Murkowski: ‘May’ Be Time For Independent Probe On Trump-FBI-Russia

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, gives her annual address to Alaska lawmakers on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016, in Juneau, Alaska. Murkowski cautioned lawmakers against federal encroachment during the final months of Presid... Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, gives her annual address to Alaska lawmakers on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016, in Juneau, Alaska. Murkowski cautioned lawmakers against federal encroachment during the final months of President Barack Obama's presidency. (AP Photo/Rashah McChesney) MORE LESS
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Expressing concern about “the continuous and often conflicting reports” involving President Donald Trump and Russia, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) on Wednesday voiced support for an independent investigation into Russian interference in the U.S. election.

Murkowski joins a small but growing number of Republican lawmakers expressing openness to either an independent commission or special prosecutor.

“I still maintain that the Senate Intelligence Committee should continue conducting a thorough and fair investigation,” Murkowski said in a statement. “At the same time, it’s imperative that we—Congress, the FBI, the Administration—work to restore the public’s trust. In order to gain that credibility, it may be that we need to look to an independent commission or special prosecutor.”

The Alaska senator’s call comes in the wake of a bombshell New York Times report detailing a memo fired FBI Director James Comey allegedly wrote about President Donald Trump’s personal plea to kill the bureau’s investigation into fired National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.

Trump dismissed Comey last week. His administration has offered a wealth of contradictory explanations for Comey’s removal, including his handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation, focus on the Russia probe, and a desire for new leadership.

Sens. John McCain (R-AZ), Dean Heller (R-NV), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), as well as a number of House Republicans and dozens of Democratic lawmakers, have said an independent investigation is needed.

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  1. Get his bleeping tax returns, then…

    “Follow the bleeping Money!!”

  2. Pence will have to brush up on his Gerald Ford.

    As a result of certain acts or omissions occurring before his resignation from the Office of President, Richard Nixon has become liable to possible indictment and trial for offenses against the United States. Whether or not he shall be so prosecuted depends on findings of the appropriate grand jury and on the discretion of the authorized prosecutor. Should an indictment ensue, the accused shall then be entitled to a fair trial by an impartial jury, as guaranteed to every individual by the Constitution.
    It is believed that a trial of Richard Nixon, if it became necessary, could not fairly begin until a year or more has elapsed. In the meantime, the tranquility to which this nation has been restored by the events of recent weeks could be irreparably lost by the prospects of bringing to trial a former President of the United States. The prospects of such trial will cause prolonged and divisive debate over the propriety of exposing to further punishment and degradation a man who has already paid the unprecedented penalty of relinquishing the highest elective office of the United States.
    Now, THEREFORE, I, GERALD R. FORD, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 20, 1969 through August 9, 1974.

  3. Is this because she can see Russia from her house?

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