ICYMI: Ex-CIA Chief's Powerful Argument for Independent Trump-Russia Probe

Yesterday, former CIA Director John Brennan made one of the most eloquent, powerful arguments for why we need an independent, outside commission to investigate the Trump campaign's ties to Russia's meddling in our election. In an exchange with Congressman Denny Heck about why the investigation should matter to the average American, Brennan argued that the fate of our democracy is at stake and that ‘we need to with every last ounce of devotion to this country resist and try to act to prevent further instances of that.'

Here's what Brennan said:

Congressman Heck: [As] someone who has devoted your entire life to public service, and in your own words, please tell my constituents, my neighbors why they should care and not just in Washington, D.C., but in Washington state, and Texas and Connecticut and points in between, and why should they care and why do you care, sir?

Former CIA Director Brennan: Well, for the last 241 years, the nation and the citizens have cherished the freedom and the liberty upon which this country was founded upon. Many brave Americans have lost their lives to protect that freedom and liberty and lost their lives to protect the freedom and liberties of other peoples around the world.

Our ability to choose our elected leaders as we see fit is, I believe, inalienable right that we must protect with all of the resources and authority and power, and the fact that the Russians tried to influence resources and authority and power, and the fact that the Russians tried to influence that election so that the will of the American people was not going to be realized by that election, I find outrageous and something that we need to with every last ounce of devotion to this country resist and try to act to prevent further instances of that.

And so, therefore, I believe this is something that's critically important to every American. Certainly, it's very important for me for my children and grandchildren to make sure that never again will a foreign country try to influence and interfere in the foundation stone of this country, which is electing our democratic leaders.

The American people deserve the truth, and Speaker Ryan must immediately bring H.R. 356, the Protecting Our Democracy Act, to the Floor for a vote. The bipartisan bill would establish an independent, outside commission to get to the bottom of the Trump campaign's connection to Russia and possible collusion to influence the election.