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Ranking Member Nadler Statement on Acting AG Whitaker's Refusal to Recuse From Special Counsel Investigation

Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker's announcement that he will not be recused from overseeing the work of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, despite numerous objections from senior ethics officials:

"We have asked the Department of Justice, repeatedly and over the course of several weeks, for more information about Mr. Whitaker’s ethics guidance—including for a copy of the guidance itself.  I have even asked Mr. Whitaker for this information directly.  To date, we have received no response from the Department.  It is simply unacceptable that we are learning about this guidance through leaks to the press instead of from the Acting Attorney General himself, particularly when it seems that this decision is to satisfy President Trump and not to protect the integrity of the Department or its ongoing work. 

"More concerning, at the moment, is the fact that career DOJ ethics officials appear to have had serious concerns about Mr. Whitaker’s ability and fitness to oversee the Special Counsel’s investigation.  You can be sure I will be asking Mr. Whitaker about these concerns, and many others, when he appears before the House Judiciary Committee in January.”

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