Cicilline Called for Sessions’ Resignation in 2017 - Now Criticizes Trump For AG’s Departure
Thursday, November 08, 2018
U.S. Congressman David Cicilline (D-1) is blasting President Donald Trump over the forced resignation of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, but it was just 20 months ago that Cicilline was calling on Sessions to resign and potentially face perjury charges.
NBC News reported in March, 2017, “Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Thursday recused himself from U.S. probes into Russian interference in the 2016 election, following backlash spurred by revelations surrounding his meetings with Sergey Kislyak, Russia's ambassador to the United States. Before and after Session's announcement, lawmakers issued calls for him to withdraw from any investigation or to resign his post.” Cicilline was one of the top Democrats calling on Session to go.
Then, Cicilline appeared on Fox and said not only should Sessions resign, but also potentially face perjury charges during an interview with host Tucker Carlson.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOn Wednesday, Cicilline criticized Trump for removing Sessions:
“The President fundamentally misunderstands the role of the Attorney General of the United States. The Attorney General swears an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States. The Attorney General's responsibilities do not include protecting the President from the consequences of his misconduct or the results of any ongoing investigation, no matter how much the President wishes it were so. The next Attorney General needs to be a strong, independent prosecutor who can stand up to this President, not shelter him from oversight and enable his worst impulses. The Department of Justice exists for the purpose of upholding the Constitution and the laws of our country. It’s not an office created to protect the President of the United States from the consequences of his actions.''
“The American people made clear last night that they want real oversight of this administration. If the President uses the Attorney General’s resignation to further politicize that office or to attempt to undermine the Office of the Special Counsel or his on-going investigation, there’s no question the incoming House will hold him accountable.”
This story was originally published 11/7/18 5:44 PM
