Quigley Statement on Trump Administration’s Request for FBI to Discredit Russian Ties

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), who serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement in response to new reports that the Trump Administration asked the FBI to make public statements in an attempt to minimize an investigation into the Administration's Russian ties:

"Every American—whether Democrat, Republican, or Independent—should be deeply concerned by recent reports detailing the Trump Administration's attempt to minimize a need for an investigation into its Russian ties. Unfortunately, it is less than surprising that the Trump White House tried to pressure the FBI into making public statements that promote their agenda, at the expense of transparency, honesty, and national security. The FBI should never be asked, or comply with requests, to support a disingenuous narrative or discredit the truth. These reports only reiterate what I and other members on the House Intelligence Committee have been pushing for all along: a thorough, bipartisan, bicameral investigation into Russia's interference in our election, as well as our President's ties to Russia. The stakes are too high to play politics with our safety and security, and the American people deserve answers."