Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainKelly's lead widens to 10 points in Arizona Senate race: poll COVID response shows a way forward on private gun sale checks Trump pulls into must-win Arizona trailing in polls MORE (R-Ariz.) said Tuesday he is “disappointed” with President Trump's decision to fire FBI Directory James Comey, arguing such a move reinforces his calls for a special congressional panel to investigate Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election.

“While the President has the legal authority to remove the Director of the FBI, I am disappointed in the President's decision to remove James Comey from office,” McCain said in a statement.

Comey’s firing comes in the midst of an ongoing FBI investigation into whether Moscow interfered in the 2016 election, including whether Trump transition officials worked with Russian officials. The issue is also being probed by the House and Senate Intelligences committees.

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McCain said Comey’s firing amid the FBI's Russia probe is all the more reason to form a special congressional committee that will independently investigate the matter.

“I have long called for a special congressional committee to investigate Russia's interference in the 2016 election. The president's decision to remove the FBI Director only confirms the need and the urgency of such a committee,” he continued.

While a number of GOP senators voiced support for Trump's decision to fire the FBI chief, McCain praised Comey as "man of honor and integrity" who "has led the FBI well in extraordinary circumstances."

Critics have questioned whether Trump’s decision was an attempt to sway the FBI's Russia investigation, with many questioning the timing of Comey’s dismissal.