Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are calling for immediate hearings on President Trump's decision to fire FBI Director James Comey.

In a letter to committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte Robert (Bob) William GoodlatteNo documents? Hoping for legalization? Be wary of Joe Biden Press: Trump's final presidential pardon: himself USCIS chief Cuccinelli blames Paul Ryan for immigration inaction MORE (R-Va.), the panel's 17 Democratic members cast Comey's ouster as a hastily made decision that threatens the Justice Department's integrity and puts at risk the FBI's ongoing investigation into Russia's efforts to influence the 2016 election.

"This decision to abruptly fire Mr. Comey not only undermines the Department of Justice’s investigation into Russia’s efforts to influence the recent U.S. elections in possible coordination with the Trump campaign, but also threatens to erode confidence in the Department as a bedrock of independence and integrity within our system of government," the letter reads.

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Trump abruptly fired Comey on Tuesday, saying in a letter that his decision was based on the recommendation of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. In a memo to the president, Rosenstein argued that Comey's handling of the FBI investigation into Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Virginia Democrat blasts Trump's 'appalling' remark about COVID-19 deaths in 'blue states' The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden asks if public can trust vaccine from Trump ahead of Election Day | Oklahoma health officials raised red flags before Trump rally MORE's use of a private email server last year was unprofessional and tainted his ability to lead the bureau.

But Comey's firing drew immediate backlash from Democrats, who questioned the timing of the ouster and voiced concern that Trump may have done it to tamp down the FBI's investigation into alleged ties between his campaign and Moscow.

Trump contradicted his own letter on Thursday, saying that the decision to fire the FBI director was his alone and that he would have done it regardless of Rosenstein's recommendation.

Rosenstein on Thursday was asked to brief the entire Senate on Comey's termination next week. He has not yet accepted the request, but Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerDemocrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise Pelosi, Schumer 'encouraged' by Trump call for bigger coronavirus relief package Schumer, Sanders call for Senate panel to address election security MORE (D-N.Y.) said he believes the briefing is "very likely" to happen.