Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin called national security adviser Mike Flynn’s resignation a “powder keg” moment when it comes to U.S. national security, and called once again for a independent bipartisan commission to examine Russia’s efforts to meddle in the 2016 presidential election.
The Illinois Democrat said Flynn’s forced resignation, which came in the wake of reports that he had conversations with the Russian ambassador that included “references to sanctions” President Obama was imposing the same day, is “not business as usual in Washington.”
“In fact, this is a powder keg in U.S. history when it comes to the United States and [our] security — will this branch of our government respond?” he asked. “Will we initiate thorough investigation into the involvement of Russia” in the presidential election?
Durbin recalled a congressional probe 20 years ago into allegations that China may have tried to influence the outcome of a U.S. presidential election through illegal campaign contributions. The committee formed to investigate the allegations was chaired by former Sens. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., and John Glenn, D-Ohio. The investigation went on for months and ultimately found no hard evidence of wrongdoing, he said.
“It is time for us to have an independent, bipartisan commission beyond Congress to look into this and give us solid answers,” he said, arguing that former Secretary of State Colin Powell and former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor should lead it.
Durbin said Trump’s failure to criticize Russian President Vladimir Putin, a former KGB officer, is particularly troubling considering all the other politicians and U.S. institutions he has attacked on Twitter. He also called out Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who had spoken on the Senate floor just before him for failing to mention the controversy surrounding Flynn and his resignation.
He ticked off a long list of Trump’s targets, including: Former President George W. Bush, Florida Gov. Rick Scott, Colin Powell, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, NATO, NBC, Fox News, “Saturday Night Live” and even the department store Nordstrom.
The growing list, he said, is “Nixonian.”
“If you make any perceived slight — run a department store that doesn’t carry his daughter’s products,” you run the risk of incurring Trump’s Twitter wrath, Durbin said, unless “you happen to be a former KGB official” and the president of Russia.
“How is that possible?” he asked.
