Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement after President Trump’s remarks at today’s press conference with the president of Finland:

“The president has an obligation to inspire and lead our country, hostile rhetoric makes that task impossible.

“Loaded terms like ‘treason,’ ‘coup’ and ‘civil war’ have no place in a democratic society. I’m fearful the consequences could be deadly if the wrong individual takes the president’s words at face value.

“It’s particularly troubling that he would attack a member of Congress while standing next to a foreign leader. Congressman Adam Schiff is one of the smartest and most well-respected members of Congress. As the chair of House Intel Committee, he has an obligation to look into the whistleblower’s allegations. That is a check on presidential power enshrined in our constitution, not treason.

“An impeachment inquiry is serious matter and it’s being treated as such by the House of Representatives. The fact is the president’s actions warrant further investigation so that investigation is being conducted now and we must all be patient until it’s concluded.

“But we can’t sit idly by while any president – Democrat or Republican – conducts themselves in this manner. The oath taken by all elected officials requires us to support and defend the constitution and to place the entire nation above any one individual.”