WILKES-BARRE, PA — Hundreds of people took to the streets in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton on November 8, in a protest that was joined by hundreds of events across the country. They were protesting the actions of President Donald Trump, who fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions on November 7, the day after the midterm election. Trump then named Matt Whitaker, who has publicly criticized the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, as acting attorney general.

Protesters in Scranton stood in the center of downtown, near the fountain, holding signs that read “Protect Mueller” and “Demand the Truth,” among others. “Trump has undercut the independence of the investigation,” a press release from the Network and Action Together NEPA read. “Whitaker has publicly outlined strategies to stifle the investigation and cannot be allowed to remain in charge of it. Action Together NEPA and The Nobody Is Above the Law Network demand that Whitaker immediately commit not to assume supervision of the investigation.” The network’s website (tinyurl.com/y8zz3os4) further calls for Mueller’s protection. “Make no mistake, by forcing out Attorney General Jeff Sessions, President Trump is working to take control of the Mueller investigation. Trump’s new hand-picked Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker will take over oversight of the Mueller investigation. The Mueller investigation must continue unimpeded. The American people deserve the truth. And they deserve accountability.”