Disturbing: White House needs to be more open about Russian contacts

Reports that members of the national Republican Party, specifically the team that put Donald Trump in the White House, had repeated contacts with Russian operatives during the presidential campaign are deeply disturbing.

Nothing is more sacred to Americans than the election process for president, and the suspicion that Russia interfered in that process deserves the utmost attention.

The sudden resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn has brought the issue to a head, and it is time the American people have some honest answers.

With Republicans in power in Washington, Democrats are calling for an independent investigation into exactly how much influence Russia might have had on the elections and the White House.  

Trump has ignored questions about the issue. That bothers us. We believe he has a responsibility to own up to what he knows about his staff's connections with Moscow. This is a crucial test for the president. He needs to step up and be open with the American people. This is not a time for partisan politics. It is time for Congress to step in and investigate this troublesome issue.

Published in Editorials on February 16, 2017 9:42 AM