Democratic lawmakers on Monday called on President Donald Trump to resist interfering in special counsel Robert Mueller's probe following the indictment of one of Trump's former top campaign officials and the announcement of a plea agreement with another.
Paul Manafort, who once chaired Trump's campaign, was indicted by a federal grand jury for lobbying and financial crimes while George Papadopoulos, an early foreign-policy adviser to the Trump campaign, acknowledged making false statements to the FBI about his contacts with Russians.
Mueller is investigating whether there was any coordination between Trump's campaign team and the Russian government as part of the Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Sen Chuck Schumer of New York tweeted:
"Mueller must be able to continue this investigation to its conclusion without any meddling by President Trump or his administration," Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., said, according to the New York Daily News. "If President Trump fires Mueller, that would be clear obstruction of justice — an impeachable offense."
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., also took to Twitter:
"Any direct or indirect attempts to interfere with or undermine the Special Counsel's investigation are dangerous, and could possibly constitute obstruction of justice. … All of us now — Republicans and Democrats alike — must protect the integrity and independence of the Special Counsel's investigation," said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., a former chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
After the indictment was announced, Trump said on Twitter that the charges against Manafort stem from previous work:
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump had no plans to fire Muller.
"There's no intention or plan to make any changes in regards to special counsel," Sanders said at the White House press briefing.
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