Jan 31, 2018 - Technology

FBI expresses "grave concerns" about Nunes memo

Shane Savitsky

The FBI has issued a rare public statement opposing the release of a memo on alleged FISA abuses authored by House Intel Chair Devin Nunes. From the FBI statement on the memo, which the White House plans to make public soon: "we have grave concerns about material omissions of fact that fundamentally impact the memo's accuracy."

Why it matters: It's notably strong language in the first on-the-record statement about the memo from the FBI, highlighting concerns about perceived political bias and the rushed declassification of material related to the Russia investigation via an arcane House rule.

The FBI's full statement:

The FBI takes seriously its obligations to the FISA Court and its compliance with procedures overseen by career professionals in the Department of Justice and the FBI. We are committed to working with the appropriate oversight entities to ensure the continuing integrity of the FISA process.

With regard to the House Intelligence Committee's memorandum, the FBI was provided a limited opportunity to review this memo the day before the committee voted to release it. As expressed during our initial review, we have grave concerns about material omissions of fact that fundamentally impact the memo's accuracy.

White House chief of staff John Kelly has said the release of the memo will come "pretty quick," despite FBI Director Christopher Wray reportedly urging the White House not to release it.

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FBI expresses "grave concerns" about Nunes memo

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