Wednesday, Donald Trump forced Attorney General Jeff Sessions to resign in a blatant attempt to impede Robert Mueller's Trump-Russia investigation.
Sessions was replaced by Trump crony and Mueller critic Matt Whitaker—who will now become Mueller's boss and oversee the investigation—crossing a red line set to protect the investigation.
This is a direct assault on the rule of law. That's why Daily Kos and allies are launching rapid response protests across the country TODAY.
Join tens of thousands across the country at an urgent protest at 5 PM local time TODAY, Thursday, November 8, demanding immediate action to hold Trump accountable and protect the Mueller investigation. Click here to find an event near you and to confirm the timing and details of your event.
According to the New York Times, “[p]eople close to the President said Mr. Whitaker first came to the attention of Mr. Trump because he liked watching Mr. Whitaker express skepticism about aspects of Mr. Mueller’s investigation on television.”
Our partners at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) have compiled a list of statements that Whitaker has made about the Russia investigation that reflect personal bias and prejudgement that could undermine the integrity of the Russia investigation if he were permitted to participate. Here are some highlights:
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In a May 10, 2017 op-ed in the Hill, Whitaker defended the president’s firing of Comey and opposed the appointment of a special counsel.
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During a June 13, 2017 appearance on CNN, Whitaker argued, “I don't think that under these facts and circumstances that an obstruction of justice charge, either in the context that we have originally talked about with his discussions with Jim Comey or in this new context of talking about the possibility of Bob Mueller losing his job as special counsel, I think neither one of those would raise to the level of obstruction.
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In a July 10, 2017 appearance on CNN, Whitaker defended the Trump campaign’s decision to take the meeting with Russians who promised dirt on Clinton, stating, “‘you would always take the meeting’ and ‘you certainly want to have any advantage, any legal advantage you can’ as a political candidate.”
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In a June 26, 2017 appearance on CNN, Whitaker discussed ways to undermine the special counsel investigation, including by putting pressure on Rosenstein to “cut the budget of Bob Mueller and do something a little more stage crafty than the blunt instrument of firing the attorney general and trying to replace him.”
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In an August 6, 2017 article on CNN, Whitaker defended President Trump’s position that Robert Mueller would be crossing a “red line in the Russia 2016 election-meddling investigation” if he began investigating Trump’s personal finances or businesses.
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On August 6, 2017, Whitaker tweeted, "Note to Trump's lawyer: Do not cooperate with Mueller lynch mob."
It’s clear that Whitaker has no interest in overseeing the investigation in a way that is fair, impartial, and follows the rule of law. By naming him as special counsel Mueller's boss, Trump has undercut the independence of the investigation.
Nobody is above the law. Congress must hold Trump accountable and demand that Whitaker immediately commit to not supervising the investigation. If you can, please join us at an action near you tonight.
There are hundreds of events being hosted across the country. Click here to find a rapid response rally near you and to confirm the timing and details of the event.