NEW YORK, Oct. 30 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement Monday after President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, and a former Manafort business associate, Rick Gates, were indicted:

“Russia’s interference in our recent election and their attack on American democracy is an issue of enormous consequence. Special Counsel Mueller, appointed with bipartisan support, is proceeding with his investigation into the relationship between the Trump campaign and Russian interests. President Trump must not, in any way, try to derail or obstruct this effort.”