Democrats Demand Inquiry of Russian Role in U.S. Affairs; G.O.P. Mostly Silent – WBNews

Photo House Speaker Paul D. Ryan sidestepped when asked about calls for congressional inquiries into Michael T. Flynn’s resignation on Tuesday. Credit Gabriella Demczuk for The New York Times WASHINGTON — The stunning resignation of Michael T. Flynn as White House national security adviser less than a month after his appointment has emboldened congressional Democrats to demand a broader investigation into President Trump’s ties to Russia and the Kremlin’s role in the 2016 election. But congressional Republicans, with the notable exception of Senator John McCain of Arizona, remained largely silent to the deep turmoil in Mr. Trump’s national security apparatus. That is a striking departure for a party once universally hawkish about Russia and now in control of all the levers of power in Washington. Democrats tried to make it clear that Mr. Flynn’s resignation must be only the first chapter in the story of Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election. Republicans tried to bury it. “I think that situation has taken care of itself,” said Representative Jason Chaffetz, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Photo Senator Richard J. Durbin, Democrat of Illinois, at the Capitol last week. “The party of Reagan has spoken zero times about the Russian attack or Flynn’s actions on the floor of the Senate since early October,” Mr. Durbin said Tuesday. Credit Al Drago/The New York Times Speaker Paul D. Ryan sidestepped calls for congressional inquiries into the Flynn episode. He said he welcomed the resignation of Mr. Flynn, saying, “You…more detail