Congress released the controversial FISA memo on Friday, and though President Donald Trump, in giving his approval for the memo’s release, said the contents of it were “a disgrace” and that “a lot of people should be ashamed of themselves,” much of the political world collectively yawned.
Though some of the Republican leadership agreed with House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes’ assertion that the FBI and the Department of Justice were biased against Trump in the early stages of the Russia investigation, much of the political world thought the long-awaited memo was underwhelming.
But Trump doesn’t think so, and on Saturday morning, he let loose his feelings on Twitter.
This memo totally vindicates “Trump” in probe. But the Russian Witch Hunt goes on and on. Their was no Collusion and there was no Obstruction (the word now used because, after one year of looking endlessly and finding NOTHING, collusion is dead). This is an American disgrace!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2018
Many on the left side of the political aisle believe Trump and Nunes, and many others in the Republican Congress, are using the memo to try to discredit the Robert Mueller investigation. But others in Trump’s party don’t agree with his take on the memo.
Not true, says: @LindseyGrahamSC: “Finally, nothing in the memo released today undercuts Mr. Mueller’s investigation.” Or @SpeakerRyan: “It does not impune the Mueller investigation or the deputy attorney general.” https://t.co/ND1qCA6ySZ
— Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) February 3, 2018
Too many Republicans to count disagree with Trump “vindication” assertion, but let’s do one more: @TGowdySC: “As I have said repeatedly, I also remain 100% confident in Special Counsel Robert Mueller. The contents of this memo do not – in any way – discredit his investigation.” https://t.co/hE1FB2rjE5
— Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) February 3, 2018
Naturally, Democrats and political journalists (and Republicans) were quick to critique Trump’s Twitter update.
Appears @realDonaldTrump didn’t even read the #NunesMemo. Anyone who has read it knows it has nothing to do with what the @FBI surveillance of Carter Page actually uncovered.
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) February 3, 2018
The desperation we are seeing from @POTUS in grasping at straws shows, again, CONSCIOUSNESS OF GUILT. https://t.co/ZgXMF3BYO5
Trump tweet another sign he agreed to release memo as a way to discredit Russia probe, though memo only targets how the FISA warrant was obtained to surveil Carter Page – when the Russia and obstruction inquiries are much broader https://t.co/aSlY2fFP1N
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) February 3, 2018
Also, let’s be clear: nothing in the memo validates that tweet. Nothing.
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) February 3, 2018
Trump, though, isn’t likely to follow up anytime soon on Saturday morning.
After tweeting this morning about higher poll ratings and again slamming Russia collusion/obstruction probe as a “witch hunt” and “American disgrace,” Pres Trump is at his golf club in West Palm Beach. 70-degrees and cloudy.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) February 3, 2018
