Dem-NPL response to Kevin Cramer ridiculing concerns over firing of FBI Director Comey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 10, 2017

(BISMARCK, ND) – Today, on a local radio program, Congressman Kevin Cramer ridiculed bipartisan concerns over the abrupt firing of FBI Director James Comey, just as the investigation led by Comey into Russian interference in the U.S. election was ramping up.

Congressman Cramer repeatedly dismissed bipartisan concerns over Comey’s firing as “crazy” and “laughable in a pathetic way…It’s just a time for more hyper-partisan crazy liberal talk about Russia.”

Responding to Cramer’s flippant dismissal of growing concerns shared by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, North Dakota Democratic-NPL executive director Robert Haider said:

“Kevin Cramer laughing at an issue of serious national security is disgraceful. President Trump firing the FBI director and the investigation of Russia’s interference in our country’s elections are serious and unprecedented. Republicans and Democrats across Congress have expressed grave concerns with the president’s action, and North Dakotans deserve the same serious response from Kevin Cramer. Instead of making fun of those expressing concerns, he should be calling for a special prosecutor to lead an impartial investigation. Instead of name-calling, he should be standing up for North Dakotans’ security. While Cramer thinks bipartisan concern over Comey’s firing is something to laugh at, his inability to show even a shred of independence would be ‘laughable’ if it wasn’t so irresponsible.”

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BACKGROUND:

Comey recently asked the Department of Justice for money for the Russia investigation: “A senior Congressional official with direct knowledge told NBC News that James Comey briefed Congress in recent days that he had requested more staff and money for the Russia investigation from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.  Comey’s request, which was first reported by the New York Times, sharpens the questions about whether his firing as FBI director on Tuesday was intended to quash the investigation.”

Prosecutors issued grand jury subpoenas for records related to Michael Flynn: “Federal prosecutors have issued grand jury subpoenas to associates of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn seeking business records, as part of the ongoing probe of Russian meddling in last year’s election, according to people familiar with the matter. CNN learned of the subpoenas hours before President Donald Trump fired FBI director James Comey.  The subpoenas represent the first sign of a significant escalation of activity in the FBI’s broader investigation begun last July into possible ties between Trump campaign associates and Russia.”