There has been another casualty of the upheaval in Washington over Russia and the unmasking of US citizens: Congressman Devin Nunes. Democrats called for him to step down after he revealed some of the facts to President Trump that showed “incidental” collection of information. Nunes refused to step down previously, but this morning he stepped down temporarily from leading the investigation.
What changed? Pressure and allegations of improper conduct.
Fox reported:
“House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes on Thursday stepped down temporarily from his role leading the committee’s probe of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign and possible surveillance of Trump associates by the prior administration.
Will this presidential election be the most important in American history?
Nunes in a statement cited the efforts of “several leftwing activist groups” to lodge “entirely false and politically motivated” accusations against him with the Office of Congressional Ethics as his reason for sidelining himself. The House Ethics Committee is set to investigate the allegations against Nunes.
Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, is now set to lead the Russia/spying probe “with assistance” from Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., and Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla.”
Crucial: there was BIPARTISAN support in #House #ethicscommittee to investigate #Nunes for possible illegal leak of classified information.
— howardfineman (@howardfineman) April 6, 2017
A good first step. Nunes lost all credibility. Now we need special counsel and bipartisan committee to investigate Kremlingate. https://t.co/0ntqloNkWd
— Max Boot (@MaxBoot) April 6, 2017
Nunes went to brief the President on the unmasking of Trump associates before meeting with the House Intelligence Committee. That resulted in Democrats with fodder to accuse him of “unauthorized disclosures of classified information, in violation of House Rules, law, regulations, or other standards of conduct.” Hence, a House ethics investigation was opened.
As part of the Trump transition team, he was under fire from Democrats who say that he cannot be impartial in overseeing the investigation into Russian tampering. When he conducted a press conference about the incidental collection of data, and advising Trump of the information, Democrats became furious.
Mostly they are furious because Susan Rice got caught, and they are desperate to change the subject. Her actions are a serious violation of the Constitution’s 4th Amendment, the right to privacy.
“Most of the media, of course, is so desperate to destroy Mr. Trump and cover up anything that might reflect poorly on [sic] the ex “president” that they would rather talk about phantom “Russia” connections instead. But an administration actively spying on political opponents during a presidential election, unmasking US citizens and then punishing them with selective leaks to the press? That is a real scandal. And a constitution crisis that raises dire questions about whether any American citizen is safe from the espionage thuggery of the politically powerful.” Charles Hurt, political reporter for Fox, Breitbart, and the Washington Times
H/T Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children
Related:
- Poll: Should criminal charges be filed against Susan Rice for the unmasking of Trump…
- MSNBC: Accusations against Susan Rice for unmasking are racist, sexist — Video
- Noted liar Susan Rice has quite the history of not telling the truth
- ABC, NBC cover up revelation Susan Rice ordered unmasking of Trump team members, CBS…
- Trump-haters defend Susan Rice, applaud unmasking of Trump team members
If you haven’t checked out and liked our Facebook page, please go here and do so.
