Says probe into Trump-Russia ties should be carried out “expeditiously”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, emphasized that he supports the investigation of special prosecutor Robert Mueller into possible collusion between the presidential campaign of Donald Trump and Russia, but said he feels the process should be carried out quickly.

“We need to have the facts lead to the right conclusion and so I support the investigation,” Portman told host Chuck Todd during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday. “I have from the start, but we do need to wrap it up… I haven’t been involved directly, but it’s important to get to the bottom of it but do it expeditiously.”

Portman was asked about Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, and his statement that the president knew of a meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and a Russian lawyer at Trump  Tower during the campaign. Cohen’s statement contradicts the president’s previous denials of knowledge of the meeting.

“I think the Mueller investigation is probably the place it should be cleared up, but you know, that’s up to the Judiciary Committee,” Portman said.

Todd asked Portman whether Cohen should appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“Well, I think it’s going to be, you know, a he said and he said issue,” Portman said. “So I think it’s probably better that, you know, this goes through the regular process, which is ongoing.”