Washington (May 19, 2017) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement after The New York Times reported that President Donald Trump told Russian officials in the Oval Office that firing Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director James Comey had relieved “great pressure” on him. Additionally, The Washington Post reported that the law enforcement investigation into possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign has identified a current White House official as a significant person of interest.

“This latest news reaffirms that James Comey’s firing was an obstruction of justice masquerading as a personnel decision. President Trump has now divulged more information about his opinion of the Russia investigation to Russians than he has to the American people. These seismic revelations only underscore the need to provide Special Counsel Robert Mueller with the resources and unfettered independence necessary to conduct a serious and thorough investigation, and bring charges if warranted. With the news report that this investigation has reached the highest levels of our government, we have moved ever closer to a Constitutional crisis, and the American people deserve answers to the questions of what the President knew and when he knew it.”