A long advertised memo reportedly authored by Representative Devin Nunes has been released from the Republican led House Intelligence Commiittee to the cry of foul by the minority party. The memo was edited after the meeting to approve it without going back for review, which is unethical and in violation of parliamentary procedure. Yet, the claim by the FBI and Democrats on the committee say it left out a lot of facts, while still confirming surveillance had been started off an earlier event which throws water on the larger claim.
But, there are two interesting quotes which tell you all you need to know about the issue.
Per The Hill, “Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) on Friday admitted that did not personally review the applications for surveillance warrants that provide the basis of the classified memo released earlier in the day.
Nunes said he relied on the review of committee member Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.).
‘No, I didn’t,’ Nunes told Fox News’ Brett Baier, when asked if he saw the applications.”
In essence, Nunes wrote a paper off a cliff notes without reading the novel. How does he know what he left out if he did not read the document on which the memo is based?
In contrast, here are words Republican Senator John McCain on the Nunes memo.
“The latest attacks on the FBI and Department of Justice serve no American interests – no party’s, no president’s, only Putin’s. The American people deserve to know all of the facts surrounding Russia’s ongoing efforts to subvert our democracy, which is why Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation must proceed unimpeded. Our nation’s elected officials, including the president, must stop looking at this investigation through the warped lens of politics and manufacturing partisan sideshows. If we continue to undermine our own rule of law, we are doing Putin’s job for him.”
We must heed the words of this man of integrity and let another one, Robert Mueller do his job. If the President is as innocent as he says he is, he should welcome that.
This tells you all you need to know about the veracity of the memo’s author. Conservative pundit David Brooks said Friday on PBS Newshour that the normal way to register concerns would be for the committee to invite the FBI in to ask them questions. I have said before, anytime a legislative body deviates from a normal process, take it to the bank, it is political.