Did You Get The Memo?
First of all, I insincerely apologize for the Office Space reference (I love that movie). On a serious note, the apparent dysfunction in the relationship between the White House and members of the Department of Justice including the FBI continues to escalate. The latest controversy revolves around a memo related to the FBI’s continued investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential Election and possible misdeeds within the Trump team. Trump himself said that he “100 percent” wants the memo to be made public. Naturally, any document from the FBI must undergo a review/redaction process before it can be made public. Now members of the FBI are saying that the redacted content alters the accuracy and intent of the memo. I am sure this will provide plenty of ammunition for both sides of the infotainment industry. But frankly, I’d rather simply know the truth.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI says it has “grave concerns” about omissions in a classified memo on the Russia investigation that President Donald Trump wants to release to the public.
The statement Wednesday was the FBI’s first public comment about a four-page memo that was drafted by Republicans on the House intelligence committee and that has divided the Trump Justice Department and White House.
In its statement, the FBI says, “We have grave concerns about material omissions of fact that fundamentally impact the memo’s accuracy.”
The statements came hours after Trump was overheard telling a Republican lawmaker that he was “100 percent” in favor of releasing the document.
President Donald Trump was overheard telling a Republican lawmaker he was “100 percent” in favor of releasing a classified memo on the Russia investigation, and his chief of staff said Wednesday the document is likely to be released “pretty quick.”
The four-page memo, drafted by Republicans on the House intelligence committee, has touched off a partisan brawl with Democrats and pitted GOP lawmakers against the FBI and the Justice Department. The FBI director and the deputy attorney general have told the White House releasing it could set a dangerous precedent.
For his part, Trump has supported publicly disclosing the document, even though White House officials have said he hasn’t read it.
Trump made his intentions clear on Tuesday night after his State of the Union address, when he was captured by television cameras chatting to lawmakers on the House floor.
When South Carolina Rep. Jeff Duncan implored him to “release the memo,” Trump said: “Oh yeah, don’t worry. 100 percent.”
