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Trump Says Republican Memo ‘Totally Vindicates’ Him Trump Says Republican Memo ‘Totally Vindicates’ Him
(about 2 hours later)
WASHINGTON — President Trump said on Saturday that a partisan memo released by House Republicans “totally vindicates” him in the investigation into Russian election interference, complaining that the “witch hunt” would go “on and on” even though there had been no collusion or obstruction of justice.WASHINGTON — President Trump said on Saturday that a partisan memo released by House Republicans “totally vindicates” him in the investigation into Russian election interference, complaining that the “witch hunt” would go “on and on” even though there had been no collusion or obstruction of justice.
Mr. Trump, who is in Florida for the weekend, took to Twitter to proclaim his innocence and denounce the investigation a day after the release of the highly contentious classified memo, which he had authorized to be made public. The document claimed that top law enforcement officials had abused their powers to spy on a Trump campaign adviser, Carter Page, who was suspected of being an agent of Russia.Mr. Trump, who is in Florida for the weekend, took to Twitter to proclaim his innocence and denounce the investigation a day after the release of the highly contentious classified memo, which he had authorized to be made public. The document claimed that top law enforcement officials had abused their powers to spy on a Trump campaign adviser, Carter Page, who was suspected of being an agent of Russia.
The memo, while trying to paint the origins of the Russia investigation as tainted, did nothing to clear Mr. Trump of either collusion or obstruction — the lines of inquiry being pursued by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III.The memo, while trying to paint the origins of the Russia investigation as tainted, did nothing to clear Mr. Trump of either collusion or obstruction — the lines of inquiry being pursued by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III.
The memo in fact undermined Republicans’ effort to cast doubt on the roots of the investigation by confirming that the inquiry was already underway when law enforcement officials obtained a warrant from a secret intelligence court to conduct surveillance on Mr. Page.The memo in fact undermined Republicans’ effort to cast doubt on the roots of the investigation by confirming that the inquiry was already underway when law enforcement officials obtained a warrant from a secret intelligence court to conduct surveillance on Mr. Page.
The Republican document, which Democrats dismissed as containing cherry-picked information and focusing on an obscure figure in the Trump campaign, confirms that a primary factor in the opening of the investigation in July 2016 was initial contacts between a former Trump foreign policy adviser, George Papadopoulos, and Russian intermediaries.The Republican document, which Democrats dismissed as containing cherry-picked information and focusing on an obscure figure in the Trump campaign, confirms that a primary factor in the opening of the investigation in July 2016 was initial contacts between a former Trump foreign policy adviser, George Papadopoulos, and Russian intermediaries.
But Republicans say the memo raises serious questions. They say the F.B.I. should have told the court that some of the information on which it was basing its request for a warrant involving Mr. Page had come from a former British spy who had been paid by Democrats. But Republicans say the memo raises serious questions. They say the F.B.I. should have told the court that the source of some of the information on which it was basing its request for a warrant involving Mr. Page had been paid by Democrats.
Mr. Trump has become increasingly open about his dissatisfaction with top law enforcement officials as Mr. Mueller continues to interview former and current White House staff members. On Friday, after declassifying the memo, the president hinted that senior leaders in the Justice Department and the F.B.I. should face consequences for conduct he called “a disgrace.”Mr. Trump has become increasingly open about his dissatisfaction with top law enforcement officials as Mr. Mueller continues to interview former and current White House staff members. On Friday, after declassifying the memo, the president hinted that senior leaders in the Justice Department and the F.B.I. should face consequences for conduct he called “a disgrace.”