Trump blocks memo release

Washington, Feb. 10: Citing national security concerns, the White House has formally notified the House intelligence committee that President Donald Trump is “unable” to declassify a memo drafted by Democrats that counters Republican allegations about abuse of surveillance powers in the FBI’s Russia probe.

White House counsel Don McGahn said in a letter to the committee that the memo contains “numerous properly classified and especially sensitive passages” and asked the Democrats to revise the memo with the help of the Justice Department.

He said Mr Trump is still “inclined”to release the memo if revisions are made. The President’s rejection of the Democratic memo is in contrast to his enthusiastic embrace of releasing the Republican document, which he pledged before reading to make public.

The President declassified the document last week, allowing its publication in full. He has said the GOP memo “vindicates” him in the ongoing Russia investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller. But those who drafted the GOP memo, have said it shouldn't be used to undermine the special counsel. — AP The third-ranking official at the US Justice Department is resigning just nine months after taking the powerful position, according to a media report.

The resignation of Associate Attorney General Rachel Brand, a national security law expert, comes as President Donald Trump and Republican legislators have stepped up attacks on the department over special prosecutor Robert Mueller’s investigation of possible Trump campaign links to Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Brand was in position to inherit oversight of the Mueller probe if the department’s number two, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, is forced out. The Justice Department did not immediately confirm the report.

The New York Times said Brand is leaving for a job in the private sector.

— AFP