WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Judiciary Committees, today joined Fox & Friends to discuss recent developments in the investigation into Russian interference in our 2016 presidential election.

“Well, first, the Senate Intelligence Committee is getting access to the raw intelligence and transcripts of those intercepts that I was referring to last Friday. And, if you just listen closely to the clip you just played, it makes clear what I was saying: that there is intelligence that will provide insights into whether or not there was some collusion between senior elements of the Trump campaign and the Trump administration and Russian intelligence and Russian officials,” said Senator Coons. "What I was trying to point to there was that we need to get to the bottom of this—this isn't about partisan politics, it's about defending our democracy.”

“But, I also think there shouldn't be a cover-up. In the best interest of our country, we need to get to the bottom of this,” said Senator Coons. “That is why I was encouraged yesterday that the man who's the nominee to be number two in the Justice Department—who, now that Attorney General Sessions has recused himself, will take over the direction of this—did insist on a free and fair investigation.”

Full audio and video available here.

Excerpts from the interview:

Senator Coons on the investigation into Russian interference: “Well, first, the Senate Intelligence Committee is getting access to the raw intelligence and transcripts of those intercepts that I was referring to last Friday. And, if you just listen closely to the clip you just played, it makes clear what I was saying: that there is intelligence that will provide insights into whether or not there was some collusion between senior elements of the Trump campaign and the Trump administration and Russian intelligence and Russian officials. What I was trying to point to right there was that we need to get to the bottom of thisthis isn't about partisan politics, it's about defending our democracy. We had a hearing yesterday on the State and Foreign Ops. subcommittee of Approps., a subcommittee that is critically responsible for our support for our NATO allies and democracy in Western Europe, and we are going to have a joint Republican and Democrat speech on the floor later today about the importance of pushing back against Russian aggression.”

Senator Coons on James Clapper's comments: “Well, that's one person's perspective and that's an important insight. What I said on Friday, and what I will say again today, is that we need to get to the bottom of this, we need a thorough, fair, straightforward investigation where we get a report back in Congress about what Republicans and Democrats on the Intelligence Committee have found after they've had a chance to review all the evidence.”

Senator Coons on accusations of partisanship in this investigation: “Well, I think it's inaccurate to say that the National Security Council is filled with partisans. I think the National Security Council has proven itself over several administrations to be overwhelmingly full of career professionals who are providing the best support and analysis they can to the President. I also would just point out that there are several different sources of intelligence — the FBI, the NSA, the CIA, and several others — and one of the things that's undeniable here is that the entire American intelligence community concluded that Russia did interfere in our last election, and I think it's in the best interest of our democracy to make sure that we take this seriously and that we take prompt action on a bipartisan basis against that intrusion into our election.”

Senator Coons on whether he'll push back if an investigation becomes too partisan: “If I think this has turned into nothing more than a witch hunt and there's no basis in reality for it, that is the position I would take. You know me. But, I also think there shouldn't be a cover-up. In the best interest of our country, we need to get to the bottom of this. That is why I was encouraged yesterday that the man who's the nominee to be number two in the Justice Department—who, now that Attorney General Sessions has recused himself, will take over the direction of this—did insist on a free and fair investigation.”