Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) pleaded with Republicans on Wednesday to lead the charge against President Trump, saying "history is watching."
In the wake of a reported FBI memo that James Comey was asked by Trump to drop the federal investigation into ex-National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, Schumer said the only way forward was a special prosecutor and an independent investigation.
"I hope and really pray that my friends on the other side of the aisle will see that now is the time to put party considerations aside and do what is right for our country," he said.
Making references to Republican colleagues like John McCain (R., Ariz.) and Bob Corker (R., Tenn.) who have strongly criticized the Trump administration this week, Schumer said it was a positive step but that it was "not enough."
"More of my Republican friends should join the senators from Maine and Tennessee and Arizona in speaking out about these events first, but far more importantly, helping us get to the bottom of them in an impartial, trusted and respected way," he said. "To my friends on the other side of the aisle, America needs you. America needs you now."
He called on them to pressure the White House to turn over relevant transcripts and tapes, in order to prove to the American people that they can do the right thing "when it matters most."
"History is watching," he said. "This is not a casual or usual time. As great as the desire would be to repeal Obamacare or do tax reform, the very faith in the institutions of government now are being tested."