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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAdam Schiff to Matthew Whitaker: Were watching you. Must read
Matthew Whitaker, were watching you
By Adam B. Schiff November 12
Adam B. Schiff, a Democrat, represents Californias 28th District in the House, where he is the ranking minority member of the Intelligence Committee.
Only hours after the magnitude of Democratic gains in the House became apparent, President Trump ousted Attorney General Jeff Sessions, putting special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation in imminent danger. This represents the presidents most direct challenge yet to the rule of law.
Instead of elevating Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein, the most senior Senate-confirmed officer at the Justice Department, Trump circumvented normal succession by handpicking Matthew G. Whitaker, Sessionss chief of staff and a person who has publicly criticized the special counsels investigation and has troubling conflicts of interest.
The president and Whitaker should heed this warning: The new Democratic majority will protect the special counsel and the integrity of the Justice Department. Should Whitaker fail to recuse himself all indications are that he plans not to and seek to obstruct the investigation, serve as a back channel to the president or his legal team or interfere in the investigations in any way, he will be called to answer. His actions will be exposed.
It is no mystery why the president chose Whitaker, an obscure and ill-qualified official never confirmed by the Senate, which many legal experts believe makes the appointment itself unconstitutional. Trump chose him to protect himself, his family and his close associates from the special counsels investigation and other investigations within the Justice Department.
Though I had many profound disagreements with Sessions, he was correct to follow the rules meant to ensure public confidence in the fair administration of justice and recuse himself, even though the president viewed Sessionss compliance as a singular act of disloyalty. We must demand the highest ethical standards of everyone at the Justice Department, including the attorney general.
There is no indication that Whitaker has likewise consulted with ethics officials, as his past public statements, associations and the manner of his appointment make clear that he should have no role in overseeing the special counsels investigation or any matter related to the president and his campaign...
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/adam-schiff-matthew-whitaker-were-watching-you/2018/11/12/996bcdf2-e696-11e8-bbdb-72fdbf9d4fed_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.06a45474707d
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,593 posts)He knows what's at stake and how to proceed.
Whitaker ignores him at his peril.
K&R
NBachers
(17,107 posts)and frustration he's had to put up with from the likes of Devin Nunes and the rest of the poisonous republican traitors.
Hekate
(90,645 posts)I like Schiff.