DPCC Co-Chair Cicilline: The Russia Investigation Must be Protected from Political Interference
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman David Cicilline, Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy & Communications Committee (DPCC), appeared on CNN's News Room to discuss protecting the integrity of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 Presidential election. Below are excerpts from the interview and a link to the video.
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"I think, of course, it's a worthy endeavor. I mean, there have been two people indicted, two people have pled guilty. I think the investigation is not over. I think this, again, is a useful spin for the White House maybe that is what they are hoping for. But I think it's very clear that Robert Mueller and his team are doing very serious work and I think they are not anywhere near done."
"I think what we have to ensure is that they have the resources they need to do this job completely and thoroughly and that they are protected, most importantly, from any political interference or anyone attempting to impede or in any way influence the outcome of this investigation. But the reality is that Robert Mueller, the FBI, and this investigation has been under tack almost since the beginning. You see the Republicans in the House, particularly on the Judiciary Committee, attacking the professionals at the FBI, undermining the integrity of Robert Mueller.
"When [Mueller] was appointed, he was praised universally. He is a man of impeccable integrity, appointed by a Republican President, is a Republican himself, and despite that, we now see the Republicans attacking Robert Mueller, attacking the investigation, attacking the men and women of the FBI. You have to wonder, why? What has changed? Well, I think what has changed is you've had two indictments, two pleas, one of them right inside the White House with Michael Flynn.
"I think the Republicans, sadly, are preparing, laying the groundwork, either for the firing of Robert Mueller or to undermine the findings and conclusions of this investigation. Either one of them is a terrible mistake and does a real disservice to the American people. Democrats are saying is the President must not fire Robert Mueller, let's remember this is a President who reached out to Senators and tried to get them to stop their investigation, this is a person who fired the FBI Director because he wouldn't drop the investigation. So the apprehension of what the President might do has a basis and what we want to make clear is that we need to protect the integrity of this investigation and protect Robert Mueller."