GOP lawmakers peppered about Russia
Constituents at town halls vent about Trump ties
Republicans representing GOP-dominated states and congressional districts are being challenged by constituents about Russia and, in some cases, whether they support an independent investigation into President Trump’s possible ties to the country.
A USA TODAY analysis of local news coverage from Montana to Virginia found several instances of voters pressing Republican lawmakers on Russia, in addition to Obamacare and immigration restrictions.
Rep. Martha McSally of Arizona was asked to support a “formal congressional investigation” into Trump’s business interests, namely in Russia, to which she said she’d “give it a look.”
Rep. Tom Reed, who represents a rural, working-class district on the southwest tip of New York, was peppered by constituents during his first town hall at a senior center, with one exchange turning testy as Reed said he hadn’t seen enough evidence to merit a formal inquiry. Some in the crowd yelled “What are you covering up?” and “Russia!” as the woman called the issue “embarrassing ” for the nation.
Montana Sen. Steve Daines recently told tele-town-hall callers the government has “got to investigate” after being asked “what’s going on” with the Trump administration and Russia.
The confrontations show that Trump’s relationship with Russia are resonating beyond the Capital Beltway.
As more information about the Trump campaign’s communications with Russian officials has come to light, the question is animating town halls across the country. It’s unclear how many conservative lawmakers are being questioned about Russia — many Republicans are avoiding in-person town halls, insisting that organized protesters are crowding out constituents.
Yet that the issue appears to be breaking through in a number of “red states” and deep into districts that supported Trump is significant. For instance, Trump won Reed’s district by almost 15 points. Trump and his team have sought to turn the spotlight away from Russia in recent days, with some success as his comments condemning a rash of anti-Semitic vandalism and his attacks on the mainstream media have competed for news coverage.
COMPETING INQUIRIES Concerns about Russia have intensified since Trump’s dismissal of his former national security adviser, retired lieutenant general Michael Flynn, exposed his communications with the Russian ambassador to the United States around the date in December that President Obama had announced sanctions to punish Russia for trying to influence the U.S. election.
Most Republicans other than Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina have rejected an independent probe similar to the one formed to investigate the Sept. 11 terror attacks, arguing that the House and Senate Intelligence committees are capable of conducting their own investigations.
Five congressional committees are now investigating possible Russian ties to Trump’s presidential campaign and the president’s handling of information about his aides’ contacts with Russia. Yet some of those inquiries appear to be more serious than others, with bipartisan members of the intelligence panels in both chambers vowing aggressive inquiries.
For now, Democratic leaders seem OK with allowing the intelligence committees to take the lead. Other rank-and-file Democrats argue it’s unclear how much information from closed-door committee deliberations will reach the public. There also are concerns about the investigations becoming politicized, since Republicans control both chambers of Congress and will be investigating the leader of their party.
In his first town hall since the November election, Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford said that Russia is no friend to the United States and that there was “no question” Russia interfered in the election but that the House and Senate intelligence committees would be investigating the Russian interference. Yet Lankford also said it would take too long for members of an independent commission to get clearances.
BREAKS IN THE RANKS While Senate Republican leaders are holding firm against an independent investigation, there are at least some signs of cracks in the party. Rep. Scott Taylor, who represents Virginia Beach, recently told a crowd that he supports an independent, bipartisan investigation into Russian influence in the election, according to The Virginian-Pilot. Through his spokesman, the congressman later clarified that he supports the current Senate-led inquiry.
Others are defending Trump’s approach to improve relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Rep. Rob Woodall of Georgia said having “outsiders” in the White House is allowing the government to “look at the world through new eyes,” the Gwinnett Daily Post reported. Even so, he, too, said he wants more information about Flynn’s conversations with the Russian ambassador.
Flynn is the second Trump campaign official to be felled by his ties to Russia. Trump’s former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, worked as a lobbyist for a former pro-Russia Ukrainian president. Yet Trump has continued to insist that there were no communications between his campaign officials and the Russians.
U.S. intelligence agencies, including the FBI, have concluded the Kremlin was trying to influence the U.S. election, first by sowing distrust in public officials and then by trying to help Trump.
Many Republicans are avoiding in-person town halls, insisting that organized protesters are crowding out constituents.