Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) issued the following statement on reports that President Trump urged then-F.B.I. Director James Comey to halt the investigation into the President and his associate’s ties to Russia:

“The need for a bipartisan defense of our democracy and our institutions is growing more urgent by the day.

“Yesterday morning, in response to reports that President Trump gave classified intelligence information to the Russians, I called on Republicans to put country first and work with us to get answers. With these new allegations that the President directly intervened to block the investigation into him and his associates, I am renewing that call.

“It’s time to work together and establish an independent commission to investigate the ties between President Trump and Russia, and to determine whether he has obstructed justice. These are very serious allegations, and we cannot allow them to be politicized any longer.”