Peters, Carper, Hassan, Harris Urge DOJ Inspector General to Investigate Political Interference with Russia Investigation

Press Release

U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Tom Carper (D-DE), Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Kamala Harris (D-CA) all members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General calling for an inquiry into possible political interference with the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's alleged involvement with Russia during the 2016 presidential election. Peters, Hassan and Harris are members of the Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management Subcommittee, and U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) serves as Ranking Member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

"The Attorney General's recommendation and the President's decision to remove Mr. Comey in the midst of the FBI's most sensitive criminal investigation threatens the integrity of the Department of Justice and poses grave injury to the rule of law," the Senators wrote. "Yesterday, the President told NBC News that he asked Mr. Comey if he was under investigation while he was actively considering whether or not to retain Mr. Comey as FBI director, a question that in itself undermines the FBI's independence."

"The Office of the Inspector General is uniquely situated to defend the Department of Justice and the American people from this threat," the Senators continued. "For that reason, we request that you open an inquiry into whether there was political interference with the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's alleged collusion with Russian agents to disrupt the 2016 presidential election."

In the letter, the Senators call on the Inspector General to investigate the allocation of resources for the Russia investigation; the intent and timing of Comey's termination, including the role of Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the termination despite his decision to recuse himself from the Russia investigation; and whether any actions of the DOJ or the White House constitute political interference in the FBI investigation.

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