Congressman Cohen Says Special Counsel Needs Protections

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) went to the well of the House of Representatives Friday to call for action to prevent the president from firing the special counsel looking into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. See his floor speech here.

"Today in federal district court in Washington, Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, a felony," Cohen said. "It's strong indication he's cooperating with the Mueller investigation concerning Russia and its involvement with President Trump and his team in the election…"

Cohen noted that he introduced a constitutional amendment to prohibit presidents from pardoning themselves, their families or administrative and campaign staff. He also called attention to a bill that would prohibit the firing of special counsel without cause.

"We must be ready to protect Bob Mueller and the integrity of the rule of law in this country for I foresee this president firing him as Nixon did in the Saturday Night Massacre. We are repeating the horrors of Watergate and the shredding of our Constitution…"

The Saturday Night Massacre occurred on October 30, 1973, when President Richard Nixon ordered the firing of Watergate Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox. That led to the resignations of the then-attorney general and then-deputy attorney general.