House committee votes to release Democrats’ classified memo
WASHINGTON (AP) – The House intelligence committee has voted to release a second classified memo about whether the FBI and Justice Department conspired against President Donald Trump.
Democrats on the panel wrote the memo in an effort to counter some of the arguments and evidence put forward by Republicans in a document of their own, declassified by Trump last week. The GOP memo criticizes the methods the FBI used to obtain a surveillance warrant on a onetime Trump campaign associate.
Trump has five days to decide whether to allow the Democratic memo’s publication.
The battle of classified memos has further deepened the partisan divide on the House committee investigating Russian election meddling and possible connections between Russia and the Trump presidential campaign.
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., ranking member of the House Committee on Intelligence, speaks during a media availability after a closed-door meeting of the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill, Monday, Feb. 5, 2018 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump waves as he participates in a tour of Sheffer Corporation to promote his tax policy, Monday, Feb. 5, 2018, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Donald Trump boards Air Force One, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018, in Andrews Air Force Base, Md., en route to Palm Beach International Airport, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A intelligence memo is photographed in Washington, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. After President Donald Trump declassified the memo, the Republican-led House Intelligence Committee released the memo based on classified information that alleges the FBI abused U.S. government surveillance powers in its investigation into Russian election interference.(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive on Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport, in West Palm Beach, Fla., Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., ranking member of the House Committee on Intelligence, speaks during a media availability after a closed-door meeting of the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill, Monday, Feb. 5, 2018 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
