Devin Nunes says he’ll continue to lead Russia inquiry
WASHINGTON — The Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee on Tuesday rebuffed calls to recuse himself from the panel’s investigation into Russian meddling in the presidential election, as Speaker Paul Ryan expressed support for his continued leadership.
R-Tulare, said he would continue to lead the House investigation despite accusations from Democrats — including his committee’s ranking member, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank — that he is too close to President Trump to conduct an impartial inquiry.
Last week Nunes said he briefed Ryan on information indicating Trump or members of his transition team may have been “incidentally” caught up in legal surveillance of foreign operatives by U.S. spy agencies.
Tensions had escalated Monday after the confirmation that Nunes had traveled to the White House grounds to view what he described as classified intelligence documents.
The next day, he announced to the media, and then Trump, that he had seen information indicating that members of the Trump transition team may have been caught up in legal surveillance.