WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats said Monday they are ready to prevent any move by the White House to confirm an FBI director if a special prosecutor is not appointed first.
“There’s not going to be a confirmation vote for an FBI director in the next few days. It’s not going to happen, because we ought to take it seriously. We don’t know when the White House is going to send a name over,” Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine told reporters. “They could send an independent prosecutor this week. We ought to get the independent prosecutor in first. We don’t have to block or do anything with an FBI director. We ought to put a special prosecutor in first.”
When asked if Democrats risked politicizing the FBI director appointment by finding ways to prevent the confirmation vote, fellow Virginia Democratic Sen. John Warner appeared shocked, replying, “Are you going to ask that question with a straight face?”
“What American wouldn’t want to make sure that this investigation was truly independent at this point. Since you have. The attorney general who’s had to recuse himself. The deputy attorney general who’s now got questions about his independence because of the memo and his activities. To say that we shouldn’t have a special prosecutor to guarantee the independence of an investigation into the FBI last week so that is one of the most significant things. The acting director said it was most significant items on their plate,” Warner said.
The Daily Caller pressed if Democrats risked dragging the whole process along if no crime has been found.
“We don’t have any of that knowledge now because we don’t have it. We don’t. We know there’s an active investigation. We know that. The American public demands answers and there are serious questions about the independence about that investigation at least from this Justice Department,” Warner replied.
Republicans, however, say the tactic to keep the FBI director position open to force the administration to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Russian activity into the 2016 election is wrong.
“That’s bullcrap! I mean, let’s face it, if we can get a good FBI director that’s that should be enough for everybody,” Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch told TheDC.
South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham agreed saying, “I think that is that is completely inappropriate. There is no need for a special prosecutor until you have a criminal investigation. This is a counterintelligence investigation. I don’t think most Republicans are going to let Democrats hold us hostage. I’m looking for a qualified person that comes from the professional side of law enforcement.”