Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, who is now a CNN contributor, said Thursday night that he was restricted from discussing the network’s exclusive report surrounding an FBI official under investigation by the Department of Justice Inspector General.
The FBI official is under investigation for allegedly manipulating a document used to obtain a FISA warrant of Trump campaign adviser Carter Page during the 2016 presidential campaign.
McCabe appeared on “Cuomo Prime Time” with anchor Chris Cuomo on Thursday night after the CNN.com story broke earlier Thursday.
“My understanding is this: Andrew, you can’t talk about it,” Cuomo said in introducing McCabe. “You’re restricted from discussing the report of the investigation.”
“I’ve currently reviewed the report. I’m in the process of doing that,” McCabe replied. “I’ve agreed not to speak about it in any way until that process is over,”
“OK, I’ll respect that,” Cuomo said.
The alleged altering of the FISA warrant request, per CNN, was uncovered as part of Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s probe into whether the FBI followed proper protocol and internal bureau guidelines upon applying for a warrant to surveil Page in 2016.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) indicated on Thursday that a report of Horowitz’s findings should be released Dec. 9, with Horowitz expected to testify on Dec. 11.
McCabe was signed by CNN in August.
The 51-year-old was fired from the FBI for misleading investigators about unauthorized disclosures to the media in April.
In August, McCabe sued the Department of Justice and the FBI for the firing, calling the termination a “scheme” by President Trump to remove “partisan opponents.”