Lauren Lantry, lauren.lantry@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Yesterday, in an interview with ABC, Donald Trump said he may not alert the FBI if foreign governments offered damaging information against 2020 Presidential opponents during the upcoming election. Trump claimed that he’s never called the FBI despite working extensively with the FBI in the 1980s and 90s. Trump then doubled down on his statement on Twitter. Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report found at least 140 contacts between Trump and his associates and Russian nationals, WikiLeaks, and their intermediaries, during the 2016 campaign and presidential transition.
Additionally, this morning the U.S. Office of Special Counsel recommended White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway should be “removed from federal service” for violating the HATCH Act by disparaging Democratic presidential candidates while speaking in her official capacity. Today, the House Oversight Committee announced a hearing for next week with the Office of Special Counsel to review the Hatch Act allegations against Kellyanne Conway.
Congress has the constitutional authority to oversee the executive branch and must continue holding obstruction of justice hearings.
The Sierra Club requires a functioning government and democratic access to that government to achieve our mission of protecting the human and natural environment. Eroding the democratic norms and the balance of power between branches of government can render the entire bedrock legal infrastructure -- including environmental law -- meaningless.
In response, Sierra Club Democracy Program Director Courtney Hight released the following statement:
"From the damning findings of the Mueller report to holding up legislation in an effort to stop congressional investigations, it is clear that Trump has routinely and will continually abuse his power and obstruct justice to cover up his own corruption. After admitting that he is open to working with forgeign governments to receive information about his 2020 opponents, it is impossible for Trump to claim ‘no collusion.’
“Congress has the right -- in fact, the constitutional duty -- to provide oversight of the executive branch. If the Trump Administration refuses to cooperate, Congress must dig deeper. The American public deserves transparency and accountability. For the protection of our democracy, the integrity of the institution of the White House, and the future of our country, it is critical that Congress move forward with these investigations.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.