TUCSON— Today, Attorney General William Barr released the Mueller Report on Russian Interference in the 2016 Election to Congress. In response, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva issued the following statement:

“If Trump is good at one thing, it’s deception. From deceiving business stakeholders, to unsuspecting workers, to the American people; his history of con jobs is far-reaching and dangerous.  I have no doubt that Trump and his hand-picked Attorney General will continue to go to great lengths to spin the Mueller investigation into nothing, but many of the important facts have been clear for a long time.

“Despite Attorney General Barr’s vigorous defense of the President at this morning’s press conference, Trump attempted to obstruct justice when he fired FBI Director James Comey, pressured his White House counsel to lie, and attempted to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller. He refused to be interviewed, he refused to provide answers on obstruction of justice, or provide information on senior advisor conversations with powerful figures connected to the Russian government. The investigation indicted 34 individuals and three Russian businesses, resulting in seven guilty pleas and four prison sentences. Numerous members of his inner circle were found guilty of criminal charges—including conspiracy against the United States and lying to the FBI. This direct attack on our democracy is a proven fact. Taken in totality – it is clear that this is a President that can’t be trusted to put America first.

“Only by releasing the unredacted Mueller Report and supporting materials will Congress be able to determine the reality of the President’s actions and hold him accountable. Since the Attorney General has clearly become the President’s defense attorney, Special Counsel Robert Mueller must testify before Congress and provide a full scope of his investigation, findings, and recommendations. If Trump has nothing to hide, why does he remain hell-bent on deceiving the public?”     

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