Los Angeles, May 10 (RHC)-- In the United States, James Comey learned about his firing as director of the FBI through a news report on television while he was giving a speech and thought it was a joke. 

According to reports, Comey was addressing his FBI team in Los Angeles on Tuesday when he saw the news on televisions in the room.  He laughed when he saw the news, but then stepped into a side office, where he confirmed that he had been dismissed. 
 
President Donald Trump fired Comey amid probes of potential contacts between his presidential campaign and Russian officials prior to the 2016 presidential elections. 

The move by Trump provoked backlash from several lawmakers, who questioned the timing of Comey’s removal as the FBI is investigating Russia's alleged activities.  On Capitol Hill, Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois said that any attempt to stop or undermine the FBI investigation "would raise grave constitutional issues.” 

Comey “should be immediately called to testify in an open hearing about the status of Russia-Trump investigation at the time he was fired,” said Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon and a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, in a post on Twitter. 

Also, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, said this could make Americans suspect a cover-up.  Even many Republicans criticized Trump for making a rash decision, arguing it could have deep implications for their party.