Democracy 21 Calls on Speaker Ryan to Stop Rep. Nunes from Violating his Commitment to Stay Out of the Russia Investigation
In a letter sent today to House Speaker Paul Ryan, Democracy 21 called on the Speaker to stop House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) from continuing to violate his commitment to step aside from the Committee’s investigation into Russian interference into the 2016 presidential election.
According to the letter to the Speaker:
Your involvement in this matter is essential since Rep. Nunes has refused to honor the public commitment he made to remove himself from the Intelligence Committee’s Russia investigation. Rep. Nunes made this commitment when the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into whether Rep. Nunes had disclosed classified information in violation of House ethics rules.
The letter stated:
At the time Rep. Nunes announced he would step aside, you stated that you fully supported his decision. You also endorsed having Rep. K. Michael Conaway assume control of the Russia investigation, stating, “I am confident that he will oversee a professional investigation into Russia’s actions and follow the facts wherever they may lead.”
It is incumbent that you take action now to ensure the ability of Rep. Conaway and the Intelligence Committee to do its job free from any involvement by Rep Nunes.
According to the letter:
In a major breach of his commitment, Rep. Nunes reportedly has insisted on keeping control over the issuance of Committee subpoenas in the Russia investigation rather than delegating control to Rep. Conaway. By maintaining this power, Rep. Nunes has the ability to place limits on the number and scope of subpoenas that can be issued for the Russia investigation and therefore to place limits on the investigation itself.
“Rep. Nunes’ actions are in direct conflict with the commitment he made to the Intelligence Committee, to the House of Representatives and to the American people to withdraw from the Russia investigation,” according to Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer.
“Rep. Nunes is dishonoring the American people and discrediting the House by violating his commitment and improperly continuing to participate in the Russia investigation. It is Speaker Ryan’s responsibility to promptly put a stop to Rep Nunes improper actions,” Wertheimer said.
The letter stated:
Rep. Nunes also acted alone and without consultation with other Committee members to issue additional subpoenas to the National Security Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Intelligence Agency for information relating to the potential unmasking of Trump associates by Obama administration officials. These additional subpoenas appeared to have no purpose other than to create a diversion and distraction from the Committee’s Russia investigation and thereby serve to undermine that investigation.
According to the letter:
Rather than step aside and fully relinquish control over the Russia investigation, Rep. Nunes is maintaining his grip on the Committee’s most important investigative tool, the issuance of subpoenas. And further contrary to his commitment, he is simultaneously taking steps to undermine the investigation by creating side-show distractions from it.
The letter concluded:
Democracy 21 believes you must act to ensure that Rep Nunes relinquishes control over the issuance of subpoenas for the Russia investigation to Rep. Conaway and further to ensure that Rep. Nunes avoids taking any actions that would otherwise interfere with or undermine the Russia investigation.
Democracy 21 calls on you to exercise your authority and responsibility as House Speaker and as leader of the majority party in the House, to promptly ensure that Rep. Nunes honors his commitment and completely step aside from the Russia investigation. The Intelligence Committee must be free to do its job without improper interference from Rep. Nunes.
