STAND UP REPUBLIC STATEMENT ON THE FORCED RESIGNATION OF AG SESSIONS: “An incremental purge…in order to obstruct justice”

November 7th, 2018

“Now that President Trump feels confident that his power over the Senate is secure, he is taking unabashed steps to undermine the rule of law by demanding the resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Americans should see this for what it is: an incremental purge of law enforcement and justice officials in order to obstruct justice by impeding and ultimately ending the Mueller investigation. He cannot be allowed to succeed in undermining the rule of law, the president cannot be above the law. By naming Whitaker, who has publicly stated his opposition to the special counsel, as acting AG, Trump has made his intentions beyond doubt. As Americans, we must make our opposition equally clear.

He clearly views the Republican Senate as a safety net for his abuses, overreaches, and yes, crimes. For a branch of Congress to be complicit in such authoritarian behavior would be a betrayal of America’s core principles, and Republicans and Democrats should come together to preserve the body’s integrity. They should start by demanding today that Whitaker recuse himself from oversight of the Mueller investigation. His public writings make him incapable of holding the public trust or protecting the integrity of the investigation. Congress should also take proactive steps to protect the special counsel and preserve any evidence. The rule of law is not a partisan fight, it is a national imperative.”