NEXT STEPS: KEEP UP THE PRESSURE


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Today's entry is largely Melania'd from an action item by my friend Megan (with her consent). Thanks Megan!

A special counsel, Robert Mueller, has been appointed by the Justice Department to investigate Russia’s involvement in the U.S. presidential election, and "any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation.” This is great news, but it doesn’t let Congress off the hook. Let’s use this momentum to continue to demand a thorough Congressional investigation into Trump’s potential ties to Russia.

1. Focus on your Senators and Representative. With the appointment of Special Counsel, some in Congress may feel they are off the hook. We cannot let this slide. As stated here, Special Counsel can only go so far. We still need a parallel special commission appointed by Congress.

If you need a script, give this a shot: “Hi. My name is _______ and I’m a constituent of Senator/Rep ____________. I am calling to urge him/her to demand a Special Commission for the investigation into potential collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign. I'm encouraged by the appointment a Special Counsel, but his job is only to investigate and prosecute any criminal behavior — not to inform the public of actions that fell short of violating the law. The American people deserve a full account of these matters. I understand that committees in both the House and Senate are investigating all of these aspects, but I don't trust everything will come to light unless a Special Commission is appointed. Could you please pass along my message? Thank you so much.”

2a Call the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Ask them to investigate Trump’s impulsive release of Israel’s intelligence.


Senate Foreign Relations Committee: (202) 224-4651

If you’d like a script, here’s some guidance: “Hi, my name is __________ and I am a resident of [state]. I am calling to express agreement with Chairman Corker’s statement that the United States cannot be cavalier with our intelligence sources, as President Trump was last week. I urge the Foreign Relations Committee to investigate and condemn what happened with the Russian diplomats at the White House last week and how the President may have again jeopardized our relationship with allies. Thank you so much for your time.”

2b. Call the House Intelligence Committee. Call on them to investigate Trump’s impulsive release of Israel’s intelligence.


Republican office (202) 225-4121

Democratic office (202) 225-7690

A similar script: “Hi, my name is _______ and I am a resident of [state]. I am calling to express my concern at the news that President Trump revealed highly classified information to Russian diplomats in a meeting last week. This kind of carelessness could result in ally nations withholding future intelligence from the Trump administration, which could prove to be a danger to the American people. I urge the House Intelligence Committee to investigate and condemn this release of information and how it may have jeopardized our relationship with allies. Thank you very much for your time.”

2c. Call Paul Ryan. Call on Paul Ryan to condemn Trump’s impulsive release of Israel’s intelligence.
Last summer, Paul Ryan tweeted “Individuals who are extremely careless with classified information should be denied further access to such info.” Let’s remind him of his sage advice.

Rep. Paul Ryan: (202) 225-3031 // (608) 7522-4050

If you need a script: “My name is _______ and I’m a resident of the state of ________. Since Speaker Ryan tweeted last summer that he believes individuals who are careless with classified information should be denied further access to such info, I’m wondering how he feels about President Trump leaking classified information to Russian diplomats last week. I hope that Speaker Ryan is planning to condemn the president’s actions and how they have likely jeopardized our relationships with our allies and endangered the American people. I look forward to hearing him speak out about the president’s actions. Thank you for your time.”
 [bonus points if you can work in a subtle reference to Americans as a “family”]


3. Call the Senate Intelligence Committee, Senate Judiciary Committee, and House Oversight Committee. Call on them to investigate the Minority President’s communications with fired FBI Director Comey.


Senate Intelligence Committee (202) 224-1700

Senate Judiciary Committee (202) 224-5225


House Oversight Committee
:
Republican office (202) 225-5074

Democratic office (202) 225-5051

If you’d like a script, here’s some guidance: “Hi, My name is _____ and I am a resident of [state]. I am calling to support the recent request of the [committee name here] to review memos prepared by former FBI Director James Comey detailing conversations he had with the White House and the Justice Department about the FBI’s investigation of alleged ties between President Trump’s associates and Russia. It is particularly critical that the American people know to what extent the President has attempted to obstruct or influence the FBI’s investigations. I will be watching the Committee actions with great interest. Thank you for your time.”

4. Gratitude Action: Call brave members of GOP
The following GOP members of Congress have publicly supported an independent investigation into Russia’s meddling in the election, and potential Trump collusion. Let’s thank them for their bravery/sanity and encourage them to keep going. Calls of gratitude know no borders… don’t worry if you’re not a resident of their states.

Sen. Susan Collins (ME) (202) 224-2523 // (207) 780-3575

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (AK) (202) 224-6665 // (907) 271-3735

Sen. Lindsey Graham (SC) (202) 224-5972 // (864) 250-1417

Sen. Dean Heller (NV) (202) 224-6244 // (702) 388-6605

Sen. John McCain (AZ) (202) 224-2235 // (602) 952-2410

Rep. Tom McClintock (CA) (202) 225-2511 // (916) 786-5560

Rep. Steve Knight (CA) (202) 225-1956 // (661) 441-0320

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (IL) (202 225-3635 // (815) 431-9271

Rep. Walter Jones (NC) (202) 225-3415 // (252) 931-1003

Rep. Darrell Issa (CA) (202) 225-3906 // (760) 599-5000

Rep. Barbara Comstock (VA) (202)225-5136//(703) 404-6903

Rep. Mike Coffman (CO) (202) 225-7882 // (720) 748-7514

Rep. Justin Amash (MI) (202) 225-3831 // (616) 451-8383

Rep. Carlos Curbelo (FL) (202) 225-2778 //(305) 222-0160

Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN) (202) 225-2871 // (952) 405-8510

A script, if you’d like: “Hi. My name is _______ and I’m calling to thank __________ for calling for an independent investigation into potential collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign. I am sure s/he is extremely encouraged by the DOJ’s appointment of Robert Mueller as Special Counsel, and I want to encourage ________ to push for more. As I’m sure your know, Special Counsel’s only job is to investigate and prosecute any criminal behavior — not to inform the public of actions that may have been unwise, inappropriate or unethical, but not violate the law. The American people deserve a full account of any possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign, and of administration efforts to impede investigations into the meddling and collusion. I understand that committees in both the House and Senate are investigating all of these aspects, but I do not trust everything will come to light unless a Special Commission is appointed. I urge _________ to continue leading Congress toward transparency. Could you please pass along my message? Thank you so much.”

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