Posted on 07/20/2018 9:29:31 AM PDT by Kaslin
Democrats in Congress demanded this week that Marina Gross, the translator in the room with President Trump and President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland on Monday, come to Washington and tell them what was discussed in the closed-door meeting. Republicans, even anti-Trump ones, are resisting the effort. When House Intelligence Democrats brought the subpoena to a vote, every Republican on the committee voted against it.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) explained why subpoenaing the interpreter could set a dangerous precedent. It could be the "last time" the U.S. president ever meet privately with a foreign leader.
"Absolutely not," Lindsey Graham said when asked if he'd support having Marina Gross, the American translator in Trump's meeting with Putin, testify before Congress.
He said that precedent could prevent foreign leaders from wanting to meet with future U.S. presidents privately pic.twitter.com/DqQD7I6HM5— POLITICO (@politico) July 19, 2018
Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), one of Trump's most vocal Republican critics, had to agree.
"I know in this particular case, the person was a direct employee, but if we are going to start getting translator's notes, I think we are moving to a precedent that - unless some crime has been committed - is unprecedented and just not appropriate."
A group of former President Obama and President George W. Bush officials are also under the impression Gross does not need to be grilled on Capitol Hill.
“For the same reasons why we need to protect our own diplomats, there is a real concern about having translators be subject to subpoenas,” said David Mortlock, Obama's director of international economic affairs at the White House National Security Council.
One Republican, however, is siding with the Democrats in their call for Gross to at least turn over her notes. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) argued in a Senate floor speech that Trump's rendezvous with the enemy demands that Congress see what was discussed.
“I would hope that those notes — all interpreters take notes — would be turned over,” he said. “We need to know."
President Trump angered both Republicans and Democrats on Monday by seemingly taking Russia's side over the U.S. intelligence community when asked if Russia had meddled in our elections.
“We need to know.”
The only thing you need to know Flake is to not show up on my property.
They are preparing to give us a choice in AZ between a Rino and a bisexual Democrat this fall. If Martha McSally wins the primary, she will be a female version of Flake. I am very tempted to stay home.
If she is subpoenaed to testify, she should speak only Russian!
Congress can't demand anything from the chief executive acting in his capacity as president anymore than Trump can demand the Congress to do his bidding.
I don't know how many of you reading this article guessed which Republican it was before it spelled out his name but I guessed Flake right off the bat.
Never has there been a more appropriate name for a RINO than Flake. He's not well-liked in Arizona and this is why.
“What is in the water in Arizona that their GOP Senators are flaming leftists? What a schizophrenic state.”
A person from the most wacko state in the union criticizes us? We do what FR says, pick the lesser of two evils. Your state is full of morons. Get lost.
Without the consent of the President the translator isn't available to Congress anyway. By definition it's privileged communication.
Flake is gone January 4 2019 to the ash bin of history.
5.56mm
If Democrats don’t have to obey orders from Congress, why does Trump?
Flake is completely off the rails.
Who would even need a President or a country leader if everything he says or does is public information?
That’s not diplomacy or statesmanship...that’s just plum dumb
not only California, we need a wall around Arizona.
you folks vote for em, you can keep em.
Figures it would be Flake.
Heller is up for reelection this year. I did not vote for him in the primary but my concern is the supreme court if the Dem wins. So what do I do now? What are you other republicans in Nevada going to do? I am flummoxed. I would vote for the constitutionalist candidate if it were not for the S/C. Heller, at least, will vote for Trump’s nominee but he certainly is McConnell’s toady and I despise him for that, and he does not deserve to be reelected.
Trump should just say he can’t release the transcript because it is part of an investigation. And then laugh at them.
Otherwise I have never voted for a RINO. *pats herself on the back*
Hold your nose and vote for the RINO. Consider it a vote against Senate Majority Leader Chuckie Schumer. If the democrats take the Senate then none of Trump’s Judicial nominees will ever even get a vote again.
My hope is that the Republicans will substantially increase their Senate majority in November so that the RINOs will be effectively neutered.
McCain can’t be far behind.
“sigh”......apparently we’re going to have to hang at least ONE traitor to show the rest we’re serious about saving our country and our President....
Jeff Flake is on my last freakin’ nerve. A root canal performed with a corkscrew is preferable to this attention whore.
The Charlie Crist of Arizona, and I mean that in every sense.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.