Pelosi Statement on News Reports that President Trump Asked FBI Director Comey to Shut Down Flynn Investigation

May 16, 2017

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released this statement after new reports on the existence of a memo written by former FBI Director James Comey indicating that President Trump asked him to end a federal investigation into former Trump National Security Advisor Michael T. Flynn:

"If these reports are true, the President's brazen attempt to shut down the FBI's investigation of Michael Flynn is an assault on the rule of law that is fundamental to our democracy. At best, President Trump has committed a grave abuse of executive power. At worst, he has obstructed justice.

"With each passing day, the President's actions give greater and greater urgency to the need for a full and independent investigation of the Trump-Russia connection. Tomorrow, Democrats will file a discharge petition to demand a vote on the bipartisan bill to establish an independent, outside commission to investigate Trump's ties to Russia. Soon, Democrats will also introduce legislation to create an independent counsel to get the facts free of President Trump's meddling.

"If the President has nothing to hide, then he should welcome independent investigations to remove all doubt of a cover-up. The American people deserve to know what President Trump is so desperate to keep hidden."