[W]ASHINGTON — As the first indictments emerged Monday in a special counsel’s probe of any Russian interference in the 2016 election, members of Vermont’s delegation called for the investigation to be protected.
President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort and another aide, Rick Gates, pleaded not guilty to charges that included money laundering and making false statements.
Court papers unsealed Monday also showed that another Trump adviser, George Papadopoulos, has already reached a plea agreement for lying to federal authorities about meeting with people linked to the Russian government.
As the news broke, many Democrats on Capitol Hill called for assurances that special counsel Robert Mueller would be allowed to continue his work without interference.
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., who will have an opportunity Tuesday to question officials of major Silicon Valley companies about Russian influence on the election, emphasized that Mueller’s probe is ongoing.
“Any direct or indirect attempts to interfere with or undermine the special counsel’s investigation are dangerous and could possibly constitute obstruction of justice,” Leahy said.
“Our democracy was attacked,” Leahy said. “All of us now – Republicans and Democrats alike – must protect the integrity and independence of the special counsel’s investigation.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said Russian interference in the election is “an issue of enormous consequence.”
“President Trump must not, in any way, try to derail or obstruct this effort,” Sanders said in his statement.
Trump reacted on Twitter that the charges were from “years ago,” before Manafort was involved with the campaign.
Sorry, but this is years ago, before Paul Manafort was part of the Trump campaign. But why aren’t Crooked Hillary & the Dems the focus?????
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 30, 2017
….Also, there is NO COLLUSION!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 30, 2017
Throughout the White House daily media briefing, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders struck a similar tone — maintaining that the development in the Mueller probe “has nothing to do” with Trump or his campaign and repeatedly referring to Papadopoulos as a volunteer.
She addressed Democrats’ concerns when a reporter asked if the president will rule out firing Mueller.
“There’s no intention or plan to make any changes in regards to the special counsel,” Huckabee Sanders said.
Many in Washington read the Mueller investigation’s moves as just the start.
Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., said Monday’s indictments “mark the beginning” of revelations into the extent of the Trump campaign’s knowledge about efforts to influence the election.
“After reading news accounts of the charges against Mr. Manafort, I am mystified at how Donald Trump could have hired an individual with such a shady background as his top campaign official,” Welch said.
Welch lauded Mueller’s work so far.
“I remain confident he will get to the bottom of this mess and hold accountable anyone who broke the law,” Welch said.
