Blumenthal Statement on Trump Jr. Testimony Before Senate Judiciary Committee

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement after the Senate Judiciary Committee reached an agreement to have Donald Trump, Jr. testify behind closed doors.

“This closed door interview is only a partial step toward accountability for Donald Trump Jr. For a full, fair investigation, he must answer our questions in public, under oath before the American people about his disconcerting – legally problematic – activities. I will press for such testimony as soon as possible, along with other relevant witnesses,” Blumenthal said. “Under Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Feinstein’s leadership, the Senate Judiciary Committee’s investigation is moving forward, and I plan to rigorously question Donald Trump, Jr. during his upcoming appearance before our panel.”

Reports in June revealed that Trump, Jr. convened a meeting with Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and Russian lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya. The meeting’s stated purpose, revealed in emails released by Trump, Jr. himself, was to discuss damaging information about Hilary Clinton. Blumenthal has called for the public testimony of both Trump, Jr. and Manafort.

Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and a senior White House official, also attended the meeting with Veselnitskaya. Blumenthal previously requested a review of Kushner’s security clearance following revelations that Kushner had contacts with Russian officials that were undisclosed during his clearance review process and sought to establish a secretive communications channel to the Russian government during the presidential transition.