Lance must put country before party, protesters said.
FLEMINGTON -- Approximately 50 protesters held a rally Tuesday evening outside the Hunterdon County Historic Courthouse demanding that U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-7th) call for an independent investigation into President Donald Trump's connections and dealings with Russia.
A similar protest was also held outside the lawmaker's office in Westfield.
The group chanted that "Trump is a Traitor," "What Matters?, Truth Matters," and "Leonard Lance Take a Stance" as motorist driving down Main Street honked their horns in support.
Protesters held up several signs, including one that read, "Loose lips, sink ships," another said, "Real News, Trump's a Liar," and a third called for Trump to be "Impeached."
"We're calling on Rep. Lance to speak up and put country before party," said Liz Glynn of Indivisible Lambertville/New Hope. "It's very troubling the way President Trump has proceeded on this issue of him possibly revealing secrets to the Russians."
The rally, which ran from 4:30-6 p.m., was organized by several groups, including Indivisible Lambertville/New Hope, Progressive Hunterdon Democrats, Indivisible Garden State Values, Tewksbury Area Indivisible and NJ7 Forward.
It came a day after the Washington Post reported that Trump revealed highly classified information about Islamic State militants to Russian officials during a meeting last week, the Associated Press reported. The revelations prompted strong condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans. The president on Tuesday morning defended the release of the information.
"This has nothing to do with one's political party, it's about being on the right side of the issue," said Joey Novick, founder of the Progressive Hunterdon Democrats. "We need an independent investigation into what is going on."
Glynn said that where there is smoke, there is fire.
"We're at a point now where it appears that the House Intelligence Committee has been compromised," she said. "(Attorney General Jeff) Sessions had to recuse himself. (House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin) Nunes had to recuse himself. FBI Director James Comey was fired. Enough is enough. There is obviously something there."
Lance, who was made aware of the rally, released a statement.
"As a member of Congress, I have access to classified information," the statement said. "Protecting our Nation's secrets is paramount. Divulging classified or controlled information to our adversaries endangers our national security. It jeopardizes diplomatic relations with our allies and threatens the safety and security of our troops in the field."
Lance said that National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster has an impeccable reputation and he takes him at his word that "at no time, at no time, were intelligence sources or methods discussed and the president did not disclose any military operations that were not already publicly known."
Furthermore, Lance said he has requested that the CIA Director Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Deputy National Security Adviser Dina Powell brief Congress further on the issue immediately.
"Lawmakers deserve a fuller accounting of what was divulged in the Oval Office conversations with Russian diplomats," the statement said. "Now more than ever it is essential that the two bipartisan congressional investigations and the U.S. Department of Justice investigation move forward and that the Administration cooperates fully in their efforts."
A few bystanders tried to shout down the protesters to no avail, saying Trump was elected president and the country has to live with it.
In Westfield, a group of about 50 waved signs as part of a protest that has been ongoing for months.
"Since January," said Ed O'Malley, emphasizing how long he and others have continued to demonstrate their feelings.
"Our situation hasn't changed and we are committed to what we are doing," the Cranford man said, his comments almost drowned out by honking horns from a few of the cars passing on busy North Avenue.
Most of the people held signs protesting Trump, and they intermittently chanted, "Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go."
O'Malley, when asked if he was protesting against Lance or Trump, said, "I'm concerned about the darkness that is coming over the country generally."
"And the corruption," chimed in Andie Bergman, referring to the allegation daily swirling around Trump.
"Lance's silence is deafening," said Bergman, who is also from Cranford.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com.Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.