DNC deputy communications director Adrienne Watson released the following statement on today’s Senate Judiciary hearing, entitled, “Russian Interference in the 2016 United States Election.”

“Today’s hearing once again revealed that the White House is incapable of telling the truth when it comes to Russia, and raises serious questions about what exactly Michael Flynn discussed with Russia’s ambassador, and who knew about it.

“This hearing also revealed that Republicans in Congress remain committed to stonewalling the investigation on Trump’s behalf. When faced with an extremely grave national security threat, multiple Republican senators were so blinded by partisan bias that they could only muster questions entirely unrelated to Russia.  Then, they emptied the room early.  

“Republican senators have terrifyingly abdicated their responsibility to protect Americans and that is exactly why there is no choice but to demand an independent, 9/11 style commission to investigate Russia’s attack on our democracy.”

Acting AG Sally Yates had multiple, detailed conversations with the White House about Flynn’s lies.  Not exactly the quick “heads up” there “might” be a problem that Sean Spicer previously claimed.

YATES: “I had two in-person meetings and one phone call with the White House Counsel about Mr. Flynn.” WATCH HERE

Yates told the White House of her serious concerns about the content of Flynn’s conversations with the Russian ambassador.

YATES: “The underlying conduct that General Flynn had engaged in was problematic in and of itself.” WATCH HERE

Trump’s White House counsel made a highly inappropriate request for information about Flynn’s interview with the FBI.

YATES: “We also told the White House Counsel that General Flynn had been interviewed by the FBI on February 24th. Mr. McGhan asked me how he did and I declined to give him an answer to that.” WATCH HERE

The White House did not understand why intelligence agencies contacted them about Flynn lying to the Vice President, who then lied to the public.

YATES: White House counsel asked her, “Why does it matter to DOJ if one White House official lies to another?” WATCH HERE

YATES: “And that created a compromised situation, a situation where the National Security Advisor essentially could be blackmailed by the Russians.” WATCH HERE

Clapper said that Trump's false claims that interference in the 2016 presidential election “could've been China” actually help Russia.   

CLAPPER: “You could rationalize that helps the Russians by obfuscating who was actually responsible.” WATCH HERE