Dec. 18, 2017, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement expressing concern about reports that the Special Counsel obtained Trump transition emails from the General Services Administration, for which “This wasn’t a subpoena pursuant to a grand jury. GSA just turned them over” according to a White House adviser:

“As a member of the Trump transition team, I am deeply offended that Robert Mueller thinks that he can get away with snooping through confidential policy conversations without obtaining a warrant. What’s more, the General Services Administration’s choice to give away transition team documents without forcing a legal warrant to be issued effectively ends future transitions’ ability to consider policy in an open manner utilizing official resources. Mueller’s shotgun investigative approach which apparently assumes everyone is guilty until proven innocent will leave a permanent stain on American jurisprudence and end the illusion of a non-partisan justice system.

“Nothing less than the normal peaceful transition of power is at stake as a result of Mueller’s abuses, as future presidents-elect will be forced to assume that every internal consideration will be subject to public scrutiny. No incoming administration can ever again engage in the type of policy what-ifs necessary to assume the executive branch responsibilities now that the wall of confidentiality has been breached.”

Attachments:

“Any disruption occasioned by the transfer of the executive power could produce results detrimental to the safety and well-being of the United States and its people.” Presidential Transition Act of 1963, Section 2 at https://www.gsa.gov/governmentwide-initiatives/presidential-transition/legislative-overview/presidential-transition-act-of-1963

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 100 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts.

###