US: Democrats Warn Trump of ’Constitutional Crisis’ If Probe Chief Sacked
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US President Donald Trump could trigger a "constitutional crisis" if he uses the contents of a controversial Republican memo as a pretext for firing the head of the Russia probe, top Democrats in Congress warned Friday.
"We write to inform you that we would consider such an unwarranted action as an attempt to obstruct justice in the Russia investigation," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Nancy Pelosi, and eight other key Democrats said in a statement after the release of a declassified memo that alleges abuse of power at the FBI and Department of Justice.
"Firing [Deputy Attorney General] Rod Rosenstein, DOJ Leadership, or [special counsel] Bob Mueller could result in a constitutional crisis of the kind not seen since the Saturday Night Massacre," they said, referring to disgraced president Richard Nixon's orders to fire justice officials during the Watergate scandal.
The US Congress released a Republican memo Friday alleging bias in FBI investigations into Donald Trump's election campaign, moments after the president authorized the explosive move.
"What's happening in our country is a disgrace," Trump said, announcing that he had declassified the memo drafted by Republican Congressman and former Trump transition team official Devin Nunes.
"A lot of people should be ashamed," added Trump, who earlier Friday accused the leaders of the Justice and FBI of politicizing their investigation in favor of the Democrats.
"So I sent it over to Congress. They will do what they're going to do. Whatever they do is fine. It was declassified, and let's see what happens."
The move set up an extraordinary confrontation with the country's top law enforcement authorities, and triggered speculation that FBI Director Christopher Wray would step down just six months into the job.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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