Senator Schumer Wants To See Full Mueller Report, Questions US Attorney General As Fair Arbiter

SYRACUSE, NY (WRVO) - Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) called for the release of the full report on Russian interference in the 2016 election, after special counsel Robert Mueller ended his investigation last week. Members of Congress from central and northern New York have also weighed in.

A summary from Attorney General William Barr said President Donald Trump’s campaign did not conspire with Russia to influence the election. But it stops short of exonerating the president of obstructing justice in the investigation.

“That means you got to look at the whole report, when it’s something as important as Russian interference, you have to,” Schumer said.

Speaking in Syracuse Monday, Schumer said Barr’s summary raises as many questions as answers and his past comments doesn’t make him a fair arbiter.

“Barr stated, before he took office, that he didn’t believe that any president could be held guilty of obstruction of justice,” Schumer said.

Schumer added he is hopeful the full report will be released. Trump said that it should, as well as some Republican senators. The House of Representatives voted unanimously to make the report public.

"If there is something really wrong we should look into it," Schumer said. "That's what the American people want. The only way you'll know that is if you see the full report. That is why it should be made public."

In a statement, central New York Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus) said he believes the report should be released as completely as possible to put to rest accusations of collusion.

Read Katko's full statement below.
From the start, I have supported the investigation of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, and have consistently stated that I would respect his final report.  As a former federal prosecutor, I know the tremendous amount of effort this report required by Mr. Mueller and his team.  I appreciate their diligent work.
The Justice Department has made clear there was no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.  I’m glad that this report clears the air on this issue, and I hope that it will allow us to move past the distraction caused by accusations of collusion.  I believe the report should be released as completely as possible so we can put these issues to rest.  I recently voted for a resolution before the House supporting the public release of Mueller’s final report.  I look forward to reviewing it in full, and believe the American people should have access to the report.
Mohawk Valley Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-Utica) said the American people deserve full transparency and warned against endless partisanship and investigations.

Read Brindisi's full statement below.
I am in the process of carefully reviewing General Barr’s summary of Special Counsel Mueller’s report; however, I believe Americans deserve to know all the facts. That’s why I joined Republican and Democratic members in voting yes on a resolution calling for the report to be made public. The American people deserve full transparency. They also deserve leaders who are focused on solving problems for everyday people - lowering health care costs, serving our veterans, and creating jobs and opportunity. Our challenges are too great to be distracted by endless partisanship and investigations.
North Country Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-Willsboro) said the report did find there were Russian efforts to undermine the election and she vowed to fight against disinformation and cyber threats.

Read Stefanik's full statement below.
I have consistently supported the Mueller investigation from the beginning. Policymakers on both sides of the aisle should respect the findings of this investigation: there was no collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government. Importantly, the Mueller investigation did find that there were Russian efforts to undermine and influence the 2016 US election. I will continue to work to counter Russia’s disinformation efforts and cyber threats on the House Armed Services Committee.