Pelosi: Russia Probe Still Needs to Be Led by Independent Commission

The Russia probe should be led by an independent commission, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday in a statement according to the Hill.

Pelosi’s comments come hours after the Justice Department’s announcement that it had assigned a special prosecutor to overlook the FBI probe into whether Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election.

While calling former FBI Director Robert Mueller a “respected public servant of the highest integrity,” Pelosi said that “a special prosecutor is the first step, but it cannot be the last.”

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein announced Mueller’s appointment.

“Director Mueller will still be in the chain of command under the Trump-appointed leadership of the Justice Department,” Pelosi said. “He cannot take the place of a truly independent, outside commission that is completely free from the Trump Administration’s meddling.”

Other Democrats called for an independent commission Wednesday after a New York Times report published Tuesday alleged that President Donald Trump had asked former FBI Director James Comey to stop investigating former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn.

• Sen. John McCain on Comey: 'Integrity Has Never Wavered'
• Former FBI Director Robert Mueller Named Special Prosecutor of Russia Probe