US Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer has called for an independent probe of what he called potential criminal violations surrounding the resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn.
Speaking to reporters in the US Capitol, Schumer said law enforcement officers should question officials from President Donald Trump's campaign, transition team and administration staff, including Trump himself, about events leading up to Flynn's departure on Monday.
He said Flynn, and potentially other Trump officials, could have violated federal prohibitions against citizens negotiating with foreign governments or receiving gifts and other benefits without authorisation.
"What I am calling for is an independent investigation with executive authority to pursue potential criminal actions," Schumer said. "There are potential violations of law here by General Flynn and potentially others."
Flynn quit after only three weeks in the job, following disclosures that he discussed US sanctions on Russia with Moscow's ambassador to the United States before Trump took office and later misled Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations.
Schumer appeared unlikely to win support for such a probe from his Senate Republican colleagues, who expect the scandal to be investigated by the Senate Intelligence Committee.
"The Intelligence Committee is already looking at Russian involvement in our election ... it's highly likely they'd want to take a look at this episode. They have the jurisdiction to do it," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell told reporters separately.
Schumer said career Justice Department investigators or an independent counsel could look into whether other Trump team members had contact with Russia and why the White House did not seek Flynn's resignation sooner.
"Any attempt to lie or mislead must be countered by the full force of the law," Schumer added. "His resignation raises more questions than it answers. And the American people deserve to know the truth."
White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters Trump asked for the resignation of Flynn after his level of trust in his aide eroded to the point that he felt he needed to make a change.
Spicer said the White House legal counsel had reviewed the situation and believed Flynn's case was viewed "not as a legal issue but a trust issue".
White House counsellor Kellyanne Conway told NBC's Today show that Flynn "knew he'd become a lightning rod" and made the decision to resign. Her comments came one day after she said the president had "full confidence" in Flynn.
Speaking to reporters in the US Capitol, Schumer said law enforcement officers should question officials from President Donald Trump's campaign, transition team and administration staff, including Trump himself, about events leading up to Flynn's departure on Monday.
He said Flynn, and potentially other Trump officials, could have violated federal prohibitions against citizens negotiating with foreign governments or receiving gifts and other benefits without authorisation.
"What I am calling for is an independent investigation with executive authority to pursue potential criminal actions," Schumer said. "There are potential violations of law here by General Flynn and potentially others."
Flynn quit after only three weeks in the job, following disclosures that he discussed US sanctions on Russia with Moscow's ambassador to the United States before Trump took office and later misled Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations.
Schumer appeared unlikely to win support for such a probe from his Senate Republican colleagues, who expect the scandal to be investigated by the Senate Intelligence Committee.
"The Intelligence Committee is already looking at Russian involvement in our election ... it's highly likely they'd want to take a look at this episode. They have the jurisdiction to do it," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell told reporters separately.
Schumer said career Justice Department investigators or an independent counsel could look into whether other Trump team members had contact with Russia and why the White House did not seek Flynn's resignation sooner.
"Any attempt to lie or mislead must be countered by the full force of the law," Schumer added. "His resignation raises more questions than it answers. And the American people deserve to know the truth."
White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters Trump asked for the resignation of Flynn after his level of trust in his aide eroded to the point that he felt he needed to make a change.
Spicer said the White House legal counsel had reviewed the situation and believed Flynn's case was viewed "not as a legal issue but a trust issue".
White House counsellor Kellyanne Conway told NBC's Today show that Flynn "knew he'd become a lightning rod" and made the decision to resign. Her comments came one day after she said the president had "full confidence" in Flynn.
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