May 17, 2017

Dems: If Comey memo true, Trump obstructed justice

The Democratic reactions to the NYT report that President Trump asked James Comey to drop the probe into ousted National Security Advisor Mike Flynn:

  • Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer: Has "concerns about our national security…the independence about our nation's highest intelligence agencies…the country is being tested in unprecedented ways. I say to all of my colleagues in the Senate, history is watching."
  • House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi: "If these reports are true, the President's brazen attempt to shut down the FBI's investigation of Michael Flynn is an assault on the rule of law that is fundamental to our democracy…At best, President Trump has committed a grave abuse of executive power. At worst, he has obstructed justice."
  • Rep. Elijah Cummings: "explosive allegation" that "appears like a textbook case of obstruction of justice."
  • Rep. Adam Schiff: "Enough is enough, Congress really needs to get to the bottom of this."
  • Sen. Chris Murphy: "Just leaving Senate floor. Lots of chatter from Ds and Rs about the exact definition of 'obstruction of justice.'"
  • Sen. Richard Blumenthal: "We are witnessing an obstruction of justice case unfolding in real time. I am stunned that any of my colleagues would possibly oppose the appointment of an independent special prosecutor…All of the evidence — including transcripts, tapes, memos, and other documents — must be subpoenaed immediately." He also called for Comey, Sessions, Rosenstein, and Don McGahn to testify.
  • Sen. Dick Durbin: This "appears to cross the line into the obstruction of justice. No one…is above the law. When will a Republican senator step out of the shadows and join us in calling for the appointment of a Special Prosecutor" to get out of the "tangled web of deception?"
  • Sen. Angus King (Independent): "I say it with sadness and reluctance," but if Trump asked Comey to end any investigations, impeachment is on the table.

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