Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after the Justice Department published the full report from the Special Counsel investigation.

“This morning, Attorney General Barr further confirmed the information we already know: There was no collusion between Russia and President Trump or his campaign,” said Rep. Hern. “Over the course of the last two years, we witnessed a very real attempted coup of the American presidency. In concert with the outgoing Obama administration, Democrats proved that they would stop at nothing to end the Trump presidency and cast a shadow on the work he’s done to revitalize our economy and make America great again.

“We wasted 675 days on this useless investigation, costing the American people more than $30 million.

“AG Barr said it this morning and I repeat it: this was an unprecedented situation. Our President had every right and every opportunity to invoke executive privilege and censor the findings of the investigation. Instead, he fully cooperated with investigators and is supporting the full release and transparency of the report.”

Hern continued, “Many of my colleagues have claimed for years that they have substantial evidence against our President, that they know for a fact that he colluded with Russia. If a 2-year investigation with unlimited resources could not find that evidence, I invite them to please bring it forward. As far as I can tell, they wanted so badly for collusion to be true, for the downfall of American democracy & failure of the Trump presidency, that they would say and do anything to make it true.

“President Trump was rightfully frustrated and upset that the outset of his administration was constantly under the shadow of the special counsel’s investigation and the outstanding results of his efforts as President always took a back seat to rumors of collusion and corruption. Today, we finally clear the air. Let’s close the door on this sad chapter in American history and move on to celebrate the success of President Trump’s policies and leadership across our country. “

Background:

On March 14, Rep. Hern joined his House colleagues in voting for H.Con.Res. 24 – Expressing the sense of Congress that the report of Special Counsel Robert Mueller should be made available to the public and to Congress. His statement from March 14 can be found here.

Rep. Hern’s previous statement from the initial conclusion of Robert Mueller’s investigation, and in response to the brief summary from the Attorney General, Rep can be found here.