WASHINGTON

Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine says he was half-joking when he suggested that fired FBI Director James Comey lead a Senate investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the presidential election.

After all, King says Comey has security clearances — and needs a job.

King said Wednesday that the trial balloon he floated on CNN had taken on a life of its own but he thinks it has some merit to the idea. He tells The Associated Press, “The more I think about it, you know, why not? Let’s float it. Let’s talk about it.”

King wants a special prosecutor for the Senate Intelligence Committee investigation into the Trump administration’s ties to Russia and Russia’s interference in the election, regardless whether it’s Comey or someone else.