Secret memo causing rifts over Russia

WASHINGTON — Conservative Republicans are pushing to release a memo containing classified information about the federal investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 campaign, sparking new controversy in a case that already has caused deep partisan rifts.

The contents of the four-page memo, which was written by staff working with Rep. Devin Nunes, a California Republican who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, have not been publicly revealed. But President Donald Trump’s allies in Congress say they are explosive.

“It’s some of the most alarming things I’ve ever read, and every single American citizen should be able to read that material as soon as possible,” said Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

Democrats on the committee have dismissed the memo as a dishonest attempt to undermine the Russia investigation, and Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., called it a “pack of lies.”

Republicans have repeatedly said the Russia investigation, currently led by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, has been undermined by partisan bias. Mueller was appointed last May after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey.

Freedom Caucus members asked House Speaker Paul Ryan to support releasing the memo during Thursday night negotiations over the federal budget. Ryan deferred the issue to the House Intelligence Committee, which made it available to every member of Congress this week.