releases: https://susandavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=392781
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
This data as json
| url | title | date | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| https://susandavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=392781 | Congresswoman Susan Davis Joins in Expressing Support for Robert Muellers Investigation of Trump | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | CA | Susan Davis | D000598 | susandavis.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Congresswoman Susan Davis joined over 170 of her House colleagues in expressing support for the investigation being conducted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. In a letter to the Deputy Attorney General of the United States Rod J. Rosenstein, members urged that he ensure Mueller be allowed to continue his investigation unfettered by political influence or threats to his authority to its natural and appropriate conclusion based on the law, the facts, and the evidence. Mueller was appointed to lead the investigation into any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump. The America people are owed answers to Russian interference in our election and if there was collusion with those actions, said Rep. Davis. We need to ensure the integrity of our elections, yet a campaign to undermine Mr. Muellers investigation is underway. Its critical that Mr. Mueller be able to conduct his inquiry to find out what happened and how we can prevent it in the future. The text of the letter can be found below: The Honorable Rod J. Rosenstein Deputy Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530 Dear Deputy Attorney General, We write to express our support for the work of Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III, and to urge you to ensure that he be allowed to continue his investigation unfettered by political influence or threats to his authority to its natural and appropriate conclusion based on the law, the facts, and the evidence. The Special Counsel is Conducting a Methodical Investigation, Yielding Results It is unimaginable that Republicans would seek to intervene, discredit, obstruct, or terminate the Special Counsels investigation. Thus far, from every public indication, it appears that Mr. Mueller is conducting a thorough and methodical investigation. He and his investigators have not sought, and instead avoided, the public spotlight. His team has not leaked, or hinted at, criminal allegations for which they have yet to develop charges. Furthermore, the charges that have been filed to date have been sufficiently strong, and well founded, as to elicit guilty pleas from President Donald Trumps former National Security Advisor, Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, and a former foreign policy adviser to Donald Trumps presidential campaign, George Papadopoulos.[1] The Appointment of a Special Counsel was Necessary and Proper As you know, pursuant to U.S. Department of Justice Order Number 3915-2017, which you issued on May 17, 2017, Mr. Mueller was appointed to serve as Special Counsel and authorized to conduct an investigation into matters including: (i) any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump; and (ii) any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation; and (iii) any other matters within the scope of 28 C.F.R. 600.4(a),[2]which includes authority to investigate and prosecute federal crimes committed in the course of, and with intent to interfere with, the Special Counsels investigation, such as perjury, obstruction of justice, destruction of evidence, and intimidation of witnesses.[3] Your decision to appoint a Special Counsel to conduct such investigation was necessary and proper given: (1) the U.S. Intelligence Communitys assessment that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election, the consistent goals of which were to undermine public faith in the US democratic process and that Putin and the Russian Government developed a clear preference for [President] Trump;[4](2) the obvious potential that individuals, who had served on President Donald J. Trumps campaign, as well as individuals currently serving as political appointees in the Trump administration, could be targets of, or witnesses in, any such investigation; and (3) Attorney General Jeff Sessions recusal from any matters related in any way to the campaigns for President of the United States.[5] The Selection of Robert S. Mueller III to Serve as Special Counsel was Appropriate Under the circumstances described above, your selection of Robert Mueller to serve as the Special Counsel to conduct the investigation was an appropriate and commendable decision. Mr. Mueller has earned a reputation as a non-partisan professional investigator, making him an ideal choice to lead the investigation into the highly important, complex, and sensitive matters to which he has been charged. Mr. Muellers record demonstrates that he would not allow bias, influence, or other extraneous considerations to impact his investigation, and any suggestion otherwise is not credible. Mr. Mueller is a former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), who was originally appointed by a Republican President. He was vetted and, twice, unanimously confirmed by the Senate. Specifically, when appointed in 2001 by President George W. Bush, Mueller was confirmed as FBI Director by a vote of 98 to 0 in the Senate,[6]and when Mueller was nominated for a second term, in 2011, during President Barack Obamas administration, he was again unanimously confirmed in the Senate by a vote of 100 to 0. Mr. Mueller has earned bipartisan support. Republican members of the Senate attested to Mr. Muellers integrity and professionalism during Mr. Muellers confirmation hearings, which took place on July 30 and 31, 2001. For example, with regard to Mr. Muellers nomination to serve as FBI director, then Senator, now Attorney General, Jeff Sessions stated: [I]t is great to see Mr. Mueller, nominated to take one of the most important positions in our country. It is a position that requires, in my view, serious experience, great integrity, and a proven record of accomplishment. And you have all of those things, [Robert Mueller]. When I was in the Department of Justice, ... [Robert] Muellers reputation was known throughout the Department of Justice, and he was known not for any political reason, but because he was recognized as a professionals professional, a man whose skill at doing the job assigned to him was second to none., there is no doubt in my mind, that there is no more professional prosecutor, no more professional person in America with experience in the Department of Justice, ready to handle the job of FBI Director than [Robert] Mueller.[7] Likewise, Senator Mitch McConnell stated: I believe Mr. Mueller will provide strong and effective leadership. Mr. Mueller has both impressive management and law enforcement experience. [H]e is well-schooled in avoiding the problems and pitfalls inherent in criminal investigations and prosecutions. ...Mr. Mueller is not of the FBI, and therefore I believe institutional loyalty will not blind him to making the hard decisions when he needs to.[8] Senator McConnell also expressed his belief in Mr. Muellers commitment to vigorously enforcing the law without regard to politics or partisanship.[9] Speaker of the House Paul Ryan has also commented on Mr. Muellers lack of partisan bias. As reported in a July 24, 2017Washington Examinerarticle, Speaker Ryan stated: I don't think many people are saying [Robert] Mueller is a biased partisan. He's really, sort of, anything but.[10] On October 11, 2017, Kenneth Starr, who was appointed in 1994 as the independent counsel who was tasked with investigations involving President Bill Clinton and then First Lady Hillary Clinton, commented on Robert Mueller and the manner in which his investigation is proceeding.[11] Mr. Starr stated that Mr. Mueller is conducting his investigation aggressively and professionally.[12] Mr. Starr also stated: Were not seeing leaks out of the investigation as far as we know, and what we know of Bob Mueller and his background is that he is someone of total, rock-ribbed integrity.[13] Regulations Limiting the Removal of a Special Counsel Must Be Followed Mr. Mueller must be allowed to complete his investigation, and should not be threatened with removal. However, a few Republicans have indicated their support for Mr. Muellers ouster. Notwithstanding the overwhelming reasons for Mr. Mueller to be allowed to continue and complete his investigation, the rule of law demands that the Trump administration follow Executive Branch regulations, which restrict the circumstances under which a special counsel can be removed. Specifically, 28 CFR 600.7(d) regarding the removal or discipline of a special counsel provides: The Special Counsel may be disciplined or removed from office only by the personal action of the Attorney General. The Attorney General may remove a Special Counsel for misconduct, dereliction of duty, incapacity, conflict of interest, or for other good cause, including violation of Departmental policies. The Attorney General shall inform the Special Counsel in writing of the specific reason for his or her removal. Since Attorney General Sessions is recused, you, in your capacity as acting Attorney General regarding Special Counsel Muellers investigation, are the only individual empowered to remove Mr. Mueller under regulation. Furthermore, the regulation clearly states that Mr. Mueller may only be removed for good cause, which has not been demonstrated. The administration is required to follow its own regulations and not remove Mr. Mueller from his investigation. Politically Motivated Challenges of Special Counsel Mueller and His Investigation Must Not Be Allowed to Threaten the Investigation Despite Special Counsel Muellers record of integrity, as attested to by these Republican leaders, and despite the clear progress that Mr. Mueller is making in his investigation, the right-wing media, some Republican Members of Congress and Donald Trump, himself, have attempted to advance a false narrative that Special Counsel Muellers investigation is biased, and some have advocated for Mr. Muellers removal. On June 15, 2017, referring in general terms to the Russia investigation, President Trump stated on social media: You are witnessing the single greatest WITCH HUNT in American political history led by some very bad and conflicted people![14] In Congress, four Republican Members, led by Rep. Matt Gaetz and including former Rep. Trent Franks, who has now resigned amidst an Ethics Committee investigation into his own conduct, have cosponsored a resolution calling for Mueller to step down. Those members have attempted to advance baseless claims of the existence of a conflict due to Mr. Muellers previous service as FBI Director. Those arguments do not have merit, and appear intended, at best, to redirect the publics focus toward matters that are wholly unrelated to the investigation to which Mr. Mueller has been tasked. At worst, those arguments are intended to stop or preemptively tarnish the perception of the Special Counsels work. The issues referenced in that Republican resolution pertain to allegations against former President Bill Clinton and former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton related to a 2009-2010 matter, which has nothing to do with Mr. Muellers directive to investigate links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump.[15] As quoted in a December 12, 2017Politicoarticle,Rep. Matt Gaetz stated that he told President Trump that he was concerned that Mr. Muellers investigation was infected with bias.[16]Rep. Gaetz said the president responded: Thats why you guys have got to do your job.[17] Rep. Gaetz further stated that he informed the president that you would be testifying before the House Judiciary Committee on December 13, 2017, in response to which Rep. Gaetz said President Trump encouraged us to exercise our oversight responsibilities.[18] This conversation, as described by Rep. Gaetz, suggests that President Trump is encouraging the ring leaders of the recent criticisms against Mr. Mueller in order to pressure you to affect the investigation through the congressional oversight process. That is unacceptable. Some have alleged that Mr. Muellers removal of a member of his team, Peter Strzok, over text messages sent by Mr. Strzok that were critical of President Trump suggests bias or a lack of objectivity on the Special Counsels team. However, upon learning of the text messages, Mr. Mueller immediately removed Mr. Strzok from the investigation.[19] In reality, this incident and Mr. Muellers swift response demonstrates Mr. Muellers integrity as well as his desire and commitment to conduct an investigation that is beyond reproach. You must not allow the targets of the investigation, or issues being investigated, to escape thorough independent inquiry through the removal, or hindrance, of the Special Counsel. We thank you for your careful attention to this letter, and we stand ready to support you in upholding the rule of law. Sincerely, Rep. Maxine Waters Rep. Brenda Lawrence Rep. Alma Adams Rep. Alfred Lawson Jr. Rep. Pete Aguilar Rep. Barbara Lee Rep. Nanette Barragan Rep. Sandy Levin Rep. Karen Bass Rep. John Lewis Rep. Joyce Beatty Rep. Ted Lieu Rep. Ami Bera Rep. Daniel W. Lipinski Rep. Don Beyer Rep. Dave Loebsack Rep. Sanford Bishop Rep. Zoe Lofgren Rep. Earl Blumenauer Rep. Alan Lowenthal Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester Rep. Nita M. Lowey Rep. Suzanne Bonamici Rep. Ben Ray Lujn Rep. Brendan F. Boyle Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham Rep. Robert Brady Rep. Stephen F. Lynch Rep. Anthony Brown Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney Rep. Julia Brownley Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney Rep. G. K. Butterfield Rep. Doris Matsui Rep. Michael E. Capuano Rep. Betty McCullum Rep. Salud Carbajal Rep. Donald McEachin Rep. Tony Crdenas Rep. James P. McGovern Rep. Andre D. Carson Rep. Jerry McNerney Rep. Matt Cartwright Rep. Gregory Meeks Rep. Judy Chu Rep. Grace Meng Rep. David Cicilline Rep. Gwen Moore Rep. Katherine Clark Rep. Seth Moulton Rep. Yvette D. Clarke Rep. Jerrold Nadler Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay Rep. Grace Napolitano Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver Rep. Richard E. Neal Rep. James Clyburn Rep. Richard Nolan Rep. Steve Cohen Rep. Donald Norcross Rep. Gerry Connolly Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton Rep. Jim Cooper Rep. Tom OHalleran Rep. J. Luis Correa Rep. Beto ORourke Rep. Joe Courtney Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. Rep. Charlie Crist Rep. Jimmy Panetta Rep. Joseph Crowley Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. Rep. Henry Cuellar Rep. Donald Payne Jr. Rep. Elijah Cummings Rep. Ed Perlmutter Rep. Danny Davis Rep. Scott Peters Rep. Susan Davis Rep. Chellie Pingree Rep. Peter DeFazio Del. Stacey Plaskett Rep. Diana DeGette Rep. Mark Pocan Rep. John Delaney Rep. Jared Polis Rep. Rosa DeLauro Rep. David Price Rep. Suzan K. DelBene Rep. Mike Quigley Rep. Val Demings Rep. Jamie Raskin Rep. Mark DeSaulnier Rep. Cedric Richmond Rep. Theodore E. Deutch Rep. Jacky Rosen Rep. Debbie Dingell Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard Rep. Lloyd Doggett Rep. Raul Ruiz Rep. Mike Doyle Rep. Bobby L. Rush Rep. Keith Ellison Rep. Tim Ryan Rep. Eliot L. Engel Rep. Linda T. Snchez Rep. Anna Eshoo Rep. John Sarbanes Rep. Adriano Espaillat Rep. Jan Schakowsky Rep. Dwight Evans Rep. Bobby Scott Rep. Lois Frankel Rep. David Scott Rep. Marcia Fudge Rep. Jose Seranno Rep. Ruben Gallego Rep. Terri Sewell Rep. John Garamendi Rep. Carol Shea-Porter Rep. Jimmy Gomez Rep. Brad Sherman Rep. Al Green Rep. Albio Sires Rep. Gene Green Rep. Louise Slaughter Rep. Ral M. Grijalva Rep. Adam Smith Rep. Luis Guiterrez Rep. Darren Soto Rep. Colleen Hanabusa Rep. Jackie Speier Rep. Alcee L. Hastings Rep. Thomas Suozzi Rep. Danny Heck Rep. Eric Swalwell Rep. Brian Higgins Rep. Mark Takano Rep. Steny Hoyer Rep. Bennie G Thompson Rep. Jared Huffman Rep. Mike Thompson Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Rep. Dina Titus Rep. Pramila Jayapal Rep. Paul Tonko Rep. Hakeem Jeffries Rep. Niki Tsongas Rep. Hank Johnson Rep. Juan Vargas Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson Rep. Marc Veasey Rep. Marcy Kaptur Rep. Filemon Vela Rep. Robin Kelly Rep. Nydia Velazquez Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy, III Rep. Tim Walz Rep. Ro Khanna Rep. Debbie Wasserman Shultz Rep. Dan Kildee Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman Rep. Derek Kilmer Rep. Peter Welch Rep. Raja Krishnamoothi Rep. Frederica Wilson Rep. Ann McLane Kuster Rep. John Yarmuth Rep. James Langevin Rep. Rick Larsen Rep. John B. Larson | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |