a cloud unless a special prosecutor or independent commission is established and the facts are fully presented to the American people.”

Crist:

“I don’t disagree with the decision to remove Director Comey from his post given his actions over the past year. But the timing is extremely suspect given the FBI recently announced they are investigating the Trump administration for alleged ties to Russia.

“Now President Trump gets to nominate the head of the agency leading that investigation. We need a special prosecutor to take over the Russia investigation, and the Senate must drill down to a degree like never before on whoever is nominated to replace Director Comey. The integrity of our top law enforcement agency – and our democracy – is at stake.”

Castor represents the 14th Congressional District, which includes Tampa.

Crist represents the 13th Congressional District, which includes mid- and south Pinellas County.

For information about Castor, go to castor.house.gov.

For information about Crist, go to crist.house.gov.

Kathy Castor | Charlie Crist | Comey Firing | Donald Trump | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

#KathyCastor #CharlieCrist #ComeyFiring #DonaldTrump #TampaBayNews #TBReporter