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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsEmail from my repug congressman:
Bradley Byrne
First District, Alabama
Serving Baldwin, Clarke,
Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, and Washington Counties
House Committees:
Armed Services
Education and the Workforce
Rules
May 22, 2017
Dear trof:
Thank you for contacting me with your concerns regarding the ongoing investigation into Russias interference in the 2016 election and President Trumps firing of FBI Director James Comey.
Let me be clear: the 2016 election is over and nothing indicates that any conduct by Russia had an effect on the outcome of the election. After a hard fought campaign, President Donald J. Trump was duly elected President by the American people.
That said, any attempted interference by any country, including through members of a presidential campaign, is unacceptable and must be investigated. For that reason, I support the ongoing investigations into this issue by the United States Congress and the Department of Justice.
In the House of Representatives, the Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform have ongoing bipartisan investigations into this matter. In the Senate, the relevant committees of jurisdiction are also conducting their own investigations. I have complete confidence in my congressional colleagues leading these investigations to be thorough and nonpartisan in their assessment and to get to the bottom of this issue.
On May 17, 2017, Assistant Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed former FBI Director Robert Muller as special counsel to investigate this matter for the Department of Justice (DOJ). Special Counsels operate independently within the DOJ to investigate sensitive matters of potential wrong doing. Director Muller has received bipartisan praise, and I also have the highest confidence in his ability to complete this important task.
Although I recognize some Americans have concerns that President Trumps firing of FBI Director James Comey will influence the DOJ investigation, the Acting Director of the FBI has indicated this is not the case. Many Republicans and Democrats had called for Director Comeys firing before and after the election due to his poor performance as head of the FBI, and the President had complete authority to fire him for any reason under federal law. However, the appointment of Director Muller should give all Americans confidence in the continued impartiality of this investigation by the Department of Justice.
In the digital age, it is easy to jump to conclusions and convict individuals of wrongdoing based upon the latest breaking news. That is not how the American system works. Rather than jumping to judgment, it is important that we collect all the facts and allow time for the nonpartisan investigatory process to play out.
Please be assured, as your Congressman, I will continue to monitor this issue closely and keep your thoughts in mind.
I am honored to serve as your voice in Congress, and I hope you will stay in touch. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can ever be of assistance to you.
119 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-4931
www.Byrne.House.Gov
Feel free to contact him and express your feeling.
Skittles
(153,142 posts)trof
(54,256 posts)The most gutless politician I've ever come in contact with.
He was a Democrat until the repugs took over Alabama.
NOW he's a FERVENT REPUG, 'cause that's what RULES down here.
Skittles
(153,142 posts)Doodley
(9,078 posts)Not if the President fired him to obstruct justice or to deliberately influence an investigation.
Lotusflower70
(3,077 posts)Let me be clear: the 2016 election is over and nothing indicates that any conduct by Russia had an effect on the outcome of the election. After a hard fought campaign, President Donald J. Trump was duly elected President by the American people.
Wrong! He wasn't elected by the people. And seriously? Nothing indicates Russia had an effect on the outcome? This regurgitated nonsense is ridiculous. He may be selling it but I'm not buying.
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)Glimmer of Hope
(5,823 posts)This was a stunning statement that has echoed other remarks from senior US officials. He was saying that Russia directly intervened in the US election to obtain a desired end: presumably to undermine confidence in US elections or to elect Donald Trumpor both. Rogers was clearly accusing Vladimir Putin of meddling with American democracy. This is news worthy of bold and large front-page headlinesand investigation. Presumably intelligence and law enforcement agencies are robustly probing the hacking of political targets attributed to Russia. But there is another inquiry that is necessary: a full-fledged congressional investigation that holds public hearings and releases its findings to the citizenry.
So...you truly believe that the Russian hacking had absolutely no effect on our election?
When their stated purpose was to undermine Clinton and promote Trump?
When Putin himself said he did not like the policies of then Sec. State Clinton and thought Trump would be easier to deal with?
I dont think youre serious.
And youre scaring me.
trof
BTW I think we could sum up his letter to you as:
"don't bother me. Turn on Fox. They will tell you all you need to know."