Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said Tuesday that FBI Director James Comey's firing by President Trump will lead to the American people thinking there was a cover-up by the White House.
Schumer spoke at a press conference shortly after word of Comey's firing became public.
"Are people going to suspect cover-up? Absolutely," Schumer said. "If an independent special prosecutor is appointed, there still can be some faith that we can get to the bottom of this. If not, everyone will suspect cover-up."
A reporter then asked Schumer about his prior criticisms of Comey, which included saying before the election that he had lost confidence in him.
"Senator Schumer, you told me last year before the election that you have lost confidence in Jim Comey because of how he handled the email scandal," the reporter said.
"Do you think that the president's explanation that this is the reason why he's firing him now has credibility with you?" the reporter asked. "Do you believe that, or do you think he's firing him for another reason?"
"I never called on the president to fire Director Comey," Schumer said. "I had a lot of questions about how he handled himself, but the overwhelming question is this: if the administration had those same questions, the events occurred months ago and they should have fired Comey on the day they came into office."
"All of them occurred before he came into office, so that does not seem to me to be a very logical or persuasive explanation," Schumer continued.