Trump order was part of effort to undermine Trump-Russia investigation
Developments on Day 373 of the Trump Administration:
See Trump’s Ongoing Conflicts of Interest and Ethics Violations
Podcast: Will Trump Go Off-Script in State of the Union Address?
Trump Seeks #ReleaseTheMemo to Discredit FBI
Donald Trump clashed with the Justice Department by ordering the release of a classified memorandum seeking to undercut the Trump-Russia investigation of Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
On Wednesday, Trump issued a directive for the publication of the memo, written by Congressional Republicans in the name of the House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes. The Justice Department had warned that release of the document would be “extraordinarily reckless” without an official review of any classified information that might be revealed.
White House Chief of Staff John Kelly relayed Trump’s demand in two conversations with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, first in a small-group afternoon meeting and then over the phone in the evening.
Trump’s camp and its GOP allies have pursued a high-profile campaign — aided by Russia-linked accounts on social media — for #ReleaseTheMemo, hoping to tarnish the FBI. The document purports to show that the agency relied on politically-motivated or questionable sources for its request in July 2016 for a warrant, from the top-secret FISA court, for surveillance of Russian officials and entities.
Nunes has refused to turn over the memorandum for review by the Senate Intelligence Committee or by Government agencies.
The California representative already had a controversial role in the Trump-Russia inquiry. He was forced to recuse himself as Committee chairman in March 2017 after he consulted with White House officials and was passed information. Nevertheless, he has persisted in interventions hoping to derail the investigation.
Trump Complains: I Can’t Give Orders to “My Guys” at Justice
A “senior administration official” said Trump “is inclined” to release the memo “because it will shed light”. The official insisted, “Apparently all the rumors are that it will shed light, it will help the investigators come to a conclusion.”
With the investigation of Special Counsel Robert Mueller closing in, Trump has complained to confidants and aides in recent weeks that he is not allowed to give orders to “my guys” at what he sometimes calls the “Trump Justice Department”, said “two people familiar with the President’s comments”.
The complaints have added to indication of Trump’s repeated attempts to close off the investigation, possibly subjecting him to obstruction of justice charges.
Last week it was revealed that Trump ordered the dismissal of Mueller last June, weeks after the failed attempt to halt the inquiry by firing FBI Director James Comey. The order was blocked by White House counsel Don McGahn, who threatened to quit.
Trump has revived his criticism of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who officially oversees the Mueller investigation because of the recusal of Attorney General Sessions. Rosenstein is the only official who can formally dismiss the Special Counsel.
Trump has reportedly considered firing Rosenstein, hoping to replace him with an official more amenable to curbing or removing Mueller.
One source said Trump has told close advisors that the Nunes memo is starting to make people realize how the FBI and the Mueller probe are biased against him, thus giving him grounds for the departure of Rosenstein, whom Trump calls “the Democrat from Baltimore”.
Trump also reportedly sought the firing of Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe. The effort was stymied when FBI Director Christopher Wray threatened his resignation, and White House Counsel McGahn said McCabe’s dismissal was not worth the loss of Wray.
Wynn Resigns as Top GOP Fundraiser After Sexual Harassment Claims
Las Vegas casino tycoon Steve Wynn steps down as Republican National Committee finance chairman, following multiple claims that he sexually harassed and abused women, according to “three senior Republicans briefed on the decision”.
On Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported the allegations against Wynn, after reaching out to more than 150 people associated with the billionaire.
See TrumpWatch, Day 372: Under Presssure, Trump Turns v. Deputy Attorney General
RNC chair Ronna Romney McDaniel announced the resignation after she spoke with Trump on Saturday morning.
Wynn, 76, was Trump’s handpicked choice for the RNC position. Only last Saturday, he headlined a fundraiser for Trump’s reelection campaign and the RNC at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.