The questions raised by the timing and rationale behind Trump’s firing of James Comey at a time when he was requesting additional funds for the Investigation into the ties between the Trump team and Russian attempts to influence the election have the potential to create a constitutional crisis. Unless this issue is resolved beyond reproach, it has the potential to undermine our citizens' faith in the rule of law and our system of checks and balances that is supposed to constrain the abuse of power.

We, the undersigned, request that you, who have served our country and have been dedicated to preserving our democracy, make a joint statement urging the Congress to put the interests of the United States ahead of any political party and launch the most powerful and independent inquiry our laws allow. Only a fully independent inquiry can resolve the crisis and avert lasting damage to our American democracy.