Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA), ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee (and the Real Deal), called for Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), Chairman of the same committee, to recuse himself from the House Intelligence Committee’s investigation of Russia’s involvement in American democracy.
Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Russia investigation, called on House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes to recuse himself from the investigation in a stunning split between the two top investigators.
"After much consideration, and in light of the Chairman's admission that he met with his source of information at the White House, I believe that the Chairman should recuse himself from any further involvement in the Russia investigation, as well as any involvement in oversight of matters pertaining to any incidental collection of the Trump transition, as he was also a key member of the transition team," Schiff said in a statement Monday, following a meeting of the Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee.
The request marks a critical split between Schiff and Nunes, who had worked closely on the House investigation into ties between top aides to the campaign of President Donald Trump and Russian officials.
This follows Rep. Schiff’s latest call on Saturday for an independent commission and Special Prosecutor to investigate Russia’s involvement and interference in our Presidential election, in light of possible collusion with Donald Trump and/or members of his cabinet and legislators, including Rep.
Devin Nunes.
Rep. Nunes cancelled the briefing scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday March 28, ‘17) that would have given the Intelligence Committee a chance to review information given them by several sitting and former cabinet and intelligence officials. Rep. Schiff believes Nunes is protecting Donald Trump rather than the integrity of the investigation:
But Nunes seems to think otherwise: On Friday, the GOP lawmaker abruptly canceled an open hearing scheduled for next Tuesday, at which former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, and former CIA Director John Brennan were all set to testify.
Nunes explained that the hearing would be postponed, so as to allow FBI director James Comey and NSA director Mike Rogers to address the committee in closed session.
Schiff believes Nunes’s true motive is to spare the president a bad news cycle. And he isn’t afraid to say so.
New Yorker’s Ryan Lizza believes Schiff is correct:
While we are faced with another huge grassroots task in fighting the proposed tax breaks for the 1% tax reform, we must not keep our eyes off the Russia scandal. Our democracy demands that Trump and his associates be fully investigated, independent from Rep. Devin Nunes.
Rep. Schiff on Saturday:
A sampling of members of Congress and the Senate that are also calling for an independent investigation:
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA)
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
Rep. Eric Swawell (D-CA)
The Republican that signed on to the Protect Our Democracy Act is Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC). The bill was introduced in January! The text:
Protecting Our Democracy Act
This bill establishes in the legislative branch the National Commission on Foreign Interference in the 2016 Election to examine any attempts or activities by the Russian government or other governments, persons or entities associated with such governments, or persons or entities within Russia to use electronic means to influence, interfere with, or sow distrust in elections for public office held in the United States in 2016.
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA)
Rep. Bill Keating (D-MA)
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Sen. Al Franken (D-MN)
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA)
Call your Senators and Representatives today and demand an independent investigation into Russia’s involvement with our democracy via Trump and other members of Congress: 202-224-3121.