Skip to content

Graham on Mueller Investigation: “For Me, It Is Over”

WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made an opening statement at the committee’s hearing on the Department of Justice’s Investigation of Russian Interference with the 2016 Presidential Election.  

On Conclusions from the Special Counsel’s Report:

  • GRAHAM: “No collusion, no coordination, no conspiracy between the Trump campaign and the Russian government regarding the 2016 election.” https://youtu.be/m1vVdxFAvaY?t=286  
  • GRAHAM: “So the bottom line is we’re about to hear from Mr. Barr the results of a two-year investigation into the Trump campaign: all things Russia, the actions the president took before and after the campaign, $25 million dollars, 40 FBI agents [and other staff]. I appreciate very much what Mr. Mueller did for the country. I have read most of the report. For me, it is over.”  https://youtu.be/m1vVdxFAvaY?t=798  

On the Special Counsel’s Report:

  • GRAHAM: “I think [the Special Counsel’s report] was well-written, very thorough. Let me tell you what went into this report. There were 19 lawyers employed. Approximately 40 FBI agents, intelligence analysts, forensic accountants and other staff. [More than] 2,800 subpoenas issued. Five hundred witnesses interviewed. Five hundred search warrants executed. More than 230 orders for communication records so the records could be obtained. Thirteen requests to foreign governments for evidence. Over $25 million spent over two years. We may not agree on much, but I hope we can agree that [Mr. Mueller] had ample resources, took a lot of time, and talked to a lot of people.”  https://youtu.be/m1vVdxFAvaY?t=100  
  • GRAHAM: “In terms of interacting with the White House, the White House turned over to Mr. Mueller 1.4 million documents and records. Never asserted executive privilege one time. Over 20 White House staffers, including eight from the White House Counsel’s office, were interviewed voluntarily. Don McGahn, chief counsel for the White House, was interviewed for over 30 hours.” https://youtu.be/m1vVdxFAvaY?t=169  

On Next Steps: 

  • GRAHAM: “This committee is going to look long and hard at how this all started. We’re going to look at the FISA warrant process.” https://youtu.be/m1vVdxFAvaY?t=652
  • GRAHAM: “The Russians interfered in our election. So can some bipartisanship come out of this? I hope so. I intend to work with my colleagues on the other side to introduce the DETER Act and to introduce legislation to defend the integrity of the voting system.” https://youtu.be/m1vVdxFAvaY?t=364