Reed Statement on Special Counsel Investigation Indictments & Developments

Statement

Today, after Trump presidential campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Trump campaign associate Rick Gates were indicted on charges of conspiracy, money laundering, and filing false foreign lobbying reports, among other counts, and another former Trump campaign staffer pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI after lying about interactions with foreign officials close to the Russian government, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, an ex officio member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, issued the following statement:

"The rule of law is the bedrock of our democracy and this investigation is vitally important. Today's announcement is not fake news, these are real indictments and a significant guilty plea. They involve serious allegations against the head of the Trump campaign and campaign advisors, including: money laundering, kick-backs, fraud, tax evasion, and cover-ups.

"We cannot tolerate public corruption from members of the President's inner circle or Russian interference in our democracy.

"U.S. intelligence has confirmed that Russia sought to interfere in our elections.

"Whether Moscow successfully infiltrated the Trump campaign, or whether members of the Trump campaign actively colluded with Russia, is still an open question. The Special Counsel must follow the evidence, but today's plea and indictments demonstrate that the independent investigation is making serious headway and it must continue without interference from the President."

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