Former FBI Director James Comey's memos contain many areas of concern about President Donald Trump and Russia, and care must be taken to ensure Robert Mueller is "not intimidated by the president or anyone else," Sen. Ben Cardin said Friday.
"The public should have access to as much information between Russia and the president, and the information coming out," the Maryland Democrat, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told CNN "New Day" host Chris Cuomo. "The more that can be made public, the better we are."
On Thursday, 15 pages of Comey's memos detailing his interactions with the president were released, revealing that, according to the former FBI director, Trump had said he had serious concerns about the judgment of his first national security adviser, Michael Flynn.
The documents also reveal Comey's description of how Trump asked him to end the the FBI's investigation on Flynn; a discussion involving allegations of prostitutes and Russia, and a White House dinner, during which Comey says Trump asked him for his loyalty.
"I think what we have seen so far indicates that there was clearly a lot of information between Russia and the president and information coming out," said Cardin. "Whether it will lead to indictments, the Mueller investigation is keeping that information close at hand. That's how they should. An investigation cannot work in the public. They have to complete all the information before making judgment."
Regardless, it is important to make sure that Trump does not intimidate the investigation, and that Mueller has the "complete authority" to complete it without the threat of being fired.
"If the president tries to fire [Deputy Attorney General Rod] Rosenstein or Mueller he is interfering with an investigation," said Cardin. "That crosses the line. I have talked to many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. The Mueller investigation needs to move forward without any further intimidation from the president. Interfering with Rosenstein or Mueller would be interfering with that investigation."
Cardin said lawmakers "should have acted" already to protect Mueller, as it is "very clear" Trump is trying to be intimidating.
"We should have passed legislation well before now," said Cardin. "[Majority] Leader [Mitch] McConnell is not going to do that. … Leader McConnell told us he wants to protect Mr. Mueller. So I would expect Congress and the American people will not allow the president to take those actions without consequences."
Cardin also discussed the pending nomination of CIA Director Mike Pompeo for secretary of state, telling Cuomo he's opposing him in committee.
"I'm doing that because I want our chief diplomat to work with the chief partners," said Cardin. "Pompeo indicated they should go alone. I'm opposing him because I don't believe he would be be an independent voice in the White House."
Cardin also said Friday he's calling for the passage of an updated authorization of military force bill, as he believes the use of the measure passed in 2001 after the 9-11 attacks are a "contorted view" of the authorization given by Congress when it comes to Syria and ISIS.
"It is important for Congress to take back the constitutional power, and we need to redefine the authorization for force that the president can use against ISIS," said Cardin. "It goes back to the provision who has the power to declare war? Only Congress. We passed the War Powers Act. Many administrations have ignored the War Powers Act. The courts will not allow us -- it's hard for us to enforce this."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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