WASHINGTON, D.C., December 22, 2017— The Niskanen Center welcomes today’s release of a letter in support of special counsel Robert Mueller by prominent Republicans. The letter was organized by Richard Painter, who served as President George W. Bush’s chief ethics lawyer, along with former Members of the U.S. House of Representatives Christopher Shays (R-CT) and Mickey Edwards (R-OK).
The letter reads in part: “As Republicans and/or conservatives, including those who have served in elected and appointed positions, we reject recent efforts to discredit [Mueller]. These efforts undermine the institutions that protect the rule of law and so our nation. Mueller must be allowed to complete his investigation without interference.”
Brink Lindsey, Niskanen Center vice president and director of the Open Society Project, spoke in support of the letter: “We are proud to have organized Meetings of the Concerned for prominent Republicans and conservatives who oppose the president and his baleful influence over their party and movement. Today members of this group have joined with other Republicans who have held prominent positions in government to support special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation against a growing chorus of attacks from the right.”
Lindsey added, “We commend their patriotism in upholding the vital principle of the rule of law at a time when all too many Republicans have chosen to value narrow partisan advantage over basic American values.”
News of the letter was first reported by the Associated Press (article here). To read the letter and see a full list of signatories, visit the Project on Government Oversight.
The Niskanen Center is a 501(c)(3) advocacy organization established in 2014 that works to change public policy through direct engagement in the policymaking process.
###