May 15, 2017 02:31 PM UTC

Coffman Calls for Special Prosecutor...to Investigate Obama?

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• by: Jason Salzman

(Uh, what? — Promoted by Colorado Pols)

U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO) wants a special prosecutor not only to dig into Russian interference in the last election but also to investigate the Obama Administration.

In an appearance on a Denver radio station this morning, Coffman pointed out that an investigation by a special prosecutor could “go in any direction” as long as there is “probable cause,” and Coffman said there’s probable cause to investigate the “unmasking of private citizens by the prior administration.”

“And so, I think, let it look at that,” Coffman told 850-AM’s Steffan Tubbs May 15.

Coffman said it was an “advantage” that a special prosecutor could look into different matters.

“And I really do think that the advantage of a special prosecutor –. One of the criticisms is that [the special prosecutor] could go in any direction,” Coffman told Tubbs. “But there has to be probable cause that a crime was violated. And clearly, where there has been probable cause is the unmasking of private citizens by the prior administration. And so, I think, let it look at that. Let it look at potential collusion, but I do think it needs to go in that direction.” [Listen below at 1 min 15 sec.]

Coffman, whose office did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment, may have been referring to the widely-publicized accusations by Republicans that former national security adviser Susan Rice illegally sought the names of Trump campaign officials who were identified in the FBI’s investigation of Russian meddling. Revealing their identities is referred to as “unmasking.”

But no proof of wrongdoing by Rice or other Obama Administration official has been produced, according to both unnamed Democratic and Republican lawmakers and aides cited by CNN and NBC last month.

So it’s not clear why Coffman’s stated that “there has been probable cause” to investigate Rice.

Both Trump and House Intelligence Committee Chair David Nunez claimed Rice acted illegally. Trump called it a “massive story,” but no documents have been release to substantiate these claims.

This not the first time that Coffman has suggested that a government investigation head in a different direction than expected. In the wake of the resignation of former national security adviser Michael Flynn in February, Coffman said Flynn and his Russian ties should be “looked into,” but he also suggested an investigation into FBI leaks regarding Flynn.

Listen to Coffman on KOA 850-AM May 15:

TUBBS at 1 min 15 sec: Yeah, exactly! Don’t forget his current gig. Let’s talk, Congressman, — if you will – about – a little bit about these allegations that recorded conversations are taking place. Donald Trump was wondering if James Comey recorded him. Others are wondering if the White House is recording others. I mean, would you feel safe in going to the White House and having a conversation, confidentially and in securely with the President, fearing maybe that it was going to be recorded?

COFFMAN: Well, first of all, unfortunately, I think that there is no controversy too small that this White House can’t turn into a really big one. And so, you know, the President needs to message discipline, or I –. I don’t know about that. I do think that a special prosecutor, at the end of the day, really needs to be appointed to get down to the bottom of all the stuff, because it has created such a circus in Washington DC. And I really do think that the advantage of a special prosecutor –. One of the criticisms is that [the special prosecutor] could go in any direction,” Coffman told 850-AM’s Steffan Tubbs. “But there has to be probable cause that a crime was violated. And clearly, where there has been probable cause is the unmasking of private citizens by the prior administration. And so, I think, let it look at that. Let it look at potential collusion, but I do think it needs to go in that direction. And in this circus in Washington, let us focus on – I think – the President’s agenda, certainly the parts that I can agree with, what the American people want. You know, they want us to fix this healthcare system. They want us to reform the tax code. And they want us to repair our crumbling infrastructure.