Top House Intel Dem: Nunes should recuse himself

The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee demanded Monday evening that Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) recuse himself from any investigations into President Trump’s campaign ties with Russia.

“After much consideration I believe Chairman should recuse himself from involvement in investigation/oversight of Trump campaign & transition,” Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) tweeted on Monday evening, as Nunes was giving an interview to CNN about his visit to the White House grounds to view classified material last week.

Nunes then announced to the press — without telling Democrats on his committee — that members of Trump’s transition team were caught up in incidental U.S. surveillance. After that press conference, he went to the White House to brief Trump. 

“This is not a recommendation I make lightly, as the chairman and I have worked together well for several years,” Schiff said in a statement.

“I take this step with the knowledge of the solemn responsibility we have on the Intelligence committee to provide oversight on all intelligence matters, not just to conduct the investigation.”

{mosads}Schiff’s call for Nunes to recuse himself follows that of Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who on Monday said Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) should replace Nunes in order for the Russia probe to be “credible.”

Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), who also sits on the House Intelligence Committee, reiterated the call for Nunes to recuse himself, alongside Rep. Eric Swalwell, a fellow California Democrat.

Swalwell, the ranking member of a House Intelligence subcommittee, said, “Chairman Nunes should no longer be anywhere near this investigation, let alone leading it. 

“For the sake of our duty to independently find the truth, and for the sake of his ability to chair the committee in its other important duties, he should recuse himself from our committee’s Russia investigation.”

Nunes told CNN on Monday evening that he was sure the West Wing was unaware of his visit to White House grounds to view classified materials. 

Some have speculated that the White House was the source of the intelligence viewed by Nunes. He would not give details to CNN Monday evening, but he maintained that he had to view the documents on White House grounds, as they could not be brought to the Capitol complex.

After much consideration I believe Chairman should recuse himself from involvement in investigation/oversight of Trump campaign & transition pic.twitter.com/jpfA1x80Si

— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) March 27, 2017