House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi accused President Trump Tuesday of committing “a grave abuse of executive power,” by pressuring former FBI Director James Comey to drop the bureau’s probe into ousted national security adviser Mike Flynn.
A New York Times report alleges Trump told Comey in February, “I hope you can let this go.”
Republicans are demanding to see the memo, while Democrats are increasing calls for a special investigation into the Trump administration, Trump’s firing of Comey and any connection between Trump campaign officials and Russian operatives.
“If these reports are true, the president’s brazen attempt to shut down the FBI’s investigation of Michael Flynn is an assault on the rule of law that is fundamental to our democracy,” Pelosi said. “At best, President Trump has committed a grave abuse of executive power. At worst, he has obstructed justice.”
Pelosi said Democrats will collect signatures for a petition that would force the House to vote on appointing an independent commission to investigate Trump.
“If the president has nothing to hide, then he should welcome independent investigations to remove all doubt of a cover-up,” she said. “The American people deserve to know what President Trump is so desperate to keep hidden.”
