The memo wars continue. This Friday night news dump brought to you by President Trump.
"Citing national security concerns, Trump says he won't declassify Democratic memo on Russia probe, asks for revisions," reports AP.
WH adds it's directing DOJ give "technical assistance" should Dems "wish to revise the Feb 5th Memo to mitigate the risks identified" by Admin in disclosure.
— Ari Melber (@AriMelber) February 10, 2018
W.H. Counsel Don McGahn writes to Devin Nunes that Trump is unable to declassify the Democratic memo "at this time" (Letter via pool). pic.twitter.com/DDRJtKz7s4
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 10, 2018
Sigh.
This will play badly. But the concern is from DAG and Dir-FBI saying the release of classified detail from a FISA application relating to counter-intelligence against the Russian government shouldn't be released without further redactions.
https://t.co/x1qC0Qa4jb— Pwn All The Things (@pwnallthethings) February 10, 2018
JUST IN: White House Counsel Don McGahn informs House Intel Chair Nunes that Trump is "unable to" declassify the Feb. 5 Dem memo "at this time" due to DOJ concerns expressed in a second, non-public letter. pic.twitter.com/fc5hoYVlF1
— Chris Geidner (@chrisgeidner) February 10, 2018
WH letter to Nunes on POTUS decision not to declassify the Dem memo: pic.twitter.com/1ejQtzCgK3
— Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) February 10, 2018
FBI/DOJ didn't want Republican memo released – Trump did it anyway.
FBI/DOJ didn't want Democrat's memo released – Trump didn't.
— Shimon Prokupecz (@ShimonPro) February 10, 2018
Okay so to review news THIS EVENING:
• #3 at DoJ is departing
• 2nd White House aide resigns over domestic violence allegations
• Trump won't approve release of Dem memo
• US spies paid $100k to "shadowy Russian" per NYT— Daniel (@DanielStrauss4) February 10, 2018
On Friday night, just as Olympics opening ceremony is airing, WH announces Trump won't allow release of Dem memo rebutting GOP allegations on FBI. Says DOJ will offer "technical assistance" to House Intel before release. Question is if House will override Trump, which is unlikely
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) February 10, 2018
Earlier this week, it seemed unlikely House GOP would override Trump https://t.co/w1XLf9VMEN
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) February 10, 2018
This development leaves four options:
1) HPSCI works w/ DOJ to produce a version of the memo that can be released;
2) The entire House votes to override the President's decision;
3) A member reads the memo into the record from the House floor; or
4) The Schiff memo dies… https://t.co/Eri3zmmrKr
— Steve Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) February 10, 2018
And, when they pin it on FBI/DOJ concerns, remember that DOJ and FBI had grave concerns with releasing the Nunes memo!
— Ned Price (@nedprice) February 10, 2018
Happy Friday night:
Chief of Staff John Kelly sorta offers his resignation for botching the Porter scandal
#3 @TheJusticeDept resigns
Trump decides he doesn't want the Democratic "memo" out ?
David Sorenson, a Trump speechwriter, resigns amid domestic abuse allegations
— Tom Namako (@TomNamako) February 10, 2018
Trump blocks release of the Democratic rebuttal to the GOP memo on Russia, due to "numerous properly classified and sensitive passages."https://t.co/IxVebQh7qh
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) February 10, 2018
