Democrats have called for an independent investigation as new questions emerge following Donald Trump's firing of the FBI director. Trump says James Comey "wasn't doing a good job, very simply."
As Democrats demand an investigation into the president's firing of FBI Director James Comey, US media reported on Wednesday that, days before his dismissal, the US's top detective had requested additional funds to investigate Russia's possible meddling in the 2016 election - and any possible links to Donald Trump's campaign.
The Justice Department denies that Comey, a 56-year-old with three decades of law enforcement experience, asked for more resources.
"If there was ever a time when circumstances warranted a special prosecutor, it is right now," Chuck Schumer, the Senate's top Democrat, said on Wednesday.
Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Democrats not to get their hopes up. On the Senate floor Wednesday, he said Democrats had begun "complaining about the removal of an FBI director whom they themselves repeatedly and sharply criticized."
The chairman of the Senate intelligence committee also said he saw no need for a special prosecutor. However, Richard Burr, a Republican from North Carolina, did acknowledge that "the timing of this and the reasoning for it doesn't make sense to me." Burr said his committee had the jurisdiction and responsibility to continue its investigation - and "we are going to do that."
On Tuesday, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein recommended that Trump dismiss Comey, saying the director had damaged the FBI's integrity during his investigation into a private email account that Trump's 2016 opponent, Hillary Clinton, used as secretary of state. Rosenstein handles the Justice Department's investigations into the 2016 election after Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself following reports that he failed to disclose contacts with Russia.
"If Rosenstein believes, as I do, that the American people must be able to have faith in the impartiality of this investigation, he must appoint a special prosecutor and get his investigation out of the hands of the FBI and far away from the heavy hand of this administration," Schumer said in the Senate Wednesday.
In a heated press conference, the White House's press representative said the administration saw no need for a prosecutor.
'A new beginning'
Citing White House sources, news agencies reported on Wednesday that the Justice Department had begun speaking to senior FBI officials to serve as the interim replacement for their fired boss.
"The FBI is one of our nation's most cherished and respected institutions, and today will mark a new beginning for our crown jewel of law enforcement," the White House pledged on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, President Trump met with Russia's foreign minister.
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