Skip to main content

Velázquez on Special Counsel Indictments of 13 Russians

February 16, 2018

Velázquez on Special Counsel Indictments of 13 Russians

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement after Special Counsel Robert Mueller released indictments against 13 Russian nationals and 3 Russian entities for violating U.S. law, including intentionally interfering with American elections.

"It should now be abundantly clear to every American that Russia actively sought to undermine our democracy and will continue to do so.

"This indictment focuses on Russia's efforts to shape public opinion via social media. The totality of Russia's efforts to influence our elections – and whether some Americans may have cooperated in those efforts - have not yet been revealed, which is why it is so critical the Special Counsel's investigation continue unimpeded. In addition, the White House's longstanding attempts to discredit the Special Counsel are undermining our democratic institutions and those disingenuous tactics must end.

"Elections are a sacred institution of our democracy, and all those who sought to interfere with them, whether Americans or not, must be brought to justice."

In December of 2016, in a letter to outgoing Attorney General Lynch, Velázquez was the first Member of Congress to call for a Special Counsel.