Congressman Ted Lieu Demands Special Prosecutor to Investigate Trump-Russia Collusion

Representative Ted W. Lieu has sent a letter to acting Deputy Attorney General Dana Boente requesting the appointment of a Special Prosecutor to investigate any Trump campaign collusion with Russia.

Ted Lieu said in a statement released Wednesday that the recent disclosure about President Trump’s first National Security Advisor, Michael Flynn, asking for immunity is just the latest reason why a Special Prosecutor is needed to investigate potential collusion between the Russian Government and the Trump campaign to influence the outcome of the 2016 U.S. Election.

Earlier, Ted Lieu had stated that Russian hacking of Americans and American political organizations during the 2016 U.S. presidential election was multifaceted and brazen, with the goals of undermining faith in the U.S. democratic process and harming Secretary Clinton’s electability.

“Putin and the Russian government developed a clear preference for Trump,” Lieu said.

[ Congressman Ted Lieu Drops a Bombshell: Russian Hacking Favored Trump ]

Representatives Kathleen Rice and Stacey Plaskett are co-signers of the letter. Reps. Lieu, Rice and Plaskett are all former prosecutors.

In their letter to acting Deputy Attorney General Boente, the representatives write:

“Because you serve at the pleasure of the President, it is our belief that you have a conflict of interest and cannot exercise true independence into an investigation that may implicate the President. That is one of several reasons we request that you appoint a Special Counsel to investigate any collusion with Russia.”

[ Trump-Russia Ties: Congressman Swalwell Connects the Dots ]

“The recent disclosure that President Trump’s first National Security Advisor, Michael Flynn, has asked for immunity provides a second reason why you need to appoint a special prosecutor… Congress, however, cannot grant immunity from prosecution on behalf of the Department of Justice. Only the Department can make that decision, which is why we need a Special Counsel to decide.”

“The public interest also demands that a special prosecutor be appointed. There is no more important matter to our nation than the issue of whether or not the Trump campaign colluded with Russia. At stake is the legitimacy of the Presidency and whether high crimes occurred.”

Photo courtesy: Ted Lieu