Trump slams FBI, Justice Department over memo row

“The top leadership and investigators of the FBI and the Justice Department have politicized the sacred investigative process in favour of Democrats and against Republicans — something which would have been unthinkable just a short time ago. Rank & File are great people!” Trump tweeted. 

Trump has frequently clashed with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Justice Department as the probe into the Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election continues. The controversial memo, compiled by GOP staff for House Intelligence chair Representative Devin Nunes, accuses federal law enforcement officials of abusing their authorities when they sought permission to surveil former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.

Debate over the memo’s release has caused a firestorm in Washington as many argue whether its publication would pose tiol security concerns. Trump was expected to announce the release of the memo on Friday.  Democrats who have seen the memo say “it is a Republican attempt to push a rrative that would undercut the investigation into Russia’s 2016 election meddling and possible coordition with the Trump campaign”, the New York Times reported.

In response to Trump’s Twitter post, Representative Adam B. Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said “it was unthinkable that the top elected official in the US would release classified information to attack the FBI”. Republicans on the committee voted not to release the Democratic memo, but did support a motion that all lawmakers be allowed to review it. (IANS)