While many thought it impossible, this week featured even more chaos than usual from the Trump administration. Still, the Trump-Russia investigations continue to snowball.
That’s no thanks to Devin Nunes, Republican Chair of the House Intelligence Committee, who cancelled a scheduled public meeting of the committee that would have heard testimony from Former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and former CIA Director John Brennan. The top Democrat on that Committee, Adam Schiff, said Nunes did this to choke off public information – and it’s difficult to find any other credible interpretation. Schiff: Nunes Canceled Open Intel Hearing To ‘Choke Off Public Info’ More on this below. All the Democrats on the Committee called for Nunes to resign as Chair – not that he had any intention of doing that. Asked About Stepping Down From Probe, Nunes Evasive: 'Why Would That Be?'
Fortunately, in contrast the Senate Intelligence Committee held a press conference by committee Chair Richard Burr (R-NC) and Vice-Chair Mark Warner (D-VA). Both pledged “to investigate the full scope of Russia’s involvement, to look into the Trump campaign’s ties to Russian officials, and to produce a truly bipartisan report on their findings….” – and they were convincing. Everything We Learned Today About The Senate Intel Committee’s Russia Probe
Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal (of all places) reported that “Donald Trump's former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn on Thursday told the FBI and members of Congress that he is willing to be interviewed in exchange for a grant of immunity….” WSJ: Flynn Says He's Willing To Testify In Exchange For Immunity Deal. The Senate Intelligence Committee turned down the offer at least for now, perhaps because its members feel they don’t need to grant immunity to obtain that information. Senate Intelligence Committee rejects immunity deal for Michael Flynn at this time. In addition, Adam Schiff, aforementioned ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said “The public should learn a lot more about WHY General Flynn wants immunity when Sally Yates testifies before the House Intelligence Committee….” Top Intelligence Committee Democrat has an answer for Trump's 'witch hunt' tweet.
Finally, CBS reported that “U.S. investigators are looking into whether Trump campaign representatives had a role in helping Russian intelligence as it carried out cyber attacks on the Democratic National Committee and other political targets in March 2016.” (Emphasis added.)Note both the word “helping” and the early date. CBS stated that “sources say the FBI’s investigation is nowhere near over. It involves dozens of agents in Washington, New York and London. The NSA and CIA are also gathering intelligence from inside Russia.” That sounds like a damn serious investigation. Bombshell Article by CBS.