PAWTUCKET – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01), who serves on the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement today:

“This is an outrageous decision and a miscarriage of justice. Michael Flynn already pled guilty to a felony. Nothing that happened today can change that fact. The only thing that did change is that Attorney General Barr further corrupted the Department of Justice. The American people are justified in their anger that there is one set of rules for Donald Trump and his friends, and a completely different set of rules for everyone else.”

“This demands an immediate explanation from the Attorney General. He needs to answer for his actions before the House Judiciary Committee, and I am glad that Chairman Nadler is working to make that happen as soon as possible.”

“At the same time, the Department of Justice Inspector General needs to open a full investigation into this matter. The Special Counsel was appointed in order to protect the Russia investigation from political interference. All of his decisions were reviewed and approved by both the Deputy Attorney General and a sitting Federal judge. The President’s hand-picked Attorney General overruling these decisions today not only sets a dangerous precedent, but it also threatens our country’s very foundation of equal justice under the law.”