Foundation Leaders Call for Protecting the Special-Counsel Investigation

Forty-two leaders from some of the country’s largest foundations today collectively called for the protection of special-counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. The joint statement comes after the forced resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the subsequent appointment of Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, who has criticized the investigation that he will now oversee.

The statement is signed by grant makers at institutions that hold more than $20 billion in assets and “who are deeply committed to protecting the rule of law to preserve democratic values, protect rights of individuals, and prevent the abuse of power.” The statement also takes a swipe at President Trump, saying people in power “cannot and should not use or manipulate law enforcement for their own personal protection or for political gain,” adding, “No one is above the law, including the president, his family, and others who serve in his administration.”

Crossing the Line

Gary Bass, executive director of the Bauman Foundation and one of the signers, said foundation leaders discussed privately whether it’s appropriate to speak on the matter. The subsequent statement “was very unusual” because of the number of foundations in agreement, he said, adding that he encourages nonprofits and grantees to be on the front lines like they were during debates on the next U.S. census.

Bass said the joint statement is an attempt “in as friendly a manner as possible” to let Trump know that interfering with the investigation “crosses the line.”

“I’m hopeful that many colleagues in the foundation world would feel similarly even if they have not signed on to the letter. I think some would take their hats off and say thank you for doing this.”

Joe Goldman, president of the Democracy Fund, created by Pierre Omidyar, eBay’s founder, said, “I’m deeply concerned about the independence of the Mueller investigation.”

Goldman said he signed the letter because leaders from every sector have a responsibility “to stand up and speak out whenever our democracy is threatened.”

“I don’t think we can just stay on the sidelines as spectators and hope that everything works out,” he said.

Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, also signed the letter.