Panetta: Democrats should hold off on impeachment
Amid recent talk of possible impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, former Defense Secretary and CIA Director Leon Panetta is urging Democrats not to make a move just yet.
“I think the most important thing that the Democrats could do is allow Bob Mueller to complete his work,” Panetta said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” referencing Mueller’s work as special counsel for the Justice Department and his role in the ongoing investigation into Russia’s part in the 2016 presidential election
I think Bob Mueller’s report will ultimately determine whether or not there are going to be additional steps taken against the president and they ought not to get ahead of that report because that will be the key to determining what happens in the future,” said Panetta, who was also White House chief of staff under President Bill Clinton.
Co-host Martha Raddatz asked about public concerns that Trump’s legal team is working on a report to question Mueller’s legitimacy.
“Well, you know, Bob Mueller is focusing on several things right now,” Panetta said. “Obviously, he’s going after individuals and he’s gone after Russians that were involved in coming after our election system,” referring to Mueller’s indictments.
“They’re getting very close to making a case for obstruction of justice not only by the steps that were taken in terms of the president demeaning and attacking a ‘witch hunt,’ but also the fact that [Trump’s lawyer] Rudy Giuliani himself has said that the whole purpose of their effort is to undermine the credibility of the special counsel.”
“And then when you add to that the dismissal of those that were involved in the investigation, I think you begin to piece together the kind of case that could form around an obstruction of justice trial,” Panetta continued. “So I think they have to be very careful to use this tactic of trying to undermine the special counsel and the special prosecutor, because I think that could backfire.”
Source:Politico.com