Trump firing of Chris Krebs after comment rebutting fraud allegations brings backlash

President Trump received fierce pushback -- including some from fellow Republicans -- on Tuesday night after firing Chris Krebs, the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), following efforts by Krebs to rebut the president's claims of widespread voter fraud.

The Tuesday evening firing happened after Krebs led a campaign at CISA to control rumors about election fraud. Trump, in a pair of tweets, said that Krebs had made a statement on election security that "was highly inaccurate, in that there were massive improprieties and fraud -- including dead people voting" and more.

Trump added: "Therefore, effective immediately, Chris Krebs has been terminated as Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency."

"Honored to serve. We did it right. Defend Today, Secure Tomrorow (sic)," Krebs responded in a tweet.

Krebs also linked to the CISA rumor control webpage, and made a "Star Wars" joke in response to a tweet from Luke Skywalker actor Mark Hamill.

"In defending democracy, do or do not, there is no try," Krebs said. "This is the way."

But pushback also came from others, including President-elect Joe Biden, who Trump has so far refused to concede the election to, citing numerous pending legal challenges and recounts.

"Chris Krebs should be commended for his service in protecting our elections, not fired for telling the truth," Mike Gwin, a Biden spokesperson, said.

"Bipartisan election officials in the administration itself -- and around the country -- have made clear that Donald Trump’s claims of widespread voter fraud are categorically false and Trump’s embarrassing refusal to accept that reality lays bare how baseless and desperate his flailing is," Gwin added.