In response to Donald Trump’s decision to fire FBI Director James Comey, People For the American Way President Michael Keegan issued the following statement.

“Donald Trump’s decision to fire the FBI director in the midst of investigations into Trump’s own campaign is gravely disturbing. Again and again, Donald Trump has shown that he believes himself to be above the law; today’s decision by the president is as flagrant an abuse of power as anything we’ve seen since the darkest days of the Watergate crisis.

“Without question, Donald Trump’s actions today make clear that we need a special counsel to provide a thorough, independent investigation of the Trump campaign’s ties to the Russian government during the election. We also need a strong, independent FBI director. Any senator who takes his or her constitutional oath seriously should refuse to confirm any nominee who doesn’t meet that standard.”

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and defend constitutional values including free expression, religious liberty, equal justice under the law, and the right to meaningfully participate in our democracy.

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