Trump Russia probe: FBI has ‘grave concerns’ over memo
Democrats fear Donald Trump will use the document as a pretext to sabotage the investigation

FBI Director Christopher Wray has issued a rare public warning that the agency has “grave concerns” over White House plans to release a controversial Republican intelligence memo.
The document, compiled by the Republican chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Devin Nunes, is believed to contain details of an attempt by the FBI to extend surveillance of former Trump aide Carter Page.
The Guardian says the memo is “potentially explosive”, as it reportedly places blame for the flawed request on deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, who is overseeing special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Wray argues that the memo could be misleading. “With regard to the House Intelligence Committee’s memorandum, the FBI was provided a limited opportunity to review this memo the day before the committee voted to release it,” he said. “As expressed during our initial review, we have grave concerns about material omissions of fact that fundamentally impact the memo’s accuracy.”
Critics are concerned that Trump could use the document to suggest that Rosenstein is mishandling the investigation into Page.
Democrats believe releasing the memo “increases the risk of a constitutional crisis”, reports the BBC, and could lead to attempts by the White House to fire Mueller or, “as now seems more likely”, Rosenstein.
Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein has accused Republicans of trying to “undermine the special counsel's investigation” by “playing politics with highly classified information”.
However, says CNN, “despite Trump’s insistence the memo be released, the document will be reviewed to ensure that it does not compromise sources and methods,” – a process that may take up to five days.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Trump sends more migrants to El Salvador jail
Speed Read Another 17 Venezuelan alleged gang members have been deported to a notorious prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Markets notch worst quarter in years as new tariffs loom
Speed Read The S&P 500 is on track for its worst month since 2022 as investors brace for Trump's tariffs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'What is this Hungarian model they so admire?'
Instant Opinion 'Opinion, comment and editorials of the day'
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Trump sends more migrants to El Salvador jail
Speed Read Another 17 Venezuelan alleged gang members have been deported to a notorious prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Law firms: Caving to White House pressure
Feature Trump targets major law firms tied to his past investigations
By The Week US Published
-
Rule of law: Are we in a constitutional crisis?
Feature Donald Trump defies federal court order to halt deportation flights to El Salvador
By The Week US Published
-
Trump 'not joking' about unconstitutional 3rd term
Speed Read The president seems to be serious about seeking a third term in 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why does Donald Trump want Greenland?
The Explainer Trump is not the only US president who has tried to gain control of Greenland
By The Week UK Published
-
What dangers does the leaked Signal chat expose the US to?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION The White House's ballooning group chat scandal offered a masterclass in what not to say when prying eyes might be watching
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sets 25% tariffs on auto imports
Speed Read The White House says the move will increase domestic manufacturing. But the steep import taxes could also harm the US auto industry.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Even authoritarian regimes need a measure of public support — the consent of at least some of the governed'
instant opinion 'Opinion, comment and editorials of the day'
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published