The House Intelligence Committee has asked FBI Director James B. Comey and NSA Director Adm. Michael Rogers to testify in closed session for the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the presidential election and allegations of Obama administration surveillance of the Trump campaign.
Committee Chairman Devin Nunes announced Friday that the closed-door session would be added to the calendar and cancelled a previously scheduled open hearing where Obama administration officials were set to testify about Russian meddling in the election.
Mr. Comey and Mr. Rogers testified in an open hearing Monday but declined to answer numerous questions, including questions about whether the FBI was investigating allegations by President Trump about surveillance of his campaign by the Obama administration.
However, Mr. Comey did confirm an investigation into alleged collusion between Trump campaign officials and Russia.
“The committee seeks additional information from Monday’s hearing that can only be addressed in closed session,” said Mr. Nunes, California Republican. “It’s necessary to get both of them back down here before we can move onto other interviews.”
Rep. Adam Schiff of California, the ranking Democrat on the committee, blasted the decision to cancel the open hearing.
“We don’t welcome cutting off public access to information,” he told reporters at the Capitol.
Mr. Nunes this week said that he received information about dozens of reports for the U.S. intelligence community that showed Trump transition officials were “unmasked” when picked up in incidental surveillance activities, which could be a violation of federal privacy laws.
Mr. Nunes said the addition of the closed-door session was not connected to the intelligence documents he received.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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