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DeGette Calls for Rosenstein to Appoint a Special Counsel for Russia Investigation

May 11, 2017

Letter Notes Administration’s Duty to Ensure That Partisanship, Self-Preservation Don’t Corrupt the Country

Denver – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), Chief Deputy Whip, today sent a letter to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein asking that he appoint an independent Special Counsel to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election, including potential Russian ties to President Donald J. Trump's campaign.

"Recent months – and most acutely, the past two days – have given rise to questions whose answers could shake the foundation of our democracy," DeGette wrote. "At such times, it is the duty of the President and his administration to take the necessary steps to ensure that partisanship and self-preservation do not corrupt our country."

Noting that while both the House and the Senate are investigating this matter, DeGette said "the Justice Department has the resources, staff and authority to determine if there has been any violation of federal law."

"Given the recent and oddly-timed removal of FBI Director James Comey from his post, it is imperative that the Department move swiftly to restore confidence that this removal had nothing to do with the FBI's investigation into the President and his campaign," DeGette wrote. "The American people deserve to receive a full accounting of Russian activities in this area. It is my firm belief that only a full, fair, and impartial investigation headed by an independent Special Counsel with all the latitude available under the law can produce such a report at this point."

The full text of the letter is here and below.

May 11, 2017

The Honorable Rod J. Rosenstein

Deputy Attorney General

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20530

Dear Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein,

I write to request that you immediately appoint an independent Special Counsel to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election, including potential Russian ties to President Donald J. Trump's campaign. I believe that this step is essential to ensure that the American people can have full faith that the institutions and ideals intended to transcend administrations remain the rock upon which our democracy was founded.

While both the House and the Senate are investigating this matter, the Justice Department has the resources, staff and authority to determine if there has been any violation of federal law.

Given the recent and oddly-timed removal of FBI Director James Comey from his post, it is imperative that the Department move swiftly to restore confidence that this removal had nothing to do with the FBI's investigation into the President and his campaign.

The American people deserve to receive a full accounting of Russian activities in this area. It is my firm belief that only a full, fair, and impartial investigation headed by an independent Special Counsel with all the latitude available under the law can produce such a report at this point.

Recent months – and most acutely, the past two days – have given rise to questions whose answers could shake the foundation of our democracy. At such times, it is the duty of the President and his administration to take the necessary steps to ensure that partisanship and self-preservation do not corrupt our country.

Again, I respectfully request your immediate appointment of a special counsel to investigate this matter and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Diana DeGette

Member of Congress