Russian-ties investigation needs to be non-partisan: #tellusatoday

Letter to the editor:

FBI Director James Comey and National Security Agency Director Mike Rogers were questioned by the House Intelligence Committee on Russia’s role in subverting our democratic processes and influencing our national and international policies.

While Democrats focused on the actions and associations of people in President Trump’s campaign with Russian officials — as well as the actions of Trump himself —Republicans focused on the leaks to the news media that revealed what we now know about Trump’s people having questionable contacts with Russia.

This distinction is profane. Republicans are more concerned with covering up the leaks than the consequences of what the leakers have revealed. Clearly, the partisan Intelligence Committee should not be the only investigator. America needs an independent, non-partisan investigation of this very serious threat to our national security.

Bruce Joffe; Piedmont, Calf.

Facebook comments are edited for clarity and grammar:

I’ve felt that the theories about President Trump colluding with the Russians were overblown from the get-go, and they will ultimately prove to be mere speculation. But in the meantime, FBI Director James Comey and his band of merrymen seem to be willingly making an effort to destroy and marginalize Americans’ faith in their institutions. If Comey is successful and we ostracize our allies, we will be left standing alone and at the mercy of a rearranged world order with China and Russia picking over the bones. He’s a very dangerous man, and Congress needs to intervene before it’s too late.

— David Hoeltje

Why doesn’t Trump just admit he made a mistake and stop wasting everyone’s time and taxpayers’ money on this investigation?

— John Juergens

Trump is a joke and an embarrassment to our country and our ideals. He is a lying narcissist who makes up stories on a whim and then gets his little minions to defend him.

— Rich Stark

Policing the USA

Here's what we know from the House hearing with FBI Director James Comey

Our followers shared their thoughts on FBI Director James Comey’s statement before the House Intelligence Committee that he had no reason to believe President Obama ordered a wiretap on Trump Tower. Tweets are edited for clarity and grammar:

If President Trump had any decency, he’d apologize to Obama.

— @ShotoDan2016

I say rubbish. I think Comey’s a liar and he’s known to favor Democrats.

— @CatherineTholl

But what about surveillance?

— @Anxie_TEA

1. Obama didn’t have to order it. 2. Ask if Obama knew about it. 3. If so, who told him and when? Welcome to “The farce on the Hill.”

— @aguinn

So Trump is a flat-out liar. FBI, do something! Don’t allow Trump to make these accusations and have no consequences. Make him pay.

— @Judy7kay

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