Pols split with White House on Flynn talks with Vladimir
WASHINGTON — The White House may have the full backing of the House Intelligence Committee chairman in its “nothing to see here” message regarding alleged ties between President Trump’s team and Russia. But other Republicans, particularly vulnerable ones worried about their 2018 reelection prospects, may not follow suit.
Take Rep. Darrell Issa, (R-Calif.), who last night called Russian President Vladimir Putin “a bad actor who should be carefully scrutinized” by lawmakers “regardless of what side of the aisle you sit on.”
His comments came after Rep. David Nunes, (R-Calif.), served as a key Trump White House defender yesterday when he declared to reporters that “there’s no evidence of anything” when it comes to questions of whether ousted national security adviser Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn or anyone else on Trump’s team had improper contact with Russian officials.
Nunes went so far as to say Americans should “be thanking” Flynn for doing them a “big favor” by “keeping lines of communication” open with Russia in the wake of sanctions imposed by former President Barack Obama.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer quickly picked up Nunes’ baton and started running.
“A special prosecutor for what?” Spicer said at yesterday’s press briefing when asked if the White House would back an independent inquiry into Russian contacts. “How many people have to say that there is nothing there before you realize there is nothing there?” But not all Republicans agree. Last night Issa clarified comments he made Friday in an interview on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” where he said federal officials “need to use the special prosecutor’s statute and office,” in the probe.
He said a special prosecutor would only be needed if there is evidence of criminal action, but he held firm to his call for an independent investigation.
“The American people need a clear-eyed view of the nefarious actions of the Russian government,” Issa said, echoing arguments of fellow Sens. John McCain, (R-Ariz), and Lindsey Graham, (R-S.C.), who have called for a select committee to probe Russian election interference.
“Any review conducted must have the full confidence of the American people, which is why I recommended an independent review,” Issa said.
Issa narrowly won re-election in November — a victory declared nearly three weeks after Election Day because of its razor-thin margin. At a time when constituents are holding GOP lawmakers’ feet to the fire on issues from Russia to replacing Obamacare, Issa and other vulnerable Republicans know just how risky blind allegiance to the White House can be.