A photo of Michael Flynn at a Trump campaign event in Peoria, Arizona in October 2016.
Credit: Gage Skidmore
Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick said in a statement Tuesday afternoon that he supports an investigation into Russia’s alleged attempt to influence the election and supported the resignation of the President’s national security advisor.
Fitzpatrick, a former FBI special agent who fought against political crimes and terrorism, said he is “deeply concerned” about Russia’s recent involvement in the occupation of Crimea and recent fighting in the region. He further stated that he supports the “House Intelligence Committee’s investigation into Russia’s attempt to influence the presidential elections – including campaign communications with the Russian government and its officials.”
The freshman congressman said former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn’s late Monday night resignation was the “right decision.” He added, “his departure from the administration should not be the end of our discussion on our nation’s current stance toward Russia.”
“As a former FBI supervisory special agent, co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus and member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I am deeply concerned that Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea and the ongoing war in Donbass will continue to undermine stability in Europe and threaten our allies. It is critical to our national interest that the United States stand with the people of Ukraine and with our NATO allies against Russia’s sustained and dangerously destabilizing strategy of economic sanctions, political pressure, propaganda, and cyberattacks. By ignoring Russia’s actions towards Ukraine, we not only risk Ukraine’s future, but also our own national security interests in the region,” a statement from Fitzpatrick said.
In finishing his statement, Fitzpatrick called for Congress and the White House to work together to make sure Russian isn’t able to weaken American national security.
The statement came as a CBS News report about a Russian spy ship off the coast of Delaware began to pick up steam.
Flynn, a former Army general, submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump Monday night after word on the nature of his communications with Russian officials was revealed. After denying having spoken to a Russian official about sanctions, national media outlets began reporting intelligence agencies had evidence that stated otherwise. In addition, there were reports that an Army investigation into a possible transaction between Flynn and Russia and that the former Acting Attorney General had warned the White House the former military leader was vulnerable to being blackmailed by Russian intelligence officials.
