Pennsylvania’s political leaders have differing views on the Robert Mueller report released Sunday that found no evidence that President Donald Trump colluded or coordinated with any Russians during the 2016 presidential election.
U.S. Representative Mike Kelly, of Butler- a Republican- said Monday that Trump’s criticism of this investigation as a “witch hunt” rings true. He said the fact that Democrats have spent more than two years perpetuating baseless allegations is shameful but consistent with their focus on politics over policy during President Trump’s term.
“The fact that Democrats have spent more than two years perpetuating those baseless allegations to negate the results of the 2016 election and help themselves in 2020 are shameful,” Kelly said. “It is, however, consistent with their focus on politics over policy during President Trump’s term. Equally tragic was the conduct of high-level Justice Department and FBI officials that led to the appointment of the special counsel in the first place. Their actions are a blot on those agencies that otherwise have a stellar record of service to the American people.”
U.S. Senator Bob Casey- a Democrat- praised Mueller and those who worked alongside him during the investigation.
“Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to Special Counsel Mueller and his team for conducting an independent investigation,” Casey said. “I have confidence that he and the law enforcement officials who worked alongside him followed the facts wherever they led and reached conclusions based upon a thorough and fair investigative process.”
But Casey said the full report, and underlying documents, must be made public immediately. Casey said he is concerned that the issue of obstruction of justice remains an open question.
“The Special Counsel’s full report and the underlying documents must be made public immediately,” Casey said. “It’s a product of taxpayer dollars and the American people deserve an opportunity to read it for themselves. Additionally, seeing the full report will inform Congress as we work to protect our nation from further interference by Russia in 2020 and to conduct basic oversight and hold the Administration accountable. A four-page summary from the Attorney General is insufficient. I am particularly concerned that the issue of obstruction of justice remains an open question. Attorney General Barr’s letter provided his own view about obstruction, but not that of Special Counsel Mueller. This fact only reinforces why the full report must be made public.”
U.S. Rep. Kelly voted in favor of making the report public.
