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Nunes Memo latest: Republicans release controversial intelligence report Nunes memo latest: Controversial intelligence report released by Republicans after Donald Trump gives approval
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A controversial memo alleging wrongdoing by the FBI in its investigation of the Trump campaign has been declassified and released to the public.A controversial memo alleging wrongdoing by the FBI in its investigation of the Trump campaign has been declassified and released to the public.
The memo, written by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, raises concerns about the FBI's interactions with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) that it says "represent a troubling breakdown of legal processes established to protect the American people from abuses related to the FISA process".The memo, written by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, raises concerns about the FBI's interactions with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) that it says "represent a troubling breakdown of legal processes established to protect the American people from abuses related to the FISA process".
The White House told the House Intelligence Committee on Friday that the report could be released to the public without redactions. President Donald Trump allowed the House Intelligence Committee to release the report to the public on Friday without redactions.
Mr Trump confirmed that the memo had been declassified, telling reporters: "Congress will do whatever they're going to do. But I think it's a disgrace what's happening in our country ... A lot of people should be ashamed of themselves."  Discussing the memo with reporters, Mr Trump said: "Congress will do whatever they're going to do. But I think it's a disgrace what's happening in our country ... A lot of people should be ashamed of themselves."
Republicans and Democrats have fiercely debated the release of the memo since last month, when Mr Nunes made it available to members of the House. Republicans claim the memo contains "shocking" allegations that the American public needs to read. Democrats say the memo is an attempt to discredit the Justice Department investigation into possible Trump campaign ties to Russia. Much of the memo concerns the process by which the FBI obtained a FISA warrant to surveil then-Trump campaign staffer Carter Page, claiming the warrant application was informed largely by a Democrat-funded opposition research dossier compiled by former MI6 agent Christopher Steele.
Mr Trump declined to say on Friday whether he still had faith in Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who is overseeing the Russia investigation. The memo also briefly mentions texts between an FBI agent and a lawyer for the bureau who worked on the investigation into possible Trump campaign ties to Russia. The memo claims the texts demonstrate "clear bias" against Mr Trump and in favour of Hillary Clinton.
The FBI cautioned against releasing the memo in a rare public statement this week, saying they had "grave concerns" about its accuracy. Democratic leaders in Congress went as far as asking House Speaker Paul Ryan to remove Mr Nunes from his position. "The Committee has discovered serious violations of the public trust, and the American people have a right to know when officials in crucial institutions are abusing their authority for political purposes," Mr Nunes said, adding that he hoped the memo's release would "shine a light on the alarming series of events".
"It is long overdue that you, as Speaker, put an end to this charade and hold Congressman Nunes and all Congressional Republicans accountable to the oath they have taken to support and defend the Constitution, and protect the American people," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi wrote in a letter. "The integrity of the House is at stake." Republicans and Democrats have fiercely debated the release of the memo since last month, when Mr Nunes made it available to members of the House. Republicans claim the memo contains "shocking" allegations that the American public needs to see. Democrats say the memo is an attempt to discredit the Justice Department's Russia investigation.
Mr Trump declined to say on Friday whether he still had faith in Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who is overseeing the investigation.
Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, previously called the Republican memo as a “highly misleading” attempt to undermine special counsel Robert Mueller, the attorney leading the investigation. The memo, Mr Schiff said, “seeks to selectively and misleadingly characterise classified information in an effort to protect the President at any cost.”
The FBI cautioned against releasing the memo in a rare public statement this week, saying they had "grave concerns" about its accuracy. 
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