By Adam Tucker

When asked what issues concern them the most, the members of NJ 11th for Change spoke clearly and loudly: for the sake of our democracy, the United States needs a fair and independent investigation on possible connections between the Russian government and the Trump Administration. It is clear to see why this issue topped the list.

It is a foregone conclusion that Vladimir Putin and the Russian government engaged in a long-term misinformation campaign to undermine confidence in the American electoral process and support a candidate they believed would better serve Russia’s interests. This much has been confirmed by every US intelligence agency. Make no mistake, this was an attack on our democracy and our nation by a hostile foreign government and we have every reason to think Russia will try again if the United States does not prevent it.

Since the election, the Trump administration has taken every opportunity to obstruct, obfuscate, and distract from the ongoing investigations into possible collusion between Trump associates and the Russian government. These underhanded tactics have been willfully ignored by Congressional Republicans, who by their actions, seem more interested in maintaining power than maintaining the integrity of our country’s elections. Some Republican Members of Congress, such as House Intelligence Committee Chair Devin Nunes, appear to be more interested in colluding with the Trump administration than uncovering possible collusion with a foreign power.

The fundamental integrity of our democracy is at risk. The President of the United States is under investigation by the FBI and the US Congress for colluding with a foreign government to win the 2016 presidential election, and as House Intelligence Committee ranking Democrat Adam Schiff noted, the evidence is quickly mounting. The stakes could not be higher, and if our democratic tradition of free and fair elections is to be preserved in this country, then we need an independent, nonpartisan investigation into potential connections between Russia and Donald Trump. Congress has damaged its credibility to conduct a fair and impartial investigation. Only we, the people, can demand justice.

As a member of Congress, Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen has a responsibility to his constituents and to the country to ensure the proper functioning of our system of checks and balances and to fight for our democracy. He has claimed he supports accountability and has denounced the violent and oppressive actions of the Putin regime, but words must be followed with actions. Rep. Frelinghuysen must speak out against efforts to obstruct and subvert badly needed investigations into potentially treasonous activities by the President. We urge him to stand with his fellow Members of Congress calling for Rep. Nunes’ recusal from the House Intelligence Committee, and demanding a special, independent investigation into Russia’s election tampering and possible collusion with Trump associates.

Rep. Frelinghuysen recently demonstrated his capacity to buck GOP leadership and speak out against harmful policies and actions when he vowed to vote against the Trumpcare bill. Now he must speak out again in the face of potential abuses of power and collusion with a hostile foreign government. A failure to do so is a betrayal of democratic values and of the American people.

New Jersey’s 11th District must continue speaking with one voice – we are calling on our members to not let up, to not let Congress, the media, or President Trump ignore this dark cloud hanging over our country. Call and write Rep. Frelinghuysen and demand he publicly support a special, independent investigation into possible collusion between Trump associates and the Putin regime. If the charges are true, we would be in the midst of one of if not the largest scandal in American political history. The stakes are too high to hold this investigation to anything but the highest legal and ethical standards. Our actions together have already shown we can make a difference; it was your efforts and words that pressed our Representative to switch his vote on Trumpcare, and we must do the same on Russia. Call Rodney today and tell him the American people deserve the unadulterated truth!