WASHINGTON — President Trump’s firing on Tuesday of the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, drew an immediate backlash, both for how he did it — Mr. Comey found out from television — and for the implications of what it means for the Justice Department investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

Here’s a look at what’s next:

At the White House

Mr. Trump must search for a new F.B.I. director. An announcement will not be made on Wednesday but is likely by the end of the week because Mr. Trump intends to fill the vacancy quickly, a White House official said Tuesday night. Whomever Mr. Trump chooses will be subject to Senate confirmation.

How Democrats and Republicans are spinning it

Democrats quickly coalesced around a call for an independent prosecutor to take over the investigation into Russian meddling in the election, expressing distrust in the Justice Department.

“The only way the American people can have faith in this investigation is for it to be led by a fearless, independent special prosecutor,” said the Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York.