July 13, 2018

Castro Statement on New Russia Investigation Indictments

WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, today made the following statement:

“Today’s indictments against 12 Russian nationals for hacking our national political institutions with the intent to interfere in our elections and infiltrate state elections boards and voter machines makes it undeniably clear that Russia interfered in the 2016 elections and our democracy is and continues to be under siege. This is the exact reason why Special Counsel Mueller was put in place in the first place and why Congress needs to protect him from any potential firing by the President. This also makes it clear all levels of the United States government must work together to secure our election systems before November.

“While apprehension in these indictments is extremely unlikely, we must continue to charge those who conspired to defraud the United States and serve justice to the American people. The President, who apparently knew about these indictments before leaving for Europe, should immediately cancel his meeting with President Putin. If he does not, it would be an egregious insult to the American people and our democracy.”

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