Dems Warn Trump Against Using Memo To Fire Rosenstein, Mueller

Source: Talking Points Memo




By Caitlin MacNeal | February 2, 2018 1:49 pm

Following the release of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes’ memo on Friday, Democratic leaders in Congress sent a letter to President Donald Trump warning him not to use the document as a reason to fire those in charge of the Russia probe — Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and special counsel Robert Mueller.

The Democrats cited reports that Trump has told friends and aides that he could use the memo to discredit the Russia probe. As the Washington Post reported, Trump told aides that the memo might give him a reason to fire Rosenstein, and he has told friends that it could prove that Mueller’s investigation is a “witch hunt.”

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The full text of the letter is below:

Dear President Trump:

The decision to release a partisan and misleading memo over the objections of your own Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director and the Department of Justice (DOJ) was a transparent attempt to discredit the hard-working men and women of law enforcement who are investigating Russia’s interference with our Presidential election and that nation’s ties to your campaign.

We are alarmed by reports that you may intend to use this misleading document as a pretext to fire Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, in an effort to corruptly influence or impede Special Counsel Bob Mueller’s investigation.

We write to inform you that we would consider such an unwarranted action as an attempt to obstruct justice in the Russia investigation. Firing Rod Rosenstein, DOJ Leadership, or Bob Mueller could result in a constitutional crisis of the kind not seen since the Saturday Night Massacre.

Sincerely,

Senator Chuck Schumer

Representative Nancy Pelosi

Senator Dick Durbin

Representative Steny Hoyer

Senator Patty Murray

Representative Joe Crowley

Senator Mark Warner

Representative Adam Schiff

Senator Dianne Feinstein

Representative Jerrold Nadler