Watchdog groups ask ethics group to investigate Nunes

Two political watchdog organizations are asking the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) to investigate whether the actions of Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) violate the House ethics rules.

“We request the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) to conduct a preliminary inquiry into whether Representative Devin Nunes, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, disclosed classified information to the public on March 22, 2017 in violation of the House ethics rules,” Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington and Democracy 21 wrote in a letter to OCE dated March 28.

{mosads}The specific rule mentioned in the letter mandates House members to “not disclose any classified information” unless “authorized by the House of Representatives or in accordance with its Rules.”

Nunes announced to the press that he had obtained reports that showed that President Trump’s transition team was incidentally surveilled by the intelligence community. He later said the information may have stemmed from a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant, raising questions about whether he had revealed confidential information.  

The lawmaker did not brief any of his colleagues on the House Intelligence Committee prior to his public remarks or briefing the president. 

A New York Times report this week also claimed that two White House officials assisted Nunes in acquiring information that showed incidental surveillance of the Trump team.