Handel Avoids Talk Of Special Prosecutor After Comey Firing
The Republican in a closely watched suburban Atlanta congressional race is echoing the White House after President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey.
Karen Handel says Trump’s move is “probably overdue.” Her Wednesday statement says Comey “lost the confidence of Republicans, Democrats and broader institutions.”
Handel says Trump should “quickly nominate a strong, independent” successor. But she makes no mention of the FBI’s inquiry into Trump’s ties to Russia, and she says nothing about calls for a special prosecutor.
Her opponent, Jon Ossoff, joined other Democrats on Tuesday in arguing for a special prosecutor.
A Handel aide says she won’t take questions until next week, when House Speaker Paul Ryan is set to campaign with her.
Ossoff is trying for a major upset in the 6th Congressional District.