Dear Senators:

In August 2016, Donald Trump was notified that Vladimir Putin had launched cyberattacks against the United States. The FBI and all sixteen American intelligence services confirmed that Russian hackers violated American laws by breaking into the Democratic and Republican Parties' computers and stealing information. At the same time, Putin launched a propaganda war, flooding social media with fake news stories intended to discredit Trump's rivals -- Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, and Hillary Clinton.

Ever since, Trump has aided and abetted Putin's cyberattacks. He denies they took place almost on a daily basis. He has suggested the Democrats made the whole thing up, and even blamed China. He has gone out of his way to denigrate and ridicule anyone who has sought the truth. He continued to do this even after the Justice Department indicted over thirty American and Russian individuals and organizations with conspiracy, fraud, lying to the FBI, and identity theft.

After the Helsinki summit -- where Trump sided with Putin over American law enforcement and intelligence professionals -- there is no doubt that Trump has provided our country's enemies with aid and comfort. "President Putin... just said it’s not Russia," Trump said. "I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today."

Former CIA director Brennan wrote: "Donald Trump's press conference performance in Helsinki rises to & exceeds the threshold of 'high crimes & misdemeanors.' It was nothing short of treasonous. Not only were Trump's comments imbecilic, he is wholly in the pocket of Putin."

Governor Kasich wrote: "Russia is our foe. Putin is actively trying to hurt our country. America needs to speak with one voice AGAINST Russia."

Senator McCain wrote: "Today’s press conference in Helsinki was one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory. The damage inflicted by President Trump’s naiveté, egotism, false equivalence, and sympathy for autocrats is difficult to calculate...

“President Trump proved not only unable, but unwilling to stand up to Putin...

“No prior president has ever abased himself more abjectly before a tyrant. Not only did President Trump fail to speak the truth about an adversary; but speaking for America to the world, our president failed to defend all that makes us who we are—a republic of free people dedicated to the cause of liberty at home and abroad."

Senator Flake wrote: "I never thought I would see the day when our American President would stand on the stage with the Russian President and place blame on the United States for Russian aggression. This is shameful."

Michael Gerson wrote: "Trump actively advanced many important national objectives — of Russia. He claimed Crimea to be Russian, credited Putin’s denials of cyberaggression, attacked NATO, called the European Union a 'foe,' openly supported Brexit, disparaged the leadership of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, pushed for a trade war with Europe and blamed tension in the U.S.-Russia relationship on the United States. At Helsinki, having imitated Neville Chamberlain in every detail but the umbrella, he declared a famous victory. And so our president, who shows how tough he is by abusing migrant children, was a cringing coward before a dictator...

"The president remains in total denial about Russian intentions and actions... Why would an American president so regularly praise and excuse a dictator dedicated to the overthrow of American influence?"

A few weeks ago, Max Boot wrote that he "used to belong to a conservative party with a white-nationalist fringe. Now it's a white-nationalist party with a conservative fringe... The entire Republican platform can now be reduced to three words: Whatever Trump says."

As chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Senator Burr is in charge of investigating Russia's attacks on our country. However, Senator Burr has not called witnesses, pursued evidence, followed leads, or subpoenaed Trump's tax returns. As long as Burr chairs the Committee, the Senate will never find the truth.

The danger to our country could not be more clear. Trump's agenda is not "America First," but "Putin First." There is no question that Putin will continue to attack our election infrastructure, and Trump has no intention of safeguarding our nation from his attacks.

Trump is Putin's stooge. Condemning him and then returning to business is usual is not enough. The Senate must take concrete action.

Senators, it is time to put country over party. I ask you to lead a group of principled Republicans -- Senator Collins, Senator Corker, Senator Flake, Senator McCain, Senator Murkowski, and Senator Sasse -- to become independents and caucus with the Democrats. Only with new leadership in the Senate -- and especially the Intelligence Committee -- will Congress have the will and the ability to investigate Putin's cyberattacks and protect our country from future aggression.

Yours sincerely,

C. Colvin

July, 2018