Blumenthal to Trump: Your ‘bullying’ tactics won’t protect you in Russia probe

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) fired back at President Trump on Monday, saying his bullying tactics will not protect him from the Justice Department’s ongoing investigation into Russia’s meddling in the presidential election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign.

“Mr. President: Your bullying hasn’t worked before and it won’t work now. No one is above the law,” Blumenthal tweeted.

Mr. President: Your bullying hasn’t worked before and it won’t work now. No one is above the law.

— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) August 7, 2017

“This issue isn’t about me — it’s about the Special Counsel’s independence and integrity,” he added, referring to the team, led by Robert Mueller, pursuing the investigation.

This issue isn’t about me – it’s about the Special Counsel’s independence and integrity.

— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) August 7, 2017  

Trump attacked the Connecticut lawmaker earlier Monday, calling him a “phony Vietnam con artist.” 

Interesting to watch Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut talking about hoax Russian collusion when he was a phony Vietnam con artist!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2017

Trump added that “never in U.S. history has anyone lied or defrauded voters” like Blumenthal, who he accused of touting his Vietnam War stories before begging “for forgiveness like a child.” 

Never in U.S.history has anyone lied or defrauded voters like Senator Richard Blumenthal. He told stories about his Vietnam battles and….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2017 

…conquests, how brave he was, and it was all a lie. He cried like a baby and begged for forgiveness like a child. Now he judges collusion?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2017

Blumenthal accused the Trump administration of “weaponizing” the Justice Department for “personal ends” in its charge to crack down on leaks during an interview with CNN’s “New Day” earlier in the morning.

{mosads}He also praised media outlets for their coverage of the White House so far, saying he believes the free press and the independent judiciary will go down as the heroes in this era.

Trump’s tweets refer to a controversy Blumenthal faced during his 2010 Senate campaign after he misspoke about his military service.

Blumenthal clarified during a press conference that when he had said he served “in” the Vietnam War, he had intended to say he served “during” the war, as a reservist and not overseas.

Trump has in the past targeted Blumenthal, even calling for an investigation into Blumenthal for the 2010 campaign controversy earlier this year.