DPCC Chair Cicilline: We Need To Protect Special Counsel Mueller's Investigation
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman David Cicilline, Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), appeared on OutFront With Erin Burnett on CNN to discuss Robert Mueller's investigation and Russia's ongoing campaign to undermine American democracy and the rule of law in this country. Below are excerpts from the interview. Clickhere to watch the video
"I think it's hard to know. It's clear in the pleadings that were filed today that the special counsel acknowledges there are people who continue to be engaged in wrong doing that have not yet been charged. This filing…really reveals some really explosive information and that is as the intelligence community testified yesterday before the Senate Intelligence Committee, the Russians are engaged in an ongoing campaign to undermine American democracy, to attack our democratic institutions and to undermine the rule of law in this country. And it's now playing out in the context of this criminal case."
"Well they are clearly trying to do it. It should be remembered this came to light in an effort by the counsel for this company now seeking sensitive discovery. The nom sensitive discovery has already been released in the public domain. Now they are trying to get at the more sensitive discovery that will reveal methods and sources and really undermine the national security interests of the United States. Mr. Mueller really had no choice but to object to that and bring this to the attention of the court. Again, this is a sophisticated campaign. The Russians attacked our democracy in 2016. They are at it. They continue to be at it. What makes it particularly difficult is the President of the United States has also attempted to undermine the Mueller investigation from the very beginning. Attacking Mr. Mueller. Attacking the integrity of the investigation. So what we need to do is people who are committed to preserving our democracy and protecting Mr. Mueller is pass legislation to protect him from any interference to complete his work."
"I think it undermines our ability to protect against it. When this happened to our country, when we were attacked in 2016 and our democracy was attacked, what the President should have done is committed to doing everything possible to make sure it never happens again - convening a national commission, developing a strategy to make sure that Russians or no other foreign adversary will ever interfere with a Presidential election and speak loudly and strongly about the consequences. Instead the President has done everything he can to undermine this and call it a hoax and say there's nothing there. It's kind of funny, it's the same argument the Russians are making. They are trying to undermine Robert Mueller and so is President Trump. Makes you wonder why."
"Look, I think this is an incredibly serious investigation. Each day, it feels like we learn more that implicates another close associate of the President or important person in the President's campaign. Mr. Stone is the most recent. But I think this is a very serious challenge for the President. I think he feels the wall is closing in which is why he does everything he can to undermine this investigation. Mr. Stone is someone that has a particular closeness to the President, served as a special adviser. Look, I think what's been in the public domain is very disturbing, raises lots of questions and I think we all await Mr. Mueller's final report so he can put all the pieces together and we can know exactly what happed."
"I think the United States has to continue to work with our international partners and press for a diplomatic solution. We need to help with other countries in the region to provide humanitarian support so the Venezuelan people can have free and fair elections and elect their President. But I intend to introduce legislation that will prevent the President of the United States from sending troops into Venezuela without approval and will specifically prevent funding for that purpose. Congress has a role. I certainly want to make sure the President does not, on his own, send military forces into Venezuela. We need to support diplomatic solution, humanitarian assistance while this country goes through a difficult time and support the Venezuelan people, and their aspirations for democracy. I do not believe another military engagement, without Congressional authorization, is appropriate. I'm going to introduce legislation to prevent that from happening."