Facing Angry Constituents, More Republicans Voice Concern Over Trump's Russia Ties

By Adam Peck, ThinkProgress

02 April 17

“If someone truly brought forward evidence that was undeniable, I would be in support of removal.”

ep. Andy Harris (R-MD) represents an area of Maryland’s Eastern Shore that is the definition of a safe district. The conservative congressman—Maryland’s only federally elected Republican—won reelection last year with 67 percent of the vote, and Donald Trump carried the district with 62 percent of the vote.

You wouldn’t think so, judging by the crowd that turned up at his town hall event on Friday. Angry constituents demanded answers about why Harris supported defunding Planned Parenthood and the repeal of the Affordable Care Act—positions Harris continued to defend, to a chorus of boos. They did manage to coax out a call for a thorough investigation into the Trump administration’s ties to Russia, leaving open the possibility for an independent investigation.

“If we can’t get information, if for some reason [the congressional investigation] is biased, I want an unbiased investigation,” he said. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) is facing calls to resign his position after a series of puzzling decisions that potentially compromised the integrity of the congressional hearings.

“I support investigating it, I want to know what they find. I want to hear some of the testimony, and then I’ll decide,” Harris said of a possible independent investigation.

His colleague, Tom Garrett (R-VA), went even further during his town hall at the University of Virginia Friday evening.

When asked if he would support efforts to impeach President Trump in the event that an investigation turns up evidence of collusion between his campaign and Russian officials, Garrett was unequivocal.

“If someone truly brought forward evidence that was undeniable, I would be in support of removal,” he said.

To date, multiple intelligence agencies have confirmed direct communication between members of the Trump campaign and Russian intelligence officials. The FBI announced last month that they are conducting their own investigation into possible collusion, and several U.S. officials have suggested that the agency is already in possession of information that suggests a coordinated effort between Trump’s campaign and Russia, allegations that the White House refuses to deny.