Cicilline Statement on Sessions Resignation

PAWTUCKET – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01), who serves on the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement today:

“The President fundamentally misunderstands the role of the Attorney General of the United States.  The Attorney General swears an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States.  The Attorney General’s responsibilities do not include protecting the President from the consequences of his misconduct or the results of any ongoing investigation, no matter how much the President wishes it were so.  The next Attorney General needs to be a strong, independent prosecutor who can stand up to this President, not shelter him from oversight and enable his worst impulses. The Department of Justice exists for the purpose of upholding the Constitution and the laws of our country. It’s not an office created to protect the President of the United States from the consequences of his actions.»

“The American people made clear last night that they want real oversight of this administration. If the President uses the Attorney General’s resignation to further politicize that office or to attempt to undermine the Office of the Special Counsel or his on-going investigation, there’s no question the incoming House will hold him accountable.”