Congressman Adrian Smith
Congressman Adrian Smith says Congress should not interfere with special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of possible Russian interference in the 2016 election.
But, the congressman, a Republican, does want Mueller to wrap things up.
“I don’t think we want to interrupt midstream what is taking place, but it does seem to be stretching out for quite some time now,” Smith tells Nebraska Radio Network affiliate KLIN. “I know that some of the Democrats have said that there are all sorts of evidence, they’ve been saying this for over a year now, but it hasn’t come about.”
Mueller is investigating whether Russian government officials attempted to influence the 2016 presidential election, including whether President Trump’s campaign conspired with Russians against Democrat Hillary Clinton.
After Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from the investigation, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in May 2017 appointed Mueller, the former FBI director, to serve as Special Counsel to oversee “the previously-confirmed FBI investigation of Russian government efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election and related matters,” as stated in a Department of Justice news release about the appointment.
Smith says Congress must be hands off, though he would like to see the probe concluded.
“We don’t want to intervene. Elected officials shouldn’t be intervening,” according to Smith. “But, the fact of the matter is, let’s get this wrapped up in an appropriate fashion and I think that the American people would ultimately appreciate that as well.”