WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall released the following statement on former FBI Director James Comey’s testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee:
“James Comey’s testimony has painted a truly frightening picture for the American people. Today, Mr. Comey reiterated to the American people that, beyond any shadow of a doubt, a foreign adversary attacked our democracy. Mr. Comey told the American people that they cannot trust their president to tell the truth. Mr. Comey told the American people that their president tried to end an active investigation into members of his own administration. When Mr. Comey refused to comply with the president’s request to ‘lift the cloud’ of that investigation, the president fired him. And based on what we learned from Mr. Comey’s testimony today, I believe that it is appropriate for President Trump’s actions to be investigated for obstruction of justice.
“The overwhelming level of public concern about today’s testimony – and the damning facts that have emerged in this testimony – once again affirm the need for a public and independent commission to investigate this national crisis. Instead of keeping this investigation behind closed doors, there must be an open and public forum, like the 9/11 commission, to shine a light on Russian interference in our election, possible collusion between Trump campaign officials and the Russian government, and the president’s disturbing actions to hinder this ongoing investigation. The American people are deeply worried about the state of their country, and they deserve answers.”