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Defying Democrats and FBI, Trump to Release Controversial Russia Probe Memo

HeadlineFeb 02, 2018

President Trump said Thursday he would not block the release of a secret memo on FBI surveillance drafted by Republican House Intelligence Committee Chair Devin Nunes, clearing the way for its release as early as today. Trump’s move prompted a chorus of outrage from Democrats on Capitol Hill and fed speculation that Trump’s own handpicked head of the FBI, Christopher Wray, could resign in protest over what the bureau called “grave concerns” over the memo’s accuracy. The memo purports to show that the FBI abused its power when it began surveilling Trump campaign adviser Carter Page in 2016 due to his dealings with Russia. The memo is expected to lay blame on the actions of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein—the same man who is the only official with the authority to fire special counsel Robert Mueller. This is California Congressmember Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, speaking Thursday.

Rep. Adam Schiff: “The White House knows it would face a firestorm if it fired Bob Mueller. What’s more effective is to fire Bob Mueller’s boss. Now, why is that more effective? Rod Rosenstein decides the scope of Bob Mueller’s investigation. … If Rod Rosenstein is fired and someone else takes his place that is a yes-man for the president, then they can limit Bob Mueller’s investigation in ways we will never see.”

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