House Intel Dem: I haven’t seen evidence of Trump campaign crime ‘that the American people aren’t already aware of’

Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) on Thursday said he hasn’t seen evidence of a crime from the Trump campaign “that the American people aren’t already aware of,” adding that he’s been surprised at times as a committee member what special counsel Robert Mueller and the media have uncovered.

“We’ve got a ways to go. This is an investigation that needs to be done right, not done quickly,” Himes said on CNN, adding that there are “probably dozens” of witnesses the committee still wants to interview.

The House Intelligence Committee is one of multiple congressional committees conducting separate investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Mueller is conducting a separate, criminal investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

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Asked if he’s seen evidence of a crime from the Trump campaign, Himes said Thursday that it’s Mueller’s role to investigate crimes, but added he hasn’t “seen a lot that the American people aren’t already aware of,” citing the two guilty pleas and two indictments Mueller has obtained thus far.

Himes added that he’s at times been surprised by what Mueller has uncovered, or what the media has reported, including the meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and a Russian lawyer that took place in 2016 at Trump Tower.

The House Intelligence Committee in recent weeks and months has spoken with Donald Trump Jr., Attorney General Jeff Sessions and FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, among others.

Himes said “it’s a little hard to say” when the committee might conclude its investigation, though committee Republicans have indicated they are ready to wrap it up.

Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas) is leading the committee’s investigation after chairman Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) recused himself.

Nunes is reportedly talking with other Republicans about compiling a report alleging corruption at the FBI. 

Himes on Thursday was critical of President Trump for attacking the FBI in recent days, saying he has “gone out of his way” to damage the bureau’s morale and standing among American citizens.