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Hold off on Trump impeachment for now, Panetta urges US Democrats

Sunday, 02 September 2018 7:59 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 02 September 2018 8:07 PM ]

Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Caroline Kennedy arrive at the Washington National Cathedral for the funeral service for the late Senator John McCain, September 1, 2018 in Washington, DC.

Former US Defense Secretary and CIA Director Leon Panetta is calling on Democrats to hold off on impeachment of US President Donald Trump and let special counsel Robert Mueller continue his investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

“I think the most important thing that the Democrats could do is allow Bob Mueller to complete his work,” Panetta told ABC on Sunday.

Democrats are taking steps that could lead to the impeachment of the president if they can win the House of Representatives in November midterm elections.

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“I think Bob Mueller’s report will ultimately determine whether or not there are going to be additional steps taken against the president and they ought not to get ahead of that report because that will be the key to determining what happens in the future,” Panetta said.

Ever since Trump was inaugurated in January 2017, the US intelligence community has overwhelmingly maintained that Moscow sought to meddle in the 2016 election. The Trump campaign is also accused of collusion with the Kremlin to find damaging information on his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton.

In this AFP file photo taken on February 13, 2013 outgoing US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta speaks during his final press conference in the Pentagon briefing room in Washington, DC.

“Bob Mueller is focusing on several things right now… Obviously, he’s going after individuals and he’s gone after Russians that were involved in coming after our election system,” added the former White House chief of staff, serving under former President Bill Clinton.

Russia has denied meddling in the election as well as being in possession of any damaging information on the US president.

Meanwhile, questions are being raised on whether the special counsel will subpoena the president to testify as part the probe.

“Before you subpoena the president you want to make sure you have every single duck in a row,” Stephen Vladeck, a University of Texas law professor, told the Hill, adding the Mueller would do so if he “believes he has exhausted all other options and if he really thinks it is necessary.”

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