Posted on 04/06/2017 7:10:17 AM PDT by Red Badger
Rep. Devin Nunes said Thursday he is stepping aside as chairman of the House intelligence committee because he is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for allegedly disclosing intelligence without proper authorization.
"The charges are entirely false and politically motivated, and are being leveled just as the American people are beginning to learn the truth about the improper unmasking of the identities of U.S. citizens and other abuses of power," Nunes said in a statement, adding that the allegations against him are "baseless."
Nunes said in a hastily-arranged press conference last month he had come into possession of classified information showing Trump transition team members were "incidentally collected" by U.S. intelligence agencies during their surveillance of foreign targets and improperly "unmasked." Nunes made his claim following a late-night trip to the White House where he reportedly met with senior administration officials who played a role in giving him classified information. (Nunes maintains they were not his original source.)
Rep. Mike Conaway, a Republican, will take Nunes's position as chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence as the Ethics Committee begins its probe.
The Ethics Committee is truly bipartisan, with an equal number of Democrats and Republicans. The 18a investigation, as its known, has subpoena power and may also look into what Nunes told Speaker Paul Ryan and President Donald Trump when he briefed them following his March 22 press conference.
Ryan said Nunes staying on would be a "distraction" for the investigation into Russia's interference in the election and possible collusion with Trump's team. Ryan earlier expressed support for Nunes.
"He continues to have that trust, and I know he is eager to demonstrate to the Ethics Committee that he has followed all proper guidelines and laws," Ryan said in a statement. "In the meantime, it is clear that this process would be a distraction for the House Intelligence Committee’s investigation into Russian interference in our election. Chairman Nunes has offered to step aside as the lead Republican on this probe, and I fully support this decision."
Nunes had not briefed Rep. Adam Schiff, his Democratic counterpart on the committee, before running to Ryan and Trump. That decision blew up an already strained committee, leading to recriminations from Democrats that Nunes was acting like a presidential pawn. The committee's downward spiral led to suspended hearings on the Russia probe, putting the onus on the Senate Intelligence Committee.
There is only One Way to end this charade and get the Truth out:
President Trump, Declassify the Files they were given access to and PUBLICLY RELEASE THEM!!!
What a Circus....
Is it possible, when push comes to shove going up against the “progressive Marxists”, that Pres. Trump himself is a wimp? Sometimes I think so.
Once again (not surprisingly)Republicans cave, Democrats win.
Holy crap—look at his ‘liberty score’! A Texas Republican who almost always votes against the conservative position!
https://www.conservativereview.com/members/mike-conaway/liberty-score/
The article hints this is from Ryan
How are the democrats able to do anything? I thought they were in the damn minority?!?!?
This is infuriating!
If nunes steps down and they don’t have a plan to screw the dems even harder then I’m just done. I’m so damn tired of this party capitulating to the leftists.
handed off investigation to members of his committee, so what.
Not sure what the point of this 3 ring circus is if everyone is going to recuse themselves from the investigation. The only thing that heard that would explain this is that Nunes was being wiretapped too. Someone had said that was why Sessions had recused.
Still this sounds like more of Rino’s backing away and giving the Democrats whatever they want.
WTF? Folded like a cheap RINO suit. Totally disgusting.
Just like the 911 Commission, and the Bengazi hearings, these Skygate
hearings are being set up for failure.
These hearings will be set up not to hold anyone accountable or
punished, but used a political tool to fool for GOP voters to run to
the polls and vote GOP again.
And the cycle will begin again.
This might be a big deal if the Republicans only had one decent lawyer and a bunch of political hack place-holders on the committee, they don't.
Uniparty sell-out. Utterly predictable.
The Deep State is in full control. “...And now it’s a Monster that will not obey”. The Progressives have no clue what has been unleashed.
Look for the next capitulation to occur on Gorsuch. He will be confirmed, but that’ll be it from then on; all others will be “negotiated” nominations.
This electronic surveillance bullshit goes WAAAAAY beyond Susan Rice and Team Trump. They’ve got something on virtually anyone who can make a difference.
So nobody on the committee remains?
PING!!!
Article and comments esp see post 25 with link to Rep Mike Michael Conaway who will step in his place.
Nunes stepping down from Russia investigation as he is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee... pointed out by Judge Nap on Fox: ANYONE can allege an accusation against a House member. In this case it was an activist who submitted the accusation.
Thanks, Red Badger H/T Jane Long
Similar threads:
Breaking: Nunes steps aside on Russia investigation
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3541605/posts
House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes will temporarily step away from Russia probe, reports say
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3541604/posts
“Holy crap—look at his ‘liberty score’!”
WTH! This guy is as bad as McTraitor. Terrible. Backstabbing Ryan strikes again. The coup will proceed.
I am listening to Laura Ingraham. She is furious about this. Says the GOP does not know how to wield power.
She thinks Trump needs to tell Jared to go home and take that Cohn fella and Ivanka back to NY.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.