At least two Congressional Democrats are calling for Trump’s interpreter to testify about the private one-on-one meeting held between the US President and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Both Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-MA) and Rep. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) made similar requests this week.
Kennedy tweeted on Monday: “@realDonaldTrump’s translator should come before Congress and testify as to what was said privately immediately.”
And that was only what we saw on live TV. @realDonaldTrump’s translator should come before Congress and testify as to what was said privately immediately. If Republicans are as outraged as they claim, then issue the subpoena today. 2/2
— Rep. Joe Kennedy III (@RepJoeKennedy) July 16, 2018
And Rep. Shaheen tweeted on Tuesday: “I’m calling for a hearing with the U.S. interpreter who was present during President Trump’s meeting with Putin to uncover what they discussed privately.”
I’m calling for a hearing with the U.S. interpreter who was present during President Trump’s meeting with Putin to uncover what they discussed privately. This interpreter can help determine what @POTUS shared/promised Putin on our behalf.
— Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (@SenatorShaheen) July 17, 2018
Neither Democratic reps addressed whether such testimony would violate the translator’s professional code of ethics or government rules.
Trump has drawn rebuke over his warm tone towards Putin during last weekend’s summit in Helsinki, Finland – along with what the President says was a mis-statement on his opinion over Russian hacking.
Before a meeting with GOP lawmakers on Tuesday, Trump told reporters that he misspoke in Helsinki and that when he said he saw no reason why it “would” be Russia that interfered, he meant to say he saw no reason why it “wouldn’t.”
Trump added that he has “full faith and support for America’s great intelligence agencies.”
“I accept our intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election took place,” Trump said, but then, calling into question the extent of his acceptance, he added that it “could be other people also, there are a lot of people out there.” –NPR
Considering that both House and Senate investigative panels are controlled by Republicans, calls to have Trump’s translator testify will fall flat unless there is GOP support.
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