Rep. Rodney Davis said Monday that it’s important the memo concerning possible abuses in the surveillance system are publicly released to prevent misconceptions.
“I am for more transparency. Let’s start with four pages,” Mr. Davis, Illinois Republican, said on CNN. “Then let’s talk about releasing more.”
Mr. Davis said he read the memo drafted by Rep. Devin Nunes, the California Republican who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, but said he signed a nondisclosure agreement that prevents him from making any comment or characterization about it.
The memo concerns intelligence that reportedly shows officials withheld information from the FISA court, which issues surveillance warrants, in order to obtain warrants for certain Trump campaign aides.
“Frankly, what disturbs me is some of the discussion of what may or may not be in that memo,” he said.
He pointed to a report that President Trump debated firing Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein after he extended surveillance on the Trump campaign aides. Mr. Rosenstein is the acting attorney general in the Russia case since Attorney General Jeff Sessions has recused himself from all Russia-related cases.
“These distractions are keeping us from actually moving in to some bipartisan issues,” Mr. Davis explained.
He said Republicans and Democrats actually agree on many issues concerning surveillance, but since the memo and intelligence in this situation is not widely available, it is being relayed secondhand, causing confusion.
• Sally Persons can be reached at spersons@washingtontimes.com.
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