The “Nunes Memo” is the document prepared by Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., that allegedly details FBI’s abuse of power during its investigation on the President Donald Trump campaign’s Russian ties. The House Intelligence Committee approved the release of the memo on Monday, and now is now waiting for Trump to declassify the memo. The memo –– which Trump plans to release swiftly –– is the now the center of conversation on Twitter among several journalists and lawmakers.
Peter Baker (New York Times reporter)
Trump will tell Congress “probably tomorrow” that he approves releasing the GOP memo, senior official tells pool. “The president is OK with it,” the official said. “I doubt there will be any redactions. It’s in Congress’s hands after that.”
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) February 1, 2018
Burgess Everett (POLITICO reporter)
McConnell has not seen the memo
— Burgess Everett (@burgessev) February 1, 2018
Jeremy Herb (CNN reporter) / MJ Lee (CNN reporter)
Ryan dismisses Schiff charges about the memo being altered without members being notified ahead of Monday vote. "The process is exactly what it should have been" Ryan said.
— Jeremy Herb (@jeremyherb) February 1, 2018
Meanwhile, Democrats say there were “five material changes” to the Nunes memo, per @mkraju https://t.co/VHPbwPNji1
— MJ Lee (@mj_lee) February 1, 2018
During the Republican Congressional Retreat, House Speaker Paul Ryan denied accusations of the memo being altered and said, “The process is exactly what it should have been.” In contrast, the Democrats claim there were “five material changes” to the memo.
Phil Mattingly (CNN reporter)
.@SpeakerRyan on the Nunes memo: "What this is not is an indictment on our institutions"
Says it is legitimate congressional oversight, shouldn't be used to impugn Mueller investigation/FBI/DAG Rosenstein— Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) February 1, 2018
Dana Bash (CNN reporter)
Story with @jeffzeleny @evanperez https://t.co/x5FAislhJ2
— Dana Bash (@DanaBashCNN) February 1, 2018
The FBI had previously expressed “grave concerns” over the release of the memo because they question its accuracy. Wray was appointed as FBI director after Trump had fired James Comey in May 2017.
James Arkin (RealClearPolitics reporter)
“I think they’re just playing politics and they’re just looking for a political distraction” Speaker Ryan says of Pelosi/Schumer calling on him to remove Nunes from Intel Committee.
— James Arkin (@JamesArkin) February 1, 2018
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.
I’ve seen the underlying Intelligence documents behind the #NunesMemo, and it is a distortion of the facts. Anyone can selectively pick documents out of a huge storyline and cook up a case. That doesn’t make it true.
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) February 1, 2018
In an extensive nine-tweet thread, Warner said it is dangerous to bring partisanship into intelligence committees. He ended his thread with grave words, stating that “History is watching.”
Karen Travers (ABC reporter)
Pres Trump takes no Qs from White House press as he heads to Marine One-many shouted at him about Nunes memo. He just waved as he walked across the South Lawn pic.twitter.com/clbcs6aPfd
— Karen Travers (@karentravers) February 1, 2018
Despite reports that Trump may approve the release of the memo, he remained silent on the issue as he departed from the White House to attend the Republican Congressional Retreat.
David Wright (CNN reporter)
.@RepMarkMeadows: "It may be a disappointment for Democrats and the FBI but I believe it will be a good day for the American people as we start to see the rest of the story, and why indeed FISA, potential FISA abuses – and what that means is the spying of Americans – took place."
— David Wright (@DavidWright_CNN) February 1, 2018
.@RepMarkMeadows: "We can't really comment until it is unclassified, in terms of what is in this document, but I can say this — a memo without specifics, without names and the like, would not be real meaningful to the American people."
— David Wright (@DavidWright_CNN) February 1, 2018
.@RepMarkMeadows: "I can tell you, I had a lengthy conversation with Chairman Nunes last night. He stands by the memo. I stand by him in his constitutional duty to actually inform the American people."
— David Wright (@DavidWright_CNN) February 1, 2018
Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., said the memo should be released to inform the public and prevent further abuse of power by the FBI. In a Wednesday tweet, Meadows said “It’s time for full transparency” along with the hashtag #ReleaseTheMemo.
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
It’s clear that Chairman Nunes will seemingly stop at nothing to undermine the rule of law & interfere with the Russia probe. He’s been willing to carry the White House’s water, attack our law enforcement and intelligence officials, & now to mislead his House colleagues. 1/2
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) February 1, 2018
If @SpeakerRyan cares about the integrity of the House or the rule of law, he will put an end to this charade once & for all. 2/2
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) February 1, 2018
Schumer directly addressed House Speaker Paul Ryan to intervene and prevent the release of the memo. Ryan has yet to respond, though he had previously expressed he is in favor of the public release of a memo.
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif.
BREAKING: Discovered late tonight that Chairman Nunes made material changes to the memo he sent to White House – changes not approved by the Committee. White House therefore reviewing a document the Committee has not approved for release. pic.twitter.com/llhQK9L7l6
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) February 1, 2018
Schiff, who is the ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said the memo sent to the White House for declassification approval is different from the memo the GOP plans to release to the public.
Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.
This is all about obstructing justice. So disheartening that House R’s are determined to assault the integrity of the FBI and Justice Dept with a memo that contains “material omissions of fact that fundamentally impact the memo’s accuracy.” Just wrong. https://t.co/U3wlHBuezw
— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) February 1, 2018
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.
If this memo comes out, I have a long list of less sensitive, but still classified, information that the American people deserve to see. #secretlaw
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) January 31, 2018
Josh Dawsey (Washington Post reporter)
Distillation of covering this White House in 24 hours: Aides vehemently said Trump had not made up his mind on the memo, even though he has said for days he wants it out. On hot mic, he is caught saying he will release it "100%."
— Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) January 31, 2018
After the State of the Union, there were reports of Trump saying that he would “100 percent” release the memo. The next morning, the White House denied the claim.
