Lindsey Graham: Senate investigation into Russia continues regardless of FBI shakeup

Sen. Lindsey Graham said Wednesday that the Russia investigation will continue regardless of FBI Director James B. Comey’s recent firing.

When asked whether he felt that President Trump fired Mr. Comey over the Russian investigation, Mr. Graham said on CNN, “I think this, whether he likes it or not, it’s going to continue.”

“One thing I can tell you without hesitation is that the FBI’s investigation into Russia is not tied to Comey’s continued service,” explained Mr. Graham, South Carolina Republican. “The Senate will continue to do its job.”

Sen. Tim Kaine, however, was more direct in his answer.

“I think the president of the United States took this action because he felt the tightening of the Russia investigation,” Mr. Kaine, Virginia Democrat, said on MSNBC.

Mr. Kaine said he sees a connection through the firings of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates. That connection, he said, is the Russia investigation.

“The only thing that connects them all is the Russia investigation,” he said.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal did not go that far, but did say the president needs to give a better explanation than the letter he sent to Mr. Comey explaining his decision.

“The rationale he’s giving for firing James Comey fails even the most cursory smell test,” Mr. Blumenthal, Connecticut Democrat, said on MSNBC.

But Mr. Graham said he and his Senate colleagues need to look beyond Mr. Comey’s service and continue to work on the Russia case. He said the next FBI director should be someone with experience that both Democrats and Republicans can support.

“I think we should pick somebody that our Democratic colleagues could rally around,” Mr. Graham said.

In the meantime, he is not backing off the Russia case despite seeing no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and the foreign government.

“I have yet to find any evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia,” Mr. Graham said. “But I’m very curious about all things Russia.”