Letter to the Hon. Bob Corker, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations - Congressman Krishnamoorthi Urges Senate Foreign Relations Committee Members To Question CIA Director Pompeo On President Trump's Potential Interference In Flynn And Russia Investigations

Letter

Dear Senator Corker:

As the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations prepares to consider CIA Director Mike Pompeo's nomination for Secretary of State, I respectfully request that you consider any potential role that Director Pompeo may have played in the President's decision to fire former FBI Director James Comey or any pressure that Director Pompeo may have received from the White House to state that there is no evidence of collusion between any members of the Trump campaign and the Russian government.

During Director Pompeo's tenure, there have been multiple reports regarding the President's attempts to influence the CIA's investigation to Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential elections: according to the Washington Post, Director Pompeo was present at a March 2017 meeting of several government officials -- including the Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats -- where DNI Coats was asked to interfere with then-Director Comey's investigation into Michael Flynn[1]. Additionally, Axios reported last February that the President had requested Director Pompeo call news organizations to dispute claims of Russian interference in U.S. elections, contradicting the conclusion of the entire intelligence community[2].

As Secretary of State, Director Pompeo would continue to have responsibility over matters concerning Russian attempts to influence democratic elections, including safeguarding the upcoming American elections and directing the $120 million appropriated by Congress to combat Russian meddling that his predecessor has failed to spend. It is therefore of the utmost importance that during the upcoming confirmation process, Director Pompeo commit to independence and dedication in combatting Russian influence campaigns. I respectfully urge you to ask Director Pompeo the following questions while he is under oath:

Did the President ever ask you to intervene with then-FBI Director Comey's investigation into Michael Flynn within his capacity as CIA Director?
Has the President ever requested you to publicly dispute any evidence of collusion between the Russian government and members of the Trump presidential campaign?
Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

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