WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) released the following statement after President Trump fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions:
“Any effort to obstruct or terminate the special counsel’s investigation would precipitate a crisis for our constitution and our republic. Unfortunately, the American people have every reason to fear that the president’s firing of Attorney General Sessions represents an attempt to interfere with the investigation into the Trump campaign. The new acting attorney general has made public statements showing his bias against the Mueller investigation and should be recused from any role overseeing it.
“Our democracy depends on us upholding the rule of law, and on this matter, the law is very clear: the special counsel cannot be removed without good cause. Given the president’s decision to take such a provocative and dangerous action – and his repeated threats to end the investigation altogether -- Congress should act to protect the special counsel’s probe. Republicans in Congress should heed the message that the American people sent in yesterday’s election, and ensure that Congress assumes its rightful role as a check on this administration and conducts the necessary oversight over this president’s lawlessness. The new Congress should investigate the circumstances around this firing and appointment of an acting attorney general.
“While I am very concerned about what the Attorney General Sessions’ firing will mean for the Mueller investigation, I still believe that the attorney general’s tenure was deeply destructive and hostile to the values that we hold dear in New Mexico and across this country. Attorney General Sessions spearheaded some of the Trump administration’s most xenophobic, hateful, and anti-immigrant policies – including the unconscionable separation of families at the border which remains a stain on our nation and unconstitutional travel bans. The American people want an attorney general who will stand up for the rule of law and foundational ideals that make our nation great.”
