Jason Chaffetz, a top House Republican who asked for an investigation into President Donald Trump’s firing of James Comey, announced he is resigning in June.
May 18 (UPI) — Jason Chaffetz, a top House Republican who asked the Department of Justice to investigate President Donald Trump ’s firing of FBI Director James Comey, announced Thursday that he is resigning in June.
„After careful consideration and long discussion with my wife, Julie, we agree the time has come for us to move on from this part of our life, “ the chairman of the House Oversight Committee said in a letter to Utah’s 3rd Congressional District.
„My life has undergone some big changes over the last 18 months. Those changes have been good. But as I celebrated my 50th birthday in March, the reality of spending more than 1,500 nights away from my family over eight years hit me harder than it had before.“
Chaffetz, whose term ends Jan. 3,2019, said will step down effective June 30.
His resignation is not a surprise. He announced in April that he would not seek re-election and would leave Congress before his term expired.
Utah will hold a special election to replace him. His successor as House Oversight chairman will take over part of the federal investigation into Russia’s election hacking and whether Trump’s campaign colluded in that effort.
On Tuesday, Chaffetz asked the FBI for documents regarding Comey’s communications with Trump. He also asked Comey to appear before his committee next week.
