WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) issued the following statement on a report that Trump officials were in contact with Russian intelligence officers during the 2016 presidential campaign.

“I do not believe it is appropriate for Congress to act based on a newspaper article. However, it is imperative that Congress perform oversight regarding any potential campaign contacts between Trump officials and Russian intelligence officials. If they do exist, the contacts may have a logical explanation, but we will never know until Congress spends the time to investigate this matter.

“If in fact there are campaign contacts between Trump officials and Russian intelligence officers that would be a very serious event and would justify the Senate forming a Select Committee to look at all things related to Russia. The Russians have been trying to break the backbone of democracies all over the world, and clearly in my view, interfered in the 2016 election.

“Any investigation should also include leaks coming from the White House and other government agencies. These leaks are damaging to our national security and the individuals involved must be punished.

“The accusations regarding the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia are creating a cloud over the White House. They should be fairly investigated by the Congress in a bipartisan manner. It would serve the President’s interests to get to the bottom of this so he can move forward with his agenda.”

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