DPCC Chair Cicilline: The American People Have The Right to See Mueller’s Report
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman David Cicilline, Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), appeared on Meet the Press Daily on MSNBC to discuss Special Counsel Mueller's investigation. Cicilline highlighted how Democrats are fighting to ensure the American people see Mueller's final report. Below are excerpts from the interview. Click here to watch the video
"This is a two year investigation which has resulted in 199 criminal charges against 39 individuals and organizations. Seven convictions and four people are already are going to prison. This was started on behalf of the American people and they have the right to see the conclusions of it. This was an attack on our democracy. It is very important the American people see the results of this investigation."
"We are introducing legislation today that will require that the special counsel's report be made public so we can pass legislation that will compel the production. We can also bring Mr. Mueller or others before the Judiciary Committee and subpoena the report. That might result in some litigation but we are prepared to do that. I think there is real consensus from the Democrats that the American people have a right to see this report and we will do everything we can to make sure they can see the report both legislatively, through the court system, and through the subpoena process. We have a responsibility to make sure this investigation, which was done on behalf of the American people, is in fact shared with the American people."
"It will mean some redactions. It is certainly important to the Judiciary Committee and other committees responsible for oversight to have the results of this investigation. As many people have argued, it may be that the only response to the misconduct that Mr. Mueller has found will be an impeachment proceeding. We won't actually know that until we see the report, see the findings that he made, and the interviews he conducted and the information that he has collected. I'm concerned because the Attorney General has some discretion in this area. Obviously, Mr. Barr would not commit to sharing this with Congress or the American people during his confirmation hearings. This is an important investigation. We have a right to know as citizens of this country what happened in the attack by the Russians on our democracy, who was responsible, and to take whatever action is appropriate in light of that. But seeing the result of this investigation is really the beginning of Congress's work."
"We have oversight responsibilities, we have subpoena power, we have the right to bring and collect evidence to discharge our constitutional duty to do oversight. I think we have many, many arguments that would compel the production of this. There are claims that may be made with respect executive privilege. Some of that may be waived, some of that may not apply if it involves criminal conduct. It will have to be litigated if the administration contests this but Democrats are prepared to do everything we can to fight as hard as we can in the courts, through the legislative process, through the court of public opinion, until the American people get the truth and get to see the results of this investigation."
"No one is going to make Mr. Mueller political. I think he has conducted the investigation with extraordinary integrity and he has an impeccable reputation. I think that if he comes before congress he will behave consistent with that reputation. He will deliver the facts as he has found them in a useful way for the Committee and for the American people."
"I think we always have to be careful when we collect information, we have the responsibility as we are doing our oversight to assess the credibility, voracity and weight of evidence. We do that every day in our hearings. We would expect to do that when witnesses come before our Committee. That is not an excuse not to share with Congress or the American people what you uncovered in this investigation and the conclusions you made."
"This is an incredible challenge. It has been very disappointing to me so far the unwillingness of so many of my Republican colleagues to understand that this was an attack on our country, on our democracy, it should not be Republican or Democratic issue, it shouldn't be a partisan issue, it is of concern to every single person in this country. That is why I think overwhelmingly you will see in the polling that the American people believe the results of this investigation should be made public, they understand the investigation was done on their behalf. I think history will judge my Republican colleagues very harshly if they stand in the way of sharing the facts with the American people. I am hoping that they will understand that what is at stake is the integrity of our democracy, the security of our elections, and ensuring that the American people understand that and then see the work of the special counsel from the last two years so they can know what the facts are, not only to prevent it from happening again, but for holding the individuals accountable who may have engaged in misconduct."
"I don't know whether [Roger Stone] will be the last indictment. I don't know what is happening in the Southern District of New York, it seems this is just the beginning. I don't know if anyone else has lied to our committee, we have many questions from a number of witnesses that have come before us. But this is one of the reasons the special Counsel's report needs to be furnished to the congress and to the American people so that people who testify falsely, who lied to congress, can be held accountable. Part of our function in doing oversight is premised on our ability to collect truthful and accurate information and not having the report furnished to us will impede that responsibility."