Ex-intel chief: Release of GOP memo a ‘blatant political act’
Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper on Friday criticized Republicans pushing to release a classified memo created by House Republicans, calling it a “blatant political act.”
“Transparency is a great thing, but let’s be factual and objective about it, and this clearly is a pretty blatant political act,” Clapper said on CNN’s “New Day.”
“Absolutely they should conduct oversight, but there’s a process for this that is discreet and confidential” Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper says of the House Intelligence Committee https://t.co/S7q0EwYEYa pic.twitter.com/aexA38Sfti
— New Day (@NewDay) February 2, 2018
The memo, created by House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), reportedly claims Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein approved an application last year to extend surveillance of former Trump campaign associate Carter Page.
Since the judge extended the original authorization, it indicates the original Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrant was “producing something and information of value,” Clapper said.
“This is not a casual thing,” Clapper said. “There has to be layers of approval and there has to be corroborating evidence. And the court, more importantly, has to approve it.”
Clapper laughed off President Trump’s Friday morning tweet lashing out at the Department of Justice leadership as “the pot calling the kettle black,” pointing out that Trump appointed most of them.
“I think this is almost amusing if it wasn’t such a serious topic,” said Clapper, who served as director of national intelligence from 2010 to 2017.
Clapper applauded the FBI’s move this week to issue a rare statement on its “grave concerns” about the release of the memo, which is expected to be made public sometime on Friday.
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