Trump really wants to release the Nunes memo today, but there might be a wrinkle
On Monday, Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee invoked an obscure, never-before-used House rule to approve release of a four-page classified memo compiled by Republican committee staffers for Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), a member of President Trump's transition executive committee, over the objections of FBI Director Christopher Wray and Justice Department officials. On Tuesday, Trump told a GOP lawmaker that he will "100 percent" approve the publication of the memo, even though his White House was still reviewing it.
On Wednesday, the FBI issued a statement baldly warning that the bureau has "grave concerns about the material omissions of fact that fundamentally impact the memo's accuracy," and on Wednesday night, the Intelligence Committee's top Democrat, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), accused Nunes of making "material changes" to the memo before handing it to the White House, saying it is "imperative that the committee majority immediately withdraw the document that it sent to the White House."
Trump was set to release the memo as early as Thursday, Axios reports, and "staff had viewed it as virtually a done deal." Trump "has been really, really adamant about wanting this to come out," an administration source close to the situation tells Axios. "He wants it out. Full stop." But there's a wrinkle, Mike Allen reports. "We're hearing rumblings that there could be an 11th-hour extenuating circumstance, perhaps related to Schiff's tweet."
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.
The FBI released its public objection after Wray and Justice Department officials made several private entreaties to the White House. "Trump has told advisers that the memo could benefit him by undercutting the special counsel's investigation and allow him to oust senior Justice Department officials," notably Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, The Washington Post reports. "Allies say he is upset that he can't control 'my guys' at the 'Trump Justice Department' and that no one seems particularly loyal to him." As Axios says: "Another day, another uncharted territory."
-
Nepal’s fake mountain rescue fraudUnder The Radar Arrests made in alleged $20 million insurance racket
-
History-making moments of Super Bowl halftime shows pastin depth From Prince to Gloria Estefan, the shows have been filled with memorable events
-
The Washington Post is reshaping its newsroom by laying off hundredsIn the Spotlight More than 300 journalists were reportedly let go
-
Trump sues IRS for $10B over tax record leaksSpeed Read The president is claiming ‘reputational and financial harm’ from leaks of his tax information between 2018 and 2020
-
Trump, Senate Democrats reach DHS funding dealSpeed Read The deal will fund most of the government through September and the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks
-
Fed holds rates steady, bucking Trump pressureSpeed Read The Federal Reserve voted to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged
-
Judge slams ICE violations amid growing backlashSpeed Read ‘ICE is not a law unto itself,’ said a federal judge after the agency violated at least 96 court orders
-
Rep. Ilhan Omar attacked with unknown liquidSpeed Read This ‘small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work’
-
Democrats pledge Noem impeachment if not firedSpeed Read Trump is publicly defending the Homeland Security secretary
-
The billionaires’ wealth tax: a catastrophe for California?Talking Point Peter Thiel and Larry Page preparing to change state residency
-
Hegseth moves to demote Sen. Kelly over videospeed read Retired Navy fighter pilot Mark Kelly appeared in a video reminding military service members that they can ‘refuse illegal orders’
